Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 79 - 76: Beatrice Jean Naslan

The proud succubus reined in her aura and sat docilely beside Lyle like a gentle bird, twirling a lock of hair around her finger to shield her face—perhaps as a way to show her embarrassment.

After all, she had gone from a high-profile declaration of war to raising the white flag in less than a minute, and the way her face flipped so quickly also turned her self-esteem upside down.

Anna maintained about ten seconds of silence, while Lyle, being a gentleman, gave her the space to adjust.

Idly tapping to the beat of the music on the tabletop, Lyle’s attention focused on the crowd at the ball.

Anna’s fingers, still covering her face, separated slightly, and her big eyes peered through the gap, fixated on Lyle’s face.

Breaking the slump, "Alright, I really surrender. Indeed, Lady Alianna’s allure leaves no gaps at all."

"Was that lightning-quick surrender just now a feint?"

"Of course, the charm of a weak and pitiful girl is also appealing. Only men who are slaves captivated by Lady Alianna, or those dim-witted enough to lack emotional intelligence, would remain indifferent to such a situation."

Lyle paused for a second, "You’re right, her charm has indeed captured me."

"Are you close to Alianna, Succubus?"

"No one remains a stranger under that allure. Although we’ve only met once, she has certainly made an imprint in my mind."

The succubus traced lines on the bar with her fingers, her upper body collapsing entirely onto the wooden surface, her voluptuous curves deforming on the flat plane. Lyle averted his gaze, unsure whether this wasn’t just her next marketing strategy.

"But indeed, Lady Beatrice is even more beautiful—our glory, the Rose Queen of the Light and Shadow Zone, the one I adore."

Anna let out a laugh that sounded perversely slavish, frequently interspersed with slobbery swallowing noises.

"It’s work hours now, and here you are slacking off. Is that really appropriate, Succubus?"

"Your friend has already helped me achieve today’s goal. Even if I take the day off now, there wouldn’t be any issues. Besides, staying at the Bloody Rose would be much more comfortable—elegant ambiance, smooth clothing, music, fine wine, and even Lady Beatrice’s scolding. Heaven!"

Anna let out an exaggerated shriek, her bat wings spreading wide in relish as the tip of her tail on her thigh swayed contentedly. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Every girl Lyle met for the first time became more enchanting, more peculiar, more assertive, more amiable with deeper acquaintance, but in the end, they all turned into neurotic goddesses.

"You’re overdoing it, Anna."

"Hmph, you, who haven’t been baptized by Lady Beatrice’s allure, know nothing of beauty and will never understand me."

"But I have seen Alianna."

"The jewels of the Naslan Family are all unique. Lady Beatrice possesses a distinct charm no less than her sister’s."

Sister? Beatrice’s sister was Alianna. Although he knew Alianna had a sister, he hadn’t expected the tranquil Alianna’s sister would be running a risqué nightclub in the most thriving grey district of the City of Wandering.

Lyle started to wonder who had designed the emblem for the Cup of Excess.

So, Alianna was also one of the three enchantress sisters.

"Beatrice is also a Naslan, Alianna’s sister?"

"Plague Doctor, aren’t you here in Bloody Rose harbouring impractical fantasies of encountering Lady Beatrice, thereby gaining information on her sister Alianna, and ultimately winning over the beauty, perhaps even both sisters, you hopeless romantic fool?’

Quite a vivid imagination.

"No, I am here only because Candy invited me."

"I won’t hand over my dummy little brother to you. Candy has been brought up by me since he was little, and I’ve already planned out his life for him. He will start dating a beautiful woman normally when he comes of age. Hence, I will never allow a homosexual like you to mess up my brother’s happy life."

"The word ’normal’ coming from you, a Succubus, is quite funny. Rest assured, I’m not interested in men."

"Even if they’re prettier than women?"

"Yes."

Anna spread her palms open, "Having seen Alianna, you surely wouldn’t care for my carefully adorned cuteness."

"Is Beatrice really that beautiful?"

"Beauty beyond description. Oh, you’re such a lucky man, Plague Doctor." Anna stopped there, offering a smile and turning her head to one side.

The music stopped, and there was not a sound in the grand ballroom—no footsteps, cheers, not even a breath to be heard.

The crickets ceased their playing, their bodies bending at ninety degrees, collectively turning in one direction.

The guests halted mid-step, standing in the center of the dance floor, all looking in that direction.

The sound of heels clicking on the floor was like drops in a pond, rhythmic and measured, emanating from behind and to the side of Lyle. When he turned his head to look back, he too became a part of the frozen time.

Coming down from the second floor was the night sky spread across the staircase, studded with stars, surrounding the girl. Her skin was as pale as snow, her lips fiery red, lustrous and full as if juice was about to seep out at any moment.

Under the light, her black hair had hints of plum-red. A lady’s hat perched on her head, adorned with a rose in full bloom, resplendent as blood.

Similar features to Alianna, her face expressionless yet her eyes smiled, as though her eyes could speak. Peering through the windows of the soul, she left her imprint in your deepest self.

She smiled, her lips curling up, accompanying the frenzied gasps of the crowd around her, their skin flushed red. Lyle felt his own heart rate pick up, his blood boiling as if about to erupt.

"Revel, my guests, for the Bloody Rose knows only nights of revelry."

Her voice, both bewitching and declarative, echoed as she spoke, and the room once again filled with cheers and footsteps, untamed music soaring and passionate dancers whirling, rich hormones in the air.

She was a witch, casting a spell upon us, immersing us in endless revelry as if we were to dance until the end of time.