Chapter 138 - - 138 - Warmth in a Distant Land [R18]

Chapter 138: Chapter - 138 - Warmth in a Distant Land [R18]

Lucien entered the capital city of Valcour with Maisy by his side. Valcour was the beating heart of the Veylcrest Kingdom. Originally, he had planned to travel here alone, but Maisy had boldly asked him to spend more time with her. Remembering her earnest plea, he decided to bring her along.

Valcour was a city that smelled of sheer wealth.

Lucien noticed it the moment they stepped through the heavy arch of the eastern gate. It was a distinct fragrance of power and luxury that hung thick in the air like heavy perfume—burning incense drifting from a hundred temples, rich roasted meats sizzling at street stalls, and the faint metallic tang of spirit stones constantly changing hands in the shadows. The capital was prosperous, fat from decades of uninterrupted peace, and completely unaware of how fragile its good fortune truly was.

He liked it immediately.

The Festival of Heavenly Ascension was in full motion across the city. Long streamers of golden silk hung between tall buildings, swaying gently in the breeze. Cultivators of all kinds filled the broad streets—some performing minor martial techniques to earn coin, others simply walking tall, basking in the open admiration of the common folk. Children darted between the legs of adults, chasing glowing paper lanterns shaped like mythical beasts. On nearly every corner, musicians played vibrant songs, their melodies clashing in a loud, energetic symphony that somehow felt alive.

Supposedly, the festival celebrated an ancient achievement from twenty thousand years ago, when an ancestor of the kingdom ascended to the heavenly realm on this exact day. The people continued to celebrate the legend every year, even though no one in Veylcrest had ever managed to ascend since.

Through all the noise and celebration, Lucien and Maisy moved like quiet ghosts. Lucien wore a plain gray robe that drew no attention, and Maisy wore simple, unassuming clothes. With Lucien’s immense cultivation entirely suppressed, he appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary traveler—just another face in the endless crowd. It was exactly how he preferred to move.

The Golden Leaf Pavilion rose high above the surrounding street. Built seven stories tall out of polished white marble and dark red lacquer, it stood as the finest, most exclusive inn in Valcour.

The moment Lucien stepped inside, the innkeeper materialized at his side. The man moved with the swift, practiced speed of someone who had spent decades learning how to spot wealthy customers in a single glance.

"Honored guest! Welcome to the Golden Leaf," the innkeeper said, bowing low with a broad smile. "How may we serve you today?"

Lucien reached into his robe, pulled out a heavy pouch of gold coins, and set it directly on the counter. The heavy clink of metal echoed softly, and the innkeeper’s eyes widened in shock. The sheer amount of gold inside that single pouch was enough to purchase a comfortable house.

"A room," Lucien said, his tone casual. "Your best. For a week."

"Of—of course! Right this way, honored guest!" the innkeeper stammered, bowing even lower as he quickly led them up the stairs.

The suite was more than acceptable. It featured soft silk sheets, a spacious private bath, and a wide balcony that offered a clear view over the bustling festival grounds below. Lucien dismissed the bowing innkeeper, walked over to the wooden railing of balcony, and looked out across the glowing city.

Maisy stepped up beside him, resting her hands on the railing as she took in the unfamiliar view. She had never set foot in another country before. In truth, she had rarely ever left the Vale estate.

"Lucien, why are we in a different country?" Maisy asked, her eyes wide as she watched the colorful lanterns floating through the streets.

Lucien stepped up behind her. He leaned in close, resting his chin gently near the crook of her neck as they both stared out at the city light.

"I wanted to spend some time with my favorite woman," Lucien murmured softly. "And there is also something here that I want to take. Did I do something wrong?"

"No, you didn’t," Maisy replied, turning her head slightly to look at him with deep curiosity. "But what is it that you need from an unknown country like this?"

"Well, don’t worry," Lucien said with a smooth smile. "This unknown country will soon become our country."

Before she could process his words, Lucien turned her slightly and leaned in, capturing her lips in a soft, lingering kiss. Maisy gasped quietly, her face instantly warming as his lips moved down to trace the side of her neck, his hand gently resting against her waist over her simple robe.

"Ahhh... my lord," Maisy breathed out nervously, her hands clutching at his arms. "What if someone sees us?"

"Let them look," Lucien replied softly against her skin, continuing to press gentle kisses along her neck.

Maisy trembled under his touch, her breath growing uneven. "Ahh, Lu-Lucien... can I bathe first? My body feels dirty from the long journey..."

"I don’t mind," Lucien said, pulling back slightly with a playful smile.

"But I do... please," Maisy pleaded softly, looking up at him with embarrassment.

Lucien chuckled quietly, his eyes softening. "Then on one condition—you have to bathe with me."

"I... I’ve never done that before," Maisy whispered, her face flushing even darker.

Ever since she had become a Realm Master, Maisy had worked tirelessly on her cultivation, driving herself forward every day. Yet right now, she was still in the late Body Tempering Realm. Lucien wanted her to become strong—strong enough to protect herself and stand on her own feet, even if a day came where he wasn’t there by her side.

"You always help me when I take a bath," Lucien said, his voice filled with a genuine, warm affection. "Today, I want to return the favor."

He leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead. Leaving her standing by the balcony, he turned and walked into the spacious private bathroom.

Lucien stripped off his clothes and stepped into the water. The bath was designed like a luxury natural spring, crafted from polished dark rocks and filled with steaming, crystal-clear water. It was massive, easily built to fit four or five people comfortably. Lucien leaned back against the smooth stones, spreading his arms along the edge and closing his eyes as the heat relaxed his muscles.

A few moments later, the bathroom door creaked open. Lucien opened his eyes and watched as Maisy stepped inside. She had removed her robes and wrapped herself in a long white towel that covered her tightly from her chest down to her thighs, hiding everything beneath the fabric.

She carefully stepped into the warm water, her movements hesitant. Sitting down right beside Lucien’s arm, she picked up a soft cloth, dipped it into the water, and began gently washing his shoulders and arms.

"Still embarrassed around me?" Lucien asked softly, watching her careful movements.

"No," Maisy murmured, keeping her eyes lowered on the water. "It’s just... I’m not confident in my body. I don’t even know if you’ll love it."

"Really?" Lucien said, raising an eyebrow in slight surprise. "I never thought you carried any insecurity about your body. That’s new."

Maisy didn’t answer right away. She continued washing his arm with careful, delicate strokes. Slowly, she let go of her initial hesitation, dropping the small cloth and sinking deeper until she was completely submerged in the bath alongside him.

Lucien shifted, closing the distance between them. He reached out, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her flush against his chest in the warm water.

Maisy rested her hands against his chest, looking up into his eyes. "Lucien... do you never get mad that I’m always so shy? That I’m not bold like Celbeth or Evelyn?"

Lucien looked down at her, his expression unusually soft. "Maisy, you are always with me. I would never get mad at you for anything. It’s true that I would prefer it if you spoke your mind more—tell me what you like without hiding anything from me, and treat me as your equal. I love it when you call me Lucien, and I can see you’re getting used to it."

"I... I’m just afraid," Maisy confessed, her voice cracking slightly as the weight of her thoughts spilled out. "If I show you my true self, what if you hate me? My body isn’t like Celbeth’s..."

"Maisy," Lucien interrupted firmly, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "It doesn’t matter what your body looks like. What matters is that it belongs to you, and you will always be my favorite. You know that."

He leaned in and kissed her passionately.

The fear in Maisy’s heart seemed to melt away under the heat of his lips. She couldn’t hold back anymore. Overwhelmed by his words, she kissed him back aggressively, matching his passion and letting go of every restraint. She didn’t want to hide herself from him any longer. Reaching down, she unfastened her towel and let it float away in the water, revealing her bare, naked body to his eyes.

Her body was lean and delicate, her breasts neat and modest, and her core neatly maintained. She cared for herself carefully, yet she had always felt inferior whenever she compared herself to Celbeth’s full, voluptuous curves.

"Lucien..." Maisy whispered breathlessly, her skin glowing under the warm water. "Am I beautiful?"

"More beautiful than anyone," Lucien answered without a second of hesitation.

He pulled her close and began kissing her again, their bare skin pressing and sliding against each other in the warm, swirling water.

"Are you lying?" Maisy asked softly against his lips, her heart pounding in her chest.

Instead of answering with words, Lucien shifted closer. Beneath the surface of the water, his fully erect length pressed directly against her core, resting firmly right at her entrance as if ready to slide inside her at any moment. Maisy felt the intense, solid heat of him, and her breath caught in her throat.

"So tell me," Lucien murmured, his eyes locking onto hers with intense heat. "Am I lying?"

"No..." Maisy gasped out.

They fell into another deep, desperate kiss, holding each other like there was no tomorrow. The quiet shyness that usually defined Maisy completely dissolved. She took the initiative, moving her lips down from his mouth to kiss his neck, trailing light, hot kisses down to his chest, his nipples, and across his carved abs.

Feeling the fire rushing through her veins, Maisy stood up in the water, her bare body fully exposed to him as steam rose around them.

"Lucien... kiss me everywhere," Maisy said, her voice filled with a desperate, loving desire. "Leave no place untouched. Mark me as yours."

Lucien smiled, his eyes dark with intent. He reached out and began kissing her everywhere. He kissed her soft cheeks, her mouth, and her delicate neck before moving down to her chest. He took her breasts into his mouth one by one, gently biting her nipples and pressing hot kisses in the soft space between them.

He didn’t stop there. Moving lower, Lucien leaned down through the warm water until his lips reached her bare core, pressing a soft kiss directly against her most sensitive area.

Maisy gasped, her hands instantly flying to her face in a wave of sudden embarrassment. "Lucien! That place is... d-dirty..."

"No place on your body is dirty," Lucien said, looking up at her with a warm smile. "But if you still feel that way, then maybe I should clean it for you."

Lucien reached for a bar of fragrant soap resting by the edge of the stone bath. He rubbed it between his hands to create a rich, smooth lather, then gently spread it all over her body. He rubbed her shoulders, her stomach, and gently squeezed her breasts as he washed her, making Maisy soft, shuddering sighs at every touch.

Slowly, his slippery hands worked their way down to her core, applying the smooth lather there as well to gently clean her before cupping warm water in his hands to wash all the soap away, leaving her skin immaculate and glowing.

Maisy looked down at him, her chest heaving as a new wave of emotion washed over her. She reached out, her hands trembling slightly as she touched his wet shoulders.

"Lucien... I want to do something," Maisy whispered, her eyes shining with pure devotion.

Lucien reached up, gently cupping her warm face in his hands, and looked into her eyes with endless patience.

"Do whatever you feel is right," Lucien murmured softly.