Along the way, Natalie walked very slowly, hoping that everyone at the ball would see her and the esteemed Mr. Samuel heading to the secluded balcony together. The cool night breeze hit, clearing her head a bit.
“This is your chance, Natalie. You must seize it,” she thought, determined. She staggered a few steps, and, as expected, the man beside her supported her. Before she could feel too pleased, she was surprised to find that this seemingly reserved Samuel was slowly leaning his head toward her smooth neck.
“My dear Natalie, it seems like there’s something on you right here,” Wei Xicheng’s voice carried an alluring undertone.
“Could you please remove it for me, Mr. Samuel? I can’t see it myself,” Natalie said shyly, yet boldly exposed her neck to the man, tilting it slightly to show an elegant curve.
Their conversation sounded normal, but their movements grew increasingly intimate. The man’s breath brushed against Natalie’s vulnerable neck, and Wei Xicheng looked at the slight tremor in her neck, feeling the temptation from her blood.
This body’s instincts were taking over, and Wei Xicheng had no intention of resisting them. After so many worlds, he had long grown accustomed to adapting to different roles.
But…
Wei Xicheng sniffed, catching a whiff of a sweeter source of blood, which made the pulse beneath his nose lose its appeal.
Natalie waited a long time without feeling the man’s touch. She stumbled, hoping to fall into his arms, but Wei Xicheng deftly set her down on the windowsill instead.
“Miss Natalie doesn’t look well. You must escort her back to her friends,” he said, opening the balcony door and addressing the two servants outside.
“Yes, sir.”
Natalie felt a hint of frustration flash across her eyes. What just happened? What had gone wrong? Was it her perfume? Did it fail to mask her natural scent and annoy him?
Despite her regret, she obediently followed the servants off the balcony. She knew that when a man you wanted to impress didn’t wish to see you, disappearing without protest was best to avoid irritating him further.
There’s still a chance, Natalie.
Once the balcony door closed again, Wei Xicheng looked at the fluttering curtain, from which that sweet scent was emanating, impossible to ignore. He approached it slowly and discovered a small bump under the curtain, as if hiding a child.
“Come out,” he commanded, seating himself on a nearby wicker chair, hands crossed under his chin, waiting for his little “prey” to crawl out on their own.
After some shuffling, a small, palm-sized face peeked out from behind the curtain.
Wei Xicheng raised an eyebrow. “Interesting.”
The child looked at him, lips pressed tightly, body tense, like a soldier preparing for battle.
“Looks like you know something,” Wei Xicheng said with a grin, his tongue briefly gliding over his sharp canines.
“Don’t kill me.” The boy looked tense but spoke in a calm tone. “You seem hungry. I can be your food. For a long time.”
“Raising a little hunter…” Wei Xicheng stretched out his long legs. “And have you give me a holy water-soaked cross on your coming-of-age day?”
“Don’t you have faith in yourself?” the boy said, face taut and tone colder than that of an adult.
Wei Xicheng noticed that the boy’s face was bruised, and his clothes had several large tears, revealing thin and delicate wrists and ankles.
When half-vampires are born, they often face a choice: to embrace darkness and become a vampire, or to choose light and become a blood hunter. The strongest vampire hunters are usually half-vampires who chose the path of light and took on the mission to kill all vampires.
Pureblood vampires tend to be arrogant and indifferent, looking down on humans and other creatures. The boy before him was the child of a pureblood vampire noble and a human, destined to become a powerful hunter with time.
Wei Xicheng stared at the boy’s face, the red glint in his eyes intensifying.
The boy still looked tense, fists clenched tightly. Every fiber in his being told him to flee from this vampire, yet he knew he couldn’t run — or, more accurately, he wouldn’t escape if he tried.
“Come here,” Wei Xicheng’s voice took on a slightly husky tone.
The boy hesitated for a few seconds, then obediently walked over, exposing his neck openly beneath the handsome vampire’s fangs.
The sensation of the fangs piercing his skin wasn’t as bad as he’d imagined. The boy let out a soft hum, a tingling feeling spreading from his neck to his entire body, like the sparks of static electricity from a winter sweater touching his skin. It didn’t hurt at all—on the contrary, it felt oddly euphoric.
If he were to die like this, he would have no regrets.
He felt his blood draining, his limbs growing weaker, yet the vampire holding him prevented him from collapsing to the floor. Wei Xicheng pressed a finger against the boy’s neck, and the two small punctures healed quickly, but the boy’s face had turned ghostly pale.
Too thin, Wei Xicheng sighed. He’d barely started feeding before the boy grew too weak, but at least he had something in his stomach now, easing his discomfort.
He picked the boy up by his clothes, leaning close to his ear. “What’s your name?”
“Sean.”
Sean’s voice sounded frail, but his eyes were like the brightest stars in the night.
Wiping a trace of blood from his mouth, Wei Xicheng decided to take the boy with him. It seemed that this future hunter wasn’t living well, offering him food and shelter, while occasionally drawing a bit of blood in return, didn’t seem unethical.
Wei Xicheng chuckled. After so many hardships, having any morals left was remarkable.
As he opened the balcony door, he immediately noticed Natalie seated alone nearby. Her eyes lit up when she saw him, and she hurried toward him. But her gaze lacked the purity of the boy’s.
Unconsciously comparing the two, Wei Xicheng ignored the girl lifting her dress as she approached, instead calling over a servant to help support the weakened Sean.
“Old Willy, I’m leaving now. Thank you for your hospitality.”
Old Willy, who stood beside Natalie, had no interest in comforting the young lady. He nodded, then frowned when he noticed the child in the servant’s arms. “Dear Count, did this boy offend you?”
“No. Old Willy, I have an unusual request, which I hope you’ll grant.” Wei Xicheng pulled out an exquisite little box from his pocket and handed it to Willy before continuing.
“I feel a bond with Sean and would like to take him as my servant. I know this may be abrupt, so please accept this token of apology.”
Though his words implied regret, he didn’t seem apologetic in the slightest. After Willy accepted the gift, Wei Xicheng prepared to leave.
“Of course. It is this boy’s honor to bring you joy. Please travel safely.”
Watching him walk away without a glance, Natalie, ignoring the taunts of other women at the ball, called out softly, “Mr. Samuel, you…”
“Is there something else, Miss Natalie?”
Seeing his displeased look, Natalie dared not speak recklessly and simply repeated Willy’s polite words, “I hope you have a pleasant evening.”
“I believe I did. Thank you.”
Without hesitation, Wei Xicheng turned to leave, the threads on his coat shimmering faintly in the light.
—
Once they left the manor, Wei Xicheng held the boy close as they sped to a shop in town, their figures darting unseen through the night. After gathering some human food from the shop, he returned with Sean to the dilapidated old castle.
Just as he’d seen upon waking, it was covered in dust and cobwebs, exuding an air of decay.
“Eat.” Wei Xicheng tossed the food to the boy before heading to his favorite coffin. He didn’t worry about the boy trying to run away, with his weak body and short legs, even a full day of running wouldn’t get him out of the forest.
Sean took the warm, soft bread, its heat slightly warming his hands.
“There’s a blanket in the cabinet over there. Don’t freeze to death at midnight.”
The vampire’s voice floated out from within the coffin, carrying a lazy tone.
Sean slowly got up, found the blanket Wei Xicheng mentioned, and shook it, causing dust to fall everywhere. He spread it out beside the black coffin, then sat down and quietly ate his bread.
It was hard to tell what thoughts lay hidden in those dark eyes.
Wei Xicheng had inherited the original body’s habit of sleeping during the day and being active at night. By the time he opened the coffin lid again, the high moon was hanging outside.
He rubbed his eyes as he emerged from the coffin, and with just one look, he noticed the significant change in his surroundings. The carpet on the floor was gone, but the revealed floor was spotlessly clean. Every decoration around him had been wiped until it gleamed, and even the cloak hanging on the rack seemed freshly cleaned, devoid of dust.
Somehow, Sean had found oil and relit the lamps throughout the castle, casting a warm, yellow glow over everything.
Wei Xicheng looked around but couldn’t see the child anywhere. Taking a few steps forward, he heard the swishing sound of cleaning from outside the room. Stepping into the hall, he saw Sean waving his small, thin arms, scrubbing the grime from the floor bit by bit.
The castle’s hall was massive, and Sean had already cleaned about two-thirds of it. It was clear that he hadn’t slept much through the night.
“Sean,” Wei Xicheng called, his face icy.
“Mr. Samuel.” Sean stood in front of him and sneezed, hiding the rag he was holding behind his back.
“Pack up. We’re leaving here today.” Wei Xicheng’s words were cold, void of any emotion, rendering the child’s night-long efforts useless with just a few words.
“Yes, Mr. Samuel.”
Sean’s expression remained calm, showing no hint of disappointment at Wei Xicheng’s remark. “Is there anything you’d like to bring? I can help pack for you.”
“The only thing you need to do is take care of yourself well enough to provide me with fresh blood,” Wei Xicheng looked down at Sean, his pupils faintly tinged with red.
“Are you hungry again, sir?” Sean adjusted his clothes. “I think I’m still alright. You know, my self-healing ability isn’t too weak.”
“No. First, we’ll leave this forsaken place, and then you can clean yourself up properly.” Wei Xicheng picked up an old, thick cloak and inspected it for dust. “I don’t have the habit of consuming dirty things.”
“Alright.” Sean’s cheeks flushed slightly, embarrassed. He kept his hands behind his back and asked, “You will take me with you, right?”
Only after a faint “Mm” echoed from the deserted staircase did Sean finally release his grip on the rag he held so tightly behind his back.
He walked to the massive window, watching Wei Xicheng’s figure blend into the night. The trees, lush and dense in the moonlight, seemed like countless monsters devouring the castle, yet he felt a strange sense of peace.
Wei Xicheng sped toward the town, thinking that with Sean’s small frame, the food he’d brought yesterday should have lasted him two or three days. To his surprise, it had all been consumed within a day, forcing him to gather more provisions for the journey.
He had no complaints about Sean’s appetite. Eating more meant he was in good health, his blood quality was high, which was advantageous to him in every way.
And with the chill of the night, Wei Xicheng also needed to get warm clothes for Sean, he didn’t want to risk drinking blood tainted with illness if Sean caught a cold while traveling.
Vampires are notoriously particular about their taste, never settling if better options are available.
With his status came strength, and his speed was unmatched. Before Sean could even finish scrubbing the remaining floor, Wei Xicheng had leapt back through the window, carrying a large bundle.
“Catch.”
Sean staggered a step back under the weight of the bundle. “Is this for me, sir?”
“Mm. Pack it up and get ready to go.”
“Yes!”
Wei Xicheng headed to the storage room. As a duke of his clan, he possessed abundant wealth. But upon opening the door, his eyes first fell not on the expensive gold and jewels but on a single rose sitting on the central table.
The flower had lost its vitality, yet it remained frozen in full bloom, its vase filled with a thick red liquid that brought Wei Xicheng a sense of familiarity.
He reached out and touched the flower. The darkened petals fell away slowly, and he sighed softly. Indeed, nothing lasts forever. Even if love could not be found in this world, he could not allow himself to fall into despair.
After quickly gathering some valuables, Wei Xicheng left the storage room. Around the corner, at the base of the stairs, a pair of brown eyes flickered briefly.
A rose.
—
“Sir, aren’t we taking a carriage?” Sean asked, carrying a bundle taller than himself, with a faint sheen of sweat forming on his forehead.
“Do you want to take a carriage?”
“No, I mean… it must be tiring for you to carry me.”
“Are you doubting my strength?”
“No! No, I just…”
“Enough, keep quiet.” Wei Xicheng picked up the child along with the bundle he had insisted on carrying himself.
The large cloak wrapped around the child hanging in front of him as Wei Xicheng pushed off from the windowsill with his long, straight legs, and the two of them glided into the air.
A huge pair of black bat wings unfolded, flapping gently in the moonlight, quickly carrying them far into the distance.
Sean poked his head out from the cloak, his small face flushed from being confined, making him look a bit more childlike and cute. He looked down, then up at Wei Xicheng’s wings, opening his mouth only to have it filled with wind.
Wei Xicheng, holding Sean with one hand, pressed his head down with the other.
“Mr. Samuel, this is so cool,” came the young voice from within the cloak, with a hint of awe that was unmistakable.
Wei Xicheng smirked. The kid was clever and knew how to hide his feelings, but unfortunately, he was still too young. The act was easily seen through by an old creature like him.
“Regret not falling into darkness and gaining eternal life?”
The cold voice reached Sean’s ears through the wind, and he felt the chill of the body pressed against him. A few hard buttons pressed into his palm, reminding him of the person’s presence.
“No… I don’t regret it,” Sean murmured, letting his voice fade before Wei Xicheng could hear it. His nose picked up the pleasant scent of the person carrying him.
Traveling through the night without rest, Wei Xicheng covered enough distance to pass over three towns and arrive at a small city.
He needed to find traces of the “Child of Destiny,” as in the past two worlds, his beloved had a high chance of appearing around that figure. Besides, living as an outsider hidden within human society was a challenging activity. Most importantly, he had money and could live in comfort.
Wei Xicheng sighed, he was becoming more and more indulgent. But what did it matter? The script didn’t require him to struggle tirelessly.
Dawn was breaking.
“Wait here.” Without waiting to see if Sean understood, Wei Xicheng placed him behind a tall tree and turned, flying into the city.
Sean watched him leave so decisively, placing a hand over his chest, feeling an odd sensation he couldn’t quite understand.
Wei Xicheng returned even faster this time, handing Sean a small tag. “Your ID.”
Sean took the tag from those long fingers, carefully hanging it around his neck.
Clip-clop, clip-clop—a sound of hooves approached.
A fine carriage stopped before them, and the driver, wearing an odd little hat, jumped down and tipped his hat with a bow to Wei Xicheng.
“Are you Mr. Samuel? Someone sent me to pick you up.”
“Yes, let’s go.”
Sean stood there, dumbfounded, holding the large bundle.
“Weren’t you talking about taking a carriage?”
“Mr. Samuel, I’ve never ridden in a carriage before!”
Wei Xicheng snorted. “Once you grow up and become the most famous vampire hunter, there will be countless people eager to offer you a ride in their luxurious carriages.”
Regardless of Wei Xicheng’s thoughts, Sean remained stubborn about certain things—such as insisting on carrying the bundle himself and refusing to sit inside the carriage, choosing instead to sit beside the driver.
—
“Good boy! Mr. Samuel will be pleased with how well-behaved you are.”
The coachman’s compliment brought a big smile to Sean’s face.
Before dawn fully broke, the two of them found an inn.
“Mr. Samuel, are you afraid of the light?”
Wei Xicheng flipped through the parchment beside him, not even lifting his head as the diligent little “bee” busily buzzed around him.
“I’m not afraid.”
“Then why don’t we travel during the day?” Sean asked, full of curiosity.
“I prefer the night,” Wei Xicheng paused, raising his gaze to look at Sean, who was standing across the room. “And I think you should go to bed.”
“Yes, of course.” Sean quickly finished tidying the bed, set aside the washbasin, and said, “You rest well. Goodnight, Mr. Samuel.”
Wei Xicheng lay down on the bed with a clear conscience, watching Sean pull out the large blanket they’d brought from the castle and spread it beside the bed.
Although this child would inevitably grow up to be his adversary, for now, he posed no threat to him. In fact, the child’s half-vampire blood made his blood like the finest nourishment to Wei Xicheng.
“Sean.”
At the sound of his name, Sean quickly sat up from the floor, looking at the elegant vampire lying in bed.
“Living with me, aren’t you afraid?”
As he finished speaking, Wei Xicheng nearly laughed at himself for asking such a foolish question. If he were the one being kept around, fattened up and bled regularly until he was no longer useful, he’d be afraid too.
But he had already lived through so many worlds and possessed a long life, leaving him with few regrets when facing death. Yet this kid had only lived a few years, barely seeing the beauty of the world outside.
“I’m not afraid, sir.”
Sean blinked, smiling at Wei Xicheng, before shyly looking away, focusing on the black hair that spilled across the white mattress.
He said, “Mr. Samuel has been the kindest person to me.”
Wei Xicheng ran his fingers through his hair, considering for a moment before replying, “You’re likely the most miserable pure-blood hunter I’ve ever known.”
Sean looked down. In the past, he didn’t want people to know he was a “half-blood,” a mix of vampire and human, but now he felt a bit lucky to have a pure-blood vampire father.
After a while, hearing no more words, Sean looked up and saw that Mr. Samuel had closed his eyes.
Usually, those slightly upturned eyes were shut, with his high, refined nose and slightly pale, pressed lips looking both elegant and delicate.
For a moment, Sean thought back to the night when the man had risen from his neck, with faint traces of blood staining his lips red, a satisfied, mesmerizing look on his face.
Bringing himself back to the present, Sean noticed a strand of black hair stuck to Samuel’s lips. He hesitated, resisting the urge to reach out and brush it away.
The collar of his soft shirt was open, exposing his slender collarbones against his pale skin. The rest of his buttons were still fastened, but at his waist, one corner of the shirt was lifted slightly, contrasting sharply with his well-defined, lean waist and the luxurious belt.
Sean knew what vampires were like. His mother used to tell him that his father had been strikingly young and handsome, a radiant star in their little town, yet he had fallen for her alone.
He didn’t know just how handsome his father had been, but he was certain that the man before him was the most beautiful man he’d ever seen. His allure was beyond gender, captivating anyone who laid eyes on him.
Pulling the blanket around himself, he closed his eyes, eager to grow stronger.
As night began to fall, Wei Xicheng opened his eyes, his empty stomach protesting. Despite minimizing his energy use, he couldn’t resist the hunger gnawing at him.
He reached down, lifting the child from the floor, and as his fangs pierced Sean’s skin, he caught a faint scent of fresh grass. The child had bathed.
Wei Xicheng remained half-reclined in bed as Sean knelt by the bedside with closed eyes, embracing the feeling of growing weaker. It was as intoxicating as ever.
No wonder his mother, even though treated only as food, had loved his father for years, even longing for him after being left behind.
The two small puncture marks vanished as usual under Wei Xicheng’s touch. Watching Sean’s face turn from rosy to pale, a strange sense of guilt arose within him.
“Go have some food.”
But he would never let that guilt show.
——————————-
After several days of travel, Wei Xicheng finally brought his little companion to the most prosperous city.
The difference between the capital and the small towns was evident from the bustling crowd on the road. People dressed in coarse fabrics were now rarely seen, instead, fashionable individuals and their servants filled the streets, with bursts of laughter occasionally emanating from the exquisitely decorated shops lining the sidewalks.
It seemed that people didn’t have to labor but simply maintain their appearance to reap great rewards. What an insurmountable gap between the rich and the poor!
Wei Xicheng sighed as he got off the carriage.
Over the past few days, Sean had become increasingly clever. “Please deliver the luggage to 12 Wiersna Road, someone will pay you there.” After saying this, he quickly followed the man walking toward the street.
“Sir, sir, where are we going?” His courage had grown quite a bit over the days.
Wei Xicheng pulled down the brim of his hat and gently covered his mouth and nose with his gloved hand. He still disliked having sunlight directly hitting his skin under such a bright sun.
He pushed open the door to a clothing store, a lazy vampire wouldn’t want to wear these rough, inferior garments.
As soon as he entered, several ladies inside turned their gazes toward him. Wearing a hat, his soulful eyes made several of the ladies flutter with excitement.
When he lowered his hand, even more gasps followed.
“My goodness! Who is he? I’m already in love with him!”
Wei Xicheng showed little reaction to these remarks, but Sean beside him frowned, looking quite displeased.
“You should pick something too, you dress like a beggar every day,” the man said, turning his head.
Because of his motion, the little boy next to him also drew attention.
“Wow! That child is so cute! Have so many elite gentlemen come to town recently?”
“Isn’t it because of Her Majesty the Queen’s ball?”
“Do you have an invitation?”
“Hehe, I had my dad spend a lot of money to get one!”
“My goodness, you’re so lucky!”
Wei Xicheng’s ears perked up, perhaps he had something to do tonight.
Who knows, he might even see his “old friend” Mavis at the ball.
The Queen’s ball was not an event that just anyone could attend, besides wealth, a certain status was also required. Wei Xicheng sighed, recalling how he had knocked out a portly wealthy merchant halfway and taken a look at his invitation before returning it.
Unfortunately, the prestige of his lineage couldn’t be used here. If Samuel, the original body, had been a bit more power-hungry, he might have already become a prince by now.
“Let’s go.” Wei Xicheng casually waved his hand, transforming a blank piece of paper into an invitation.
Sean followed closely behind him, carefully avoiding the dust on the ground, he couldn’t afford to dirty the clothes and shoes he had just bought on the first day.
The difference between the Queen’s ball and a gentleman’s ball was significant.
Outside the grand hall, people came and went, and countless luxurious carriages were parked to the side. Dazzlingly dressed individuals entered the hall, surrounded by their servants. Inside, the hall was brightly lit, with people gathered in clusters, either whispering or raising their glasses to drink. The palace band played soft and gentle melodies.
There was no loud clamor or vulgar jokes, the gentlemen elegantly displayed their demeanor and wealth, while the ladies subtly showcased their newly acquired jewelry, wearing soft and sweet smiles.
Sean felt that everything in the hall was quite fake. Compared to the baron’s ball, the people here not only seemed to wear masks but also appeared to be dressed in airtight corsets, tightly binding themselves to the illusions they had created.
“Your task is to eat, understood?”
Sean nodded, his master truly cared for him.
This time, as Wei Xicheng entered the hall, he didn’t cause much of a stir, yet quite a few gazes lingered on the young talent. He scanned the room, lingering longer on the tall men.
Unfortunately, he didn’t feel any familiarity with any of the gentlemen present.
He picked up a glass of red wine and swirled it, watching the liquid glide down the side of the glass.
Forget it, just go with the flow.
“Excuse me, sir, may I have the honor of inviting you for a dance?”
Wei Xicheng put down his wine glass and smiled gently at Mavis, who stood before him. “As a gentleman, it would be inappropriate for me not to invite a beautiful lady like you.”
Mavis covered her mouth and chuckled, this arrogant yet forgetful vampire lord had probably forgotten who she was long ago. However, after all these years, his indifferent nature had changed quite a bit.
“So, beautiful lady, may I have this honor?” Wei Xicheng stood up, slightly bending before Mavis, extending a hand in invitation.
“I would be delighted.” Mavis placed her hand, gloved in lace, into the man’s dry palm.
Although Mavis had made a pact with a demon, it posed no threat to him. The most important concern was the blood hunter who had fallen in love with Mavis. Though not a pureblood descendant, he was still incredibly strong.
These two shared the fortune of the world, staying close to them was not just about finding someone but also for one’s own safety.
“Miss Mavis? Your name reminds me of an old friend.”
“Oh really? Did you have a friend named Mavis before?”
Wei Xicheng gently lifted Mavis’s hand above her head, allowing her to twirl under his arm.
“Yes, but that was so long ago.” Wei Xicheng smiled. “She wasn’t as beautiful and captivating as Miss Mavis.”
Mavis chuckled softly, “Sir, saying that isn’t very gentlemanly.”
“It’s all your beauty that made me lose my composure.”
Mavis’s cheeks flushed.
She had never known that her indifferent master could speak such charming words. Coupled with those deep eyes and his outstanding appearance, who wouldn’t be moved?
Moreover, having seen his cold side, such a display of tenderness was even more striking.
The two danced gracefully in the ballroom, laughing and interacting intimately, creating a delightful sight.
Sean, sitting at a distance in the dessert area, put down his fork with a cold expression after witnessing this.
The delicious pastries that had just been enjoyable now felt stuck in his throat, nauseating him.
As the song ended, Wei Xicheng and Mavis parted, hearing several gasps. He turned to see Sean on the floor of the dessert area, a group of children smearing yellow cream all over him.
Sean clutched his clothes tightly, the children, taking pleasure in his vulnerability, threw pastries at him, knowing he couldn’t defend himself.
“A servant daring to steal the duke’s dessert. Damn it!”
The children bullied him, cursing loudly.
In the crowd, Sean seemed to sense Wei Xicheng’s gaze. He glanced over at him and then buried his face in his arms, as if unwilling for Wei Xicheng to see him in such a pathetic state.
Just a glance, but Wei Xicheng noticed that the stubborn boy’s eyes were already red, his hands gripping his new clothes tightly.
He recalled how much Sean had cherished this outfit on their way here.
Wei Xicheng sighed and turned to Mavis, saying, “Miss Mavis, I think my little servant is in a bit of trouble. I need to go resolve it, please excuse me.”
Mavis smiled as she watched him leave, wondering what Samuel had experienced during all those years away that made him care so much about his servant.
In the past, if he had faced such humiliation, wouldn’t he have just been drained and thrown out of the castle?
She crossed her arms and observed the unfolding situation.
Wei Xicheng pushed through the crowd and reached the child, lifting him up.
Looking at Sean, who was desperately trying to lower his head, trying to hide his neck, Wei Xicheng felt both amused and exasperated.
Did this kid not know they had snuck in?
“What happened?” Though he appeared young, the pressure he exuded was undeniable.
This made the children surrounding the chubby boy shiver. The duke’s son was not someone to be trifled with, but if they offended the wrong person, they would surely face dire consequences upon returning home.
Initially considering retreating, the children, upon hearing the young duke’s cold scoff, steeled themselves and engaged with the nobleman.
“Sir, your servant stole the dessert from the Hanselton heir, we were just teaching him a lesson.”
“Is that so?” Wei Xicheng released his grip on Sean’s collar. “Sean, why don’t you explain?”
“I didn’t, sir…”
Hearing the child’s aggrieved tone for the first time, Wei Xicheng pondered for a few seconds. He was certain that the boy beside him was faking it. The child who had bravely negotiated for survival during their first meeting couldn’t possibly be reduced to tears by a few kids.
But why was he acting this way?
Perhaps Wei Xicheng’s gaze was too intense, prompting Sean to shyly lift his head for a glance.
“Sir…”
“This gentleman.” Before Sean could finish, the chubby boy, surrounded by admirers, spoke first. “I believe I should explain.”
——————————————————
Author’s note: Sean’s little white lotus phase is on!
