Opulent Turners' Villa, West Grovebourne.
Sitting at the dressing table, Alice heard the voice of Lucy from behind:
"Miss, I think you will look the prettiest tonight."
Alice nodded, seeing her reflection in the mirror.
She wore a pure white complicated dress with wavy frills sewn across, making it look highly exquisite. The dress hugged her body, exposing her dangerous curves. Her long blonde hair was tied in a seductive bun, and her emerald eyes shined—enhancing her beautiful countenance.
Lucy leaned in her ear and whispered with a teasing smile, "And I think Heir Akerse would make you even prettier by tearing your dress in the middle of the banquet."
Alice blushed as her beautiful porcelain-like skin turned a deep shade of red.
Yes. Lucy had been teasing Alice after the events of 'that' night. Her maid had seen everything but remained inside the steam car.
And since then, Lucy has been extremely jealous. As such, she'd tease Alice to let her mind cool from the erotic scene she witnessed.
Tch… Seeing the tranced expression on Alice's face, Lucy clicked her tongue.
Hah. The world is so unfair… Even if Lucy's loyalties lied with Viscount Turner, she was also a young woman with healthy basic needs.
And that day, when she saw that perfectly diving body and handsome face of Heir Akerse in full glory during the act, she couldn't help but imagine…
'It wouldn't be bad to become a mistress for my future lord…'
Watching Lucy drifting into her own world, Alice guessed what Lucy was thinking and smirked, "Despite all our bold actions last time, he is possessive. He would only tear apart my dress in private."
Lucy snorted inwardly, but hearing her master's succeeding words caused her to freeze,
"But if you want to watch… maybe I can arrange for it." Alice grinned mischievously.
Though she had no intention of sharing her man, it wouldn't hurt to have a live spectator...
"I don't dare, Miss."
Alice didn't take her rejection to heart and only shrugged with a smile.
Knock! Knock!
The door creaked open after repeated knocks and then entered a middle-aged man in a lime-green suit with a silver cane. His facial features were similar to Alice's.
Morris Turner gazed at his daughter with a gentle smile, "Ready, my lovely daughter?"
"Of course," Alice said in a cheery voice, stood up promptly, and held her father's hand as they left the mansion under the curtain of darkness.
A bright silver sphere shone in the dark sky as the pair of father and daughter entered a steam car.
Another carriage followed behind in which Alice's personal maid Lucy, and head butler Hugh, were seated.
…
Arriving at a brightly lit lavish villa, shining like a star in the sky, the Turners' got off the steam car and walked on the red carpet stretching to the entrance.
Alice had a lively smile on her face as the father and daughter walked toward the gates of the villa. Behind them, Lucy carried a gift wrapped elegantly.
It was at that time; Alice noticed another steam car arriving just behind them from the corner of her eyes.
Looking at the insignia of the house on the carriage, a small indiscernible frown appeared on her face.
Soon, a tall robust man, as high as a giant, stepped out of the steam car.
He was a young man with a bulky physique, deep blue eyes, and short blonde hair combed elegantly, giving him a dashing look, yet the bulging muscles said otherwise as he subconsciously released a ferocious air.
Morris looked at him with an enigmatic expression for a moment as he led his daughter toward the entrance of the manor.
…
On the gates, stood a beautiful young lady with a handsome man welcoming the guests.
"Alice!" Kole stepped forward with a smile and bowed elegantly for her to stretch her hand so that he could give a kiss on her glove.
Alice was stunned seeing him in such a dark gaudy attire with trinkets embedded over his coat, and Caroline, who was wearing a very beautiful long gothic dress, didn't lose out to her in beauty.
Both siblings looked like a perfect match for each other… Alice thought but smiled inwardly when she recalled how the girl in front of her, could never be her competition.
"Hmph!" Remembering Kole had stopped her from coming to his house, Alice pouted a little as she ignored him and turned back to Lucy to get the gift she had specially brought for him.
Kole: "…"
"Congratulations, Heir Akerse." Morris bowed politely but didn't interfere in the children's affairs.
Coughing slightly to ease the awkwardness, Kole straightened himself and eyed Alice with profane eyes as he thought about how he would teach her for being impolite later when they were alone.
On the hand, Caroline's gaze was extremely dark.
Holding her brother's hands, the grip on Kole's fingers tightened.
"Oww ow…" Kole shot her an annoyed glance.
"What are you doing, sis?" He whispered while feigning anger.
Caroline just snorted and relaxed her grip.
"Here," Alice handed Kole the gift while pouting, pausing for a second, and finally greeted smilingly, "And Happy birthday!"
"Thank you, Can I open it?" Kole raised an eyebrow.
Alice flushed red.
Kole chuckled, seeing her expression as he guessed it might be something naughty, and helped her out to escape her embarrassment, "Ah, more guests are arriving, I'll better open it later."
"Phew~" Alice breathed a sigh of relief as the Turners' entered the manor and was guided by the servants to the ballroom.
!!!
Kole's eyes narrowed, seeing the appearance of a giant-like figure. He wore a white tuxedo and gave an air of intellect with mild brutality—Both Brains and Brawns!
When Kole saw the younger giant, he couldn't help but narrow his eyes further.
He felt a feeling of incongruity develop in the pits of his stomach.
Why does he feel so familiar to me?... was the first question that appeared in his mind as thoughts churned.
Despite tall height being a norm in many families of Treon, Kole's instinct told him this person was different from others…
Having made assumptions in his heart, Kole heard his sister's voice in his ears, "He is Otto Moore—Heir Moore."
Caroline's brows furrowed. Although she knew Kole had been the one who killed Count Moore's second son and Otto's brother, she had not reported him to the authorities.
Why would she? It wasn't her job to interfere in the political affairs of the state. And 'love makes one blind' was another reason, that she didn't want to acknowledge.
Taking a deep breath, Kole asked while whispering in her ear, "Then why compared to this son that looks like half-giant, Mark was so thin and small?"
His sister rolled her eyes, "Count's wife died while giving birth to Otto Moore. Then, the Count remarried and had another child, Mark.
"According to rumors, Count's second wife is still alive but in an extremely sickly condition because of her weak body. Maybe that is where Mark inherited his traits from."
When the tall half-giant stood in front of Kole, the temperature of the atmosphere dropped a little.
"Welcome, my wonderful guest… I have been waiting for your arrival." Kole grinned as he craned his head upward to look into Otto's deep blue eyes.
"Thank you, and Congratulations." Otto said in a gravelly tone as his eyes flashed with a glint, "I'm sorry, but Father's health isn't very well, so he couldn't make it to the ceremony. I hope you understand, Heir Akerse."
Saying so, the servant behind Otto handed Caroline a bouquet with an expensive bottle of wine. She took it gracefully and passed it on to the servants behind her.
"Of course. As long as Count Moore is healthy, I couldn't be happier." Kole's lips stretched in a meaningful smile.
Otto narrowed his eyes, feeling something off with Kole's statements, "I mean, it is a blessing for Treon to have such an expert like Count Moore."
Otto nodded. They made a small chat but refused to comment on Mark sensibly. It wasn't considered gentlemanly enough to bring the topic of dead relatives to light.
After a moment of getting acquainted, Kole gestured for Otto to enter.
As Otto was being guided by the servants to the ballroom just like other guests, he heard Kole's voice from behind.
"Praise be to whomever you believe in…" Kole's grin extended, forming a clown-like smile as his eyes flashed with a mischievous light.
Otto froze, his eyes turning into slits.