Chapter 48: Another News
8:03 PM — The Bruswards House
Edward's Bedroom
The dimly lit bedroom was filled with heavy breaths, moans, and the occasional sound of the bedsheets rustling. The luxurious, king-sized bed bore witness to the entwined bodies of Edward and Herna, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist as he made love to her. The pale moonlight filtering through the large, draped windows cast a shadowy silhouette of Edward's bare buttocks and Herna's feminine form, her nails digging into his skin as she gasped in pleasure.
Herna's moans grew louder with every thrust, her hands gripping the satin sheets as Edward lowered his lips to her neck, trailing soft kisses along her collarbone. Her body trembled under his, her painted nails raking down his muscular arms. Their mouths met in a deep, breathless kiss, both savoring the intensity of the moment. The rhythm between them intensified, their bodies slick with sweat as Edward pressed himself closer and going deeper inside of her, feeling her warmth beneath him.
After a long moment of shared passion, their climax washed over them, leaving them panting and still. Without a word, Edward scooped Herna into his arms, her damp hair falling across her flushed face. He carried her across the bedroom to the en suite bathroom.
The bathroom was elegant, adorned with marble tiles and brass fixtures. A large porcelain bathtub stood in the center, while an intricately designed walk-in shower, enclosed by frosted glass, awaited them. Edward set Herna down gently on the cool floor and turned on the brass shower faucet. The water gushed out in a steady stream, quickly growing warm.
Pulling Herna into the stream of water, Edward kissed her deeply once more, the heat from the water mingling with their skin. Their wet hair clung to their bodies as the water cascaded down, pooling at their feet. The sound of the shower mixed with the soft moans of Herna as Edward pinned her against the tiled wall. The cool tiles contrasted with the heat of their bodies as he lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around him once again.
With her back against the wall, Edward entered her in a swift motion, one hand bracing himself against the tile while the other gripped her waist. The water ran over them both, creating rivulets that slid down their entwined bodies as they moved in unison. Herna gasped, her head tilting back against the shower wall, the water hitting her face as her nails dug into Edward's shoulders.
The bathroom, with its chrome fixtures and art deco details, became a private world where time seemed to stand still. The luxurious rainfall shower above them echoed through the space, amplifying their shared intimacy. Edward's eyes locked on hers as they continued, their passion reigniting under the warm cascade of water.
This round of intimacy ended just as the water began to cool, leaving both Edward and Herna breathless, water dripping from their hair and bodies. Edward held her against the wall for a lingering moment, his forehead resting against hers as their breathing steadied. The dim bathroom light flickered slightly, casting their wet, tangled forms in a soft, golden glow.
30 minutes later…
After their intimate moment, both Edward and Herna had dressed, though their interactions remained playful. Herna sat on Edward's lap, her fingers weaving through his mid-length hair, occasionally feeding him grapes from a small porcelain dish on the side table. Edward, in turn, held her by the waist, planting kisses along her neck while caressing her behind. The mood in the room was languid, filled with the soft sounds of laughter and the sensual intimacy they shared.
As Herna picked up another grape, Edward gently guided her hand to his mouth, taking the fruit with a smirk. Just as he began to kiss her neck again, the telephone on the side table rang. He reached for it lazily, his voice thick and husky from both the intimacy and the grape still in his mouth.
"Hello..." Edward answered, his tone casual as he chewed the grape, eyeing Herna with a smile.
"It's Khardis... Mr. Brusward," came the voice on the other end. Khardis sounded calm, though there was an undertone of tension. He was lounging in a luxury lodge room himself, wearing nothing but a silk robe, with a young call girl kneeling before him. He absentmindedly stroked her dark hair, occasionally brushing his thumb over her lips as she placed her hands on his thighs, inching closer to his groin as she leaned her head over there.
"Any news? Did you meet with Prince George?" Edward asked, his focus shifting back to the call, though his other hand rested on Herna's thigh. She continued to feed him grapes, giggling softly each time their eyes met.
"Yes, I met with him. Prince George fell for the letter, but..." Khardis paused, his grip tightening slightly on the girl's hair as she began to please him. He let out a small sigh before continuing. "But he wants solid evidence. He's demanding proof at court that the letter was genuinely written by the prisoner. Even Benjamin struggled to defend himself in front of the prince."
Edward's brows raised slightly as Herna leaned in to kiss him, giggling against his lips. Pulling back from her briefly, he replied, "Is Prince George really that terrifying? I've seen him at campaigns and Dominic's blessing ceremony as Viceroy. He doesn't seem intimidating to me. Or maybe it's just because I've never stood face-to-face with him." He shrugged, pulling Herna closer to him, his hands wandering down her back.
Khardis sighed again, half-distracted by the girl between his legs who had now fully begun her task. "You'd be surprised. When it comes to power, Prince George can be ruthless. He's not someone to underestimate. We need to act quickly and ensure that prisoner gives the confession we need… or else we'll lose control of this situation."
Edward smirked slightly, more amused than concerned, but there was a glint in his eyes that suggested he was already calculating his next move. "Don't worry," he said, his hand trailing across Herna's bare thigh, "if that bastard in prison wants to keep his life, he'll say exactly what we need him to. Besides, with George under the impression that we're innocent, this gives us room to breathe."
Khardis, still caressing the girl's face, let out a low chuckle. "I hope so. We'll make sure this prisoner does his part. I'll keep you updated on everything... including Prince George's next move. For now, enjoy your evening." His voice softened as he brushed his thumb over the girl's lips again, watching as she continued her efforts.
"Indeed, I will," Edward replied with a grin, eyeing Herna, who was now trailing her fingers down his chest. "Good luck with your end, Khardis. We both have much to gain.Anyone connected to him will suffer the consequences, and this weight will finally be off our shoulders." Edward's voice was laced with satisfaction as he stroked the back of Herna's hair. She rested her head against his chest, still toying with a strand of his hair. "Then, we'll head to the Western mines and search for minerals with Father. It's time to secure those resources before anyone else does."
"The Western Mines?" Khardis replied, a slight gulp in his voice as he leaned back in his chair, glancing at the girl still kneeling before him. "Dominic's been eyeing that territory for a while now."
Edward's expression darkened instantly, his jaw tightening. "Tch... Of course, he has. He's always competing with me, always trying to take what's rightfully mine. I hate every moment of it." He rubbed his forehead, frustration simmering beneath his calm façade. "He's been a thorn in my side since the beginning. No matter what I achieve, he's always there, lurking in the shadows."
Edward's jealousy over Dominic was palpable. His mind raced through memories of every time Dominic had outmaneuvered him—whether it was securing deals or even stealing the attention of others, including Evangeline. The thought of Dominic always being a step ahead gnawed at his pride.
"Handle the prisoner tonight," Edward continued, his tone colder now. "Contact Sein. I don't have time to deal with that fool myself—I have more pressing matters. We'll talk later." With that, he ended the call abruptly, tossing the phone onto the bed.With that, Edward hung up the phone, tossing it carelessly to the side before focusing his full attention back on Herna. He leaned in, capturing her lips in a heated kiss as his hands explored her body once again.
On the other end, Khardis exhaled deeply, dropping the telephone to his side. He was now alone in the luxury lodge room with the young call girl still on her knees before him. A sly smile tugged at his lips as his mind briefly wandered to tomorrow's court proceedings. "Evangeline will be there tomorrow," he thought, his chest tightening with anticipation. "It's been too long since I last saw her face…"
The girl, sensing his shift in mood, ran her fingers up his thighs, brushing against the silk of his robe. Khardis leaned back further, letting out a low, satisfied sigh as he gazed down at her, his eyes filled with lust. Her hands gently caressed his thighs before sliding under his robe, her touch teasing and slow. He reached out, pulling her closer by the waist, feeling the warmth of her skin against his palm.
She giggled softly, her fingers tracing the outline of his chest beneath the robe. Khardis gulped, his eyes locking with hers as he caressed the back of her thighs, his hands wandering higher with every touch. His breathing became heavier as he gripped her hips, raising her dress slightly to expose more of her skin. He ran his fingers over her inner thighs, savoring the soft feel of her against his rough hands.
The girl responded to his touch, her own hands moving up to his cheek, gently brushing his skin. She smiled playfully as Khardis kissed her hand, his lips lingering longer than before. The tension in the room grew thicker, and Khardis could feel his control slipping away as she pressed herself closer, her body aligning perfectly with his.
"You're good at this, aren't you?" he muttered under his breath, a smirk forming on his lips as the girl leaned in, their faces mere inches apart. He stroked her hair absentmindedly, his mind already plotting their next steps the stakes getting higher by the minute
With Edward's frustrations about Dominic and the looming court appearance weighing on his mind, Khardis knew that tonight, he needed a distraction
The Serenity House
Evangeline was being examined by the physician, her face pale, and her demeanor unwell. After completing the examination, the physician stood up and began packing his medical supplies. Richard, who had been standing in the corner with his arms crossed, sighed and shook his head.
"Evangeline... you haven't been eating properly, and you've lost weight. You need to do better—sleep more, eat well, and take care of yourself if you want to recover," the physician said firmly.
He glanced at his notes and added, "Your blood pressure is unusually high for someone your age. Make sure to take your medication tonight. It should improve by morning, and then you can attend the court session." He closed his portfolio and turned to face her just as Richard approached from the wall to help Evangeline stand.
"Thank you, Doctor," Evangeline said quietly, offering a small nod. The old man returned the nod and left the room.
"The court is tomorrow… The Khardes and Bruswards will finally pay for what they did," Evangeline muttered, rubbing her bandaged arm.
Richard gave her a reassuring squeeze on the shoulder. "The trial is in three days. Everything will be settled by then," he replied, his voice calm but firm.
Evangeline's gaze darkened. "The Khardes family surrendered to the Bruswards because of their financial troubles. Tch, Khardis and Khan made a foolish decision—they're nothing but the Bruswards' dogs now," she said, clenching her fists.
"The doctor said you should rest," Richard reminded her softly. "Let's wait until tomorrow."
With that, he gently took her hand, guiding her out of the waiting room and down the corridor toward her bedroom. As they walked, a tall man with blonde hair approached, wearing a coat and hat, and carrying a small bag.
"Good evening, Your Grace," Charles greeted them with a bow, removing his hat and placing it over his chest.
"Hello, Charles. Are you leaving already?" Evangeline asked, her eyes flicking to the bag in his hand and the travel clothes he wore.
"Yes, the investigation is complete, and I need to return to work. I've left a message with Magdalene to deliver to Master Dominic—I won't be able to stay any longer," he replied, his tone calm as he sighed.
Evangeline smiled warmly. "I'll miss your cooking and desserts."
Charles chuckled, flashing a charming smile. "No need to worry—I made a copy of my recipe book and gave it to your head chef as a small token of thanks for taking me into your home."
He bowed again. "I'll be leaving now, my lady. I'll see you in court tomorrow."
As Charles walked away, Evangeline noticed some of the maids nearby, sobbing quietly at his departure.
Evangeline sighed and yawned, covering her mouth. "I'm hungry... I've spent my evening writing about farming."
Richard raised an eyebrow. "Farming?" He stared at her, a playful smile creeping onto his face. "So Lady Evangeline has gardening skills? The rumors are true." His cheeks flushed slightly.
"Yes," she replied, her enthusiasm shining through. "I'm planning to implement a three-field system. There's not much land in Verdaselles suitable for cultivating wheat, especially compared to Venian. With its growing population, five tons of wheat just isn't enough. I'm looking to add five more fields. Wheat production has been declining in Verdaselles, and if we're not careful, the bakeries might shut down."
Richard listened intently as they walked. "Isn't Dominic aware of this?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
"He could be," Evangeline chuckled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "But I'm just playing my part as his companion. The decrease in wheat is a recent issue. I wrote a letter to George; he'll support it anyway, especially since he's going to be king after my grand-uncle Claude. I found a region with poor soil that can't produce wheat efficiently, but it costs half a field to make it work. George liked the idea." She giggled, clearly proud of her plans.
"Well, that could please the people a bit..." Richard said, holding her chin gently, a teasing glint in his eye.
Evangeline rolled her eyes. "Tch... before Dominic, I was next in line to lead initiatives like these. My grandmother shattered my expectations," she scoffed, pouting like a small child. The sight made Richard laugh as he released her chin.
"Well, you can't turn back time now. She's doing it for your protection," he said with a wink, clearly enjoying the banter.
Evangeline scoffed, playfully releasing Richard's arm and walking away angrily, her heels clacking sharply against the floor as she headed toward the dining hall.
"Be careful, my lady! You'll slip in those heels! I told you not to wear them," Richard called after her, facepalming in frustration. He chuckled softly to himself, muttering, "She's cute," as he followed behind her, ready to ensure she didn't stumble on her way.
As they approached the dining room, Richard couldn't help but tease her further. "You know, if you spent half as much time on your farming ideas as you do on your footwear, Verdaselles would be the breadbasket of the empire!"
Evangeline shot him a playful glare over her shoulder. "Maybe I should have you as my assistant then. We could call it 'Richard's Shoe Farming Initiative'!"
"Now that's a title I can get behind!" Richard laughed, knowing their friendly rivalry would only strengthen their bond as companions.
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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