"Bring wine and dishes," Clara instructed, her voice soft but commanding.
Lila quickly obeyed, and soon enough, a small array of delicate dishes was set on the table.
"A toast to Mr. Ye," Clara said, lifting a cup and hiding her face behind her wide sleeve as she took a sip, the gesture filled with elegance and allure.
Sitting this close, Nathan could now fully feel Clara's magnetic presence. Her subtle, intoxicating fragrance seemed to seep into his senses, while her every glance and gesture magnified her natural charm a hundredfold. As they shared drinks, he felt his head spin slightly, not from the wine but from the woman before him.
Sensing the atmosphere, Lila discreetly excused herself from the room. Before she left, she gave Nathan a pointed look, mentally remarking, Just wait until you embarrass yourself!
She had no doubt about the success of Clara's "charm offensive." In her mind, no man alive could resist her mistress's allure.
"Mr. Ye," Clara began, her tone casual yet intriguing as she poured him another cup, "was the melody you played earlier your own composition?"
"Not mine. It's an ancient piece I found in my youth," Nathan replied nonchalantly.
"What happened to the sheet music?"
"Oh, I accidentally burned it while playing with fire as a child."
Clara's smile grew tense, barely disguising her skepticism. She couldn't believe he'd use such an obviously flimsy excuse. Is he trying to pull a fast one on me?
"A shame, truly... Here, have another drink," she murmured, her gaze becoming even more inviting. Today, she was determined to see him break his composure.
Meanwhile, Nathan was evaluating her with a growing sense of satisfaction. She's taken the bait, he thought, confident that winning Clara over would provoke jealousy in whoever held sway over her. If he played his cards right, he was sure to succeed.
With their cups frequently refilled, both Nathan and Clara drank freely, each of them motivated by their hidden agendas. Before long, the mood turned warm, their faces flushed as they moved closer together.
"Nathan..." Clara leaned against him, her body soft and warm, her breath fragrant and sweet as she looked up at him with half-lidded eyes.
She was undeniably beautiful, and Nathan, being a normal man, found it impossible not to react. He didn't even try to hold back. After all, why bother when he feared nothing—not even death?
Why should I resist? he thought. After all, there's nothing more terrifying than death itself, and I've long come to terms with that.
The only question was whether he'd be giving up too much. Me, Nathan Ye—future Emperor and time traveler—stooping this low? He wavered, feeling like he might be at a loss in this scenario.
Alright, fine, he finally decided. For the sake of the grand scheme, I'll make the sacrifice. Woman, you're about to hit the jackpot!
Encouraged by his decision, Nathan grew bolder, allowing his hand to trail along her arm.
Clara tensed for a moment before relaxing. He's fallen completely under my spell, she thought, certain of her victory. No man can resist me.
"You are truly one of a kind, Mr. Ye," she murmured, her fingers tracing delicate patterns on his chest as she spoke.
"And to meet someone as enchanting as you, Miss Xiao," Nathan replied with a smirk. It's no wonder they say that death beneath the peony is worth it. He was already feeling intoxicated by her charms.
"A plain woman like me... Do I truly have your favor?" she whispered, sounding coy and vulnerable.
"If you're plain, then the rest of the world's women must pale in comparison," he answered, his tone sincere. Then, shifting his tone ever so slightly, he added, "It's just a shame that you already belong to someone powerful. I suppose we're not meant to be."
"Someone powerful? Mr. Ye, where did you get that idea?" Clara asked, feigning surprise.
"Just common gossip."
"It's nothing but a smokescreen, spread to confuse others," she explained, her cheeks flushed. "I'm still untouched by any man."
Her response caught Nathan off-guard. For a moment, he looked at her, now with a sliver of doubt.
"Then... you're not with some powerful figure?" he asked, blinking in surprise, his gaze suddenly much more sober.
"Of course not," she said with a chuckle. "Although I do have another identity..."
The atmosphere in the room grew tense as Clara leaned closer, lowering her voice to a whisper. "In truth, I'm an undercover agent for the Rosha Kingdom, gathering intelligence here in Da Zhou. Part of my duty is to seek out and recruit talented individuals. Mr. Ye, your remarkable abilities have not gone unnoticed. Da Zhou is plagued by inner strife, corrupt officials, and a weak ruler. There's no future here. Why not join me and serve Rosha?"
Clara's words were like a lure, drawing him in with a delicate mix of temptation and intrigue. She had anticipated some resistance, perhaps even a fierce internal struggle on Nathan's part.
But, to her surprise, Nathan's response was immediate. Before she could even blink, he pushed her away firmly, his voice steely and cold.
"Please, restrain yourself!"
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