Chapter Fourteen

“Lanlan, let’s go have dinner.” With practiced ease, Arthur took a violet knee-length dress from the wardrobe. “Wear this.” While Yingyue changed into the dress in silence, Arthur’s deft fingers lifted her glossy hair and twisted it into a simple, elegant chignon atop her head.

“How is it?” Arthur pushed Yingyue to stand before the mirror. In the reflection, Yingyue saw the chignon that blended elegance with a hint of classical grace—especially with the effortless touch Arthur bestowed upon it, adding a light, ethereal charm.

But the thought that Arthur could so skillfully arrange a woman’s hair brought a vague, inexplicable heat to her chest. “How many women’s hair did you have to style to become so proficient?” Her tone betrayed a jealousy even she hadn’t realized.

A soft laugh escaped those rose-hued lips. Realizing what she’d just said, Yingyue’s cheeks suddenly flushed bright red. Arthur gazed at the delicate beauty in the mirror, then lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss into her hair, whispering, “Only yours.” Yingyue froze.

In this life, I will tie up my hair for you, and you alone.

“Okay, let’s go!” As if that moment had been nothing but a fleeting illusion, the roguish smile returned to Arthur’s face. His strong arm rested naturally on Yingyue’s shoulder as they walked out of the room together.

It was strange—though she still didn’t like Arthur’s closeness, she no longer rejected it as much as before.

Had she grown used to it? The realization startled Yingyue. But when did she become used to it? Lifting her eyes, she glanced at Arthur, whose trademark devilish smile still hung on his lips. What a dangerous habit. Her expression turned grave, her movements stiff.

Arthur noticed every change, catching the flicker of pain deep in his eyes that no one else could ever perceive. His lips pressed into a thin, solemn line. His grip tightened, fingers digging into Yingyue’s arm. Startled by the pain, Yingyue looked up in confusion, but all she received was that chilling, wicked smile. Lowering her head in silence, she followed Arthur to the dining hall.

Dining Hall

As Yuwen Xi and Mu Yuyin stepped into the dining hall, a familiar color immediately caught their eyes.

A violet dress, black silk hair swept up lightly with no adornments, making her appear all the more pure and alluring.

But at her side…

A pale blue shirt revealed graceful collarbones and a hint of defined chest muscles. Pristine white trousers outlined his long legs, and his captivating golden hair drifted like a spell. Blue eyes sparkled with laughter, lips curled in a wicked, flamboyant smile that drew every gaze in the hall. Sensing stares that were more than mere admiration, his hair shimmered with a metallic luster in the breeze. His eyes met those at the entrance, and an unrestrained, playful grin graced his rose-colored lips, making him appear even more enchanting. His left hand tapped the table lightly, while his right tucked a stray strand of Yingyue’s hair behind her ear, planting a kiss on her earlobe with a familiar intimacy. Catching sight of a clenched fist out of the corner of his eye, his own smile deepened.

Yingyue was about to scold Arthur when she felt a burning gaze upon her. Following it, her heart sank. How could it be…

Her knife and fork slipped from her hand; Arthur caught them swiftly, glancing at Yingyue’s dazed expression with a mocking smile. “What’s wrong, dear? Do you need me to serve you?”

Without giving Yingyue a chance to resist, he gently but firmly turned her toward him, meeting those intoxicating violet eyes head-on—eyes that usually sparkled, now vacant and hollow. Arthur felt a sharp pain in his chest, but his rose-petal lips twisted into a cruel arc as he bent down, pressing his lips harshly against Yingyue’s pale, delicate mouth, devouring her with abandon, biting down when her gaze still did not return to focus.

“Hiss—” Yingyue finally snapped back to herself, startled by the pain on her lips. Arthur released her, noting the blood welling from his own bite, his eyes locked fiercely onto hers. His lips curled with a cruel smile. “Do you know who just kissed you?”

Gradually, Yingyue’s gaze settled on the man before her, who, though clearly angry, still wore that carefree, devil-may-care smile.

“Is this amusing to you?” Her voice was barely more than a whisper. Anger flickered in Arthur’s eyes, but his smile only grew more dazzling.

“It’s very amusing indeed!” He turned then to look at Yuwen Xi and Mu Yuyin, who had already taken seats beside them.

—Author’s Note—

Why has no one been reading lately? Is there something wrong with my writing?