The words died in Sera's throat instantly. Her eyes widened, remaining frozen for several long seconds before a heavy pout finally pulled at her lips.
"Are you actually being serious right now?"
A tired sigh escaped me. "Is it truly a crime to flirt with my own wife? Why must it be treated as something forbidden or inherently wrong?"
Confusion clouded her features. "Do you mean those words... they really came from your heart?"
"Yes," I answered, my voice devoid of its usual playfulness. "And yet, you dismissed them as nothing more than cheap lines."
The frown on her face deepened, turning into something sharper. "Are you doing all this just for the sake of sex? Fine... fine, let's get it over with then."
The moment that cold offer left her mouth, a bitter taste settled on my tongue. I didn't answer. I didn't argue. Without a single word, I turned and walked straight out of the bathroom.
Sera scrambled after me, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and panic. "Hey... man, what is it you want? Don't drive me crazy! If that's what you're after, then let's do it now. I'm ready."
I took a seat on the edge of the bed, drawing in a slow, grounding breath. "Forget it, Sera. The desire has vanished... Just look at the gift."
With a flick of my storage bracelet, a box wrapped in shimmering paper materialised. I handed it to her directly, my gaze fixed elsewhere.
"A gift?"
Surprise flickered in her eyes, her expression shifting into a complex map of conflicting emotions. She began to inspect the package, slowly unravelling the paper. The second she saw the contents, a small, involuntary smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
It was a crimson-red dress, intricately adorned with pearls and precious gemstones. Beside it lay a golden necklace, where two cores—one emerald green and one shimmering silver—sat nestled together.
Now, Banatia's foul mood during our encounter made perfect sense. This gift was worth far more than the two cores I had provided, especially since I had requested high-level Mantis and Moon Deer cores. I realised a sincere debt of gratitude was owed to that merchant for our next meeting.
"The plan was for you to wear it after we bathed together," I said, my tone flat. "But it doesn't matter now. Go ahead and try it on."
A flicker of guilt gleamed in Sera's eyes, but it was too late. Theo had already turned away, not noticing. I decided to grant her the solitude she needed to change, my mind already drifting elsewhere. "Maybe I should have just gone to train today," I muttered under my breath. But since I was here, I would let the hours flow as they may.
I made my way to the library. Knowing how long women typically spend on their appearance, I planned to submerge myself in books to pass the time. Moreover, I needed to maintain the rigour of my daily training; a nagging feeling suggested I was wasting the potential of my hunts due to that five-hundred limit.
Once inside, I pulled a heavy volume from the shelves. It detailed the world of mages and their hierarchical ranks, asserting that the path of magic was the ultimate pursuit. However, it was a path strictly reserved for human races—and that,s good for a vampire like myself.
The system was divided into eight tiers, with each level containing three distinct stages. It began with the Apprentice:
Early Stage
Middle Stage
Peak Stage
Beyond that lay the ranks of Student, Mage, Great Mage, Archmage, Magic Master, Legend, and finally, the Rogue. As of now, only one individual in history had ever laid claim to the eighth level. The elegance of this system fascinated me; mastering magic after the upcoming test was already a cornerstone of my plans.
The sharp click of high heels against the floor shattered the silence of the room.
I raised my head. For a heartbeat, the air in my lungs stalled.
The dress fit her with breathtaking precision, accentuating her grace without betraying the privacy of her form. I had been meticulous in my request; I had no desire for anyone else to witness the delicate contours of my wife's body. The necklace provided a final, enchanting touch with its silver and green radiance.
A question drifted through my mind: Did Sera bring beauty to the dress, or did the dress bestow it upon her?
She stepped closer, her gaze searching and expectant. "What do you think? Does it suit me?"
"It suits you perfectly."
The honesty slipped out before I could restrain it. I regretted the words instantly; I had intended to maintain a cold distance to annoy her.
A small smile played on her lips. "Thank you for the gift, Theo."
"Don't mention it."
With my part played, I decided to leave for my training. "I'm heading out. I'll be back in a few hours."
I moved toward the exit, but her voice acted like a tether, stopping me in my tracks. "That's it? That's all you have to say?"
I turned back, genuinely puzzled. "What do you mean?"
She scowled, her frustration bubbling over. "Are you taking revenge on me just because I said no earlier?"
Anger flared in my chest, hot and sudden. "Do you truly think I am that petty?"
"Then what is this?" she shouted, her voice echoing. "Would it actually hurt you to pay me a compliment?"
I struggled to keep my voice steady, though the air between us felt charged with lightning. "Try to understand... I wanted the atmosphere to be romantic. You were the one who shattered it. The desire is dead, and I simply gave you my honest opinion."
I took a step closer, my eyes hardening. "What more do you want from me?"
She looked at me with a flash of pure disgust. "So, you are punishing me for refusing you?"
"Fine."
Without warning, Sera began to strip her clothes off right there in the middle of the library.
She glared at me, her eyes burning with a defiant, angry light. "Isn't this what you're after? Come on then, do it... If this is what it takes to satisfy you."
But the reaction she expected never came.
Theo simply turned his back.
He walked out of the room with a chilling, silent coldness, leaving her there without sparing a single glance.