Inside a room, a faint breathing mixed with the humming sound reverberated throughout the space.
Aria lay sprawled on the king-sized bed in the opulent VIP room, her breaths coming in soft, shallow waves.
The golden glow of the chandelier above bathed the room in a warm light, casting shadows that flickered like whispers across the walls.
Everything was still, quiet, except for the occasional, almost imperceptible twitch of her fingers on the silk sheets.
"...mmhm...." Her eyelids fluttered slightly, and her brows drew together, as if she was caught in a dream that wouldn't quite let her go.
There was a warmth spreading through her, subtle at first, but growing stronger, curling like a slow fire in her belly.
Her body shifted ever so slightly, her thighs rubbing together as if seeking something to ease the heat that was building deep within her.
A soft hum escaped her parted lips, her breaths growing heavier.
'Lin...' The name surfaced unbidden, floating in her hazy thoughts.
She couldn't remember the last time he had looked at her the way he used to.
Once upon a time, there had been warmth in his eyes, a smile reserved just for her.
But that had all changed, hadn't it?
'Why did you change, Lin...?' her mind whispered.
She could still see him from those early days—the boy who'd made her heart race with just a glance.
But those memories felt like they belonged to someone else, like they were wrapped in fog, almost out of reach.
Her fingers brushed over her stomach, tracing lower.
The silk of her dress rode up slightly, exposing the soft skin of her thighs.
"...nhh.." Another soft moan slipped out, and her hips lifted slightly off the bed.
She wasn't truly awake, but her body was moving of its own accord, driven by a heat she couldn't name, couldn't control.
'How did it come to this...?' Aria's thoughts swirled, images flashing behind her closed eyelids.
She remembered the way Lin had first smiled at her, how her heart had fluttered when they'd shared those shy, stolen glances.
Though, of course, those were nothing more than a one-sided crush and fake illusions she had formed.
But then her father had gotten involved, pressing for an engagement.
That's when everything had started to fall apart.
Lin had grown colder, more distant.
His once warm eyes had turned icy, his words cutting and cruel.
Her lips parted, and a barely audible murmur filled the quiet room.
"Lin... why...?" she whispered, her voice shaky, almost desperate.
But there was no answer.
There hadn't been an answer for years, just the echo of her own hopes slowly shattering.
drip
She didn't even know what she wanted anymore.
The lines had blurred, and all she could feel was the rush of emotions and the heat coursing through her veins.
The past was a tangled mess of regret and longing, but right now, as she lay there with her thoughts consumed by the memory of Aven, she couldn't deny what her heart was whispering.
Lin was the man she had once loved... but Aven was the one who made her feel alive.
.
.
.
.
"It's already been more than an hour?"
Aecilia sat in the back of a Rolls-Royce, her gaze drifting toward the man beside her.
He had silver hair and piercing blue eyes that remained fixed on the road ahead, his composure unflinching as he sat with his hands folded in his lap.
The luxury vehicle had left just minutes ago, following the arrival of the ambulance and a team that was addressing the aftermath of the incident.
"Bring her to my hotel room," Avendial instructed, his eyes still focused straight ahead.
Unbeknownst to Aecilia, his fingers subtly tapped against the fabric of his suit pocket, as if he were ensuring that a handkerchief remained in place, while also concealing the capsule he had obtained from Bordy's lifeless body.
"Again?" Aecilia raised an eyebrow, suspicion flickering to life within her.
She mirrored his posture, elegantly folding her hands and crossing one leg over the other.
A part of her wanted to voice her concerns, but the memory of Avendial mentioning something about waiting a year to act stirred in her mind, prompting her to close her eyes instead.
This gesture shielded the golden hue of her irises, which had been clouded with confusion moments earlier.
It was clear to her that the reason Avendial had left Aria behind in the auction house was likely to enhance her feelings through the use of an aphrodisiac.
However, Aecilia struggled to understand why he insisted on bringing Aria to a hotel room.
She could at least question what Billie had asserted, yet it didn't seem worthwhile to dwell on it now.
"...It's important," Avendial replied calmly.
His focus was unwavering, dedicated to reaching the hotel room first, then addressing Aria's situation, helping her regain awareness, and as quickly as possible delivering the capsule to Croceaus territory.
Initially, his priorities lay with securing Aria and then Margaret Grafia.
However, a shift in plans had emerged.
Given the capsule he had just acquired, his immediate target was now Dr. Etrinia.
Thus, he needed to concentrate on Aria's situation first, and afterward, devise a strategy for dealing with Doctor Etrinia, all while planning a journey back to Croceaus territory.
"Hm, I see," Aecilia replied, even though she longed to ask more questions.
Instead, she nodded, prioritizing his words and placing her trust in him.
She had initially grappled with doubts about his intentions but chose to remain composed, turning her thoughts instead to the intriguing abilities that Aria might possess, especially if she were indeed an Empyreal.
Somehow, Aecilia had sensed that the very powers Aria wielded were what instilled fear in her.
This realization left Aecilia both curious and perplexed—why would someone like Aria, possessing some kind of abilities, be afraid of her?