Chapter 734: Best Friend Triad
Within a room that was so beautifully decorated and arranged to suit the taste of a refined woman, a portal tore open within the space, the air rippling like disturbed water. Through it, a woman with silky purple hair and matching ethereal eyes stepped out with a confident stride and a teasing smile playing on her lips.
But the moment her feet touched the polished floor, her steps came to a halt as she spotted another woman already present, standing tall and unbothered, a gleaming sword pointed directly at her in silent accusation.
Vega blinked once, then twice, her brow lifting in amusement as she took in Veronica’s expression. Veronica, with her long hair cascading like silk and her eyes narrowed in mock seriousness, stood like a warrior guarding sacred grounds. The sword in her hand shimmered faintly, her stance dramatic enough to belong in a stage play rather than an actual confrontation.
Vega simply smiled wider, unfazed by the weapon aimed her way. "Why," she began slowly, tilting her head with theatrical innocence, "are you pointing a sword at me? Did you think I stole your sexy soldier boyfriend?"
Veronica did not lower her blade. Her tone remained flat, but her lips twitched as though she wanted to smile. "Where have you been?"
Vega smirked playfully, folding her arms beneath her chest with deliberate grace. "I was out with my man, of course," she replied, dragging out the words just enough to provoke.
"Why didn’t you tell me?" Veronica asked, her sword still very much pointed at Vega as though she was expecting an execution-worthy justification.
"I didn’t realize I needed your permission to leave with my boyfriend," Vega said, feigning surprise. "After all, I distinctly remember you leaving with your own sexy soldier without informing me." Her tone carried that familiar teasing lilt, unbothered and amused.
Veronica clicked her tongue dramatically. "Even if you didn’t tell me, what about your birthday? You didn’t say anything. You didn’t get back to me. Nothing. I called and texted, and you ignored me. Why?" She asked with a soft pout forming on her face, looking less like a wrathful sword maiden and more like a wronged lover, despite clearly being the best friend.
"Just think of it as friendly payback for all the times you ignored my texts and calls. We’re even now, aren’t we?" Vega responded, her voice light and utterly unapologetic.
"Traitor to the Best Friend Triad!" Veronica declared, pointing dramatically as though delivering a sacred judgment. "You chose a man over your best friend. You’ve gone against the ancient girls’ code. Haven’t you heard the legendary decree, besties before testes?"
Her voice echoed dramatically through the room as if she were performing before an invisible audience.
"Your punishment for betraying the sacred laws: death by decapitation!" she intoned with regal flair, and in a blur of motion, she shot forward, her sword slicing through the air toward Vega’s neck.
Her speed was fast, fast enough to impress most, but to Vega, Veronica’s movement might as well have been a slow, exaggerated dance. Vega watched calmly, amusement glittering in her eyes. Veronica knew Vega could avoid the attack effortlessly, she was well aware she was weaker, and that was precisely why she aimed playfully, knowing Vega had already calculated a hundred ways to dodge even before the attack had begun.
Vega sighed dramatically, then moved with exaggerated panic, acting as though she were scrambling for her life. With a light swoosh, the blade cut through nothing but air, grazing the space where Vega’s neck had been a moment ago.
"Oh mighty Queen of the Best Friends Triad, forgive me!" Vega cried in playful defeat, raising her hands.
"Traitors are not meant to be forgiven," Veronica declared, her tone noble and commanding. "If they can betray you once, they will not hesitate a second time. Die, traitor to the cause!" Her sweet voice billowed as though she were a Valkyrie leading a crusade against all that was corrupt, her sword thrusting forward toward Vega’s kneecap with fierce dramatic intensity.
Vega slid to the side with equal dramatization, placing a hand on her chest. "Such cruelty from someone I once called sister!"
With a graceful flourish, Vega drew her own sword, the blade gleaming as she pointed it at Veronica like an opposing general of an ’evil order.’ "It seems I might have to take you down, oh revered Queen of the Best Friends Triad."
"Evil can never prevail over justice. Charge!" Veronica cried, kicking off the ground once more with sensational enthusiasm, clearly enjoying herself far too much.
Vega laughed, her own sword flashing forward. But before their blades could even meet, both weapons vanished, sealed away into whatever spatial spell they used, as the two women abandoned the mock battle entirely and instead ran into each other’s arms, hugging tightly with wide smiles.
"You finally got a man and threw your best friend to the curb during your birthday," Veronica said as she pulled away, eyes narrowed with playful accusation. "Nice move."
"Not exactly," Vega replied, a softer tone entering her voice. "I’ve been over at my parents’ place even days before my birthday."
"Hmph. All that matters is that you left with your man," Veronica muttered, crossing her arms.
"Why are you talking as though you never abandoned me for yours?" Vega retorted with a smirk.
"Whatever," Veronica huffed, finally dropping the act as she sheathed her sword. "Just sit and bring me up to speed on your dates and everything. I need full uncensored details."
Both of them moved toward the luxurious couch placed elegantly in the room. Within moments, as if responding to an unspoken command, the table before them was filled with cookies, delicate pastries, slices of cake arranged neatly, and a glass jug of orange juice that shimmered invitingly under the ambient lighting.
Vega made herself comfortable, crossing her legs as Veronica leaned forward with eager anticipation. With a breath, Vega began recounting everything, her voice taking on that storytelling rhythm.
She spoke about Anthony meeting her parents, and at that moment, Veronica froze mid-sip of her juice.
"Wait... Anthony is still alive? Did Klaus kill him?" she asked, eyes widening with genuine curiosity. She had known Klaus for years, enough to understand that man’s intense, overwhelming presence and his dangerously silent way of assessing people.
"Pfft," Vega waved off casually. "Don’t worry, he’s still kicking. Barely intimidated, actually," she said with a little pride in her tone.
She described how Klaus and Anthony had exchanged a silent standoff that could have frozen time itself, and how her father had taken Anthony somewhere unknown for what she suspected was... father and son-in-law bonding, if it could even be called that.
She then moved on to the moment her parents finally gave their silent approval, a subtle but significant moment she cherished.
From there, she transitioned into their date, the racing track, the roaring engines, the thrill of drifting cars and monsters appearing mid-race only to be taken down with swift coordination. Vega used her illusion magic to show Veronica scenes from the racing track, vivid images forming in the air, cars drifting, tires screeching, mechanical beasts clashing with monstrous creatures like some chaotic sport meant only for thrill-seekers.
Veronica’s eyes sparkled with fascination as she watched. The illusion shifted, showing their dinner date, the soft lights of the restaurant, the way Anthony had looked at Vega like she was the only star in the sky. Then the park, quiet moments under night lanterns, laughter, stolen glances, peaceful walks, it all flowed like a gentle river of memories.
At some point, Veronica leaned forward, curiosity rising once more. "So, what did he get you for your birthday? First birthday together, he must have gone all out, right?"
Vega paused for a moment, then said casually, "I told him not to get me anything... so he didn’t."
Veronica stared. "...And he actually listened? On his own girlfriend’s birthday?"
Vega only shrugged. "I said it, and he respected it."
Veronica threw her head back dramatically. "Unbelievable. I expected fireworks, enchanted jewelry, a dragon egg at the very least. And this man just... followed instructions? The audacity!"
Vega only laughed at her exaggerated disappointment.
Throughout their conversation, one thing remained unspoken. Vega never mentioned the Bloodline Awakening event, the day her power shifted into something far more dangerous and sacred. That subject felt too heavy, too cloaked in consequence to be casually thrown into lighthearted conversations. Some things, Vega knew, were better kept silent until the right moment arrived.
But in her heart, she silently made a note. If there comes a way to elevate Veronica’s bloodline too... I’ll do it. Without hesitation.
And just like that, laughter, teasing, and the warm comfort of shared moments continued to fill the room, the invisible bond between the two tightening even more.