The moment Rolando saw the couple riding their horses side by side, complicated feelings started to blossom inside his chest. Although he had been able to deceive her with his gentle mask, he could not deny the hurt he was feeling. He felt like the fake mask he put on was shattered into a million little pieces.
"Harper, it's late. Where are you going?" Rolando softly asked.
"Go home, Rolando," Harper replied, the smile on her face unchanging, as if she didn't hold grudge against him. Matthew's face, on the other hand, darkened. His grim expression only meant one thing: he wanted to crush Rolando into a million little pieces.
"Home?" Rolando repeated. 'Home, Harper? Do you still consider the Bright Dynasty your home? Didn't that place only give you pain?' he thought, feeling disappointed. "You still don't consider the Great Jade Kingdom your home?"
Harper shook her head, but her smile never faded. "I'm just a guest here, Rolando. You know that. You own the Great Jade Kingdom and I'm just a passerby."
"The Great Jade Kingdom is your home, Harper! Bright Dynasty has given you nothing but pain!" Rolando firmly said in a noticeably louder voice. "Why would you ever want to go back to that wretched place?"
"Honestly, wherever Matthew is, it is home for me. We can be in the Bright Dynasty, the Wonder Kingdom, or the South Kingdom—I don't care. As long and he and I are together, I am at home," Harper replied, her face looking peaceful.
The smile on Rolando's face gradually faded away. Yet, Matthew was feeling and looking the exact opposite: the previously cold expression on his face morphed into something warm and happy, with a soft smile gracing his lips.
"In that case, I guess I have no choice: in order to keep you here, I'd also have to keep him here." Rolando turned to Matthew, rage and jealousy burning in his eyes. Without any kind of warning, he then lunged at him, his movement as smooth, sharp, and quick as lightning. Matthew wasn't taken by surprise, however—he, too, was now rushing towards Rolando. Soon enough, the two clashed, their energies neutralizing each other in a dazzling and heart-stopping display. Harper was unfazed sitting on her horse, electing to just look on instead of intervening.
Diana, on the other hand, was forced off of her horse by the sheer force of the impact between Rolando and Matthew. Fortunately she was able to quickly recover and stand up, just in time to see how majestic the fight between the two men was. It was her first time seeing them meet, and she was stunned by how powerful they both were. Only then did she realize how utterly stupid it was for her to even suggest to deal with Rolando alone. Even if Rolando got injured, it would literally take ten of her to at the very least neutralize him. 'Actually, even then it would be very hard,' she thought, feeling sweat run down her face.
Zorro prepared himself for what was about to happen as soon as he saw Rolando blocking their way. Quickly, he retreated far, far away so that he wouldn't be as affected. Seeing Harper stand her ground effortlessly, he was astounded. 'I have always known that His Highness's strength is unfathomable, but I didn't expect that Her Highness's strength is on par as his! She doesn't look affected by what is happening at all, which is impressive!'
"Amazing!" Diana whispered in utter disbelief. As she touched her bruised face, searing pain began to flood her senses. It only made Harper's nonchalance more admirable. "I really didn't expect my master to be such a powerful being. No wonder she adores that weirdo, Matthew, another powerful being! But Emperor Rolando... is just as strong as them. It's honestly amazing how she still hasn't taken a fancy in him!" she said.
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