Chapter 3: Profound Love

Lord Aldous nodded. In truth, his wife had long urged him to send Ceriade to a large city for treatment, but he was reluctant—because the hospitals and doctors in those big cities were entirely dominated by so-called “science.” They would readily cut a person open, even peel back the skull; he did not want his daughter to suffer such torment.

As a knowledgeable old-fashioned man, Lord Aldous trusted mages and clerics more deeply.

He continued, “Although this is no longer the age of mages, I hear the noble lords in the city still support them. If you can cure Ceriade, our Aldous family could also sponsor you.”

Support?

The resources needed to maintain a mage far exceeded what a small-town landlord could afford. Lord Aldous perhaps overestimated his wealth.

Zohan paid little heed to this, nor did he care much that “support” might be a phrase designed to lull him into complacency. He spoke with some urgency: “Please, let me see your daughter first.”

Seeing Zohan show no trace of being flattered, Lord Aldous snorted in disdain. Ungrateful young man… surely one of Marhait’s people? Otherwise, who would so bluntly refuse a wealthy merchant’s offer? He must have a powerful backer giving him courage.

Harboring many suspicions and calculations, Lord Aldous sat back down.

Two buxom maidservants quickly nestled close. One poured fine wine over her chest, letting it flow into the hollow between her breasts, gathering into a small pool. The other spread meat soaked in sauce over her body to cool it quickly to a temperature fit for consumption.

In response to Zohan’s insolence, Lord Aldous waved his hand arrogantly, signaling the butler to accompany Zohan to see Ceriade.

Watching Zohan’s retreating figure, Lord Aldous’s expression shifted from dismissive to dark and wary, his gaze flickering.

“Where is the lady?” he asked.

“She’s been in her room for several days, hasn’t gone out,” the butler replied.

“Of course, with weather like this, she should stay home. What else would she be doing?” Lord Aldous’s voice suddenly rose.

Before marrying him, his wife and Marhait had been childhood playmates—a connection Lord Aldous always watched with suspicion.

Years ago, Marhait left the closed and backward Red Hazel Town, ruled by the Aldous family, seeking his future, while his wife was chosen to marry into the Aldous clan.

Lord Aldous had long suspected secret dealings between Marhait and his wife—he had even intercepted letters from Marhait to her!

Though the letters contained no blatant flirtation or ambiguous hints, the mere correspondence spoke volumes: this unfaithful woman, this wanton harlot!

Now, news had come that Marhait had returned near Red Hazel Town, so Lord Aldous had to keep a close watch on his wife.

He was convinced Marhait’s ultimate goal was to take his wife away, to elope with her... What man wouldn’t desire such a beautiful woman?

At the thought of his wife ending up with Marhait, panting beneath him, her face revealing a seductive and unfamiliar allure, his rage surgedI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.