The naturally scented flesh-colored stockings were clenched tightly in Elise’s hand, then she grabbed the edge of the blanket, making a motion as if she wanted to lift it.
Roman’s eyes immediately widened as he pressed the blanket firmly against his body, forcing himself to maintain an imposing expression as he stared directly at Elise.
“Pft…”
Elise’s expression, which had remained impassive during the tense standoff, finally broke into laughter after a few seconds.
“I told you last time, don’t stare at others with that overly dominant look of yours, or they might think you’re trying to seduce them.”
Saying that, she held the stockings in front of her and gently blew on them.
The lightweight material floated over to Roman’s face, the rustling fabric brushing his nose before falling in front of him.
The scent wasn’t just a simple fragrance—it carried a slightly strange odor…
Especially the lace part that was originally wrapped around the top of the thigh, which held a mix of sweat and an unidentifiable smell.
As head maid, Elise often worked hard all day, so it was inevitable she’d sweat.
And when such stockings got damp, the smell became even more cloying.
“Weren’t you just staring at my stockings? Don’t you want to touch them?”
Elise squinted her eyes with a sly smile, looking just like a little fox trying to tempt him.
But judging by their body types and ages, it would be more fitting to call Elise a big fox.
“Miss never really got used to wearing stockings; yours have lasted the longest so far.”
Roman recalled the pure white maid dress and the pristine white garter stockings he once wore.
“You wouldn’t get to feel that when you’re around Miss. Don’t you want to give it a try?”
“If you tell me you like them yourself, I’ll keep every pair I wear each day just for you. You can do whatever you want with them~”
While speaking, Elise seized the opportunity to tease Roman with a light, knowing smile.
“And besides.”
“What colors and styles you like, I can always match your preferences anytime, anywhere.”
Elise gazed at Roman intently, watching his initial interest cool down to a shake of the head.
“Elise, thank you for taking care of me, but…”
Before Roman could finish, Elise caught him off guard, suddenly pulling aside the blanket on his body and tossing it aside.
“Still going to deny it?”
She dropped the playful demeanor and looked down at him with a commanding tone.
Then she leaned close to Roman’s ear.
“Why resist so much? If you don’t dispel the overflowing magic, it could cause irreversible damage to your body over time.”
At the same moment, her hand slipped under Roman’s skirt, pressing down on the place that had been rising.
“This isn’t something you can just refuse to deal with.”
Roman felt it too—under her grip, the place that had already been standing at attention stiffened even more.
“I can handle it myself. I don’t need your help.” Roman boldly responded.
“Heh…”
Ignoring Roman’s words, Elise grabbed the stockings off the bed and slipped them under Roman’s skirt…
“What’s the point of using your hands? It’s just a drop in the bucket.”
Roman’s eyes widened, his gaze growing more confused, his head swimming in heat…
***
Downstairs in the estate.
Lady Catherine’s meditation was suddenly interrupted by a noise.
Opening her eyes, she saw the family crest placed beside her start to glow—a call was coming through.
After a moment’s hesitation, Lady Catherine answered.
A blue glow surrounded Luo Xiya’s tall figure, illuminating her form.
Lady Catherine suddenly felt a pang of guilt, instinctively touching the corner of her lips.
“Aunt, how have you been these days?”
Luo Xiya smiled warmly as she greeted her.
The question made Lady Catherine’s heart skip a beat. She forced a smile to hide her unease and replied gently, “I’ve been well. How about you? Has everything been smooth since you arrived?”
“Pretty smooth, hehe. I haven’t lost a single match in today’s Ranking Match.”
Luo Xiya sounded more carefree and lively in front of Lady Catherine than she did with Veronica, chuckling lightly.
“By the way!”
After the small talk, Luo Xiya’s real purpose for the call seemed to surface.
“Aunt, is Roman settling in okay these days?”
“No problem at all.”
Lady Catherine thought for a moment before adding, “Except for the first two days, I could clearly feel his loneliness. Roman probably misses you a lot.”
“Aunt, you really observe him closely~”
Luo Xiya said casually, but her words struck a chord—Lady Catherine’s pupils constricted in surprise, unsure how to respond.
That was more than just close observation.
“Roman is quite clingy; probably because he lacked love when he was young. He’s reserved during the day, but at night when he sleeps beside me, every time he wakes up, his nose almost touches mine, his arms and legs wrapped around me like an octopus.”
Though Luo Xiya spoke with a complaining tone, her unconscious finger poking her cheek betrayed her feelings.
“Mm.”
Lady Catherine stammered her reply.
Suddenly, Luo Xiya continued, “So, Aunt, I wanted to ask if you could take care of Roman these days. Not just helping him with meals and clothes, but emotionally—like brushing his hair when he wakes up, paying attention to him during meals. He’s very sensitive; he notices every little thing you do and keeps it in his heart.”
“Just treat him like your own son for now. After all, you don’t treat me much differently.”
Lady Catherine bowed her head even lower as she listened.
She had already regarded Roman as her own dear son, her precious boy.
Not only had she fulfilled Luo Xiya’s requests, she had exceeded them.
She wouldn’t have been this awkward if not for the wet kiss and deep tongue kiss she shared with Roman earlier today—it made facing Luo Xiya extremely difficult…
“I understand.”
She reluctantly reached up to brush back her hair and agreed.
“Oh, right.”
Luo Xiya seemed to have more to say.
“Roman probably won’t sleep well at night these days. Could you pay special attention to that? Maybe tell him some bedtime stories and secretly cast an Anmian Spell to help him sleep.”
Luo Xiya’s thoughtfulness was undeniable—she basically entrusted all of Lady Catherine’s duties to her…
Just when Lady Catherine thought it was over, Luo Xiya suddenly propped her chin on her hand and softly asked, “Could you call Roman over? I want to say a few words to him.”