Lucian leaned in close, his breath hot against the maid’s ear, and whispered with a teasing edge, "I did come here for a reason — where is the Imperial Library?"
But the maid was too far gone, her body still quivering from the ecstasy he’d given her. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her lips parted in a soft, dazed smile.
Her eyes, half-lidded and glassy, were lost in a blissful fog, unable to focus on anything but the lingering sensations coursing through her.
Lucian smirked, amused by her state. "Seems I’ve left you speechless," he murmured, running a finger along her flushed cheek.
"Guess I’ll have to find it myself," he added with a sigh, though his voice held a note of dark satisfaction. ’No matter,’ he mused, his thoughts already drifting to the delicious secret he’d uncovered.
’I’ve found something far more intriguing than what I originally sought!’
Leaving behind the lecherous scene, Lucian strolled casually toward the Imperial Library, a smirk playing on his lips as his mind swirled with satisfaction and wicked possibilities.
"Aunt Eloise and the Emperor in a secret love affair... How scandalous. How deliciously useful," he murmured to himself, the thought sending a dark thrill through him.
His mind raced with the potential leverage this secret could provide. ’What would they do to keep this quiet?’ he mused, a devilish grin spreading wider. ’And how far could I push them before they break?’
With his immediate desires temporarily quenched and his mind sharpened by the revelation, Lucian walked on, his thoughts so consumed that he barely noticed where his feet were taking him.
Before he knew it, he found himself nearing the Imperial Garden unknowingly.
Lucian paused, realizing where he was. "Interesting," he whispered to himself, eyes narrowing as he surveyed the familiar surroundings. ’Perhaps fate has led me here for a reason.’
The Imperial Garden was Emperor Maximilian’s pride and joy, a lush haven hidden deep within the royal grounds. It was a vibrant sanctuary filled with rare and exotic plants, each one more beautiful than the last.
A crystal-clear artificial river wound gracefully through the heart of the garden, its waters shimmering like liquid silver under the sun.
A tea set was arranged neatly on the table, along with other furniture, including a plush sofa that invited anyone to sit and relax.
"So this is where it all happens," Lucian mused to himself, a smirk forming on his lips.
The thought of Emperor Maximilian and Aunt Eloise exploring their forbidden desires in such a beautiful spot amused him. The setting was perfect for their secret rendezvous, hidden away from prying eyes — or so they thought.
Lucian sat down at the jade table, his movements slow and deliberate. With a casual wave of his hand, a gentle energy radiated from his fingers, touching the water in the teapot and bringing it to a boil instantly.
He watched as steam rose, filling the air with a delicate aroma. His hands worked with practiced ease as he poured the hot water over the tea leaves, each motion smooth and controlled.
As he sipped the tea, his mind wandered back to the head maid’s revelations. The idea of his father’s affair with Aunt Eloise intrigued him, especially considering how close the Emperor kept his secrets. But Lucian knew there was always a way to uncover the truth!
His eyes drifted to a small opening in the wall of the pagoda, barely noticeable unless one knew where to look. From there, the entire interior of the pagoda could be seen — ’a perfect spot for someone to observe everything that happened inside.’
It was only thanks to Lucian’s refined ’cultivation’ that he could detect such a hidden place so easily.
’Perhaps that’s how the head maid saw what she did,’ Lucian thought, a devilish grin playing on his lips as he imagined the possibilities.
The idea of using this knowledge to his advantage was already taking root in his mind.
At the next moment, though, Lucian’s head snapped around at the soft rustle of footsteps behind him.
His eyes locked onto his older sister Isabella, who stood poised at the entrance of the pagoda!
The previously tranquil atmosphere of the garden was abruptly shattered by her unexpected arrival.
Isabella leaned casually against the doorway, her expression a mask of icy disdain. "Well, isn’t this a delightful surprise?" she remarked with a touch of sarcasm.