Silver-inlaid ebony cane tapping on the steps, a night blue cloak concealing the figure, fingertips lightly pressing on the top hat, Chille slowly walked down holding Delfina Delettrez Fendi's hand.
【God of Wine】
Looking up at the shop not far away with the name of Dionysus engraved on it, the young count twirled his cane adorned with flowers, his face darkened.
He knew that behind this small shop was a large underground market with a bustling crowd, where all sorts of shady transactions took place. It was also an important hub for Lorraine Lander in the 【Capital】 of Lanchinthal.
But at this moment, the main gates were tightly sealed, surrounded by armored guards with swords.
"It seems that things have become more serious than expected."
Chille murmured as he lightly caressed the silver handle of his sword cane adorned with iris patterns.
"Have we arrived, Chille?"
After stepping off the carriage, Serena steadied herself and approached, asking quietly.
Turning around, Chille quietly observed the girl behind him - dressed in a white pleated blouse and black equestrian attire with gold embroidery, adorned with a lace floral collar, elegant and lightweight.
"Yes."
Gently taking hold of the girl's hand, their fingers intertwined, the young count nodded.
"Let's go inside."
"Okay..."
Nodding shyly, Serena listened to her own slightly accelerated heartbeat and couldn't help but gather courage, embracing Chille's arm.
"Hmm?"
Looking at her in surprise, Chille smiled sweetly and gently pushed away Serena's little hand.
"In this world, our positions are reversed, you know."
With one hand, he embraced the girl's soft and slender waist, his beautiful face nuzzling against her chest, holding her close.
"It's like this, Serena."
With a sweet and naive voice, those captivating crimson eyes blinked at her.
"Don't forget our previous promise, my dear."
Serena's cheeks flushed.
Listening to her own fast-paced heartbeat, like the pounding of drums, if she could see her own face at this moment, it would surely be completely red.
Her gaze involuntarily shifted down.
She could clearly see Chille's slender neck and delicate collarbone, a black ribbon tightly tied around his snow-white skin, with a small golden bell swaying lightly, producing a crisp sound.
Hmm.
Delfina Delettrez Fendi looked at the cold gaze that Chille revealed when he lowered his head at this moment.
A shield?
The servant miss murmured quietly.
She knew that Chille, a scum who treated everyone as playthings or tools, was merely using Serena.
But when she saw the intimate and playful appearance of the young count with someone else, and the current intoxicated look on Serena's face,
She felt a wicked fire burning in the depths of her heart.
Just mere humans.
Just mere humans.
Delfina Delettrez Fendi clenched her fists, the sound of grinding teeth echoing, the moist and delicate legs wrapped in black stockings rubbing against the maid's long dress, wetness growing within.
...
Previously, at the Lorraine Lander Count's mansion, in the dining room,
"Fiancée? Me?"
Pointing at her own face with trembling fingers, Serena stared wide-eyed in disbelief at Chille.
Although before coming to the Lorraine Lander Count's mansion, she and her mother, Lady Thyagov, had discussed winning Chille's favor, hoping to forever stay in this magnificent and grand estate,
But now, hearing the young count's words with her own ears, she still felt that this world was so dreamlike and surreal.
It was only the second day! She hadn't done anything yet, and she even made a fool of herself yesterday.
Why did he suddenly... suddenly...
Feel so favorably towards her?
Subconsciously touching her own cheek,
Serena knew that she was actually very beautiful, and not just in an ordinary way.
Perhaps even possessing the elegance of that Haumovi family ancestor that Chille told her about,
But no matter how she thought about it, something didn't feel right.Serena vaguely sensed that the young earl was not someone easily fooled.
"It's just pretend, my Serena," Chille lightly tapped the gold-embossed cup on the table, and the red tea inside rippled with a crisp metallic sound, bringing the girl back to her senses.
"Pretend?"
Her bright eyes dimmed slightly, Serena's heart, which had just jumped with joy, sank a little, and her thin red lips pursed.
"If you don't want to, you can refuse. I won't force you."
Looking at the delicately raised eyebrows of the young earl, the girl's heart ached, and she quickly nodded her head, yet still hesitated slightly.
"Why me?"
"Because you're special, Serena."
Observing the girl's melancholy expression, a hint of mastery flashed across Chille's eyebrows, before he returned to his charming and pleasant demeanor.
"Beautiful, elegant, kind, similar in age, from noble lineage, close relationship..."
Pointing his finger, the young earl focused on Serena, enumerating her virtues one by one.
Listening to this, the girl's shyly lowered her head, her face blushing, but a small smile involuntarily appeared on her lips, happy and sweet.
"Most importantly—"
He softly held Serena's small hand in his, his palm slightly warm.
The young earl looked into her eyes, as if sincerely and earnestly saying each word,
"I actually really like you, dear."
"Dea... lik... like... what... I... I..."
Repeating stammeringly, her toes tightly pressed together, Serena felt wave after wave of dizziness, enveloped in immense joy and surprise.
Taking hurried breaths of the cool air, after calming down slightly, her face burning, she nodded and whispered,
"Mm."
"Good~"
In sweet response, a cold laughter echoed in his heart.
"Then, Serena, accompany me to a place later. I need to handle something and might need your help."
Chille lazily leaned back against the soft cushion, speaking slowly.
"The leader of the other group is a very domineering and difficult woman. She has her eyes set on [Lorinand], so she wanted to gain that power by entering into an engagement with me."
"Oh..."
Serena listened quietly but was faintly anxious. She didn't dare to look into Chille's eyes—
In truth, she had also thought the same thing before.
And to be honest, she hadn't completely let go of this idea now.
After all, both the young earl in front of her and the things behind him were truly tempting.
"So... what do you want me to do?"
"I hope that with your assistance, we can make her back off. After all, it's a bit difficult to handle her given her status. If we refuse directly in public, it could cause problems. If we refuse privately, this realist would never admit it, especially since she only wants Lorinand and doesn't care for me."
"Who is she?"
Serena felt a bit uneasy and couldn't help asking softly,
"Oh... right, I haven't told you yet, my apologies."
Chille playfully slapped his forehead and casually said,
"She is the second princess of the Empire, Princess Anjolina Fran, also known as the 'Steel Empress.' She is very likely to be the next queen."
Silence, serenity.
