Arfrotian reclined further in his icy chair, his eyes half-lidded in amusement as he watched Eterna’s radiant form. The way she carried herself, her celestial beauty and the intelligence behind her playful words—it all intrigued him. He had seen many beings, fought many foes, and even conversed with deities, yet this situation… it was a unique one.

  Eterna, on the other hand, was equally fascinated by him. Not only had he kept his composure in the face of an incomprehensible situation, but he was even toying with her, matching her playful energy with ease. For someone who had witnessed countless warriors tremble before her divine presence, this was beyond rare—it was exhilarating.

  She tilted her head slightly, her celestial-blue eyes gleaming with curiosity as she asked,

  “So, you are Arfrotian, right?”

  Arfrotian, still laid back, acted as though he had to actually ponder this question. His lips curled into a smirk as he responded in an almost absentminded tone,

  “Hmm… even I do wonder about that question of yours. I mean, am I really Arfrotian?”

  The absurdity of his response made Eterna laugh—a genuine, melodic laughter that echoed across the icy dream world.

  “You’re quite the funny guy, aren’t you?” she remarked, shaking her head in amusement.

  But Arfrotian’s expression shifted, his smirk fading as he sat up just a little, his gaze sharpening.

  “Whether I’m funny or not isn’t the matter here.”

  Eterna, sensing the shift in his tone, leaned forward slightly.

  “Oh? Then what is the real matter here?”

  A playful glint returned to Arfrotian’s eyes as he smirked.

  “The real matter here is that you are a beautiful, young, and smart lady yourself.”

  Eterna blinked, slightly caught off guard, but before she could interject, he continued,

  “You did compliment me first, so if I don’t return the favor, that would be bad manners, wouldn’t it?”

  Eterna chuckled at his words, tapping a delicate finger against her cheek.

  “Oh? So, we’re talking about manners now? Hmph. Well then, Arfrotian… what do you think of me? Am I only a beautiful, young, and smart lady? Or… something more?”

  Her tone was mischievous, teasing, testing.

  Arfrotian, resting his chin on his palm, let his gaze drift as if in thought. Then, with a smirk, he responded,

  “Hmm, you ask an interesting question. What do I think of you as…?”

  Eterna watched him expectantly.

  Then, Arfrotian’s smirk widened into something more devilish, his icy blue eyes gleaming with mischief as he said,

  “Hmph. So, you really want to hear what else I think of you?”

  “Right.”

  And then—without a shred of hesitation—Arfrotian leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the icy table, and in the smoothest, most absurdly confident tone, he said,

  “I think of you as my wife. What do you say?”

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  Silence.

  For the first time, Eterna faltered.

  Her celestial blue eyes widened, and a rare blush crept onto her flawless skin. Arfrotian’s words were so unexpected, so absurdly bold, that even the divine consciousness of an omniverse had to take a moment to process them.

  But then, she quickly regained her composure, her lips curving into a mischievous smile.

  “Oh my, what an honor!” she played along, crossing her arms. “But, I would kindly—”

  Arfrotian, anticipating her next words, murmured,

  “Reject my offer, is it?”

  But to his genuine surprise, Eterna smiled even brighter and continued,

  “—accept your offer.”

  Now that was something even Arfrotian hadn’t expected.

  He raised an eyebrow, though the smirk remained on his lips.

  “Hmm. So, we’re like husband and wife now, just like that? Out of nowhere?”

  Eterna’s expression was nothing short of radiant.

  “That’s because you made the offer first. And honestly, how could I reject someone like you?”

  Arfrotian’s sharp mind instantly picked up on something.

  “Hmm. ‘Someone like me,’ you say…?”

  His gaze became piercing.

  “Aside from the fact that you called me intelligent, handsome, and interesting, what else is there that made you accept my offer?”

  Eterna let out a soft laugh, eyes twinkling as she replied,

  “Oh really, aside from those facts? Do I need any other reason to accept you as my husband?”

  Her words were smooth, playful, yet carried an underlying truth to them.

  Arfrotian studied her for a moment before speaking.

  “So, accepting my offer outright, huh?”

  Eterna playfully tilted her head.

  “Huh? Would you rather I reject it? Though, even if you wanted me to, I’m not letting you take back your words.”

  There was something in her tone, something deeper.

  Arfrotian narrowed his eyes slightly.

  “Is it because you found someone you could follow? Someone that allows you to be free from a confined space? Or rather… have you always been waiting for someone worthy of your devotion?”

  Eterna’s smile softened as she sighed.

  “Now I understand why Zenian fears you and why the Ice Phoenix has contemplated over you for so long. You even managed to steal her heart.”

  Arfrotian went silent for a moment.

  Then, he spoke, his voice calm.

  “So, you know both of them. Well, that goes without saying. One tried to forcefully wield you, while the other tried to protect you. Is that it?”

  Eterna smiled.

  “You summed it up quite well. Though, I don’t know what you did… to me, that is.”

  Arfrotian smirked.

  “Huh? I did something to you? Why would I do anything at all?”

  Eterna, seeing through his feigned ignorance, pressed on.

  “Oh, then what is this world that has been built up? And do tell me, are you actually insane? Though from the looks of it, you wouldn’t try to do something such as risk your life just for a promise to the Ice Phoenix, right?”

  Arfrotian didn’t answer immediately.

  Then, with a knowing smirk, he said,

  “Hmph. Do you think I did this for another reason other than fulfilling my promise?”

  Eterna’s eyes glowed mischievously as she leaned in.

  “Oh, darling, you forget—you really did offer to make me your wife. And I accepted. That makes you my husband, right? Then what’s the point of keeping secrets from one another?”

  Her tone was playful, but Arfrotian could sense her curiosity, her desire to understand him.

  But Arfrotian?

  He simply smirked, leaned back once more, and said in the smoothest voice,

  “Oh, my dear wife, you know what?”

  Eterna, thinking he was about to finally disclose something, prepared herself.

  But what came next was something she never expected.

  “Life is interesting when everyone has their own secrets, right?”

  She blinked.

  And then, he delivered the finishing blow—

  “What’s the point of disclosing secrets? If we do, then there should never have been secrets to begin with. And since you’re my wife, that means I have all the more reason to keep certain things from you.”

  His smirk deepened as he finished,

  “After all, I can’t have you aching over things you should remain unaware of, right… honey?”

  Eterna stared at him.

  And then—she laughed.

  “Oh, Arfrotian… you really are something else.”