Chapter 23: The Red Seal

“Is that so?”

After listening to Elise’s whispered explanation, Catherine finally understood Roman’s background, feeling a mix of heartache and guilt, her mind brewing with words to comfort him.

Roman’s slightly dazed gaze returned to normal after a few seconds, and he gently squeezed Luo Xiya’s hand, offering a soft smile to show he was fine.

“The past is already gone,” he said.

Luo Xiya, noticing the awkward atmosphere, glanced at her Aunt Catherine and suddenly came up with a “plan.”

“Roman, did you know? Aunt Catherine has never had children,” Luo Xiya said.

Roman, briefly surprised, nodded without fully understanding.

So, this lady hasn’t had children yet?

It was hard to comprehend; logically, Lady Catherine’s children should be around Luo Xiya’s age, so there must be some hidden reason he didn’t know.

He stole a glance at Lady Catherine, careful not to say anything that might hurt her.

Catherine, hearing this, showed no particular reaction, only finding it odd, why would Luo Xiya bring this up now, as if she could give her a child?

Over the years, she had considered borrowing a stud, but the thought was quickly dismissed.

To her, procreation was a natural human instinct; love brought two people together to create offspring, and loveless breeding would only bring irreparable pain to the child.

Besides, she had always been a bit obsessive about cleanliness, not just physically but emotionally too; in all these years, she had only ever held hands with her husband, let alone anyone else.

The idea of fucking a stranger for the sake of breeding made her skin crawl just thinking about it.

Suddenly, Catherine froze.

Despite having only met Roman once, and under such circumstances, she had done something so shameless…

While she wrestled with her thoughts, Roman had already been pulled into a lengthy conversation by Luo Xiya.

“Godmother?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Roman shook his head; having gradually figured out Luo Xiya’s personality, he didn’t outright refuse but subtly expressed his reluctance.

“Why?”

As expected, Luo Xiya pressed him directly.

“…”

“Is it because you feel it would betray your birth mother?”

Luo Xiya continued.

Roman shook his head.

His thoughts were hard for Luo Xiya to grasp; to him, such familial terms carried a kind of shadow in their meaning.

Luo Xiya wanted to bring those around her closer, but she didn’t yet fully understand Roman.

Lady Catherine, overhearing their conversation, felt Luo Xiya was being reckless and quickly called her out, urging her not to make Roman uncomfortable.

Luo Xiya sat down, a bit sullen, and as hunger returned, she began eating quietly.

She glanced at Roman sitting beside Luo Xiya, feeling a pang of disappointment; though Luo Xiya’s suggestion was hasty, if Roman had agreed, she would have gladly accepted.

The late-night meal ended abruptly, and Elise stayed behind to clear the table while Luo Xiya, after bidding Catherine goodnight, took Roman’s hand and left.

“Elise, have Luo Xiya and Roman…?” Catherine didn’t leave immediately, instead asking Elise beside her.

“Not yet, I believe,” Elise shook her head.

Her lady might seem carefree on the surface, but her moral standards were extraordinarily high; otherwise, she wouldn’t care for so many children with unfortunate backgrounds in her territory.

Lord Roman has not yet been fully conquered or won over; directly possessing him might be a shortcut, and it could even make him let go of his reservations completely, but such an act would already be a lesser move.

In Elise’s own understanding, the best food should naturally be savored at the best moment, rather than rushed into, resulting in more loss than gain.

Back in Luo Xiya’s room, Roman stood by her side, about to take off his clothes when his body suddenly collapsed onto the bed, out of his control.

“You…”

“Today was the first time you openly resisted me,” Luo Xiya suddenly said.

Roman fell silent.

So that’s how it is; it seems he had indeed gotten a bit carried away.

He thought to himself quietly, though emotionally he couldn’t help feeling a bit wronged, turning his head away in a silent second act of defiance.

“Hehe…”

Luo Xiya’s laughter suddenly rang in his ears.

Opening his eyes, Roman looked at Luo Xiya, his face full of confusion.

“No matter what, you’re at least not so obedient anymore, and in a way, that makes you the most adorable doll in the world.”

“But the more I think about how those auction people trained you, the more irritated I’ve been feeling these past few days.”

A warm body pressed against his, and Luo Xiya’s familiar scent, which Roman knew by heart, confirmed it was her; combined with the unique, agile, and soft physique of a sword dancer, Roman simply gave up on futile resistance, blushing as he closed his eyes.

“I want to make you mine, bit by bit, and the changes in you now are perfect, I could hardly hold back just now. Be good~ spread your arms.”

His hands were immediately pinned tightly by hers on either side, and Luo Xiya leaned toward Roman’s neck, using her teeth to tug open the collar of his nightgown.

Her slick tongue glided over his skin, finding his collarbone, where Luo Xiya pressed her lips, sucking, licking, and nibbling lightly.

Soon after, Luo Xiya lifted her head, a silver thread still hanging from her lips, revealing just how wild her actions had been.

Sticking out her pink tongue to break the thread, Luo Xiya clearly saw the tender red mark on Roman’s neck under the moonlight.

“You really didn’t lie to me, Roman. Is your body made of cotton? How else could it be so fragrant, so sensitive?”

A faint moan slipped through Roman’s teeth, and like a shy little beast, he covered his eyes with the back of his hand, unable to meet Luo Xiya’s gaze.

Giggling, Luo Xiya’s hand slid from Roman’s chest, over his abdomen, along his waist, down to the bend of his legs, where the hem of his nightgown rested.

Pushing the hem up to his waist, Luo Xiya said urgently, “Raise your arms!”

His lips didn’t agree, but his actions showed no resistance to Luo Xiya’s command, as his delicate, lotus-root-like arms slowly lifted.

Moonlight spilled onto the floor, casting the shadows of their bodies, when suddenly, a nightgown fell to the ground, covering their shadows entirely.

“No… don’t touch there!”

“Your body… it’s so easy to leave red marks on…”

Amid Luo Xiya’s teasing laughter, another piece of clothing fell to the floor, landing atop Roman’s nightgown.