"Even if you can't, you must. It's pointless worrying over things you can't control; the change you desire will only come from focusing better on what you can control," Vaan stated.
Dahlia gave a forlorn smile.
Without explaining anything, Vaan already knew what she was thinking and feeling. She was like an open book for him to read. He had always been amazing like that since she met him. However, the gap between them continued to grow since then as well.
With such a significant difference in status and power between them compared to when they first met, it was normal for her to start feeling afraid of being abandoned and left behind. Because of this fear, she would naturally compare herself with the other women around Vaan. After all, she believed that as long as she wasn't the worst person in the harem, she wouldn't be the first to be abandoned. She didn't need to be the best; being somewhere in the middle was sufficient to put her mind at ease.
"I know what you are thinking, but this kind of mindset is wrong, Dahlia. I am not someone who abandons my women over a deplorable reason like being useless. So, your fear is unfounded," Vaan coolly stated.
Given his knowledge and countless opportunities hidden in the world around him, even if his women were all untalented, he could still find a way to turn them into talented geniuses.
As such, as long as his women had the heart to toil hardship and grow, they would never be mediocre with him around.
"As long as you don't betray me or purposely harm your sisters, you will always have a place at my side. Talent can be changed, but trust can't be regained once broken," Vaan added.
"Even if the gap between us continues to grow?" Dahlia asked unconfidently.
"That's right," Vaan nodded before mentioning with a calm smile, "After all, you'll still be chasing to catch up no matter what, no?"
"Mm," Dahlia quietly nodded.
Although she had strong feelings for Vaan, she also knew their relationship wasn't one of love but trust and commitment. As such, once that trust was broken, there was no chance of mending it.
Such a relationship wasn't fair for her, but it was one she was willing to bear.
After all, her love wasn't completely selfless. She also had a selfish reason for sticking to Vaan. Without him, her whole life would have most likely been limited to Redpine City.
However, thanks to their meeting, she felt like she had more control over her life; she had more choices available to her.
Vaan could take her to heights she never dreamed of having in the past.
Instead of imagining the world through the words of others in books, she would much rather see the vast world with her own eyes. She wished she could freely experience the world described in her books.
Sometime after Vaan placated Dahlia and extinguished her worries, he shifted his attention to Ninth Dream.
He had already stopped his dual cultivation with Dahlia, but Ninth Dream was still immersed in touching herself. The erotic movements and sounds she made were certainly a treat for sore eyes.
Vaan suddenly noticed Ninth Dream abruptly stopping her masturbation and started fixing her clothes hastily as if someone had just caught her in the act.
She looked extremely distressed, awkward, and ashamed.
However, Vaan was certain she didn't notice his spying. Furthermore, she didn't seem to discover Fourth Dream and Seventh Dream peeking at her in the distance either.
After noticing Fourth Dream and Seventh Dream's expressions, Vaan immediately realized Hecate must have contacted them. That also implied her meeting with the Great Devils must have concluded.
'That finished earlier than I expected,' Vaan mused.
Sometime later, Ninth Dream approached the rock chamber, neatly dressed without any traces of the mess she made when she touched herself.
"Sir Vaan, are you free? Lady Hecate would like to have a word with you," Ninth Dream asked.
"Alright," Vaan acknowledged.
Shortly after separating from Dahlia, he cleaned up and dressed before heading outside to meet Ninth Dream, where she offered her hand to link him to her spiritual connection with Hecate.
Without Ophelia around, the Dreamcatchers had become his new channels of communication with Hecate.
Just as Vaan exited his rock chamber, his nose twitched a few times before casually commenting, "Doesn't it smell like freshly squeezed flower essence around here?"
Although the words were softly spoken, they rang like thunder in Ninth Dream's ears. She was immediately petrified on the spot.
'Nooo! I can't be!' Ninth Dream screamed in her mind.
She was certain she had already erased the funny smell on her body with magic. As such, there shouldn't be any traces of it left.
But if that was true, how could Sir Vaan smell it?
Ninth Dream started to doubt whether her flower cave still leaked new fluids due to the abrupt end of her private session. However, she didn't have the opportunity to check while standing in Vaan's presence with her hand extended.
Looking into Vaan's seemingly innocent yet curious eyes, Ninth Dream felt very distressed, as if she were on the verge of a mental breakdown.
"You don't smell it, Lady Ninth Dream?" Vaan asked, feigning ignorance.
"I... N-No... Er, I mean, yes. I was concocting a medicinal drink earlier... That must be the smell you are picking up, Sir Vaan," Ninth Dream vaguely explained as her cheeks reddened with embarrassment and shame.
"Oh? Medicinal drink?" Vaan uttered with surprise before asking with concern, "Do you have some chronic illness, Lady Ninth Dream? Have you drank your medicine?"
Ninth Dream almost wanted to faint on the spot when Vaan's seemingly innocent question forced the image into her head.
Of course, the medicinal drink was just an excuse, as she knew what she actually meant. How could she drink her secreted fluids?
"Ugh... I'm flattered by your concern, Sir Vaan, but please don't worry about me," Ninth Dream forced a smile before urging him, "Please grab my hand to connect to the spiritual
link. Lady Hecate is waiting."
"Alright," Vaan calmly nodded.
He figured he had teased her enough.