An Liyue couldn't believe her eyes.
In fact she instinctively pinched her arms to be sure she wasn't dreaming.
And she wasn't.
Right before her eyes were...
Flowers!!!
Flowers of different colors, species...
And no, they weren't vegetables, they were simply...flowers! An liyue could clearly distinguish them from vegetables, I mean anyone can!
And then Han Raviel's low sarcastic voice entered An Liyue's ears, " Quite appetizing...right? "
An Liyue: " ... "
Because what, she looked like butterflies?!
He didn't end there, " you look quite... surprised "
Surprised? more like shocked instead!
" After knowing your best delicacies were flowers, I made sure to bring the best from the garden " he said with a cold smile playing on his lips. " What do'ou have to say to me? "
An Liyue couldn't find her tongue.
" I see, you're too excited to even thank me...it's all right, I won't hold it against you "
The situation only got worse An Liyue's stomach decided to betray her by producing a soft unmistakable grumble of hunger.
" Go on...eat up " Han Raviel urged as he stood up, elegantly walked a few steps and stopped directly where An Liyue sat.
And instead of that smiling sarcastic tone, his voice sounded more deep intense and chilling, " next time...don't disobey me! "
With that he straightened and walk past her as though nothing had happened.
However, whether it was because hunger wasn't a thing to play with, An Liyue rushed towards him, clutching his legs " p-please, please I- I'm sorry, " she choked out " I- I promise, I promise I would never in my damned life disobey you again, I- I swear, never again, please Lord Han, please " she cried as her tears streamed down her face and stained the fabric of his trousers.
Han Raviel stiffened where he stood.
Even the nearby servants gasped.
" I promise " she cried on with a firm grip as though her life depended on it...
Oh yeah it did, if she didn't eat she'd die of hunger.
At that moment, feeling her warm soft body against his leg, Han Raviel shockingly felt a strange urge build up in him...
To lift her up...gently.
What was this?!
His eyes twitched as he struggled with himself.
It'd been years now,
Years since he had allowed anyone this close, years since had felt the touch of a woman.
Somehow he had completely forgotten what it felt like.
Also her cries seem to pierce something in his chest.
Is this... what it feels like...
Just then, a memory flashed in his head.
Love, you're body is too soft.
Hahaha, is it? Well it seems you're the only one who would ever know...and enjoy it.
He had smiled sheepishly, to shy for a man like him, he had felt peculiar.
Love, my body...is yours and yours alone.
Damnit!
Han Raviel suddenly snapped out of his thoughts as he looked down to An Liyue fiercely, and then, burning with anger he pushed her away.
" Ahh... " she cried on terribly.
He paused for a second and without looking back, walked out.
An Liyue remained on the floor.
She looked like a corpse, the only difference being the occasional sobs and trembling of her shoulders.
She didn't have the strength to stand up or crawl over to her room as she remained curled up on the ground, crying without restraints.
Few seconds later, Mr Xu walked in.
He shot his eyes closed the moment he saw An Liyue sobbing on the floor. ' Tsk, Raviel, you're going too far... I hope things don't get too harsh to make you regret ' he thought as he rested on the pillars watching her helplessly.
However, in few seconds later, things took an unexpected turn.
A servant walked into the room quietly and whispered something into another servants ears.
The man's eyes widened instantly, clearly not able to conceal his shock, he nodded and quickly hurried off without a word.
He moved straight into the manor kitchen where he repeated the message to the cook.
The Cook reacted the exact same way, staring in disbelief.
Immediately, Mr Xu stood up straight, alarmed with a suspicious look on his face as he tried to grasp what was going on.
And in no time, before the moments could settle, a rich aroma of food which could only be served at high-end famous restaurants filled the air.
The aroma hit An Liyue, and it only made matters worst as she slowly lifted her head, her mouth watering as she wished for just a taste, but then, after realizing wishes—her wishes, don't come true she lowered her head again.
However, what happened next felt like An liyue had finally fallen asleep and was dreaming as she felt a light tap on her shoulder.
" Hm-hmm? " She murmured without opening her eyes.
" Miss " someone lightly called her.
Finally, she slowly opened her eyes and met the servants gaze " Y-yes? "
" your dinner...is ready "
An Liyue: " ... "
She was ready to start crying again, what were these people... monsters?
But then, when she looked at the servant's face she noticed a hint of sincere happiness though he tried his best to conceal it.
And when she turned slightly she saw Mr Xu as well.
Smiling.
D-dad's happy...
This... wasn't a bad sign.
She immediately forced her self up and her eyes went wide again.
But this time was out of surprise and not shock.
The delicacies of food which stretched on top of the table could make the world's hardest working creatures —ants, abandon their duties and just sit and stare.
An Liyue looked on in disbelief and then blinked twice to be sure her eyes weren't seeing things.
She turned to Mr Xu who gave a small nod with the smile still lingering on his face.
And then she turned to the servants, they also had mild smiles on their faces.
" M-me? " She stuttered.
They all nodded.
She walked slowly towards the table but suddenly retreated back immediately, as she looked towards where Han Raviel had passed earlier.
Mr Xu immediately understood as he assured, " It was instructed by him personally "
Information varified.
An Liyue immediately attacked the food like a hungry lion.
She didn't bother hesitating to be sure it wasn't another trap.
In short, if Han Raviel still wanted to punish her then she didn't care, being hungry and fed flowers was already the worst.
She moved from dish to dish quickly, with tiny bits of food lingering on her lips and cheeks.
Seeing her, Mr Xu couldn't help but let out a quiet laugh...
She looked so cute.
___*___*___*___
From inside a room came two malicious voices.
" Mother, " It was xiaoyan, her tone was light and cheerful as Zhao Meilin—her mother, combed her hair.
" the incident happened yesterday and Liyue left same day, don't you think she's already dead now? "
Zhao Meilin paused for a moment and agreed, " Mm! she should be, I would have said... I'm not yet sure if it was someone else... But Mr Han Raviel? hahaha " she laughed " she's definitely gone by now "
" Hahaha, " xiaoyan joined in, clearly pleased. " mother, then that means we can spread the rumors now right? that An Liyue was a stupid slut who was enfatuated with Han Raviel despite knowing his nature, and crossed lengths to get into his bed, and now... "
She paused for dramatic effect and then she and Zhao Meilin chorused,
" Now she's gone! Hahaha " their laughter echoed throughout the room.
" Now! I'd do it right away! " Xiaoyan said as she impatiently brought out her phone, logged into her standby fake account and uploaded the news " done! haha, now the company is coming back to its rightful heir right mom? "
Zhao Meilin smiled, " of course my darling, what's yours... No matter how far it drifts.. would always find it's way back to you " she said and the two laughing jackass continue laughing, their satisfaction filling the room.
___*___*___*___
Back at the dining hall, An liyue kept on eating,
Wait eating? Haha no...
She was devouring the food with such intensity that Mr Xu worried she might get choked.
Well it wasn't really her fault.
The food almost tasted out of the world.
She couldn't help it, back home Zhao Meilin's food were quite tasty, but compared to this it didn't even come close.
And just as she was eating, she felt the atmosphere drop, and that same feeling of being watched enveloped her again.
She paused,
Her heart beat skipped a bit.
When she looked at the servants, thier faces were now replaced with seriousness in contrast to their earlier ease as they all lowered their heads.
Okay? Calm down, you've only simply existed, nothing else.
An Liyue assured herself.
Taking a sharp breath An Liyue turned around and almost collided with Han Raviel's face.
She gasped.
And he just kept staring at her as though trying to understand if she was a human.
An Liyue swallowed, wishing he could just maybe shift back a little.
And then he finally spoke, " Meet me in my library "
An Liyue blinked and nodded.
He looked at her once more and left.
" Whew " An liyue relaxed.
His library...
He didn't even tell her where it was, so far she only knew her room!
Her black room!
Most perfect for a girl like her...
She was full now, so she quickly drank water and turned to Mr Xu " uh-uhm, I - I ... "
Mr Xu smiled, " it's on the top floor, go left, follow the corridor, it's the only room at the end "
" Uh- okay, y-youre not coming with me? "
He smiled warmly, " He specifically told you, and also no one enters without his permission"
" Ohh okay?...okay, I'll go right ahead "
He nodded and she left, following the direction.
Once she got to a dark hallway with dim lights, she couldn't help but think, ' damnit! If I died here, my body would be searched for a millennium ' she added a small laugh to lighten the atmosphere.
' Tsk! What did he even need me for now? '
She couldn't help but feel the rythmn of her heartbeat become slightly faster.
And then she got to the door.
She gulped nervously as her hand hesitated on the cold knob.
And then finally opened it only to get greeted by darkness.
An Liyue: "!!! "
She suddenly bowed " good - good evening " she greeted and instantly felt stupid realizing she just greeted the darkness.
" H- hello? " She called out, and was startled by how loud the echo sounded.
And then, " Don't you know library rules? " A voice came from right beside her.
Completely caught off guard, she lost her balance, almost falling to the ground as she instinctively tried to grasp anything to hold unto.
And in the next instance, she felt a grip on her waist, strong, firm...
Her brain short-circuited...