274: Chapter 274 Aurora's First Blossom! The Duke's Daughter, Nyss, Arrives in Gino City!

In the top-floor bedroom.

Aurora heard him, walked over, and sat in the chair opposite Rowan.

The moonlight from outside the window streamed through the half-closed curtains, intertwining with the indoor candlelight.

Rowan took out a box he had prepared earlier.

He opened it.

Inside lay a silver-white necklace.

A tear-shaped blue gem hung from the bottom, emitting a faint magical aura.

He handed the box to Aurora and said softly:

"Aurora, congratulations on successfully advancing to a 5th-Ring Wizard."

Aurora looked at the necklace, then raised her head to look at Rowan, whispering shyly:

"Thank you, my Lord... Actually, my breakthrough was entirely due to the power and knowledge you bestowed upon me... I didn't do anything myself..."

Rowan smiled upon hearing this, saying nothing more.

He rose, walked to Aurora's side, picked up the necklace, went behind her, and gently put it on her.

His fingertips occasionally brushed against the skin on the back of her neck, bringing a slightly cool sensation that made Aurora's body tremble involuntarily.

After putting on the necklace, Rowan leaned in slightly and whispered by her delicate, pale earlobe:

"It suits you very well."

Aurora lowered her eyelids, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and said nothing.

Rowan smiled at her expression, then reached out to cup her chin, making her look up...

Who knows how long passed...

The Witch's clothes fell to the ground like petals, one after another.

The girl's delicate and beautiful curves were revealed.

Their figures intertwined in the moonlight, slowly falling onto the large velvet-covered bed...

...

The clouds dispersed, the rain ceased.

The murmurs gradually stopped.

Rowan leaned against the headboard, looking at the deeply sleeping girl beside him.

A charming blush still lingered on her beautiful face, her breathing shallow and long.

His gaze continued downward.

On the bedsheet, a freshly bloomed, vibrant red plum blossom stood out strikingly against the white fabric.

Rowan smiled, reaching out to gently brush away the strands of hair on her forehead, slightly damp with sweat.

Finally, his gaze fell on her lower abdomen.

There, three new life forces were being nurtured, faint but clear.

He quietly sensed them for a moment, and after confirming, withdrew his gaze.

In his mind, the panel information flickered:

[Charm Lv3 proficiency +128]

[Drain Lv4 proficiency +480]

[Obtained Free Attribute Points: 1600]

Rowan glanced at it and paid it no further attention.

He reached out and embraced the sleeping Aurora beside him, closed his eyes, and also fell into a deep sleep.

In the darkness, only their steady breaths gradually intertwined...

...

The next day, dawn broke.

Faint morning light pierced through the thin mist, casting over the wilderness outside Gino City.

Two swift horses galloped along the main road, reining in outside the city.

The two women on horseback had slightly disheveled hair, but their eyes were unusually bright.

They didn't enter the city directly but slowed down outside, carefully observing their surroundings.

The more Niss looked, the more her heart sank.

On the battlefield outside the city, the bodies had not yet been fully cleared. She saw some unhandled remains of soldiers.

Most wore the standard armor of the Duke Weiduns Estate.

Niss's gaze lingered on the desiccated corpses for a long time, her face growing paler and paler.

She had already realized—

That Red Moon Proxy was likely not the person she had imagined!

Her father had failed!

Her gaze dimmed for a moment.

But then, she took a deep breath and quickly composed herself.

Red Moon Proxy! She knew the significance of this identity all too well.

It was the most powerful existence under the Red Moon, a key figure who could directly influence the future landscape of the Northern Territory.

At least, for her, it was a million times better than goblins or titans or whatever.

She was already carefully considering what to say when she met Count Rowan.

Her father and fiancé had attacked his territory, causing him some losses; perhaps she could offer some compensation on their behalf?

Beside Niss, Delia's expression was much more complex.

She had never expected that the potential Red Moon Proxy would be a Count she had barely paid attention to before.

No, he wasn't entirely unknown.

At least, she had vaguely heard of the Beauty Pageant that had caused a stir in the Northern Territory.

As they pondered, they rode their horses towards the city gate.

After the great battle, the city gate was open again, no longer restricting normal entry and exit.

They dismounted and passed through the city gate smoothly.

Order in Gino City had largely been restored, with City Guard patrolling the streets and pedestrians gradually emerging, creating a relatively stable atmosphere.

Without further delay, they headed towards Golden Flame Castle.

As they walked, Niss suddenly stopped.

"Wait, Delia." She tugged on her companion's sleeve and said, "Let's find an inn first."

Delia turned to her in surprise upon hearing this:

"Find an inn? Why aren't we rushing to the castle to confirm the intelligence? What are we waiting for?"

Niss, however, argued eloquently:

"Delia, don't you think it would be too impolite for us to just show up at a noble's castle looking so dusty and travel-worn?"

She looked down at her dust-covered clothes and boots, then touched her hair, which was messy from traveling all night:

"At the very least, we should tidy ourselves up, change into proper dresses, and then formally call upon him. That's basic etiquette."

Delia immediately understood what her long-time friend was thinking.

She couldn't help but feel a bit speechless.

But she looked at their current appearance and reluctantly said, "Alright, alright, but we need to be quick. Her Ladyship the Saint is still waiting for my news!"

Niss smiled, then turned to glance in the direction of the battlefield outside the city, gently blinking to hide a fleeting sadness in her eyes.

She inquired with a bakery owner who was opening his shop by the roadside and learned the location of the best inn in the city.

...

Golden Iris Inn.

Niss requested a superior suite.

After closing the door, she walked to the dressing table and sat down, taking out a dress from her storage ring.

It was a light purple, cinched-waist long dress with silver vine patterns embroidered on the cuffs, neither overly flamboyant nor lacking the elegance of a noble lady.

She then took out a matching set of jewelry and put it on.

A pair of pearl earrings, a delicate silver chain, and a brooch inlaid with a light purple gem...

Then, she faced the mirror, unbound her long hair that had been tied up during the journey, and began meticulously combing her messy hair, styling it into an exquisite noble maiden's bun, revealing her graceful neck.

Finally, she took out rouge and eyebrow pencil, carefully applying them, with a slight upward flick at the corner of her eyes and a hint of light crimson on her lips.

Delia stood by the window, watching her actions, and couldn't help but laugh:

"Are you going to a Beauty Pageant?"

Niss looked up, met Delia's gaze in the mirror, and her lips curved slightly:

"You know about that Beauty Pageant, and of course, I do too."

She paused, her voice softening a little:

"Moreover, as far as I know, Golden Flame Castle still doesn't have a mistress."

Delia raised an eyebrow, said nothing more, and simply reached out to adjust the shawl on her shoulder.

"Alright, let's go." Niss took a deep breath, her tone calm.

So, the two left the inn and headed towards Golden Flame Castle, the tallest building in the city.

...