Before the banquet had even officially concluded,
Elvia was already half-supporting and half-dragging Lin Gui—who was nodding off with every step, hopelessly drowsy—as they hurried away.
She couldn't wait to leave the palace and head straight for the most high-end hotel in the vicinity.
The expression on her face was a cocktail of excitement, calculation, and a predatory urgency.
She looked exactly like a Big Bad Wolf eyeing a little rabbit—or perhaps, more accurately, like a lecher who was about to get their way.
As they were leaving the royal palace, several maids who were currently tidying themselves up spotted their noble Seventh Princess.
She was "assisting" the seemingly frail new royal husband as she rushed off in a great hurry.
"Heavens... Her Highness the Princess..."
One young maid covered her mouth, her face filled with disbelief.
"I never imagined... that Her Highness would be so... proactive?" another maid murmured.
It felt as though some of their long-held impressions of the princess's elegance and kindness were beginning to crumble.
Within the crowd, a maid who had been looking down while smoothing the hem of her uniform slightly furrowed her brows.
She watched Elvia’s receding figure—which almost looked like she was "kidnapping" Lin Gui—and a hint of suspicion flashed in her eyes.
While the other maids were still gossiping, she silently slipped away from the group and followed them like a shadow.
Elvia strode into the hotel, immediately booked the most luxurious suite, and practically dragged Lin Gui into the room.
The moment she entered, Elvia displayed astonishing efficiency.
She quickly helped Lin Gui out of his old mage robes and took his staff, setting it aside.
With nimble movements, she began helping him change into a comfortable sleeping robe she had prepared earlier.
The flurry of activity woke Lin Gui up slightly.
He looked at the beautiful princess—who had suddenly become so "virtuous" and proactive—with a face full of confusion.
"What... are you doing?"
Elvia's movements stiffened for a second. She instantly snapped out of her feverish state and frantically warned herself: Calm down! Elvia! Be natural! Don't let him get suspicious!
She straightened up, forcing a look of indifference onto her face, and kept her tone as natural as possible.
"It's nothing. I'm just afraid your clothes will ruin the sheets. It would cost a fortune to compensate the hotel."
Lin Gui was utterly bewildered.
Though he found it odd, his extreme exhaustion left him with no energy for deep thought. He muttered, "Fine..."
He finished tying the belt of the sleeping robe himself.
Just as he was about to lie down, he saw Elvia walk over to the window and briskly lock the heavy frame from the inside.
"What are you doing now?" Lin Gui asked, his confusion deepening.
Elvia didn't miss a beat, answering flatly, "Just in case. It wouldn't be good if assassins showed up at our door."
"You know, there are plenty of people from the bottom who want to take revenge on those of us at the top."
Lin Gui couldn't help but retort, "And whose fault is it that they're pushed to that?"
He could no longer hold out. He dove into the soft, fluffy blankets, feeling all the bones in his body stretch out. He gave one last, slurred instruction.
"You should leave... don't forget... to ask your Eldest Sister about Roger..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of steady breathing rose from the bed. He was already deep in sleep.
Looking at the defenseless Lin Gui on the bed, Elvia let the corners of her mouth curl up slightly.
Don't worry, I won't have to go out of my way to ask very soon. For the sake of our future child, you'll just have to neutralize that damn poison of mine.
She stepped out of the room quietly and gently pulled the door shut.
However, the moment the door was closed, she dropped all pretenses.
Discarding all her dignity, she grabbed the hems of her elegant gauze dress with both hands and sprinted down to the front desk like a gust of wind.
Thump! She slammed her hands onto the smooth surface of the front desk, panting slightly.
To the young clerk who was dazed by her beauty and sheer presence, she lowered her voice and got straight to the point.
"Give me some... aphrodisiacs! I want the strongest ones you have!"
The young man at the front desk stared at the noble lady before him—who was so beautiful she didn't seem real—yet was demanding such a thing the moment she opened her mouth.
His brain failed to process for a moment. He stammered, "What... what you're asking for is..."
"The kind of stuff those rich playboys always use! Hurry up!"
Elvia urged him impatiently. "The stuff they use! Aphrodisiacs! Understand?"
The young clerk finally realized what she meant, and his expression became even more peculiar.
The Royal Capital's laws strictly forbade forcing oneself on women, a law that was practically non-existent for the high nobility. However, it still held some deterrent for minor nobles and wealthy scions who needed to maintain a facade of respectability.
Therefore, those types tended to prefer "soft" methods, such as using drugs to trick ignorant or gold-digging young girls.
The clerk was no stranger to such dirty dealings, it was just...
He looked at Elvia's peerless face again, then at her desperate expression. His mind became an even greater mess.
"No, lady, are you trying to..."
"Hurry! I don't have much time!"
Elvia's gaze sharpened, a hint of a princess's pressure and a lioness's ferocity bleeding through. Simultaneously, she slammed dozens of glittering gold coins onto the table.
"Is this enough?"
Under the combination of coercion and bribery, the trembling clerk pulled out a small paper packet and explained the method of use in a low voice.
Elvia listened intently, then followed up by asking for a few pills that were said to aid fertility.
Finally, she double-checked with a lingering sense of uncertainty. "Can these things knock out a High Rank mage? Are you sure they're effective?"
Upon receiving a positive response, a "just as planned" smile broke out on Elvia's face. She carefully tucked the items away and dashed back upstairs.
Once the deed is done and a child can be used as a bond for moral blackmail... Lin Gui, you will be mine for the rest of your life.
I'll make good use of your abilities to climb onto that supreme throne!
With a wicked smirk, she arrived back at Lin Gui's door.
She carefully took out the small paper packet containing the powder and a long, thin blowpipe, preparing to blow the aphrodisiac powder through the gap in the door.
At the very moment she puckered her lips and aimed at the pipe, ready to act, a woman's angry voice rang out from behind her.
"You coward of a princess! You actually dare to try your schemes on Lin Gui?!"
Shocked, Elvia spun around in alarm!
Standing there was a girl in an ordinary maid's uniform, her posture straight and tall. Her arms were crossed over her chest as she stared back coldly.
Elvia looked at the other's plain face and those unusually clear eyes. After a moment of hesitation, she asked tentatively, "...Half-demon?"
"Hmph!" The girl let out a cold snort. She reached behind her ear and pulled, peeling off an exquisite mask.
Revealed was a cute and pretty face, complete with a pair of signature long, pointed ears.
It was none other than Theia.
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