Kyle hung his head low, not daring to retort, and could only murmur, "Father, you can only blame Serena Sterling for being so crafty. I never expected her to escape..." "Shut up!" Titus Ashworth didn’t want to hear a word from Kyle. It was said that comparison leads to pain, and compared to Seraphina Linden’s daughter, Serena Sterling, his son was just a useless waste. Titus Ashworth was now seething with anger. Clearly, this time Serena Sterling had played them all. At his palace party, Serena performed stunningly, shattering his plans to wed her to Kyle. Now, she had even attracted the attention of Kaleb Newman, the head of the Imperial Guards, making this an even bigger mess. Titus Ashworth, in his fury, smashed an antique vase. Feeling unsatisfied, he went up and kicked Kyle several times. Kyle yelped with each kick. He had never been treated this way before and held Serena Sterling accountable for all of it. Recalling Serena Sterling’s enchantingly beautiful visage and her combination of courage and cunning, truly a peerless wonder, Kyle already felt himself overheating. He swore that one day he’d crush Serena Sterling beneath him until she begged for mercy. Lord Titus Ashworth was enraged, and all the servants withdrew to one side, not daring to make a sound. Just then, a delicate and charming voice sounded in his ear, "Lord, who dares to provoke such anger from you? Do calm down!" Consort Willow had arrived! Though Consort Willow had given birth to two children and was around forty years old, she somehow maintained herself so well that her face bore no wrinkles. She was extremely beautiful, richly endowed with an exotic allure, and her gown rustled melodiously as she moved. Upon closer examination, a small bell was fastened around Consort Willow’s slender waist, emitting this very seductive sound. Seeing Consort Willow appear, Titus Ashworth reluctantly lowered his foot, spared Kyle, and sat on his dragon seat, still fuming as he said, "Who else could have angered me, Consort Willow? Just look at the fine son you have given me. Despite all the support I provided him, paving the way for him, he’s just a worthless sluggard, ruining my grand strategy and leaving me with a big mess!" Consort Willow came forward, pulling out her kerchief to wipe Titus Ashworth’s brow, speaking softly, "Lord, Kyle didn’t handle this well, but I will give him a thorough scolding!" Titus Ashworth immediately inhaled the familiar fragrance on Consort Willow’s kerchief, a scent that had followed Consort Willow for many years and had become something he relied on. It seemed that without that fragrance for a day, he felt absent and disoriented. Titus Ashworth’s rage quickly subsided, though he still let out a cold snort. Consort Willow nestled beside Titus Ashworth, her movements akin to a serpent, her breath enchanting as she said, "Lord, what’s done is done. The pressing matter now is how to resolve it. Rosalind Newman is Kaleb Newman’s only daughter, and Kaleb has led the Imperial Guards for over forty years, with a loyal band of officers and deathsworn soldiers. He’s vital. No matter who marries his daughter, he won’t rest easy, will he? In fact, Lord, you had long intended to marry Rosalind to Kyle as a concubine. So, this is the perfect opportunity to marry Rosalind to Kyle, silencing the critics and putting your mind at ease." Consort Willow’s words were precisely in tune with Titus Ashworth’s heart. Titus was so paranoid, suspecting everyone of wanting to seize his imperial power, relying on yet wary of Kaleb. Whoever became Kaleb’s son-in-law, he wouldn’t trust. Thus, he had long planned to marry Rosalind to Kyle. Titus Ashworth extended his arm, embracing Consort Willow. Through the years, his favor for her had never waned, for Consort Willow was his strategist, a force to reckon with. "But," Titus Ashworth expressed concern, "Kaleb has only this one daughter, cherished dearly. Even though Kyle’s escapades have been suppressed, Kaleb is surely aware of them. He would never willingly marry his daughter to Kyle." Consort Willow, with nails lacquered in bright crimson, slowly trailed her fingers along Titus Ashworth’s chest, batting her eyes seductively, "Why doesn’t the lord simply issue a royal decree, announcing it to the world? Can Kaleb defy it?" Titus Ashworth grasped Consort Willow’s chin, "And if Kaleb truly defies it?" Consort Willow smiled enigmatically, "Then accuse him of treason and rebellion, seize him, wipe out his entire clan, and bloodily cleanse the Imperial Guards, placing them firmly under Kyle’s control!" Titus Ashworth’s eyes gleamed. He laughed heartily, planting a forceful kiss on Consort Willow, "A clever plan! Truly clever!" Seeing his mother consort had not only placated his father but delighted him, Kyle finally breathed a sigh of relief. Indeed, when his mother acts, there’s nothing she cannot accomplish. Kyle, smug and arrogant, adjusted his attire, "Serena Sterling, just you wait and see!" Serena Sterling had finished her bath and sat before the vanity as Cherie, the lady-in-waiting, combed her silky hair. In the mirror, Serena Sterling’s freshly bathed face looked as dewy and supple as a freshly peeled lychee. The vivid red flower on her forehead accentuated her breathtaking beauty, truly a woman of Alani, dazzling the world. "Finished." Serena put down her pen, satisfied with her drawing. Cherie glanced over. Serena had drawn a bell, but it wasn’t a regular bell; it seemed peculiar. "Your Highness, what is this you’ve drawn?" Cherie asked. Serena contemplated for a moment, "I heard a string of bell sounds in the palace, which carried a seductive Bewitching Technique. I feigned entering a room before slipping away. I glanced at the maid’s waist and saw this bell. There must be something odd about it. I’ll photograph it and send it to my mommy. She’ll definitely know what it is." Cherie hurriedly fetched her phone. Serena took a photo and sent it to a number. Shortly after, a "ding" sounded as a reply came from Seraphina Linden, "Serena, where did this bell come from?" "In Titus Ashworth’s harem," Serena replied. "This is a demon bell of The Merfolk Clan," responded Seraphina Linden. The Merfolk Clan? Read full story at NoveIꜰire.net This was Serena’s first time hearing of such things. She had many questions and was about to send another message, but Seraphina Linden had already texted back, "I’m having tea and shopping with a friend, let’s talk later." Mommy is always so busy. Based on the timing, shouldn’t Mommy and Aunt Yara be in... The State of Westria by now? While Julian Rathborne and Jude Crawford are turning the world upside down looking for them, are they not afraid of being caught appearing so openly? At that moment, Cherie quietly reported, "Your Highness, just now Titus Ashworth officially decreed the marriage of Rosalind Newman to Kyle as a concubine."