Fars found himself questioning the depth of his own plans. Had he underestimated Yuna to the point where she could see through him so easily? He began to reflect on his scheming abilities and realized there were indeed many shortcomings. For starters, on his very first day in Nordan, the young lady had fallen into such a predicament, and it was all too coincidental that only he could save her. After a few days, the count's family would surely start to harbor doubts. Fortunately, the commotion caused by Fars's spell had spread throughout the city, and everyone was abuzz with the news of the miraculous events at the count's estate. The Rao Er family was still basking in the joy of their daughter's recovery, and the incident with Miss Lilith was being viewed as a mere coincidence, with the powerful sorcerer effortlessly driving away the vengeful spirit.
Regardless of the potential flaws in his plan regarding Lilith, Fars was determined to take her away. After all, he was now her savior. During dinner, he would find an opportunity to discuss this with the count. Surely, the count would want his daughter to become a respected mage, especially one who would be a direct disciple of a sorcerer.
Fars had even thought of a pseudonym for himself—Perugino. This way, when he interacted with the count's family, he could avoid revealing the name Fars de Hill, which had already attracted the attention of many. The badge he wore was indeed that of Perugino, and if the count's family ever sought their daughter, they would have to look far away in the distant Mirio Empire.
While Fars and Yuna rested quietly in their guest room, the count's estate was bustling with activity. Not only were friends and relatives visiting to check on Lilith's recovery, but many nobles, even those with less favorable relations with Count Rao Er, came to admire the snow-covered estate. By that afternoon, hundreds of guests had arrived. Fortunately, as the lord of Nordan, Count Rao Er's estate was quite large, and the gardens and reception areas could accommodate all the visitors. With their daughter saved, the count was overjoyed and immediately ordered a grand banquet to celebrate, with Fars and the rescued Lilith as the main guests of honor.
The customs and culture of this small principality were indeed fascinating. When Fars had arrived, he had missed any festive celebrations and had only experienced the mundane aspects of daily life, making it difficult for him to fully appreciate the charm of the place. As a bard might sing, "If you haven't experienced love in this city, you can never truly savor its true allure."
The entire city of Nordan became busier due to the count's lavish banquet. With a population of only a few tens of thousands, inviting hundreds of nobles—along with their families—was no small feat. Essentially, every notable family in Nordan received an invitation. Consequently, the procurement of various food and supplies for the banquet stimulated the entire city's economy. Nobles attending the banquet, especially to celebrate the recovery of the lord's daughter, would surely bring gifts. Such a gathering was also an opportunity for young nobles to showcase their talents and for young ladies to display their beauty.
As the nobles celebrated, adventurous spirits and ordinary townsfolk were not to be outdone. Perhaps seeking to relieve the pressure they felt from Fars's earlier display of magic, taverns and inns were filled to capacity, with patrons exchanging stories of the day's events. The drunken men were particularly uninhibited, sharing crude jokes that elicited hearty laughter. Those who had witnessed the miraculous snowfall outside the count's estate stood on tables, animatedly recounting their experiences, surrounded by a crowd of eager listeners holding large tankards. If Fars had been there to hear their tales, he would have been too embarrassed to admit they were speaking of him. In their accounts, the events at the count's estate were almost elevated to the status of miracles. It was undeniable that Fars's flashy exorcism, focused solely on effect, was more readily accepted than a formal exorcism conducted by a bishop. For a time, the entire city of Nordan buzzed with discussions about this topic.
Outside one of the guest rooms in the count's estate, the anxious steward awaited Fars and Yuna's emergence. Since Fars had previously ordered that no one disturb them, the old steward had no choice but to wait outside. As one of the main guests, it would be ideal to invite him to the banquet.
The steward, who was supposed to oversee the banquet, had to take on the task of attending to the sorcerer, as the count was unable to wait on him himself. Having met Fars twice, the old steward guessed that a sorcerer of such stature would likely refuse to attend such gatherings. However, proper etiquette had to be observed, especially since Fars had saved the count's daughter.
After a long afternoon of waiting, the door finally opened, causing the steward to feel a surge of excitement. It was Yuna who stepped out, having come to relay a message from Fars. The steward had been waiting outside since Fars had entered meditation, and to assert his status, Fars had chosen to ignore him for a while, making him wait for quite some time.
"My master is still in meditation. Please prepare some food and bring it back," Yuna instructed the steward.
"Of course, I will prepare it immediately. But may I ask this young lady…" The steward hesitated, unsure how to address Yuna. Her earlier demeanor had hinted at a certain pride, leaving him uncertain about her relationship with the sorcerer. Although she referred to Fars as her master, her appearance, especially her luxurious attire, suggested she was not an ordinary attendant or maid.
"Just call me Yuna," she replied coolly.
The steward took the opportunity to express his gratitude, "I hope you can convey Count Rao Er's thanks. Tonight, the count is hosting a grand banquet for the sorcerer and Miss Lilith, and we hope the esteemed sorcerer will grace us with his presence."
"My master has said he will not attend tonight's banquet. He has exhausted his magical energy during the day and cannot make it," Yuna conveyed Fars's message after a moment.
After sending the steward away, Yuna returned to the room and immediately changed her demeanor, reaching out her hand toward Fars. "Are you satisfied now? A hundred gold coins, please. Otherwise, I'll expose your little trick."
Unfortunately for Yuna, instead of a heavy bag of gold, she received a magical core radiating a soft glow. Fars then said, "My dear little Yuna, this magical core should be enough for your salary for the entire year. Everything you wear and eat, isn't it all paid for by me? You little temptress, be careful, or I might just eat you up."
Satisfied, Yuna tucked the magical core into her ring and playfully jumped into Fars's arms, teasingly asking, "How exactly do you plan to eat me?" She pressed her softness against him, writhing enticingly.
"You're the one tempting me, little enchantress. Don't blame me if I take advantage of you," Fars replied, finally giving in to the moment and embracing Yuna.
…
After experiencing Fars's tender touch, Yuna appeared even more alluring, exuding the essence of a mature woman. To Fars's surprise, it was Yuna's first time. Once he sat up, he affectionately pulled her into his embrace, saying, "My little Yuna, this is your first time, isn't it?"
"What do you think? In the end, it's still you who benefits, you big pervert," Yuna playfully bit Fars before letting her fingers trace circles on his chest, shyly asking, "So, you'll take responsibility for me, right?"
"Of course! My dearest little Yuna, you must always be my woman," Fars replied, showering her with sweet words, knowing that indulging her wouldn't cost him anything.
With Fars's assurance, Yuna finally mustered the courage to voice her concerns. "Just don't treat Lilith too well after you've taken her away."
A hint of jealousy filled the room, revealing her fear of Fars favoring Lilith in the future. It was no wonder she had offered herself up tonight. With their relationship now established, Fars began to genuinely place Yuna in his heart. Perhaps they hadn't ignited the flames of love just yet; after all, Fars didn't believe that true love could blossom in just a few days. Regardless of Yuna's intentions, she was the first woman to willingly surrender herself to him after he became a vampire, and this bond was something Fars would not forget.
The night of passion soon passed, leaving both Fars and Yuna exhausted. After a long period of restraint, they reluctantly dressed. They could no longer hide away in the room; for the sake of the yet-to-be-won Lilith, Fars needed to gather his spirits and continue playing his part. With Yuna reassured that Fars wouldn't dote on Lilith, she felt much more at ease and was ready to cooperate with him in the act. As for whether she truly believed Fars's promise, she thought that compared to Lilith, she had her own advantages and was confident she could keep Fars, the lecherous sorcerer, captivated.