Perhaps this dance party was a mistake from the start, with no purpose achieved and no revenge fulfilled. However, unfortunately and fortunately, it became a sweet memory in Ivina's mind. Her lips were still slightly swollen, evidence of Lo's caress, which made all the women in the room jealous.
The sudden halt of the dance music brought the fiery atmosphere back to a frozen state.
Inviting Bucher was not difficult, but escorting him back would require careful consideration at every turn.
"The women should return first," he said, glancing meaningfully at his king before issuing the order.
Ivina was grateful that she was among them. The hall was filled with jealous glances, and she wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"King, if possible, I would like to escort the witch Visata back. She is dressed too lightly." Pu Jiao, rarely foolish, made up the crudest excuse.
However, as soon as the words left his mouth, all eyes turned to Ivina's overly elaborate gown. Ivina glanced at Luo on the throne, then nervously lowered her head.
"Alright, but I hope Duke Pu Jieao returns quickly; I have further instructions to give." He was still contemplating the tricky issue of sending Bucher back, but hearing Pu Jiao's request only made his mind even more chaotic.
"Thank you." Pu Jiao said, then walked toward the stunned Ivina.
Here, women truly had no status. They couldn't refuse, couldn't make decisions, and didn't even have the right to respond…
Ivina felt a pang of sadness.
Here, women were so lowly that they were merely accessories to men.
So, whose accessory was she? Was it this man on the throne, whose intentions she couldn't fathom?
"I didn't expect you to leave so soon..." Bucher tilted his head, his deep purple bangs almost covering his calm eyes.
Yes, she was still Bucher's dance partner. Out of politeness, Ivina nodded in response.
"Goodbye, Bucher." Ivina smiled at Bucher beside her and was about to take a step away.
"We will meet again, Ivina." As he spoke, Bucher let go of Ivina's hand and spoke in a low voice.
"Huh?" She couldn't believe it... Was Bucher calling her name? Or was it just her imagination?
"Hurry up and leave, Visata Witch." Pujo took Ivina's left hand and quickly left the venue.
She didn't wave goodbye to him. She just thought to herself... Would he mind her being so intimate with another man?
Luo still hadn't come up with a plan. During the ample time he had earlier, he had spent almost all of it admiring Ivina's graceful silhouette.
Damn it, what was he thinking...
He waited quietly for all the women in the venue to leave. Luo's hands were deeply buried in his fluffy black hair, looking somewhat tired and lazy. But this casual gesture caused some bold women to turn back frequently and gasp in the crowd.
"Now that the dance is over, then…" The voice suddenly echoed throughout the palace. Everyone knew what this hesitant statement meant.
According to tradition, guests were escorted back to their territories as a sign of friendship, but… this guest was no ordinary one.
The Son of Satan, the Lord of the Underworld—Buchur Zisa. This man, who appeared gentle on the surface, was a ruthless and cruel character.
"Lord of the Underworld?!"
"You didn't know his identity?" Pu Jiao smiled at the astonished Ivina beside him. How many mysteries were still waiting to be uncovered about this bold young woman? To be honest, he was very curious.
"He is..." Lost in astonishment, Ivina did not notice that Pu Jiao had stopped walking. By chance, her confused eyes fell upon the statue of the sad-looking girl in the center of the pool.
"That's right." Looking at Ivina's slender back and her high, neatly tied black hair, he found it hard to believe that she was one of his compatriots. Until he saw the tiny drop of blood on the dress, he had to abandon his speculation.
Indeed, it was he who had sent the box and cast a spell inside it. To obtain the dress, one must hold the red rose of illusion. In that case, a single drop of blood could completely confirm the witch's identity. Human red blood or vampire blue... The scent it emitted could not deceive any vampire present.
"King… King…" Slowly, a hunched old woman made her way through the crowd to the center of the hall.
Niditera?
"King, the witch Niditera wishes to escort Princess Ciza back. I request your approval."
"It's Niditera..."
"What does this crazy old woman want now?"
"Nothing more than to please the King..."
A commotion began in the hall.
"King, I am also willing to escort Lord Qisa..."
"Nats also hopes..."
"Enough! Silence!" Luo narrowed his eyes dangerously. Those hypocritical mouths finally shut up obediently.
The problem was that if a young warrior was sent to escort him, it would inevitably lead to unnecessary disputes along the way, and not sending an escort would be tantamount to declaring war on the Underworld... So, if it was a weak woman like Nidtra, it would undoubtedly minimize the risk.
That's fine, she's also trying to make up for her mistakes... isn't she?
"I have decided to have Niditara escort Bucher Zisa. If..." Luo tightened his windbreaker, his all-black attire making him look exceptionally dashing. A crooked smile curved his lips as he slowly added, "If you all remain so eager, then at the next banquet, please line up in advance... How about that?"
Luo rested his hand on his perfectly sculpted chin, smiling sarcastically.
The vampires who had volunteered awkwardly smiled and secretly wiped away cold sweat.
"Buchur Zisa, are you satisfied with this arrangement? I hope that next time will be as pleasant as this time, no, I hope that in the thousands of years to come, we can get along as well as we do now."
At that moment, Luo leaned comfortably against the throne, while Bucher stood respectfully.
"The Lord of the Underworld? That is, Satan?" Ivina widened her eyes. The ruler of hell who controlled people's lives and deaths was actually dancing with her?
"You could say that, but that's how humans refer to her. We never call him that." Pu Jiao answered politely, but couldn't help but look at Ivina with confusion.
"Um..." Ivina realized her mistake and nervously walked toward the stone steps by the pool.
Could this man with such a peaceful expression be the decision-maker of the Underworld's ruthless killings? Just like Luo... so gentle, yet capable of such cruelty.
She closed her eyes tightly, took a deep breath, and didn't want to understand.
When she opened her eyes again, the statue filled her entire field of vision.
"Gla, we should leave here quickly. After I send you back, I still need to report to Count Dandel." Seeing Ivina staring blankly at the strange statue, Pu Jieao kindly reminded her.
"Pujiao..." Hugging her arms tightly, Ivina felt a bit cold, but she didn't want to leave.
"... " Pujiao didn't answer. He quietly took off his cloak and silently draped it over Ivina's slender body.
Dandel must never have done such a gentle thing. That cold-blooded man would never express his feelings for anyone.
"Thank you... Pu Jieao, can you tell me the origin of this statue?" Ivina stared dreamily at the exquisite statue. The stonemason who carved it must have put a lot of effort into it, right? Otherwise, how could it be so lifelike... so captivating to her?
"This... I'm not sure. No one has mentioned it in thousands of years, and I don't even remember when it was placed here." Pu Jieao tapped his forehead with his fist, as if trying to recall.
"It's okay. Regardless, this statue must have been highly praised in the past. But its expression is so sorrowful, so sorrowful…" Ivina slowly raised her arm, unconsciously pointing at the statue.
Her profile was so beautiful, her jet-black eyes like the pool of water, shimmering in the cold moonlight. Her delicate nose and slightly parted lips...
Pu Jieao stared at Ivina without restraint. His heart stirred.
"Though I don't know its origin, there is an ancient legend that has always accompanied this stone statue."
"What is it?" Ivina was overjoyed to learn about the statue.
"The legend says that if you stand before this statue of the maiden at a 45-degree angle to the moonlight, recite your wish with devotion, she will grant it for you." Pu Jiao spoke each word carefully, still gazing at Ivina's beautiful profile.
"Really? Then what angle am I standing at now? Where is the 45-degree angle of moonlight?" Ivina believed it, puckering her lips and looking down at her feet.
"There must be some kind of mark there, right? A cross, or a diamond-shaped symbol…"
"Don't bother looking. Actually, your current angle is it," Pu Jieao chuckled. How could he possibly know about this peculiar angle? A 45-degree angle under the moonlight? Ridiculous.
"Really?" She looked at Pu Jieao innocently, then straightened her body, clasped her hands together, and prepared to pray devoutly.
"Hmph…" Though the rumor was false, with no historical basis. But…
Pu Jieao watched Ivina's standard Christian-style wish, feeling helpless.
But slowly, he leaned closer, already sensing Ivina's faint body scent. Such an alluring expression—please allow him to sin once.