Chapter 3

The moment Celeste landed with me in her arms, Father was so startled that his cutlery fell from his hands. He shouted at me, "Elias, how dare you? A criminal like you actually lets Immortal Celeste carry you?"

"Get down, get down! Do not dirty Immortal Celeste's clothes."

Mother immediately echoed him.

Rowan said nothing, but jealousy and resentment flashed through his eyes.

I truly did not know why Rowan hated me so much.

He had been picked up by my parents and showered with care.

I treated him like my own brother. When Seraphina took us to the Celestial Realm, I did not leave him behind, yet he betrayed and framed me.

He claimed he was the one who discovered Seraphina when she was badly injured.

He claimed he personally cared for Seraphina during the first three months of her coma and even used his blood as medicine.

But the truth was that the night I brought Seraphina home, Rowan despised her so much that he forced me to settle her in a ruined temple deep in the mountains.

Yet Seraphina believed every word of his lies, and my parents always favored him.

"It is fine."

Celeste waved her hand, glanced around, and said meaningfully, "Even if Elias committed a terrible wrong, you are still family. You should not be so disgusted with him."

"Immortal, you do not know the full story. Please let me explain."

Father hurriedly pulled Celeste aside and listed my crimes one by one.

I did not argue.

"Elias, now that you are back, behave yourself. Learn more from Rowan."

Mother dragged me toward the back courtyard.

I nodded, not even daring to look at Rowan. I was afraid that if he became unhappy, he would run to Seraphina and complain about me.

Then I would inevitably receive another whipping.

The room was simple. It had only a bed, not even a table.

But compared to the days of reincarnation, it was far better.

When I reincarnated as an animal, how could I be qualified to sleep in a bed? I had squeezed into pigpens and sheepfolds. When I was finally reborn as a human, I was a despised cripple, abandoned since childhood and forced to sleep on the street.

So now, I was very satisfied. As soon as Mother left, I hurried to lie down on the bed.

I was too tired and soon fell asleep. As usual, I dreamed of my childhood.

Carefree days.

I could cry when I wanted to cry.

I could make trouble when I wanted to make trouble.

Suddenly, pain jolted me awake. When I opened my eyes, I saw Rowan standing beside the bed with a long whip in his hand and a playful smile on his lips.

"Rowan, I was wrong. I am sorry. I will never fight you for the Empress again.

"When you marry her, I will offer a dance as my blessing."

Terrified, I rolled off the bed and quickly bowed my head low to him.

"Hmph."

Rowan snorted coldly and said in a mocking tone, "Do you think that because you have seduced Celeste, you have a backer now and can live without worry? Let me tell you, that is wishful thinking.

"If I do not torture you to death, my heart will never be at ease."

Hearing that, my whole body trembled and cold sweat poured out. I could not help raising my head and asking, "I am already like this. Why still refuse to let me go?"

"Because I am afraid that one day, Seraphina will fall for you again."

Rowan smiled viciously.

As soon as he finished speaking, a guard from the Celestial Realm shattered the door and entered.

"By order of the Empress, arrest the criminal slave Elias."

The guard bound me with immortal-binding rope and dragged me away.

Rowan smiled as if spring had arrived.

I knew he had schemed against me again.

Once more, I was thrown heavily into the Empress's hall.

Once more, Seraphina sat high on her throne, looking down at me with cold eyes.

"Elias.

"Why are you so shameless? You have only just returned to the Celestial Realm, yet you already set your sights on Immortal Celeste. How bold of you!"

There was anger mixed into her questioning voice.