A thick killing intent instantly filled the hall, causing the three women present to tremble. Freya held Aurora tightly, and the little girl shook in her arms. Xenina pinched her own thigh, refusing to let herself show any sign of weakness.
Based on Inan’s attitude, Xenina could confirm that this human had not kidnapped her daughter again.
“Madam, I will give you an explanation!” Inan restrained his killing intent. “No matter where she is, even in the farthest corner of the continent, I will find her and bring her back!”
Xenina took a deep breath, trying her best to recover from the terrifying killing intent Inan had just released.
“Lord Inan, I hope you can remember the words you spoke today. Irene is more important to me than my own life.” Although Xenina’s voice was steady, the determination in her eyes was unmistakable.
“Are you teaching me how to do things?” Inan squinted his eyes and stared at Xenina. Since a deal could not be reached through negotiation, something else had to be brought to the table. ‘No one gets anything from me for free!’
Xenina’s heart tightened. She was intimidated by Inan’s moody and overbearing nature. “I… I’m just very worried about Irene.”
As a noble of the Snow Country on a diplomatic visit, this display of panic was a complete failure. Fortunately, Inan did not seem to care. The demon had no intention of letting this beauty go from the start. He was obsessed with mature women and little girls; that was something he could not change.
He reached out and took Xenina’s hand, offering her comfort.
“Of course, I understand how you feel, Madam.” Inan kissed the back of her hand again. “Don’t worry. Leave everything to me, alright?”
Xenina’s entire body stiffened. Inan’s actions filled her with both anger and fear. She wanted to pull her hand back, but she was afraid of provoking him. She could only endure her inner disgust and force a stiff smile.
“Lord Inan, thank you. I thank you on Irene’s behalf…”
Inan released her hand and paused for a moment before moving on to the next topic. “I utterly detest those slave traders who capture the Snow Clan. Therefore… I wish to cooperate with you, Madam, to strike down those damned bastards together!”
As the lord of those very slave traders, Inan sounded ridiculous. However, Xenina did not dare to mock him; she could only listen to see what he really meant.
“I have heard that there is a spring in the Snow Country that produces holy water, which can be brewed into fine wine.” Inan once again revealed his true purpose for meeting Xenina. “If you can persuade your Queen to sell this holy water to me, I can promise that from now on, not a single member of the Snow Clan captured by slavers will ever pass through the gates of the Rosen Territory!”
A wave of clarity washed over Xenina as she finally understood what Inan was plotting.
“This matter is far too significant…” Xenina’s eyes filled with hesitation. “I fear Her Majesty the Queen will not agree.”
“I believe you can do it, Madam.” Inan’s expression became sincere. “I have heard that those slave traders have recently acquired a batch of high-quality equipment. They have become quite brazen in capturing the various races around the Northern Border. Madam… you wouldn’t want even more of the Snow Clan to be captured and turned into slaves in a foreign land, would you?”
Xenina felt a surge of conflict. Inan’s words were like a sharp sword, piercing through her concern for the fate of her fellow Snow Clan members.
“Lord Inan…” Xenina showed a pained expression. “I will find a way to persuade Her Majesty, but please give me some time…”
Inan picked up the teapot and refilled Xenina’s cup with hot tea. “Then I shall quietly await your good news. Come, try this Falling Petals Red Tea. It is sweet and mellow. In the Isol Empire, there is a saying that Falling Petals Red Tea is like a mature woman — its flavor leaves an unforgettable impression, and eventually, one only sinks deeper and deeper into it!”
How could Xenina not understand Inan’s meaning? This bastard had already forcibly taken Aurora and Irene, and now he had no intention of letting her go either!
Disgust surged through Xenina’s heart like a rising tide. Inan’s seemingly elegant actions and veiled words made her feel increasingly nauseated. But for the sake of her fellow Snow Clan members, and even more so to find her daughter, she had to suppress her rage.
Xenina stayed in the castle for only one night before preparing to return. She did not dare to imagine what would happen if she stayed any longer. Would she be completely devoured by that demon? ‘How could the three of us ever face each other again after that!?’
She bid Inan farewell the next day and prepared to leave. Before her departure, Inan gave her the Hill family crest. Xenina looked at the complex lines entwined around a heart and felt that it was an unrefined design.
However, Inan explained the crest’s great utility. “Madam, if you display this medal on your carriage, it will be as if I am personally guarding you. You will be able to pass through the Northern Border without hindrance; no one will dare to stop you.”
This item would be of great use to Xenina. Although the pattern repulsed her, it would ensure her safety. After exchanging a few polite words, Xenina said her goodbyes to Aurora and Freya.
Xenina had wanted to take Aurora back with her, but when she asked the girl, Aurora politely declined. She wanted to stay by Inan’s side and be his little lover for the rest of her life.
This left Xenina speechless. She could not forcibly take Aurora away, but the situation was becoming unbearable.
‘He has already loudly proclaimed that Irene is his woman, yet you still want to be his little lover forever!?’
Xenina found the web of these relationships becoming more and more tangled. She truly could not understand why Aurora would be so willing to stay by Inan’s side. Nevertheless, she could only board the carriage and begin her journey back to her country.
Along the way, both commoners and patrolling soldiers bowed and paid their respects to the carriage. Xenina knew that these people were not respecting her, but rather the crest on the carriage.
Even so, her heart remained a mess. ‘How could that demon receive such heartfelt respect from his subjects!? What on earth has he done?’
Xenina decided that after she returned, she would definitely gather information on Inan and try to understand this man.
—
Inan stood on the castle balcony, looking down as Xenina’s carriage slowly drove away. He flashed a smile. ‘Don’t let me down, Madam… With that holy water, how could my tavern ever fail to make money!?’
At that thought, he immediately summoned Karl.
Karl entered the study and saw the fury on Inan’s face. His fat body immediately began to tremble with fear. Inan smashed the wine glass in his hand and roared at Karl, “I gave you all that equipment, but where are the Snow Clan slaves!? Why have you captured so few!? From now on, if the number of daily captures doesn’t meet my requirements, you can get lost! Do you understand?”
Karl immediately knelt. “I understand, my Lord…”
As Karl left the castle, he wiped the cold sweat that would not stop pouring from his forehead. He had already increased the intensity of the captures, but the Lord was still not satisfied!
‘Then I will concentrate all our forces! We will focus exclusively on catching them!’