Vol 3. Chapter 62: The Conversation with Xue Tianao
Crimson Moon Splendor Palace,
Inside the magnificent golden reception hall,
Nearly a hundred exquisite dishes and famous wines from every corner of the Anqieka Continent had gradually been arranged across the long banquet table.
Within the enormous hall, only two figures remained.
After bringing Miss Yumo inside, Xue Tianao had dismissed every servant and guard.
His goal was simple—he wanted no one to disturb their private time together.
At this moment, Xue Tianao sat confidently on one side of the square dining table, wearing a handsome smile.
Directly opposite him sat the peerlessly beautiful black-haired girl he had been yearning for day and night over the past several days.
The black-haired girl was dressed in an elegant flowing black gauze gown.
Her breathtaking face was like a masterpiece personally sculpted by the Creator, so beautiful that it eclipsed everything around it. The exquisite dress and subtle makeup only enhanced that beauty further, making her resemble a fairy who had stepped out of a painting, stunning enough to steal anyone's soul.
As he quietly watched the black-haired girl illuminated by candlelight, Xue Tianao's heart was completely intoxicated...
—
At the very same time,
Outside Crimson Moon Splendor Palace,
Lillian and Olivia, two members of Xue Tianao's harem, had managed to pressure and bribe Toma into relaxing his supervision over them, allowing them to reach a nearby observation platform.
Although neither woman possessed much strength, with the "telescope" Xue Tianao had once given them, they were still able to peer through the palace windows and clearly see everything happening inside.
Naturally, the scene of Xue Tianao sharing dinner with the young lady of the Black Rose Family entered their view as well.
The moment they saw the astonishingly beautiful black-haired girl, the anxiety they had only just managed to suppress resurfaced once again.
Having spent so much time with Xue Tianao, both women understood part of his true nature.
They knew perfectly well that although his words were always sweet and full of passionate promises, there was a very high chance that their man would ultimately "surrender" beneath the pomegranate skirt of this young lady from the Black Rose Family.
Realizing this, both women unconsciously clenched their fists.
"That shameless woman! She's actually seducing Brother Tianao!"
The younger, little-sister-like Lillian couldn't help shouting angrily.
Olivia, standing beside her, did not curse outright, but she still glared at the black-haired girl she had never met with eyes filled with hostility.
"That... vixen..."
"Sister Olivia, th-this... What should we do? I don't want to see another woman appear beside Brother Tianao!"
"As for that... I'll tell Father and have him deal with it... quietly."
Her father's goal...
Was for her to become either the Empress or the Imperial Consort.
Now, the existence of Mengxi—and this girl as well—would undoubtedly threaten her future position.
Although her father disliked involving himself in matters like these, he would surely take action in the end.
Hearing those words, Lillian's face immediately lit up with excitement, her little eyes sparkling brightly.
"If it's Lord Luokefei, Sister Olivia's father! Then he'll definitely get rid of that woman with ease! How dare some upstart family's daughter try to seduce our Brother Tianao! She absolutely has to pay the price!"
"Indeed..."
Olivia gave a slight nod.
Her deep violet eyes overflowed with jealousy and venom.
—
As for the jealous—and even faintly murderous—stares coming from the two women outside, Miss Yumo simply ignored them.
After all, those two girls weren't nearly strong enough to pose any threat to her, and she couldn't be bothered arguing with children.
Her attention remained fixed on the blond man sitting across the table.
Xue Tianao.
Every time she saw this fellow, Yumo's emotions became incredibly complicated.
Unlike when she saw Mengxi, the Child of Destiny...
Recently, every time she looked upon his face, there wasn't even the slightest trace of joy inside her heart.
Instead, she felt nothing but an indescribable sense of disgust.
Just like now.
The instant she laid eyes on Xue Tianao, she couldn't help frowning.
'What the hell is he wearing?!'
A rainbow rooster?!
Looking at Xue Tianao's dazzlingly colorful formal attire—and the extravagant decoration behind it that resembled a peacock spreading its tail—Yumo's ruby-red eyes filled with speechless disbelief.
The corner of her eyebrow twitched.
The thing Miss Yumo hated most...
Was exactly this sort of gaudy, flashy clothing.
It was far too bright.
So bright it was nauseating.
Combined with that revolting smile that never left Xue Tianao's face...
The entire sight looked utterly ridiculous.
Besides the clothing...
There was also the food.
Yumo loved delicious food.
Not only did she enjoy cooking herself, she also loved savoring good meals. After spending such a long time existing as nothing more than a building, she had been looking forward to properly experiencing the cuisine of another world ever since obtaining a human body.
Yet despite the countless mouthwatering dishes spread across the table...
She had absolutely no appetite.
The reason was simple.
'I hate sour food!'
Eighty percent of everything on the table revolved around sour flavors.
And that wasn't all.
The decorations.
The atmosphere inside the palace.
The strange perfume permeating the air.
The excessive amount of wine.
...
In short, Yumo disliked practically everything around her.
Was this guy doing it on purpose?
Somehow, she couldn't shake the feeling that this Child of Destiny was deliberately trying to provoke her.
Everything he had prepared consisted of things she hated.
Even before their conversation had officially begun, the irritation inside Yumo continued climbing higher and higher.
'This is so damn annoying...'
she cursed inwardly.
Even so, she restrained her displeasure.
Forcing a polite smile onto her face, she maintained a gentle expression.
When Xue Tianao raised his glass in a toast, Miss Yumo courteously returned the gesture and emptied her wine in a single swallow.
'Disgusting...'
After watching Miss Yumo finish the wine,
Xue Tianao, leisurely sipping his own drink, unconsciously curled his lips upward.
His azure eyes overflowed with anticipation.
'Heh, everything is going exactly according to plan.'
Xue Tianao murmured inwardly with immense satisfaction.
The clothing chosen by the young lady from the Black Rose Family, as well as her behavior after taking her seat, matched Moxiao's predictions almost perfectly.
This only strengthened Xue Tianao's confidence in Moxiao's investigation.
This candlelit dinner had been carefully prepared after thoroughly studying Miss Yu's preferences and habits based on the intelligence Moxiao had gathered.
His clothing.
The dishes on the table.
Even the perfume sprayed throughout the room beforehand.
Everything had been prepared specifically for her tastes.
After seeing all of this...
Although she hadn't shown any obvious change in expression, she must already be delighted inside.
More importantly...
'She drank it.'
Looking at the empty wine glass beside Yumo's hand, Xue Tianao's confidence rapidly swelled.
With her growing affection...
And the assistance of the spiritual medicine...
Heh...
Tonight was destined to become an unforgettable night.
...
After briefly imagining the peerlessly beautiful black-haired girl lying beneath him, serving him with pleasure,
Xue Tianao raised his head and looked toward the lovely young woman.
To turn that fantasy into reality...
He still needed to work a little harder.
"Miss Yu, I wonder... are you satisfied with the hospitality here?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am quite 'satisfied.'"
The black-haired girl smiled elegantly.
"Rather, Your Majesty, on the eve of your coronation ceremony, you specifically invited me here for dinner. May I ask... [N O V E L I G H T] is there something you wished to discuss?"
"Hahaha, nothing, nothing at all. I simply wanted to chat with someone from the Black Rose Family. After all, I've always been curious about what the southern part of the continent is like. Besides, since you've traveled such a long distance, I was worried you might not have adapted well, so I wished to personally express my concern."
"I see. There's no need for Your Majesty to worry. I'm doing quite well."
"That's good. If you encounter any problems while you're in Sky Dome, or if there's anything you don't understand, simply come to me."
"Very well. Thank you, Your Majesty."
Miss Yumo respectfully inclined her head.
However...
The next moment, just as Xue Tianao was about to begin carrying out his conquest plan, the black-haired girl's expression changed ever so slightly.
An almost imperceptible trace of coldness appeared beneath her smile.
More importantly...
She spoke first.
"Come to think of it, I actually have quite a few questions I'd like to ask."
The usually quiet Miss Yu unexpectedly took the initiative, causing Xue Tianao to pause briefly.
But as someone highly experienced with women, he quickly regained his composure.
"Oh? Questions? Please, go ahead."
"Emmm... First of all, the entire Sky Dome has been talking about the extraordinary relationship between you and Miss Mengxi, the Child of Destiny. As far as I know, Your Majesty already has five confidantes in your harem. So... what exactly are your feelings toward Miss Mengxi? Do you love her?"
"Hm?"
Xue Tianao frowned slightly.
Why would this woman suddenly ask something like that?
And what was with that strange look in her eyes?
Still...
According to Moxiao's intelligence, this young lady possessed extremely strong possessiveness in matters of love and was utterly devoted to a single partner.
She would never willingly share a man with another woman.
If he wanted to increase her affection toward him...
He first had to completely distance himself from Mengxi and the women in his harem.
With that thought, Xue Tianao let out a bitter smile, as though he had been misunderstood by the entire world for years.
Looking toward the heavens, he sighed deeply.
"Ah... Miss Yu, you've misunderstood. Those so-called five confidantes are merely rumors spread among the people. Our relationships are nothing more than political marriages. We're not particularly close. I'm sure someone as intelligent as you can understand that. As for my relationship with Miss Mengxi... that's just another rumor. According to the prophecy of the Asumos Church, the two of us may eventually unite in the future, but that would only be to combine our powers and save this world. Although Miss Mengxi is indeed very beautiful, I have no romantic feelings for her. As for the person I truly..."
As he spoke, Xue Tianao slowly stood up.
Step by step...
He walked toward Miss Yumo.
After arriving beside her, he deliberately softened his voice into one overflowing with affection.
Following Moxiao's advice, he attempted to imitate the so-called "domineering CEO."
He placed one hand against the chair beside the black-haired girl, effectively trapping her in a forceful kabedon.
"Miss Yu, do you know? Compared to the Child of Destiny, the one I truly like... is the kind of dark girl who carries a hint of wickedness, while remaining pure at heart."
"...Someone exactly like you, Miss Yu~"
"..."
The instant she heard those words,
Yumo fell silent.
A moment later,
She narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly and answered coldly,
"...You really are... pretty disgusting."
"Hm?"