Chapter 28: Longing

Valerius Evander gently ran his hand over the delicate, exquisite features of Ethan Caelan’s face. Though still pale, there was an enchanting allure that made him linger.

Valerius Evander stood there, dazed for a moment, then muttered to himself, “I must leave now. If I stay any longer, who knows what more outrageous things I might do?”

With that, Valerius decisively stood up and quickly left the room. Meanwhile, Ethan remained completely unaware of everything that had just transpired.

That evening, Valerius, burdened by a tumultuous heart, sought solace in the Lunar Pavilion, the residence of his favored consort, Livia Dawnfire, hoping to forget the stirrings caused by Ethan.

Consort Livia Dawnfire came from a prestigious lineage. Her father was Duke Alder Dawnfire, and her brother, “Wind and Cloud General” Elias Dawnfire, along with other family members, held key positions in the court. The grandeur of her family reflected in her confident demeanor and the way she carried herself wi