NOVEL NEXT Chapter 233: No Improvement At All
Aisha's tail flicked with restless energy as the group stood before Cassius's imposing desk, her eyes darting to Skadi, who seemed uncharacteristically subdued.
Aisha nudged her sharply, her voice a low hiss. "Hey, mutt, what's with you? You look like you know something. Spill it what's going on?"
Skadi glanced at Aisha, her ears twitching, but she shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. But before Aisha could press further, Cassius's voice cut through the room.
"Captain Julie." He said, leaning back in his chair, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. "What a pleasant surprise to see you today. I wasn't expecting you, especially with...other matters keeping me occupied." His smile was warm, but there was a calculated edge to it, as if he were savoring some private jest.
Julie, standing tall tilted her head slightly. "If this is a bad time, Young Master, we can return later." She said, her voice steady, though a faint crease of concern crossed her brow. "I know we're on a tight schedule, but—"
Cassius waved a hand dismissively, his smile widening. "No need, no need." He said, his tone almost too casual. "I've managed my affairs for the moment." He lingered on the word 'managed' his eyes locking onto Julie's with a knowing glint that made her pause, a flicker of confusion passing through her steely gaze. "We can speak freely now. I'm all yours."
He then leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his gaze deepening as he studied Julie.
"You know..." He said, his voice dropping to a softer, almost intimate cadence. "Everyone call you the Whispering Blade since that's the one only sound your enemies hear when you're slicing through their limbs, but I think that's far too...violent for someone like you. Too cold." He tilted his head, his eyes tracing her features with unabashed admiration. "They should call you something else, perhaps 'The Maiden Who Grows More Radiant Each Day', since every time I see you, Julie, I swear you're more beautiful than the last."
"...Other women age, their charm fades, but you? You only grow more striking, as if time itself is in awe of you."
Julie's composure faltered, just for a moment. Her cheeks warmed, a faint flush creeping up her neck, though she fought to keep her expression neutral.
Compliments were rare for her, noblemen, intimidated by her reputation and the sword at her hip, seldom dared to speak so boldly. So, Cassius's words, delivered with such casual confidence, caught her off guard, stirring a shy warmth she wasn't accustomed to feeling.
She cleared her throat, her voice steady but softer than usual. "You're too kind, Young Master." She said, her eyes flicking away briefly before returning to his. "But we're here on serious business."
Aisha, standing to Julie's left, rolled her eyes so hard her ears twitched.
'Playboy.' She thought, her tail giving an Irritated lash. 'Can't believe women fall for this nonsense.' She crossed her arms, her claws tapping against the leather-bound book, her indignation simmering.
But when Cassius's gaze shifted to her, her breath caught, and she found herself straightening slightly, her fingers fidgeting behind her back.
Some small, traitorous part of her expected, maybe even hoped for a compliment, something to match the flattery he'd lavished on Julie. Her amber eyes met his, wide and expectant, her tail stilling in anticipation.
But to her shock, Cassius's eyes for some reason flicked downward, lingering on her chest with an almost clinical scrutiny. He then tilted his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
"Well, Aisha." He said, his voice laced with mock sympathy. "I hate to say it, but there's been...no improvement since I last saw you." He gestured vaguely toward her modest figure, his tone teasing. "Don't be discouraged, though. One day, you might just become...adequate up there."
Aisha's face blazed crimson, her ears flattening as her tail puffed up like a storm cloud. Her claws dug into the book, and her teeth gritted so hard they squeaked. "You—!" She sputtered, her voice trembling with humiliated fury. "You absolute—!" She took a step forward, looking ready to leap across the desk and claw that smug grin off his face.
Before she could, Cassius raised a hand, his smirk widening. "Now, now, don't take it personally." He said, his tone infuriatingly cheerful. "I could even offer you a massage later to...help things along, you know. Purely out of the goodness of my heart."
Aisha's eyes widened, her blush deepening as she choked on her outrage. "You dare!" She hissed, her voice rising to a near-shriek. She lunged forward, claws extended, only for Julie's firm hand to clamp onto her shoulder, pulling her back.
"Enough, Aisha." Julie said, her voice low and commanding, though a hint of amusement flickered in her eyes. "Don't let him bait you."
Aisha glared at Cassius, her chest heaving, but she stayed put, her tail lashing furiously. Cassius chuckled, clearly delighted by her reaction, before his gaze shifted to Skadi, who had been unusually quiet, her eyes fixed on the floor.
"And you, my lovable little pup." He said, his voice softening into a warm, almost affectionate tone. He patted his thigh, beckoning her over. "Come here, Skadi, You know you love your headpats. Let's get those ears scratched, hmm?"
Skadi's ears twitched, but to everyone's surprise, she didn't move.
Normally, she'd bound over with a wagging tail, eager for Cassius's affection. Instead, she stood rooted to the spot, her gaze shy and hesitant, her tail tucked slightly as if the very spot where Cassius sat held some forbidden secret. She fidgeted with her fish, her fingers tightening around it, and gave a small, nervous shake of her head.
Seeing this, Cassius's eyes narrowed, his sly smile returning as he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.
"Oh?" He said, his voice low and teasing. "What's this, Skadi? You know something, don't you? Something about what's going on in this room?"
Skadi's cheeks flushed, her eyes darting to the side as she nodded, a tiny, reluctant bob of her head and in response Cassius's smile widened, and he pressed a finger to his lips, his eyes glinting with mischief.
"Shh." He said softly, his voice almost a whisper. "Keep it quiet, pup. Our little secret, hmm?"
Skadi nodded again, her ears drooping as she clutched her fish tighter, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor and both Julie and Aisha understood that whatever Skadi knew, whatever Cassius was hiding, it was clear they wouldn't get answers by pushing now.
He then leaned forward in his chair, his sharp eyes locking onto his final target of intrest Wayne with a sudden firmness that shifted the room's atmosphere.
"Lord Wayne." He said, his tone carrying a hint of surprise, though his smile remained unshaken. "I wasn't expecting you today. This isn't your usual time for our...scheduled appointments, is it?"
He turned slightly, glancing at Isabelle, who stood at his left. "Isabelle, has Lord Wayne submitted the patriarch's reports as required?"
Isabelle nodded, her expressive eyes darting briefly to the desk or perhaps beneath it, her gaze lingering there for a fraction of a second longer than necessary. "Yes, Young Master." She said, her voice soft but clear. "The reports were submitted and recorded, as always. They're...on the desk." Her words were precise, but her glance downward hinted at something unspoken, a secret hidden in the shadows of the room.
Cassius nodded, his eyes narrowing as he turned back to Wayne, who stood with his shoulders slumped, his haggard face etched with exhaustion.
"If the reports are already handled...." Cassius said, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "...then why are you here, Wayne? Surely you didn't come all this way for a friendly chat."
His gaze was dominant, pinning Wayne in place. The older man's eyes dropped to the floor, his hands clenching briefly at his sides, as if he felt the weight of Cassius's authority pressing down on him, a reminder of the power the Young Master wielded over everyone in the room.
Cassius leaned back, his smile returning but with a calculating glint. "Come now, Wayne. Out with it. What brings you to my office unannounced? And let's make this quick, Captain Julie seems to have urgent business, and I'd hate to keep her waiting." His eyes flicked to Julie, a brief spark of amusement in them, before retuming to Wayne.
Wayne's throat bobbed, his voice low but steady as he met Cassius's gaze. "I don't wish to delay the captain either, Young Master." He said, his tone measured but heavy with unspoken weight. He glanced around the room, his swollen eyes taking in Isabelle, Portia, and the trio of the Holy Guard. "But...might we speak privately? The matter I've come to discuss is...delicate."
But in response, Cassius only chuckled, a low, rich sound that filled the room with an unsettling warmth. He shook his head, his smile widening.
"Privately? Oh, Wayne, there's no need for that." He gestured expansively, his hand sweeping toward Isabelle and Portia, who stood like loyal sentinels: at his sides. "Everyone here is family, in one way or another. These two..." He nodded toward the maids, his voice softening with a possessive warmth. "...are my women, my loyal companions. They love me as fiercely as I love them. There's nothing I can't share with them."
Isabelle's cheeks flushed a soft pink, her eyes sparkling with quiet joy at his words, while Portia adjusted her glasses, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Cassius's gaze lingered on them, his tone turning playful. "In fact, they love me so much they can't help themselves. They're always stealing kisses, even in front of strangers." He shot them a sly, knowing look, his eyebrow arching as if issuing a challenge.
Hearing this Isabelle's eyes widened for a second, before a shy giggle escaped her lips as she glanced at Julie and the others, her cheeks reddening further. Portia, ever composed, adjusted her glasses again, her expression calm but her eyes glinting with affection.
And then, without hesitation, Isabelle leaned down, her lips brushing Cassius's right cheek in a quick, tender kiss, Portia followed suit, her movements precise as she pressed a soft kiss to his left cheek before stepping back, her posture impeccable.
"Kiss!♡~"
"Kiss!♡~"
Both maids returned to their positions, their faces glowing with a quiet, loving pride, as if kissing their master in front of guests was the most natural thing in the world.
Julie averted her gaze, her lips pressing into a thin line to hide her discomfort at the brazen display. Aisha, however, couldn't contain herself. Her tail lashed furiously, her teeth grinding as she muttered under her breath. "Ugh, he's so lovey-dovey right in front of us. Shameless!" Her eyes blazed with indignation, though a faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her lingering embarrassment from Cassius's earlier teasing.
Cassius's gaze then shifted to the trio, his smile unwavering. "And these three..." He said, gesturing to Julle, Aisha, and Skadi. "...are my trusted aides. You know that, Wayne. There are no secrets between us. So, whatever you have to say, you can say it here, in front of everyone." His tone was light, but there was an undercurrent of command, a reminder that he held the room in his grip.
Wayne's shoulders sagged further, his tired eyes meeting Cassius's with a resigned weariness. He then sighed, a heavy, bone-deep sound like he had no other choice, and ran a hand through his graying hair.
"Very well, my lord..." He said, his voice low but steady and then looked at Cassius with a gaze full of resolve. "...I've come to discuss the matter about wife and daughter, Diana and Vivi."
The moment those words were uttered, the room froze, the air growing heavy with tension.
Aisha's ears perked up. This is it, she thought, her tail stilling as she leaned forward slightly, her eyes darting between Wayne and Cassius. Julie's but her lips, her expression unreadable but alert, while Skadi's eyes widened, her fish dangling forgotten in her hand.
The moment of confrontation had arrived, and the weight of it pressed down on everyone.
But Cassius, to everyone's surprise, didn't flinch. His smile remained, calm and unshaken, as if Wayne's words were no more troubling than a passing breeze.
"Your wife and daughter." He repeated, his voice smooth and careless. "Yes, I've heard there are...rumors circulating about them. Quite the stories, aren't they?" He turned to Portia, his tone almost playful. "Portia, my dear, would you mind reminding us what those rumors say?"
Portia glanced around around the room, as she spoke with measured precision. "The rumors claim, Young Master, that you....abducted Lady Diana and her daughter Vivi from their happy family. That you've locked them away in a prison room somewhere in this mansion." She paused, her voice steady but her eyes flicking briefly to Wayne, as if gauging his reaction. "They say you're treating them as...sex slaves, whose sole purpose is to satisfy your desires."
The bluntness of her words hung in the air, unapologetic and raw. Aisha's jaw dropped, her tail puffing up as she stared at Portia, then at Cassius, expecting him to deny it, to dismiss the rumors as baseless gossip.
Julie's eyes narrowed, her posture stiffening, while Wayne's hands clenched at his sides, his swollen eyes burning with a quiet, desperate intensity.
Aisha waited her heart pounding, certain Cassius would laugh it off, assure Wayne the rumors were nonsense, and send him on his way. After all, with his power, he could dismiss Wayne's concerns with a wave of his hand, and Wayne, as his subordinate, would have no choice but to accept it.
But to her and everyone's disbelief, Cassius didn't deny it. Instead, he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the desk, his sharp eyes locking onto Wayne's with an unflinching intensity.
His smile widened, not with mockery but with a calm, almost chilling confidence.
"You know, Wayne..." He said, his voice low and deliberate. "...the rumors aren't entirely wrong. It's true. I do have your wife and daughter. Right here in my home."
"...What exactly are you going to do about it?"