As for why they are consumables, the reasoning is simple.
No matter how cute a child is, there will come a day when they grow up.
Even if their bones are soft and their body small when young, with delicate features, as time passes, masculine traits inevitably become more pronounced.
Those children who look as delicate and adorable as girls will also grow taller, develop Adam’s apples, their bones will broaden, and their facial features will mature.
At that point, the noble ladies obviously cannot continue to treat them as “girls” anymore; they can only feel utter disgust toward their growth.
Once they stop looking cute and charming in skirts, it’s the death sentence for these children.
The noble ladies won’t provide potions to alleviate the aftereffects of medications but will chain them up in dungeons, letting them struggle and suffer until death.
At that time, they will erase the memory of those wonderful, sweet nights as if deleted, ruthlessly abandoning them without hesitation.
The logic is simple, like harvesting chives—once this batch is used up, the next one is about to arrive.
Countless boys suffer such cruelty every year.
Yet even Sylvia is powerless to stop it.
She is indeed the most powerful person on the continent, but she cannot afford to go against the whole world.
Because most of those boys are slaves—they have no rights.
Sylvia has no authority to decide for them; at most, she can only prohibit human trafficking in the Holy City.
Sylvia, well-versed in this matter, was already frightened when she heard Roman was taken to the auction house.
Fortunately, the ending was a blessing in disguise, and he wasn’t defiled by those vile people.
“That Lily Countess—is she really not one of those noble ladies who appear kind but are perverted behind closed doors?”
It’s not that Sylvia was suspicious; she had seen plenty of noble ladies who looked elegant, noble, kind, and considerate on the surface but were far more depraved behind the scenes.
Although Luo Xiya was not yet a noble lady and was still a beautiful young girl, who knew whether, with Roman in her care, she might lose control and do something inappropriate.
“From my observations, Lady Luo Xiya has neither bullied nor abused Roman. She seems to respect him especially, staying by his side with great attentiveness.”
“Speaking of which, she even sent someone to find Lady Laini, since she is Lord Roman’s mother, and personally paid me to conduct the Repose Ritual for Lady Laini.”
Sylvia nodded, roughly understanding Luo Xiya’s character, feeling somewhat relieved.
“However…”
Bianca decided it was best to clarify this matter with the Holy Throne.
“Lord Roman has probably already married that Lily Countess. The intimacy between them is extraordinary—whether in their gestures or the subtle exchanges in their eyes, they are unmistakably lovers.”
Sylvia fell silent for a moment.
She had of course guessed as much, but didn’t know what else to say.
“Hmph…”
After a while, she snorted lightly and said, “Whatever their relationship, it’s none of my concern.”
“If Roman truly is the Holy Child granted by Lord Fara, then even she is naturally unworthy of him.”
Bianca understood this logic and nodded without further comment.
“I’ll go see him myself. You stay here.”
With that, Sylvia vanished into thin air.
Bianca stood there, hands folded in front of her, and after a long moment, patted her chest, suddenly feeling a surge of emotions.
***
Lily Territory, inside the manor.
“Sister Elise, is there something you need?”
Roman followed Elise curiously into a room.
They had just finished lunch, and Elise tugged gently on Roman’s sleeve, whispering that she had something to discuss with him.
As the head maid of the manor who was the first to become familiar with him and, in a sense, the first person to be completely honest with him, Roman trusted her implicitly.
Besides, she had saved him several times, whether openly or covertly. In his heart, apart from Luo Xiya, Elise’s status was roughly on par with Lady Catherine’s.
Not to mention, Elise was also someone Luo Xiya trusted and was close to.
“Lord Roman, could you please close the door?”
“Ah… alright.”
Roman turned around and reached out to close the door.
At that moment, Elise glanced sideways at his back.
He was petite, and compared to when he first arrived at the manor malnourished, he was now clearly much healthier—still the pampered, delicate type, fragile and exquisite like a porcelain doll.
Even without seeing Roman’s face, she was already skilled enough to vividly picture it in her mind.
Long, fine eyelashes, pure brows and eyes, every movement occasionally revealing a hint of charm, a small, delicate nose, and pale lips—she remembered every detail clearly.
Then, the moment Roman shut the door, he suddenly felt himself being embraced.
No, it wasn’t just a feeling—he was actually being held from behind.
Elise’s full, snowy bosom pressed against his back, her arms clad in lace cuffs wrapped around his chest.
The faint scent of roses lingered around them, and Roman was a little flustered, unable to understand why Elise was doing this.
“Lord Roman, have you done anything wrong today?”
Roman’s body tensed, then he shook his head without hesitation.
“No.”
Elise’s wine-red eyes stared at Roman from the side.
Watching his flawless face, she slowly closed the distance until her cheek was almost pressed against his.
Roman panicked and struggled to break free.
“Let go.”
His voice was somewhat faint.
His temper was almost too soft, and Elise’s actions were undeniably excessive.
Yet Elise showed no sign of loosening her grip, calmly saying, “What’s the matter, Lord Roman? If others touch you, why can’t I?”
The room fell silent.
Roman stopped struggling, turning his face to avoid meeting Elise’s gaze.
But Elise was relentless, pressing his shoulders firmly and even cupping his cheek, turning his face toward her to look him in the eye.
“Lord Roman.”
Her tone remained respectful, but her actions were boldly insubordinate.
“You did those things with that little girl, and I saw it. You’re making it very difficult for me…”
“You tell me.”
“Should I tell Lady Luo Xiya?”
Roman’s eyes widened, staring at Elise in disbelief.
He wasn’t afraid that Luo Xiya would find out, but shocked that Elise would use this as leverage against him.
It was disappointing—he even felt a bit hurt.
“I’m not threatening you.”
As if sensing Roman’s thoughts, Elise added,
“I just want to build a closer, tighter relationship with you so that I can convince myself not to tell Miss.”