Silvan was about to enter his mansion when he saw an unconscious Oberon getting carried into the mansion while his parents followed behind.
He squinted his eyes and followed them inside, only to overhear his parent's conversation,
"It's all your fault! I told you not to leave Oberon alone in that room. If only you were there, Oberon would have been walking around by now," Rebecca said with a red face, her extremities shaking.
She had suppressed all her thoughts and emotions until she got back here, and now she could finally vent it all out on Seron. She truly believed it was his nonchalance that brought about this.
"Do you seriously think I have nothing else to do but babysit a grown man every hour of the day? So don't be absurd and go around telling this to anybody else. I already confirmed Asher was at the tower the entire time. Even if he somehow got back to the castle, how could he sneak into Oberon's room with all your guards standing around? Let's take this a bit further and assume Asher has the Master Key. But even then, the royal quarters are off-limits to the Master Key user. Only Rowena, with the Supreme Key, has access. Now, do you understand how ridiculous you are being? What happened to Oberon was just bad luck," Seron said, his voice laced with annoyance.
Rebecca slowly shook her head, still feeling unconvinced, "You are just too blind to see the way he looked at me. He was gloating at what he did to Oberon, and seeing how he has fooled you and the rest of them, I can understand why he seemed so confident about it. He even mentioned sharing important moments in the past. He remembers what happened when he was soulless. Don't you see? He is trying to get back at Oberon."
Seron took a deep breath as his brows pulled together and said with a heavy sigh, "If that is true, then it only means we have to be more careful now. So don't do anything reckless unless you want to make things worse for your son," Saying so, Seron walked away, his expression grim.
"Don't you act like this doesn't affect you. You know it does," Rebecca said in a sharp tone from behind, making Seron stop in his steps for a second. But then he took a deep breath and continued walking.
Seron came out and had his gaze softened upon seeing his son, Silvan, "You heard all that?"
Silvan gave a soft nod as he said, "What is going on between Asher and them? If Asher really did this, then he is far more dangerous than we thought. Why doesn't mother understand when to back down?"
Seron rubbed his forehead and said, "She is crazy and a fool when it comes to Oberon. You know that, right?"
Silvan nodded as Seron stepped forward and placed both his hands on Silvan's shoulders, "That is why all my hopes are on you. You are my pride, and I will try my best to not let her drag you down too."
Silvan lightly smiled as he said, "Don't worry, father. I have it all handled."
Seron smiled with a veiled glint in his eyes, "I know you do, son. I know."
—
The Honeyed Pearl building was bustling with the sounds of drunk and excited men enjoying their time with charming women.
However, in one of the secret entrances to this building, a hooded figure entered and made his way to the top floor.
Shochi, who was, as usual, standing guard outside his mistress' chambers, saw this hooded figure being escorted here by two women.
He furrowed his brows in displeasure, but seeing the hooded figure flashing the diamond card, he had no choice but to knock on the door as he announced, "Madam Kira, Sir Lagoo is here. Should I let him enter?"
Asher scoffed, seeing how this fox dude was still disgruntled about him meeting his mistress.
Can't he even bother to hide his jealousy?
"Of course, please let him in," A silky soft voice came from inside as Shochi held his breath and gestured at Asher to enter.
As Asher entered her chamber, his gaze was immediately drawn to the seductive vulpinari beauty painting her nails on the sofa.
Her golden hair flowed like a river of gold down her back, cascading in wild curls that framed her delicate face. Her curves were hypnotizing as usual, and three fluffy golden tails sprouted from her lower back, adding to her otherworldly allure.
Kira leaned back in her plush armchair and crossed one of her smooth, slender legs over the other, giving Asher a sultry look with her emerald green eyes, "Ora~," She purred, "It seems you've succeeded. I am impressed."
Asher sat down on the chair opposite to her, a smirk playing on his lips, "I always come through. You should know that by now."
Kira chuckled and flicked one of her three bushy golden tails, "Yes, you do. Don't you? It did take some effort for me to prepare those essence sticks, you know? So not even a 'thank you' for me since I am also taking huge risks here?"
Asher chuckled and said, "You did it knowing it can't be traced back to you," Asher knew she might not have been so eager to help him if Oberon was not temporarily crippled.
Kira leaned forward, her ample curves drawing Asher's gaze, "But ever since you asked such a favor from me, you intrigued me even more."
Asher squinted his eyes and said with a subtle scoff, "Don't think of doing anything smart. You have no proof. But I know you won't do anything that destroys your life as well."
Kira let out a heart-melting giggle as she looked at him and smiled, "Don't get so serious. I would be a fool to cross you. On the contrary, I am curious why you did it despite so many risks. You even somehow obtained a drop of his blood first."
Asher inwardly knew it was quite easy to get a drop of Oberon's blood. All he had to do was sneak into one of the physician's room and steal a drop of blood from one of the vials he kept. Since Oberon was sick, one of the physicians had taken some of his blood to test for any irregularities.
And so, with his Master Key, it was a piece of cake to take it.
However, Asher knew she was fishing and curved his lips, "I have my reasons. Don't tell me you are upset that you lost one of your precious patrons for the immediate future."
Kira softly chuckled as she waved her hand, "Please, even if I lose one patron, another will replace them. In my business, it's not good to get attached."
Asher leaned forward and said, "But the more interesting question is why someone like you is hiding such powerful illusion abilities. You even had me going that night. Were you trying to make me see nightmares too?"
Kira blinked her eyes and looked at him with an air of innocence, "Ora~ How could you assume that I would do such a bad thing to a gentleman like you? All I did was show you what you wanted to see."
"Is that so? It's hard to believe the words of a woman like you," Asher said with a skeptical look, his voice laced with hidden anger since she made him see the face of a woman he didn't want to see until the right time.
But remembering how he killed Aira in that vision, he felt Kira did make him see what he wanted.
Kira's interest was piqued upon seeing his reaction as she asked with squinted eyes, "Oh? What did you see?" She also wanted to know how he broke her illusion, but she knew better than to ask.
"It's none of your business," Asher said with a cold smile as he got up and added, "We will be meeting again soon. So you better not forget about our initial deal."
Kira caressed her golden hair with a smile upon seeing him leave and mumbled with a stone-cold smile, "The Devils must be favoring me. Maybe I don't have to wait for long."
—
It was almost night when Asher walked back into the castle while feeling quite satisfied, thinking about the state Oberon was in now. At least for a while, he won't have to worry about him, though he wondered what Oberon's worst nightmare exactly was. However, he had a feeling that Oberon's worst nightmare surely involved him.
And right as he got in, he saw Rowena talking with a few officials about something serious.
He decided to wait for her in her study hall.
Not long after, the doors of the study hall opened as Rowena walked in, "You are late," She commented with a cold expression, her voice laced with barely contained displeasure.
Asher furrowed his brows, noticing that she seemed colder than usual and how she was not in a good mood. And hearing her question, he couldn't help but wonder if it was because she knew he went to the brothel.
It was only a matter of time before Eradicator told her about it. But he was prepared for it.
"So my protector told you where I was?" Asher asked as he stepped forward.
Rowena crossed her arms and asked with squinted eyes, "Were you planning to hide it from me? I know you did."
Asher raised his hands and said, "I am guilty of that, but I did it because I was afraid you might misunderstand."
"Is that so?" Rowena asked with furrowed brows and asked, "Then how should I understand the fact that my consort went to a brothel? Do you realize how this could have gone wrong in many ways?"
"It wasn't for what you think. I only went there to make friendly relations. You know how most men form new alliances and relations in such places, right? I couldn't find a better way, and I promise I was very careful to not reveal my identity in public. Even if people gossip, they have no proof. You can even make sure of it," Asher said in a confident tone.
Rowena squinted her eyes and had her expression relax slightly.
"I also didn't sleep with anyone today," Asher added in a lowered voice.
Rowena turned around and said, "It doesn't matter to me whom you sleep with. Just make sure to not get caught," Saying so, she was about to walk away when Asher suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind, "But it matters to me what you think."
Rowena pressed her lips together upon hearing his words and froze her steps.
Asher didn't let go of her wrist but walked forward and stood in front of her as he said gently, "I don't want to hide anything from you, especially matters like these. But I do want you to know that no matter what, you will be most important to me, and your heart is the only place I can ever truly belong. You understand that, right?"
"You have a way with words," Rowena mumbled in a low voice as she averted her gaze, her expression looking slightly flustered.
She felt her heart flutter hearing his words, and with him standing so close, the smell of his blood was tickling her sensitive senses.
Asher softly chuckled as he gently let his hand caress over her arm and stepped closer as he said, "Not really. I only told you what I felt. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to sleep."
Rowena's gaze softened, wondering if she really misunderstood.
But before she knew it, his big arms pulled her into a warm embrace, "Every minute I spend away from you, the more I want to get back and feel you close to me like this," Asher said softly, making Rowena's eyelashes flutter.
She wanted to push him away since she wanted to reprimand him more for what he did.
However, his warm words and touch subdued the thoughts she was holding before. She held her breath since she was still trying to get used to the smell of his sweet blood.
"By the way, you smell very nice today," Asher whispered as he brushed his cheek gently against hers while his hot breath caressed the skin of her neck.
Rowena grabbed his arms as she felt her heart begin to race. She could feel the warmth of his body radiating onto hers and the softness of his lips as he gently pressed them against her neck.
And the moment he kissed her neck, she felt a shiver run down her spine, making her grab his arms tighter, "Ash…Asher…"
Her cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as she let out a soft gasp. Her heart felt like it was about to burst with emotion as she realized how much she had longed to be close to him like this. And her hands which were grabbing his arms seemed to lose strength.
When she first heard he was at a brothel, she felt displeased, more than she expected. She was wondering why she was feeling so bothered about it, especially when losing face was not something she was concerned about at first.
But now she was beginning to realize why and was curious about her feelings.
Asher felt like his arms were melting into her supple body. As his lips pressed against her soft, warm skin, he couldn't resist the urge to nibble gently on her skin, savoring the taste of her.
He could feel her body relaxing in his arms, but just as his lips slipped towards her bare, smooth shoulder, Rowena suddenly pushed him away gently before she got lost in this feeling.
"I…I have to go now," She said softly while taking a deep breath to regain her composure and added, "There are some urgent matters I have to attend to since Oberon suddenly went into a coma. I have to arrange the right people to manage his duties till he wakes up."
Asher gently smiled as he said, "I see. That is important indeed."
Rowena shook her head subtly as she asked, "I don't understand how he suddenly fell into a coma. He seemed alright not too long ago. What do you think?" She asked as she looked at him with a focused gaze.
Asher sighed and said, "Yeah, it's strange, but why don't you let me handle some of his duties. Maybe I might be able to help in some way."
Rowena shook her head and said, "You have a lot on your plate right now, and I don't want you getting distracted until you get a bit stronger and ready to handle more responsibilities. Once you are ready, I will think about it."
Asher softly smiled and said, "Fair enough. I will just go and finish my reaping quest," Saying so, he was about to leave when Rowena called out from behind, "About what we talked before…I won't stop you from doing whatever you want, but, I want you to be careful and…return here before it gets too late," Saying so, Rowena walked away with hurried steps while avoiding his gaze.
"Of course I will," Asher said with a smile while feeling a bit surprised. In the human world, most women, especially those with power, wouldn't feel okay with their husbands sleeping with someone else, particularly if affection was involved.
However, it seemed as if Rowena was reassured upon thinking that she was the only one in his heart.
He walked towards his room, feeling glad that the mindset of demons suited his needs in cases like this.
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