Chapter 44: Encounter Among the Flowers

“Do you have any clues about the person the Holy Throne is looking for?”

Milis gazed calmly at Luo Xiya as she spoke.

Luo Xiya’s heart skipped a beat, but she quickly regained her composure before replying, “I’m just a Count from a small place. As things stand, I don’t think I can be of any help to the Holy Throne.”

Milis nodded in acknowledgment and stood up.

“Are you going to take Tania away right now?”

Luo Xiya asked casually.

“No rush. I’d like to take a stroll in your Estate for now, if that’s alright?”

“Please, go ahead.”

Luo Xiya naturally wouldn’t refuse such a request and agreed at once.

Having received Luo Xiya’s permission, Milis turned and left the room immediately.

After Milis left, Luo Xiya laced her fingers together and propped her chin up, her gaze fixed on the closed door, lost in thought.

Lady Catherine, standing nearby, clearly shared the same concerns.

Whatever Luo Xiya could imagine, Lady Catherine could too.

Once Milis was completely out of earshot, Lady Catherine waved her hand gently.

An invisible Domain enveloped the room, making it impossible for any senses to intrude.

Milis took a few steps before suddenly glancing back.

Her expression was unreadable, betraying nothing of her thoughts.

After a few seconds, she turned away without looking back and left.

***

In the Back Garden, Roman, having finished breakfast, lay quietly among the flowers, savoring a rare moment of peace.

Originally, he’d only intended to sit for a while, but the cozy atmosphere stirred up the exhaustion from last night.

The moment he sprawled out on the grass, he drifted off to sleep.

Not far away, Elise stood silently in the shadows, almost merging with the darkness of the room, anyone not approaching would never notice her presence.

She had just served Roman his breakfast.

Roman had planned to go to the lounge, but Elise stopped him after only a few steps.

Usually, the lounge was where the maids took their breaks.

Naturally, Elise would help her young lady avoid anything that might upset her.

In the end, Roman finished his breakfast in Luo Xiya’s room.

Lying on the bed, Roman felt overwhelmingly drowsy, yet sleep eluded him.

Whenever he closed his eyes, lingering sensations from last night would surface, faint fragrances and a certain lingering aura made it impossible to calm his mind, and all sorts of indecent scenes replayed in his head.

Covering his cheeks, Roman sat up from the bed, wanting to go out for a walk to clear his head.

Wandering aimlessly, he found himself in the Estate’s Back Garden, a place usually reserved for Luo Xiya alone.

And so, he naturally fell asleep on the grass.

Only after Roman had fallen asleep did Elise quietly approach him, spreading a sheet beside him.

Then, without a sound, she gently lifted Roman and placed him on the sheet.

Her movements were polite and restrained throughout, her hands supporting only Roman’s neck and the bend of his knees, with no contact elsewhere.

After making sure no one was around, Elise finally left at ease.

Once asleep, Roman slipped into a deep slumber from sheer exhaustion, not even dreaming, a sleep so heavy, it was as if he hadn’t rested at all the night before.

In the empty Back Garden, Roman’s silver hair flowed among the blooms, his delicate features serene and gentle.

Even his right eye, replaced by a white flower, seemed at peace in this setting, making the scene breathtakingly beautiful.

***

Elsewhere, as Milis walked, a white-furred cat suddenly hugged her ankle.

Looking down, a rare hint of curiosity flickered in Milis’s otherwise icy eyes.

What kind of magical beast is this?

Milis bent down and lifted the cat by the scruff of its neck with one hand.

Instantly, it lost all resistance, meowing and flailing its limbs in midair.

No trace of magic, just an ordinary animal.

Even so, Milis didn’t lose interest. Instead, she was drawn to the cat’s sapphire-like eyes, finding it increasingly endearing the longer she looked.

Sensing its discomfort, Milis cradled the cat in her arms, studying it closely.

The cat looked up at her in return, and Milis felt as if she could read curiosity in its gaze.

What a fascinating creature.

Without being taught, Milis gently stroked the cat’s head.

The cat purred contentedly in her arms, occasionally opening its little mouth for a yawn.

Milis’s attention was completely absorbed by the cat, and before she realized it, she’d wandered off somewhere unfamiliar.

But she didn’t mind, after all, the most important part of taking a walk was to enjoy oneself.

Where she ended up didn’t matter.

Looking around, she realized she was in Luo Xiya’s usual resting spot in the Back Garden.

The air was filled with a refreshing fragrance, making her relax unconsciously.

While Milis was lost in thought, the cat in her arms suddenly jumped down and dashed off in a certain direction.

Milis arched an eyebrow and silently followed.

***

Meanwhile, Roman, still deep in sleep, felt as if he’d been run over by a carriage.

He woke up, face scrunched in discomfort, and opened his eyes.

All he felt was a soft, fluffy sensation against his face, a gentle, pleasant friction.

If only it could be a little lighter.

With a resigned look, Roman reached out and lifted the cat from his face.

Cake dangled in the air, kicking its little legs with glee.

Its sapphire eyes sparkled with delight, and it meowed incessantly.

Roman’s faint annoyance melted away into a helpless smile.

He pinched Cake’s hind leg lightly, making sure it was all right before relaxing completely.

He placed Cake back on his face, burying himself in its soft little belly and letting out a contented sigh.

Cake’s tiny paws pressed uneasily on Roman’s forehead, accompanied by soft, whimpering sounds.

From a distance, Milis observed Roman quietly, a knowing ‘so that’s how it is’ look on her face.

After waking up, Roman felt utterly refreshed, last night’s fatigue gone.

He sat up with Cake in his arms, gazing at the clear blue sky, his heart overflowing with a peace and happiness he’d never known before.

He lay back down again, eyes open, letting his consciousness drift.

If only things could stay like this forever.

Even after awakening the legendary High-tier Sacred Seal, Roman had no ambitions or other thoughts.

He only wished for this life to continue unchanged.

Years of self-doubt had left Roman easily satisfied.

As long as he could stay by Luo Xiya’s side, whether as a ‘maid’ or a bed companion, he was content.

“Sigh…”

Pushing aside these unrealistic thoughts, Roman looked at Cake, only for new worries to arise.

Cute as Cake was, with its round, ball-like shape, from a distance it looked just like a puff of cotton.

Even though its hind leg had healed, as it got older, its limbs would surely struggle to support its weight.

While Roman was fretting, a shadow suddenly loomed over him.

Momentarily confused, he quickly sat up and turned around.

Bathed in sunlight, Milis stood with her back to him.

Her exquisitely beautiful face was hidden in shadow, revealing no hint of emotion.