Valerius Evander gently ran his hand over the delicate, exquisite features of Ethan Caelan’s face. Though still pale, there was an enchanting allure that made him linger.
Valerius Evander stood there, dazed for a moment, then muttered to himself, “I must leave now. If I stay any longer, who knows what more outrageous things I might do?”
With that, Valerius decisively stood up and quickly left the room. Meanwhile, Ethan remained completely unaware of everything that had just transpired.
That evening, Valerius, burdened by a tumultuous heart, sought solace in the Lunar Pavilion, the residence of his favored consort, Livia Dawnfire, hoping to forget the stirrings caused by Ethan.
Consort Livia Dawnfire came from a prestigious lineage. Her father was Duke Alder Dawnfire, and her brother, “Wind and Cloud General” Elias Dawnfire, along with other family members, held key positions in the court. The grandeur of her family reflected in her confident demeanor and the way she carried herself with unassailable grace.
The Lunar Pavilion had been lavishly renovated by Valerius to win the beauty’s favor. Each decorative detail was incredibly luxurious, and the furnishings were made from precious materials. When Valerius entered, Livia had already adorned herself magnificently. Her crimson lips, sharp eyes lined with precision, and snowy white skin were accentuated by an elaborate, flower-embroidered outfit. She gracefully approached, smiling gently, her eyes sparkling with charm.
“Your Majesty, I have been waiting for you,” she said, her voice as soothing as a stream. Her words were like a soft melody, intended to calm and enchant.
As she drew near, the intoxicating scent of flowers emanated from her, wafting into Valerius’s nostrils. The rich aroma was overwhelming, and in his mind, he compared it to the fresh, subtle fragrance on Ethan’s person, which was truly refreshing. Valerius felt a bit uncomfortable and frowned, saying, “Why is the fragrance on you so strong today?”
Consort Livia respectfully replied:
“Your Majesty, you usually enjoy the scent on me and even praise my fragrance.” Saying this, Livia leaned into Valerius’s embrace, her movements calculated to please.
Valerius held Livia close and gently said:
“Perhaps I’m a bit tired today; the strong scent is giving me a headache.” His voice was soft, yet the underlying tension was unmistakable.
Livia immediately understood and responded:
“Please wait a moment, Your Majesty. I will bathe and return to serve you.” She curtsied gracefully and left the room with hurried steps, leaving behind the lingering scent of flowers.
When she returned, Livia had changed into a light, airy outfit, her intricate makeup still highlighting her allure. On the bed, Valerius found himself remembering Ethan’s naturally exquisite features, beautiful without any makeup. His thoughts drifted to Ethan's serene face, unmarred by the artifices of the court, a stark contrast to the elaborate facade before him.
Looking at Livia’s face, heavy with makeup, he felt a sense of dissatisfaction:
“Good for viewing, but for intimacy, it lacks flavor. How could I have found pleasure with this face before?” Valerius mused. The thought stirred a flicker of annoyance within him, one that he struggled to conceal.
“Why are you still wearing such heavy makeup when it’s time for bed? Wash your face and then come back to me,” Valerius ordered coldly. His tone was clipped, a sharp deviation from his usual tenderness.
Livia pouted but dared not disobey, doing as instructed. When she returned with her face clean, her beauty was still fresh and delicate, her skin rosy, but compared to the finest of men like Ethan, she couldn’t measure up. Her attempts to match the natural grace and charm of Ethan fell painfully short.
Ethan’s features were naturally refined and perfect, coupled with his artistic talent and kind soul, making him unparalleled. In contrast, a concubine like Livia, who spent her days vying for favor, seemed distinctly inferior. The disparity was glaringly obvious, and it pained Valerius to admit it, even to himself.
Valerius sighed, feeling disheartened, thinking to himself:
“Even my most beloved consort is not a fraction as enchanting as Ethan.” The realization brought a heaviness to his heart, one that he couldn’t shake off.
Still overwhelmed by the emotions stirred by his time with Ethan, Valerius now only wished to forget all those foolish actions. He pulled Livia into his arms, lifted her delicate face, and kissed her lips. Livia closed her eyes, wrapping her arms around Valerius, responding passionately to his kiss. Her embrace was warm, yet it failed to ignite the same fire that Ethan's mere presence had kindled within him.
Valerius found himself longing for the soft, cool lips of Ethan, the sweetness of that kiss lingering in his memory. Watching Livia still lost in the kiss, he felt a sense of emptiness. He abruptly stopped and gently pushed Livia away.
Sensing something amiss, Livia softly asked:
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Is something troubling you?” Her voice trembled slightly, laced with concern and confusion.
Valerius shook his head, hiding his inner turmoil:
“Nothing, I just don’t feel well.” His words were a thin veil, barely concealing the storm raging within him.
Livia pressed her beautiful face against Valerius’s warm chest, gently saying:
“Then let me serve you, Your Majesty, to make you feel better.”
Livia Dawnfire slowly slipped her slender hand into Valerius Evander’s robe, her fingers gently caressing the firm muscles of his body. Feeling the tenderness of her touch, Valerius slid down onto the silk-covered mattress, his eyes half-closed, savoring the sweet moment.
Livia smiled, understanding his desire, and leaned down, her soft lips leaving burning kisses on his skin. She trailed her lips downward, every movement delicate and inviting.
Valerius gradually succumbed to the pleasure, but suddenly, the image of Ethan Caelan, with his exquisite beauty, flashed in his mind. His breath quickened, a surge of excitement rising from deep within him. Unconsciously, his hand tightened around Livia's waist, pulling her beneath him, and then he slowly entered her, causing her to moan with delight.
As Livia's heated body responded, Valerius bit his lip, a smile of satisfaction forming on his face. “If it were you, Ethan... how would it be?” he thought. Imagining Ethan beneath him, picturing those beautiful lips uttering soft, trembling moans, his desire flared more fiercely. His movements became more frantic, more intense, drawing Livia completely into his fervor. She panted heavily, her mouth releasing sounds of pleasure.
"Your Majesty... I love it..." she gasped.
Valerius leaned down, his lips finding Livia’s full ones, capturing her tongue in a passionate kiss. Yet, amidst the ecstasy, the only image that lingered in his mind was Ethan Caelan—his phoenix-like eyes glistening, his skin smooth as silk—filling Valerius with an overwhelming desire to possess him. "Ethan, you must be mine," he silently vowed.
As the passion subsided, Livia, utterly exhausted, rested her soft body against Valerius's chest and gradually drifted into a peaceful sleep. But Valerius remained deep in thought, recalling the appearance of Ethan as he cared for him. Remembering the sweet taste of the kiss still lingering on his lips, a smile unknowingly crept onto his face. A warm feeling spread through his heart as Ethan's pure image filled his mind, leading him into sleep without him even realizing it.