Chapter Forty-Four

"Put it down," he said calmly to the pilot. The pilot’s face twitched and he quietly complied.

On the eighth floor of the Lakeside Pavilion, within the astronomical observatory, a figure dressed in white had stood silently before the window since the helicopter’s arrival, saying nothing, simply watching. Even as Arthur carried Shadow Moon out of the room, the figure spoke not a word. Yet, out of the maid’s line of sight, a sly, fox-like smile curled at the corner of his lips.

So they came quickly after all!

The maid stood quietly to the side, unable to suppress her curiosity. "Young master, aren’t you going to stop them?"

Stop them? Stop what? It was his, after all—how could he stop them? He wasn’t—

Feng Qingquan hadn’t finished his thought when he saw the helicopter circle the Lakeside Pavilion once, dropping a parcel on each side—yes, a parcel emblazoned with his portrait—into the lake at the pavilion’s heart.

Before he could react, a loud "boom" resounded, and yellow flooded the surroundings—golden, dazzling yellow, obscuring every view.

A familiar scent lingered faintly in the air.

The sly smile froze on Feng Qingquan’s face. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his fair complexion tinged with blue, his temples pulsing.

"Y-young master..." The maid was stunned, at a loss for words, merely staring helplessly at him.

Feng Qingquan’s hands tightened and relaxed, clenched and unclenched repeatedly, his teeth grinding audibly. At last, he uttered a single, faint command, "Call someone to clean this up immediately. I won’t be coming here for the next year." Then he vanished without a trace.

The maid looked around at the dazzling gold that stung her eyes, sighed helplessly, and went to make a call to arrange the cleanup of the Lakeside Pavilion.

Shadow Moon was startled awake by the explosion, her whole body trembling as she looked at Arthur in panic.

"What happened?" she asked, arms wrapped tightly around him.

Arthur smiled lightly. "It’s nothing." His palm gently patted her slender back in comfort.

Shadow Moon glanced at him in confusion, then caught a glimpse of the pilot’s suspiciously shaking shoulders, and turned to look outside.

In an instant, her eyes widened, her lips forming a perfect "o". She turned back, incredulous, gazing at Arthur. His face remained calm, a gentle smile playing on his lips. Seeing her adorable expression, he bent his index finger to close her mouth, his thumb gently stroking her soft lips before pressing a tender kiss there. He said quietly,

"It’s nothing, just a little thanks for all the care he’s given you these days."

Shadow Moon’s cheeks flushed red, a bit embarrassed, but her lips twitched sharply at his reply.

Indeed, only he could do something so elegantly outrageous, and speak about it so nonchalantly. She glanced slyly at the golden scene behind them, her lips curving in a secret smile.

Arthur saw her fox-like, mischievous grin and couldn’t help but chuckle.

As long as she was happy.

Lilith Castle

Arthur held Shadow Moon close to his chest and walked toward the attic. His long, powerful legs moved with graceful steps, ascending the spiral staircase one step at a time, each footfall seeming to land directly upon Shadow Moon’s heart.

She nestled quietly in Arthur’s arms like a docile Persian cat, silent and endearing.

Where she couldn’t see, Arthur’s brows arched in contentment. Within his chest was a warmth he had never known before, gentle and comforting.