Chapter 1153 Lunatic Bastien uttered those words affectionately with an utterly pained look in his eyes. However, staring into his adoring eyes, Natalie couldnât sense his sincerity. âW-Why are you here?â Instead of answering him, she replied to him with a question.
âHa!â As if he had heard the worldâs greatest joke, Bastien knitted her brows. âNatalie, why are you asking me that question now? If it werenât for me, there wouldnât be anyone to bandage your wounds.
You mightâve died here before being officially convicted.â
To his surprise, she laughed. âIn that case, I should really thank you.â Bastien fell silent as his pupils constricted. Her gratitude was laced with endless mockery and contempt toward him.
âOf course, you have to thank me.â He suppressed the anger in his chest and continued, âIf you donât express your gratitude to me, who else should you thank? Samuel Bowers? What is he capable of? He canât even come here to visit you while youâre being detained and tortured here. Heâs nothing compared to me!â
Gazing into Bastienâs eyes, Natalie couldnât help but notice how that man in front of her had become more like a stranger to her now compared to when they first met.
That sense of unfamiliarity gave her the feeling as if she had never understood him.
âBastien, should I thank you for watching as I get tormented when you clearly had the power to stop me from getting punished? Or should I thank you for allowing me to remember the pain and hatred after enduring all the sufferings, then appearing before me on your high horse so that I wonât forget your kindness of sparing my life? If it were Samuel, he would have willingly borne everything for me instead of allowing me to sustain an injury like this. Bastien, I canât believe you even attempt to compare yourself to him. Youâre inferior to Samuel in every aspect!â
He didnât anticipate she would once again see through his intention. Thatâs right! I couldâve forbade anyone from punishing her, but I assented to their actions with my silence. I want her to yield to me. As long as she submits to me, Iâll safeguard her.
Sensing the hint of surprise flashing across his eyes, Natalie grinned. âBastien, it seems like Iâve guessed correctly. So, this is the way you express your love. What an eye-opening experience this is!â
âAre you looking down on me?â As he asked her the question, he couldnât help exerting more force in pulling the handcuffs in his hand.
The handcuffs were linked to Natalieâs injured arm, sending pain all over her body. Nevertheless, she was a tenacious person. If he wanted to use that method to force her to give in, she would rather die than relent.
She said through gritted teeth, âYes, Bastien. I despise you!â
Noticing they had completely fallen out with one another, Bastien no longer kept up his tender mien. He used his other hand to grasp her chin. A malicious and furious look replaced his gentle gaze, and he even began to radiate a menacing aura.
âNatalie, Iâm giving you a chance to stay by my side. I wonât disdain your children, and Iâll treat them like they are my own.â
Under the assumption that he was magnanimously lowering himself to accommodate her, Bastien made his promise to Natalie.
âOf course, we will have our children in the future. When I become the king, our child will become Loangâs future ruler. I can satisfy whatever you and our child desire. I will protect you and shower you with affection. By then, everyone will be jealous of your venerable status. Hand me the real jade key.
Weâll unlock the ancient tomb together and acquire the rare treasure inside. Letâs enjoy the honor and glory together. What do you say? I can do all these things for you that Samuel canât. As long as youâre willing to join me, I can guarantee youâll escape this set-up unscathed. I can provide you with a new identity and officially turn you into my woman!â
After she heard his words, a simple conclusion surfaced in her mind. What a lunatic. Heâs entirely out of his mind!