Kole sighed as he cursed himself silently.
Guess, I'm not as gentlemanly as thought I was. Welp, looking at her enamored face, she enjoyed it… Kole chuckled lightly as he patted her head.
Gulp!
Charlotte downed the load in her mouth as she licked her lips, dangerously close to his semi-hard rod.
"M-master, y-you should get ready for your Awakening," Too embarrassed to make eye contact; Charlotte hurriedly ran away from the bathroom.
Kole let out a turbid breath of air as he felt his body lighter than ever. It was good to release once in while… otherwise his psyche would slither to a nadir.
Pinching his temples to relax his mind, Kole cleaned himself and enjoyed the hot bath. Later, he wore a brightly patterned vest, dark suit, and black boots—along with a small golden compass accessory linked via a chain to his breast pocket.
The compass was a symbol of religion—Faith in Tempest!
Though it was not necessary to have a compass with you all the time as evidence of your faith, people used to take it with them on auspicious occasions and various events—especially so for nobles, after all, even the King was crowned by the Pontiff.
When Kole came out of his room, he bumped into a slightly dazed and blushing Charlotte, even her ears were red. Apparently, she cleaned herself after their previous rendezvous and came back quickly—even though she didn't wish to face him, she was not one to back out from her responsibilities as his personal maid!
"M-Master." She lowered her cutely, unwilling—or too embarrassed to face him.
Kole couldn't help but smile, as he said gently, "Lead the way."
"Yes!" Charlotte agreed and prompted forward; followed by Kole, who had a small smile on his face.
In the meantime, he tinkered with the small compass.
They passed through the corridors of the manor, turning, walking, and encountering groups of maids chatting occasionally—though they would immediately bow upon seeing the successor while some would blush upon witnessing his tall chiseled physique and handsome face.
Kole was not the most handsome man in the world but he was surely in the top 10 while his perfect build just enhanced his looks further and the regal air that he emanated subconsciously was a reminder to all that he was destined to walk on the path of greatness.
Finally, they came upon a door with intricate patterns—The Duchess's study.
With a deep breath, Kole composed himself and opened the door, and entered. For some inexplicable reason, he was always careful around his mother… he didn't know why he felt like a shark was hiding beneath her delicate human skin.
Various bookshelves were filled to the brim with files and records when Kole's eyes fell upon a tall woman who was almost as high as him but her pride seemed to loftier than a King, despite being a Duke.
Kole was familiar with that aura—that seemed to look down on everything—a bone-deep egotism.
She had her back facing him as she looked outside the window through which sunrays outlined her visage.
Kole was momentarily dazed as he saw her wearing a black backless minidress that reached just below her thighs. The tight sleeves reached to her fingers. A gold choker necklace hugged her neck tightly.
Her long silver hair was placed over her shoulders, leaving the entire smooth, pale back of hers to be visible to the naked eye. A long dark coiling dragon was tattooed along her spine—which made her back even sexier.
She held a glass of wine, half-filled in her hand—swirling, as she took a sip while gazing over Stormwatch in the morning sunlight.
Releasing a long sigh, Faneia Akerse craned her neck a little to gaze at the intruder. Though she already knew who had come because nobody in the entire Irae Kingdom would dare to barge into her study; except the King himself—Granted he was willing to do something as uncouth as that, which could tarnish his reputation.
As her red eyes met his deep dark eyes a silence descended upon the chambers.
Kole noticed a hanging head harness that flowed from between her parted silver hair to the center of her forehead—like a symbol of haughtiness! At the same time, he felt he was placed at the edge of a tall mountain. One wrong step could lead to his demise.
Just like the head harness hanging on Faneia's forehead, he felt a scythe was hovering over his neck.
Fortunately, that pressure quickly vanished as if it was all a lie.
The mother and son looked nothing alike. Neither their hair matched nor their eyes. As for facial features, it was really hard to tell even though both were equally beautiful.
Sometimes, Kole wondered whether he was adopted or not, but he remembered clearly—when he opened his eyes for the first time in this life, he saw this woman cradling him in her arms with an expressionless face.
Faneia breastfed him and took care of him for a few months until the maids were responsible for him. When Kole grew a little older and asked why his features didn't match hers, she answered succinctly—"Go ask your father."
But where was father? He has never seen that b*stard! Who could leave such wonderful, tender breasts behind?
Upon enquiring further, Faneia would just shrug and mention she doesn't know… nor does she want to know.
Kole could only guess, Faneia had a history that she didn't wish to share with a child as such, he controlled his curiosity.
"Ready?" Her words were concise and precise.
Kole smiled as he peered deep into her red eyes, "Mom, are you worried?"
Unfortunately for Kole, his words didn't cause a single ripple in her eyes as if she wasn't bothered by what the results would be.
He shook his head to dispel the awkwardness, he said, "Yes. I am ready."
Faneia nodded indescribably, and reminded him in a stricter tone, "Remember. Don't see, don't hear, and don't speak. Corruption is inevitable but one can reduce the chances of loss."
Kole has heard the same phrase from others who have awakened, countless times. He couldn't help but compare it to the Three Wise Monkeys—a Japanese pictorial maxim.
Her gaze went back to the city outside, "If you don't get lost, I'll personally teach you to harness Spirit Energy before Princess Chione arrives to have look at his fiancé next month."
Kole was not the first fiancé of Princess Chione. There have been many in the past. However, every time she was arranged one, she'd visit them and later the fiancé would go beg the King to put them to death for whatever crime they committed.
It was unknown what happened to them; however because of this, she was titled—The Broken Princess and remained unmarried till now.
As if suddenly remembering something, Faneia's eyes narrowed: "Don't fool around with Charlotte for long intervals. We don't want rumors to spread over to the Royal Palace!"
A light snort escape his nostrils upon hearing news regarding the Broken Princess, following that he was stunned when he heard the latter half of her speech.
Oh no, was I caught?!