Liliana merely glanced sideways at Inan, paying him no heed whatsoever.
She descended slowly, landing barefoot on Inan’s shoulder, and just stood there, straight and proud atop him, those golden eyes gazing down haughtily at Nancy and Tiffany!
At this moment, Inan realized he wanted to speak, but couldn’t utter a word—obviously, a binding spell had been used on him…
“Let’s talk…” Liliana hummed lightly, “This person is under my protection!”
Then, right before Inan’s eyes, the three women listed out a series of unfair treaties, waiting for Inan to sign…
By the time Inan returned to the castle, it was already around four in the morning. In the study, he savored his red wine… and revealed a satisfied smile!
Now, his connections reached the heavens; with three powerful backers standing above him, even Will couldn’t lay a finger on him!
Who would have thought that, originally doomed for offending Nancy and Tiffany, his fate would take a dramatic turn because of the sudden appearance of the arrogant witch Liliana.
Although he was forced to accept their harsh demands, it wasn’t entirely unacceptable!
Beside him was a Violet Heavy Armored Warrior, who had already removed her armor and placed it on the desk. After the three women finished studying the magic inscribed on the armor, they left.
“Put it back on…” Inan stroked the metal armor. “What happened today, bury it in your heart.”
“Yes, my lord!”
The Violet Heavy Armored Warrior nodded slightly at Inan’s command, then began expertly donning the armor set on the desk.
“Wait…” Inan suddenly stood up, setting down his wine glass. “Don’t put it on yet. There’s something else I’d like you to do…”
A new skill he had acquired came to Inan’s mind—converting part of his pain into pleasure—and he decided to experiment with it!
When he woke the next day, it was already noon.
The warrior had awakened as well. After asking Inan for instructions, she got dressed and left.
She’d discovered a secret: her own lord was a master in certain matters, and she had thoroughly embarrassed herself in front of Inan!
It’s over. The lord isn’t going to think I’m some wanton woman, is he?
“How did I end up like that? It’s so embarrassing! The lord must think worse of me now!” She muttered to herself, hurrying back to the barracks, trying to leave her awkwardness and unease behind.
Inan also dressed himself. First, he went to the dining room to eat alone.
After Lawson was killed, the surrounding nobles quieted down. That bastard had conquered a viscount’s territory in less than two days, and even stole another man’s wife!
Because of this, the nobles tightened their economic sanctions on Inan even further; even he couldn’t afford to wage war on a dozen territories at once.
As Inan sliced his steak, he pondered his options. Things had reached this point—there was no turning back.
Aurora had returned to her usual self. Fresh from etiquette class, she snuggled into Inan’s arms, acting spoiled as if that night’s events had left no mark on her memory.
Inan gently stroked Aurora’s hair, considering the 8% remaining on this adorable girl’s progress bar. As long as he raised her to 80%, he could use the quest reward for the rest!
“Do you want to see your mother?” Inan speared a piece of steak and brought it to Aurora’s mouth.
Aurora’s eyes lit up instantly at Inan’s words, but quickly dimmed again.
“I don’t know…” Aurora gripped her dress tightly. “Did she… does she not want me anymore?”
Eirinsnow had left a deep impression on her before she departed. That day, the scene of Eirinsnow brandishing a glass shard, trying to kill her, still lingered in Aurora’s mind.
She’d even abandoned Aurora and fled alone…
“Your mother must have her reasons.” Inan gently wiped away her tears. “If you want to see her, my dear, I can order someone to send you back to the Snow Country…”
Go back?
Aurora turned in Inan’s embrace, lifting her head to look into his earnest eyes. He didn’t seem to be lying…
Her voice trembled, and her small hands clutched Inan’s collar tightly. “Don’t abandon me, Brother Inan, I’m scared…”
“Then shall I go with you?” Inan pinched her chubby cheeks. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll always be here.”
Aurora only said she needed to think it over and left Inan’s side, her mood complicated…
When Inan truly prepared to send her home, she suddenly realized she was reluctant to leave!
Under specific circumstances and conditions, anyone might develop such psychological symptoms…
Eirinsnow had already returned to the Snow Country for some time. Now, she was back with her family in the Snow Country.
The Snowfolk, in truth, were no less beautiful than elves, but unlike elves, they had both men and women, and didn’t possess the elves’ longevity!
If elves fell into human hands, they might become family heirlooms…
But it was very difficult for an elf to fall in love with a human. In their eyes, long-lived races enjoyed lengthy lifespans, while short-lived races were but fleeting passersby in their eternal journey!
It was like commoners raising a puppy—no matter how deep the bond, that puppy would only live a dozen years or so…
Those years might be an important companionship in life, but to elves, it was merely a fleeting interlude in endless ages.
Elves had lived through countless such interludes; it was hard for them to fully invest their emotions in a short-lived race like humans.
That was their conclusion. So, even if they became slaves to humans, in their eyes, humans were just a little dog basking in power for a brief time!
But the Snowfolk were different—they simply lived a bit longer than humans and might very well fall in love with them!
Just like Eirinsnow’s mother at this moment—she strongly suspected that Eirinsnow had already fallen for that human lord who had taken her in!
Right now, in her bedroom, she looked at Eirinsnow with a helpless gaze. “Tell me why, Eirinsnow.”
Eirinsnow opened her mouth, unable to explain…
Her mother sighed softly, her eyes full of worry. “Eirinsnow, now that you’ve inherited your husband’s fortune and title, you must consider the bigger picture…”
“I’ve heard you call out that human’s name in your sleep countless times now… I’ve lost track…” Her mother stroked Eirinsnow’s hair. “Can’t you forget him?”
“I was just having a nightmare!” Eirinsnow hated being misunderstood like this. “Whenever I think of Aurora still with that demon, I can’t sleep!”
Her mother frowned, a hint of doubt in her eyes, but seeing Eirinsnow so agitated, she thought perhaps it was true.
“Mother, I recently received word that the human has now fallen out with the surrounding nobles!” Eirinsnow threw back her covers and stood up in her nightdress. “I’d like to ask you to take action—let our two armies attack together and bring Aurora back.”