Hidden Motives

Lady Celine's magic card was still in Barok's possession, allowing him to easily enter the Magic Academy. As he walked through the academy, Barok was grateful for the wizards' attire—those voluminous black robes with hoods that covered almost everything except the eyes. Although there were human wizards walking around the academy, none of them suspected him... because nearly all wizards looked like this.

Barok smoothly reached Celine's small residence but found that she wasn't there. His mind replayed the fragrant scene in the arena's small house: the soft, sweet lips and that fair, delicate skin, making his heart race.

Barok's soul, which came from another world—Earth—was human and older than Celine by a few years. So even though his current body was that of a seventeen-year-old orc youth, he felt no discomfort facing the twenty-four-year-old Celine. Of course, he also knew that he and Celine were nearly impossible; the racial gap was too great.

But it wasn't just about playing with feelings; Barok never thought he would remain obscure. He believed that one day, he could lead his people to their own territory, and then no one could stop him from getting what he wanted... or anyone he desired. For now, his first priority was to escape the human world, gain freedom, and seize the opportunity to grow strong in hiding.

Celine might have gone to inquire about the mounts, so Barok turned away and headed toward the large library under the Ingle statue. He entered the library's magic division without any trouble. Today, there were quite a few people, and old Zachary wasn't there; another elderly human was managing the place. Barok didn't alarm anyone, pretending to casually walk to the corner where the shaman leather scrolls were kept, discreetly wearing his storage ring.

The wizards in the library adhered to its rules: no one talked loudly or whispered. They each chose the books they wanted and then went to the old man to handle the borrowing formalities. The large library was quiet to the point of coldness. This was exactly the opportunity Barok wanted. His hand rested on the bookshelf, and in a moment, dozens of leather scrolls disappeared without a trace.

This corner was very secluded, with no one interested. Even though hundreds of scrolls disappeared, more than a third of the bookshelf's contents, no one noticed. Barok glanced through the remaining scrolls, confirmed they mostly contained duplicate content with no omissions, and then leisurely left. The old administrator only glanced at him before returning to his duties... Who would believe someone came to the library to steal a bunch of useless leather scrolls?

Celine still had a few loyal servants in Marquis Delta's mansion, so she could learn some non-secretive information, such as the recent business dealings of the Delta family.

Besides slave trading and the arena, livestock and horse trade were also handled by the Delta family business. Although it couldn't compare to the Paddington royal family (since the royal family was the largest livestock trade association itself), their annual transaction volume was significant. A few days ago, hundreds of fine horses from the northern Rando Plains arrived in Padeya King's City. These horses were expensive, costing two gold coins each just to acquire. With nearly a thousand gold coins' worth of business, it almost drained Delta's liquid capital. As Marquis Delta's most capable subordinate, Seston naturally had to handle this important matter.

Celine stayed in the mansion for a short while, learning all she wanted from her loyal servants, and then quickly left. Just as she stepped out of the gate, she unexpectedly saw Marquis Delta returning from outside!

"Ah, Lady Celine, what a rare guest! What, do you still remember this is your home? I thought you'd forgotten," Delta exclaimed exaggeratedly, his face full of a fake smile.

"Of course, dear Marquis Delta, as your wife, I am very faithful in fulfilling my duties. But unfortunately, you seem to lack the consciousness of being my husband. Like the scene I saw a few days ago in the mansion... you have so many female friends, and you frequently discuss confidential matters... so much that I saw you in our bed. Goodness, were you hot? You were wearing so little," Celine retorted sarcastically.

Delta's face flushed with anger, but he still smiled. "Oh, it seems we have some misunderstandings, my dear wife. As your husband, I should explain, and I can even apologize if you wish."

"Is that so? If so, I'll seriously consider it, dear Marquis Delta, my husband. Oh, I have some matters to attend to, so I must excuse myself," Celine didn't plan to engage in hypocrisy and directly left.

"It seems you will accept my apology, right? I sincerely tell you, my dear Lady Celine, that tomorrow night I will host a ball at the mansion. I hope you will attend; it will be my way of apologizing to you. Please don't refuse... if only for the face of the Delta family," Delta said.

Although everyone knew about the coldness between the Delta couple, they still had to maintain their marital relationship publicly. Celine had no reason to refuse the ball in the mansion; otherwise, she would be ridiculed as an ill-mannered woman by all the nobles.

"I'll be back before tomorrow night," Celine replied, turning and getting into the carriage.

Delta watched the carriage disappear, a meaningful smile on his face. He did not enter the mansion but turned back to his carriage, instructing the driver to head in another direction.

Originally, King Korek intended to have Prince Alvin stay in a villa in the palace. But after the banquet last night, where four noblewomen didn't return home with their husbands and were seen leaving Alvin's temporary residence in the palace the next morning, Korek knew he had to get Alvin out of the palace quickly if he didn't want to ruin his reputation. Otherwise, the maids in the palace and even the queen and princesses would be unsafe.

So he quickly visited Alvin, using some flattering words to convince him to leave the palace. The Gene family had a famous villa in the city, near the academy. Alvin was very pleased with it at first sight and moved in without hesitation. These activities didn't escape Marquis Delta's notice, and he headed to the villa where Prince Alvin was staying.

Who was Marquis Delta? Prince Alvin didn't know any nobles from a small remote country, and if it was a woman, he might be interested. So he ordered his servant to refuse the outsider entry. The women of Paddington were certainly passionate; he had been up all night with four women and was tired, planning to catch up on sleep. There were always a few figures around him, not interfering with his freedom but ensuring his safety... after all, he was the third prince of the Aldria Empire, and the emperor and empress wouldn't leave him without strict guards.

The servant soon returned with a somewhat odd expression and reported to Alvin, "Your Highness, Marquis Delta insists on seeing you."

Alvin frowned, about to lose his temper when the servant added, "Marquis Delta said... he is Lady Celine's husband." Clutching the silver coin Delta had bribed him with, the servant thought it was a good deal to trade one sentence for a coin.

Alvin, who had been displeased, immediately perked up. He had only remembered two names since coming to Paddington: Queen Susan and Lady Celine!

"Quick, invite Marquis Delta in!" Alvin ordered, his expression changing to one of joy.

Soon, Marquis Delta entered, bowing from afar and respectfully greeting, "Honorable Prince Alvin, Delta greets you. May the Light God bless you."

"Oh, the Light God will favor you too, Marquis Delta," Alvin replied, displaying the dignity of a prince. Although he was a debauched noble, he was skilled at putting on airs; otherwise, he wouldn't have fooled the supposedly wise emperor and empress.

"Marquis Delta, what brings you here?"

"Dear Prince, I am here to sincerely invite you to a ball at my mansion tomorrow night. My wife, Celine, admires your grace and wishes to introduce you to her friends from Aldria," Delta said.

Alvin wasn't foolish enough to miss the implication in Delta's words, and he was immediately tempted. He knew that Delta, who personally offered his wife, must have an ulterior motive. But Alvin didn't care; what harm would it do to agree? After all, he didn't regard a remote small country highly.

"As a noble, it is impossible to refuse the invitation of a beautiful lady. Why not? Thank you, Marquis Delta. I believe we can have a good conversation on some interesting topics," Alvin smiled more warmly, as if talking to an old friend.

"Your Highness, I have a small request, hoping you will agree."

"I'm listening, Marquis Delta."

"An elder of my family wishes to meet you," Delta bowed, not forgetting to pave the way for Duke Lind.

"Hmm?" Alvin looked at Delta with curiosity.

"My elder has something for you. He says you will understand after seeing it," Delta presented a badge to Alvin.

It's him! Paddington's exiled Duke Lind? Alvin immediately recognized the badge, having seen Duke Lind once in Aldria and remembered him well... especially since Lind had also offered a woman to Alvin, making a strong impression.

Alvin understood something. Duke Lind was very active in the empire, known for his obsession with reclaiming his throne!

"Alright, arrange an appropriate time tomorrow, and I will meet him!" Alvin agreed without hesitation, having a new idea... if Duke Lind really regained the throne, the current King Korek would either be dead or imprisoned, and then... the enchanting Queen Susan...