Isabella slowly turned her head. Her gaze once again landed on Daniel, but this time, it wasn't a simple look of curiosity or exploration. The emotions in her eyes were far more complex—shock, realization, and an undeniable sense of admiration. It was as if, at this very moment, she had finally come to understand just who it was standing beside her.

Daniel felt the intensity of her burning gaze, but his expression remained calm, unwavering like still water. He met her gaze with indifference.

"Are you satisfied with what you've seen so far?" he asked in a tone that was entirely unruffled, as if discussing something trivial.

A smile suddenly curved up at the corner of Isabella's lips, an enchanting smile that made her already captivating beauty even more mesmerizing. The shock and confusion in her eyes were replaced with a deep, intense interest.

"Satisfied? Of course, I am," she replied, her voice light but filled with genuine intrigue. "You're a thousand times more interesting than I imagined."

Isabella extended a slender finger, pointing towards a tavern at the corner of the street. The wooden sign of the tavern swayed gently in the breeze, accompanied by the faint sounds of chatter and laughter.

"Would you like to join me for a drink?" she asked with a playful tone.

Daniel followed her gaze, glanced at the tavern, and then nodded without refusal.

"Sure."

The two of them walked into the tavern, one following the other. As they entered, the distinct aroma of beer and roasted meat greeted them, filling the air with a mixture of earthy, savory scents. The tavern was bustling with life—mercenaries laughing and shouting, bards strumming their instruments, all creating a lively, vibrant atmosphere.

As soon as they entered, the entire tavern seemed to fall into a brief silence. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to Isabella. But as soon as their eyes landed on Daniel, they respectfully turned away, lowering their gazes and muttering among themselves.

Isabella, unfazed by the attention, walked directly to a vacant seat by the window. Daniel followed her and took a seat across from her.

A moment later, the bartender approached with respectful steps.

Isabella, not interested in the murky beer, asked with interest, "Do you have any more colorful drinks?"

The bartender paused for a moment, then quickly responded, "Of course, my lady. We have fruit wine brewed by the elves, and the latest concoction called 'Winter's Flame.'"

"Then I'll have a glass of 'Winter's Flame,'" Isabella smiled. Daniel, on the other hand, simply ordered a glass of water.

A few moments later, a cocktail, colorful and resembling flames in its hues, was brought to Isabella. The layers of the drink were distinct, and a mint leaf floated on top, adding a refreshing touch to the appearance.

Isabella lifted the glass, and her clear eyes reflected the dancing lights in the drink. She raised it towards Daniel.

"Little brother, aren't you going to have a drink with me?" she asked with a playful smile.

Daniel picked up his own glass of water. Isabella wasn't bothered in the slightest; in fact, her smile grew even brighter. The two glasses gently clinked together in the air, creating a crisp sound.

"This toast is for my freedom," Isabella said as she finished the drink in one go.

A blush spread across her fair face, adding a touch of allure to her already stunning appearance.

Daniel simply watched her quietly, taking a sip of his water.

The next moment, Isabella's body suddenly swayed slightly, as though she was losing her balance, and she leaned gently toward Daniel, soft and warm, collapsing into his arms. A faint, sweet scent wafted into Daniel's nose.

"Little brother…" Isabella's voice came out lazily, her breath warm against his ear. "I feel so hot…"

Daniel's brow twitched ever so slightly. His gaze turned icy in an instant.

A demigod from the realm of charm couldn't possibly be drunk from a mere mortal cocktail. The crude attempt at seduction irritated him. He didn't push her away, however. Instead, he spoke to her in a tone completely devoid of emotion, his voice cold and detached as he whispered in her ear, "Isabella."

Just calling her name, with no warnings or threats, was enough to send a chill through the air. The coldness in his voice seemed capable of freezing her very soul.

Isabella, who had been resting in Daniel's arms, froze instantly. Slowly, she lifted her head. The haze in her eyes cleared in a moment, and the drunken innocence on her face vanished, replaced by a clear, unmistakable frustration.

"You're no fun at all," she muttered, pouting, and straightened her posture. She sat back down, her demeanor now as cold and composed as before, as if the charming woman who had just fallen into his arms had never existed.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore," she said with a sigh, standing up and stretching her body, her perfect curves becoming even more evident.

"This world is quite interesting, I'll go explore it myself," Isabella declared. "Goodbye, boring little brother."

Before Daniel could respond, her figure disappeared without a trace, leaving no hint that she had ever been there.

The tavern was once again filled with the sounds of conversation, but Daniel remained seated at the table, gazing at the spot where Isabella had vanished. His eyes were deep, lost in thought, but his expression remained unchanged.

After a moment, Daniel sighed softly, and in the next instant, his body flickered and appeared right beside Isabella.

When Isabella turned around and saw him standing there, her face showed no surprise. Instead, she slowly turned to face him, a knowing smile playing on her lips, her eyes gleaming with a hint of triumph.

"I knew you couldn't bear to leave me," she said, her voice playful.

"Now, let's go join the celebration party," she continued, extending a fair hand and pointing towards a distant castle that was lit up with vibrant lights.

The castle stood proudly in the plains, its design vastly different from the solemn architecture of Winterhold Castle. It exuded vitality and energy, a stark contrast to the coldness of the palace they had just left.

Daniel remained silent, his gaze shifting from Isabella's smiling face to the distant castle. His silence was a form of acknowledgment, a tacit agreement.

Seeing Daniel's reaction, Isabella's smile grew even brighter. She didn't use any divine powers this time; she simply began walking towards the castle with a graceful stride. Daniel followed behind her, maintaining a three-step distance—close enough to ensure safety but not too distant to feel detached.

The closer they got to the castle, the stronger the scent of flowers became in the air. It wasn't the fragrance of a single flower, but the combined scent of thousands of blossoms, blended and carried by the evening breeze, creating a uniquely refreshing aroma.

They had arrived at Castle Mington, the heart of art and celebration in the entire Spiritual World. Today happened to be the annual Spring Festival for the human race.

The castle walls were adorned with massive wreaths made from vibrant flowers, creating an enchanting sight. The beauty of the scene made Isabella slow her pace, almost as if the surrounding beauty had a magical effect on her.

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