"A cute young man who values discretion—how intriguing." She extended a hand, her fingers lightly brushing against his arm as she introduced herself. "Lady Nymera Goldleaf. And you are?"


    Adrian caught the name, storing it away in his mind.


    Nymera Goldleaf—a name synonymous with power, wealth, and influence. She was more than just a figure in high society; she controlled the biggest beauty and luxury goods empire in half of the continent. Her products, ranging from perfumes to enchanted beauty products, were sought after by elites everywhere.


    But that wasn''t the only reason she was known. Nymera also held another title, whispered in hushed tones among the nobility: the *Enchantress of Desires.* It was said that she had a penchant for seducing young men of extraordinary beauty and charm, drawing them into her web to use them as her personal ythings.


    Rumors circted that many a promising young nobleman had fallen under her spell, only to be discarded once she had grown bored of them.


    Adrian inwardly cursed his luck.


    Of all the people to catch his attention, why did it have to be her? He could feel her eyes lingering on his features, the sharpness of her gaze not missing the slight feminine charm in his otherwise handsome appearance. To someone like her, he was the perfect target.


    ''Great. Just great. Why do these women have such strange tastes?''


    But he knew he had to y his role carefully. Thest thing he needed was to provoke her interest further. He hade here for business, not to be another one of Lady Nymera''s conquests. Thankfully, she wasn''t the type of person who would openly lust over you or try to have their way. Or maybe it was because she was a woman.


    With aposed expression, he took her hand, but only briefly, before letting it go with a polite nod. "A pleasure, Lady Nymera," he replied smoothly, his tone respectful but with a deliberate hint of indifference. "You may call me Lucien."


    The name was one he had prepared for this persona—an alias that carried enough weight and mystery to hold its own among the elites, without revealing anything about his true identity.


    Nymera''s eyes flickered with interest at the name, but she didn''t press further. Instead, she smiled, a smile that spoke of hidden thoughts and unspoken intentions. "Lucien... A name that suits you, I must say. Tell me, Mr. Lucien, what sort of business brings you to our little corner of the world?"


    Adrian could sense the subtle trap in her words. She was fishing for information, trying to gauge his purpose here. But he wasn''t about to give her what she wanted.


    "Nothing that would interest ady of your standing," Adrian replied smoothly, his voice carrying the perfect bnce of respect and detachment. "Just a few investments that required my personal attention. Discreet matters, as I mentioned before."


    Nymera''s smile didn''t waver, but there was a glint of something more in her eyes—curiosity, perhaps, or the thrill of the chase. She leaned in slightly, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial whisper. "Discreet matters can often be the most intriguing, Mr. Lucien. If you ever find yourself in need of... assistance, do consider me a friend."


    Adrian nodded, acknowledging her offer withoutmitting to anything. "I''ll keep that in mind, Lady Nymera."


    She studied him for a moment longer, as if trying to read the secrets behind his calm exterior. But when she finally spoke, it was with a yful lilt in her voice. "Well, I won''t keep you from your business any longer. But do enjoy your time here, Mr. Lucien. Perhaps we''ll meet again, under more...


    favorable circumstances."


    With that, she turned gracefully and walked away, her emerald gown trailing behind her like the tail of a serpent. Adrian watched her go, feeling the weight of her gaze still lingering on him, even from a distance.


    As soon as she was out of earshot, Adrian allowed himself a moment to rx, his shoulders easing slightly.


    "So you didn''t lie back then."


    Just then, Adrian heard a familiar voice.


    He turned slightly, following the sound of the familiar voice. Descending the staircase not far from his seat was a woman whose presencemanded immediate attention.


    Her long, lustrous purple hair cascaded down her back like a river of twilight, perfectly framing her elegant figure. Her eyes, sharp and intelligent, met his with a gaze that seemed to pierce right through his carefully constructed facade.


    ''Here she is...''


    She was the reason he hade to Valerian Hall, the woman who held the answers to the questions that had gued him since receiving that note.


    Her name was whispered with both reverence and fear in the highest circles of society.


    Known for her unparalleled intellect and strategic mind, she was a woman who rarely showed her true emotions. To most, she appeared gentle yet indifferent, her expressions calm andposed—a mask she wore with the same ease that Adrian wore his own.


    But Adrian knew better. He had seen glimpses of the real woman behind that mask, the one who was as calcting and cunning as she was beautiful.


    As she approached, her steps light and graceful, Adrian straightened in his seat, his demeanor shifting from the wary detachment he had shown to Lady Nymera to one of subtle anticipation.


    She was not someone to be underestimated, and he knew that whatever conversation awaited him would be far more perilous than the exchange he had just endured.


    Her eyes flicked briefly to where Lady Nymera had stood moments before, a faint smile ying on her lips as she returned her gaze to Adrian. "It seems you''ve already caught the attention of the resident enchantress," she remarked her tone light but with an undercurrent of something more—amusement, perhaps, or maybe even a hint of warning.


    Adrian inclined his head slightly, acknowledging her observation without confirming or denying anything. "I seem to have a talent for attracting the wrong kind of attention," he replied, his tone equally light, though his eyes remained serious. "But I think I know the real reason behind her interest."


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    Her smile widened ever so slightly, but her eyes remained as inscrutable as ever. "And yet, here you are, did you want to meet me that badly?" She stopped just before him, her gaze sweeping over his form with an almost clinical precision. "Lucien, is it?"


    Adrian allowed himself a small, knowing smile. "Yes. And your name is?"


    "..."


    "Evangeline."