Chapter 30: Are You Having An Affair?
•••••
Cian lay beside Vera, his gaze fixed on the ceiling, his arm serving as her comfortable pillow. Her breathing was soft and steady, the rise and fall of her chest a gentle rhythm.
He tenderly lifted her head, careful not to disturb her peaceful slumber. Retrieving a pillow, he gently slipped it beneath her head, ensuring she would have extra comfort while she slept. He wanted her to rest undisturbed, for he was about to embark on a mission in the dead of night, while the world around them was shrouded in silence.
Glancing at the pendulum clock, Cian noted that it was now midnight—the perfect time to set his plan in motion while the rest of the household slumbered. With cautious movements, he approached the door, handling it so delicately that not even the faintest noise escaped. The last thing he wanted was to rouse Vera from her slumber.
Knowing Vera's upbringing as an assassin and her heightened senses and instincts, Cian understood that the slightest disturbance could awaken her in an instant. He couldn't afford to disrupt her sleep, for it could jeopardize his carefully laid-out plans.
Carefully, he reminded himself, 'I mustn't risk waking her. Everything depends on this.'
With a silent resolve, Cian opened the door with utmost caution, ensuring the hinges remained silent. As he slipped through the crack, he closed it gently behind him, shutting out the safety of their shared space.
Navigating through the shroud of darkness, Cian moved with purpose along the hallway until he reached his destination—the archives. This room held a vast collection of records, housing the intricate histories of their ancestral house and lineage.
With a steady hand, Cian turned the doorknob and stepped inside, his heart quickening with anticipation. As he flicked the switch, a dim light pierced the room, casting feeble rays that struggled to illuminate the vast expanse. Although the illumination was far from ideal, it provided enough visibility to navigate the room and access the invaluable information contained within.
Rows upon rows of shelves stretched before him, laden with dusty tomes and meticulously organized documents. Without skipping a beat, Cian made his way to a specific section of the archive, guided by a deep-seated determination. He knew exactly what he was searching for—a book with a weathered brown leather cover that held crucial answers within its pages.
As he stood there in silence, his gaze fixated on the worn exterior, Cian felt a sense of anticipation mixed with trepidation. This was not the first time he had come across this book, but due to time constraints, he hadn't been able to fully grasp its contents. Now, he was determined to delve into its depths and uncover the truth.
With a calm and steady hand, he opened the book, the pages rustling softly as they revealed the secrets within. The title, "Human Heightening Capabilities Experiment," provided a glimpse into its purpose. Although Cian didn't yet fully comprehend the experiment's ultimate goal, he had his suspicions regarding why his father had initiated it and chosen his own children as subjects.
As Cian delved deeper into the text, memories of his initial encounter with the book resurfaced. It detailed the first subject of the experiment—none other than Fier Lambhart II, the renowned general known for halting the advance of the Empire of Eldevia into the Kingdom of Elesia. Fier was a man whose power could rival that of a hundred soldiers, and his intellect far surpassed that of his fellow generals.
"...So our revered founder and the hero general was merely a subject of this experiment," Cian muttered. "That explains why Fier Lambhart II possessed such unparalleled strength and intelligence, allowing him to repel the forces of Eldevia. It was all due to his heightened capabilities."
Fier possessed strength and intelligence that could have propelled him to the throne of Elesia. Yet, despite his extraordinary abilities, he lacked the ambition to seize such power. It was this lack of ambition that set him apart.
However, there was another figure lurking in the shadows—Eldrick Lambhart, Fier's younger brother. Eldrick desired power and sought to ascend to a position of authority. He conducted the experiment multiple times, hoping to create individuals who could surpass Fier's remarkable prowess. Unfortunately for Eldrick, no matter how tirelessly he worked, he could not forge someone capable of surpassing his brother.
The relentless pursuit of power and heightened capabilities did not end with Eldrick. It persisted through the generations, passed down within the Lambhart family. Fier, who had no children of his own, entrusted the leadership of the house to Eldrick's son, Dimitri. The Lambhart house, once a mere Viscount, was not enough for Eldrick's ambitions. He sought greater heights and used his son as a means to achieve it. Through participating in wars and various endeavors, they rose to the rank of Earldom. However, Eldrick's thirst for power remained unquenched even then.
On his deathbed, he entrusted his son with a final mission—to create more heightened individuals and elevate the Lambhart name to ultimate supremacy, ultimately conquering the world.
Eldrick's son, Dimitri, shouldered the burden of his father's ambitions and continued the experiment. This time, the scope expanded beyond the confines of the Lambhart bloodline. Dimitri sought subjects beyond his own children, including others who showed potential. However, despite his efforts, progress remained elusive. Dimitri's life eventually came to an end, passing the baton to his firstborn, Havian.
Havian, the next in line, failed to achieve any significant breakthroughs. This cycle of disappointment and relentless experimentation persisted, until the fifth head, Bevor, ultimately chose Ciel as the current head of the Lambhart family.
"..."
Closing the journal, Cian set it back on the shelf, realizing that the book had chronicled the journey of the Lambhart family's heads. Noticing that Bevor's handwriting marked the last entry, he surmised that his own father, Ciel, had likely not contributed his own thoughts to its pages.
With a sense of purpose, Cian shifted his focus to finding something that could aid him in bringing down his father. Aware of Ciel's formidable strength and intelligence, he understood that even combining his own intelligence with Vera's strength wouldn't be sufficient. He needed more than their individual capabilities. He needed allies, tools to ensure his father's downfall.
As if guided by an unseen force, a book suddenly toppled from the shelf, falling into Cian's waiting hands. He opened it, and his eyes widened momentarily before settling into a neutral gaze. It was a list—a roster of subjects who had been part of the experiment. The names began with the first subject, Fier himself, and continued through the generations. Eldrick's name was there too, along with others unknown to Cian. His gaze fell upon the last page, and there he found his father's name—Ciel. But what caught his attention was another name that sparked a shock within him, a name he recognized.
Cian's eyes widened in disbelief and realization. The implications of the list were profound, and a sly smile crept across his face. Suppressing his laughter, he covered his mouth with his hand, fearful of someone overhearing. "Fu... Fu... Fu... Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!" The laughter escaped him, a mix of amusement and vindication. "How interesting, father... With this knowledge, your downfall is all but guaranteed."
•••••
Three days had passed since their last meeting, and Maya and Cian found themselves once again seated across from each other, savoring their cups of tea. This time, Maya sat opposite Cian, her curiosity getting the better of her as she took a sip and broke the silence.
"So, young master, what do you have planned for today? Is there something you require of me? Perhaps you desire my body?" she asked, her voice tinged with a hint of mischief.
Cian let out a weary sigh, his patience waning. "No, Maya. The time for that will come when the circumstances are right. For now, I want to discuss a plan I've devised for your employment here. It does come with risks, and there is a possibility that you may lose your innocence, even at your tender age. Are you willing to take that chance?"
Maya's face contorted into a frown. "Surely, you don't mean that I would have to give myself to someone other than you, do you?"
Cian leaned back in his chair, his expression serious yet tinged with a hint of protectiveness. "Well, there is a slight chance that it might not go as planned, but the likelihood of that happening is slim. And even if it does fail, I will fight to ensure that your chastity remains intact. I am the only one who can claim that, Maya. Your chastity belongs to me."
Maya blushed, her heart fluttering at Cian's words. She chuckled softly, charmed by his ability to make her feel so special. "You certainly know how to make a girl's heart flutter, don't you? So, what is this intriguing plan of yours?"
"All will be revealed in due time, Maya. For now, let us simply enjoy our tea and savor the anticipation."
Maya's curiosity grew with each passing moment. She couldn't help but let her mind wander, imagining the possibilities and the risks that awaited them. "I can't help but get goosebumps thinking about it. Whatever this plan is, it must be quite extraordinary."
Cian shrugged off her murmurs as her own musings and continued to sip his tea, relishing in its warmth. But Maya's inquisitive nature couldn't be contained for long, and she decided to voice another question that had been on her mind.
"By the way, young master," she began, her voice laced with a playful tone, "are you having an affair?"
Cian choked on his tea, caught off guard by her unexpected question. He glanced at her with confusion etched on his face. "An affair? No, I don't have a lover, nor would I engage in such activities. I'm still young to be involved in such matters."
A mischievous glint appeared in Maya's eyes as she continued, a playful smile forming on her lips. "But, young master, you kiss with such expertise. It felt as if you've done it countless times before. Could it be that you have another woman besides me? Oh, young master, you're quite the cheat, aren't you...♡?"
Maya's words struck a chord within Cian, for she had unknowingly hit upon a secret he held close. He did indeed have another woman in his life, someone who shared his blood. It was his half-sister, a complicated relationship he kept hidden for various reasons.
A mixture of surprise and admiration flickered in Cian's eyes. "You certainly have a sharp mind, Maya. Yes, I do have another woman in my life, but due to certain circumstances, I cannot reveal her identity to you."
A mischievous grin spread across Maya's face as she leaned closer. "So, you still have secrets from me, young master? Do I not have your complete trust yet?"
"You certainly know how to keep me on my toes, Maya. Trust me, it's not a matter of trust, but rather a matter of protecting both you and her. There are complexities that I am not at liberty to explain just yet."
Maya's eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and mischief. "Well, I suppose I can't fault you for that. After all, we all have our secrets, don't we? But one day, young master, I hope you'll be able to share everything with me."
As they engaged in their lively conversation, Cian's gaze drifted toward the pendulum clock on the wall. A flicker of anticipation crossed his face as he took a deep breath. Suddenly, he approached Maya, his hand gently finding its place at the back of her neck.
A thrill ran through Maya's body as she looked up at him, her voice a playful whisper. "You said we wouldn't do it for now, but I can see the eagerness in your eyes, young master. The desire to taste my unripe and untainted body."
Silently, he pressed his lips against hers, a passionate and intense embrace that left no room for words.
"Mmmff...~"
His tongue slipped past her parted lips, exploring the depths of her mouth with a hunger that ignited a sensual moan from Maya. She surrendered herself to the intimate dance of their tongues, indulging in the intoxicating taste and sensation that enveloped her.
Lost in the moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, their senses consumed by the taste, the touch, and the overwhelming desire they shared. But their stolen bliss was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a door opening.
"...Cian, my boy~! It's time for your—"
Standing in the doorway was a man with jet-black hair. At first, his face held a cheerful expression, but as his eyes fell upon the scene before him, his features turned cold and devoid of any emotion.
Cian, unfazed by the interruption, held his ground, continuing to invade Maya's mouth with his tongue. In his thoughts, a sinister satisfaction bloomed as he reveled in the sight of his father witnessing the defilement of what he held dear.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone