Aengus stared at the seductress with cold, indifferent eyes, even as she stood mere centimeters away, her presence overwhelming in its seductive power. Her crimson red lips, perfectly shaped, enticingly plump and juicy, were undeniably tempting. They looked soft and smooth, the kind of lips that could draw any man in like a moth to a flame.
A normal man, faced with such proximity to her beauty, would likely have been unable to resist, driven by primal instincts to close the distance and claim those lips as his own.
But Aengus was no ordinary man, not after the catastrophe at least.
Though he could acknowledge her beauty, his face remained impassive, his expression betraying no hint of desire or emotion.
It wasn’t that he lacked the ability to feel—he had not become impotent or numb in any physical sense. It was simply that her allure had no hold over him, his heart hardened like stone by the Heart of Darkness within him. This powerful ability made him immune to the kind of small, superficial temptations that might have ensnared someone else, leaving him unmoved by her efforts.
He understood that Bella was trying to seduce him for a reason, attempting to bend him to her will with her charms. Yet, even as he saw through her intentions, Aengus felt no anger toward her.
In fact, there was a sense of understanding—almost gratitude—beneath his icy exterior. She had been his savior, after all. Without her intervention, there would be no Aengus Degaro, nor would Ethan Smith exist to carry the hope of reviving his lost loved ones.
After what felt like an eternity of silence, Aengus finally spoke, his voice calm but edged with a grave seriousness.
“I would need some materials for myself, Lady Bella,” he began, his tone measured and deliberate. “There are residual dark energies corrupting my body. If I can’t gather the necessary resources, I might not survive,” he added, feigning a frailness as if he could collapse at any moment.
Bella’s seductive smile vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow as concern flickered across her alluring features.
The thought of losing Aengus was not one she could take lightly. She had invested too much in him, not merely out of a whim, but with a clear purpose. If he died now, all her efforts to save him would have been for nothing.
Bella’s mind stirred, recalling the events that had brought them to this point. She had seen with her own eyes the moment when Aengus had been imbued with the bloodline of Beelzebub, one of the most powerful Demon Lords among the seven deadly demon lords.
The memory was vivid—an astonishing, almost miraculous moment.
Receiving Beelzebub’s bloodline meant that some of the demon lord’s abilities might awaken within Aengus’ body. Even if they were inferior to Beelzebub’s true powers, their potential could not be underestimated.
—
“Really? Tell me quickly, what do you need? I’ll gather everything as soon as possible,” Bella demanded, her voice laced with urgency as she gracefully backed away. With a subtle motion, she extinguished the radiant charm that had enraptured the room.
The servants, who had been spellbound, blinked and exchanged puzzled glances. It wasn’t the first time they had been caught under her charm, and they silently acknowledged it with a nod, understanding that their Mistress had once again used her overflowing charm against them.
Aengus, sensing the shift, allowed a sly smile to curl his lips as he dropped his act. “Thank you, Mistress,” he said smoothly, his tone casual yet deliberate. “I need a Void Stone, Etherium Dust, and a drop of dragon blood.”
“What! Preposterous!” a voice erupted from the shadows, filled with outrage. It belonged to a powerful female vampire, one of Bella’s most feared servants. Her presence was commanding, and her crimson eyes glinted with anger as she stepped into view.
“Mistress, this servant is beyond audacious and insatiably greedy. How dare he make such demands of his master!” Her voice dripped with venomous disdain.
She bared her elongated, blood-stained fangs, their gleam accentuating her fury. “Such insolence cannot be tolerated. He should be executed immediately,” she continued, her voice cold and merciless.
Hearing the vampire’s outburst, Bella Bellfrost turned her icy gaze toward Vespera. The temperature seemed to drop as her cold, unyielding stare fixed on the offending servant.
“Silence, Vespera! We are discussing matters here. Do not interrupt,” Bella’s voice was icy and authoritative, carrying a palpable chill that made the air feel even colder.
Vespera flinched visibly, her confidence shattering under Bella’s penetrating gaze. “Ah, I’m sorry, Mistress. You’re right!” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. Trembling with fear, she swiftly retreated into the shadows, vanishing from sight as though swallowed by the darkness.
Then, Bella turned her focus on Aengus, who seemed calm, even at the sudden deathly threat. She was impressed by his calmness, once again reminding herself that he was no ordinary boy.
“That’s… quite a lot! Sweetheart” she finally managed to say, her voice softer now, almost a whisper. She locked eyes with him, searching for any hint of uncertainty.
“Those are not just ordinary items. They’re real treasures, each worth a fortune in Cores. To gather them all would be no small feat. I think I’ll have to discuss this with my father,” she said, her expression thoughtful, weighing the cost. Then, her gaze sharpened as she asked, “But what will you offer in return?” she stared directly into his soul, as if to see through him.
Aengus didn’t miss a second. His lips curved into hidden sly smirk as he leaned in slightly, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “What do you desire, Mistress? My whole being is yours,” he replied with exaggerated sincerity, his voice dripping with charm. Not a trace of shame colored his expression; instead, there was only confidence and a hint of something more daring.
Bella’s eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him, her curiosity piqued. With a slow, deliberate motion, she licked her lips, the gesture both seductive and thoughtful. Her gaze never left his, the intensity of her stare growing.
“Sweetheart, are you being serious?” she asked, her voice low and tinged with a mix of suspicion and intrigue. She looked deep into his eyes, as if trying to decipher the truth hidden behind his words.
“Yes, Mistress,” Aengus responded without hesitation, his tone unwavering. “I’ll do whatever you command.” His shameless confidence radiated from him, leaving no doubt about his commitment.
He just wanted to achieve his goal, for that whatever needs to be done, he would do it within a heartbeat.
“Hehehe…” Bella’s lips curved into a smile, her earlier shock melting away into amusement. She let out a melodious giggle, the sound light and airy, like a breeze through wind chimes.
The hall seemed to brighten with her laughter, filling the space with a sound that was almost otherworldly, as if the very walls resonated with the joy she exuded.
She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a provocative whisper. “What if I told you that you must sleep with me? How would you respond?” Her eyes glinted with a mixture of curiosity and challenge, testing the limits of his sincerity.
Aengus hesitated for a moment. For a fleeting instant, Aria’s face flashed before his eyes, a brief, poignant memory that quickly dissolved. Replacing it was a steely resolve, hardened by the relentless effects of the Heart of Darkness.
After a pause, his expression remained unwavering. “If that is your desire, Mistress, I will comply. I will sleep with you as you wish,” he replied with a calm determination, his voice betraying no hint of hesitation.
This was the moment to fake his loyalty to gain her trust and get what he wanted. Whether she would sleep with him or not, it didn’t matter either way. Even if she did, she wouldn’t be able to use her charm to make him her puppet.
As for any other malicious intentions if she had, she would have revealed then already. He was powerless in front of her.
He was truly puny and insignificant compared to her vast power. Not only did she possess charm and life-draining abilities, but she was also much, much more powerful. He could feel it.
