Inside the bedchamber, a warm fragrance wafted through the air.
Unlike the tranquil sandalwood of the study, the incense here carried a sweet, intoxicating floral scent that easily stirred one's deepest desires.
Mei had already bathed and changed.
She wore a nearly transparent, lotus-colored silk gown, her damp hair cascading over her fragrant shoulders like a waterfall.
Droplets of water slid down her fair skin, disappearing into the depths of her cleavage.
She knelt before a low couch, a pot of wine warming on a small table in front of her.
Tonight, she was that pot of wine, waiting to be savored.
Though she had rehearsed it countless times in her mind, when footsteps sounded outside the door, her heart began to race uncontrollably.
There was both humiliation for what she was about to do and anticipation for the success of her plan.
Creak.
The chamber door opened.
Arashi appeared in the doorway, dressed in loose casual clothes, his appearance less authoritative and more relaxed.
In Mei's expectations, the Daimyo should have been eager to approach her.
But he wasn't.
Arashi merely gave her a casual glance, then walked straight to the couch, lay down, and let out a comfortable sigh.
It was as if she, a peerless beauty, was less appealing than the couch beneath him.
Mei's heart tightened.
This wasn't how she had imagined it.
The seductive charm she had deliberately displayed was supposed to ignite the man's possessive desire.
Yet his reaction was indifferent.
"Come here, pour the wine," Arashi said lazily.
Suppressing her doubts, Mei responded softly and stood up gracefully.
She stepped barefoot onto the carpet, walking forward step by step.
With each step, the faint outlines beneath her skirt showed through, her long, slender jade-like legs gleaming under the dim light.
She reached the couch and lifted the wine pot to pour.
As she bent forward, the loose neckline of her gown slipped, revealing her snowy white chest without reservation.
Any normal man would have reacted.
Arashi picked up the wine cup, his gaze lingering for a moment on her delicate collarbone before drinking it all in one gulp.
"Nice dance," Arashi said calmly, his expression unchanged.
Mei's heart sank further.
This Daimyo was too composed.
But the act had already begun, and she had no choice but to continue.
Her beautiful face blossomed into a more enchanting smile as she knelt beside Arashi's leg, her breath sweet as orchids.
"To receive such praise from Your Excellency is Shizumi's greatest honor."
She poured again, her finger brushing lightly against Arashi's hand.
Warm, soft, with a hint of coolness.
Arashi finally reacted, taking the opportunity to grasp her mischievous hand.
Mei's heart leapt.
So he had been pretending all along.
Caught off guard, she let out a soft gasp and leaned into him, half her body pressed against Arashi's.
"Your Excellency..." Her voice trembled, dripping with allure.
Arashi looked down at her.
Her face was indeed breathtaking.
Her eyes were like silk threads, her lips like cherry blossoms, her skin fair enough to break at a touch.
And those eyes... they could ensnare souls.
"Are you nervous?" Arashi's hand traced her smooth back, feeling her body tense slightly.
Mei stiffened and replied softly, "It's my first time serving Your Excellency, so Shizumi's heart is... both respectful and afraid."
She lowered her gaze, her long lashes trembling, perfectly concealing the panic in her eyes.
"Is that so?" Arashi smiled, lifting her chin. "A beauty like you must have many secrets in your heart, don't you?"
Boom.
Mei's mind buzzed.
He saw through her?
No. It must be a test.
Tears welled up in her eyes instantly.
"Your Excellency... why would you say that?"
"Shizumi only wishes to serve you well. If I've done something wrong, please punish me..."
Her pitiful expression could melt any man's heart.
Watching Mei's flawless act, Arashi chuckled inwardly.
As expected of the future Mizukage, her composure was impressive.
"Hahahahaha..." Arashi suddenly laughed and pulled her fully into his arms.
"Why would I punish you? You've done nothing wrong." His lips brushed her ear, his warm breath tickling her neck. "A beauty like you, I wouldn't bear to punish you."
His masculine scent enveloped her, her emotions stirring uncontrollably.
Mei's body softened instantly.
Half acting, half real.
The time was almost right.
Suppressing her shame, she wrapped her arms around his neck and offered her lips.
Arashi didn't refuse, accepting this offering from the flower of the Hidden Mist.
As their lips met, Mei's Chakra surged silently.
Genjutsu: Voice of the Sea of Desire.
This technique did not harm or forcibly control others, but instead amplified their inner desires, leading them to fall into depravity and submit to the caster.
It was enough to deal with a pampered Daimyo.
She felt her Chakra invade his mind.
No resistance.
Arashi's eyes turned hazy in that instant, filled with infatuation and devotion.
It worked.
Mei's heart pounded wildly.
She deepened the kiss, reinforcing the genjutsu.
After a long moment, their lips parted.
A silvery thread connected them briefly before breaking.
"Your Excellency..." Mei's voice trembled with desire, her breath unsteady.
"Hm?" Arashi's tone was thick with lust.
"Shizumi... has a small request..."
"Speak," Arashi said dotingly, stroking her long hair. "Whatever you want, I'll grant it."
Suppressing her excitement, Mei drew a scroll from her sleeve.
She unrolled it, her voice filled with shy eagerness.
"Shizumi has a distant relative who wishes to start a small business in the Land of Fire but has met with some difficulties and needs a batch of supplies for turnover..."
"Your Excellency is busy with countless affairs, I shouldn't trouble you with such a small matter, but..."
Before she could finish, Arashi took the scroll.
"A small matter."
He unrolled it and picked up the vermilion brush beside him.
Glancing at the listed items, Arashi sneered inwardly.
Weapons, food... quite the appetite.
This batch of supplies was enough to arm more than a thousand people.
Mei held her breath, her heart almost leaping from her chest.
Her eyes fixed on the vermilion brush as it was about to move.
As long as he signed and stamped the great seal... the Hidden Mist Village would be saved.
Arashi's wrist moved slightly, the brush soaked with cinnabar.
It was about to fall.
Then, his movement stopped.
His ear twitched faintly.
Hm?
Mei's heart jumped to her throat.
Why did he stop?
She quickly looked up. His eyes were still hazy, filled with lust and the illusion of genjutsu.
The genjutsu was still active.
Then why?
Arashi tilted his head slightly, his gaze shifting toward the tightly closed window.
Mei followed his eyes.
The carved window was shut tight, the paper unbroken, showing no sign of disturbance.
A bad feeling welled in her chest.
Just as she was about to speak to guide him back with her words...
"How annoying," Arashi sneered.
He turned his head to look at the woman in his arms.
His eyes were still hazy.
But his words sent Mei plunging into icy dread.
"My beauty, wait a moment."
"Let me deal with the little mouse eavesdropping outside first."
(To be continued.)