"It's... my fault..."

Davis's expression softened as she quickly yielded, "I don't mean to blame you as it's just a bit of nectar. You can use it for yourself or your close ones, and I won't bat an eye, but if it's those people whom you or we have no connection with, I am really against it. After all, the nectar is still useful to us."

Princess Isabella raised her head before she shook her head, "You misunderstood... Using it was just a means of raising the crowd's morale so as to make sure that you receive all the applause and glory in the end. After all, I didn't believe that those participants could win the Alchemy Exchange when you are in it."

"Isabella..."

Davis suddenly felt satisfied that she thought that way but also felt bad.

He wanted to begin in a teasing manner and address this issue before Nora Alstreim intruded, but since she came off as controlling to him even now, he felt that he should make it clear that he does not like being swung here and there like a doll, but nevertheless, he had confidence in Princess Isabella that she was not a scheming person like him.

Although she seemed to be enjoying acting with him as the 'Young Mistress', it seemed to be half-hearted.

Princess Isabella preferred to act openly and righteous, but he was the one who showed the path of hoodwinking and corrupted her. He was afraid that she changed as a result, but as expected, he was overthinking when he thought that she was trying to sit on his head.

How could he have even suspected her?

"However, you are right. Accidents could've happened if you have chosen not to fake a breakthrough at that time but instead chosen to use your Elder Soul Stage soul force to concoct that pill, making it so that Dalila Leehan walks away with the nectar as an end result. I was careless and underestimated her prowess." Princess Isabella nodded her head before she turned a bit hesitant.

"Don't get angry, okay?"

Davis became taken aback, "What?"

"There was a reason that I wanted you to become the center of attraction, and that is because I wanted your current standing to become equal or greater to mine in some path, and in this case, I chose Alchemy in your stead since it is the best course of making you stand shoulder by shoulder with mine."

Davis blinked before he laughed, "Why would I get angry for something like this? It's not like you were trying to backstab me! Hahaha!"

"I wouldn't do anything like that!" Princess Isabella's expression turned a bit aggrieved but knowing that he was just joking around, she couldn't help but join him in laughing as well.

Unfortunately, she became unable to tell him that she had also hoped that he would form platonic ties with Dalila Leehan so that he could have a valid connection with the pill powerhouse, the Thousand Pill Palace.

After all, she mused that he had failed to succeed in that endeavor. She didn't want to make him become burdened by her selfish expectations.

She was the only one expecting of him, while the other two, Evelynn and Natalya, were wholeheartedly following his ideals and way of doing things. Deep down, she didn't want to be treated differently than them or be ostracized as a result.

Right now, the matter she feared the most isn't about her death but falling out with him for some selfish reasons! Parting was something she couldn't deal with at this stage as she realized that she had wholeheartedly started to love him even after knowing that Davis had his previous life memories.

"I want to know... What would have happened if I actually lost? Losing the nectar because of someone's selfish actions...?" Davis's eyes flashed while his lips curved into a teasing smile.

Princess Isabella's eyes brightened, "Oh! I nearly forgot! Here!"

Saying so, she brought her hand from his shoulder to his face before a blood vial appeared on her hand.

"Take it!"

'What the fuck!?' Davis almost exclaimed.

He wanted to tease her and ask her body as a form of repayment, making her cheeks redden in embarrassment while he would have his fun, but she presented him with a vial of blood, asking him to take it.

The first thought that encroached in his mind was to say that he was not a vampire, but it instantly dawned on him.

"This is Earth Drago- Diluted Blood Essence!?" Davis exclaimed in surprise!...

He almost blurted out, but he suppressed the word 'Immortal' from echoing.

Princess Isabella nodded her head with a sweet smile on her face, "Originally, I had already decided to give my two sisters this humble gift, but later, I became confused about whether to give it through you or give it myself as the latter seemed to be dangerous."

"After all, Evelynn said that she absorbed three drops of diluted blood essences and single complete blood essence, making me decide that I should give more to Natalya. However, if I gave more to Natalya and gave less to Evelynn, Evelynn would subconsciously think that I'm looking down on her even if it wasn't intentional on my part."

Princess Isabella's worried expression produced a smile.

"But if you give them, it'll be seen as being fair."

Davis thought for a moment before he nodded his head, "You have a point."

Indeed, even he felt that Evelynn would think of unequal distribution as unfair as those earlier diluted blood essences were something she earned through her hard work by clearing the Sky Grade Trial while laying her life on the line.

Although he felt that she would accept that Natalya should get more, she would still feel inwardly reluctant to be receiving less all the same.

"This vial contains twenty drops of diluted blood essence, so use it sensibly." Princess Isabella shoved the vial into his palm and nodded as if she were leaving things to him in a solemn manner.

"Haha..." Davis laughed, "Although I agree with your thoughts, I think you are over exaggerating a few things."

"Evelynn wouldn't hate you-"

"But she'll secretly hold a grievance against me."

"Davis, you can't sometimes fathom what happens in a harem. My mother... she..." Princess Isabella seriously uttered as she interrupted him, but her lips started to quiver.

Davis instantly recalled.

Princess Isabella's mother was killed by an internal squabble within the Imperial Ruth Family. He didn't know the specifics, but it seems like it was because of the Emperor's Harem. In other words, her father's harem was the reason for her mother's death.

He wrapped his hand around her neck and brought her face to his chest, consoling her with his warmth.

He couldn't refute her words because she was speaking from experience. Actually, it was even mind-boggling to him that she accepted to become a part of a harem after something like that happened to her mother.

Perhaps, there was a more profound or a simple reason that could be avoided?

He didn't think much and just consoled Princess Isabella for some time.

Princess Isabella wasn't that disheartened as her mother's death was a thing of the past, but she liked cuddling like this, like lovers, and stayed like that as long as she could, feeling his heartbeat match with hers.

Cherished thoughts were swirling in her head about these precious moments, but considering the place she was in and the actions that they did just a while ago, her thoughts moved in another direction.

What if one day, she could no longer feel this heartbeat? Just like her mother's?

Princess Isabella shivered in his embrace before she raised her head and brought her hand up again, displaying her palm as a golden dragon-scale patterned ring appeared.

"I want you to have it!"

Davis became shocked, thinking that it was an engagement ring as he mused if it had anything to do with Ruth Family's traditions, but he quickly noticed the abnormality of the ring.

His eyes widened into two saucers as he noticed the abnormal fluctuations, "T-This... Don't tell me this is a Peak-Level Emperor Grade Treasure!?"