Moonlit Conversations
Coming back downstairs Julian D’Aurelius strode back into the dining room with the familiar carefree smile glued to his face as though nothing had ever happened upstairs.
The warm, intoxicating scent of freshly made food wafted through the air. Dishes had been laid out on the table and everyone was silently taking their seat.
But Liza Voss and Lina Ashford wore distinctly strange expressions on their faces as they regarded him. As Gold Realm Experts, their senses were leagues beyond anyone normal peoples’. None of the events which had taken place upstairs had escaped them.
Every word that was uttered; every exchange which took place.
They had even heard the noises which had been occurring in Felberta Ashbourne’s room perfectly clearly.
The moment Julian took his seat the two women exchanged a knowing glance before returning their gazes to him. Completely oblivious as it seemed on the surface, Julian casually reached for his chopsticks. It was only when he met the two aware expressions before him that he realised that something was not quite right.
"...." A cough escaped his throat.
Initially he considered trying to feign ignorance to the whole incident. However after a moment’s thought he decided against it as there was no point in trying to mislead two cultivators when his attempts would only result in even more humiliation for himself as their sensitivity was undeniable. He scratched the back of his neck and let out a light awkward chuckle.
"She’s not feeling quite herself. I was just checking on her upstairs." he said with a helpless expression.
His gaze softened as he looked at the two women. The teasing smile disappeared from his lips and was replaced by a look of genuine concern as he said,
"So how were the two of you? Did you not suffer any injuries during battle today?"
"Don’t keep any wounds a secret from me, even if they are only minor." He continued. His golden eyes flitted from one woman to the other. He was their doctor before he was anything else and after dinner he intended to pay them both a visit, just to ensure they weren’t wounded,
"And after dinner I’ll give you both a thorough examination and personally inspect your bodies."
The two women immediately blushed at his words and averted their gaze bashfully. Liza lowered her head, while Lina quietly tucked a stray strand of emerald green hair behind her ear.
"We’re not injured." They said in unison, shaking their heads slightly.
Julian let out a long dramatic sigh.
"Sigh..."
"Why are you two so formal with your own Young Master? We’ve definitely lost a lot of affection for one another! This really hurts!" He clutched his chest as though he had taken a physical blow and continued,
" I am sincerely worried about you two’s well being! The thought of one of you being injured and hiding it from me would be devastating! I really would hate it..."
Liza managed a smile. "You always do have a way with words, Young Master."
Julian grinned. "It’s because I’m telling you from the bottom of my heart." He looked at the small black-haired beauty.
"Liza, you have always followed me into peril without a single complaint."
"If you were injured, how could I possibly enjoy my dinner peacefully?"
Liza’s cheeks became even redder.
"Young Master..."
Before she could finish speaking, Julian turned toward Lina.
"And Lina."
"You blocked several attacks for me today."
"What if something happened to this beautiful face of yours?"
"I’d have to spend all night blaming myself."
Lina rolled her beautiful purple eyes at him, though the corners of her lips curved into a faint smile.
"Young Master..."
"You really are impossible."
Julian laughed.
"I prefer ’irreplaceable.’"
The two women looked at each other before laughing softly.
The atmosphere at the table immediately became much lighter.
Even the surrounding servants couldn’t help smiling at the familiar interaction between the three of them.
Not wanting to deal with Julian, Felberta Ashbourne didn’t come downstairs for dinner. Instead, she asked a servant to deliver her meal directly to her room.
She remained extremely resistant to letting Julian treat her illness.
The biggest reason...
Was because she had heard his inner thoughts.
She knew that if her illness was truly cured...
She would inevitably fall in love with someone she would never have imagined loving.
That possibility frightened her.
It felt as though her future would no longer belong entirely to herself.
Yet...
Whenever she remembered the conversation she had shared with her father earlier that day...
Her resolve weakened.
His words echoed endlessly in her mind.
"You should dislike men because you choose to... not because your illness forces you to."
She couldn’t deny the truth in those words.
Nor could she convince herself to accept them.
Caught between reason and emotion, she found herself unable to make a decision.
Later that evening, after dinner had ended, Felberta quietly stepped onto the balcony connected to her bedroom.
A crystal glass rested lightly between her delicate fingers.
Inside was a lightly mixed cocktail.
She took a slow sip while gazing silently into the night.
The rain had completely stopped.
Dark clouds had drifted away, revealing a brilliant full moon hanging high above the Ashbourne estate.
Silvery moonlight poured over the rooftops, gardens, and distant lake, washing away much of the day’s gloom.
A cool breeze gently brushed past her damp hair.
The peaceful scenery gradually soothed the turmoil within her heart.
For the first time that day...
Her thoughts became quiet.
Just then—
A faint sound came from the neighboring balcony.
Felberta instinctively turned her head.
A familiar figure stepped out into the moonlight.
Black hair.
Golden eyes.
An annoyingly confident smile.
Julian D’Aurelius.
Resting one arm casually against the balcony railing, he looked toward her with a smile that was trying very hard to appear handsome.
"A long night with no sleep."
"I thought I was the only one awake."
"But it turns out, Miss Ashbourne..."
"You can’t sleep either."