Chapter 217 - 149: Come to Me Tonight, and Bring It All

Chapter 217: Chapter 149: Come to Me Tonight, and Bring It All

Lian knew, of course, that this was a test. Mary’s intentions couldn’t have been more obvious.

He whispered in her ear, "Lady Mary, would you like to hear a story?"

"What?"

Mary looked at Lian with curiosity. The last time she’d heard him tell a story was back in the Blue Moon Territory, when he’d spoken of the deeds of Empress Catherine the Great.

Mary was intrigued by Lian’s story, even though he hadn’t directly answered her question.

"A long, long time ago, there was a merchant who dearly loved his three daughters. Every time he traveled, he would bring back gifts for them."

Lian said with a smile.

"This sounds like the beginning of a Fairy Tale."

Mary said nonchalantly as she and Lian danced to the soothing music.

"Before one of the merchant’s long journeys, he asked his three daughters what gifts they wanted. The eldest said she wanted one thousand pearl necklaces. The second wanted one thousand beautiful dresses. The youngest, however, only wished for her father’s safe return. But if he must bring a gift, she said, then all she wanted was a single beautiful Rose."

"It sounds like the three daughters have very distinct personalities. The eldest chases wealth, the second chases beauty, and the third values affection."

Mary didn’t identify with any of the three girls and offered an objective assessment.

Lian gave a slight nod. "The merchant left home to do business in a faraway land. On his return, he had bought one thousand pearl necklaces for his eldest daughter and one thousand beautiful dresses for his second. However, he was unable to find the one thing his youngest daughter had asked for—a Rose—because it was now winter."

"On his way home, the merchant passed a manor blanketed in snow. Miraculously, the manor’s garden was filled with blooming Roses. Not only had these Roses not withered in the biting wind and snow, but they bloomed like a Flame. They were vibrant and impossibly beautiful, and they immediately captivated the merchant."

By this point, Mary was starting to feel a bit bored. But Lian’s unique Charm compelled her to listen patiently. Anyone else would have likely been dragged out and turned into fertilizer for failing to please her.

"The merchant thought of his youngest daughter’s wish, of her gentleness and kindness, of her thoughtfulness and good nature. ’She only has this one small wish,’ he thought. ’How can I fail to fulfill it?’"

"The merchant called out at the manor’s iron Gate, hoping to buy a single Rose, but no one responded. This led him to believe the manor was deserted."

"He climbed over the iron Gate, entered the manor, and plucked the most exquisite Rose for his youngest daughter."

"The moment he plucked the flower, a fur-covered Monster appeared."

Mary’s eyes lit up. The story was finally getting interesting.

"The Monster shot out its claws, seized the merchant by the neck, and lifted him into the air. Its vicious gaze looked as if it could tear him apart at any second."

"Terrified, the merchant wept and apologized to the Monster, telling it of his youngest daughter’s wish."

"Lady Mary, do you know what the Monster said after it heard his story?"

Lian looked into Mary’s eyes.

"If the Monster listened to the merchant’s whole story, that proves it’s an intelligent creature capable of communication. It probably made a demand of its own."

Mary said seriously.

Lian nodded. "You are very clever, Lady Mary. The Monster did indeed make a demand."

"What did the Monster want?"

Mary asked curiously.

"The Monster said, ’You may take the Rose, but you must bring your daughter to me. She will be imprisoned in my castle forever, never to take a single step outside, and she will be my slave for eternity.’"

The mingling candlelight and lamplight played across the sharp contours of Lian’s face, making one side of him look like an Angel and the other like a Demon lurking in the shadows.

"Lady Mary, Nancy Stuart is the most beautiful flower in my rose garden. If someone wishes to pluck her, I will not object... so long as they are willing to pay the price."

Mary froze for a moment, stunned that Lian would compare himself to the Monster.

But his answer was, without a doubt, perfect.

It demonstrated that Nancy Stuart was not his weakness, while also revealing his own domineering possessiveness.

He wouldn’t allow anyone to lay a finger on what was his—not even a single Rose.

"Are you threatening a Six-star Glory Knight? Do you know the consequences?"

Mary arched an eyebrow, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"I doubt Lady Mary would be willing to give up such a valuable ally."

Lian smiled, took Mary’s hand, spun her in a circle, and pulled her into his arms. Their bodies were pressed flush against each other, close enough to hear their hearts beating.

"Indeed," she replied. "I will compensate my Knight in other ways. Nancy is yours."

"If you wouldn’t mind, we could be together... the three of us."

A roguish grin spread across Lian’s face.

Though Mary was tempted, she still refused him.

"I’m sorry, but since you cannot make me your wife, let’s just maintain a platonic friendship."

Mary wasn’t one to let a fleeting attraction cloud her judgment and halt her progress.

She knew exactly what she wanted; her goals were clear.

After their dance ended, Lian was inundated with invitations from the various noblewomen present.

This time, they weren’t coveting his handsome face, but were simply eager to continue discussing business.

"My father has agreed to your proposal. He hopes that you will..."

said Feney, Baron Rosamund’s daughter.