Chapter 78: A Bountiful Harvest p2
…
After a brief discussion, they finalized the terms and signed the contract, their souls bound by its magic.
“Excellent.” He pocketed one copy of the contract.
He now had access to a valuable intelligence network and had forged a connection with a key figure: Isabella.
He had high hopes for her talent. She was on par with the Fox Spirit.
[Isabella: Key Character (Fate Weaver)]
[Talents: Lucky Diviner, Fate Weaving, Natural Seduction.]
[Lucky Diviner: More luck than divination. Her predictions tend to be accurate.]
[Fate Weaving: A powerful talent, capable of weaving miracles. But she lacks the necessary power to achieve such feats.]
[Natural Seduction: …]
He didn’t need to read the last talent. He knew it by heart.
He still couldn’t comprehend how someone with her figure could possess such a talent. A waste, really.
[Isabella’s favorability has decreased. She feels insulted by your lingering gaze. Favorability -10. Current favorability: 10.]
Not only was her body underdeveloped, but her emotions were also more volatile than most. Quite different from Vivian.
“Now that our business is concluded, let’s go home.” He led her towards the door.
Isabella: “？？?”
“Wait!” Jennice blocked his path. “You can’t just leave! You have to release Isab…”
“Oh, right! My apologies! I almost forgot something important.” He slapped his forehead.
Jennice, assuming he was about to release Isabella, relaxed. But then he pointed at the dancers. “Since Isabella gifted you to me, you’re coming with me. I need entertainment for tonight’s family dinner.”
The dancers exchanged glances, then nodded. They were bound by Isabella’s orders.
“No! That’s not what we agreed on! You have to leave Mistress Isabella!” Jennice was exasperated.
“Why would I do that?” He feigned confusion. “She gave herself to me before you barged in. And I promised to let her observe the unfolding of fate from a close vantage point. Are you trying to hinder her pursuit of Destiny Magic?”
“No, Master Kailun! I just…”
“Jennice, it’s fine. Stay here and continue with our plans. I’ll have someone contact you if anything changes.” Isabella interrupted, her voice firm.
She wanted to test Kailun’s claims. If he truly was the key to everything, missing this opportunity would be a grave mistake.
She had seen strange threads of fate surrounding him. Her current power was insufficient to decipher them. Staying by his side would be beneficial.
As for her safety?
Please. Who would be interested in a flat-chested little girl? His gaze had been fixated on the dancers’ ample bosoms.
Only a pervert would be attracted to someone like her.
“You’re really leaving?” Jennice looked at Isabella, her voice filled with sadness.
She was her protector, and yet she had failed to protect her.
“It’s not like I’m kidnapping her. She can visit whenever she wants.”
He wasn’t going to imprison her. He needed her to build his intelligence network. That would take at least a week.
Thankfully, she had provided him with fifteen skilled dancers and had already established a foundation in the Xiya Kingdom.
This partnership was crucial.
“Jennice, oversee the new arrivals. They’ll need your guidance.” Isabella instructed.
“Yes, Mistress.” She lowered her head, defeated.
“Oops!” As he reached the door, a small black bottle slipped from his sleeve.
“My apologies. I seem to have dropped my poison.” He bent down and picked it up.
Jennice: “？？?”
Realization dawned upon her. She rushed to the corner and stuck her fingers down her throat.
Just as she was about to vomit, Kailun, halfway out the door, turned back. “Oh, I was mistaken. This is the antidote. Give it to those poisoned courtesans.”
He placed the bottle on the floor and left without another word.
Jennice glared at him, but the sight of the bottle calmed her anger.
Alone in the now empty room, she wondered if Isabella had made the right decision.
[Isabella’s favorability towards you has increased. Favorability +20. Current favorability: 30.]
As they descended the stairs, Kailun, holding Isabella’s hand, asked, “Did you think I was a good person just now?”
“A little.”
“You were mistaken. That antidote was part of my bargaining chip. I just didn’t need to use it.” He squeezed her hand, his smile playful. “Let me tell you a secret. I prefer both big and small.”
Isabella: “!!!”
[Isabella is horrified by your depravity. Favorability -30. Current favorability: 0.]
That’s more like it. Mistaking him for a good person had consequences.
He left the Loya Ballroom, a satisfied smile on his face.
He had the dancers cover themselves with cloaks before they left. Parading through the streets with a group of scantily clad women would attract unwanted attention.
But it was too late. As they exited the building, several passersby pointed and whispered, assuming he was stocking up for a private party.
They had witnessed this scene before, usually with the Second Prince as the buyer.
…
“Are you opening a zoo?” Afra asked as he returned to the manor, his entourage in tow.
“We could, but it’s not necessary. Let me introduce you.” He wrapped his arm around her waist. “This little one is Isabella, a prominent figure from the Loya Ballroom. She’ll be helping us build our intelligence network. And these fifteen lovely ladies are dancers from the Loya Dance Troupe. They’ll be providing entertainment at tonight’s dinner. They’re also skilled in gathering information.”
“Are you sure that’s all you’re interested in?” She pinched his waist playfully.
“Well… their dances are quite captivating. I appreciate art.” He answered honestly.
He enjoyed watching those sensual dances.
It was like a new world had opened up to him. A delightful distraction from his stressful life.
He was evolving in a… peculiar direction.
He figured it was better for him to keep these dancers than to let Isabella gift them to other nobles. He could form his own Loya Dance Troupe.
“Are you sure this is wise? I’ve heard it can be… taxing on the body.” She glanced at his lower abdomen.
Having grown up with him, she knew his thoughts. If not for his upbringing, he would have already succumbed to his darker impulses.
But she wasn’t concerned. The old king had hundreds of concubines.
Nobles and ministers kept slaves and mistresses. Kailun’s actions were hardly unusual.
Her only concern was his health. Many noble sons had ruined their bodies with excessive indulgence.
“You’ll find out tonight.” He nuzzled her forehead, their familiarity allowing them to move past this topic.
With Afra by his side, he never had to worry about his “harem” catching fire. She understood him better than anyone.
She might not be demanding or possessive, but she held a special place in his heart.
“Have you had lunch?” he asked.
“We just ate. We were about to deliver food to the prisoners.”
“How many portions?”
“Three.”
“You’re too kind. Have the maids settle the dancers in my villa. I’ll take care of the food.”
She nodded, trusting his judgment.
He gathered the three prepared meals and, with Isabella trailing behind him, headed towards the dungeon.
“Even a little girl isn’t safe from you? You truly are…” Hilna’s voice was filled with disgust, but she didn’t dare finish her sentence.
“Meet Princess Hilna, the foolish, defeated dog. A wicked woman with no redeeming qualities.” He gestured towards her.
Isabella scrutinized Hilna. “She’s unfit to rule. The kingdom would have fallen under her leadership.” She saw no signs of royal potential in Hilna’s fate lines.
“Who are you?” Hilna frowned. Being judged by a little girl was insulting.
“Isabella, Chief Diviner of the Loya Ballroom.” She curtsied gracefully. “And for the record, I’m an adult. Thank you.”
“The Pure Desiress is just a child? How peculiar.”
“…” Isabella turned to Kailun. “Can we starve her today?”
“As you wish, Miss Isabella.”
Ignoring Winnie, who was cowering in the corner, he entered Vivian’s cell.
“This is Princess Vivian, a key figure in my future plans. I need you to help me with some… publicity over the next three days.” He placed the food box on the table.
Vivian, having overheard their conversation, nodded at Isabella before taking a seat opposite Kailun.
“What kind of publicity?” Isabella sat beside him.
“Sing her praises. Declare her the chosen queen. Say that fate has selected her. Whatever it takes to lure the nobles to the Royal City to offer their allegiance.”
They discussed the details of the plan as they ate.
“Tap, tap!”
A tapping sound came from the wall beside Vivian.
Kailun turned and saw Winnie peering through the small hole, her eyes fixed on their food, her mouth watering.
“Can I have some? I’m starving!” She had only managed to snag a few bites of bread this morning.
The memory of that intense hunger was seared into her mind.
“You two enjoy your meal. I’ll go feed the cat.” He grabbed a plate of crawfish and walked over to the wall.
“Miss Winnie, do you remember how you treated me?”
“I’m sorry! I was wrong! Punish me!” She knelt on the other side of the wall, her gaze fixed on him.
“Your attitude has improved. Here’s a reward.” He placed a peeled crawfish by the hole.
The narrow opening allowed her to reach the food easily.
She devoured the crawfish, tears streaming down her face, her tongue lapping at his fingers.
“Don’t worry. There’s plenty more. Meow twice and I’ll give you another one.” He peeled another crawfish.
“Meow! Meow! Meow!” Her soft meows echoed through the dungeon.
“Good girl. Open wide. Here comes the airplane!”
…
“Is he always this twisted?” Isabella asked Vivian.
“He’s even worse than you can imagine.”
Hilna, witnessing this scene, retreated to the corner of her cell. She had a feeling she would be next.
“My Shirley, where are you?” she whispered, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
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