Legacy of Hatred

Chapter 392: Moment

Liam followed the trio’s departure with his eyes at first, before switching to his ears. Yet, their tracks vanished as soon as they descended the staircase to the lower floor.

The balconies had talismans, and so did the rest of the floor. Grace and Liam had complete privacy there.

A shift in Liam’s stance told Grace that they were finally alone. She heaved a deep sigh, leaving Liam’s arm and hiding her face in her cup. She might have liked the various benefits of her act, but it was now time to feel shy about them.

Liam noticed the redness in Grace’s cheeks. He also watched as she straightened the strands on her chest, seemingly trying to keep herself busy to avoid his gaze, but he was too in awe to focus on that.

"You are just too incredible," Liam praised. "How much of this did you plan?"

"Master Liam, I’ve navigated these environments on my own since I was a child," Grace chuckled, lifting her head in thought. "I knew we could pass as members of a Sect, that Mairis’ forces were starving for resources, and I suspected they had heard about us. Everything else was improvisation."

Liam could know just as much, but he would have never been able to concoct such a contrived strategy, let alone act upon it while making split-second decisions.

"You are a genius," Liam couldn’t hold back from voicing his conclusion.

"Is my mountain-raised Master proud of his prized possession?" Grace laughed again, glancing teasingly at Liam. "I know I’m smart, but praise me more."

Liam shook his head happily and went for his wine. It was good, and he was getting more used to enjoying that bittersweet taste. Getting drunk was almost impossible, too, with his Qi and core, so he was starting to see its appeal.

"They might think our oh-mighty force is here to destabilize the border," Grace warned, also drinking, "But they won’t care. They’ll accept the risks because no one else will give them this option."

Liam nodded to himself. That was a predicament he knew far too well and would have to face again once his level increased even further.

"I’ll get them to let us check the ingredients they’ll put up for auction," Grace added. "I’ll need you there."

"I can finally do something," Liam sighed. "I’m hardly of any use to you when it comes to this stuff."

"You have been more useful than you realize, Black-Qi User," Grace reassured, bumping her shoulder against Liam’s. "Having your handsome mug staring coldly at everyone has its perks. This wouldn’t have worked if I were on my own."

’Black-Qi User,’ Liam thought. He knew cultivators could earn titles, and some would even become what people recognized them for, but it felt strange to have become part of that group.

"Liam," Grace called, snapping Liam back to reality when he felt a timid pull on his trousers. "I knew a fight could happen and still exploited the opportunity."

Vulnerability and fear replaced the confidence Grace had brimmed with for a while.

"I didn’t want to use you like this," Grace explained. "I’m sorry for making you fight."

Grace and Liam had a conversation about that long ago, but their relationship had been completely different.

"Grace, don’t apologize," Liam said, serious. "I have only gratitude for you. If anything, use me more."

Grace heaved another long sigh. Liam truly knew how to be sneaky.

"In that case," Grace regained her teasing tone, placing her hands on the pillow to straighten herself toward Liam. "Master, if you truly feel you should do more, give me a reward?"

Liam could smell the trap in the smiling face pointed at him, but diverted his gaze in thought. Even if Grace was just teasing him, she had earned the right to ask something like that multiple times over.

"What reward do you want?" Liam questioned.

Grace was slightly surprised. She hadn’t expected Liam to take her seriously. He usually just laughed, shook his head, or went to do something else when their conversations reached that point.

The business side of Grace’s mind tried to take over, but she lowered her head as more shameless thoughts surged. She knew Liam would never do certain things because of Melissa. It was embarrassing to ask so blatantly, too.

"A moment..." Grace muttered as she found something worth asking about. "Stop holding back with me for but a moment."

Grace could spot business opportunities in people’s faces. Liam was also the closest she had been to a person in her life. She knew him. She was confident she could read him, but there was a lingering doubt.

As much as Grace was sure that Liam felt the same about her, she wanted a more obvious hint, proof that she wasn’t imagining things.

A second passed, and then two. By the third, Grace was sure that her request had been denied or taken as a tease. She was ready to backtrack and resume her temptress act to get her revenge when a hand reached her back.

Grace almost gasped when her figure left her pillow, lifted to land sideways in Liam’s crossed legs. The hand on her back rose to her neck while another went to her side, both pulling her closer.

Before Grace could realize what was happening, she found her face on Liam’s chest, the hand dangerously close to her waist continuing to pull her, as if wanting to squeeze her against him.

Then, something landed on the top of Grace’s head, warm breath vibrating in her hair, carrying serious words. "This feels more like a reward to me."

Grace calmed down under that voice, closing her eyes, nestling deeper on Liam’s chest while her hand clung to his robe.

"Are you still holding back?" Grace asked, her grasp trembling with expectation.

"Yes," Liam genuinely replied. With how much his sanity had been put to the test in the last period, it was a miracle he could still manage to stop there.

And Grace could complain, make a witty comment that might put Liam on the spot or corner him. Yet, she remained silent, scratching Liam’s chest lovingly, knowing that not saying anything was the best way to prolong that moment as much as possible.

The reward continued long after a moment had passed.