As Lupercus, the secondary male lead, did not consummate with the female protagonist in the original plot, this aspect was left unexplored.
Surrounded by the grandeur of the European-style bedroom, the only sounds breaking the silence were the gradually weakening breaths under the ambiguous dim lighting.
When Seraphelle finally regained her breath, the dawn was already approaching outside.
"Why didn't you tell me it was your first time?"
Without his glasses, Lupercus exuded a different aura, a touch of coldness in his demeanour. Leaning against the headboard, he lit a cigarette that dangled from his lips.
"Why? Did I not mention it, and now the Fourth Master shows sympathy?"
Seraphelle, still nestled under the covers due to fatigue, didn't even feel like opening her eyes.
"Heh!" Lupercus chuckled, extinguishing the cigarette in the ashtray before taking a sip of water and clearing the taste of smoke from his mouth. He then adjusted and pulled her closer to him from behind, a woman who had almost overwhelmed him several times.
"Sympathy? Of course not. Just sleep."
"Mm," Seraphelle murmured, rolling over to rest her still-rosy cheek against Lupercus's chest.
Observing her serene sleeping visage and her pristine, snow-like skin, Lupercus found the situation intriguing.
This woman was leagues beyond Lily in sophistication. For Faolan to trade quality for trash, Lupercus couldn't fathom his thoughts.
Curling the corner of his lips, Lupercus tightened his embrace around the woman, pondering Faolan's decisions and the consequences.
The next morning found Lupercus already accustomed to rising early.
Though his movements were gentle, they were enough to rouse Seraphelle from her slumber.
As Seraphelle blinked her groggy eyes open and brushed aside her dishevelled hair, Lupercus greeted her in his typical aloof manner.
"Good morning."
"Hmm, you can rest a while longer. I have matters to attend to," Lupercus stated casually.
"I'm already up. I must return home."
"Return home? Didn't the Commandant give you to me? Which home will you go to?"
"The Commandant's residence. I haven't divorced yet."
"..."
Upon hearing Seraphelle's confirmation of being married, Lupercus's movements faltered as he fixed his gaze on her, his expression turning colder.
"Married? For two years? Excuse me for finding it amusing, but the Commandant is... lacking in that aspect."
"The Commandant? Faolan? You are Faolan's..." Lupercus suddenly felt as though he had been played.
"I am his wife." Seraphelle lifted her shoulders in resignation.
"Heh, heh, heh..."
Setting aside his glasses, Lupercus began to laugh derisively.
"Are you saying that Faolan gave his wife to me to redeem Lily, that despicable woman?"
"Sir, how could you say that? What do you mean by 'giving'? I belong to myself. What does it have to do with him?" Seraphelle replied as she calmly picked up a lace bra, leisurely putting it on in front of Lupercus.
Coldly observing her, Lupercus's lips tightened into a straight line.
"Upset? Don't be."
Completed with mutual sentiments from their previous night together, Lupercus eventually released his grip, unable to see Seraphelle wince in pain.
"Your affairs with Faolan are no concern of mine, Lady of the Commandant. Please conduct yourself appropriately in the future."
Although Lupercus was not afraid of Faolan, he still needed to give the Commander some face in various matters.
Had he known that the woman before him was Faolan's wife, he would never have touched her.
Without further ado, Lupercus put on his glasses, and without glancing back at Seraphelle, he walked towards the door. Yet, reaching the doorway, Lupercus hesitated, eventually turning back to look at the woman standing innocently in place.
"What is your name?"
"Seraphelle."
"Do not let me see you again."
With that said, Lupercus finally departed.
Seraphelle bit her lip, watching the heavy door close, unable to suppress a laugh.
"To never see me again? Some things are better left unsaid too soon."
Setting aside thoughts of Lupercus, Seraphelle donned her clothes, tidied her hair, and gracefully exited Spring Mountain Pavilion.
Inside a parked car where the driver had spent the night sleeping, Seraphelle tapped on the window, then opened the door.
Upon seeing Lady Seraphelle emerge, the once-drowsy driver immediately perked up.
"Madam."
"Return to the Commandant's residence."
Glancing at Seraphelle's slightly weary appearance in the rearview mirror, the driver dared not inquire further, swiftly driving away from the scene.
Meanwhile, within the study, Lupercus gazed out through the French windows at the departing car, his eyes gradually turning darker. Seraphelle had piqued his interest.
Soon enough, the car arrived at the Commandant's residence.
Stepping out of the vehicle, a young maid named Cherry hurried out.
"Miss, you've finally returned! How are you? Are you alright?"
Cherry, Seraphelle's lady-in-waiting, inquired with concern.
"I'm quite fine. Please prepare a bath for me upstairs. I'd like to freshen up."
"Of course."
Watching Seraphelle's calm demeanour, Cherry, though worried, refrained from probing further.
Subsequently, Seraphelle entered the grand living room of the Commandant's residence. Once inside, she immediately spotted Faolan seated on the sofa, holding a pale-faced Lily in his arms.
"Commandant, Lady Seraphelle hasn't returned yet. Could there be any danger? I think I should go back..." Lily's voice wavered, interrupted by fits of coughing, her distress evident.
"Even if she dies for you, what difference will it make? She's so malicious, yet you still care for her! Lily, you are truly naive," Faolan remarked reproachfully, enfolding Lily in his arms and patting her shoulder consolingly.
With folded arms, Seraphelle watched from a distance, observing the scene unfold.