Chapter 161: Are You Seduced?

"Of course, you came because you need something," Sebastian grimaced and sipped his tea. "You never visited me at leisure even before you became the Evardin’s king," it was directed to Alec.

She was right, Lauren thought. Alec had close ties with Acheron’s royal family. It was understandable since he grew up in this land. He had connections with Vincent, the crown prince, and even the King back when he was still a lord. She wondered why he lived in Evardin if his family used to live in Acheron. He could have served King Sebastian instead of serving a rotten king like her father.

Sebastian stared at Lauren and his gentle eyes narrowed a bit. "Your pulse is normal but I can sense something is wrong with your bloodstream." He then asked the couple, "Is it the reason why you want to meet Anthony?"

Lauren was surprised how Sebastian was able to tell that. Even the royal physicians were not able to detect the problem in her body.

"My mother was raised by a healer mage so I know a bit about people’s vitality," said Sebastian when he noticed Lauren’s reaction. "I cannot tell what exactly you are suffering from and I do not wish to pry, so I’ll leave it as it is."

"So where is Anthony? You always have your eyes on him so you must know where he went this time," Alec’s voice had a hint of impatience.

"Yes, I know where he is... but I don’t think you can talk to him today. He was summoned to the Supreme House. He will be back in his house tomorrow so you can meet him by then."

Lauren was glad by the news. "Thank you, King Sebastian."

"I am happy to help. Anyway, it is already afternoon. How about you stay for the night?"

Lauren thought it would be nice, but she remembered the castle was the center of prying eyes. "That would be a pleasure but I am afraid someone might see us. We left Evardin without anyone knowing..." The look on Sebastian’s face let Lauren know that he was aware of what Vincent did for Alec. So she skipped the explanation, "I hope you understand."

"Are you sure Anthony will come home tomorrow?" Alec asked.

Sebastian nodded, "Yes. I am very much certain. Well, unless something occurs on his way home and delays his arrival."

After bidding farewells, Alec and Lauren were sent off by Sebastian. The same man who drove them to the castle sent them back to the mansion without anyone else in the castle noticing. While on the road, Lauren asked Alec about Anthony.

"Why do you seem confident Anthony can help us? Is he a very wise elder mage?"

"He has been around for quite a while, perhaps about some centuries. He has a lot of knowledge and experience, the reason why King Sebastian has his eyes on him."

"He has lived... for centuries?" It shocked Lauren. For a mage to be able to get past the average mage lifespan, he must be able to master all the art of spells and strengthen his vitality at a very early age. Mages aged slower than humans but most couldn’t live for centuries. Vampires were also the same. Their lifespan depend on how powerful their bloodlines were.

"Yes, and he loved discovering new things. He believes his ultimate purpose in life is to acquire knowledge," Alec said.

"Has he been living in Acheron since? Is he working for King Sebastian?"

"He is not working for anyone. The chief of the Supreme House offered him to be a member of them but he refused. He only does them favors, but he isn’t officially working for any sovereign or council."

If he was offered a position in the Supreme House, indeed, Anthony must be someone skilled and knowledgeable. Lauren could not help but hope that the man knew a thing or two about her condition. Perhaps a cure was possible.

Though, she knew she shouldn’t expect too much. She had read all materials, from the oldest to the latest, about different kinds of illnesses and curses but found nothing about her condition. It meant her condition was something that was never seen before, and a phenomenon as such was hard to figure out.

The original plan was to leave the castle after ruining her father’s reign and punishing her stepmother and sisters, find a secluded place far from the bustling town, then search for a cure for her condition. But when Lauren felt her condition was progressing quickly, she thought she wouldn’t have time to look for the cause and a possible cure so she didn’t have her hopes up.

But with Alec by her side, it felt like he was a torch of hope... it felt like everything would be fine as long as he was with her.

"You are staring at me so strangely," Alec noticed and cocked his brow. His lips twitched as he spoke, "Let me guess. Do you want to profess your undying love for me now?"

Lauren suppressed her laughter but she wasn’t able to hold her smile.

"I didn’t know you have a romantic soul in you, Your Majesty. Is that one of your earnest fantasies?"

Alec’s gray eyes flickered to red for a second. He noticed how Lauren’s heart leaped when he moved his face down to hers all of a sudden. Heat rose to her face and he noticed her pale cheeks turning rosy. Her lips which were parted a tiny inch looked as inviting as a fresh glass of blood.

"You are right. It is an earnest fantasy of mine..." he whispered against her lips and Lauren shivered. "But I have so much more fantasies, the kind that you might not be able to handle," Alec’s voice was so dark and deep, it made Lauren’s insides twitch in unadulterated desire.

"You might be wrong though. Perhaps I can handle them."

He smirked, his fingers were now playing with the ribbon of her dress on her chest. Lauren breathed, finding the carriage’s space having not enough air for the both of them.

"Are you seducing me?" No kissing and making love unless she agreed on staying as his real wife. She still remembered their deal. Although deep down she knew that she wouldn’t probably have a heart to leave Alec after everything he did, she did not want to promise him. She might end up breaking it.

"Why, are you seduced?" From the ribbon of her dress, his fingers went to her jaw with his thumb caressing her chin softly. His velvety voice was as mesmerizing as his starry orbs ringed with a dark red lining that looked too dangerous for her own comfort.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read