"What took you so long in the lavatory, Dominixe?"That was Papa's question as soon as I was in the carriage and felt it move. Arthur, Britanny, and Lambert were already expecting that I would be scolded for letting Papa wait."Pardon my tardiness, Papa."He eyed me up and down before squinting his eyes at me after sniffing the air. His face contorted after that. "You fooled around," he concluded, not asked. "With who?"I almost stiffened. Why did I feel that I had hickeys on my neck or shoulders? I stared intently at Papa. "I had an interesting encounter with my target, Papa," I said, not feeling threatened under his gaze.I already anticipated that he would know that I had fooled around. I deliberately did not take my bangle to hide my scent since this was what I wanted. Though the part of seeing Valerian and fooling around with him was not part of my plan, this was enough that I would make a convincing answer to him."You foo

"Papa said that he shall think about it, but until now, he hasn't said another word!" I complained, pacing back and forth.My birthday was approaching. It had been a few weeks of discussing having Valerian as my pet hadn't progressed well.I couldn't even ask Papa again since he was out of town to deal with something in our family business. Our family business was part of the weaving and textile industry that was going well. So, Papa mainly went out to check and audit the accounting records every month. In an unfortunate case, this was the time that he needed to audit. Zoe would be left in charge of the manor since she was my father's first wife.I went to her study room when I was summoned. "Yes?"Zoey's eyes darted to me before she stood up and tossed the budgeted statement for my birthday this week."Your budget is only 80,000 gold coins to host a birthday party. And you dared to spend a hundred thousand gold coins?!" she asked, raising her voice.I creased my forehead, bewildered

I had prepared my dagger that I kept in my thigh holster before I opened the door and spotted Britanny, who was holding Valerian's face with no ball gag, as she was close to him. I calmly threw my dagger in her direction Britanny caught it with her hand, but she hissed upon noticing that the blade was coated with high-potent wolfsbane. "Pardon me, Brit. But I am an extremely jealous woman," I said nonchalantly as I entered my chamber, keeping calm and not letting my emotions blind me. I halted in front of Valerian, who was shocked seeing me, but a sense of relief washed over his handsome face before I turned at Britanny, squinting her eyes at me. "So, do not dare touch my possession." Britanny scoffed a smirk. I could see her cognac eyes flaming in rage and jealousy. She stepped forward while she eyed me up and down. "Keep your ego afloat, Domi. I am going to watch you further from now on. I am going to see how you are going to fail your new mission." Her lips drew a sweet smile be

"Young Mistress Dominixe, Young Master Ismael wishes to see you," Anita said for the nth time.I sighed and sipped on my tea. Ismael kept bombarding me that he wanted to speak with me. I knew what he wanted. I turned my head at Valerian, who just went out of the bathroom, before I turned to Airene."Airene."She jumped to her feet and was busy massaging my hand. "Yes, my lady?""Speak with Ismael and tell him I am not in the proper mood to discourse with him."I knew that Ismael was already frustrated. But it would be fun to play with him. I want to make him feel frustrated. I wanted to make him pay for causing trouble on my part.Her eyes widened. She must have been surprised that I let her speak with him this time."Yes, young mistress."Valerian sat across from me in my peripheral vision, making himself home. "So, when are you going to play with me as your toy?" he asked nonchalantly.My heart skipped a beat as I was unable to look at him. It had been a few days since I had a night

"I am utterly surprised that you have come to visit again, Lord Warren," Papa said in an enthusiastic tone while he was eating a piece of meat from his plate.Warren smiled and nodded his head. "Thank you, Marquis Cantavalle. It is my pleasure to receive such a warm welcome to this family." He glanced at me meaningfully as he was sitting across me. "You are growing more beautiful from the last time we saw each other, Lady Dominixe."I almost smiled bitterly. Why was he looking at me as if I had contributed that I greeted him warmly when in fact that was not the case? And what was with that look? It was as if he was insinuating something that I should reply flirtily. I stretched out a smile, an almost empty one. But I made it show that I was delighted to hear what he said. "Thank you, Lord Warren." I would love to kill you and slice your throat right away.How I wished I could say that."You look great tonight, my lord," I said in my oh-so-sweet tone. Look great to be killed right in