Chapter 371 - 13: Neglect Play (2)
Chapter 371 - 13: Neglect Play (2)
She just snorted coldly.
"Cease your frivolous talk. We know full well why you’ve come and what you intend to do. Rest assured, we will not give you any opportunity to exploit an opening."
"Since you’ve come as an ally, you had best fulfill your duties as one!"
’They’re this wary?’
Westheid knew the Grand Law Officer and his faction were wary of his arrival, but he hadn’t expected them to be so blunt about it.
’They’re not even trying to pretend anymore. Is the whole Pure Blood Faction this direct? Do you people even know how politics works!?’
Duke Qinghui had heard that the Elves of the Royal Court were masters of intrigue, but it seemed Eilvette’s faction, at least, scorned such tactics.
Westheid understood. He chuckled and said,
"There’s no need to repeat yourself. If you’ve done any research at all, you’d know that I always keep my word."
This was how Duke Qinghui’s carefully cultivated reputation was meant to be used. In essence, the expedition Westheid led was one of conquest, meant to expand his territory and project his power across the land. But because he was truly a man of his word, even his greatest doubters would waver. This, in fact, was the very reason he had been allowed to come to the Thousand Laws Royal Court in the first place.
"That would be for the best."
The silver-haired Stringed Swordsman turned and followed Westheid and his retinue.
Though she appeared meticulous, cold, and indifferent, the moment Westheid looked away, Amithren deliberately slowed her pace. From what she believed to be a blind spot, she stole a glance at the man’s profile.
His beauty was unearthly, his features indescribable. In the faint light of dawn, his face was a vision of both majesty and fantasy.
His hair was the color of a shattered night sky, and his eyes were a deep, navy purple. Those eyes, in particular, seemed to hold the dust of the most precious, brilliant gems, or perhaps a concentration of the brightest, most Prominent objects in the cosmos.
For Elves, who revere beauty, such irresistible charm was something they could scarcely recall ever encountering before.
She found herself staring, unable to look away.
For a moment, her icy yet bewitching eyes held an incredibly predatory gleam. But the look was fleeting. Amithren immediately reverted to her usual cold, sharp gaze—the kind that made it seem as if she were looking at trash.
"Did you notice? Someone’s stealing glances at you,"
Luyetan, who had caught the scene from the corner of her eye, whispered from her perch on Westheid’s shoulder, chuckling softly as she blew a stream of warm air against his ear.
"What a sinful man you are."
"Is that my fault?"
Westheid replied with a slight shake of his head. He was perfectly aware of Amithren’s little movements and wasn’t the least bit surprised.
It was only to be expected.
The Elf Royal Family were the kin of Emperor Qianlu, a race with an inherently high sensitivity to the Charm Attribute. They pursued beauty, revered beauty, and spent their entire lives seeking the one "beauty" that could touch their very souls. For some, this was knowledge; for others, life itself; for still others, a landscape or a particular skill. Regardless, once these people found their ideal "beauty," they would inevitably be consumed by a fanatical possessiveness that incinerated all reason.
In that respect, they were remarkably similar to the Pure Holy Spirits.
It was just like when Rozana first met him. Her sanity had evaporated on the spot, and all she could do was rush forward to grovel at his feet. The effect was comparable to a hypnosis app.
This was the result when one’s Charm Attribute was completely overwhelmed—a pure zero-sum game.
This was the source of Westheid’s confidence in dealing with the Thousand Laws Royal Court. Relying on his unique advantages—his ever-purifying Qinghui Bloodline and his Tier that bridged the Extraordinary to the Saintly—he would make the Elves of the Royal Court understand what a true Succubus was!
’Who says you can only conquer new lands with a sword? Remember the lesson of Xiaoha Castle—this other ’half’ of me is a sharp weapon in its own right!’
Westheid glanced at Amithren. She had been about to steal another look, but froze, her gaze snapping straight ahead.
’Very well. I’ll start with the little Swordsman they sent to watch me. After all, if I can’t even handle her, my plan to conquer the Royal Court is nothing but a pipe dream.’
Deep within the Royal Court, magnificent buildings adorned with all manner of gems, fine jade, and Elven crafts were merely the standard. The truly luxurious residences were palaces built into and around giant cedar trees.
They might not have seemed ostentatious, but with their elegant pavilions, cascading waterfalls, babbling springs, birdsong, and fragrant blossoms, the natural and the man-made were fused in perfect harmony. The Royal Court had given these, their most luxurious quarters, to Westheid and his trusted attendants.
Luyetan was quartered in another palace. After they parted ways, Westheid entered his own residence in the Royal Court and took a look around.
"This is quite a place."
Westheid admired the faint golden emblems carved into the grain of the fragrant wood. Even the smallest areas were bursting with detail. This wasn’t the kind of quality born from lavish spending. From the wicker chairs to the tea table, from the walls to the counters, every single piece resonated with the echoes of a long and storied history.
"The Royal Court has a legacy of over five thousand years," the silver-haired Elf Knight said, puffing out her chest with pride. "Every piece of furniture here is likely older than your entire Qinghui Territory. Humanity’s grasp of aesthetics is far inferior to ours."
Duke Qinghui turned and said with a smile,
"I’ll grant you that. However, Miss Amithren, since these quarters have been assigned to us, shouldn’t they be considered our private space? Why did you follow us in?"
"To fulfill my duties, of course. I am required to remain within your line of sight at all times. Pay me no mind. Do as you please."
Amithren snorted, crossing her arms. The motion caused her long white gloves to push up her ample bust, making it look even more obscene... ’I’ve been dying to comment on this for a while now,’ Westheid thought. ’The attire of these Elf Knights is really something else.’
’It would be unfair to call it lingerie, as it wasn’t particularly revealing. However, the frequent cutouts, combined with a design that clung to their graceful figures, was enough to make even the world-weary Duke Qinghui marvel.’
’None of the critical areas were exposed, but the "absolute territory" beneath the pleated skirt, the "underboob window" above the "southern hemisphere," and the glimpses of the lower back and shoulders were more than enough temptation. The design philosophy was quite ingenious; you could tell a lot of thought went into it.’
’As for *what* that thought was put toward... that was harder to judge.’
"Is that so? Does that mean you intend to observe my nightly activities as well? I don’t mind in the slightest, but I wouldn’t want *you* to feel uncomfortable."
Westheid wrapped one arm around Yolanda and pulled Mephit in with the other, holding a woman in each arm.
"My lord brother... you’re really something else."
The platinum-blonde girl immediately understood Westheid’s intentions and rolled her eyes at him.
While Yolanda and Mephit were Westheid’s personal attendants, they rarely ever shared a bed with him. Normally, Yolanda would refuse, but seeing that her lord brother had another motive, she didn’t feel she could say no.
Mephit, of course, unconditionally supported the Knight King’s every decision. She immediately and obediently pressed her pretty face against him.
"Ahh... my Lord, please ravage me as you see fit! Show this weakling what true power is!"
Amithren faltered for a moment at the sight, then snorted coldly, feigning composure as she said,
"Hmph. So you’re no different from other humans, despite your glamorous appearance. Just like a monkey in heat. Do as you wish. I assure you, no matter what shameless acts you perform in front of me, I will be completely unfazed."
The silver-haired Elf toyed with her elegant, high ponytail as she spoke, her tone mocking. Her exquisite, beautiful face wore a textbook expression of contempt, but the frantic pounding of her heart did not escape Westheid’s notice.
’Heh. She’s quite the actress.’
Westheid found this increasingly amusing. He glanced at the door, noting it had been closed at some point.
"Oh, is that so? In that case, I won’t hold back."
Duke Qinghui drew out his last word meaningfully, his eyes locking with Amithren’s. She flinched, her gaze trying to dart away, but she forced herself to meet his look with a sharp, icy glare.
’Time for a little neglect play!’
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