Jerome's Plan

Sera possessed a naturally sunny disposition.

Or perhaps, more accurately, she was a bit absent-minded.

Having been spoiled by her family from a young age, Sera had grown up fearing nothing under the heavens.

Even after learning the true identities of Aina and Xia Lun... she wasn't too restrained and continued to chat happily with Aina.

"Lady Aina..."

"Just call me by my name."

"Alright then, Aina." Sera grinned and linked her arm through Aina's, the two looking like close bosom friends.

Aina didn't seem to mind.

Xia Lun was somewhat surprised. Watching their retreating figures, his gaze softened.

Aina had very few friends... Liana and the others counted, of course, but even including them, they could be counted on one hand. Moreover, intimidated by Aina's powerful aura, they dared not act too intimately with her.

Only Sera seemed to genuinely treat Aina as just another young girl like herself.

"Up ahead is the Lais family cemetery... there's nothing much to see inside, just some tall tombstones... actually, our ancestors didn't achieve many dazzling feats; a lot of the stories are made up. You wouldn't be interested, Aina. Let's go for a stroll in the garden instead."

Only Sera could speak so brazenly without any scruples.

They were surrounded by all sorts of exotic flowers, clustering around a small pavilion in the center. The table was set with exquisite, high-end tea ware, all glittering silver and crystal clear.

Xia Lun used tongs to pick up a dessert from the three-tiered stand and placed it onto the porcelain plate in front of Aina.

A piece of rich cheesecake and a sweet, soft chocolate waffle—just as delectable and delicious as Aina herself.

"Please enjoy, my dear."

"As a butler, isn't calling me 'my dear' a bit too presumptuous, Xia Lun?" Aina raised her head slightly to look back, staring at Xia Lun in his butler's uniform.

"My apologies... Milady."

Since Aina wanted to play, Xia Lun would play along with her. "Do you have any further instructions?"

"What a dull-witted servant. Why haven't you poured tea for Sera and me yet?" Aina commanded in an arrogant tone.

If Sera hadn't been there, Xia Lun definitely would have thoroughly toyed with Aina's currently triumphant little face until she couldn't smile anymore.

"As you command, Milady."

"Actually, let me do it."

But Sera, as the hostess, immediately stood up and snatched the tea-making duties.

Warming the pot, measuring the tea, brewing, filtering... Sera's movements were elegant and standard, a delight to watch. It was only now that she revealed the gentleness and tranquility befitting a lady of a noble house.

Xia Lun admitted to himself that even if he were to do it, he couldn't have done it so well.

Xia Lun stood quietly behind Aina. Allowing the Hero to serve her in this manner—everything had already been secretly marked with a price. Aina would likely not have an easy time tonight.

Moments later, two cups of rose tea were placed before them.

"Mr. Xia Lun... aren't you going to sit?" Sera asked.

Xia Lun was about to answer, but Aina cut in: "He won't sit. Sera, don't mind him."

Helpless, Xia Lun could only continue standing.

Aina seemed to know she wouldn't get off lightly tonight, so she decided to go for broke, unceremoniously ordering Xia Lun around like a servant.

"Xia Lun." Aina looked up slightly, and Xia Lun immediately wiped the corner of her mouth gently with a handkerchief.

"Xia Lun." Aina raised her teacup; Xia Lun took it and gently blew on the tea to cool it.

"Xia Lun." Aina opened her mouth, and Xia Lun fed a piece of pastry into it.

Opposite them, Sera watched with a face full of envy.

That guy Yorid... if she begged him properly, he would probably be willing to do this sort of thing too.

But Yorid was a bit clumsy; he probably couldn't do it as skillfully as Mr. Xia Lun... Wait, why was Mr. Xia Lun so skilled at this?

While Sera's thoughts wandered, Aina had finished her dessert under Xia Lun's service.

"Milady, if you ingest too much sugar, it might..." Xia Lun, having been ordered around this whole time, began to tease.

"Shut up, Xia Lun." Aina stuck out her tongue and licked the corner of her mouth. "As long as I exercise plenty, I can burn off the energy I've consumed."

Xia Lun revealed a satisfied smile.

...

"Hah... what is going on? Where are the people from the Lais family?"

Jerome frowned.

A maid had previously informed him to wait here because a very distinguished guest had suddenly arrived, and Miss Sera had gone to receive them.

What was this? Was he not considered a guest?

After being given the cold shoulder, dissatisfaction and anger rose in Jerome's heart.

He had climbed from the bottom to his current position through his own hard work.

On the surface, he disguised himself as a merchant transporting wheat flour and other agricultural products between the Human and Elven territories. In reality, it was he, Jerome, who had opened up the market for drug trafficking on the Elven side...

When he first came into contact with that drug, he saw the massive business opportunity it held within the Elven race.

The raw materials were originally brought out of the labyrinth by adventurers by chance. After being processed by witches, what was developed was merely an obscure analgesic potion.

The humans regarded it merely as a relaxant akin to tobacco, but Jerome discovered that its effects were amplified several times over for elves... though the side effects were also amplified several times over.

But stumbling upon this drug... must have been divine guidance.

Although the Elven race had begun to strictly crack down on this drug, Jerome didn't care... He was extremely cautious in his dealings and had even allied with the Blood Alliance on the Elven side.

When he learned of the internal disputes within the Blood Alliance, he immediately declared his stance and reached a cooperation agreement with the leader of the Elven branch of the Blood Alliance. He handed the sales over to them while he was responsible for importing the goods from the Human side.

Even if they were caught, the dirty work on the surface was all done by the Blood Alliance and had nothing to do with him... It would take considerable time to trace it back to him, and by then, he would have long since earned enough and fled to the Aran Empire with his monstrous wealth.

Relying on drug trafficking, Jerome immediately made a fortune. Next, naturally, he wanted to make his business bigger and stronger. For that, the support of a massive family was indispensable.

The Lais family controlled several industries that did business with the Human race. As long as he could marry into the Lais family, he could thoroughly build his own empire.

However, that broad named Sera really had no interest in him whatsoever.

Jerome recalled his previous encounter, and his face darkened slightly before revealing a sinister grin.

The next time they met... he would just drug her directly. As an elf, she would surely sink into depravity amidst that ecstatic sensation, and afterwards, wouldn't she be at his mercy?

Perhaps he could even rely on the drugs to completely control the Lais family and become the true head of the household...

Jerome seemed to already see a glorious future beckoning to him.