110: Chapter 110 The Boudoir! Absorption! Harvest! Surprise! Aftertaste!

Oak Manor.

Vanessa's private boudoir...

Unlike her outward style, her bedroom was exceptionally cozy, possessing a touch of girlish softness.

The walls were a soft off-white.

The massive four-poster bed was draped with light gold curtains and covered with a thick velvet mattress.

Perfume and jewelry boxes were arranged on the vanity.

By the window stood a cushioned chaise lounge and a small desk, scattered with a few poetry collections and fashion magazines from the Imperial Capital.

The air was filled with the rich fragrance of roses and lilies of the valley, unique to her.

Everything here stood in contrast to the slightly aggressive image she presented in public.

The bedroom door closed softly behind them.

Isolating everything from the outside world.

Only a crystal bedside lamp was lit in the bedroom, casting a warm and hazy light.

There were no excessive words.

Everything happened naturally...

Vanessa was initially a bit tense and stiff, but she soon relaxed completely.

She even became proactive and passionate, like a rose in full bloom, releasing astonishing warmth and beauty.

...

The storm had passed.

Like an exhausted swan, Vanessa curled up in Rowan's arms, her long, deep chestnut hair damp with sweat, clinging to her flushed cheeks and smooth shoulders and back.

She fell into a deep sleep, her breathing even and long.

Rowan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze as clear as before.

With a flicker of thought, the panel appeared in his mind.

[Charm lv3 Proficiency + 24]

[Drain lv2 Proficiency + 32]

[Free Attribute Points + 36]

A flash of joy crossed his eyes.

The harvest was huge.

36 Free Attribute Points!

This was equivalent to the proficiency he, as a Great Knight, could accumulate in thirty-six days of practicing his Breathing Technique!

As expected, the first harvest was the most bountiful, especially since the target's rating was high, and the quality of the emotional energy was also higher.

"It was a worthwhile trip," Rowan thought to himself.

Not only had he obtained key intelligence, clarified the situation of The Senate, and found a path for future progress, but he had also established an extraordinary intimacy with this noble lady of the Bryce Family.

He glanced at the sleeping Vanessa in his arms; based on experience, when she woke up tomorrow morning, there would often be another wave of emotional fluctuation, from which he should be able to Drain some more energy.

Thus, he adjusted to a more comfortable position, pulled her soft, warm body closer, and closed his eyes, letting a sense of satisfaction drag him into a deep sleep.

The bedroom returned to tranquility, with only the faint glow of the fireplace embers and their intertwined, long breaths.

...

The next day, early morning.

The winter dawn light carried a cold softness.

Pale golden light fell upon the messy velvet mattress, illuminating the dust motes floating in the air.

Vanessa woke up feeling sore all over.

Her long, curled eyelashes fluttered a few times.

Then, those beautiful eyes, which always swirled with allure, slowly opened with the haziness of just waking up.

Her gaze first fell unfocused on the canopy above, and the scent lingering at the tip of her nose was no longer the rose fragrance that belonged solely to her, but a mixture of a crisp and thick masculine scent.

And... a hint of sweet, musky scent.

Immediately after, her bodily sensations quickly returned.

The warm chest pressed tightly against her back, the arm wrapped around her waist, and the soreness and strange sensation from deep within her body...

All the fragments of memory instantly surfaced clearly in her mind.

The private tavern, the swaying candlelight, the scorching breath, the whispers close to her ear, the dim yellow light of the bedroom, the burning skin...

Vanessa's body stiffened imperceptibly for a moment.

But it was only for a moment.

In those beautiful eyes, which had already regained their clarity, there was no panic, shame, regret, or intense emotional fluctuation.

Only, after the initial moment of confusion, a near-cold realization and calmness quickly arose.

She lay quietly where she was, not moving immediately, just keeping her eyes open and staring at the shadows on the top of the canopy, letting her thoughts race.

Yes, it happened.

With this Baron Flynn.

Surprised?

A little, after all, she was not a casual person.

Regret?

It seemed... not really.

As a woman from a military noble family, even if she wasn't the heir, she had been immersed in the realistic laws of power, transactions, and strength since childhood.

She knew too well what the true hard currency was in this world.

It was power—the strength that allowed one to stand firm and control their destiny.

And the man who had shared the night with her, young, handsome...

More importantly—

He possessed terrifying strength that was jaw-dropping.

No matter how one looked at it, he was a high-quality stock with infinite potential, worthy of investment.

Having a relationship with him might have broken some social etiquette boundaries, but if measured from a purely interest and survival perspective... this was by no means a bad thing.

On the contrary, this could become a bond that tied their interests more closely together.

Especially since she was about to take root in the North, take charge of the Purple Thorn Territory, and would inevitably have frequent dealings with this potential neighbor in Gino City in the future.

A tacit alliance based on an intimate relationship was sometimes more solid and flexible than a paper contract.

As for feelings, chastity, or other things sung about by bards...

They seemed so illusory and secondary in the face of family interests and personal prospects.

She had long since learned to place reason above emotion.

Having figured this out, the last trace of subtle ripples in Vanessa's heart completely subsided.

She even slightly adjusted her posture to lean more comfortably in the man's arms, feeling the steady heartbeat and warm body temperature from behind, and actually felt... this morning quietness and reliance were not unpleasant.

Just then, she felt the arm wrapped around her from behind tighten slightly.

Immediately after, an extremely faint, strange fluctuation that seemed capable of pulling at her emotions quietly enveloped her.

It was Rowan.

He seemed to be awake?

Vanessa's heart stirred, and she maintained the posture of feigning sleep, without reacting.

Rowan was indeed awake.

He had noticed the moment Vanessa's body stiffened slightly and her breathing changed.

He skillfully and quietly activated the [Drain] skill, preparing to harvest the first wave of emotional energy of the morning, which was usually of good quality—

Shyness, sweetness, confusion, or even a hint of regret; whichever it was, it could be converted into valuable attribute points.

However, the perception fed back by the skill made him slightly stunned.

Nothing.

Nothing at all?!

The intense or delicate emotional energy he had expected did not appear; what came back was a void of calmness?

It was as if he wasn't holding a woman who had just experienced her first night and should have had complex emotions upon waking.

???

A trace of absurdity and confusion rose in Rowan's heart.

This was not right.

Very not right!

Based on his experience, especially when facing a first-time target, the morning emotional feedback was usually the most distinct.

Was there a problem with the [Drain] skill?

He didn't believe it, concentrated again, and pushed the [Drain] perception to a more delicate level, trying to capture any tiny throb, shyness, or even the slightest bit of awkwardness.

But, still nothing!

Only a steady calmness, like a winter lake, with no waves beneath the frozen surface.

Now Rowan was truly a bit stunned.

This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.

He couldn't help but lower his head slightly, wanting to look at the woman in his arms.

Just at this moment, Vanessa seemed to wake up just right.

She moved slightly, then... hugged his waist back, rubbed contentedly against his chest, made a lazy nasal sound, and then...

Her breathing became even and long, and she fell asleep again.

Rowan: "..."

Feeling the relaxed and soft body in his arms again, he was momentarily speechless.

Didn't Drain anything?!

This woman... what is she doing?

The morning light moved slowly in the bedroom.

Rowan looked at the bright red rose on the sheets, a flash of helplessness in his eyes.

It seems this Ms. Bryce is far more... interesting than he had imagined.

No wonder he could Drain so much last night.

Turns out there was nothing left the next day...

...

Time passed.

The daylight grew brighter.

Vanessa woke up leisurely.

This time, she turned over and got out of bed very naturally.

Her long, deep chestnut hair was draped somewhat messily over her smooth shoulders and back, with some traces remaining on her snow-white skin, appearing exceptionally alluring in the morning light.

But there was not the slightest bashfulness or shyness on her face; she just stretched naturally, revealing her beautiful body curves, then turned her head, met the gaze of Rowan who was looking at her thoughtfully, and revealed a lazy and frank smile:

"Good morning, Baron."

"Did you... sleep well last night?"

Her tone was natural, her light brown eyes clear and bright, carrying a trace of sleepiness from just waking up, yet not a hint of awkwardness or abnormality could be seen.

Rowan looked at her and also smiled, his smile meaningful:

"Very well, thank you for your hospitality, Ms. Bryce."

"And you?"

"Unprecedentedly relaxed." Vanessa blinked, threw off the quilt, stepped barefoot on the soft carpet, and walked straight towards the adjoining bathroom, her gait natural, her figure swaying:

"Want to join me?"

"It would be my honor."

In the spacious steam bathroom, hot water misted, filled with the soothing scent of essential oils.

The two bathed together, but there was not much romantic lingering; it was more like a tacit relaxation and... observation.

The water washed away the exhaustion of the whole night.

Vanessa's performance was always frank and generous.

Occasionally chatting with Rowan, the topics jumped from whether the water temperature was suitable, to news that might be circulating in Gino City this morning, or comments on some fragrance in the bathroom, as naturally as if they were partners who had known each other for many years.

After washing up and dressing neatly.

Vanessa walked to the bed, looked at the bedsheet stained with a few drops of dark red, and was silent for a moment.

Then, she leaned over, gently pulled the sheet off the bed, and carefully folded it up.

Her expression was very calm, but deep in those beautiful eyes, a trace of complex light seemed to flash by.

Subsequently, she put the folded sheet into a corner of the bedroom and gently closed the cabinet door.

Rowan leaned against the doorframe, quietly watching her finish all this, without making a sound.

...

Breakfast was arranged in the small dining room on the first floor.

The long table was covered with a white linen tablecloth, set with freshly baked bread, warm milk, fried bacon and eggs, and several jams characteristic of the North.

Sunlight spilled in through the tall glass windows, bright and warm.

The two sat opposite each other, eating quietly.

The collision of knives and forks with the porcelain plates made a slight crisp sound.

"What are your plans for next?" Vanessa cut a small piece of bacon and asked casually.

"Handle some trivial matters. Then... perhaps it's time to start making preparations for The Senate's vote."

Rowan took a sip of milk and replied.

"If you need help, you can come to me anytime." Vanessa looked up at him, her tone natural:

"After all, we are allies now, aren't we?" She smiled lightly.

"Of course." Rowan smiled and nodded, "I will inevitably have to trouble you, Ms. Bryce."

Breakfast ended in a subtle atmosphere.

Rowan stood up to say goodbye, and Vanessa also put down her napkin and saw him to the manor gate.

"Then, farewell, Baron Flynn."

Vanessa stood inside the door, revealing a bright smile to him, and waved goodbye.

"Farewell, Ms. Bryce. Take care." Rowan nodded, turned around, and walked towards the outside of the manor.

Vanessa did not turn back immediately.

She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, her eyes following that gradually receding back until he disappeared around the street corner in the morning light.

The bright smile on her face, like ice and snow under the sun, little by little, slowly faded and disappeared.

In her eyes, the calmness was gone, replaced by an extremely complex, surging emotion.

There was an imperceptible throb, thoughts about the future, and perhaps... a faint sense of melancholy that she herself hadn't delved into.

Leaning against the cold, heavy wooden door, Vanessa Bryce stood quietly for a while.

The winter sun outside the window was just right.

She raised her hand, looking towards the morning sun, and the fragmented sky light cast mottled shadows on her face.

She gently brushed her full lips, where the scorching touch of some moment last night seemed to still remain.

After a long while, she let out a soft sigh, shook her head, turned, and walked towards the direction of the study.