Lily turned her head slightly, her voice cold.
"Don't overthink it. I simply enjoy a bit of peace and quiet."
Carl's lips curled into a teasing smile.
"Really? Lady Lily, your name has a D in it, doesn't it? People of the Will of D aren't exactly known for being quiet."
At those words, Lily actually rolled her eyes. It was a subtle motion, but Carl caught it and chuckled softly.
"If you ever show your face outside, Lily, I bet you'd drive a lot of men crazy."
Lily scoffed dismissively.
"That would only disgust me."
"You can't say that. Everyone appreciates beauty, right? Or are you really so indifferent to your appearance? Maybe you should take a page out of Charlotte Linlin's book—now that's someone who lives with no restraint."
Lily's brow furrowed.
"Charlotte Linlin? You're comparing me to that sow who does nothing but think about having kids all day?"
"Well, you're both women—why not compare you? Lady Lily, that's prejudice."
She fired back immediately.
"Don't be ridiculous, Saint Carl. You're calling me biased? What about your remark just now about the people of D? Isn't that bias too?"
Carl's expression didn't change. He replied calmly.
"Of course not. Everything I say now is truth."
"You—!"
Lily was about to get angry but suddenly paused, as if thinking of something. Her lips curled slightly.
"Very well, Saint Carl. That's how a king should be. You really are more suited to that Empty Throne than I am."
"So, what you're saying is... you're abdicating in favor of me?"
"That's about right. But more than that... I'm just tired of it all."
With a soft sigh, Lily slowly lay down, turning her back to Carl.
"I'm truly exhausted. Don't... torment me anymore."
Carl raised an eyebrow at her words, then lay down beside her. He reached out and gently patted her shoulder, casually saying,
"Lady Lily, how about changing your position a bit?"
She frowned, but still adjusted herself as he asked, lying face-down so his hand could rest more naturally against her back.
But Carl still wasn't satisfied. He moved on his own, applying a bit of force with his arm to pull her close, pressing her body against his.
Turning his head, Carl met her gaze. In Lily's eyes flickered a trace of shame and frustration—yet it vanished quickly, replaced by deep helplessness.
She gave in, adjusting her position again. One smooth, pale arm slipped onto Carl's chest, and she leaned her face against him, eyes closed. Her voice was muffled.
"Is this good enough for you?"
Carl was slightly surprised by her cooperation. He looked down at the top of her head, lifted his other hand, and gently stroked her cheek. Lily's body trembled slightly at the touch, but she made no further response.
Moonlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, casting a soft glow on the large bed. The man and woman lying there were both breathtakingly beautiful, their forms entwined in sleep—like a portrait of lovers caught in a fleeting, tender moment.
Yet who could imagine that these two had the power to shake the world?
In this vast world, everything seemed to lie within the grasp of these two lying together.
...
The next morning, Lily slowly opened her eyes. They were still slightly dazed, though the confusion faded quickly, clarity returning to her gaze.
A sense of rare lightness filled her. She exhaled softly. But before she could properly savor the peace, Carl's amused voice reached her.
"Morning, Lily."
Her heart skipped a beat. Only then did she realize she'd somehow ended up sprawled entirely on top of Carl.
The heat of their contact crept up her cheeks, reddening them like a ripened apple.
She tried to push herself up, but Carl's large hand was still firmly pressing on her back. Any movement would only excite him further.
With no other choice, Lily stayed put, her voice low.
"Morning... Saint Carl."
Just as she braced herself for more teasing, Carl surprised her—by sitting up while still holding her, causing Lily to land squarely on his lap.
Panic surged in her chest.
"What are you doing?! I absolutely won't—"
"Won't what?"
Carl looked at her like she was a fool.
"Lily, don't tell me you're the type to sleep in? The sun's already up and you're still not getting out of bed?"
Lily blinked, confused.
"You're getting up now?"
"What else? Did you forget I'm the Fleet Admiral? There's a whole fleet of Marine ships docked under the Red Line. I can't just slack off. I'm busy, you know."
He shot her a sidelong glance and smirked.
"Or... could it be that Lily doesn't want to get off me? Is my body that comfy?"
Her eyes widened with fury.
"Ridiculous! You were the one who dragged me onto you!"
"Oh? So now Lady Lily plays the blame game? Last night, you were the one who climbed on me. I couldn't even push you off!"
"Then move your hand off my back! I don't need to rely on you!"
"Sure, I'll move it."
Carl started to pull away—but Lily suddenly grabbed his wrist.
"Don't! The transfer of the Empty Throne Seal isn't done yet. I said I'd give it to you, and I won't go back on my word!"
Carl pulled a face like he was being wronged.
"Lady Lily, don't be so domineering. Just because you're giving me something doesn't mean I have to accept it."
"You must!"
Thinking back on everything that had happened the previous day, Lily's chest heaved slightly. She had given everything to Carl just to complete the transfer of the Empty Throne Seal. If he backed out now, wouldn't that mean he'd used her for free—in every sense of the word?
The worst part was, even if she regained her strength and Carl let go, she still couldn't defeat him. He wasn't like the last generation of Five Elders she could control at will. His strength rivaled hers.
And—though she'd never admit it—at this moment, Lily couldn't muster even a sliver of killing intent toward Carl.
At most, she just really wanted to tie him up and whip him within an inch of his life.
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+140 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg