A Villain's Way of Taming Heroines

Chapter 537 Irreplaceable - III

Ansel showed no surprise, instead teasingly twirling Seraphina's white hair, "Why would you want to leave me? Are you tired of me?"

"Of course not!"

Seraphina almost jumped up in shock, "How could I ever get tired of you, Ansel? I wish I could be with you every day to have se—"

The girl paused, blushing, "I, I do spend every day with you, having... having..."

"I know, just joking." Ansel stroked her head in the way she liked best, "You want to find an opportunity for a breakthrough, right?"

"Yes." Seraphina nodded vigorously.

"I seem very strong now... but in reality, I'm still the same, neither here nor there, unable to truly help you."

The wolf girl caught Ansel's hand, pressing it to her cheek, and with her eyes closed, she softly said, "The little one can become incredibly powerful, but I can't... In such battles, I would only be a burden to you."

"I want to become stronger. Since I can easily fight those of the fourth stage while being in the third, maybe... when I reach the fourth stage, I can easily fight those of the fifth?"

Opening her eyes, Seraphina's gaze was full of hope and desire, "By then, I won't be a burden anymore, and I can help you with anything!"

"But..." Seraphina hesitated again, "It seems like you need help right now. If I leave, wouldn't that be bad?"

"Not at all."

Ansel gently caressed Seraphina's cheek, "Do what you want to do, Seri, not just for me."

"...Even if I leave for a while, you won't run into trouble?"

"Who could possibly trouble me?" Ansel couldn't help but laugh, "They should be praying that I don't trouble them."

"Indeed..."

Seraphina nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Ansel with bright, hopeful eyes:

"So, can I go?"

Ansel gazed at the girl's radiant expression, a gentle smile playing on his lips: "Of course, Seri. Aren't you looking forward to it? Why hesitate?"

"... Looking forward?" Seraphina touched her face, somewhat bewildered. "Am I really looking forward to it? I... I don't want to leave Ansel!"

Her tone turned anxious, making our wolf lady appear exceedingly adorable. Ansel pinched her soft cheek, his smile deepening: "Leaving me is just the premise. What you truly anticipate is the vast world beyond."

How could the future Beast King ever be content to lie at Ansel's feet like a domesticated dog?

"Seri, nothing can confine you, and I am certainly not your cage."

Ansel's eyes, more enchanting than usual, and his tender words, made Seraphina's heart flutter. She couldn't help but hug Ansel's waist tightly, nuzzling his stomach affectionately, murmuring, "Ansel... you've changed so much."

"Have I? I don't feel any different."

"Yes!" The girl nodded vigorously, her cheeks flushed. "I like Ansel even more! Every day, more than the last!"

She continued to nuzzle Ansel's stomach like a puppy, her movements gradually slowing.

"Ansel..."

However, Ansel did nothing more than retrieve a ring from the drawer and hand it to her.

"Did you know that Seri wants to go on an adventure, Marlina?"

"...Yes, I know. Miss Seraphina mentioned it to me." The girl bowed her head respectfully.

Ansel didn't comment on Marlina's formality, instead speaking gently: "The ring contains many essentials for her journey. She tends to leave impulsively, likely without proper preparation. She probably won't see me today, so please give this to her."

"Mr. Ansel, you... prepared this long ago, didn't you?"

"With her transparent nature, who could she possibly deceive?"

Ansel smiled, his eyes radiating pure warmth and affection, which Marlina easily noticed.

"Though I encourage her to pursue her desires," he sighed softly, his eyes lowering, "the thought of her absence makes me feel lonely."

"—Ah, don't tell Seri this, or she won't leave."

"You're overthinking it." Marlina smiled. "I would never be so indiscreet, Mr. Ansel."

"... Indiscreet?"

Ansel glanced at Marlina, lost in thought, but eventually smiled warmly: "Anyway, thank you for running this errand, Marlina."

"Yes, then I shall take my leave."

"Do your best, Marlina. Rhine's report speaks highly of you... It never gives such praise lightly."

Looking at the girl's delicate back, Ansel encouraged, "I told you, you are capable, aren't you?"

Marlina turned slightly, showing Ansel a gentle smile, her profile delicate and beautiful:

"It's all thanks to your grace that I am where I am today, Mr. Ansel."

"I will continue to strive, as you wish."

She bowed one last time and walked out.

Just "capable"...

Just being capable isn't enough.

But does my capability truly matter to Mr. Ansel?

I must become irreplaceable.

Like Seri, I must become irreplaceable to Mr. Ansel.

But how should I... achieve that?

...No, first, I must find a way to transcend to extraordinary.

Being merely "capable" is not enough; I never intended to see those words as my... endpoint.

At some point, Marlina no longer felt ecstatic merely from Ansel's mere praise.

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