Before the banquet had even officially ended,
Elvia was already half-supporting and half-dragging Lin Gui, who was nodding off with every step, completely dazed with sleep.
Impatiently, she left the palace and headed straight for the most luxurious hotel nearby.
The expression on her face was a mixture of excitement, calculation, and a predatory urgency.
She looked exactly like a big bad wolf eyeing a little white rabbit.
Or rather, a predator about to get her hands on her prey.
As they left the palace, a few maids who were tidying themselves up spotted their noble Seventh Princess.
She was “supporting” her seemingly weak new husband, hurrying away with quick steps.
“Oh my god... Her Royal Highness...”
A young maid covered her mouth, her face filled with disbelief.
“I never expected... Her Highness to be so... proactive?”
another maid muttered,
feeling as if her deep-seated impressions of the princess's elegance and kindness were crumbling to pieces.
In the crowd, a maid who had been looking down to smooth the hem of her maid outfit knitted her brows slightly.
Watching Elvia's back as she practically “abducted” Lin Gui, a sliver of suspicion flashed in her eyes.
While the other maids were still gossiping,
she quietly slipped away from the group and followed them like a shadow.
Elvia quickly walked into the hotel.
She directly demanded the most luxurious suite and practically dragged Lin Gui into the room.
The moment they entered, Elvia displayed astonishing efficiency.
She quickly helped Lin Gui out of his old mage robe, taking his staff and setting it aside.
Moving swiftly, she began helping him change into a comfortable bathrobe that had been prepared nearby.
This series of actions woke Lin Gui up a little.
He looked with utter confusion at the gorgeous princess who had suddenly become so “virtuous” and proactive.
“What are you... doing?”
Elvia's movements froze.
She instantly snapped out of her frenzied state, frantically warning herself.
Calm down, Elvia! Act natural! You can't let him suspect anything!
She stood up straight, trying her best to maintain a flat expression as she spoke in as natural a tone as possible.
“It's nothing. I was just worried your dirty clothes would ruin the bedding, and they'd charge us a fortune for it.”
Lin Gui was utterly bewildered.
Though he found it strange, his extremely exhausted brain made him too lazy to probe deeper. He mumbled,
“Fine...”
He tied the bathrobe sash himself.
Just as he was about to lie down, he saw Elvia walk over to the window.
She swiftly locked the heavy window from the inside.
“What are you doing now?” Lin Gui asked, even more puzzled.
Elvia's expression remained unchanged as she answered calmly,
“Just in case. It would be bad if assassins showed up.”
“You know, there are plenty of people from the lower rungs who want to take revenge on those of us at the top.”
Lin Gui grumbled speechlessly, “Isn't that because you guys drove them to it?”
Unable to hold out any longer, he buried his head into the soft, fluffy blanket.
Feeling every bone in his body relax, he mumbled one final reminder:
“You can go now... Don't forget... to ask your eldest sister about Roger...”
Before he could even finish his sentence, his breathing became even, and he fell fast asleep.
Elvia looked at the defenseless Lin Gui on the bed, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.
Don't worry, soon I won't even need to go out of my way to dig for info.
For the sake of our future child, you'd better cure my damn poison.
She stepped out of the room quietly, gently closing the door behind her.
However, the moment the door clicked shut, her true colors were instantly exposed.
Discarding all her royal poise, she grabbed the hem of her luxurious gown with both hands.
She rushed downstairs toward the front desk like a gust of wind.
Thud! She slammed both hands onto the smooth front desk, panting slightly.
Looking at the receptionist boy, who was stunned by her beauty and imposing aura, she lowered her voice and got straight to the point.
“Give me some... aphrodisiacs! The strongest ones you have!”
The receptionist stared at the noble lady before him, who was so beautiful she didn't seem real,
yet she had just asked for such a thing the moment she opened her mouth.
His brain failed to process it for a moment, and he stammered,
“Y-You... what you want is...”
“The stuff those wealthy young masters usually use! Hurry up!”
Elvia urged impatiently.
“The stuff those rich playboys use! Aphrodisiacs! Do you understand?”
The receptionist finally caught on, his expression becoming even stranger.
While the laws of the Royal Capital strictly forbade forcing women, such regulations were practically non-existent for the high nobility.
However, they still held some deterrent effect for minor nobles and wealthy playboys who needed to maintain a semblance of public decency.
Thus, they preferred to use “softer” methods,
like using drugs to deceive ignorant or status-seeking young girls.
The receptionist was no stranger to such dirty transactions, but...
Looking at Elvia's peerless face,
and then at her urgent demeanor, the receptionist's mind grew even more chaotic.
“No, wait, ma'am, what exactly are you planning to...”
“Hurry up! I don't have all day!”
Elvia's eyes turned sharp.
The commanding aura of a princess and the sheer ferocity of a “lioness” leaked from her.
She slammed dozens of glittering gold coins onto the counter.
“Is this enough?”
Coerced and bribed, the receptionist tremblingly pulled out a small paper packet,
he then whispered the instructions on how to use it.
Elvia listened intently.
She then requested a few additional pills that were said to aid fertility.
Finally, still feeling uneasy, she confirmed once more,
“Will this stuff actually work on a High Rank mage? Are you absolutely sure it's effective?”
Upon receiving an affirmative reply, a smug smile of a successful schemer appeared on Elvia's face.
Carefully tucking the items away, she turned and rushed upstairs once more.
Once the rice is cooked, I'll use the child as a moral anchor to bind him... Lin Gui, you will be mine for the rest of your life.
I'll make perfect use of your abilities to ascend to that supreme throne!
Cackling inwardly, she returned to Lin Gui's room.
She carefully took out the small paper packet containing the powder and a long, thin blowpipe,
preparing to blow the “aphrodisiac powder” through the gap beneath the door.
Just as she pursed her lips, aimed at the blowpipe, and was about to act at the critical moment,
an angry female voice rang out from behind her:
“You cowardly princess! How dare you lay your hands on Lin Gui?!”
Elvia's face paled in shock as she whipped her head around!
There stood a girl with a straight posture, dressed in a plain maid uniform,
she had her arms crossed, looking at her coldly.
Elvia looked at the other girl's overly plain face,
and those exceptionally clear eyes.
After a moment of hesitation, she asked tentatively,
“...Half-demon?”
“Hmph!” The girl snorted coldly.
Reaching behind her ear, she pulled, tearing off an intricate mask,
revealing a lovely, charming face and a pair of signature long, pointed ears.
It was none other than Theia.
Rate on N.U.
