Ethan’s consciousness returned slowly, like surfacing from deep, black water.

The first thing he felt was softness—warm, yielding pressure against both sides of his body. Something heavy and plush pressed into arms. His head throbbed dully, but the pain felt distant, muted by the overwhelming sensation of being… held.

He opened his eyes.

Unfamiliar ceiling—white panels, soft mana-lamps glowing faintly along the edges. The scent of healing salve, antiseptic, and something sweeter—lavender?—filled his nose.

Infirmary.

It all came back in fragments: the vines, the thorns, Flora’s mocking voice, the darkness swallowing him, Mee’s voice calling him back, the black marks burning across his skin, the kiss in front of the entire colosseum.

His right hand twitched.

He lifted it—slowly—turning it over.

The black markings were still there.

Jagged, lightning-like tattoos covered his entire right hand and forearm—dark as ink, faintly pulsing with an inner crimson glow. They didn’t hurt anymore. They just… were. Permanent.

“Master!”

Ava voice came, filled with relief.

Ethan exhaled through his nose.

*Still here, huh?*

Then he heard it—two small, grumpy sounds. Soft, sleepy grumbles.

He turned his head left.

Mee.

Her long brown hair spilled across his shoulder like chocolate silk. She was curled against him—face tucked into the crook of his neck, one arm draped possessively over his chest, her full C-cup breasts squished warmly against his side through the uniform. Kee’s crimson-and-gold blazer was still draped over her like a blanket, but it had slipped down just enough to reveal the upper swell of her cleavage—soft, creamy, rising and falling with each breath. Her cheeks were flushed even in sleep, lashes wet, as though she’d cried herself out.

To his right—

Liana.

His little sister, curled into his other side like a koala. Her ash-brown hair was a glorious mess; one leg thrown over his thigh, generous chest pressed firmly against his ribs, cheek smushed against his shoulder. Tear tracks still stained her face—eyes puffy, corners glistening—but she was breathing deeply now, clinging to him like she’d never let go again.

Both of them were beautiful.

And both were grumbling in their sleep—tiny, grumpy noises that made his chest ache with something warm and fierce.

Ethan swallowed.

Slowly—carefully—he lifted his unmarked left hand and brushed a strand of hair from Mee’s face.

Her lashes fluttered.

Then—Mee’s eyes opened.

Brown. Warm. Still glassy from sleep and tears.

She blinked once.

Then her eyes widened.

“K-Kee…?”

Her voice cracked—small, disbelieving.

Ethan smiled—soft, tired.

“Yeah.”

Liana stirred next—groggy mumble.

“Onii-chan…?”

Her eyes snapped open—huge, shimmering.

“Brother?!”

Both girls moved at the same time.

Mee threw her arms around his neck—burying her face in his chest—sobbing his name again.

“Kee—!”

Liana launched herself across him—wrapping both arms around his head—cheek squished against his.

“Onii-chan! You’re awake! You’re really awake!”

Ethan grunted—half-laughing, half-wincing as their combined weight pressed him deeper into the mattress.

Two sets of very soft, very full breasts squished against him from both sides—Mee’s on his chest, Liana’s against his neck and shoulder. He could feel every shaky breath they took, every tremble.

He wrapped his arms around them both—left around Mee’s waist, right carefully around Liana’s shoulders—avoiding putting too much pressure on the marked hand.

“I’m here,” he murmured—voice rough from disuse. “I’m okay.”

Mee pulled back just enough to look at him—tears streaming down her cheeks.

“You scared me…” she whispered—voice breaking. “You scared me so much, you idiot…”

She leaned in—pressed her forehead to his—breathing shakily.

“I thought… I thought you were gone…”

Ethan’s heart twisted.

He lifted his unmarked hand—cupped her cheek—thumb brushing away tears.

“I’m right here, Mee.”

Liana sniffled—nose buried in his neck.

“You big dummy… you collapsed right after kissing her… I thought you died…”

Ethan chuckled—low, tired.

“Takes more than that to kill me, squirt.”

Liana huffed—then kissed his cheek—loud, wet, exaggerated.

“Don’t ever do that again!”

Ethan smirked—tilted his head toward her.

“Love you too, brat.”

Ava—sitting quietly in the chair beside the bed—finally spoke.

“Master Ethan…” Her voice was soft, relieved. “I’m so happy you’re alright.”

Ethan glanced over—smiled faintly.

“Thanks for looking after them, Ava.”

Ava blushed—looked down.

“Of course…”

Mee pulled back slightly—eyes flicking to his right hand.

She saw the black markings.

Her breath hitched.

“Kee… your hand…”

Ethan lifted it—turned it over—watched the faint crimson pulse beneath the skin.

“Yeah… it’s staying.”

Liana peeked over his shoulder—eyes widening.

“Whoa… that’s badass.”

Ethan snorted.

“Badass or cursed. Jury’s out.”

Mee reached out—hesitant—then gently touched the marks with her fingertips.

They didn’t burn her.

They just… felt warm.

Like him.

She looked up—eyes shining.

“Does it hurt?”

Ethan shook his head.

“Not anymore.”

He flexed his fingers—marks rippling like liquid shadow.

“Feels… stronger.”

Liana grinned—mischievous.

“So… does this mean you’re officially cooler than me now?”

Ethan ruffled her hair—hard.

“Always was.”

Liana squeaked—swatted his hand away.

“Hey!”

Mee laughed—soft, watery—then leaned in and kissed his cheek.

“You’re still my Kee,” she whispered. “Marks or no marks.”

Ethan’s smirk softened.

He turned his head—caught her lips in a slow, gentle kiss.

Mee melted—hand sliding up to cradle his jaw—kissing him back with quiet desperation.

Liana made a dramatic gagging sound.

“Ewwww gross! Get a room!”

Ethan broke the kiss—grinned at his sister.

“You’re just jealous.”

Liana stuck out her tongue.

“I am, so what!”

Ava cleared her throat—blushing furiously.

“Um… should I… leave?”

Ethan glanced over—smirk widening.

“Nah. Stay. You’re family too.”

Ava’s blush deepened—eyes darting away.

Mee giggled—then snuggled closer—head on Ethan’s chest.

“You really scared us,” she murmured. “Don’t do that again.”

Ethan wrapped his marked hand around her waist—careful, gentle.

“Promise.”

Liana flopped across his legs—chin on his knee—grinning up at him.

“So… how’d it feel? Going all demon mode?”

Ethan thought about it—then shrugged.

“Like I finally stopped holding back.”

Liana’s eyes sparkled.

“Cool.”

Mee traced the black markings on his right forearm—softly.

“You’re still you,” she whispered. “That’s all that matters.”

Ethan looked down at her—then at Liana—then at Ava.

“Yeah,” he said quietly.

“I’m still me.”

He smirked—pervy edge returning.

“But now I’ve got the hand strength to prove it.”

Mee squeaked—swatted his chest.

“Kee!”

Liana cackled.

Ava hid her face.

Ethan laughed—low, warm, alive.

“Why do I have listen to you flirting with them?” Floral seductive voice came from the other bed.

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END OF CHAPTER : 286 : YOU SCARED ME!

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep