“Miss Su Nian, please wait a moment.”
A steady and slightly raspy male voice abruptly rang out by her side, clearly penetrating the din of the boiling crowd.
Su Nian’s heart tightened, her footsteps came to a subconscious halt.
The owner of this voice was distinctly different from the fanatical commoners surrounding her.
There was a faint, lingering sharpness in his aura; he was certainly no ordinary person.
However, her mind was currently filled with nothing but the urge to hurry back to Shadowmoon Manor.
The more she delayed, even for a second, the more severe the punishment she would face upon her return.
Su Nian slowly turned her face.
A trace of aloofness and vigilance appeared on her exquisite features.
She intended to give the other party only enough time for a single sentence.
She was in a hurry!
“I am a guard of the Third Prince. His Highness the Third Prince requests your presence… Miss Su Nian.”
The black-clad guard’s words were concise and direct.
‘The Third Prince?’
Hearing those words, Su Nian’s willowy brows furrowed imperceptibly.
In her eyes, this was likely just another novel scam.
Specifically designed to trick “naive” beautiful girls like her.
‘Hmph!’
She was quite clever; her awareness of fraud prevention was very high, and she wouldn’t fall for it so easily!
Even setting that aside.
Even if it truly were the legendary “Ice Prince,” Elvin Red Maple, personally inviting her, she absolutely would not dare to go right now!
If that Horned Demon Bastard found out she had just made a grand display outside, attracting the eyes of the entire city…
And then turned around to meet another man.
Especially a man of noble status, the Third Prince, who was more than enough to spark endless imagination…
Su Nian simply could not imagine the terrifying consequences that would follow.
That kind of ending would definitely be ten times… no, a hundred times more serious than simply being late!
She understood this dark, domineering, and possessive man far too well!
“I don’t have time!” Su Nian refused coldly without the slightest hesitation, not even bothering to offer a superfluous apology.
Before her voice had even faded, her elegantly curved body suddenly exerted force, and her toes lightly tapped the solid ground.
Her entire being became like a streak of moon-white smoke, instantly bypassing the black-clad guard.
The girl directly employed a sophisticated “movement technique,” forcibly carving a path through the huddling and blocking of countless fanatical fans.
Under the moonlight, a world-toppling silhouette left a string of breathtaking afterimages on the streets of Academy City as she “madly dashed” toward the direction of Shadowmoon Manor.
***
Even though she had exerted every ounce of her strength and used a speed comparable to fleeing for her life.
By the time Su Nian returned to Shadowmoon Manor, panting and drenched in a fragrant sweat, she was still a full two hours late.
There were simply too many people around the arena, making it several times more congested than she had anticipated.
Feeling as guilty as a thief, she quietly slipped through the side gate of the manor.
The cold iron gate closed behind her, isolating the clamor of the outside world; the manor was terrifyingly silent.
First, she skillfully withdrew Little Green—who was still excitedly chirping and rubbing against her cheek as if seeking credit—into the Void Beast Lair space in her right eye.
The little fellow tilted its head in confusion but ultimately transformed into a streak of light and disappeared obediently.
She didn’t want the shameful sight of her being “bullied” by the Horned Demon Lord at night to be seen by her own Contract Beast.
That would be… far too embarrassing.
The genius Magic Girl Idol whose fame shook Academy City and even the entire Continent could not allow anyone to know the secret that she was possessed… invaded, and conquered by a Horned Demon every night.
Adjusting her moon-white battle skirt, Su Nian took a deep breath and patted away the dust clinging to the hem, trying her best to make herself look less disheveled.
She entered the main building and then, with bare snowy feet, tiptoed toward the main room.
Every step was as light as a cat’s, for fear of making even the slightest sound.
At this moment.
She only hoped the Horned Demon had been delayed by something, hadn’t come tonight, or had already fallen asleep.
She stealthily pushed open the heavy carved wooden door of the main room.
The door hinges let out an extremely faint “creak.”
Su Nian’s heart skipped a beat.
Holding her breath, she slipped inside and gently closed the door.
She had just stepped in, attempting to slip back to her room without a sound.
“Clack.”
The slight sound of a glass being placed on a tabletop was exceptionally clear in the silent living room.
The sound wasn’t loud, but it was like a heavy hammer striking Su Nian’s taut nerves.
Su Nian’s movements froze instantly.
Her entire body was like it had been hit by a freezing spell, not daring to move an inch further.
She slowly turned her head, cautiously looking toward the source of the sound.
The sitting room of the main house was unlit; only the cold moonlight poured in through the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
In the center of the living room, on that large, soft black leather sofa, a tall figure sat leaning back languidly.
The silhouette was blurred, yet it radiated a suffocating sense of pressure.
Chu Tian was currently toying with an empty crystal wine glass, his long fingers carelessly stroking the smooth surface of the glass.
A pair of deep, unfathomable eyes, carrying a hint of a half-smile and a scrutinizing gaze, were firmly locked onto her.
Su Nian’s heart thumped as it instantly sank to rock bottom.
‘It’s over… I’ve been caught red-handed!’
“Heh, has our big star finally deigned to return?” Chu Tian spoke unhurriedly, his voice flat.
There was no anger in his tone, only a sort of mockery that seeped into the bones.
“I thought… you didn’t plan on coming back tonight.”
Su Nian’s delicate frame trembled imperceptibly.
That exquisite face, which had still held composure and pride at the arena, was instantly covered in a flattering and sweet smile.
“Master~” She drew out her voice, her tone so coy it seemed as if it could drip honey.
Su Nian walked quickly to the front of the sofa and sat down beside the Horned Demon Lord with gentle, cautious movements.
She didn’t even hesitate to take the initiative, extending her slender arms to tightly hug his sturdy arm, using the softness of her chest to gently rub against him bit by bit.
“How could I dare not come back! You are my favorite Master!”
Su Nian tilted up that breathtakingly beautiful little face, her sky-blue eyes watery, filled with a deliberate, pleasing sense of grievance and pity.
“It’s all because… because the road was too congested. Those people blocked the way completely. Little Nian already ran back as fast as possible; I really didn’t mean to be late.”
“Oh?” Chu Tian raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth curling into a playful arc, his tone meaningful.
With the intelligence-gathering capabilities of Shadowmoon Manor, he naturally knew how Su Nian had stood alone against seven at the Magic Pet Glory Arena tonight, making a grand name for herself and putting on a spectacular show.
The entire Academy City was likely singing the praises of her and her “miraculous little bird” right now.
Only he knew…
That so-called miraculous little bird was actually a genuine Wind Elemental Holy Dragon.
But this was perfect.
It gave him a “perfectly justifiable” reason to properly “punish” this little beauty who was becoming more and more dazzling, and less and less obedient.
“Since you’ve made a mistake.”
Chu Tian reached out, his long fingers carrying a hint of coolness as he gently lifted Su Nian’s smooth, small chin, forcing her to look up and meet his deep eyes.
“Then you must accept the punishment for being late. Those are the rules, understand?”
Su Nian’s heart tightened, ‘What punishment?’