章節 80: Unexpected Encounter
Aldwyn's smile grew colder. "But I'm not here to sell it. I simply asked to find out its true use."
Sir Riven's eyes flickered with understanding. "Ah, I see," he said, his tone carefully neutral.
He put the amulet back in his pocket. "As for the second matter," he paused briefly. "What's the deal with your interest in lila?"
Sir Riven's smile grew, but it was forced and didn't quite reach his eyes. "Miss Lila is quite the charming young lady, wouldn't you say?" he said. "It's not reprehensible to be interested in beautiful women, is it?"
Aldwyn's expression remained unreadable. "It's not," he replied. "But why her? There are enough good-looking women in Vellaris."
Sir Riven leaned back in his chair. "Miss Lila," he said, "has a certain... allure that goes beyond mere physical beauty."
Aldwyn's gaze grew colder, his grip on the chair tightening. "I don't doubt it," he said, his voice a low growl. "But if I find out you have any ill intentions towards her, I will make sure you regret it."
Sir Riven's smile faltered for the briefest of moments before he regained his composure. "Threats, Mr. Aldwyn?" He chuckled, his laugh a brittle sound in the quiet study. "In the midst of a ball? How utterly... uncouth of you."
Sir Riven stood up, walked up to Aldwyn and put his hand on his shoulder. "I'll give you a free piece of advice. You should be careful who you threaten, especially in your current state."
He released aldwyn's shoulder and looked at him. "But I assure you I have no ill intentions towards Miss Lila."
As he made his way back to the ballroom, he paused for a moment. "I must say, however, that I like you. Brave to threaten a nobleman in his own manor." With a smile, he walked away and left Aldwyn in his room alone.
Aldwyn stood still for a moment. A single drop of sweat streamed down his forehead. „What the hell was that feeling... The moment he touched my shoulder, I felt an immense force... This guy is extremely dangerous!"
He had to admit that he felt a little shaky, but he had to keep his cool. He couldn't let anyone, especially Sir Riven, see the turmoil in him.
He took a deep breath and walked back to the ballroom, the sound of the waltz grew louder with each step. When he reached the grand archway, he saw Lila in the middle of the dance floor, twirling gracefully in Sir Riven's arms. Her emerald gown flowed around her like a river of jewels, a stark contrast to the dark desires that lay hidden beneath the surface.
Making his way to the buffet, he grabbed a goblet of wine from a passing servant, his eyes never leaving the dance floor. The liquid was a deep red, almost black in the flickering candlelight. He sipped it slowly, savoring the rich flavor and the warmth that spread through his veins.
The buffet was a smorgasbord of delights, the finest meats and cheeses arranged artfully on silver trays. Aldwyn's gaze drifted over the spread, his thoughts on anything but food. His stomach growled, a stark reminder of his physical needs. With a resigned sigh, he selected a few bites, his eyes never straying from Lila.
The music swelled to a crescendo before coming to a dramatic pause. The dancers broke apart, their laughter and chatter filling the sudden void. The room buzzed with the energy of hushed conversations, secrets whispered behind lace fans and the clinking of fine china. Lila extricated herself from her dance partner, her eyes finding Aldwyn's across the sea of faces.
Their gazes locked and she could see the concern in his eyes, the tension in his jaw. She made her way to him, her steps deliberate and smooth. "Is everything alright?" she asked, her voice low.
Aldwyn took another sip of wine, his gaze never leaving hers. "Everything's fine," he said, his tone tight. "We need to keep our heads down and our eyes open." He handed her a glass filled with the same crimson liquid. "Drink this. It'll help you blend in."
Lila accepted the glass, her eyes questioning his decision to keep her in the dark. With a nod, she took a sip, the sweetness of the wine a stark contrast to the bitter taste of the tension between them.
"Remember, Lila," he murmured, his voice a low rumble of warning. "We're not here for the amusement. Gather information, but don't get too deep."
With a nod, Lila stepped into the throng of nobles, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and trepidation. Her grip tightened around the stem of her wine glass, the coolness of the crystal reassuring in her hand.
The next song began to play, a slow and haunting melody that seemed to weave through the air like a serpent, coaxing the dancers into its embrace. Out of the corner of his eye, Aldwyn saw a hand appear before him, its owner hidden by the shadows cast by the flickering candlelight.
As the person stepped into the light, Aldwyn's eyes widened. It was an Female elf with ethereal beauty. Her eyes were a piercing emerald hue. Her skin was like alabaster and her figure a sculpture of grace and strength. It was the Sylvan Siren, which was sold at the first auction Aldwyn had been to.
„What is she doing here? Wait... If she's here, where is her 'owner'?" He asked himself, as he looked at her.
Her hand, long and delicate, was adorned with rings that glinted with precious stones, each one casting tiny rainbows onto the floor with every movement. "Would you care to dance?" she asked, her voice a soft caress that seemed to resonate within him, despite the din of the ballroom.
„Wait, what? Why does she want to dance with me? Something's not right here." He thought as he looked around.
Aldwyn's gaze swept over her, assessing and calculating. He knew the Sylvan Siren's allure was no mere trick of the light. Her kind were known to be enchantresses, capable of bewitching even the most stoic of men. "I would be honored," he said with a slight bow, taking her hand and leading her onto the dance floor.
Their steps fell in sync with the haunting melody, a dance of power and intrigue. The Sylvan Siren's eyes never left his, and he felt the weight of her gaze as if it could pierce through the very fabric of his being. Her touch was light, yet firm, and the warmth of her skin sent a peculiar sensation through his body, one that was both comforting and alarming.
As they twirled and dipped among the other dancers, she leaned in, her breath a whisper against his ear. "Mr. Blackwood would like to talk to you after this ball," she murmured, her voice a siren's call that seemed to resonate in his very bones.
Aldwyn's eyes narrowed, and his hand tightened around hers. "What does he want?" he asked.
The Sylvan Siren pulled away slightly, her smile enigmatic. "I'm merely the messenger," she said. "But I can assure you, it's nothing to fear. He's quite the... connoisseur of unique individuals like yourself."
„That doesn't really help me." He answers in his head.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票