Duke felt a mix of surprise and a growing headache. Indeed, Sylvanas lived up to her name: brave, defiant, and sharp-witted. Historically, the Ranger-General was fiercely passionate about her convictions, yet remarkably reserved when it came to her own emotions.
Duke had known Sylvanas for fifteen years, and never once sensed romantic interest from her. Though he sometimes inadvertently flaunted his affections, causing her, a perpetually unattached soul, some grief, he swore he never intended to deliberately toy with her feelings or pursue her sisters. And saving her? Of course. If he’d left her to die in Quel’Thalas, Alleria and Vereesa would have never forgiven him. But who could have predicted that saving her would lead directly to such a fervent kiss?
In fact, at that moment in front of the Sun-Chasing Court, Duke was distracted. Damn it! I’ve been so miserable to be reborn here. After working so hard to be a hero, do I have to be unattached for the rest of my life? My life has already become intertwined with two of the sisters; perhaps I should simply embrace a future with all three. Duke had mentally prepared himself for the possibility of a future with all three Windrunner sisters, but Sylvanas’s fierce resistance was an unexpected twist!
Duke took a deep breath. With the nonchalance of one who had faced death and resurrection, he ignored the dagger at his throat, its tip rising and falling with his pulse. "Ask what you will," he said, his voice steady. "My answer may not be what you expect, but it will be the truth."
Sylvanas bit her lip, her gaze flickering away for a moment before locking onto his again. "Do you love my eldest sister and my youngest sister?"
"Yes!" Duke replied, without a moment’s hesitation.
"Lirath told me they can’t return to Azeroth for now. What will you do when they do come back?" Her words were a snare, but Duke knew he couldn’t afford to get caught.
"I will continue to love them, as always," Duke stated, his gaze unwavering.
Almost instantly, Sylvanas’s vibrant, expressive eyes welled with tears. She bit her lip so hard that a bead of blood appeared. She drew a few shaky breaths, her toned chest heaving. "So... do you like me?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "I mean, that kind of love?"
"Yes!" Duke affirmed, his voice resolute.
Sylvanas’s initial delight vanished, replaced by a sudden, almost fearful chill. Her elegant elven brows rose. "What do you like about me? Is it my figure, similar to my eldest sister’s? Or my face, like my youngest sister’s? What does this mean? Do you like all three of us sisters? Or do you simply like all high elves?"
"Are you afraid you’re just a substitute for your older sister?" Duke’s words struck home, and Sylvanas visibly trembled.
"I... didn’t... think that..." Sylvanas involuntarily turned her head, unable to meet his intense gaze.
Duke gently grasped the dagger’s blade with two fingers of his left hand, pushing it aside. His left arm encircled her slender waist, while his right hand cupped her chin, gently turning her face to meet his gaze once more.
"The Sylvanas who cherishes her sisters." "The Sylvanas who rains arrows on the battlefield." "The Sylvanas who swung her long legs fearlessly on my rooftop." "The Sylvanas who sacrificed wealth, honor, safety, and comfort for her homeland." "The Sylvanas who would give up her own freedom to save her people." "I love every single one of those Sylvanases."
As Duke spoke, Sylvanas seemed to be struck by a love-induced petrification spell. Her body stiffened, unable to move. Only her ragged breathing and pounding heart confirmed she was still alive.
"There was once a sincere love before me, but I was unsure, afraid to speak, and so I lost it. That is the most painful thing in this world... For ten years, I’ve lived with that regret. If fate were to grant me another chance, I would tell that girl three words: ’I love you.’ And if I had to put a time limit on that love, I would wish it to be... ten thousand years!"
This classic romantic declaration, though used countless times before Duke’s transmigration, still held the power of a supreme lover’s confession. As he spoke, Sylvanas’s emotional defenses crumbled.
The Ranger-General, who moments before had been so resolute, seemingly ready to die if he disagreed, now lost all strength and collapsed limply into Duke’s arms. Every inch of her exposed skin flushed with a deep blush. Her lips, once firm with defiant words, now parted in soft, gentle gasps.
She dared not meet his gaze, turning her head aside. Finally, she asked, almost a struggle, "You still haven’t answered me. What about us sisters? Humans can only have one legal wife, right? We are three. And don’t you have a fiancée named Proudmoore?"
Jaina! That was another complication. However, Duke, now fully embracing his ’Harem King’ persona, was undaunted.
Duke replied with arrogant confidence, "At worst, I’ll simply marry all of you sisters. Laws are made by humans. And as it happens, due to the continuous wars, human males have suffered heavy casualties. I will return and change the Alliance laws to permit polygamy. As for Jaina... I despise political marriages without true affection. No one can force me to marry a woman I don’t love!"
Wow! This was an abuse of power! And it felt so good!
"Really?" Sylvanas asked, her voice surprisingly subtle. Duke, caught in his triumph, missed the cunning glint that flickered in her eyes.
"Of course!" Duke declared, punctuating his words with a triumphant clap.
At that moment, an unexpected knock sounded at the door. It was the voice of the damned maid, Vanessa: "Master Edmund, Miss Jaina Proudmoore is here to visit. As your official fiancée, I’ve brought her directly to the door. Will you receive her?"
She’s already at the door, so are you going to meet her or not?! You little—
Looking at Sylvanas, who was now smiling like a blooming flower in his arms, Duke’s mind reeled with a million curses.
Damn it! You two tricked me, didn’t you?!
You thought I’d just flaunt my happiness? Hahahaha! You’re too naive, young ones! Take this poisoned display of affection, no thanks!