Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Cradled and Caressed
Yu Zhizhi’s movements were restricted to this one empty room.
Just as she decided to go see the Duke tomorrow, Dai Li adjusted the frame of her glasses, turned to the manservant outside the door, and said, "Go and summon a tailor. Have them custom-make a few outfits for Ms. Zhi Zhi."
Just as Dai Li had said, as a "pet," she didn’t have to abide by the same rules as the servants.
All she had to do was wash herself clean, change into a beautiful dress, go to the Duke’s study, and patiently await his return.
「The next day.」
Walking through a courtyard of bridges and water, Yu Zhizhi watched the red carp swimming in a pond. She noticed that the manor, compared to the K family’s castle, had a more classic Eastern aesthetic.
The architecture had an air of ancient aesthetics blended with futuristic technology.
Yu Zhizhi noticed the servants rarely spoke, their footsteps exceedingly light.
"Teacher Dai Li," she called softly.
"Ms. Zhi Zhi, please speak."
"Where on the territory are all the snakes?"
’The third main mission doesn’t have any requirements for the male’s status within the Snake Clan.’
’If winning over the Duke is too difficult...’
’...then I’ll just find another one! As long as I can complete the mission, that’s all that matters!’
"Aside from the young masters and young ladies, there are also the guards, who are all carefully selected from the Snake Clan."
"...Young masters and young ladies?"
Yu Zhizhi froze. "The Duke... he’s married?"
"He is not. The Duke has no interest in taking a spouse." Dai Li couldn’t help but glance at the little female rabbit beside her.
’In truth, a beautiful and lovely S-Class female like this is the most qualified to become the Duchess. Ms. Zhi Zhi is far better than all those other females who try every trick in the book to get close to the Duke.’
’It’s a shame that after all these years, the Duke hasn’t taken a liking to any female from the Beast Clan.’
Sensing the young female’s confusion, Dai Li smiled and explained,
"The two young masters and two young ladies are all children of the Snake Clan whom the Duke adopted. They are all good children."
They passed through a long corridor and turned into a secluded courtyard. Just inside the gate, they saw a large pond filled with blue Ghost Lotuses.
Their color was deep and tranquil, exquisitely beautiful and profoundly mysterious.
"This is the Duke’s study. Ms. Zhi Zhi, please wait inside. You must remember: do not be afraid, and do not be shy. The Duke is most displeased by timid pets."
"Good luck." Dai Li gently closed the door.
Yu Zhizhi was left alone in the study.
An antique desk was piled with documents. Behind it, a round window was framed by lightly drawn white gauze curtains. The courtyard’s dappled shadows made it difficult for sunlight to shine directly in.
The red floor was so clean there wasn’t a single speck of dust.
Yu Zhizhi stepped onto it with bare feet, giving herself a mental pep talk. ’Don’t panic. Don’t be afraid. He looks human, not like a snake—’
She waited for an entire day.
The Duke didn’t return, even after all the light had faded.
Yu Zhizhi turned on a desk lamp. She sat on the floor, leaning against the desk as she waited patiently.
In the dead of night, there was a sound at the door.
Her rabbit ears twitched.
She blearily opened her eyes and turned her head to see the study door push open. A tall, slender figure walked in.
Glimpsing the little female by the desk, the man didn’t pause his stride in the slightest.
He had already returned, bathed, eaten, and changed into a comfortable robe. He only came over after a servant told him his little pet had been waiting in the study all day.
He walked directly behind the desk and sat down, seeing the little female staring blankly at him with her rabbit eyes.
’Still half-asleep?’
"Y-you’re back." Remembering Teacher Dai Li’s advice, Yu Zhizhi immediately sat up straight.
"Hm? Did you miss me?" A strange smile played on the Duke’s lips.
Yu Zhizhi grew flustered. "Do you need me to help you organize your scrolls? Or... I could make you tea."
He could sense the little pet was trying her best to curry favor.
’Her attitude is much better than yesterday’s. She’s still awkward, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. She can be trained slowly.’
"Unnecessary." The Duke leaned back against the soft chair, his posture languid. The movement caused his deep purple robe to fall half-open. "You’re a pet, not a servant. Just fulfill your duties as a pet."
"Then..." Yu Zhizhi didn’t know what she was supposed to do.
The Duke picked up a long-stemmed pipe from the table, took a pinch of dry tobacco, and placed it in the bowl to light.
"Come here," he said languidly. "Sit on my lap."
Yu Zhizhi froze, then slowly shuffled over. When she stood before him, she was nervous and hesitant.
The Duke before her looked to be in his twenties. He had slightly long, wavy, ink-blue hair, and wickedly handsome features. His golden, vertical pupils were particularly unnerving. His deep purple robe was worn loosely, yet he exuded an unshakable noble air.
’—Just like the blue lotuses in his courtyard: rich, elegantly serene, and carrying a hint of danger.’
As the little female approached his side, the scent of jasmine mixed with milk wafted over him.
He took a drag from his pipe, then raised a hand and pulled her small frame into his arms.
Yu Zhizhi found herself pressed against his chest.
The man’s hand moved up, slowly stroking her rabbit ears back and forth, gently kneading them.
The fragrance of her aromatic body wash lingered in her hair.
Her pair of rabbit ears drooped slightly, seeming to fold shyly at the touch of his fingertips.
Yu Zhizhi trembled all over, her face flushing a deep red. The way the Duke touched her ears felt just like he was petting a real bunny.
’He’s treating me completely like a pet.’
"Hm?" The Duke was enjoying the pleasure of petting his rabbit when he noticed the ears in his hand had become scalding hot.
He lowered his gaze and found the little female’s cheeks were just like ripe tomatoes, bright red and practically steaming. Her eyes were lightly closed, her lashes trembling. It was hard to tell if she was enjoying it or enduring it.
The Duke’s gaze deepened. "You don’t like it?"
Hearing his voice, Yu Zhizhi jolted and instinctively hugged his waist.
Yu Zhizhi constantly remembered Teacher Dai Li’s words.
"No... I don’t dislike it..."
"So you like it, then?"
"I like it." Her voice was barely a whisper.
The Duke had no intention of letting her off so easily. "Like what?"
"I like it when you touch my... ears..."
A wicked smile appeared on the man’s face. He used his fingers to lift the little female’s delicate chin. "Then you must say, ’Please, Duke, stroke my ears.’"
His golden, vertical pupils were reflected in Yu Zhizhi’s eyes. The serpentine aura grew thicker and heavier, making it almost impossible to breathe.
Yu Zhizhi’s cherry-pink lips parted slightly as she repeated the words he had taught her.
"Please... please, Duke, stroke my ears."
Seeing her obedience, the man nodded in satisfaction. He raised his hand and gently ruffled her hair. "If you’re this well-behaved every day, I will grant you anything you desire."
’Anything I desire?’
’I want a piece of information.’
’And I also want a Snake Pup...’
’Can he really grant it all?’
"I... I..." Yu Zhizhi struggled to organize her thoughts.
’This Snake Clan male is terrifying, even when he’s smiling as he speaks.’
"I want to know about the aftermath of the Wolf Clan’s altar collapse."
She phrased it differently.
The Duke’s fingers gently kneaded her fluffy rabbit ears. He didn’t pause his ministrations upon hearing her question.
"As it happens, I did hear some rumors today."
"Six nobles died during the Wolf Clan’s ancestor veneration this time. Twelve were seriously injured."
The man’s laughter was tinged with glee. "That lover of yours is truly formidable. He used a long-lost Sun Array to turn the entire Imperial City upside down."
