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.
The riverbanks were adorned with delicate rose bushes, their petals a deep crimson that seemed to pulse with life, and fragrant orchids that glowed with soft hues of lavender and gold.
At night, the garden came alive with hundreds of candles, their warm light creating a soft, dreamlike glow that reflected off the water and made the garden feel like a scene from a fairy tale.
The reflections of the candles on the river made it appear as though stars had fallen from the sky to rest upon the water.
Many maids and servants tended to the garden, and as Lucian stepped inside, he noticed several of them diligently at work, trimming the bushes and raking the paths.
The moment they saw him, they paused, bowing respectfully before quickly returning to their tasks, their movements careful and precise under his watchful gaze.
In the center of the garden stood a large pagoda, positioned right in the middle of the river. Its size was impressive, making it a focal point of the entire garden.
A stone bridge arched gracefully over the water, connecting the main path to the pagoda, inviting anyone who passed by to explore further.
As Lucian approached, he reached out and let his hand glide over the rough wood of the structure.
The ancient surface was adorned with detailed carvings of dragons and phoenixes, their forms etched deeply into the wood, symbols of power and life.
Silk curtains hung from the entrance, swaying gently in the breeze. The soft fabric, with its gold and crimson embroidery, hinted at the hidden interior.
The curtains obscured what lay inside, adding an air of mystery to the pagoda. Lucian paused, his curiosity piqued by what might be concealed behind the delicate veil.
Lucian leaned against the railing, gazing down at the clear water below. The gentle ripples revealed colorful carps swimming gracefully, their scales glinting in the sunlight.
The soft scent of blooming flowers and fresh tea leaves filled the air, creating a serene atmosphere.
In the center of the pagoda, there was a jade table surrounded by matching chairs, perfectly placed for a quiet meeting.
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.