276: Chapter 276 Delia's Complicated Feelings! Nyss's Resolve!

The atmosphere in the reception hall was slightly stagnant.

Delia felt Rowan's undisguised gaze upon her and heard that slightly playful comment, causing a flicker of displeasure to cross her heart.

As an envoy for the Night Saintess, she was treated with courtesy wherever she went; when had she ever been scrutinized so frivolously?

But upon thinking of the identity of the person before her, she suppressed that displeasure and said calmly:

"That is correct. The Saintess has sent me to discuss some matters with you."

She paused, locking her gaze onto Rowan's eyes, and asked, enunciating every word:

"You are currently the Red Moon Proxy, are you not?"

Upon hearing this, Rowan's eyes narrowed slightly.

Although the commotion caused by him becoming the Red Moon Proxy through sacrifice was not small, he had not expected someone to come knocking on his door on the very second day?!

He did not answer immediately, but instead picked up the black tea on the table, took a light sip, and only after setting the teacup down did he slowly ask in return:

"Whether I am or not, what does it matter?"

Observing his unhurried attitude, Delia thought for a moment and decided to stop beating around the bush, choosing to lay her cards on the table:

"There is no need to deny it, My Lord. We naturally have ways of confirming it."

"I have come here today without any ill intent. It is simply that the Saintess wishes to meet with you to discuss matters related to the Northern Territory."

"For instance, the final ownership of Will Province..."

She paused, her tone becoming more earnest. "You heard what Niss said earlier; the Northern Territory is currently far from stable."

"My Lord, while the Red Moon Proxy is powerful, it is not invincible."

"The situation in the Northern Territory is not as simple as you imagine. The Red Moon's resurgence is merely a prologue. The Red Moon Proxy is indeed valuable, but it is not the main event. More forces will be entering the fray one after another..."

Having said this, Delia stopped and looked at Rowan instead of continuing.

After listening, Rowan also looked at Delia, as if trying to discern whether she was lying.

After weighing the matter for a moment, he spoke:

"Oh, is that so?"

He then smiled dismissively and said:

"Indeed, I did accidentally become that so-called Red Moon Proxy."

Upon hearing this, Delia felt a tightness in her chest.

That is the Red Moon Proxy!

You're telling me it was an accident?!

But remembering the Saintess's instructions, she forcibly suppressed the urge to retort, maintained a calm expression, and continued to ask:

"Then, what is your opinion regarding the meeting the Saintess desires?"

She paused, then added:

"The Saintess will communicate with you regarding other circumstances following the Red Moon's resurgence."

Hearing this, Rowan frowned slightly:

"I am indeed not yet sufficiently informed about the current situation. Isn't it a bit too soon to be talking about this?"

As he spoke, he turned his gaze to Niss, who was to the side, his tone carrying a trace of deep meaning:

"Moreover, Duke Witton just attacked my territory."

"Now, his daughter and an envoy from the Night Federation have come to my door together, claiming they want to communicate with me. How am I to trust your sincerity?"

...

Upon hearing this, Niss's fingers clenched slightly.

Then, as if having made a decision, she took a deep breath, turned to look at Delia, and said:

"Delia, return to the inn and wait for me. I will discuss the subsequent matters with Count Golden Flame."

"What?!" Delia was startled and turned to look at Niss in astonishment.

But upon seeing Niss's serious expression, she seemed to understand something.

Her lips moved slightly, and in the end, with a complex expression and a touch of speechlessness, she said:

"Fine... then so be it."

"I will wait for you at the inn."

Having said this, she stood up, gave a slight nod to Rowan, and turned to walk outside.

After watching the graceful figure of the Dark Elf lady fade into the distance, Rowan withdrew his gaze and looked at the noble daughter of the Duke's estate, who remained seated in her original spot with a calm expression, smilingly saying:

"I wonder, Miss Niss, what else you would like to discuss?"

This was the second daughter of a Duke he had encountered, and he was very interested in this!

Upon hearing this, Niss did not answer immediately.

She first scanned the environment of the reception hall, then withdrew her gaze and said softly:

"I wonder if, My Lord, we might change to a quieter place to discuss the details?"

Her voice held a trace of nervousness that was not easily detectable, yet she tried hard to maintain her composure.

Hearing this, Rowan's smile deepened slightly. His gaze lingered for a moment on Niss's bright and elegant face, then he stood up and readily agreed:

"Of course, Miss Niss, please follow me."

He turned and walked out of the reception hall.

Niss watched his back, let out a soft breath, then stood up and followed.

The two walked up the stairs all the way to the top floor, finally stopping in front of a carved oak door.

Rowan pushed the door open, turned to the side, and made a gesture of invitation.

Standing at the doorway, Niss's gaze crossed the doorframe, seeing the furnishings inside.

A large bed covered with a light-colored sheet, a tall floor-to-ceiling window, a round table and recliner by the window, and a faint, lingering fragrance in the air.

When her gaze touched that large bed, her steps visibly faltered for a moment.

Her breathing stalled slightly, and her fingers tightened again.

But she only hesitated for a moment.

She bit her lip, quickly suppressed the last trace of hesitation, and then stepped forward, crossing the threshold.

After she entered the room, Rowan also walked into the room and gently closed the door behind her.

...

By the floor-to-ceiling window.

Rowan pulled out a chair and invited Niss to sit.

The sunlight shone through the bright glass, casting a warm and radiant halo.

After Niss sat down, she did not speak immediately, but instead turned her head to look at the view outside the window.

Outside the window, the panoramic view of Gino City was in full view.

Rows of rooftops, crisscrossing streets, and the winding river in the distant fields...

As the highest point in the entire city, the view here was expansive and refreshing.

Niss's gaze lingered on the city bathed in the morning light for a moment, as if collecting her thoughts, or perhaps gathering strength for what she was about to say.

Rowan was not in a hurry; he picked up the teapot, poured two cups of black tea, and gently pushed one toward Niss.

Mist swirled, and the aroma of tea rose, diffusing into the air.

Then, he leaned back in his chair, quietly watching her, waiting for her next words.

After a moment, Niss withdrew her gaze from outside the window, turned her head, looked at Rowan, and said:

"After the Northern Territory defense line collapsed, I stayed at the Duke's estate to oversee the situation and take in the remnants of the troops retreating from the north."

"It was also at that time that I learned the true reason why the Northern Territory defense line collapsed so quickly."

She paused, her voice becoming slightly lower:

"The Snowfield Kingdom had a Legendary powerhouse intervene directly. The chieftain of the Frost Giant clan personally led an elite force to break through the defense line of the Ice Peak Fortress."

"Now, the Frost Giants are sweeping southward like a bamboo stalk being split, encountering almost no effective resistance along the way."

"If no one steps forward to stop them..."

Having said this, she stopped.

Her gaze landed on Rowan's handsome face, and after staring for a moment, she changed the subject:

"As for the sincerity you mentioned earlier..."

She slowly stood up, raised her hands to her front, and her fingertips gently pinched the ribbon of her dress.

Then, slowly, the lavender gown slid down her smooth shoulders, like a withering petal, gently piling up at her feet.

Then, a few more shreds drifted down.

A pile of clothing fell to the ground.

Morning light shone in from outside the floor-to-ceiling window, plating her fair and delicate skin with a soft, golden halo.

She was trembling slightly, not avoiding Rowan's gaze, nor using her hands to cover her body...

Rowan watched the entire process without blinking, his gaze carrying an undisguised sense of admiration.

His gaze slowly moved down from her delicate collarbones, gliding over her graceful curves, meticulously examining every inch of her silhouette outlined by the sunlight...

At this moment.

The voice of Niss, the daughter of Duke Witton, carried a trace of imperceptible trembling, but she still tried hard to keep her tone steady:

"My Lord... this is my sincerity."

"Are you... satisfied?"