Chapter 77: Heat of Desire

With my wings spread wide, I soared through the skies of the Floating Palisades, cutting through the air like a streaking light.

Ahh...flying through the skies like this will never get old...

I thought with a smile as I flapped my wings once more, propelling me further.

The cool, crisp air of the Palisades rushed past my face, carrying the distant scents of blooming night flowers and the soft hum of the world below.

By my side was the amiable Williem Nightingale, who also possessed the ability to fly through the use of an artifact or rather a special flower.

WHOOSH!

Clenched in his right hand was an ash lotus which emitted a soft glow – Gravitas, a flower that granted one the power of flight after cultivating it with their World Energy. The flower merely removed the effect of gravity on the person, it took one's will and direction to be able to manipulate the effect of gravity on themselves.

And since, it was simply the effect of gravity that was being manipulated.

Williem was actually falling.

"Pfft!", I let out a chuckle.

Williem turned my way, "What's so amusing?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about the beauty of magic."

Williem's eyes widened slightly before they calmed down, "Oh is that so?"

He looked away, his gaze lingering on the distant halo of the sun before returning to me. There was a heat in his eyes, a desire that I felt resonate within me. A part of me wanted to reach out, to indulge in that heat, to taste him, but I held back.

"Marta. After this, would you mind a talk over tea?", he's voice was soft, almost a whisper.

I was silent for a moment but soon smiled, "I would gladly."

Williem returned my smile warmly before turning forward. In the distance, Lord Boetus' estate came into view, and with it, thoughts of Galter Droet stirred in my mind.

So, we'll meet again, huh?

...

The manor of Lord Boetus stood out against the horizon, its architecture a testament to the power and history of its owner. The estate was situated at the center of the Third Palisade, where the amphitheater incident had occurred, it was adorned with towers that reached into the sky, their spires piercing the clouds.

As I descended, the grandeur of the structure was undeniable, but so was the uncertainty of what lay within.

TMP!

As my feet touched down on the marbled ground, I folded my wings before vanishing them, feeling the ground's solidity after the freedom of flight. Williem, who had followed at a distance, landed beside me, his expression one of calculated calm.

"Are you ready, my lady?", he asked, his tone laced with a mix of anticipation and wariness. His hand patting the area on his jacket which housed the white envelope.

HOO...

I took in a deep breath, calming myself before responding, "Yes...let's not keep Lord Boetus waiting."

I adjusted my attire to present the image of a Seraphim heir, not just a young woman caught up in intrigue.

Too bad...I lost my parasol...

With a quiet sigh, I approached the gates of Lord Boetus' manor along with Williem.

TMP. TMP.

After a short walk, we reached the gates of the courtyard, where we were greeted by a cadre of guards, their black and gold stripped armor gleaming under the sun's radiance. Their eyes, however, were sharp, assessing us not just as guests but as potential threats.

"Who?", a low husky voice escaped from the slit of a guard's helmet.

Williem stepped forward, "Williem Nightingale from the Ice Flower Sect and Marta Madeleine from the House of Seraphim, we're here to meet Lord Boetus."

Briefly, I caught sight of the guard's eyes squinting before his voice rang, "Do you have an invitation?"

In a smooth motion, Williem pulled out the white envelope and handed it over to the guard, but before the man could take it from his hand. Another guard stepped forward.

CLANK!

"Don't bother.", he said sticking out a hand to the other guard before turning to us, "Lord Boetus has been awaiting your arrival."

Awaiting our arrival? A courtesy of his artifact? Or a courtesy of Droet?

CRIIING!

The sound of the gate's being drawn apart tore the tranquil silence of the estate for but a moment.

I turned to Williem, "Let's go."

With a subtle nod, I stepped forward and we soon crossed into the courtyard, taking in the unrestricted view of Lord Boetus' large manor.

...

The interior of the manor was as opulent as its exterior, with walls lined with ancient artifacts and paintings of past rulers. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the quiet murmurs of servants moving through the halls.

"Intriguing aesthetic.", I commented as my gaze swept across the hallway with interest.

"What? You've never been here before?", Williem asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No. I haven't, but I have to say, it's really tasteful."

"Oh, really...", Williem's voice trailed off.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. The servants seemed to vanish, and before I knew it, Williem had me pinned against the wall, the hard, even surface of the glazed maroon walls at my back, his breath warm against my skin. His eyes met mine, filled with a lust that matched my own inner turmoil.

Ah...

W-what...?

"This place is tasteful, huh...but I just couldn't help thinking that you're pretty tasty.", he whispered into my ear before nibbling on it.

AH~

I let out a soft moan but steeled myself, "W-williem we can't...there are others around..."

"Are they?"

I frowned slightly before glancing around.

W-what?

All the servants had suddenly disappeared from sight!

Oh gods...was I too immersed in the surroundings that I didn't pay attention to my surroundings...oh the irony...

"Don't struggle.", Williem whispered in my ear as he held up both of my hands against the wall, his free hand brushing against my lower lip.

I tried wrestling my hands out of his grip but it was futile. His grip was too strong.

I forgot that he's a fighter as well, curse his charming allure...

Then again, I could actually break out of his grasp if I tried but doing that would cause unnecessary damage and again...I really didn't want to...

 AH~

I let out another moan as Williem teased my neck with his lips and breath; there was something seductive about being denied such sensual touch even when you badly crave it.

Williem pulled back, looking me straight in the eyes.

Williem pulled back, his gaze locked with mine.

I knew my face was flushed, but his was no less so, his eyes glinting with untamed desire.

"I thought you said after our meeting with Lord Boetus.", I whispered, my eyes betraying a seductive glint.

HA...

"I guess this is how badly I want you.", Williem said as he panted heavily, "I can't help myself around you."

I let out a small smirk as Williem leaned forward, his lips drawing closer to mine, when a sudden, dry voice interrupted.

"Ahh...a couple of cuckoos."

HUH?!

Instantly, we broke apart, turning towards the source of the voice.

Galter Droet!

Clad in the same unremarkable clothes from our first meeting, his neutral expression unchanged, but now we knew there was more beneath that facade.

"You!", Williem exclaimed.

"Oh...it's you, clumsy woman.", Galter spoke in his usual bored tone.

My eyebrows furrowed but I didn't retort, Williem though didn't let it slide.

"You..."

"Oh yes, you...", Galter Droet voice trailed off, his eyes squinting as if he were in deep thought before he spoke, his tone one of confusion,

"Who were you again?"