Su Cheng leaned against the deity's shoulder, panting softly. Sweat continuously slipped down the sides of her face, dampening the area around her collar.
During this time, she also felt the magic he was transferring to her.
His magic carried a chill, as if tempered from ice and snow. It spun and crashed wildly within her body, the bone-piercing cold erupting from her lower abdomen up to her chest.
Because of the curse, her entire body was burning up like she had a high fever. Encountering magic of this nature, it instantly felt like ice and fire merging.
An unimaginable sense of comfort exploded in an instant, spreading from her spine all the way to the crown of her head.
That peculiar, intoxicating magic continued to churn and flow within her, each time precisely rolling over her most sensitive nerves.
Her vision went white, and then it was as if fireworks were blooming. She was thrown into the sky in a state of ultimate euphoria.
Su Cheng tightly gripped the man's sleeve, her toes involuntarily pointing straight. She accidentally stepped on the crushed ice on the floor, and tiny shards splashed onto the hem of her skirt again.
From her skirt to the sofa, a trail of wet marks was left behind.
The deity's laughter rang in her ears.
The magic and battle aura within her body were churning, surging in rhythm with his breathing.
"...My god."
Su Cheng gazed into those deep eyes that were spreading with golden cracks. Through this gorgeously beautiful skin, she seemed to see a sea of sin woven from lust.
Within it settled boundless, endless joy.
Perhaps—
If she continued to sink into it forever, she could forget the troubles of the world and stay far away from all kinds of pain and suffering.
"...Ouch!"
Su Cheng felt someone bite her.
The chaotic thoughts in her mind were instantly cleared.
Lusha was holding her wrist, leaving a row of bleeding teeth marks on the inside of it.
Su Cheng: "...Are you a dog?"
The other party looked at her in disbelief. "You established a link with Him again."
Su Cheng widened her eyes. "That was Him? That wasn't you? That kind of... wait, that feeling was His?"
Lusha pinched her cheek. "You little fool, I never want to take away the souls of my Blessed Ones. I merely grant them the youth and power to forever enjoy carnal desires—"
Su Cheng looked at him speechlessly. "You only say the nice things. There are plenty of lunatics among your followers."
"...I was talking about my Blessed Ones. As for those who were never blessed by me and only self-proclaimed to be my followers—"
He laughed. "Hahaha, darling, a god is just an excuse for them to unleash their true nature. Do you think there are no lunatics in countries without gods?"
Su Cheng was stumped by his question.
"Before I died, I saw many such people," he said casually. "The malice in their hearts had nowhere to vent, so they could only make innocent, weak people bear it. A vicious noble might harm a commoner, and a vicious commoner might harm a child or a small animal on the side of the road, depending on how far they can go. These actions have nothing to do with gods. But if they claim to have become a god's believer, their evil turns into the god's crime."
Su Cheng looked at him thoughtfully.
However, he did not continue this topic. He simply picked up a silk handkerchief and wiped her skirt and thighs for her.
"...What are you here for, darling?"
The deity's movements were gentle and meticulous, like a considerate lover, yet the question he asked made her head start to ache again.
"Then what about you, Your Highness," Su Cheng asked in return. "You can't possibly be here just to seek pleasure—you don't seem to think much of those people anyway."
Perhaps some people used the banquet to secretly meet and play in the Marigold Palace, but the essence of this banquet was still auctions and trades; everything else was secondary.
"Me?" Lusha said carelessly. "Perhaps I came chasing after you?"
Su Cheng was exasperated. "...You obviously arrived before I did. If you knew long ago that I was coming here, then you should also know my purpose."
He cast a resentful glance at her, as if complaining that she lacked romance. "I wouldn't know, Miss Kahn, after all, you are a noble and mysterious Silencer."
Su Cheng sighed. "Your Highness, let's be honest with each other. From now on, we won't interfere with one another—"
Lusha rubbed the teeth marks on her wrist. "If you want to make a pact with me, then I might propose some interesting conditions. I might even tempt you to break the contract. Consider whether you can afford my asking price."
Su Cheng frowned at him. "Then I should also say, if His Highness Klaus doesn't like your conditions, I can probably choose not to fulfill the treaty."
The God of Lust raised his eyebrows slightly, and then laughed happily. "Hahahahaha, you know how to use the rules better than before. Very good."
"But one thing at a time," Su Cheng tilted her head. "If there's somewhere I can help, I can give it a try. After all, you helped me."
Lusha pondered for a moment, seeming to genuinely consider the possibility.
"...How about this. There might be a musical instrument in today's auction. Find a way to get your hands on it."
He spoke lazily, sounding as if he didn't care much, and casually picked up the wine glass on the table and shook it.
Inside, a golden-green liquor appeared out of thin air.
The strangely colored, semi-transparent mead swayed and rippled in the crystal glass. Reflecting against that long, pale, snow-white hand, it looked exceptionally vibrant.
Su Cheng's gaze froze on his fingertips for a moment, almost uncontrollably recalling the sensation from before.
The man's finger tapped the side of the glass.
A crisp clink.
"Come back to your senses, darling."
He leaned close to her ear and spoke softly, lightly biting the young girl's ear as he did so.
It didn't hurt at all.
However, the spreading numbness instantly traveled down, turning her soft from her neck to her shoulders.
"Your Highness—"
Su Cheng said with some dissatisfaction, "You're obviously here for that thing! Why are you pretending as if it's just in passing?"
"Darling," he sighed, "nothing is an absolute must for me. If I can't get it, then so be it. I am already very used to the feeling of 'not getting what I want' and 'plans failing'."
Su Cheng was left speechless.
"Besides," Lusha blinked at her, "of course, even if you don't succeed, you won't have to pay a price. I can even give you a little 'deposit'."
Su Cheng nodded slowly. "...I don't want to pry into your private affairs, but are you sure? How could a musical instrument appear here? Shouldn't all the auction items today be things that elemental mages can use to craft various props?"
"Not all of them," he lowered his head and took a sip of wine. "The guests today are mostly nobles. It wouldn't be strange to have a few thousand-year-old artifacts mixed in."
Su Cheng figured he must have some misgivings, otherwise, what was there that he couldn't get himself? He was a god, after all.
But right now, he had only shaped a physical shell, probably like some sort of disposable tool. Perhaps his power was limited too?
"Go change your clothes."
The dark-haired man said with a smile. "It's time for the ball."
Su Cheng then stood up, looking at the hem of her skirt which was still messy despite being wiped dry. "...Among the people attending the banquet today, besides Prince Cassiopeia, are there any other members of the royal family?"
"Yes."
"How many?"
"One. Prince Aquila, the third child of Leo III."
"Then," Su Cheng nodded, "find a way to make her notice me."
Lusha gladly agreed.
Su Cheng walked into the adjacent cloakroom.
She pushed open the oak door carved with vine patterns. The scent of spices immediately hit her face, and the crystal chandelier illuminated the gilded frames on the walls.
In the center of the room stood a huge oval full-length mirror and a dressing table. On the left and right sides were open clothing racks, with all kinds of gowns available.
Su Cheng picked a burgundy strapless long dress with a small train that was short in the front and long in the back. A rose gold chain circled the waist, and the ruffled, layered folds looked like rolling ocean waves.
She sat in front of the sandalwood dressing table, tidying up her slightly messy hair.
Suddenly, a beautiful, well-knuckled hand picked up the long-handled ivory comb from the table. Nails painted with rose-red floral branches glided across the comb's teeth.
The mirror reflected the tall and fit figure of a man. His shirt was still slightly open, revealing a patch of snow-white, full chest muscles, making him look lazy and unrestrained.
"...Slow down, my dear. You've broken quite a few strands."
He leaned over and embraced the girl at the table, then gently gathered her waterfall-like black curly hair. "Such beautiful hair, what a pity."
Those slender fingers with exquisite lines patiently rubbed apart the tangles in her hair.
Only then did he pick up the comb to start grooming. The comb's teeth glided through the hair, making a faint rustling sound, like spring silkworms nibbling on mulberry leaves.
Su Cheng was a bit surprised.
She couldn't help but look in the mirror. The mirror reflected the appearance of the deity behind her. He lowered his head slightly, his expression very focused, as if he were caring for some precious treasure.
Su Cheng: "By the way, do those hair-growth potions work really fast?"
Lusha looked up at her, meeting her eyes in the mirror. "If you know how to choose. If you buy the wrong one, it either won't work, or... the rapidly growing hair won't just be what's on your head."
Su Cheng laughed out loud. "I meant you don't need to be so careful."
The man behind her fell silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled as well. "My dear, you are truly kind. Well, don't rush to refute it; at least in some aspects, you are."
Su Cheng blinked. "I don't want to refute it, because you're the one saying it. You must have seen a lot of extremely outrageous people, and I think compared to them, I probably deserve the word."
"Hah," the deity laughed happily, "that's the way."
The pads of his fingers occasionally touched her scalp, still carrying a warm sensation.
When the ivory comb's teeth glided over, it caused waves of comfortable, fine tingling that spread all the way down her spine, arousing shivers on her exposed nape and back.
Lusha put down the comb and skillfully and elegantly separated and smoothed her hair into strands. He took out tiny diamond-studded hairpins from the jewelry box. His fingers nimbly weaved through her hair, coiling and securing the small braids. Those sparkling white diamonds looked like stars dotting the night sky.
He raised his hand again to pinch a few strands of hair.
Su Cheng could feel the heat rising from between his fingers; that scalding breath steamed against the side of her neck.
After he let go, the curled arcs of those hair strands became even more pronounced.
Su Cheng: "..."
Truly pure manual hair curling!
He patted her shoulder. "How does it feel?"
Su Cheng looked at herself in the mirror. The pinned-up bun looked round and full, making the top of her head look higher. It made her look very energetic, with a touch of youthful playfulness.
Lusha embraced her from behind, gently resting his chin in the hollow of her shoulder, loosely wrapping one arm around her waist.
Their two faces were close together.
Su Cheng was originally looking at herself, but soon she couldn't help but look at him.
Su Cheng: "...Thank you, Your Highness. It might also be that I'm too used to seeing my own face, but anyway, my feeling right now is that you are really beautiful."
Lusha raised an eyebrow. "Make sure you say the same thing in front of Jellal next time."
Su Cheng instantly stiffened.
His sudden mention of the God of Jealousy meant he most likely knew she had met with the Jealous God.
Su Cheng puffed her cheeks. "I've never belittled you in front of him. You didn't even hear what we talked about, and most of the time he was just attacking the God of Purity!"
The God of Lust pinched her chin. "He looks down on me, so of course he wouldn't talk about me much. But even if I didn't hear your conversation, I can guess that you must have been completely mesmerized by him, and because you were afraid he'd kill you, you did everything to please him."
Su Cheng: "..."
"It's human nature," Lusha said, but then continued in a resentful tone, "Besides, you don't even dare to look at me seriously, because just one look and you lose control, so you can't properly think about who is more beautiful between him and me."
Su Cheng: "...Actually, is there a possibility that when beauty reaches the level of you two, it's already hard to truly distinguish a winner? At most, the evaluator's aesthetic preference decides the answer."
The God of Lust narrowed his eyes. "Don't use the attitude you use to deal with him on me."
Su Cheng coughed lightly. "He is more stunning."
"Say whatever you want," Lusha curved his lips into a smile. "I'm not him, I don't care that much. I even wished I were a bit uglier once—"
He lowered his head and kissed the girl's cheek, then brushed his fingertips over her cheekbone. "It's a bit smudged. Let me touch up your makeup, my dear."
Then he observed the exquisite bottles and jars on the dressing table.
Most of them were masterpieces of alchemy, made of rare materials on the market.
He picked up a small white jade box, took out finely ground pearl powder, and then picked up a soft puff made of magical beast fluff, gently sweeping it over her temples and the sides of her nose.
The two were so close that they could hear each other's breathing.
Su Cheng could clearly see every detail on his face. His smooth, flawless skin looked like jade under the light, and his long black eyelashes were like fluttering butterfly wings.
She couldn't help but reach out to touch his mouth. Those two lips were full and bright red like a flower. "Did it just rub off?"
Lusha neither confirmed nor denied it, reaching out to pick a jar from the pile and handing it to her.
Su Cheng took it and twisted it open. Inside was a translucent paste, a bright and beautiful pomegranate red, exuding a sweet floral fragrance.
It was a lip rouge blended from magical plants, bee royal jelly, and oil.
She pinched the man's chin and pressed the small brush against the dip in his lips, suddenly feeling a bit nervous again.
"...Sorry, I haven't really done makeup on others before," Su Cheng felt she had messed up. "Is it not like this?"
Lusha blinked nonchalantly. "It's okay."
He picked up another smaller brush, tucked it into her hand, and then held the girl's slender wrist, slowly brushing along the lines of his lips.
"...Like this is fine."
He let go of her hand.
Su Cheng directly faced those two extremely gorgeous lips shimmering with a moist gloss. Her breathing stopped for a moment, and then she silently turned her head away.
She looked at the otherworldly makeup sponge set aside, couldn't help but pick it up and give it a squeeze, and then pressed it against his face.
However, the thing was softer than she had imagined.
She didn't control her strength well, and a small puff of white pearl powder squeezed right out, landing squarely on the man's tall nose bridge.
Su Cheng: "...Sorry."
Lusha was amused by her. He took her hand again and guided it to glide across his face.
Su Cheng: "Hmm, I can't really tell the difference. Your skin is too good."
He tilted his head. "I'm not human, after all."
Su Cheng: "That's true."
Thinking about it made her even more enthusiastic. She picked out a mahogany-handled brush with an animal-hair tip and dipped it into a black gel from one of the bottles.
With her other hand, she lifted the corner of his eye.
Lusha obediently let her do as she pleased, even comforting her, "Don't be nervous."
Su Cheng tried to draw a smooth, continuous line of eyeliner, but the brush tip was too soft. She gave it a try and found it a bit difficult.
Su Cheng: "...Is there a firmer one?"
He laughed again, taking her hand for the third time. Without even looking in the mirror, he let the brush tip steadily sweep across his inner eyelid, leaving a fluid shadow.
The outline of those deep eyes became even clearer and sharper as a result, and the slightly upturned corners of his eyes grew increasingly soul-stirring, sending a thrill through her like a sharp blade scraping across her chest.
Su Cheng heard her own heartbeat once again.
Of course, in a sense, this had become the norm whenever she spent time with this guy.
She slowly put the brush back. "Thank you, Your Highness, for everything."
"You are welcome," the deity looked at her with a smile. "Let's go, darling. It's time for us to dance."
