Chapter Sixty-Two

Rome

It was still the same villa as last time. Arthur sat on the sofa, gazing inscrutably at the people before him. Their faces remained unchanged, but cold sweat trickled down their backs. Arthur’s fingers tapped leisurely on the armrest, each sound landing heavily on their hearts. After a long silence, he finally spoke.

“I think the basement has been empty for a bit too long. After this mission is completed, go and liven it up a little.”

Their bodies stiffened at the mention of the basement. It was clear the young master was truly angry this time—the consequences would be severe. Yet, they remained serious and respectful, answering in unison, “Understood.”

“You may go. Proceed as planned.”

Meanwhile, at Lilith Castle—

Once again, Maria arrived uninvited.

“Miss Spencer, His Highness has instructed that while he is absent, no one is to enter or leave the castle,” a guard, dressed in uniform, blocked her path with respectful but expressionless formality.

Maria bristled inwardly, but her face broke into a seductive smile as she spoke to the guard. “I am not just anyone,” she purred, flicking her softly scented hair and curling her crimson lips. “I am His Highness’s most intimate companion.” The implication in her words was obvious.

The guard, however, remained cold and unyielding, as if he hadn’t heard her at all. “His Highness has instructed that while he is absent, no one is to enter or leave the castle.”

Maria, irritated by the guard’s robotic response, was about to lose her temper when she caught sight of the steward not far away. She called out loudly, “Hill, come here for a moment!”

The steward, seeing Maria from a distance, felt a jolt of alarm and tried to turn away, but he was a moment too late. With a forced, polite smile, he approached her with steady steps.

“Miss Spencer, is there anything I can assist you with?”

“You’re just in time. I want to enter the castle, but some people seem not to recognize me and won’t let me in. Please explain it to him,” Maria said haughtily, casting a disdainful glance at the guard.

The steward’s heart sank, but his gentlemanly smile did not waver. “I’m sorry, Miss Spencer, but I am unable to help you. His Highness has given strict orders—no one is to enter or leave the castle. I must ask you to leave.”

Maria’s once-raised chin stiffened as she glared at the steward, grinding out, “Hill, do you know who you’re speaking to?”

The steward met her gaze with calm composure and repeated his earlier words without the slightest hesitation.

Seeing both soft and hard tactics fail, Maria turned away angrily, storming off from Lilith Castle without another word. The steward, relieved that she had finally left, turned to the guard and said, “Well done. You must be especially vigilant these days—don’t let so much as a fly slip by.”

In the distance, Maria’s angelic face twisted into a devilish, terrifying smile that could chill the blood.

Inside the castle, Shadow Moon stood by the window, watching the tall figure recede into the distance, a sense of unease creeping into her heart. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Pressing a hand to her suddenly heavy chest, she frowned.

“I hope he returns in time.”

A rare smile blossomed on Shadow Moon’s lips, one that hadn’t appeared for a long time. She lifted her gaze to the far horizon, her eyes filled with gentle longing.

That direction pointed towards Italy—towards Rome.

—Extra Chapter—

Please give me some motivation!