A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 1578: Feeling Territorial?

Archer watched as Belleʼs cheeks flushed slightly, but she held his gaze, unfazed. ”Maybe. But Iʼd probably be the one running the show, not chasing after some charming guy with pointy ears.”

She smirked, popping a piece of lettuce into her mouth. Cece snorted, tossing the stolen onion ring onto Sashaʼs plate in a peace offering. ʼʼOh, please, girl. Youʼd be all over him if you spent five minutes in one of those stories.ʼʼ

”Would not,” Belle shot back, though her grin betrayed her.

She glanced at him, her red eyes narrowing playfully. ʼʼOkay, maybe Iʼd consider it. But only if he keeps buying me sandwiches.ʼʼ

Sasha leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. ʼʼCareful, Belle. Heʼs got a knack for winning people over. Those violet eyes are dangerous.ʼʼ

ʼʼOi, stop making me out like some villain,ʼʼ Archer interrupted. ʼʼYouʼre going to scare her away like most Earth women.ʼʼ

ʼʼSorry, love,ʼʼ Cece said. ʼʼThose bitches are idiots, you can clearly see youʼre different and unlike men from this world.ʼʼ

ʼʼMost see me as a monster after what I did to those cities,ʼʼ he revealed, chuckling. ʼʼBut I donʼt care, I have too many women as it is.ʼʼ

ʼʼWhat have you done?ʼʼ Belle questioned.

ʼʼAttacked several cities, destroyed billions in military equipment and made my woman the new president,ʼʼ he responded.

Just then, a TV in the corner of the diner came on, only for Elizabeth to appear on screen, surprising the twins. Ceceʼs eyes lit up as she spoke. ʼʼThereʼs Liz! She looks happier being back in control.ʼʼ

ʼʼOnly because of this devil,ʼʼ Sasha teased, her brown eyes filled with love.

ʼʼI warned the world leaders already, mess with me and Iʼll fuck up your world,ʼʼ he chuckled.

While those three spoke, Belle looked at him with a slack jaw as she started remembering stories of chaos breaking out all over the world, but she was wrapped up in a new novel to pay attention. She shook her head, asking. ʼʼWere you the thing that destroyed that European country a few years back?ʼʼ

Archer didnʼt speak but waved a hand, showing the blonde a mana screen of all his destruction, the cities he destroyed, the dead president and agents alongside everything else. The young womanʼs red eyes widened in surprise before an excited expression appeared on her face.

ʼʼSo they werenʼt just lying? All those things they said were the truth?ʼʼ Belle muttered.

He glanced at the twins, who blushed as Sasha explained, nervously playing with her fingers. ʼʼWe may have bragged about you to our friends, but no one believed us.ʼʼ

ʼʼTake a photo and share it on your socials,ʼʼ he suggested, their eyes lighting up with excitement.

Cece slid to his left, while Sasha settled on his right, both young women cozying up to him as Belle readied the camera. Archer flashed a charming grin, causing a flush to creep up her neck to her ears. She captured the moment and passed the phone to Cece, whose warm brown eyes sparkled with delight.

Following that, the group savored the last bites of their food, laughter filling the diner. Plates now empty, they gathered their things and strolled to the counter where the older woman was cleaning the side. Belle handed over her share of the bill, and her mother leaned forward, eyes twinkling with curiosity.

ʼʼSo, girl, where are you off to tonight?ʼʼ Darlene questioned.

Belle glanced back at Archer, Cece, and Sasha, who were playfully nudging each other near the door. Pointing at them with a shy grin, she said. ʼʼThe twins invited me to a party. Apparently, people are dying to meet the infamous boyfriend. Everyone around here thinks heʼs fake.ʼʼ

Darlene chuckled, wiping her hands on her apron. ʼʼOh, honey, with them? Youʼre in for a wild night. Just donʼt let those demonesses talk you into anything too crazy,ʼʼ she winked, handing Belle her change.

Archer overheard and sauntered over, his charming smile back in full force. ʼʼDonʼt worry, Darlene. Iʼll keep everyone in line,ʼʼ he said, earning a skeptical snort from Cece.

ʼʼYou? Keeping us in line?ʼʼ Sasha teased, looping her arm through Belleʼs. ʼʼCome on, letʼs go prove weʼre not lying.ʼʼ

The four of them left the diner when the twins circled Belle with knowing expressions on their faces. ʼʼA party? Is it that you just want to spend time with our man?ʼʼ

He watched the young woman get embarrassed, but she answered honestly. ʼʼYes, I want to see what itʼs like to be around the main character.ʼʼ

When Archer heard this, he started laughing before revealing. ʼʼItʼs a horrible but fun experience now Iʼm stronger and not being hunted by Dragon Hunters.ʼʼ

ʼʼDragon?ʼʼ

ʼʼLook at him, Belle,ʼʼ Cece giggled. ʼʼTell us what you see.ʼʼ

ʼʼGod, heʼs devastatingly handsome, like straight out of a novel or anime,ʼʼ she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. ”Pointed elf-like ears, snow-white hair like every main character these days, and those gorgeous violet eyes...ʼʼ

Belleʼs jaw dropped. ʼʼThose eyes... theyʼre not human! They look like a lizardʼs!ʼʼ

Archer let out a low, rumbling growl that sent a shiver through her. Sasha, perched nearby, stifled a laugh. ʼʼDonʼt call him that, heʼs far from a lizard, something far more sexy,” she teased, clearly enjoying the moment.

ʼʼThat growl, itʼs not just an angry animal, itʼs like something monstrous,ʼʼ Belle whispered, her gaze flicking back to him. ʼʼYouʼre taller than anyone Iʼve ever seen, with a jawline sharper than any novelʼs hero, and this... magnetic aura that just draws people in.”

Following that, Belleʼs gaze lingered; she felt he was beyond human, like a figure carved from legend. She leaned closer, captivated, her fingers twitching with the urge to trace his angular cheekbones. ʼHeʼs not just gorgeous,ʼ she thought, ʼheʼs… something else entirely.ʼ

A burst of playful laughter snapped her out of her trance. Three girls, clearly strangers judging by their curious, sparkling eyes, sauntered over, their voices dripping with charm. ʼʼOh my gosh, whoʼs this?ʼʼ one murmured, her gaze shamelessly tracing Archerʼs frame, a sly grin tugging at her lips.

Another, batting her lashes, stepped closer, tossing her hair with a flirty tilt of her head. ʼʼHey there, handsome, got a name to match that face, or should we just call you Trouble?ʼʼ

Belleʼs stomach churned, a hot spark of possessiveness flaring within her. Her cheeks burned, and before she could think, she hooked her arm through his, her grip firm. His warmth sent a thrill through her, but she held her ground, shooting a glare at the girls as she thought. ʼThey donʼt get to swoop in like that.ʼ

Before the newcomers could say another word, the twins moved in, each planting a love-filled kiss on his cheeks. Ceceʼs smirk was sharp, a silent challenge, while Sasha giggled, her eyes dancing with mischief. ʼʼSorry, girls, heʼs spoken for,ʼʼ the brown eyes beauty chirped, tossing them a cheeky wink.

The group faltered, their smiles morphing into jealous-filled scowls. One girl huffed, muttering something sharp under her breath, while another shot a jealous glance before they turned and shuffled off, their chatter now laced with irritation. Belleʼs hold on Archerʼs arm tightened, her heart hammering, not just from anger, but from the electric rush of being so close to him.

Archer glanced down, his violet eyes glinting with a teasing spark. ʼʼFeeling territorial?ʼʼ he murmured, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.

Belleʼs face flushed, but she didnʼt release his arm. ʼʼNo,ʼʼ she shot back, lifting her chin. ʼʼJust… staking a claim on what matters in life.ʼʼ

He leaned in close, his voice soft but steady, brushing against Belleʼs ear with a quiet confidence. ʼʼSo, whatʼs it youʼre really after?ʼʼ he asked, his tone warm, like heʼd already glimpsed the heart of her thoughts.

Her cheeks burned bright red as she honestly answered. ʼʼTo feel loved, to matter, to actually live. My lifeʼs so bland, like Iʼm just stuck, always stressing about whatʼs next.ʼʼ

Archer let out a low chuckle, the kind that felt like a pat on the back. ʼʼYou ever feel like youʼre meant to be somewhere else, somewhere bigger?ʼʼ

Belle nodded, her eyes locked on his, waiting. He gave her a small, knowing smile and went on. ʼʼStop worrying over the stuff you canʼt change. Youʼre not where you want to be yet, but picture this: what if you could just snap your fingers and be there? Would you even know it when you arrived?ʼʼ

He glanced away from the group for a moment, his voice calm but carrying weight. ʼʼYouʼre so caught up in where youʼre headed that youʼre missing the ride. Thatʼs where the good stuff happens, the laughs, the love, the moments that make it all worth it. The end goal? Itʼs just a dot on the map.ʼʼ

In a smooth step, Archer moved behind her, his voice dropping to a whisper near her ear. ʼʼLive a little right here, Belle. Let me show you how to find the spark in where youʼre at.ʼʼ