The Elusive, Mysterious Male Lead (35)

With all the main characters gathered, the banquet officially began.

His Majesty the King took the stage to deliver a speech, first lavishly praising the Dragon God, then warmly expressing his affection and well-wishes for Jian Yu, and finally envisioning a bright future for the Kingdom of Valenziel. Only then did he announce the opening of the ball.

According to tradition, an esteemed guest must lead the opening dance.

The King, arm in arm with his lady, glided into the dance floor. Soon, the nobles followed, joining the festivities one after another.

The Wine Steward sat calmly in a corner, sipping red wine, showing no intention of dancing.

Charles tried several times to invite her, but each time he met her cool, indifferent gaze, he felt inexplicably timid.

Xiu, on the other hand, was quite pleased, sitting beside the Wine Steward, his eyes fixed solely upon her. His gaze was difficult to read—was it focused, or was it greedy?

Whatever the case, those secretly observing them felt a chill in their chest.

Truly worthy of her title as the attendant of the gods—being stared at so intensely, yet sipping wine with unruffled ease.

If it were them being looked at that way, they doubted they could last three minutes, and would surely have nightmares that night.

“How are the dark elements in your body? Have they been cleared?” The Wine Steward asked Charles.

“Thanks to Your Highness, after last night, they are completely gone.”

Only Charles and the Wine Steward understood the true nature of this “clearing.” Charles had no idea why Her Highness possessed such miraculous healing abilities, nor why her methods were so “strange.” She seemed to carry many secrets.

But none of that mattered.

He would never betray her, willing to guard her secrets always. His only regret was recovering too quickly.

Realizing the reason behind his regret made Charles feel his cheeks flush.

The Wine Steward took a sip of red wine and tilted her head with a smile. “That’s good.”

The wine left a glistening sheen on her lips; Charles’s heart skipped a heavy beat and his mouth felt dry.

The images that had just flashed through his mind made him ashamed. He forced himself to banish such disrespectful thoughts, but someone beside him was faster, turning his imagination into reality.

A rough fingertip brushed across the Wine Steward’s lips, the touch almost forceful.

She turned her gaze and saw Xiu retract his hand, then place his thumb to his lips, licking it slowly, and looking back at her. “Sweet,” he said.

The Wine Steward knew that, had she not repeatedly instructed him in recent days, he would have much preferred to lick her lips directly.

Xiu had no concept of shame, acting entirely by instinct and whim.

Charles’s temple pulsed, but he could do nothing. Her Highness was exceedingly indulgent toward this man.

Indeed, the Wine Steward said nothing, even smiled, and raised her hand to gently stroke Xiu’s hair. “We’re in public. Behave yourself.”

So, the young man who was cold and intimidating to everyone else suddenly became obedient, even leaning in for more caresses, his eyes half-closed in relaxation and delight.

He was like a big cat, enjoying the sensation of being stroked.

Charles’s fingers slowly curled, his eyes shifting, uncertain whether his anger was from wanting to toss that black-haired nuisance out, or from wishing he were the one in that place.

Anger and jealousy are easy companions.

The Wine Steward played with the silky hair for a while, then said casually to Charles, “Just in case, I’ll help you with another treatment tonight.”

Charles’s breath grew heavier but quickly steadied, fearful of revealing anything, and could only reply with a low “Mm.”

The Wine Steward’s lips curved as she raised her glass, her expression masked behind the rim.

The system watched in anguish, utterly unsure whether its host was a scoundrel or not.

After all, who could have predicted the power players in this realm would pull such stunts, ending up with two male leads?

Though, in truth, they were just one person.

Forget it—it was only a humble system struggling to survive in the cracks. It had no say in the matter.