CH355 Dilemma and Recognition

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[P.S: More like Author-forced Dilemma.]

'Never judge a man until you've walked in his shoes, huh…' Alex mused to himself. 'I thought the old man was insane for choosing an all-out military option against an entire world. But now that I'm faced with the same choice… I can't help but want to do the same.

'After all, what do the lives of people I've never met have to do with me? Why should my people lose their lifespan for nothing, just because I want to play a saint?

'I used to look down on the nobility of this world for their mindset… but it turns out, I'm not all that different from them.'

He felt disgusted by his own thoughts—and the reflection staring back at him from the jar—but at the same time, he couldn't help but feel that maybe this was the right choice.

Alex leaned back in the chair, eyes fixed on the ceiling. His thoughts began to spiral down a dark path—until he suddenly felt a soft tug at his Spiritual Force.

A familiar sensation brushed across his mind.

Alex shot up from the seat and bolted for the door.

When he opened it, he found a familiar tan-skinned beauty standing outside, hesitating, hand half-raised as if unsure whether to knock.

"You're finally back, Udara," he said with a small smile.

The woman before him was none other than his lithe, generously rear-humped Shadow Guard.

"Yes, Master," Udara bowed her head—half in greeting, half to hide her embarrassment.

"Master, huh…" he muttered under his breath.

"Come in." Alex gestured her inside with a wave of his hand, closing the door behind them—almost as if to keep her from escaping.

"Take a seat. I'll get us something to drink," he said.

"Master, I—"

"Sit first. You just got back—we'll talk slowly."

He walked into the kitchen and returned with two cups of milk mixed with honey.

"What about Sir Allen?" Alex asked, passing one of the cups to Udara.

"He left after dropping me off. He said he needed to meet someone," Udara replied.

"How's your training? Where have you been all this while?" Alex asked.

"I travelled with Teacher to one of the Earl's planes. It had a large time dilation. He taught me many things while we were there."

"What? Another plane?" Alex leaned forward, eyes bright. "So, all those times we spoke on the phone—you were actually in another realm?"

Udara shook her head, dashing his excitement.

"No. The Rune Phone doesn't connect across planes. It only worked when I returned to Pangea," she said softly.

"But you contacted me every other day…" Alex frowned.

Udara nodded. "Yes. We came back to Pangea every week in-plane. All my calls were made during those brief returns. What was a single day to you… was about a week for me."

"I see…" Alex muttered.

For a moment, he had hoped the Rune Phone worked across planes. But that hope vanished almost immediately.

Shaking his head and pushing aside the greedy thoughts, he asked, "How's your learning under Sir Allen going?"

"Teacher said I've learnt all he can teach me. The rest, I'll have to figure out myself—through experience," Udara replied.

"That's good." Alex nodded with approval. "That means I should expect a competent spymaster back in my fold."

"I'll do my best not to disappoint you, Master," Udara said, her tone oddly urgent.

"I know you will." Alex gave her a reassuring smile.

A quiet moment passed before he asked, almost casually, "Isn't there something you should tell me?"

Udara's body stiffened. Her gaze fell to the floor, refusing to meet his eyes.

Alex's frown deepened.

"When were you planning on telling me you were brought in as my fiancée… and not as my Shadow Guard?" he asked, voice calm but sharp.

"I don't… know," Udara whispered.

"Then why did you do it?"

"…."

"Udara?"

"…I didn't want you to abandon me as well."

The words were barely audible, but Alex heard them clearly enough.

He froze.

Her strange insistence on not disappointing him, her need for his approval, the anxious flinches whenever she thought he might scold or ignore her—all the pieces fell into place.

'Looks like I was right,' Alex thought grimly. 'She's been through something traumatic… something that left her terrified of being abandoned. She probably panicked when she reached Ashen Castle, afraid I'd reject her, and chose to bind herself to my service as my Shadow Guard instead.'

A master and Shadow Guard were bound by an oath unto death. Usually, it was a one-sided bond in favour of the former, but Udara had accepted it willingly—because it meant Alex could never easily cast her aside.

Even if he did, it would likely end in her throwing herself into something reckless, something deadly for his sake.

At least if she died in service, she wouldn't have to live through another abandonment.

'What did she go through?' Alex wondered.

He could guess parts of it from what he knew about her, but not enough to see the whole picture.

Still, whatever it was, it didn't seem like something that would harm him. It was simply… too painful for her to speak about.

'Now's not the time to push. I need to reassure her,' Alex decided.

Alex stood up, walked to her side, and gently wrapped his arms around her.

"I don't know what you've been through," he said softly, "but I hope that one day, you'll trust me enough to tell me."

"Master, I—"

"You don't have to force yourself if you're not ready." Alex interrupted before she could continue. "I just want you to know that I'm not like those people from your past. I value you—your loyalty, your company. You're one of the few people I trust completely. I would never abandon you. If anything…" he chuckled faintly, "I'll probably give you more work than you can handle."

He loosened his embrace but kept his hands on her shoulders, lowering himself so that her downcast eyes met his.

"No matter how familiar a situation feels, no matter how much fear you feel, I want you to remember this: I'm not like the others. I won't abandon you. I'll always want you by my side."

"Do you understand?"

Udara's eyes glistened as she nodded faintly. "Yes, Master."

"Master, huh…" Alex sighed with mock disapproval. "It seems you still don't understand."

Before she could react, he pulled her down by her arms—and kissed her.

Udara stiffened, instinctively trying to pull back, but Alex held her firmly, deepening the kiss until her resistance melted away. Their lips moved in sync, hesitant at first, then gradually more assured.

When he finally pulled away, Udara was breathless, her cheeks flushed crimson.

"Do you understand now?" he asked with a small, teasing smile.

"Yes… Ma—Alex," she whispered, barely audible.

"Good girl." Alex smiled and drew her back into his embrace.

Tearful but smiling blissfully, Udara rested her head against his chest, her heartbeat finally steadying.

As Alex held her close, his own thoughts returned to what he'd said earlier.

'No matter how similar the situation looks, I am different from others, huh…' He mused, a faint grin tugging at his lips.

His mind drifted back to his earlier dilemma—and suddenly, he understood.

'Indeed, I am different. Why should I walk the same path as others? Wouldn't that be boring? No… I am Alex Fury, and I'll always walk my own path.'

Once again, Earl Drake Fury's words had proven prophetic.

He had found his answer—by rediscovering who he truly was.

'I can't believe I struggled over something so simple,' he thought, chuckling inwardly.

His gaze softened as he looked at the woman in his arms.

'I managed to find myself again because of you,' he thought as he gently patted her back. 'How could I ever think of abandoning you?'

He grinned.

'You've boarded Captain Alex's pirate ship, Udara… and there's no getting off now.'

**(5/70)**

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