The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse

Klaus woke up the next day with renewed vigor. The night had been one of the best yet, thanks to Miriam using her spiritual qi to enhance the massage, making it far more effective than a regular one. Klaus had had a hectic week, and though he hadn't shown it, the War Goddess could see the fatigue in his eyes.

While he drifted into sleep, she had spent a great deal of time massaging his muscles to the best of her ability. But while Klaus was enjoying it in his sleep, Miriam couldn't quite believe herself.

The emotionless War Goddess, now a mere massage artist—that was just unbelievable. She definitely didn't want anyone to hear about it or, worse, see her doing it. Klaus had somehow managed to make her lower her standards, something she never thought possible.

But again, as she glanced at his handsome face, peacefully asleep on the bed during the massage, all her conflicted thoughts melted away, replaced with something softer, something happier. She hadn't wanted to be reduced to this state, but she wasn't mad. Somehow, the white-haired brat had done it.

When Klaus woke up, he noticed Miriam still asleep beside him, lying closer than usual. He smiled, sat up on the bed, and entered his usual meditative state, waiting for her to wake. An hour later, she stirred.

"Well, good morning, my little Massage Goddess. From how I feel, I can tell you really worked your magic on me," Klaus said, his tone playful but grateful.

Miriam, still half-asleep, groaned softly. "Don't push your luck. That was a one-time thing," she mumbled, turning her face into the pillow to hide her slight blush.

Klaus chuckled. "You say that now, but I think you enjoyed it just as much as I did."

"Keep talking, and you will start feeling pain instead," Miriam warned, though the warmth in her voice betrayed her.

Klaus stretched, feeling his muscles completely refreshed. "You're incredible, you know that?"

Miriam finally sat up, running a hand through her hair as she glanced at him. "You just don't know when to stop, do you?"

"Nope," Klaus said, smiling. "And I'm not apologizing either."

"You..." Miriam started, wanting to smack Klaus on the head, but her hands were caught in his firm grip before she could act. She tried to pull them back, but before she could muster her strength, Klaus pulled her into his embrace.

Once again, the overpowered War Goddess of the Eastern Region lost all her strength to wiggle out of his arms. She couldn't believe how easily her defenses crumbled in his presence. Klaus just smirked, watching her relax in his arms like a child, helpless against the overwhelming calm he brought her.

"You look surprisingly beautiful this early in the morning for a grandma," Klaus teased, running his fingers gently across her back. Miriam's body tensed for a second, then melted under his touch. Her brain went blank, words failing her, despite his obvious teasing.

"Once again, thank you for the massage," Klaus continued, grinning. "But now that you're mine, I suppose I'll be getting one every evening before bed."

"Keep dreaming," Miriam forced out, her voice unsteady. "And who says I'm yours?"

"Playing hard to get, huh? Why don't you try breaking free from my arms?" Klaus said in a sarcastic tone.

"Can't do it, can you? Admit it, Miriam—you have no resistance against me. And although you're practically older than the universe, I don't think you really know what this means. So, why don't I spell it out?"

Klaus leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a soft murmur. "Miriam, War Goddess of the Eastern Region, you've fallen into my trap. But I think you already knew that, didn't you?"

Miriam's heart raced as she tried to formulate a response. She was the War Goddess—unshakable, undefeated—yet in his arms, she felt like a completely different person.

A warmth filled her chest, and for the first time in ages, she didn't want to fight back. Instead, she just let the moment wash over her, still not willing to admit defeat, but also not entirely rejecting the strange, comforting hold Klaus had over her.

Without even realizing it, Miriam remained in Klaus's embrace, oblivious to the fact that he had already released his grip. She had indeed fallen for him, and the realization left her stunned.

How had this happened? All she had wanted was a bloodthirsty, battle-crazed brother, yet she found herself wanting something entirely different now. It was both strange and comforting.

Thinking back, Miriam had always known deep down that this day would come. When she accepted his invitation to stay at his house, a part of her had sensed that this wasn't just a sibling bond forming.

Now, nestled in his arms, she realized she didn't really want the brotherly relationship she'd been telling herself she wanted. She wanted more—something deeper.

"Miriam dear, do you remember our bet during the City Selection Trials?" Klaus's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Yes, what about it?" Miriam asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I'm here to claim my reward since I haven't collected it yet," Klaus said, a playful glint in his eyes.

"What reward do you want?" she asked, already knowing where this was headed but playing along anyway.

"You know… this." Klaus leaned in, and before she could react, their lips met in a light kiss. The moment their lips touched, Miriam's entire world flipped upside down—her soul felt like it left her body, her mind went blank, and her body turned to jelly.

It wasn't a long kiss, but Klaus held it just long enough to make sure she felt it, to make sure she knew this was no ordinary claim of a bet.

When he finally pulled back, he gazed into her eyes, satisfaction written all over his face. He knew she wouldn't be able to retreat back into her emotionless shell anytime soon. The deep blush spreading across her cheeks was proof of that.

"Oh," Klaus began, ready to tease her again, but before he could finish, Miriam leaned in herself. This time, their lips met in a deeper, more passionate kiss. Klaus didn't need to be told twice. She had accepted it—she wanted more.

Without hesitation, he slid his hands down to her hips, gently lifting her onto his lap as their kiss intensified. For several heated minutes, they remained locked in each other's arms, lips entwined in a fierce exchange. When they finally broke apart, Klaus leaned back, still grinning as he looked at the flustered expression on her face.

Klaus chuckled softly, watching Miriam's blush deepen, her breath still uneven.

"Once again, Young Master Klaus for the win," he teased, his tone light but playful. Miriam couldn't deny it anymore—she had fallen, and there was no turning back now.

Her mind flashed back to something Klaus's mother had told her not long ago: "You really shouldn't fight it. From the moment that brat set his sights on you, you'd already fallen." Klaus's mother was like the perfect wingman, working behind the scenes even more than Klaus himself.

One could say she was even more shameless than her son, and it was probably true. Ever since she ascended, she had changed, and now, all she wanted was to ensure her son's happiness—so if being shameless was the way to make that happen, she was all in.

Klaus held Miriam's hips in his arms, pulling her onto his lap, his gaze locking with hers. He couldn't help but sneak a few glances at the "mountains" on her chest, a grin spreading across his face.

'Finally, those mountains are mine, he thought with a lovestruck grin.

He was ready to lean in, hoping to finally bury his face between those soft curves while the moment was still ripe, but before he could, Miriam shifted when she felt something... unexpected.

"Klaus, what is that thing touching my thigh?" she asked but then froze the moment her hand brushed it.

Without even blinking, she vanished from the bed, her cheeks flushed in shades of pink as she darted into the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

Left on the bed, Klaus couldn't stop grinning despite his failed attempt to fulfill his dreams of snuggling into her chest. He lay there smiling like a lovestruck idiot.

An hour passed and Miriam never left the bathroom, however, Klaus never bothered her. He simply dressed up and left to go train with Lulu still smiling like a happy cat.