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Chapter 47: Praying for Paul’s Childhood Friend

“What are you doing?!” Paul roared, mustering his remaining strength upon hearing that his sister was being sold.

“Oh, Paul, you’re back from the Second Prince’s org*?” Kailun greeted him with a cheerful wave.

Paul’s father, Jones, looked at him with. “The Second Prince’s orgy?”

“Indeed. I saw Paul being entertained by three or four burly men.” Kailun nodded, offering a helpful description. “I was too far away to see clearly, but he sounded quite happy.”

Hearing that Paul had been on the receiving end, Jones’s face darkened. His son had brought shame upon him.

Anna looked at her brother with disgust. Was this the same Paul she knew?

Then, a thought struck her, and she tugged on Kailun’s sleeve anxiously. “You didn’t touch any of those women, did you?”

“Of course not. I’m not Paul. I wouldn’t even look at those women.”

“What do you mean, Kailun? You could have saved me! Why didn’t you? And what’s this about buying my sister?” Paul exploded, his mind reeling from their conversation.

Kailun addressed his first question. “Weren’t you enjoying yourself, Paul? Why didn’t you leave earlier?”

Paul: “…”

He hadn’t wanted to stay!

He hadn’t been able to leave!

Kailun then answered his second question. “As for buying your sister, that’s none of your business. After a discussion with Uncle Jones, he has agreed to sever his parental ties with Anna and allow her to become my goddaughter.”

The “goddaughter” part was a spur-of-the-moment decision. He thought it would add a bit of spice to the situation.

“Why? Why would you do this?” Paul roared at Jones.

He wasn’t truly upset about his sister being sold. He was upset that it was Kailun who was buying her.

Paul wasn’t a complete fool. After processing the events of the past few days, he realized that Kailun was deliberately targeting him.

He blamed everything on Kailun. If not for him…

[Paul’s hatred towards you has reached its peak. Favorability -2. Total favorability: -90.]

“I have no choice! I owe a lot of money! If I don’t pay it back, they’ll enslave us all tomorrow! You, me, even your sister! I have no choice! I don’t want to be a slave! I don’t want…”

Jones broke down, sobbing uncontrollably.

He had been gambling as usual the previous night, but his luck had been incredible. He had won and won, eventually accumulating one hundred gold coins.

Blinded by his good fortune, he had raised the stakes, his winning streak continuing. However, after reaching two hundred gold coins, his luck had turned, and he began losing more than he won.

He had soon lost everything. Usually, he would have simply gone home and borrowed some money from the manager of the clothing store the next day to buy more alcohol.

But someone had offered him a loan of one thousand gold coins, urging him to continue gambling. Jones, his judgment clouded, had readily accepted, signing a contract and squandering the money recklessly.

Reality, however, was a cruel mistress. Within minutes, he had lost everything in two reckless bets.

Paul, hearing his father’s sobs, glared at Kailun. His instincts told him this was all part of Kailun’s plan to buy his sister.

“Tell me honestly, how much do you owe?” He asked Jones anxiously, clutching his sore backside.

“One thousand… one thousand gold coins.”

Paul almost fainted at the staggering amount.

Suppressing his anger, he asked, “Don’t worry, Auntie has plenty of money. We can ask her for help. She’ll surely help us.”

“It’s no use. I went to see her this morning. That heartless woman said she’s cutting ties with us. She doesn’t want anything to do with us anymore.”

Jones shook his head, his gaze fixed on Anna. His daughter was his only hope.

He knew she wasn’t worth one thousand gold coins, but the buyer was a wealthy fool.

“Thud!”

Paul collapsed onto the ground, his strength draining away.

“Hiss!”

The pain in his backside shot through him.

If they couldn’t repay the debt, they would become slaves. Their wealthy aunt had abandoned them. Should he seek help from the Second Prince and the Archbishop?

It was probably futile. They wouldn’t pay such a sum for a one-night stand. He wasn’t worth that much yet.

So, their only hope was Anna?

Both he and Jones looked at her pleadingly.

Their unfamiliar gazes brought tears to her eyes. She suddenly felt that her brother and father were even worse than Kailun.

Sensing the opportunity, Kailun placed the prepared contract on the table. “Uncle Jones, if you’re ready, let’s sign the contract. I’m sure this one thousand gold coins will solve your current predicament.”

Jones nodded and picked up the pen, his hand trembling as he prepared to sign his name. “I’m sorry, Anna. I’ve failed you and your mother. But I have no choice. I have nothing left but you.”

His mention of her mother only intensified her anger.

“No! Father, you can’t sign that!”

Paul’s shout stopped Jones just as he was about to write his name.

Kailun had assumed Paul was trying to save his sister, but he was shocked to hear him say, “One thousand gold coins is an insult! My sister is beautiful, kind, and talented! One thousand is not enough!”

Even now, Paul hadn’t forgotten the hundred gold coins he owed Loston.

Kailun: “…”

He finally understood why Anna and Paul had parted ways in his past life. If he were Anna, he would have strangled this infuriating brother at birth.

Anna couldn’t hold back any longer. Tears streamed down her face as she buried her head in Kailun’s chest, sobbing softly.

He should have continued his torment, pushing her favorability lower, but the increasing wetness on his chest softened his resolve.

“Sigh…”

He sighed, his hand resting on her beautiful blue hair.

[Anna’s empty heart has found solace. Her favorability towards you has increased significantly. Current favorability: 30.]

It seemed his future opportunities to bully her would be limited to the bedroom.

“Name your price. How much do you think your sister is worth?”

He looked up at Paul, a smile playing on his lips.

He saw the disgust in Paul’s eyes. Clearly, he saw Anna as a traitor.

Paul clutched his backside and stood up. “One thousand five hundred… no! Two thousand gold coins!”

“Alright, I’ll grant your wish.”

Kailun changed the amount on the contract to two thousand.

Paul instantly regretted not asking for more.

“Now sign it. I don’t want to stay here any longer.” Kailun tossed the contract at Jones’s face.

Instead of being offended, Jones eagerly signed his name.

He then handed the contract back to Kailun with a subservient smile. “Young Master Kailun, you’re always welcome to visit us.”

“Roden, give him the money.” Kailun took the contract and led Anna out of the house.

Roden tossed a bag of high-denomination gold coins at Jones’s face.

“Clink, clink!”

The sound of coins hitting the floor followed them as they left, along with Jones’s joyful cries.

Once they were out of earshot, Kailun instructed Roden, “Send the debt collectors. One thousand gold coins principal, one thousand gold coins interest. Quite reasonable, don’t you think? Oh, and break their hands while you’re at it.”

“As you command.”

Kailun and Anna watched from across the street as a group of thugs stormed into Paul’s house, smashing and looting everything in sight.

This was his first failed plan. He had missed several opportunities to push Paul’s favorability to -95.

However, trading Paul’s favorability for Anna’s wasn’t a bad deal. She was indeed beautiful, kind, and talented, just as Paul had described.

Of course, he wouldn’t give up on the remaining favorability points. His next target would be Paul’s childhood friend, Winnie.

Chapter 46: You Might Just Make a Fortune

Some tossed and turned in their beds, some toiled tirelessly by the window, and some, under the influence of blue pills, painted the walls with their excrement.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the windows, the world was bathed in a white glow.

Kailun, freshly showered and clad in a bathrobe, sipped a cup of warm milk brought to him by Carol.

He paused by the window, gazing at the sleeping Anna. She was exhausted. It would be a few hours before he could take her to meet her parents.

He left the room and summoned a maid, instructing her to release Shirley from the dungeon.

The poison would take effect around noon, so he had to let her go before then.

The Silver Moon Knights were expected to arrive at a hidden village five miles from the Royal City around noon as well. They would be able to reach the city quickly in case of conflict.

They had a two-day advantage over Duke Stamp’s reinforcements.

After taking care of Shirley, Kailun went to check on Vivian. The little princess was still unconscious from her hangover. No amount of shaking could rouse her.

He sighed and marked a few tallies on her inner thigh before leaving.

Ten minutes later, Shirley stood outside the manor gates.

She clutched the antidote, her gaze fixed on the imposing structure behind her. Even now, she couldn’t decipher Kailun’s motives.

However, she knew she wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. She would report everything to Hilna, warning her about the dangerous young man.

She took one last glance at the manor, her eyes lingering on the distant villa, and then ran towards the palace without looking back.

Her black robe billowed behind her, making her resemble a sleek panther.

“Princess Hilna!”

She encountered Hilna, leading the Royal Knights, on her way back to the palace.

She quickly estimated the size of the force. There were at least ten thousand soldiers, enough to conquer a medium-sized city.

“Shirley? What are you doing here?”

Hilna halted her troops and dismounted, her eyes filled with questions.

“Your Highness, my mission failed from the start. It’s all that damn Kailun’s fault!”

Hilna’s frown deepened at the mention of his name. She pulled Shirley aside. “Tell me everything that happened yesterday.”

Shirley recounted the events in detail, leaving nothing out.

Hilna’s blood ran cold as she listened.

No wonder her plans had failed, no wonder she was always one step behind. Had she been played by Kailun all along?

Anger, frustration, and regret surged through her, coalescing into a burning hatred for Kailun.

She would make him pay!

“Princess Hilna, are you still planning to attack Kailun’s manor?” Shirley asked cautiously, noticing her grim expression.

“Emotionally, I want to crush him right now. But reason dictates otherwise.”

Hilna glared towards the east. “If he were still the incompetent fool everyone believed him to be, I would have attacked his manor and taken him hostage to control the Grand Duke. But he dared to release you and reveal all this to me. That means he’s prepared. What do you think our chances of success are?”

Shirley pictured Kailun’s sly smile, the countless defensive arrays surrounding his manor, and the unfathomable old butler. She offered a cautious assessment. “I’d say it’s a fifty-fifty chance. No matter how clever he is, he can’t possibly outsmart you, Your Highness.”

“Shirley, the brilliant princess you see before you has been played by that boy for three days straight! Three days!”

Hilna gritted her teeth, reliving the past few days.

She had not only gifted Kailun with Phils, one of the Five Great Beauties of the Royal City, but also her own sister. He was probably in bed with Vivian right now!

“I’m going to lose my mind!”

She unleashed a string of curses, her princess image forgotten.

“Your Highness, why don’t we just attack him? We don’t have to endure this humiliation! Even if it costs me my life, I’ll bring you his head!” Shirley exclaimed, seeing her distress.

“A true leader doesn’t dwell on minor setbacks. I’ll swallow this humiliation for now. The game has just begun. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future!”

She practically spat out the words, her teeth clenched.

She had never experienced such a crushing defeat. The feeling of being constantly outmaneuvered and manipulated by Kailun was like being pinned down and ravaged, only to be tossed a towel afterwards to clean herself up.

Yes, Shirley was the towel.

If not for the looming threat of the Divine Church backing Lodis, she would have attacked without hesitation.

Shirley, unsure how to respond, simply said, “You’re wise, Your Highness.”

Hilna: “…”

She felt like Shirley was mocking her, but she couldn’t prove it.

It didn’t matter. She had already contacted Duke Stamp through magic letters. Once his forces arrived, she would regain control of the Royal City.

Kailun, Lodis, they would all be crushed beneath her iron fist!

The thought of Stamp’s reinforcements restored her confidence.

“So, are we returning to the palace now?” Shirley asked, gesturing towards the troops behind them.

Hilna shook her head. “No, we can’t return empty-handed after such a grand display. It would damage our prestige.”

“What do you suggest, Your Highness?”

“Let’s find a disobedient noble and confiscate their assets… Let me think… Yes, Viscount Vickroy. He sided with Lodis recently.”

Some had their arms broken for blocking Kailun’s path, while others had their homes raided for choosing the wrong side.

Such was fate. The Vickroy family was destined to be sacrificed.

…

Speaking of fate, Paul had always been a lucky man, though his luck seemed to have arrived a bit late this time.

At nine o’clock in the morning, the sun already high in the sky, Paul limped home, his clothes disheveled.

He hadn’t endured the night’s torment without gain.

Apart from earning twenty gold coins, he had also befriended influential figures like the Second Prince and the blue-robed Archbishop.

He had initially been pinned against the wall by a group of nobles, but at some point, Lodis and the Archbishop had taken an interest in him.

They had not only healed his injuries with magic but also given him a red pill to restore his stamina. They were his saviors.

However, they then made a request that shattered his worldview. They wanted him to… service them.

His understanding of the world crumbled once more.

Thankfully, he had managed to establish a connection with these powerful figures. They had assured him that he could always seek them out if he didn’t want to “work hard” anymore.

“I’ll make those nobles pay for what they did to me! I swear!”

Burning with anger, he pushed open his front door.

He was greeted by the sight of his unshaven, disheveled father, his sister Anna, Kailun, and the butler standing behind them.

Kailun was saying to his father, “Don’t worry, Uncle. Selling Anna for one thousand gold coins is a steal.”

Paul: “？？?”

Chapter 45: Take the Blame

Was there really such a thing as apologizing by exposing one’s stomach?

Or was this just another one of those noble’s quirks?

Shirley, the young knight, suspected it was the latter.

As a prisoner, she had to try, even if Kailun was deceiving her.

The fact that the poison had been swapped meant this incident couldn’t be concealed. The women from the Loya Ballroom would need the antidote.

If they didn’t receive it, they would be the first to expose Hilna, unraveling her entire plan.

Shirley had carried the antidote with her. According to the original plan, she would distribute it to the women individually the next morning.

But now, the plan had failed, and Kailun held all the cards.

She had heard rumors about the Grand Duke’s son being incompetent, and she had believed them. But now, facing him directly, she realized how terrifying he truly was.

He was manipulating everyone, and even now, she couldn’t decipher his true motives.

With trembling hands, she removed the black robe that concealed her tall and slender figure, followed by her light armor.

Finally, she endured the humiliation of slowly lifting her shirt, exposing her toned stomach, the result of years of rigorous training, to Kailun’s gaze.

Under the bright light, her smooth skin, defined abs, and even the contorned lines of her navel were clearly visible.

Satisfied with her obedience, Kailun rose from his chair and crouched before her, his hand reaching through the bars to stroke her hair. “I like obedient women. You’re doing well.”

Shirley gritted her teeth, enduring the humiliation.

As if to further test her compliance, he gestured towards her paused hands. “Keep lifting. We’re just getting started.”

“…Alright.”

She obeyed, stopping only when the top of her bra was visible.

“Very good. I’ve seen your determination. So, I’m going to give you a chance.”

He placed a small bottle outside the bars. “The poison I swapped is a complex concoction. It will cause muscle spasms and numbness starting tomorrow. The pain will intensify each day until it becomes unbearable. Here are thirty doses of the antidote.”

“That’s not enough! Thirty doses aren’t enough for everyone!” Shirley looked up at him.

Kailun narrowed his eyes. “Are you bargaining with me?”

She quickly averted her gaze, intimidated by his aura. “No, sir…”

He placed the antidote a meter away from the bars and then poked her navel with his finger, his hand lingering on her waist.

After a moment of enjoyment, he stood up. “I’ll have someone release you tomorrow morning. Until then, rest well. I’ll even turn off the lights for you.”

He extinguished the magic lamps, plunging the dungeon into darkness.

“Clang!”

The iron door slammed shut. He was gone.

She didn’t dare to ask any further questions, fearing the answers would only deepen her despair.

Kailun was a true devil…

His actions were illogical, his every move a carefully concealed trap, waiting for her to fall into it.

She lowered her shirt, her gaze fixed on the sliver of moonlight streaming through a ventilation shaft. Her waist itched unbearably, as if ants were crawling on her skin. She desperately wanted to wash herself clean.

“Ugh…”

She reached for the antidote bottle, but her fingers fell short by an inch.

“That bastard did this on purpose!”

She gritted her teeth. When it came to being infuriating, Kailun was unmatched.

…

“Ah, I’m such a kind soul. Capturing her and then setting her free.”

Kailun sighed dramatically as he walked back to his room.

The medicine he had given Shirley was indeed an antidote, but only a partial one.

It would only delay the poison’s effects. Once it wore off, the symptoms would intensify, lasting for one or two days.

He wasn’t giving Hilna the antidote out of kindness. He simply wanted to ensure she took the blame.

“Still admiring the moon at this hour?”

He entered his bedroom and found Anna standing by the window, gazing at the moonlit sky.

She wore a thin, translucent nightgown that clung to her curves. Her hair cascaded down her back, swaying gently in the breeze. As she turned to face him, the moonlight illuminated her profile, giving her an ethereal glow.

She almost seemed… holy.

This unexpected purity ignited a destructive urge within him. His instincts screamed for him to defile her.

“I couldn’t sleep, so I decided to enjoy the view.”

She tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her voice devoid of emotion.

He strode towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “You should be punished for not warming my bed as instructed. But before that, I have some good news.”

“What is it?”

He grinned mischievously. “I’m taking you home tomorrow. You’ll get to see your family. Aren’t you grateful?”

She stared at him, confused by his sudden kindness.

If he simply wanted her body, there was no need to say such things.

She was his slave, powerless to resist his desires.

“Thank you.”

She offered a reluctant thanks, hoping to avoid further torment.

“Then get on your knees by the window.”

He closed the window, forcing her to kneel before it.

Fresh from the banquet, his heart was restless.

If he didn’t find an outlet for his desires, he might erupt.

Anna knelt before the transparent glass, her ample bosom pressed against the cool surface, her gaze fixed on the moon and clouds.

As if instinctively, she arched her back, offering herself to the moonlight.

The moment his hands touched her, he knew she was wearing nothing beneath her thin nightgown.

He removed her meager defenses and began his punishment, a night of relentless plowing.

…

Meanwhile, Hilna tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep.

Her trusted deputy hadn’t returned, and no one knew what had happened.

She had received reports about Lodis’s banquet. It was proceeding as planned, and her targets had been poisoned.

However, Kailun’s behavior was strange. He had spent the entire evening drinking alone, never participating in the “festivities.”

Recent events flashed through her mind, painting a clearer picture of Kailun’s transformation.

“Something’s wrong with Kailun!”

She sat up abruptly, her heart pounding, her chest heaving. A terrifying thought took root in her mind.

“I can’t wait any longer. If Shirley doesn’t return by morning, I’ll surround Kailun’s manor with my troops. The charge will be… kidnapping Princess Vivian!”

Her eyes hardened with resolve.

Character:

Shirley

Chapter 44: Didn’t Hilna Teach You How to Apologize?

Paul, now in clean clothes, couldn’t escape the clutches of the obese noble. He was pinned against the wall, his face pressed against the cold stone.

If it were just one person, he might have been able to resist. But he was outnumbered, his arms held by two burly men.

“What are you doing? Let me go!”

Panic surged through him as he witnessed the shameless acts of the nobles and the women. His worldview shattered.

“Playing innocent, are we? As expected of a student from the Royal Magic Academy. So young and tender. Just my type.”

The obese noble groped Paul’s backside. “Not bad. Nice and plump. You seem so innocent. Don’t tell me you don’t know why His Highness paid so much for your services?”

“The contract didn’t mention anything like this! This is wrong!” Paul protested vehemently.

“You can resist if you want. But before you do, consider whether you’ll leave this hall alive. You’re just a commoner. Killing you wouldn’t even be a crime. We can enjoy you while you’re still warm.”

“I prefer them half-warm. Even if their heart is cold, their rectum is always warm.”

“You’re all sick! But I like it!”

Paul was on the verge of a breakdown as he listened to their depraved conversation.

He looked at Kailun, who was still sitting in the corner, hoping for a rescue. “Kailun… cough, cough, cough!”

A small blue pill was shoved into his mouth, silencing him. Within seconds, his mana flow was disrupted, and his body went limp.

He turned his head in horror, only to find the obese noble unbuttoning his pants. “You’re a talented mage from the academy, after all. We have to take precautions.”

Paul had lost his last resort.

…

[Paul’s hatred towards you has intensified due to your inaction. Favorability -5. Current favorability: -88.]

Kailun chuckled inwardly. Paul was too kind. He could cry.

He listened to the moans and gasps echoing through the hall, identifying his targets. Once he confirmed that they were all participating, he relaxed.

He wanted to conquer the Xiya Kingdom without sacrificing too many of his own forces. This required unconventional methods.

A storm was brewing. It would be foolish to waste his strength on internal conflicts.

The Divine Church had powerful connections. He wanted to avoid them if possible.

Satisfied with the evening’s entertainment, he gracefully rose from his seat, Vivian still in his arms. A few naked women attempted to approach him, but his cold gaze deterred them.

His path out of the hall was clear. Lodis and the Archbishop, preoccupied with their “activities,” didn’t even notice his departure.

They might suspect him after discovering they had been poisoned, but he had already prepared a scapegoat. Hilna would take the fall.

Roden and the carriage awaited him outside.

“Take us home.”

He instructed Roden, gently placing the still-unconscious Vivian inside the carriage.

Before stepping in himself, he double-checked with Roden. “The Silver Moon Knights will arrive near the Royal City tomorrow, correct?”

“Yes, Young Master. They’re less than a hundred miles away. If not for the need for secrecy, they could have arrived tonight.”

With the timing confirmed, Kailun decided to target Paul tomorrow, aiming to push his favorability to -100.

“Perfect timing. By the way, have you arranged the marriage proposal to Winnie’s family?”

“It’s been taken care of. If they refuse, assassins will pay them a visit until they agree. As for Paul’s father’s gambling debts, we’ve succeeded. As of ten minutes ago, he’s gone from earning two hundred gold coins to owing one thousand.”

Roden meticulously reported his progress. Under Kailun’s direction, a web was closing in on Paul.

“Excellent work, Roden. I’ll take Anna to meet her parents tomorrow and have Paul’s father sell her to me in front of him. I wonder how much that will decrease his favorability. If it’s not enough, I’ll have to target his childhood friend, Winnie.”

Roden, instead of being horrified by Kailun’s ruthless plan, felt a sense of pride. He had finally matured.

The old Kailun had been too naive and kind. Such a personality would have eventually led to his downfall.

Upon returning to the manor, Kailun carried Vivian to a room next to his and then headed to the dungeon, where Hilna’s deputy awaited him.

“Creak!”

He pushed open the heavy iron door, illuminating the dank space with magic lamps. He pulled up a chair and sat down outside the cell.

The deputy sat slumped against the moss-covered wall, her eyes filled with defiance.

Even if Kailun tortured her, she would never betray Hilna.

Her body, her dignity, she could sacrifice it all. As long as Hilna’s interests were protected, it was all worth it.

As she steeled herself for the inevitable torment, Kailun spoke. “I should thank you. If not for your help, taking down Lodis and the others wouldn’t have been so easy. You see, I had someone impersonate you and swap Hilna’s poison. Lodis and his companions are now suffering from my poison.”

The deputy’s eyes widened in horror. “You bastard! You’ll pay for this!”

“Don’t be so quick to curse me. You should be more concerned about the price Hilna will pay for your failure.”

Kailun leaned back in his chair, his legs crossed. “Allow me to paint you a picture. Imagine Hilna attempting to blackmail Lodis with the antidote, only to discover that it has no effect. What do you think will happen then?”

He left the rest to her imagination.

His words sent a chill down her spine. She had inadvertently dug a massive pit for her princess.

And now, trapped in this dungeon, she was powerless to fix it.

“What do you want?” She crawled towards the bars, her gaze cold and defiant.

“Watch your tone. If you’re not interested in talking, I’ll leave.”

He rested his chin on his hand, his voice bored. “Don’t test my patience. You have ten minutes.”

She lowered her head, her pride momentarily forgotten. “I apologize for my disrespect. Please command me as you see fit. But please don’t harm Her Highness. She only wants what’s best for the kingdom.”

No one, except Hilna, had ever forced her to bow her head.

“Hah!”

He scoffed at her mention of “what’s best for the kingdom.” “Didn’t Hilna teach you that you should expose your stomach when apologizing?”

The deputy: “？？?”

Chapter 43: She is Special

The commotion drew a crowd. An attendant attempted to intervene but was stopped by the Second Prince.

He watched with amusement, enjoying the spectacle.

“Do you know this man, Young Master Kailun?” Loston asked, his face pale with worry. He feared Kailun might simply dismiss the matter.

A hundred gold coins was a significant sum for him. He spent most of his earnings on cultivation and didn’t have much spare cash.

“Yes, his name is Paul. He’s a student at the Royal Magic Academy. We’re classmates.”

Kailun nodded calmly, Vivian still nestled in his arms.

He couldn’t believe Paul had resorted to such a clumsy attack. Did he really think Kailun wouldn’t allocate all his attribute points to Agility?

Paul’s face brightened upon hearing Kailun acknowledge their connection. “My good friend, please help me! I can’t afford to pay him!”

He had expected Kailun to intervene out of friendship, but Kailun’s expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry, Paul, but I recently made a large purchase and don’t have much money left. I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

Paul assumed Kailun was referring to the ten thousand gold coins he had given to his aunt.

He suddenly brightened and turned to Loston. “My aunt Ella is rich! You can ask her for the money! She has plenty of gold!”

Loston ignored him. “I don’t care about your aunt. I’m holding you responsible. You have one day to pay me. If you don’t, I’ll sell you to a brothel and you can pay me with your body. And don’t even think about running. I know where you live. Don’t make me come looking for you!”

As the captain of the Royal City Enforcement Squad, Loston wasn’t a fool. He wouldn’t dare to demand money from Ella, knowing her connection to Kailun.

“Of course, of course! I’ll have the money by tomorrow!” Paul nodded frantically.

He cursed his slow reflexes. If only he had managed to bump into Kailun.

And someone had tripped him. Was it Kailun?

But his innocent expression didn’t seem to match the act.

“Damn it!” Loston spat, his face contorted with anger as he felt the wine soaking through his clothes. He stormed out of the hall.

He would find an opportunity to ambush Paul and beat him senseless.

No, that was too merciful. He would have someone rob Paul after he gathered the money and then demand payment again.

“You clumsy boy! How dare you offend those nobles! Come with me and change into clean clothes. You still have work to do. Don’t forget, His Highness paid a hefty sum for your services.”

The old man who had recruited Paul finally approached, apologizing to Kailun and dragging Paul away.

He didn’t care about the hundred gold coins Paul owed. He was more concerned about the missing number tag. Without it, he wouldn’t receive his commission.

“Was that your classmate? How has he survived this long without being beaten to death?” Vivian asked, tugging on Kailun’s arm.

“He’s lucky. Whenever he encounters trouble, someone always comes to his rescue. Don’t let his current state fool you. With his talent, he’ll rise quickly. And the stronger he becomes, the luckier he’ll be.”

“You seem to dislike him. Why not just kill him now?”

“I haven’t finished harvesting him yet. Besides, he took my head in my past life. Wouldn’t it be too merciful to let him off without experiencing true despair?”

Vivian: “？？?”

She couldn’t understand. Kailun was clearly alive and well. Why would he claim Paul had taken his head?

The more she interacted with him, the more mysterious he seemed. He was full of secrets, an enigma she couldn’t unravel.

[Vivian’s curiosity towards you has increased her favorability. Current favorability: -30.]

Kailun frowned at the notification.

She was supposed to be decreasing her favorability, not increasing it! He wouldn’t let her off so easily. She still had debts to pay from their past life.

He had brought her to this banquet specifically to lower her favorability.

Of course, he wouldn’t allow anyone to touch her. He was a possessive man. Anyone who dared to harm those he claimed would face his wrath. He had learned the art of genoc*de from Paul, after all.

“Since everyone else is enjoying the banquet, we shouldn’t just stand here. Come on, let’s have a drink.”

He led her to a table, a glass of wine in one hand. “Feed it to me.”

Vivian hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one was watching before lifting the glass to his lips.

“That’s how you’re going to feed me?”

He turned away, feigning displeasure.

She paused. “How do you want me to feed you?”

He glanced at her flat chest, his eyes filled with mock disappointment. So young and already so flat. She truly had the makings of a queen.

Ignoring her glare, he pointed at her lips. “With your mouth.”

Her eyes widened. “No way!”

“Are you sure? If you refuse me now, what do you think will happen when the party truly begins?” He teased her lips with his finger.

Realizing the true nature of this banquet, she wavered.

This place was a den of depravity. If Kailun abandoned her, she would be consumed by despair.

She had no choice!

“Fine, I’ll feed you.”

She took a large gulp of wine, holding it in her mouth, and then lunged at him, pressing her lips against his.

Before she could transfer the wine, his tongue invaded her mouth, expertly tangling with hers.

“Gulp, gulp~”

Caught off guard, she ended up swallowing the entire mouthful, the sweet and spicy liquid filling her mouth, making her choke.

She pounded on his chest, trying to break free, but he continued to devour the remaining wine, savoring the taste of her youthful sweetness.

This was exactly what she had done to him in the past. Now he was simply returning the favor.

[Your rough behavior has reminded Vivian of your true nature. Favorability -20. Current favorability: -50.]

He pulled away, licking his lips with satisfaction. “Uncomfortable? Unhappy? Good! That’s exactly how I felt when you forced yourself on me! Especially when you bit my tongue with those sharp little teeth!”

Vivian wanted to cry. What did other women’s actions have to do with her? She hadn’t even known him back then!

“But forcing myself on others is quite enjoyable. I like it. So, let’s do it again.”

“Mmm…”

Before she could catch her breath, he captured her lips again, the feeling of suffocation returning. She felt like she was going to die in his arms.

He forced her to feed him several glasses of wine until her favorability dropped to -60 and stopped decreasing.

Her face was flushed, her eyes closed, her brow relaxed. She was clearly drunk.

“Little devil? Hmph, more like a weakling.”

He chuckled and pinched her cheek, pulling her closer.

He stroked her hair with one hand while sipping wine from the glass he had used to feed her.

The warmth of her body in his arms dispelled any loneliness he might have felt.

After an unknown amount of time, Paul’s scream shattered the peaceful atmosphere. The real party was about to begin.

He glanced down at Vivian, who was fast asleep, her arms wrapped around his waist, her head resting on his chest, drool trickling down her chin.

“Good thing you’re asleep. Otherwise, I would have knocked you out.” He tapped her forehead lightly.

He had initially planned to use this party to scare her and further decrease her favorability, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Even he had to admit, she was special.

Of course, as a true player, he had to add “one of” to that statement.