Published at 19th of January 2026 8:47 am

Chapter 1428: The Arrangement

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

Leila stood poised and serene, her beauty impossible to ignore.

Soft candlelight traced the curves of her figure, lending her an almost unnatural allure. Her blue eyes were deep and captivating, and when they met his, a faint smile bloomed on her lips.

For a brief moment, Marlow forgot where he was. The tension he carried eased, replaced by a lustful fascination he hadn’t anticipated.

But he quickly suppressed the abnormal desire growing in his heart. In that instant, he realized that his mind was being clouded by a foreign energy.

It was so subtle that if he hadn’t been so paranoid and alert before setting foot inside this mansion, he might have completely overlooked it.

She’s already using her magic on me! Marlow thought to himself in alarm.

Though his heart was churning with rage and apprehension, he maintained a slightly drunken look on his handsome face. He appeared to be intoxicated by the sight of the Enchantress.

"Where did you say you were from?" He murmured, his gaze sweeping over Leila’s body.

The clothes she wore were so revealing that she might as well have not worn any. Of course, this was done by design. She was to seduce the Prince, make love to him, and secretly plant a Suggestion in his mind when he least expected it.

Leila met his gaze without hesitation.

"I was born in Dunshaw, My Prince." She smiled. "But I grew up in Montecito."

Her expression was calm and self-assured, as if everything was within her control. Slowly, she loosened her transparent cloak and let it fall back, revealing her naked body. Her movements were unhurried and purposeful. It was an invitation, rather than a display.

Marlow felt his breath catch. Heat rushed to his face as his gaze settled on her abundant bosom. Then, he lowered his head, his gaze subconsciously drawn to her nether region. For a while, he couldn’t avert his gaze at all.

It was only when Leila’s melodious giggle drifted in the air that he snapped out of his daze, his heart gripped by terror. This was a level of enchantment magic that he hadn’t witnessed before. Furthermore, it was even more potent for him since it preyed on his weakness.

He forced himself sober as he stepped closer. "Montecito, eh?"

His hand reached forward, and he gently lifted Leila’s chin. Marlow took another step closer to her, closely observing her eyes, her lips, her everything.

He bent over and whispered in her ear, "I was under the impression that you were from overseas. But it turns out you’re from all the way across the Union."

For a brief moment, Leila’s eyes flickered with a dark light. But she quickly replaced it with her usual allure.

"I have always been from Montecito, My Prince." She leaned over and planted a kiss on Marlow’s lips.

The red-haired prince reciprocated. He then walked around her and stood right behind her, gently holding her waist. He rested his chin on her shoulder, then looked at Burne Ward, who was respectfully standing by the entrance of the chamber.

"She’s quite the fine woman, Count." Marlow’s lips curled into a smirk. "I’ve never seen someone as gorgeous as her."

Hearing that praise, Leila giggled seductively. She raised her hands and gently clasped them behind Marlow’s neck. At the same time, she stepped even closer to him, clinging to him with all of her warmth.

"Then what explains the discrepancy?" His ruby eyes narrowed as he looked at Burne Ward. "You said she comes from a place she does not belong to."

Although Burne Ward displayed a polite smile on the surface, inwardly, he couldn’t help but think to himself in puzzlement:

What’s the matter with him today? Why is he asking so many questions? This is unlike him.

Could it be...

Has he begun to suspect this arrangement?

No, that shouldn’t be possible!

Burne Ward had established a good rapport with the Prince for many years. It took him decades to build the trust. Initially, Marlow would question him about the women he supplied him with, but over time, such questions had disappeared entirely.

This just went on to show the trust Marlow placed in him. It was because of this very reason that he was bold enough to finally involve Leila, a Mana Vortex-Enchantress, in his scheme.

Marlow suddenly asking such questions was unexpected. However, it was something that Burne Ward had prepared for.

"My Prince, Lady Leila has traveled all over the world," he said with practiced ease. "That was why I mentioned that to you. Rest assured, she has been properly vetted by me."

Seeing Marlow silently smile at him, Count Ward suddenly felt something was off. So he quickly added, "If you’re uncomfortable with this arrangement, I shall leave with Lady Leina this instant!"

"No..." Marlow stroked Leila’s waist. "I believe you."

Count Warde secretly heaved a sigh of relief. "You honor me, My Prince."

Marlow shifted his attention to Leila, who had been quiet all this time. He whispered in her ear:

"Turn around. Get on your knees."

"With pleasure~" Leila immediately did as told, her eyes flashing with eagerness.

At the same time, Count Ward offered a bow and prepared to leave.

"You wait."

Marlow’s voice echoed in the chamber, causing Burne Ward to stiffen.

"Your Highness?" He looked at the red-haired man with confusion.

The Prince gently stroked Leila’s chestnut hair.

"Something doesn’t sit right with me," he began, his grip in Leila’s hair tightening. "For some reason, I can’t seem to shake this bad feeling."

In that moment, Leila’s pupils shrank, and she felt a terrible foreboding feeling grip her heart. However, before she could even react, it was already too late...

BAM!

With a ferocious look on his face, Marlow viciously clutched the Enchantress’s hair and drove his knee straight into her beautiful face.

"Cunt!" He spat in fury as blood gushed out of Leila’s nose and mouth.

In but a single strike, she had been knocked unconscious. Now, she lay unmoving and naked at his feet.

"My Prince, you—" Count Ward’s heat sank, but before he could even finish his words, Marlow was already upon him.

"Silence!" Marlow grabbed Burne Ward’s face and ruthlessly drove him to the ground.

As he gazed at the unconscious body of the man whom he once considered a friend, Marlow’s face twisted into a scowl.

"I’ll interrogate you both and decide whether you’re traitors," he coldly murmured.

Regardless of the outcome, he was going to kill them anyway.

Right at that moment, a deep sigh reverberated through the chamber, draining the color from Marlow’s face.

In the next heartbeat, a low and grating voice echoed in the air:

"We underestimated you, Marlow Fireborne."

That was the last thing he heard before darkness claimed him...

Share