Chapter 145: Flirtation

"Liffier, Liffier, are you alright?" A handsome young man on a beautiful, tall horse rode up to the carriage and reached out to lift the curtain.

"Nick, do you want to die?" Liffier's voice came from within, cold and sharp.

Nick's hand froze in mid-air. He offered an awkward smile and pulled it back. "Liffier, are you okay? I was so worried about you."

"Thank you. Why haven't you returned to protect Her Majesty the Queen?"

Nick's expression shifted instantly before he forced a smile back on. "The Queen doesn't need me for the moment. The person who needs me most right now is you."

"Don't flatter yourself. I have absolutely no need for you," Liffier replied coldly from inside.

"You will, Liffier. I will make you marry me of your own free will!" With that, Nick turned and left. Ye Tian rubbed his nose and smiled. Nearby, Garnier had finished his pleasantries with Prince Gistak. Seeing Nick return, the Prince and his party departed.

"Let's go, too." Garnier sighed and signaled to Ye Tian.

"Understood." Ye Tian hopped onto the carriage and gently tugged the reins. "Giddy up, Old Black!"

The carriage continued forward slowly. Everyone remained silent, having no desire to speak another word. Ye Tian looked out at the bustling street and sighed; regardless of rank or nobility, it was always the common people who suffered.

To his surprise, Prince Field was waiting at the entrance to greet the carriage—though he had to ignore the man's dark, thunderous expression. Liffier glanced at him and, steadied by Ye Tian’s hand, stepped out of the carriage with calm composure.

*Slap!* Field swung a hand, but it landed squarely on Ye Tian's arm instead.

"What is the meaning of this?" Prince Field turned to ask Ye Tian, who remained unfazed.

"I am the young lady's butler. It is my duty to ensure her safety under any and all circumstances," Ye Tian replied.

"I am her father!" Field hissed coldly.

"Does that give you the right to hit your daughter at will? She is not cargo; she is a person. You claim to be her father, but may I ask if you have fulfilled any of a father's responsibilities?" Ye Tian scoffed. "You have no right to strike her. None at all!"

"Hmph, do you want to die?" Field glared at Ye Tian.

"I do not wish to die. I simply do what a butler must, and perhaps offer you a lesson in logic." Ye Tian continued to support Liffier. "Young lady, let's go inside."

"My Lord." Garnier appeared quietly beside Field.

"What should I do?" Field asked.

"Just act as you always have, my Lord," Garnier replied with a bow.

"Gray, you're asking for death!" Liffier whispered to Ye Tian.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't die for you. That would be a terrible loss!" Before he finished speaking, Liffier kicked him quite a distance away.

"Hmph, I want something delicious to eat!" Liffier walked past him haughtily.

"Very well, I'll go prepare it immediately. But may I go back and change my clothes first?"

"Fine, hurry up!" Liffier looked at the small footprint on Ye Tian's back and covered her mouth to hide a giggle.

Back in his room, Ye Tian found Konia cleaning up and greeted her with a grin. "Miss Konia, you look lovely today!"

"Do I? Thank you." Konia stood up and brushed back her hair. "You're back."

"Yes, how could I not be?" Ye Tian laughed. Suddenly, he caught a faint, fishy stench. He scanned the room and noticed a bandage wrapped around Konia's wrist. His expression changed instantly, and he grabbed her arm.

"Mr. Gray, don't be like this. It's still daytime, you have to wait... hiss!" Konia gasped in pain.

"Did you touch my things?" Ye Tian tore open her sleeve to reveal a black line creeping from her wrist toward her elbow.

"What did you eat?" Ye Tian demanded coldly.

"What are you talking about?" Konia tried to pull her hand away.

*Slap!* Ye Tian slapped her. "My trunk is poisoned. It’s not a lethal dose, just enough to cause itching. But you must have taken some antidote, and the two mixed into a deadly concoction. If you keep hiding this, you won't live another month!"

Konia smiled. "Mr. Gray, what nonsense are you spouting? I’m perfectly healthy."

"Stubborn to the end!" Ye Tian pressed his hand onto the tip of the black line. A wave of excruciating pain surged through her, and Konia’s body began to convulse.

"Still going to act tough?" Ye Tian said angrily. "I only wanted to know who touched my things, I never expected this! Why didn't you say anything? You really want to die!" He tore open her clothing and threw her onto the bed.

"Mr. Gray, what are you doing?" Konia was shocked and scrambled to cover herself with the quilt. "It's daytime!"

"You know how to be scared? Will you be scared when you're dead?" Ye Tian walked over and locked the door.

"Don't move!" He grabbed her arm and stuffed a towel into her mouth. "This is going to hurt—endure it!" He spread out his needle kit and drove several golden needles into her pressure points.

"Mmph!" Konia's eyes went wide.

"Hold on!" Ye Tian sealed her heart pulse with another needle. "Hold on!" He slowly channeled his internal energy into her.

...

"Mmph!" Konia gripped the bedsheets. It felt as if a small insect was chewing through her arm; the pain was beyond anything an ordinary person could endure. Beads of sweat broke out on Ye Tian's forehead as he slowly forced the black line with his energy. It darted frantically, unable to escape.

"Hmph!" Ye Tian slashed a finger across her skin. Black blood spurted out, and a thin, dark thread emerged. "Hong'er, help me!" A bolt of blood shot from his chest, and a red figure darted out, snapped onto the black thread, and vanished back inside in a flash.

Ye Tian’s face twisted. Summoning the Love Gu was no simple matter; the sensation of it piercing his own body was unbearable. He grew angry. That damned Konia—if she hadn't taken an antidote, the poison wouldn't have been activated.

"Are you alright?" Konia asked, looking at Ye Tian, who appeared to be in more pain than she was.

"I'm fine. The situation was just grave," Ye Tian said fiercely.

"I'm the one who should be angry!" Konia tried to pull up the quilt, but her body felt limp and drained of strength.

"Why did you save me?" Konia asked. "We are enemies."

"I hate dead people!" Ye Tian pulled the golden needles from her body, applied medicinal powder to her arm, and wrapped it in gauze.

"There. Now you just need to recover your vitality. Come see me tomorrow." Ye Tian pulled the quilt up to cover her.

"But how can I go out like this?" Konia smiled.

"That's none of my business!" Ye Tian curled his lip.

"What if I walk out and tell everyone you tried to molest me?" Konia teased.

"Suit yourself!" Ye Tian sat on the edge of the bed. "Give me your hand."

"What for? I don't mind whatever you want to do now," Konia said with a giggle, handing him her hand. He interlaced his fingers with hers, and she felt a warm current flow from his fingers into her arm, spreading through her entire body.

"Mmm, that feels wonderful!" Konia let out a soft moan. Her body felt warm, and her strength began to return. "You look pale. Are you okay?"

"Mind your own business!" Ye Tian snapped. "Don't touch my things again. By the way, did anyone else touch them?"

"No, I'm the one responsible for your room," Konia laughed. "Don't you want to ask why?"

"Ask what? You were sent by either the Prince or the old butler. That doesn't take much thought." Ye Tian scoffed.

"Smart. You're not as foolish as I imagined," Konia said playfully.

"Thanks!"

"First, let me tell you: I was sent by the Prince to monitor you. From the moment you arrived, every move you made has been reported to him," Konia said. "Do you regret saving me now?"

"No."

"Really? You are a strange fellow. If it were me, I don't think I could have done what you did." Konia sighed. "Aren't you angry?"

"Angry that you were about to die and still wouldn't keep your mouth shut."

"The Prince is quite curious about you!" Konia laughed. "You know, the young lady has never interacted with male servants before, yet she brought back a male butler. How could he not be surprised? And she’s changed since she returned, so the master thinks it’s because of you."

"It is because of me. I convinced her to come back. If you can't hide from something, you must face it bravely." Ye Tian let go of her hand.

"Don't stop, I haven't enjoyed it enough yet!" Konia teased.

"In your dreams. I have to go serve the young lady. There are clothes in my room—just put on one of my uniforms to go back. As for an excuse, think of one yourself." Ye Tian stood up, took a deep breath to compose himself, and left.

Konia watched him go, a smile on her face. "Then I'll just say you tried to molest me!"

"Whatever!" Ye Tian walked away. Konia’s expression shifted, her eyes trailing after him, lost in thought.

"Are you alright?" Liffier noticed Ye Tian looked a bit drained and asked with concern.

"I'm fine!" Ye Tian smiled. "What do you want to eat? I'll make it."

"Really? You didn't even change your clothes, and—is that blood?" Liffier pointed to black spots on his garment.

"Oh, probably." Ye Tian looked down. "I'm not sure."

"Gray, you're becoming more and more mysterious," Liffier said, sounding displeased.

"Can't help it. It wouldn't be very impressive if you could see through me at a glance, would it?" Ye Tian laughed.

"Hmph, you've got a sharp tongue. If you get into trouble one day, don't expect me to save you!"

"Don't worry, I have a body of steel. Nothing can hurt me," Ye Tian bragged.

"I want something spicy!" Liffier pouted.

"Done. We'll go with a Szechuan style today!" Ye Tian laughed. "Skip breakfast, you've already eaten. Just look forward to what I prepare for lunch!" He turned and left.

...

Passing through the hallway, Ye Tian saw several pretty maids. He playfully brushed against the hip of one as he passed; she jumped in fright, but seeing it was Ye Tian, she blushed and ran off with the others. Ye Tian chuckled and headed back to his room.

Konia had returned and finished the chores. She seemed to be a competent maid. Ye Tian opened his wardrobe to change; he decided to burn these clothes—the blood on them was still poisonous.

On second thought, he tucked them away. He headed to the kitchen, taking the opportunity to tease any pretty maids he crossed paths with. Because of his status, they could only hide their anger and avoid him.

"Nice touch!" After patting a buxom maid, he was savoring the lingering sensation when she turned to slap him. Ye Tian dodged gracefully, pinned her arm behind her back, and pressed her against the wall.

"Let me go!" the maid said angrily.

"Beautiful lady, may I have your name?" Ye Tian teased.

"Hmph, in your dreams!" she replied stubbornly.

"It's just a name, no need to be so angry!" Ye Tian leaned in and, to her horror, gently blew on her neck.

"Pervert!" The maid breathed a sigh of relief, then started scolding him.

"How do you know I'm a pervert? Did I pervert you yet?" Ye Tian leaned closer. "Tell me your name, and I'll let you go."

"Hmph, Alisa."

"Well then, Miss Alisa, it's a pleasure to meet you. But you just called me a name, and I'm quite upset. Shall I live up to the title?" Ye Tian grinned.

"Pervert, I knew you weren't a good person!"

"Give me a kiss as an apology, and I'll let you go. Otherwise, heh heh, I'll have to be a pervert!"

Alisa hesitated. Ye Tian had picked a secluded spot, and she feared gossip if she shouted. Seeing his wicked grin, she gritted her teeth and leaned in to peck his cheek.

"Very well, apology accepted." Ye Tian gently held Alisa’s wrist. "And please, accept mine." He waved and walked away. Alisa watched him go, feeling a beautiful bracelet on her wrist.

"I don't want this!" She took it off, intending to throw it away, but hesitated. She put it back on and looked at it—it was actually quite pretty. She thought of his infuriating face, snorted, and walked away.

"Mr. Gray, please do not harass the maids. It interferes with their work!" A maid wearing glasses blocked his path, looking stern.

"Is that so? Are you jealous?" Ye Tian laughed and reached out. "Why don't you put your hand on mine?"

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"I'm just verifying if you're jealous."

"Hmph, watch your tongue, Mr. Gray!" She adjusted her glasses. "Keep this up, and you'll be dismissed from the Roxanu family!"

"I've confirmed it—you are definitely jealous!" Ye Tian laughed. The maid was furious and swung at him. "Shameless!"

"I'm a mid-level swordsman, you know!" Ye Tian grabbed her arm, twisted it, and steered her into a secluded corner.

"You—let go!" The maid was shocked and furious. She had assumed he was a fool, but he was a mid-level swordsman—not someone she could handle.

"Don't struggle!" Ye Tian leaned in and whispered, blowing into her ear.

"You!" The maid stiffened and began to tremble.

"You're quite sensitive!" He bit her earlobe gently.

"Mmph!" She was about to scream but heard footsteps nearby, so she bit down on Ye Tian’s shoulder instead.

"What, afraid of being seen?" Ye Tian released her ear. "That hurts!" He slid a hand inside her uniform.

The maid’s eyes widened in terror. She shook her head.

"But it really hurts!" His hand continued to explore. Her uniform looked modest, but it was designed with gaps—he wondered if it was meant to facilitate such mischief.

His hand reached her breast. "They're quite large!" He pinched the peak, and she let out a muffled groan.

"I thought I heard voices," another person said nearby.

"No way, who would be here?"

"Please, stop!" The maid trembled, begging in a whisper. Ye Tian’s hand rubbed against her, and she felt her body turning to jelly.