Chapter 144: Chapter 144: A Jealous Quarrel

She knew Augustine’s anger had reached its peak. With Noah now using the Sea Clan as a threat, the slightest misstep could cause the situation to spiral completely out of control and spark a war between their two races.

"Your Majesty, Noah, both of you, calm down!" Su Yaoyao shouted anxiously. She rushed between them, spreading her arms to try and keep them apart, her eyes filled with pleading. "Let’s just talk this through. Don’t be rash."

She was frantic. On one hand, she was terrified Augustine would actually attack Noah in a fit of rage. On the other, she worried Noah would say something else to provoke Augustine, making the situation even more irreparable.

Augustine glanced at Su Yaoyao, and the fury in his eyes subsided slightly, but they remained filled with hostility toward Noah.

"Yaoyao, come back to my chambers with me." Augustine’s voice still held its unquestionable authority, but compared to his earlier rage, it now carried a hint of restraint.

He reached out and grabbed Su Yaoyao’s hand, his grip so tight it was as if he were declaring his sovereignty over her. Then, without another word, he began pulling her toward the exit.

"On what grounds? Sister is sleeping with me tonight!" Noah wasn’t about to give up so easily. Like a stubborn child, he reached out and grabbed Su Yaoyao’s other wrist, using all his strength to keep her from leaving.

His eyes were filled with defiance and obstinance, as if declaring to Augustine that he would never give up so easily.

The two men stared each other down, sparks flying between them as if they were engaged in a silent battle. The air was thick with tension, ready to explode into a violent conflict at any moment.

Augustine gritted his teeth and squeezed out two words: "Let go!" His voice was low and icy, carrying a chilling menace.

Not to be outdone, Noah snorted coldly, his tone full of provocation. "I won’t! Sister is mine tonight." He bit out the word "mine" with heavy emphasis, as if daring Augustine.

Listening to the two of them at each other’s throats, Su Yaoyao grew more and more anxious, feeling as if ants were crawling all over her heart.

Moreover, the two men were gripping her wrists, their holds growing tighter and tighter, as if they were about to crush them.

"That hurts! Are you trying to break my wrists?" Su Yaoyao’s voice was filled with pain and anger.

The two men snapped out of it, shocked to realize they were hurting Su Yaoyao, and quickly let go.

Su Yaoyao rubbed her reddened wrists, a surge of irritation washing over her. ’These two idiots. All they know how to do is bicker out of jealousy, completely ignoring my feelings.’

"Out! Both of you, get out!" Su Yaoyao’s face was flushed with anger. She pushed hard against both men’s chests, shoving them toward the door as if shooing away disobedient children.

As he was being pushed, Augustine was still saying, "Yaoyao, you promised you’d come back to find me in an hour." His eyes held a trace of hurt and confusion, as if he didn’t understand why Su Yaoyao was suddenly so furious.

Su Yaoyao snapped back irritably, "I did not!" She was a mess of frustration right now and didn’t want to hear a word he had to say.

"Sister, please let me stay with you! Noah can’t sleep without you. I promise I’ll be good tonight, not like last night." Noah was also begging pitifully, his voice tinged with a sob as he tried to win Su Yaoyao over with a pathetic act.

"Both of you, get out! I want to be alone!" Su Yaoyao had reached her limit and shouted. With a final, forceful shove, she pushed both men out the door, and then, SLAM! She shut the heavy door in their faces, sealing them outside.

The sound of the slamming door echoed in the silent corridor, seeming to strike a heavy blow to both men’s hearts.

"Last night? What happened between you two last night?" Augustine’s sharp ears instantly caught the key information in Noah’s words. His gaze turned sharp as he stared directly at Noah.

"Hmph. That’s a private matter between Sister and me. No need for Your Majesty to worry about it." Noah lifted his chin with a smug look, deliberately being mysterious. ’That’s right,’ he thought, ’I’m going to make sure Augustine is miserable.’

"Hah. You snuck into the palace without my summons, clearly up to no good," Augustine said coldly, his eyes full of disdain and accusation. He thought Noah was outrageously audacious, daring to ignore his authority.

"I am up to no good, but it’s not *you* I’m after, Your Majesty," Noah retorted fearlessly, his eyes full of provocation, as if declaring to Augustine that his feelings for Su Yaoyao were unwavering.

"You!" Augustine trembled with rage, clenching his fists, wanting nothing more than to rush forward and teach Noah another lesson.

The two glared at each other, gritting their teeth in frustration, as if the other was the most detestable person in the world.

"Hmph!"

"Hmph!"

Both men crossed their arms, pointedly refusing to look at each other like two sulking children, neither willing to be the first to back down.

But after a long while, neither showed any intention of leaving.

"Why aren’t you leaving?" Augustine was the first to break the silence, a hint of impatience in his voice.

Noah didn’t answer. He was busy plotting. ’Of course I’m waiting for you to leave. Then I’ll beg Sister, play the victim... maybe her heart will soften and she’ll let me in.’ He clung to this sliver of hope, his eyes darting toward the closed door from time to time.

"And why isn’t Your Majesty leaving?" Noah shot back. He knew Augustine must have his own plan.

Augustine thought, ’Obviously I’m waiting for you to leave so I can gently coax Yaoyao and then we can sleep together.’ He too was hatching his own little scheme, hoping to make up with Su Yaoyao.

Suddenly, their eyes met. They both narrowed their gazes, and as if by some telepathic link, they realized the other had the exact same idea.

A subtle, tense atmosphere once again filled the air between them.

Augustine sneered. "Hmph, did you think I couldn’t guess your little scheme? You think if you stay here, Yaoyao will soften and let you in? Stop dreaming."

Not to be outdone, Noah retorted, "And isn’t Your Majesty planning the exact same thing? You call me delusional, but I think you’re the one who’s daydreaming. Sister has feelings for me too. Maybe she’ll open the door and let me in any minute now."

The two went back and forth, neither giving an inch, their bickering echoing down the silent corridor.

Just then, the chamber door cracked open, and Su Yaoyao’s furious voice drifted out. "Are you two finished yet? What’s all this shouting in the middle of the night?! Both of you, be quiet, or I’m going to get *really* angry!"

Hearing Su Yaoyao’s voice, the two of them instantly fell silent, as if choked.

Satisfied, Su Yaoyao shut the door and went back to bed.