Chapter 327
June arrived, bringing summer’s warmth. Ferris and Lizzie’s wedding was set for June 6th.
Within the imperial court, some met their ruin while others soared. Ferris was no longer just a Chief Inspector. He emerged into the limelight as a Marquis. Arthur highly valued Ferris and bestowed upon him the Osborne family’s property. Since the mansion was being renovated by the Ministry of Works for the upcoming wedding, Ferris couldn’t move in yet and remained in his old residence.
Standing in his new mansion, Ferris ascended to the attic, overlooking most of Pidence City. Yet his gaze lingered on one tiny corner.
It was Blue Alley.
He thought, ‘My beloved Atheny is there?’ Once, he had been so far from her; now, he was one step closer. As if lost in a pleasant thought, a gentle smile played at the corners of Ferris’s lips, his eyes brimming with tender affection.
“You worthless peasants! How dare you defy your princess? Guards, drag them out and beat them to death with clubs.” The sudden venomous outburst shattered Ferris’s pleasant reverie. The tender image of Athena faded from Ferris’s mind, his eyes turning ice-cold in an instant.
He turned toward the source of the disturbance, only to see Lizzie appear in the garden with her entourage of maids. Austed stepped forward and whispered to Ferris, “Your Lordship, Princess Lizzie is throwing a tantrum. She’s unhappy with the roses in the garden and insists on having them replaced with peonies.”
Roses were Athena’s favorite flowers, so Ferris had the entire courtyard replanted with roses all for her. Ferris scoffed inwardly, “Who does Lizzie think she is? How dare she come here and dictate terms?”
Ferris fixed Lizzie with a frosty glare but suppressed the chill almost instantly. Outmatched in power, he knew he couldn’t confront her head-on. For now, he had no choice but to humor her.
Ferris descended the attic and strode toward Lizzie. He stood tall and straight, his belt cinching a narrow waist and accentuating his broad shoulders and long legs. His hair was elegantly tied with an emerald crown, exuding noble bearing. He was so dashingly handsome that Lizzie’s cheeks flushed.
Lizzie had seen countless handsome men in Pidence City, but none had ever captivated her quite like Ferris. He had a striking personality and irresistible charm. What excited her the most was Ferris’s defiant, untamed demeanor; she simply couldn’t get enough of him.
Lizzie tilted her chin with subtle arrogance, awaiting Ferris’s approach.
Ferris came to a halt before her, bowing slightly as he addressed her respectfully, “Your Highness.”
Lizzie couldn’t hide her smug satisfaction. She stepped forward and planted herself directly in front of Ferris, meeting his eyes with a boldly defiant pa.
Lizzie slowly circled Ferris, her gaze brazenly tracing every inch of his body. She lingered on his well-built chest and trim waist, her eyes devouring every detail. Finally, her gaze settled on his handsome face. Reaching out to stroke his cheek with a coquettish smirk, Lizzie teased, “We’re practically married. Why are you so formal? From now on, call me Lizzie.”
When Lizzie was born, her mother wanted her to symbolize peace and tranquility.
Looking at Lizzie’s disgusting face, Ferris felt waves of nausea rising in his chest. Lizzie’s hands had touched countless men. When they reached his face, it made his skin crawl. Suppressing his revulsion, a faint, forced smile played on Ferris’s lips as he called softly, “Lizzie.”
Lizzie froze for a split second, then burst out in triumphant laughter. Like a cunning hunter who had finally snared her long-coveted prey, she laughed with unbridled arrogance. Like a boneless serpent, Lizzie slithered into Ferris’s arms, her face full of arrogant pride. “I detest these roses. Replace them all with peonies. Only peonies match my unparalleled beauty!” she declared.
Without a flicker of emotion, Ferris deftly intercepted her wandering hand and flashed her a dazzling smile. “But I prefer roses.”
His breathtaking smile seemed to stop the world in its tracks, and Lizzie’s heart raced uncontrollably. By the time Lizzie realized what was happening, Ferris had already swept her up in a bridal carry and whisked her away from the garden.
The roses in the mansion remained. Though Lizzie hadn’t gotten her way, she surprisingly let the matter drop. Ferris set Lizzie down on a chair in the hall and slipped away so fast she barely had time to register.
They sat facing each other. Lizzie stared at Ferris with a lingering, hungry gaze, her eyes brimming with covetous desire. His masculine scent filled her nostrils, leaving her mind utterly blank. She could hardly think straight with him so close.
“Your Highness, what brings you here?” Ferris’s voice turned ice-cold again, even reverting to the formal address. His icy demeanor hit Lizzie like a splash of cold water, snapping her back to her senses. Lizzie shot Ferris a resentful glare. If it weren’t for his handsome face, there was no way she’d let him lead her around by the nose like this.
Lizzie leaned back in her chair, deliberately hiking up her skirt to reveal her ankles. Tilting her head casually, she asked Ferris, “Are they pretty?” She gently wiggled her foot, ensuring Ferris got a clear look at her embroidered shoes, adorned with gems and pearls and stuffed with fragrant herbs.
With a smug grin, Lizzie boasted, “These shoes took two months to make. I just got them and couldn’t wait to show you. You’d better appreciate this.”
The shoes were a garish, glaring crimson. It was so bright that it was almost painful to look at. Ferris took one glance and immediately averted his eyes. That shade of crimson was disturbingly unnatural.
Lizzie, mistaking his discomfort for shyness, giggled behind her hand. “What’s this? Are you actually blushing?” she teased.
Ferris shot her a frosty look. “What’s so appealing about material steeped in human blood and madder root?”
“You actually knew?” Lizzie’s eyes widened in surprise. “Madder root alone doesn’t give that vibrant clarity. It only truly looks stunning with human blood.”
Noticing the revulsion in Ferris’s eyes, Lizzie quickly retorted, “What’s that look for? I didn’t kill them. I just have them draw a little blood every day. It’s their honor to be of use to me.”
Lizzie showed not a shred of remorse, instead preening with self-satisfaction. Ferris scoffed coldly, offering no response.
Seeing his stony expression, Lizzie pulled back her foot with a cold snort. “How utterly disappointing. I’m going back to my mansion. You shall escort me.”
Ferris rose to his feet, his expression icy as he regarded her. Seeing he had no intention of sweeping her into his arms, Lizzie’s face darkened with irritation. What Lizzie truly wanted was Ferris’s willing submission. There would not be any fun if she obtained it by ordering him.
Lizzie rose abruptly and stormed out with purposeful strides. Lizzie declared, “Once we’re married, I’ll dismiss all my male consorts for you. I’m doing so much for you, Ferris. Don’t you dare disappoint me.”
Ferris remained stone-faced and ignored her, leaving Lizzie thoroughly rebuffed. Her eyes gleamed mischievously before she suddenly laughed. “Athena and Xander have been awfully close lately. Who knows? We might be hearing news of their wedding soon.”
Lizzie suddenly blocked Ferris’s path, her eyes gleaming with challenge. “After all you’ve done for Athena, she just runs into another man’s arms. Don’t tell me you’re not even a little angry?”
Ferris’s face remained impassive, but beneath his long sleeves, his hands had already clenched into fists. Veins were bulging violently on their backs, knuckles bleaching white with tension.
Ferris stared at Lizzie’s repulsive face as he said, “No.”
Lizzie’s gaze never wavered from Ferris, catching every nuance that flickered across his face. In the end, Lizzie was clearly disappointed. She scoffed, “What a letdown! I thought you’d at least charge up to her, kidnap her, and ride off into the sunset together. Turns out you’re such a coward you don’t even dare to dream of it. Or is it that you’re afraid of the cold-hearted Xander? It’s not that you don’t want to, but that you simply don’t dare, is it?”