As a villain, he could do whatever he wanted.

Page 178

Looking at her daughter, Aurora's smile softened, but her tone left no room for refusal: "Since you, Sophia, have so much prejudice against Lius, then go and see for yourself. See for yourself whether he is the person you imagine. It's much better than you just listening to rumors and making wild guesses here, isn't it?"

"No! Please, Mother, this is the only thing I can't do, I won't go!"

Sophia refused almost reflexively. To go see that playboy she utterly despised? It was worse than having to carry out another failed transport mission. "Mother! I...I failed this mission, causing losses to the caravan! I must stay and make amends! I...I will stay in the camp's workshop these next few days, focusing on my gem-synthesis magic! If I can create a flawless magic gem like last time, the value of just one would be enough to buy ten broken carriages! I must!"

"Focusing on researching gem synthesis magic?"

Upon hearing this, Aurora's eyes lit up, as if she had been waiting for these words for a long time. She immediately interrupted her daughter, leaning forward slightly, a cunning glint in her eyes.

“Ha, Sophia, I’m so glad you had this idea, it makes it even harder for me to refuse to take you with me.” “What do you mean?” Sophia had a very bad feeling. “It’s a very simple thing, Sophia, have you forgotten? The young master Lius we’re going to visit later, what’s he most interested in? Magic, isn’t it?”

Upon hearing this, Sophia's pupils contracted slightly, and she immediately realized what her mother wanted to say.

Meanwhile, Aurora, seeing her daughter's stunned expression, smiled mischievously and continued her story:

"This technique, which transforms ordinary crystals into flawless magical gems, is an extremely rare, even unique, form of magic. Many are interested in its stable magical structure and elemental purification process, especially Prince Leus. Ever since I mentioned you to him last time, he's been eagerly anticipating meeting you."

"What! Mother, you... you spread the word about me?" Sophia asked in surprise.

"Of course, he is very interested in this and hopes to have a good talk with you about magic. Sophia, you should make the most of this rare opportunity. Lius is also very accomplished in magic. Exchanging ideas with him will definitely help you improve your magic."

With that, Aurora stood up, walked back to Sophia, gently patted her shoulder, and gave her final, irrefutable conclusion.

"So, Sophia, this visit is an absolutely precious opportunity for you, and you must seize it, not only for the benefit of the caravan, but also for your own magical future. What do you say? Are you willing to go with your mother now?"

"My words completely blocked all of Sofia's escape routes."

Overwhelmed by inner turmoil, Sofia's shoulders slumped limply. She had lost all reason to refute, and could only reluctantly squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth.

“…I understand, Mother. I…I will go with you.” “Ah, that’s right, my good daughter.”

With Sophia's consent, Aurora smiled contentedly, gently stroking Sophia's soft hair, her eyes filled with boundless anticipation for the future.

Chapter 413: A Visit to a Nobleman (Part 1)

The following morning, at the Florence residence.

"Ah, the weather is really nice today."

A yawning sound and a sigh came from Lius's room. Sunlight streamed through the huge French windows, and wine spilled onto the floor and mattress, bathing Lius's room in a warm golden light.

Bathed in sunlight, the blond boy leaned comfortably against the soft chair, holding a cup of still-steaming black tea in his hands, its delicate aroma soothing and refreshing.

At this moment, Lius quietly enjoyed this rare tranquility that belonged to the early morning.

After spending time with the System yesterday, he gained a deeper understanding of this "goddess" who was always by his side, and he cherished this wonderful connection even more. Now, taking advantage of this free time to reminisce, Lius was immersed in a unique flow state, which was very comfortable.

Just as Leus closed his eyes to rest, a light knock on the door suddenly broke his thoughts. "Oh? Please come in."

After a slight greeting, the door opened, and a young maid dressed in a black and white maid outfit entered. She spoke softly to Lius, "Young master, a carriage belonging to the Aurora Caravan has arrived outside the manor gate. Lady Aurora requests a visit." "Oh? Lady Aurora?"

Lius was momentarily surprised by Aurora's sudden visit, but he quickly recovered, a gentle smile appearing on his face. He stood up, nodded, and straightened his collar.

"I understand. I'll go to the door to greet you personally." "Yes, Master."

Following behind the maid, Lius strode quickly through the long corridor and the spacious foyer, a sense of anticipation filling his heart.

Ever since rescuing the Aurora caravan's wagon yesterday, Lius has had a strange premonition that something is going to happen today.

Now it seems his premonition was correct; he also had a feeling that Aurora's sudden visit today was definitely not for a simple purpose. Meanwhile, outside the mansion, inside the elegantly decorated carriage bearing the caravan emblem of the Aurora Merchants, a different scene was unfolding.

With her lips slightly pursed, Sophia leaned back in her chair, sitting upright with her hands tightly gripping the hem of her skirt. The fabric was wrinkled by her nervous hands, and looking at her cheeks, one could see an abnormal blush caused by embarrassment.

At this moment, overwhelmed by guilt, Sofia's gaze was fixed on the carpet in front of her, and she didn't dare to look up at her mother, who was leisurely sipping tea beside her.

The main reason she felt ashamed was Sofia's attire at that moment.

The outfit she was wearing was the most embarrassing thing she had ever worn in her life. It was an extremely daring, modified short skirt that barely reached the top of her thighs. With the slightest movement, the skirt would lift up, revealing more of her leg skin, making it look very bold and lewd.

What she found most unbearable was the pair of sheer black stockings she was wearing.

The translucent black stockings tightly covered every inch of her skin from her thighs to her ankles, perfectly outlining her long, beautiful legs—straight, shapely, and fair—that had been honed by years of traveling with caravans.

This attire was completely different from her usual formal, simple, and practical caravan clothing—a world apart. Its sole purpose was to showcase the female form to the fullest extent, filled with undisguised seduction. "My mother Sophia's voice was barely audible, tinged with pleading," she said. "I...I really have to go on this visit dressed like this? This...this is utterly shameful."

"Shameful? I don't think so. This is precisely the highest level of etiquette." Aurora's voice was earnest, as if it were truly a matter of etiquette that had to be observed. "Trust me, Lis will love to see you like this. Just relax."

These words were like adding fuel to the fire, making Soya's cheeks burn even hotter.

She understood the deeper meaning behind her mother's words. This outfit wasn't for any business meeting at all, but rather a completely despicable attempt to please her utterly rude "fiancé," whom she had never met.

The thought of being dressed in such a shameful outfit, about to meet the legendary, morally questionable "playboy," made Sophia feel dizzy. She felt less like a member of a caravan on a business trip and more like a gift carefully wrapped by her mother and about to be presented to him.

Just as she was deep in thought, the maids slowly approached the carriage, seemingly greeting the two inside. "Ms. Aurora, the young master is about to arrive. Please alight from the carriage."

"Oh? So fast? It seems Lius cares about us a lot. Let's go, Sophia."

Looking at the maids, Aurora smiled, gracefully adjusted her skirt, and calmly prepared to get out of the car.

"Remember, when you see Lius later, make sure you get along well with him and don't let the conversation fall flat, okay?" "Okay, I understand," Sophia said, her lips moving as her heart began to race uncontrollably with the opening of the car door. Once the door was fully open, she took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions and prepare for this awkward meeting that she couldn't escape.

Outside the car, Lius had already arrived at the gate of the mansion. Today, he was wearing a well-tailored white casual suit with gold thread embroidering low-key and exquisite patterns on the collar and cuffs. The sunlight shone on his gentle profile, making him look handsome and mild, without any of the slickness and extravagance of a playboy that Sophia had imagined.

As the car door opened, Aurora stepped out gracefully, greeting the blond boy outside with her usual warm and welcoming smile.

"Good morning, Lius. Are you surprised by our unexpected visit?"

"Haha, of course I'm very surprised! Seeing you, Ms. Aurora, is the happiest thing for me. Come in, come in! I haven't had breakfast yet, let's eat together."

The two greeted each other warmly yet ambiguously, while Sophia was having her final internal struggle inside the carriage.

Knowing she could no longer delay, she gritted her teeth, held down her pitifully short skirt, and carefully extended one leg, stepping onto the ground.

When her beautifully shaped legs, encased in black stockings, were exposed to the morning sunlight, Leus's gaze was instinctively drawn to them. Then, the petite figure of a young girl, exuding tension and resistance, appeared before him in its entirety.

At that very moment, Sophia finally mustered the courage to raise her head. Her gaze met Lius's unexpectedly in mid-air.

Time seemed to freeze for a split second. "Hmm?" Sophia's pupils contracted to their maximum size in an instant.

The boy in front of me had soft blond hair and a gentle, sincere smile on his face that could easily disarm anyone.

His appearance was much more refreshing and handsome than she had imagined. But that wasn't the point.

The key point is that this refreshing demeanor and this composed manner both felt strangely familiar. "You're from Lius's side," he said, a perfectly measured expression of appreciation appearing on his face as he prepared to ask further questions.

Upon hearing Lius's voice again, Sophia's eyes widened in shock, and her heart pounded faster. She would never forget that voice.

It was exactly the same voice as the mysterious magician who came from outside the carriage last night when she was most helpless, offering her help and encouragement!

"How could this be? How could this happen?" Faced with this scene unfolding before her eyes, Sophia was completely stunned, as if struck by lightning. Countless shocks reverberated violently in Sophia's mind, turning all her thoughts into a charred ruin. She just stood there, dumbfounded, her mouth agape, unable to utter a single word. She even forgot that she was wearing a shameful short skirt and forgot that she was about to introduce herself to Lius. In her world, only a huge, absurd, and unacceptable fact remained.

When Lius saw Sophia's face, which was filled with shock and disbelief, he also felt a slight sense of familiarity with the girl in front of him. It wasn't a familiarity in appearance, but rather a feeling.

Especially her clear, doe-like eyes, now wide with shock, stirred a strange, familiar feeling within him.

"Could it be that a thought was echoing in the boy's mind, a very strong premonition, but he did not show it, and just continued to scrutinize the black-haired girl in front of him.

If I'm not mistaken, the girl following Aurora in front of me is the adopted daughter that Aurora mentioned earlier, the one who can create flawless gems.

At this moment, standing in front of him, looking at this trembling, black-haired girl, Lius felt that she seemed to be much cuter than he had imagined.

Sophia's face looked somewhat youthful, and she was a head shorter than Lius, appearing quite petite. In particular, the blushing expression on her face, a mixture of shock and shyness, created a wonderful contrast with her appearance, making one feel a sense of tenderness.

"Havie smiled, and Lius finished scrutinizing the girl. Then he gently bowed and performed a noble greeting to Sophia in front of him."

"Hello, Miss, my name is Leus Frenn. It's a pleasure to meet you." Meanwhile, Sophia, faced with the young man's polite and handsome gentlemanly demeanor, stared blankly, then instinctively imitated Leus's actions, introducing herself as well:

"I am... Sophia, a member of the caravan, and the daughter of Aurora, the caravan leader. It is an honor to meet... to meet you, Young Master Lius." Hearing his daughter's hesitant introduction, Aurora, standing beside him, took in the entire scene. A slight smile played on her lips, revealing a hint of anticipation and a deeper meaning in her expression regarding their upcoming interaction.

Chapter 414: A Visit to the Nobles (Part Two)

Some time later, in the reception room.

"Hmm... So... Ms. Aurora and Miss Sophia came here today to discuss... the matter of the marriage alliance?" Yes, yes, how about it? Lius, you already knew what I was thinking, didn't you? In that case, could you give a suitable answer? I'm really looking forward to it.

Looking at Lius, Aurora revealed a meaningful smile, looking elegant and charming, while Lius, after listening to Aurora's story, nodded slightly, his eyes revealing a thoughtful expression.

At this moment, in the spacious reception room, the three sat silently on a bench. Aurora and Sophia sat on one side, while Lius sat alone opposite them, talking to them.

Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, casting dappled patterns of light on the carpet, creating a bright and immersive atmosphere. The air was filled with the rich aroma of black tea, along with a faint fragrance of flowers wafting from the courtyard, blending into the room and making the reception room feel tranquil and elegant.

This peaceful atmosphere was fully imprinted in Sophia's mind, forming a stark contrast to the tangled mess in the black-haired girl's heart.

Previously, Aurora had impeccably and intimately informed Leus of the purpose of her visit that day—the engagement between Leus and Sophia—and then introduced Sophia to Leus, telling him about the young man's "fiancée" so that he could learn about her as soon as possible.

"This is Sophia. You met her earlier, Lius. She is a very good girl, and I have always been proud of her. I believe you will also have a deep impression of her later..." The young woman's words were very gentle, containing both praise for her daughter and praise for Lius himself, as if she were specifically recommending Sophia. Every move she made carried a very obvious and undisguised purpose.

Throughout Aurora's introduction, Lius maintained a polite demeanor, listening quietly and occasionally taking a sip of his tea, further demonstrating his gentlemanly manners.

Sofia saw all of this, which only added to her astonishment at the young nobleman.

“This young master Lius… his manners and attitude are flawless, he seems very composed, and he also has a mature air about him…” Sophia thought to herself as she gazed at Lius. Then she turned her head slightly to look at Aurora, who was sitting beside her with a warm smile. She also thought about her mother in her mind.

"Mother seems to think highly of Prince Lius, and their relationship seems quite good. Although Mother already had a close relationship with the Fren family and even went to do many transactions with Prince Lius on her own, their current appearance... doesn't it seem a bit too intimate?" Such thoughts appeared in the girl's mind, making Sophia feel anxious. She stared at Aurora again, and that feeling of anxiety became more and more obvious.

Especially when she saw Aurora's delicate hand resting on her full breasts and the affectionate smile she gave Lius, a strange sense of unease arose in Sophia's heart, causing her to purse her lips to suppress this feeling of restlessness.

Finally, after Aurora had told her everything she wanted to say, the reins naturally returned to the room's owner, Lius.

Leus swallowed the last drop of tea, then gently lowered his arm, placing the teacup he had picked up between his fingers back onto the saucer with a soft, crisp sound. He then looked intently at Sophia and Aurora, seemingly lost in thought as well. For a moment, the room fell into a brief silence.

The two stared at each other, waiting for someone to break the silence. After about a minute, someone finally spoke.

"What's wrong, Lius? Is there something else you need to consider? No need to consider it. It's normal for nobles to have several marriages, especially for a noble young master like you, Lius. It's not an exaggeration to have many partners. If you're worried that Sophia is unwilling, you can rest assured and leave it to me. I will definitely make sure things go smoothly."

In the quiet atmosphere, sensing Lius's thoughtful expression, Aurora, seemingly to break the slightly stiff atmosphere, gently moved forward, getting close to Lius and asking him with a smile. This question caused Sophia, who was standing to the side, to lower her eyes slightly and shake Aurora's arm in a flustered manner.

"Mother, this...this kind of thing...I..." Ha, just kidding. Actually, Prince Leus is very considerate of his companions. Even if it were like I just said, with Sophia by his side to serve him, Prince Leus would take good care of you. I can guarantee that, so Sophia, you don't need to be afraid. And...I'll also guide you."

Faced with her mother's ambiguous expression, Sophia felt the confusion in her mind deepen, and a sense of unease emanated from her eyes.

She couldn't understand why her usually capable and sarcastic mother had become so... infatuated, constantly trying to sell herself to the blond boy in front of her, as if she had some deeper purpose. It was like a strange kind of coquetry that made the black-haired young woman show such an expectant and eager attitude.

As for Leus, faced with Aurora's meaningful words, he didn't immediately respond to the dark-haired woman. Instead, he turned his gentle and deep eyes, as calm as the night sky, to Sophia, who had been almost curled up in a ball since the beginning. He stared at Sophia and slowly spoke:

“Miss Sophia.” “Ah, yes, I am here.”

The sudden sound reached Sophia's ears, startling her. She turned her head to look at Lius and instinctively answered.

Seeing the girl suddenly tense up like a frightened kitten, Leus couldn't help but chuckle. He then resumed his mature and reliable expression and asked the black-haired girl:

"Don't be nervous, Miss Sophia. I just want to ask you a few things, nothing too serious, just relax." A...a few things to ask me? Sophia's eyes welled up, and she instinctively repeated the sentence.

"Yes, that's right. I want to ask you. What are your thoughts on the proposal Ms. Aurora just made? Are you willing to agree to this marriage?"

Chapter 415: A Visit to the Nobles (Part 3)

"What are your thoughts on Ms. Aurora's suggestion, Miss Sofia? Are you willing to agree to this marriage?"

As he spoke, Lius's voice sounded calm and gentle, carrying a strange sense of reassurance, as if he were comforting a girl next door, or giving her the courage to express her feelings. This made Sophia's eyes widen again, and her heart skipped a beat.

It was at this moment that Sophia confirmed once again that the voice was the same one that had given her back her confidence from despair in the wilderness yesterday, and the blond boy in front of her was the same magician who filled her with respect and excitement.

"Let out a slow breath, calming herself down a bit. Sophia continued to look at Lius, reconsidering the question he had just raised."

The question of whether or not she was willing to agree to this alliance was like a pebble thrown into the turbulent lake of her heart, causing Sofia's already turbulent thoughts to completely lose their composure and become chaotic and turbulent.

What are her thoughts on this issue?

To be honest, Sofia herself had no idea what to do, neither about her own future nor about the blond boy in front of her.

Before this border crossing, if she were merely a member of a caravan, she could have listed a hundred reasons, without hesitation and with righteous indignation, to refuse this absurd marriage.

If I were to marry such a young man, who knows what tragic things might happen? He might just lose interest in me after toying with me and abandon me. I would never do such a thing!

Prior to this, these thoughts had been swirling in Sophia's mind, and she had always held them as her stance on the marriage. Ever since she learned that her mother wanted to marry her off to the Fren family, she had steadfastly adhered to them in order to safeguard and protect her own dignity. After all, she was completely unfamiliar with Lius, had no idea about his true character, and had no intention of getting married herself. Therefore, she could stand aside from the situation and refuse the marriage proposal.

But now, the situation is "slightly" different. The man she defined as "superficial and naive" has become the same person as the "mysterious magician" who saved her from danger and gently guided her yesterday.

"Young Master Leus... he is the magician from yesterday. He is completely different from what I imagined."

Such thoughts surfaced in the girl's mind. The intense conflict between reality and imagination nearly paralyzed Sophia's brain, leaving her hesitant and at a loss.

All her prior assumptions and prejudices were shattered the moment she saw Lius in person. All the resistance she had prepared for against the barbarians became a colossal joke.

At this moment, besides having some misjudgment about Lius himself, what made her even more ashamed was her current attire.