One whole year passed.

Davis was 9 years old now. He grew up to 4 feet 9 inches tall. His face began to shape like his father who also looked like a lady killer. Combined with his mother's looks, he will certainly be popular among women in the future.

Davis wholly spent most of his time cultivating. He finally reached Mid Level Iron Stage, High Level Infant Soul Stage, High Level Energy Condensation Stage.

During this year, he didn't get a chance to meet Evelynn or rather one should say that he put that matter on the back of his head. He was still waiting for her reply but none came even now.

He also made Ellia train in Body Tempering Cultivation and Essence Gathering Cultivation. He made her train in the same Cultivation Techniques he cultivated in. Her talent was great as well, but not to the point of being a genius. He managed to pull some strings with some random excuses to get the resources for her cultivation. Of course, if his father and mother found about it, even he doesn't know what will happen.

Ellia achieved Peak Level Copper Body Stage and Peak Level Meridian Refinement Stage during this time.

Logan and Claire also worked 'hard' and birthed a baby boy during this year. Davis was so happy that he finally got a little brother. Anymore little sisters and he will probably get diabetes.

Logan mostly worked his butt off to see to the affairs of the Empire. He only had enough time to meet Claire and he didn't worry about Davis while he had no idea on what to do about Clara.

Clara was now 5 years old. She started cultivating normally as one would do when they reach this age. But she also made sure to make quick progress in cultivation. She reached Low Level Meridian Refinement Stage and was already on the verge of breaking through to the Mid Level of Meridian Refinement Stage.

A day before, she was even more gutsy than Davis and had tried cultivating Body Tempering Cultivation System, only to fail miserably. She couldn't bear the pain and fainted. The remaining energy in her body went berserk and considerably damaged her body, fortunately it was not fatal as Logan was beside her at that time.

Logan who had allowed her to cultivate Body Cultivation System got severe beatings from Claire. Of course, it had been all in Claire's room or he would have lost his face big time. He didn't say anything as he also felt guilty about Clara.

Davis who had heard this stayed with her in her room from yesterday. She still didn't wake up.

Davis looked at her face warmly, he held her hands. She also tightly held his hands, it was unknown whether she did it consciously or subconsciously.

"Why are you trying so hard Clara?" Davis muttered. He sighed again.

He didn't know how many times he sighed like an old man from yesterday. He blamed himself for this accident.

'If only I had watched her properly.'

'If only I had paid attention to her from that time.'

'After all I said that to Mom about taking care of her, talk about pathetic.'

Thoughts like these were swirling around his head making him severely depressed. Just as he was wallowing in his depression. Clara's hand slightly moved.

It woke Davis up from his depression and he anxiously shouted.

"Clara!"

Clara, who was lying in her bed, opened her eyes slowly.

Seeing that she was fine, Davis heaved a sigh of relief, much different to the previous depressive sighs.

"Brother?" She weakly smiled at him.

Seeing that weak smile, Davis lost himself in immense guilt. He felt like something was stabbing his heart.

"Clara, I'm sorry, it's all brother's fault. I shouldn't have left you alone at that time no matter what. I've caused you meaningless sufferings, I'm so sorry, even though you worked so hard, I've closed my eyes t..."

Clara placed her finger on his lip as she weakly smiled.

"It isn't brother's fault."

A single sentence.

That single sentence was like a spear that pierced through the walls as he felt his guilt dissolve into boundless love.

Tears fell out of his eyes as he stayed silent and bit his lips.

..."Why? Why do you try so hard?" Davis feebly asked.

"Because I want to stay with brother forever." Clara tightly embraced her brother as if she wouldn't let him go no matter what.

This time, she didn't try to hide anything as what she had gotten into has equally harmed her brother.

Davis stood there stunned. He could feel her pure emotions of wanting to stay with him.

"Why? Why me?"

"Only you were there for me."

"Me? What about Father and Mother?"

"Mother and Father both… lie to me from time to time as if they practiced it… beforehand. Even other people in the royal castle lie and deceive, it makes me very scared. Only brother didn't lie to me. Being with you makes me comfortable."

"Mother and Father lied? It can't be!"

"I'm telling the truth, my eyes have said so."

"You truly think so?"

"I believe my eyes."

"Then brother will verify it for you!"

"No…"

Before she can even reply, Davis sent a crystal transmission to Logan and Claire that Clara had woken up and was immediately requesting their presence.

"It's fine, brother will protect you." Davis strongly replied.

"Hmm." She nodded her head nervously.

'Lies? What possible lies? This is getting rather out of hand. Even I have no way to tell if they are lying or not. Guess I'll just have to ask them directly in front of Clara. Indirectly confronting them can possibly lead to Clara losing trust in me. No matter what, I just want to avoid that as much as possible.' He thought.

Not even a minute passed before both of them simultaneously showed up in Clara's room. It could be seen that they were truly anxious.

"Clara! Are you fine?" Both of them asked simultaneously. Worry could be seen in their eyes. They also maintained some distance from Clara afraid that she might possibly show rejection to them.

Clara nodded head but didn't dare to look in their eyes as she thought that she will get into trouble soon.

If she had looked into their eyes then she would've noticed the worry and care in their eyes.

Seeing that she kept her head down, both of them looked at Davis with a questioning gaze.

*cough*

"Mom and Dad, Clara and I want to talk to you about something."

Clara visibly trembled lightly.

"Talk? Is it a serious matter?" Logan asked.

"…Depends."

"Perfect, I have something to talk about too." Claire replied.

"I think what mom wants to talk about and what we want to talk is about the same."

"Hmm?" Claire had a puzzled expression.

"Now, I have a question to ask of you and you both must answer honestly." Davis face went serious. He changed his attitude towards them for the sake of his sister.