Chapter 49: Unexpected visit
The bathroom was spacious, lit by bronze oil lamps hanging on the walls. A large stone basin filled with hot water occupied the center of the room, and fragrant steam rose from the surface, infused with essential oils.
Daemon removed his sweat-soaked clothes and immersed himself in the hot water with a sigh of relief. He stayed there for a good twenty minutes, eyes closed, letting the heat relax his sore muscles.
After his bath, he put on a simple pair of pants and, since he was very hungry, he decided to eat shirtless in his room rather than go through the dining hall. He sat on the edge of his bed, grabbed a food tray that a servant had placed on his table.
It was at that moment that someone knocked on the door.
"Enter", said Daemon with his mouth full.
The door opened, and Mallory entered.
"Young master..." Mallory began while bowing.
Daemon signaled her to stop with a wave of his hand. "Stewardess, we are strangers working for a common good. It would be important to keep the appropriate honorary titles", he said in a severe tone, placing his bread back on the tray.
Mallory immediately lowered her eyes. She understood the message. It seemed that after everything that had happened, Daemon had not forgiven her at all.
He had not dismissed her, that was true, but he now behaved as if she were a stranger. No more closeness or mother-son relationship. After all, she had betrayed his trust and even if her intentions were good... It hurt her a lot, but she had no choice. She had to accept his decision.
"I understand. Sorry for my lack of professionalism, Lord Daemon", she said in a composed voice, straightening her head slightly.
Daemon nodded. "Good. What is it?"
Mallory took a breath for a moment, then replied: "Well, Lady Drigan from the elemental water house has come to visit you."
Daemon frowned. "Victoria?"
"Affirmative, Lord Daemon."
"What is she doing here..." muttered Daemon to himself, running a hand through his hair. He thought for a few seconds, then shrugged. "Never mind. Tell her to wait for me in the living room. I will join her in a moment."
"Very well, young master." Mallory bowed and headed for the door. She was about to leave the room when Daemon called her.
"Stewardess..."
She turned around, surprised. Daemon cleared his throat, visibly uncomfortable. "I heard that many ladies are fond of the new silk fabric... I ordered some for you. And also, you can take the day off."
Mallory seemed surprised. Her eyes widened slightly, then she bowed. "You remembered... Lord Daemon?"
Daemon looked away. "No need to make a big deal out of it, Stewardess. It goes without saying to remember the birthday of one’s subordinate. Even if she is not very trustworthy", he added with an embarrassed air, before gesturing impatiently for her to leave.
"Thank you, Lord Daemon", said Mallory in a choked voice. She quickly left, closing the door behind her.
Daemon sighed deeply, then slumped on the bed, arms spread out. "I do things that do not match my words... I look more and more like Blood Moon", he murmured to himself, staring at the ceiling.
The door opened abruptly, without knocking.
"Ah... Daemon, I have been waiting for you for thirty minutes and here you are daydreaming?" said a clear voice. Victoria had just entered. Her long cyan blue hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her black irises shone with a mischievous glow.
Daemon jumped to his feet. "Victoria?"
Behind Victoria, a servant appeared, panicked. "Sorry, young master... I wanted to stop Lady Drigan, but the young lady insisted on seeing you", she said hastily, her cheeks red with embarrassment.
Daemon raised a hand. "I see..." The servant bowed and disappeared into the corridor, closing the door behind her.
Daemon turned to Victoria, arms crossed. "But what are you doing, Lady Victoria? You enter a man’s room without a chaperone? You are going to cause problems for yourself."
Victoria swept her gaze across the room. She was elegant and refined in the way she moved. "We were engaged. What is wrong with us meeting after so many years? Even if there are rumors, they will only be vulgar gossip", she said with a half-smile.
Daemon sighed as he sat on the edge of the bed. "If you came to talk about that, Victoria, this is really not the time."
Victoria shook her head, then she sat down next to him on the bed, quite naturally. "Our fathers were long-time friends and allies. There is nothing strange about me bringing medicine after hearing about this tragedy."
Daemon sighed again, more deeply this time. He ran a hand over his face. "There was no tragedy... Anyway, how is Lord Drigan doing?"
Victoria laughed softly: "Well, he does not like you... You still asked to unblock your Chi Core in exchange for a marriage between our two houses..."
"Well, I apologize for dishonoring his daughter. But the latter is really a cunning one. She is the one who proposed this arrangement, and she makes me look like the villain."
Victoria could not help but smile: "You have not changed after all these years", she said, narrowing her eyes. "Still as sarcastic. That’s why..."
She leaned toward him, her hand slowly sliding over his abs. Her fingers brushed the protruding muscles, then moved down toward the scar. "It must have hurt..." she murmured.
Daemon seized her hand with a firm grip. "What do you think you are doing, Victoria?"
But before he could do anything, she leaned further and kissed him. Her lips were soft and warm, and the moment lasted a few seconds, the space of a suspended breath. Then Daemon pulled back abruptly.
"I think it is time to go, Drigan", he said in a hoarse voice.
Victoria stood up annoyed: "What is wrong with you? There is someone else, is that it? Don’t tell me it is that criminal servant?"
Daemon frowned. "You pay too much attention to gossip, Victoria. You should take your leave."
He left his room, walked quickly down the corridor, and it was only after a few minutes that he noticed he had not even put on a shirt.
"Eh shit", he muttered between his teeth.