Chapter 426: Relationships

Finally.

The Naga mother and daughter's conversation ended.

With her eldest daughter gone, Eve swiftly sealed the ritual's gap again.

She hesitated for a moment.

Slowly approached the inner layer of the tent, peering inside.

There she saw Luo De sitting alone by the bed, offering a pitiful yet handsome smile.

"Lady Lilian, am I going to be kicked out?"

"You heard all of it?"

"Yes, Miss Eve doesn't want me to stay."

"She's just under too much pressure—she picked up this restraint and self-discipline from somewhere, but our land Naga bloodline has never had such things."

As she spoke, she drew closer, looking at the man before her like a heartbroken puppy, and her heart softened again for no reason.

She couldn't help but stroke his head.

"Don't worry, I'll still try to persuade her—you'll keep living here with me."

But Luo De shook his head.

He looked up, his gaze burning as he reached out with his large hand to grasp the soft, unblemished palm resting on his head.

The heat of her palm made Lilian's body tremble.

She nearly lost her senses.

"Little Luo De…"

"You know me, Lady Lilian—I don't… I don't have feelings for Miss Eve at all."

"I know."

"We've never even met. But Lady Lilian, Aunt Lilian, since the moment I first saw you, I've…"

"No… don't say any more."

Lilian was already flustered.

Though land Naga were lustful, they were fundamentally monogamous, and due to their tribal structure, they still held their ancestral customs in high regard.

A mother-daughter rivalry like this was just as taboo and improper as among humans.

She frantically pulled her hand away from Luo De's grip.

She turned her back, refusing to look at him, pressing the hand he'd held tightly against her chest, where her heart pounded wildly against her will.

Behind her, Luo De raised an eyebrow.

All despair vanished; instead, his face lit up with surprise.

Lilian's figure was already substantial, and now, pressed against her frail back, it could no longer be hidden.

The curves on either side became plainly visible.

Oh!

The majestic silhouette that even a woman's back couldn't conceal—truly a sight beyond mortal beauty!

Lilian caught her breath, then said:

"One day, Eve will understand. As I said this morning, we're just ordinary relations. Tonight, you'll sleep in the outer layer—it's late, rest now."

Luo De opened his mouth but couldn't speak.

He could only rise dejectedly, head bowed, and walk out of the inner room.

Throughout, Lilian kept her back to him, her arms trembling intermittently.

Only when she heard Luo De lie down on the carpet did she finally relax, murmuring dazedly:

"Why… why, just a glance and a handhold, and my body's already… Luo De, why do you have such magic?"

She looked down.

There lay the bed, still disheveled, covered in last night's traces.

"Huh—"

Lilian couldn't help but exhale a heavy breath.

Slowly she lay back on the bed, hugging the still-warm quilt, inhaling deeply the lingering scent of that man.

The restlessness in her heart and lower abdomen surged straight upward.

Lilian, who hadn't felt this in over a decade of injury,

now, without any provocation from Luo De, reached down of her own accord.

After a long while,

a sound ripe with fantasy echoed faintly within the inner room.

And the inner and outer layers were separated by only a single thick canvas.

Naturally, it couldn't hide anything from Luo De in the outer layer.

He lay sprawled out, sipping salty milk tea, listening to Lilian's sounds with quiet contentment.

Tally leaned close to his ear and laughed: "She's taking care of herself."

"Heh, can she?"

"Of course not. Last night, you only spent three hours together—but the mark of 【Enchanting Fluid】 has already been etched into every inch of her body. Only here, with her master, can she find release."

"Let's make a bet—guess when she'll come looking for you."

"I bet ten minutes. If I win, I get to eat my fill—so much I'll swell my belly!"

"If I win, you starve for three days—no food until the third day."

"Huh?! That's serious? Okay then, Master, when do you think she'll come out?"

Luo De smiled: "I bet… now."

No sooner had he spoken—

With a rustle, the curtain separating the inner and outer layers was pulled aside by a delicate hand.

Out peered the stunning, flushed face of the Naga mother-in-law.

Tally clicked her tongue in frustration and retreated into the shadows.

"Not enough… why isn't it enough?"

Lilian panted, beads of glowing white sweat glistening on her forehead, clinging to her hair, her dazed eyes making her exquisite face even more alluring.

"Lady Lilian, what's wrong?!"

Luo De, ever composed, instantly snapped into action.

He leapt up in alarm and hurried over.

Then, helplessly, he brushed away the sweat and strands of hair from her face, tender and heartbroken.

Seeing she still showed no reaction,

Luo De leaned down and kissed her soft lips.

Their lips met—warm, slightly dry, then clinging together like honey before parting.

Lilian came to her senses; the man's burning breath washed over her, filling her with panic.

"I truly love you, Lady Lilian."

"Love… me?"

"Yes."

"Even me—an old, saggy aunt like me?"

"You're not old. You're the most beautiful Naga I've ever seen. I'll love you, Lady Lilian, for the rest of my life."

Lilian's eyes grew hazy; she kissed him back.

Her hands moved wildly, clutching at him.

They clung together, knocking over the salty milk tea pot, shoving aside the heavy curtain, crashing onto the bed with a bang, never letting go.

Then came the same scene as last night.

The sounds never ceased.

Until morning.

A morning without sandstorm was bright enough.

Golden sunlight streamed through the tent's canvas into the inner room.

The quilt, kicked roughly onto the floor.

The overturned fruit tray.

The collapsed bed frame.

Not only that—from the tangled sheets to the carpet, from the toppled nightstand to the tent's canvas, everything was affected.

Lilian, hair stuck to her scalp, sat up groggily.

Her whole body ached painfully.

She looked beside her at the pitiful man curled up.

He'd been crying "I can't" since the third round, yet kept fighting until morning.

What kind of constitution is this?

Stronger the more he fights? Grows stronger against stronger foes?

"Sigh… here we go again."

Lilian was filled with regret.

Then she remembered the sweet nothings and affectionate words the man had spoken along the way, and a long-forgotten sweetness stirred in her heart.

She gently stroked his hair, tenderly saying:

"Sorry, I've troubled you again. The potion is on the table outside—remember to drink it, rest well, I have matters to attend to."

"Lady Lilian… then… will you come back tonight too?"

"Last night was an accident—even if I return, we can't do this again. I'm… I'm still your… and your body can't take it."

"I can still take it!"

Lilian laughed at his stubborn expression.

Though she said she wouldn't do it again, she leaned down and pressed herself against Luo De, kissing his forehead.

Soft and thick, rich with fragrance.

"Since you heard last night, I won't hide it from you—just now, Eve sent me word: the Axe Beach side has revealed the location of the White Dragon's Tomb. We're going to survey it today, and I'll be busy these two days."

(End of Chapter)