Chapter 42 - Charm

"No going out, then?" Edgar asked, trying to smile, but the sadness on his face was impossible to hide. His gaze averted, as if to hide the disappointment that now dominated his expression.

Inessa remained silent, feeling the pressure of the two realities that now collided within her.

She wanted to offer him something, she wanted to do his bidding, but at the same time, she knew that her own commitments kept her tied down. The meetings, the auctions... she felt the weight of the hours dragging on in front of her, like a sequence of events that could not be ignored.

But when she looked at Edgar, she felt the urge to give in, to be by his side and allow him to have what he wanted, even if it meant sacrificing part of herself.

The atmosphere in the carriage was charged with a subtle tension. The lightness of the environment and the gentle movement of the wheels contrasted with the internal struggle that Inessa was waging. The silent connection between them seemed even stronger in this small space, as if their emotions, now without words, echoed in every corner.

She looked at him hesitantly, her gaze softening with the anguish of someone who wanted so much to please, but knew she needed to be rational. "Edgar…" She murmured, and her voice came out softer than she would have liked.

 There wasn't much to say. She knew he was disappointed, but she couldn't simply give in to his will. Her duties were demanding, and the risks of allowing him to leave without proper protection worried her too much.

"I know how much you want this, Edgar… but we can come back another day." Her voice trailed off for a moment, as if the words were stuck in her throat. She knew he would understand, as he always did, but she couldn't help but feel guilty for not being able to give in completely.

She looked at him once more, her gaze soft and filled with something she couldn't describe, a mixture of affection, attachment and, above all, the need to keep him safe, even if it meant giving up her own desires.

"By aura…" Abigail couldn't contain her frustration any longer. She snapped her fingers, breaking the tense atmosphere with an impatient gesture.

"Can you guys stop this pointless chatter?" Her voice was harsher than usual, and she gave Inessa a weary, reprimanding look. "Get a grip, Inessa, don't you realize he's manipulating you? Keep it up and you'll be walking with him before we get home."

The word "manipulating" cut like a blade, and Inessa immediately realized what was happening. Reality hit her like a punch in the stomach, and she instantly regained her composure. A slight resentment flickered in her eyes as she looked at Edgar, although it was more a reflection of her frustration with herself than with him.

Edgar, realizing that his opportunity was slipping away, acted quickly. Without hesitation, he threw himself on Abigail, hugging her waist with exaggerated intensity, pressing his body against hers in an almost theatrical way. His gaze was one of pure appeal, an expression of almost childish supplication that, even if predictable, still managed to disarm any resistance.

"Abigail, don't be so cruel... I like you so much and you keep saying such ugly things..." He dragged on even more emphatically, his voice soft and almost honeyed. "I just wanted to go out for a while... I wanted to have fun with you two, that almost never happens..."

His posture seemed to beg for compassion, as if he were seeking more than simple permission – it was a silent plea, a request that extended to something deeper, more intimate.

The pressure of his body against hers left Abigail without reaction for a moment. The intensity of the gesture caught her off guard, and she had to stretch to try to deal with the proximity, not knowing how to respond. Before she could react, Edgar continued, his charm now almost unbearable.

"Help me, dear Abigail…" His voice became even softer, with an exaggerated sincerity that seemed like a honey trap. So sweet that it could almost be sickening.

His eyes, shining with a mischievous and at the same time sincere glow, seemed to speak more than words. Edgar knew exactly what he was doing; it was not just a request, but a request shaped with the clear intention of disarming any resistance.

Along with the appealing words and expressions, Abigail felt the wave of aura charged with feelings assault her veins in an intrusive way, a clear demonstration of Edgar's ability to bypass her natural aura protection.

With no alternative, she was invaded by a mixture of expectation, apprehension, remorse and a melancholy that shook her emotional balance, making her more vulnerable to Edgar's appeals.

She had to admit, this was something Edgar did masterfully, influencing others, becoming the center of their attention without them even realizing how much they were being manipulated.

She sighed, trying to resist, but the growing heat in her chest only made her more vulnerable. He leaned against her in an almost affectionate way, his posture intentionally vulnerable, as if she were the only one capable of understanding what he needed. Every word and gesture seemed designed to touch the right spot, the one where he knew she would not be able to resist.

"Stop it..." Abigail tried to resist, but his aura was too much for her. Her muscles slowly relaxed, and for an instant, she found herself immersed in the energy he emanated, as if it were an invisible force that dominated her without mercy.

"Please…" Edgar whispered, his tone filled with a silent, almost desperate plea, as if each word were a caress that further loosened Abigail's defenses.

She closed her eyes, feeling the internal battle dissipating. "You're not going to stop this, are you?" Abigail grumbled, a frustrated smile forming, but also filled with a subtle pleasure at not being able to resist any longer.

Inessa, Hendrina and Aglaya watched the scene with a mixture of conflicting feelings. The tension in the carriage was still palpable, but something in their expressions reflected a certain helplessness in the face of Edgar's skill.

 They saw what was happening more clearly than anyone could: Edgar was like a snake coiling around his prey, with patience and mastery, crushing it little by little until there was no more resistance left.

Abigail finally sighed, surrendered. "Okay, then. You'll go for a walk tomorrow morning. With us. But don't get yourself into trouble, okay?" His voice had a mix of authoritarianism and disdain, but also of concession, as if it were no longer possible to fight against the tide.

Edgar smiled broadly once again, but the gratitude in his eyes seemed exaggerated, as if it were an even sweeter victory than he had imagined. "Thank you, Abigail... You're the best!"

 At that moment, Edgar released an intense wave of his aura, a concentrated flow of joy and excitement, mixed with a charge of pleasure so dense that it seemed almost palpable. The aura took over the environment, like a soft but penetrating mist. It was as if the essence of happiness, of ecstasy, had been compressed into a single dose and delivered in the form of aura.

The women around felt the wave of emotions invade their aura veins. Inessa, Hendrina and Aglaya couldn't help it, but the most affected was Abigail, to whom Edgar directed greater focus.

 It was as if time had stopped, their bodies and minds being enveloped by a momentary, paralyzing sensation of pleasure. Their senses were nullified for an instant, their reason and thoughts clouded by the flood of intense feelings.

For a while, all there was were the feelings of pleasure and joy that Edgar masterfully manipulated, making them all almost incapable of reacting. It was as if he had put them all in a state of ecstasy, a mental fog that kept them silent and inactive. He, in turn, adjusted himself comfortably on the carriage seat, the happy smile still plastered on his face.

It was as if he had just savored a delicious victory, enjoying what was left of his manipulation without rushing to move on. When the wave finally dissipated, they were a little dazed, with their bodies relaxed and their minds numb. None of them said anything, but they all understood what had happened and who had caused it. Yet none of them had any intention of complaining…

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The carriage glided along the wide avenues of Avaris, and the view before Edgar was impressive. The city combined the modern with the utilitarian in a remarkable way. The buildings seemed simple at first glance, with imposing and rough shapes, but they were carefully designed, as if shaped by precise calculations.

Tall buildings dominated the landscape, but the wide streets ensured comfort for passersby. Made of durable and flexible materials, the facades reflected the sunlight, displaying a polished texture and metallic tones. Marble and granite in rich tones—pearlescent whites, intense reds and blues—adorned the surfaces, creating a luxurious look.

The vibrant colors of the city brought the streets to life, and the porcelain tiles on the sidewalks and facades reflected the light with subtle shine. The city looked like a work of art, sculpted with perfection and refinement, like a great palace.