Beauty is a Blessing and a Curse

~This is a fictional world, setting is Early 19-Early 20th century and fantasy no real events or places are mentioned in this book~

The man burst out of the bathroom, stark naked, his face pale with fear. His frantic footsteps echoed through the corridor, leaving the other customers stunned. Some looked amused, others in awe, as he scrambled toward the exit. His friends, equally terrified and disheveled, followed closely behind. Heads turned toward the bathroom entrance, curious murmurs rippling through the crowd. Even the maids, who had been going about their duties, paused to watch, wondering what on earth had transpired inside.

Dominic, ever calm and composed, found a few maids and gave them quick instructions. "Clean up the man's mess—the pee, the shattered vase—and disinfect the bath." He spoke with the calculated calmness of a man who had seen far worse. The maids, eager for gossip, hesitated for a moment, their eyes filled with curiosity.

"What happened in there?" one maid dared to ask, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dominic smirked, offering just enough truth to satisfy them while concealing the chaos he had caused. "Just a minor... misunderstanding," he replied smoothly, his voice a mixture of cool manipulation and control, "nothing to worry about." The maids exchanged knowing glances, convinced by his tone, and hurried off to do their job, intrigued but compliant.

Once the cleaning was done, Dominic returned to the pool area, the epitome of composure. He reclined in the water, ordering grapes and a drink, trying to savor a moment of peace. Sighing in relief, he muttered to himself, "Finally, some less trouble." As the cool water surrounded him, he closed his eyes, the chaos of moments before drifting away.

After his relaxation, Dominic dried off, wrapping himself in a towel and donning his robe. His eyes scanned the area, wary of any lingering threat. *Is there a crazy woman lurking?* he thought, recalling past encounters. Seeing no one, he exhaled sharply, "Phew," before making his way toward the spa.

As he quietly passed the women's bathroom, a group of ladies heading inside caught sight of him. They froze, eyes widening as Dominic, with his perfect posture and casual grace, walked by. One of them let out a small gasp, and a wave of blushing faces followed. They exchanged flustered glances, clearly admiring his beauty and composure.

Dominic, oblivious or perhaps just uninterested, kept walking, disappearing into the spa like nothing had happened, leaving behind whispers and admiration in his wake.

Later, Dominic strolled into the spa, casually holding a glass of wine. As he entered, he found Caleb waiting for him, standing with a glass of white wine in hand. Caleb bowed his head respectfully. "Your Grace, I've been waiting," Caleb greeted, his appearance strikingly different from before. Without his glasses, his skin seemed to glow, and his brown hair had been styled into soft waves, giving him the look of an attractive gentleman. His eyelids, now more prominent, added to his refined, elegant appearance.

Dominic noted the transformation and gave an approving nod, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. His eyes briefly flickered to a second, half-full glass of white wine on the table. Though he didn't dwell on it, he suspected something had occurred while he was gone. Meanwhile, a female masseur, busy tidying up the massage area, hadn't noticed his entrance.

When she finally glanced up, her breath caught in her throat. Her cheeks flushed a deep red as her eyes widened at the sight of Dominic. *He's even more beautiful than I imagined,* she thought, feeling a warmth bloom inside her. "He mentioned his master earlier... is this the man he was talking about? He's so... lovely. It's unusual for a man to be this stunning," she mused, comparing him to Caleb, who had looked dashing after his makeover, but Dominic... Dominic was something else entirely.

The masseur quickly composed herself, stepping forward to greet him. Bowing her head, she handed Dominic a small case containing Caleb's glasses, which had been neatly stored away. "You look amazing, Caleb," Dominic commented, nodding in approval before glancing at the masseur. "Thank you," he added, acknowledging her with a subtle nod.

The maid, flustered and fidgeting slightly with her hands, blushed deeper as she asked, "Sir, are you ready for your massage?"

Dominic, noticing her nervousness but unfazed, replied with a polite grin, "I would like that, yes." He took another sip from his wine, his calm demeanor only adding to his charm.

"Thank you, My Lord," Caleb interjected with a grateful grin, placing a hand over his chest and bowing his head slightly. He stepped forward to take the glass from Dominic as his master began to remove his robe, revealing the towel wrapped around his waist. Dominic then positioned himself on the massage table, ready to indulge in some relaxation.

The masseur's heart raced as she watched Dominic, her admiration deepening with every moment. His casual grace and politeness, mixed with his undeniable beauty, made her fall even harder. She tried to remain professional, but the flutter in her chest was unmistakable.

Caleb, now standing at a respectful distance in the corner, set Dominic's glass down carefully, his eyes briefly glancing toward the masseur. As Dominic settled in for his massage, Caleb waited patiently, keeping a discreet eye on the surroundings, his own appearance a testament to the luxurious treatments they had both indulged in.

The masseur's blush deepened as she caught sight of Dominic's exposed torso. Flustered, she quickly turned away, handing him a ribbon to tie his hair. Dominic tied his long hair back while she nervously applied lotion to her hands, preparing to begin the massage. Walking around the table, she started on his back, her hands working rhythmically as Dominic closed his eyes, sinking into relaxation.

However, the peaceful moment was short-lived. Dominic's eyes snapped open as he suddenly felt the masseur's hands drift from his back to his chest, her touch becoming flirtatious. She was caressing him, not massaging him, and he instantly grew uncomfortable.

"Young lady," Dominic said firmly, his voice calm but edged with irritation. "Could you please stop? This is making me uncomfortable." He gently removed her hand from his chest and turned to face her, expecting her to back off.

But to his surprise, instead of apologizing, the masseur swayed unsteadily, her face flushed, and she hiccupped. "My Lord..." she slurred, her words thick with drunkenness. She staggered closer, reaching for him again. Without warning, she grabbed a lock of his hair and brought it to her face, inhaling deeply. "So smooth..." she mumbled, her eyes glazed over.

Dominic's patience was wearing thin. He pulled his hair out of her grasp, looking at her with a mixture of shock and frustration. "I believe you've had too much to drink," he said coolly, glancing at the half-empty glass of wine nearby. His expression hardened as the masseur continued to approach, undeterred by his clear discomfort.

She swayed again, her movements unsteady, and tried to reach for him once more. This time, Dominic stood up from the spa bed, adjusting his robe tightly around himself. "That's enough," he said sharply, stepping back. His composed demeanor was beginning to show cracks of irritation.

Caleb, seeing the situation escalating, rushed over to the woman, scolding her in an attempt to regain control. But instead of responding to his words, she turned and threw a nearby object at Caleb, hitting him hard enough to knock him off balance. He stumbled and fell onto his back, the glass he had been holding shattering as his head collided with the edge of something hard. Caleb groaned in pain, holding his head as candles, lotion, and other items toppled to the floor, creating a chaotic mess.

The masseur, entirely unfazed by Caleb's misfortune, stayed focused on her twisted goal. As she turned, she noticed Dominic wasn't where he had been moments ago—he had attempted to slip away unnoticed. Enraged, she bolted toward him, grabbing his arm with surprising force and dragging him back to the spa bed, shoving him onto it. Dominic, caught off guard, was shocked by her strength. The sharp scent of alcohol hit his nose, confirming his suspicions.

*Is she drunk? No, she *is* drunk. How did Caleb not realize this... Oh wait, they were drinking together.* He scolded himself internally for missing the obvious signs. As he pondered the situation, he opened his eyes to a startling sight: the masseur was slowly removing her clothes, her eyes glazed over and fixated on him.

*Even my wife's nakedness, I haven't seen since we married. This is unacceptable,* he thought, his frustration mounting as he tried to maintain his composure. "Ma'am, you're drunk. You need to behave yourself," Dominic urged, standing to help her put her clothes back on. But she shoved him roughly, sending him sprawling onto the floor. Her clothes fell to the ground, and she began walking toward him, her breathing heavy and erratic.

"I'm curious to see how pretty men taste," she giggled drunkenly, her words slurred as she staggered forward, her eyes predatory.

Dominic's brow furrowed, his patience nearing its end. "You're insane," he muttered under his breath, turning his face away as his cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "There are plenty of handsome men out there. I'm married. Please put your clothes back on," he added, trying to maintain some distance while his heart raced in irritation.

The masseur, seeing Dominic's discomfort, seemed pleased by his reaction. Her gaze lingered on his lips, his heavy breathing, and the way his Adam's apple moved as he swallowed nervously. She grabbed his hand, noticing the ring on his finger, admiring how slender and delicate his hands looked. Without hesitation, she pulled the ring off.

"Does it matter if you belong to someone else? Sharing is caring," she laughed maniacally, her eyes gleaming with intoxicated lust. "I want you. I'm sure your wife would appreciate the sharing too."

Dominic clenched his jaw, his face a mix of anger and disbelief. She had crossed a line. He turned away, still refusing to look at her naked body, his hand balling into a tight fist. The audacity of this woman—to remove his wedding ring and suggest something so obscene—made his blood boil. Yet, despite his strength, he chose to remain calculated. He was powerful enough to throw her off him with ease, but he knew that force would only complicate things further.

*Stay calm. Don't escalate,* he reminded himself, keeping his movements controlled. He had seen enough nakedness of women during his childhood and youth and had no desire to witness more again especially the one before him. His mind raced, thinking of ways to defuse the situation without causing a scene because he knows what he was capable of doing. This woman may have been drunk, but that didn't excuse her behavior. And Dominic, ever the strategist, would not allow himself to be dragged into chaos.

The drunken masseur grabbed Dominic's towel, attempting to strip it off in her drunken haze to make love to him. Just as she was about to succeed, Caleb, still shaky but determined, managed to push her away from Dominic. The woman fell to the ground gasping, but quickly lunged at Caleb, furious that he had interrupted her.

Before she could reach him, Dominic swiftly intervened. He pressed his fingers firmly against her neck with a hit, targeting her jugular vein to render her unconscious. Within moments, the masseur slumped to the ground, unconscious. Dominic and Caleb wrapped her body in a blanket, leaving only her head exposed, and tied it with some string to prevent her from causing further trouble. They placed her back on the spa bed, ensuring she wouldn't wake up anytime soon.

Dominic retrieved his ring from the floor, slipped it back onto his finger, and donned his robe. His expression was icy as he glared at Caleb. "There are too many crazy people here, including the staff," he said coldly. "Get me another masseur and call the authorities to deal with this drunk woman." Without waiting for a response, Dominic turned away, adjusting his ring as if the incident hadn't shaken him in the slightest.

Caleb, still reeling from the chaos, blinked in confusion. "My Lord... did something happen?" he asked, genuinely puzzled by Dominic's distant demeanor. But Dominic didn't respond. His silence was cold, dismissive, and Caleb felt the familiar sting of being ignored. With a sigh, he nodded and left the massage room to carry out his master's orders.

Shortly after, a male masseur was assigned to Dominic, and he received his massage and pedicure in peace. Once done, he and Caleb left the spa, leaving the maids to clean up the mess caused by the previous masseur. After explaining the situation to the authorities, they apologized profusely for the trouble and assured Dominic that the matter would be handled swiftly.

Later, Eric Bruthswick, the owner of the lodge, approached Dominic, his face pale with worry. "Your Grace, please accept my sincerest apologies for the... incident. I can assure you this is not how we conduct ourselves here. As compensation for the trouble, all your services during your stay will be complimentary," Eric said, his voice trembling slightly as he glanced nervously at Dominic. He wrung his hands together, clearly pleading for leniency, his fear of Dominic's power evident.

Dominic observed Eric calmly, his expression unreadable. He watched as security escorted the unconscious masseur out of the lodge, then turned back to Eric. "You don't need to worry, Bruthswick," Dominic said coolly, patting him on the shoulder in a rare display of reassurance. "You're safe. I have no intention of hurting you."

Eric exhaled a shaky breath of relief, grateful for Dominic's mercy. "Thank you, Your Grace. I deeply appreciate your understanding," he stammered, bowing slightly.

Caleb, overhearing the conversation, raised an eyebrow. *So that's why he was cold earlier...* he thought, finally understanding the weight of the situation. As he pondered it, a group of women nearby giggled shyly, their eyes lingering on Dominic. Caleb noticed and scoffed, folding his arms. "Women," he muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, Caleb's injured hand, still cut from the broken glass, and the bruise on his head were treated by the lodge's medical team. Though physically hurt, Caleb couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction that everything had been resolved – at least for now.

The woman who had mocked Caleb earlier at the spa entrance saw his new look and blushed, now uncertain if this was the same man she had ridiculed. She attempted to reach out to him, but Caleb, following closely behind Dominic, ignored her completely. Dominic, witnessing her humiliation, smirked in satisfaction.

"Well deserved," Dominic thought as the other guests watched the woman, now flustered and embarrassed by Caleb's cold indifference. Without missing a beat, Dominic handed Caleb his glass case. "Get rid of these when you get home. I'm pretty sure Evangeline will be *delighted* to see your new look," he said, adjusting his robe and walking with the grace of a gentleman.

Caleb chuckled. "Of course she would... she's always looking out for me." He recalled fondly how Evangeline had a soft spot for him, despite her constant issues with Dominic.

Dominic smirked, shaking his head with amusement. "Despite her problems with me, you're the only one she seems to tolerate... lucky you." He sighed dramatically. "Anyway, when's my dear friend Caleb going to settle down and get a wife? Now that you've got a dashing new look, it's time! I've told you before, you're my equal—even as my assistant." He turned to Caleb with a teasing wink, clearly trying to get under his skin.

Caleb sighed internally. *This man... One minute he's cold and distant, the next he's winking at me and asking about marriage.* He scratched his head and replied with a groan, "I'm not ready for that, Dominic. Please don't go there. The last thing I need is more crazy women around me."

Dominic let out a laugh, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, but you would! Just don't mind the women I've had to deal with since I arrived in Eardoznia. They'd be a perfect match for Frederick Loverhart. That man's infatuation with women is legendary." He grinned as they walked toward the exit.

Caleb, folding his arms, huffed. "You're gorgeous, sir, and I don't like it when those women start fawning over you."

Dominic gave a nonchalant shrug. "Beauty is both a blessing and a curse. Even I wonder how I ended up with this appearance." His tone was neutral, though there was a flicker of frustration as he shook his head.

"Don't be so hard on yourself. You were clearly blessed by the gods," Caleb chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

Dominic raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Maybe. Who knows? Either way, I'm exhausted. I need to sleep and finish some tasks tomorrow. We're heading to another town, then... I suppose it's time to visit my mother's home. I've stayed here long enough."

Caleb's face twisted into a neutral reaction. "And then you and Evangeline will be fighting again..." he said, finishing Dominic's sentence for him with a playful pout and a little annoyance

Dominic sighed but couldn't help a chuckle. "Ah, yes... Evangeline. She's quite troublesome, but I miss her cute little nagging. I think I need more of it, actually. It's like therapy for me. Though, when she looks at me with distrust and hatred... that I don't miss and I don't like it. It's time I resumed my duties as Viceroy, switching from real estate back to politics."

"Sounds like marriage to me... couples fight all the time," Caleb remarked, recalling Magdalene's words when they had waited for Evangeline to sign Dominic's papers.

Dominic smiled, his eyes softening as he thought of Evangeline. "That's one of the things I love about her—the cute reactions, and how beautiful she is. She's the perfect combination of everything I could want in a wife."

Caleb, now genuinely confused, blurted out, "How is fighting with her *cute*?!"

Dominic grinned wickedly, leaning in to tease Caleb further. "That's why you need to get married, Caleb. You'll discover your own version of cute arguments. Trust me, it's worth it."

Caleb gasped, his face turning red with frustration as he pointed at Dominic. "You... you! You're impossible!" He groaned, rubbing his temples as Dominic laughed heartily.

As they reached the elevator, heading back to their room, Caleb couldn't help but mutter, "This man is driving me crazy..." under his breath.

When they arrived at room 109, Dominic noticed the guards fast asleep outside the door. He sighed, shaking his head at their laziness. Nearby, a group of maids passed by, bowing their heads as they carried laundry back to the quarters. Dominic acknowledged them briefly before heading inside.

Once inside, Caleb yawned loudly and immediately slumped onto the bed, falling asleep almost instantly. Dominic glanced over at his sleeping assistant, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "You'll get a wife one day, Caleb," he muttered softly, shaking his head before settling into his own bed.

**Back at Verdaselles-House of Serenity**

Evangeline finally managed to unlock the mysterious book she had been studying using her vast knowledge and experience in Eardoznia. Sitting at the library table in her nightwear, she flipped through the pages with a sense of accomplishment. "I knew this was a study book, and someone's work," she murmured, her curiosity piqued by the detailed sketches and notes inside.

As she continued to examine the book, she glanced up and asked, "Dominic didn't come today, did he?" Her voice held a faint trace of disappointment, though she tried to hide it.

Richard, who was engrossed in a book of his own, responded without looking up. "No, Evangeline. It seems he's occupied with something and couldn't make it."

Evangeline scoffed, rolling her eyes as she leaned back in her chair. "Good riddance. I don't need another wave of his troubles tonight," she muttered, although deep down, she missed him more than she cared to admit. The way Dominic could disrupt her peace, yet somehow make her feel alive, left her torn between relief and a subtle yearning for his presence.

She turned her focus back to the book, determined not to dwell on Dominic's absence. But as she read through the dense pages, her eyelids grew heavy. The words began to blur, and before long, her head rested gently on the table, succumbing to exhaustion.

Richard, noticing the sudden quiet, glanced up from his own reading. Seeing Evangeline asleep, he smiled softly. He carefully closed the book she had been studying and returned it to an empty shelf. Quietly, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to her room. Placing her gently on the bed, he tucked her in and leaned down to kiss her forehead.

As he began to step away, Evangeline stirred and grabbed his hand. Still half-asleep, she mumbled, "Richard... could you spend a little time with me?"

"Sure, my Lady..." Richard replied, his voice soft yet charged with desire. He leaned in, kissing her lips deeply, his hand slowly raising the hem of her dress. As his lips trailed down to her neck, he began nibbling gently, causing Evangeline to moan, her grip on his arms tightening in response. His fingers found their way to her inner thighs, teasing her skin as he moved closer to her most sensitive spot, her vulva was warm to his satisfaction touching it playfully with desire. She let out another moan, biting her lips, pulling him closer, and tangling her fingers in his hair.

Richard, lost in the moment, continued with increasing intensity, his fingers now moving to satisfy her fully. Evangeline gasped, her body arching in pleasure as he kissed her again then kissed her breasts, this time more passionately, the heat between them undeniable. But just as things seemed to reach a climax as they were making out, Dominic's stern warning from the garden echoed in Richard's mind:

"Make sure she doesn't get pregnant, especially not with your child. That's my right as her husband, not yours. It would be inconvenient if my plans were disrupted because of you... and trust me, you wouldn't like the consequences."

Richard sighed, pulling back abruptly. The weight of Dominic's threat loomed over him. Despite his desire for Evangeline, he knew he couldn't betray her like that, nor could he ignore Dominic's words. His feelings were complicated—torn between his love for her and the dangerous game they were all playing. He carefully removed his hand from under her dress and leaned back, pressing a soft kiss to her lips as he paused.

Evangeline blinked in confusion, noticing the sudden shift in Richard's mood. "Did something happen?" she asked, sitting up slightly, concern flickering in her eyes.

Richard gently placed a hand on her shoulder, urging her back down onto the bed. "You should rest, Evangeline. I just need some fresh air," he said quietly, his tone a little distant. He stood up, running a hand through his hair as he added, "And don't forget to take your medications. We can talk more tommorow "

Before she could say anything more, Richard left the room, his mind racing with thoughts of Dominic's warning and his growing guilt.Though Dominic's absence might linger in the back of her mind, He knows Evangeline always indulges herself in a moment of quiet comfort with him, who had always been a steady presence in her life.

As Richard shut the bedroom doors, he wondered if she realized how much Dominic's absence affected her, though she'd never admit it. For now, though, he would keep her company—no questions, no judgment, just quiet companionship, as always.

Evangeline watched him go, puzzled by his sudden retreat but too tired to press the issue. With a quiet sigh, she turned her attention to the drawer beside her bed, pulling out the medications she had to take each night. The servants had already placed a glass jug of water on the nightstand, as they always did. She swallowed her pills, washing them down with a sip of water, but her mind lingered on Richard's mood shift.

Why had he suddenly withdrawn? What was on his mind? She brushed off the thought, deciding not to dwell on it for now. After all, she had learned long ago that trying to understand everything was impossible—especially when it came to the two men in her life. Exhaustion soon overtook her, and she slipped back under the covers, drifting into a deep sleep.

Richard remembered that he had a visitor scheduled for the day. After briefly greeting the guards and some of the servants, he walked out of the building, his hands shoved deep into his pockets, heading toward the gates. His expression was unreadable, but beneath the surface, his mind churned with thoughts—both about his mission and about Evangeline. He passed through the gates and found the visitor already waiting for him, cloaked in a hood, distinctly different from the man Richard had encountered at the motel.

Without saying a word, Richard pulled out an envelope containing 200,000 Yewen and handed it over. The man yanked it from his hand, inspecting the weight of the envelope suspiciously.

"It's 200,000," Richard said coldly, his gaze steady. "No need to count. I don't scam people."

The man raised an eyebrow, his voice low and threatening. "Have you found the necklace yet? We're running out of time. Don't make us get involved ourselves," he warned, pointing a finger at Richard and twirling a cigar between his fingers.

"I'm working on it," Richard replied, his tone clipped. "You're here to collect the money, so take it and leave. As for the Heart of the Deep Blue Sea... that's my issue to deal with. I'll handle it personally. Tell your boss to stay out of it." He turned away, walking off without giving the man a second glance.

Though Richard not knowing the location of the necklace—or if he at least had a strong lead—he had no intention of handing it over. Not if it meant harming Evangeline. He clenched his fists in his pockets, his jaw tightening at the thought. Protecting her had become more important than any mission.

"Don't get too carried away just because you're warming that woman's bed," the man called after him, his voice dripping with disdain. "Don't forget your mission."

Richard paused briefly, the words hanging in the air. He could feel the weight of the accusation, but he didn't turn around, refusing to give the man the satisfaction of a reaction. Instead, he resumed walking, his mind clearer than ever.

From the moment he had set foot in the Verdaselles estate, his plans had shifted. Evangeline had changed him in ways he hadn't anticipated. Once, he had been driven by nothing but survival and the cold efficiency of his missions. Now, something deeper, something real, had begun to take root in him.

"Since I arrived at the Serenity Palace and met Evangeline, everything's changed," Richard thought, his heart heavy with the truth. "I want to be by her side, even if we're separated one day. I'll protect her at any cost, even if it means risking my life."

Richard wasn't naive about who he was—a ruthless assassin, someone who had no place in Evangeline's world of grace and nobility. But his heart, as conflicted as it was, beat with sincerity for her. She wasn't just a part of the mission anymore. She was everything. And if protecting her meant betraying his former life, then so be it.

As he approached the manor again, he cast a glance up at the windows, wondering if Evangeline was awake. The thought of her smile, her laughter, her fierce independence filled him with warmth he hadn't felt in years. But along with it came the shadow of Dominic's influence, the reminder that, in the end, Evangeline wasn't his to have.

Still, as long as he was around, no harm would come to her. Of that, Richard was certain. His heart ached with the knowledge that his love for her would likely remain unspoken, but it didn't matter. Protecting her was enough.