" Lord Han, your ride is ready" came the courteous voice of a butler pulling Han Raviel from his intense gaze.
But then she saw it right?
Yh.
At that fleeting second Han Raviel's eyes flashed with the same red she had seen on the roof, her heart skipped.
What could've triggered it.
" Nope, not me , I certainly didn't cross any line "
So what...
Before her thoughts could get the better of her, An liyue shook off the thought and refocused.
Her gaze landing on the ride.
And the ride?
Oh hell yeah!
It was a goddamn black Rolls Royce phantom gleaming under the moonlight.
No doubt if it was xiaoyan behelding such sight?...
She wouldve melted.
Liyue on the other hand just felt her jaw drop.
Han Raviel walked gracefully towards it and slid in, while An liyue however, just stayed rooted outside staring at the black phantom.
There had to be another ride taking her.
She? No! Such cars weren't for her.
She just stood leaning on one leg like an idiot, waiting for... What exactly...
Oh yes!
Her own ride.
And instead of the car in sight to move? It didn't.
Rather a butler approached.
An liyue recognised him.
It was the chief butler who had met her and Zhao Meilin.
" Miss An Liyue" he called out with a smile. " I'm glad you reconsidered your decision. "
Reconsidered?
Oh yes, because delivering herself to a man with red eyes that screamed murder was on her bucket list.
" However, miss An, you should be in the car now with lord Han "
" Wh–what?! "
" Miss An, we won't like lord Han to come out and tell us himself would we? "
Heh!
An liyue immediately floated towards the car by herself.
And once again, she was seated directly near Han Raviel.
Then the car zoomed forward and the massive automated gate slowly opened, welcoming him inside.
Once inside, an liyue ran utterly speechless.
This was a confirmation that she was dreaming.
Right before her was a sight her eyes weren't built to carry.
Tall pillars framed the entrance.
Fountains lined the driveway, waters under the effect of golden lights, shimmering in the dark like liquid sunlight, throwing it's reflection across the obsidian walls.
Water lilies floated on the pool—liyue loved lilies.
Then life–sized statues of birds, eagle that seemed to be watching her.
Now she shrank at that sight.
It was just like Han Raviel in a bird form—frightening.
And then, the mansion, rising like black and gold jewel in the night sky.
It's walls, clear black obsidian lined with gold trimmings on the edge.
It was...
Magnificent.
As the car glided into it's designated spot, two butlers immediately stepped forward and opened the door.
Han Raviel first walked out.
And then, An Liyue.
The moment she stepped out, the two butlers froze.
Completely lost their composure.
It was just as if they had seen a ghost.
An liyue was a ghost.
They couldn't believe she was alive.
They both exchanged glances,
Shock,
Disbelief.
One of them blinked twice, making sure his eyes weren't playing tricks on him.
A woman!
Standing besides lord Han and in his most private residence —which was hidden from the world.
They were utterly dumbfounded.
Such hadn't happened in years, not since the late Miss.
Han Raviel's gaze flickered towards them, " is there a problem? "
They nervously shaked their head, " no lord Han " they chorused.
Han Raviel didn't say anything more and just walked inside.
Immediately An liyue stepped her foot inside, she embarked on another wonder.
The interior was just as breathtaking as the outside, maybe even more.
She could clearly see her reflection on the marble floors.
And then, tall obsidian pillars rose to high ceilings.
Above them hung a massive chandelier with golden crystals that casted a warm glow in the dark hall.
Everywhere she looked was black... and gold.
Nothing else.
It was... elegant, yet intimidating at the same time.
And just then, she heard the side voices, the gasps.
" A–a lady? "
" Wh-- am I seeing clearly? "
" Lord–lord Han brought a crossdresser home? "
The whispers came from the nearby butlers who couldn't conceal their shock.
At that moment, An liyue felt like a rare animal that was suddenly thrown into a crowd of spectators.
" Provide a room for her " Han Raviel ordered.
The hall immediate fell quiet the moment the words left his lips.
And then one of the butlers immediately stepped forward " right away lord Han" he turned to An liyue " Miss " he said, gesturing as he lead the way.
An liyue held her breath, her heart not returning to it's normal rhythm as she passed a dark corridor which was illuminated only by flickering flames of lanterns.
Creepy.
Perfect for a demon.
And then, the butler opened a door, revealing a spacious room.
It was illuminated by a soft glow of golden light.
Yah
Golden lights.
And the bed?
You can just guess...
Black!
Like freaking black why?!
It seemed like Han Raviel had some kind of deep relationship with those two colours and absolutely no interest in meeting the others.
An liyue was almost tempted to ask ' Did Han Raviel see other colours like some kind of personal insult? ' but deemed it better to shut up.
But that bed?
Nope!
There was no way An liyue was going to lie down on it.
She was quite sure she was going to have series of nightmares upon nightmares.
That was aside the fact that stepping foot inside Han Raviel's mansion was already a nightmare on it's own.
" Ma'am, " the butler pulled her out of her thoughts, " if you need anything simply press this bell " he said, gesturing towards a small golden bell with a button at it's center.
An liyue turned to see the bell on the table by the bedside.
She walked over to it and " ding! " She pressed it.
Simultaneously, a low chime sounded from the butler's pocket.
Seemed it was directly linked to him, and maybe some other butlers too.
The man just stared at her wondering if she was checking it out or... something else was on her mind.
And yes, something else was, as An liyue said quietly, " I pressed it, I need something, can you do it for me? " She paused and added, " can you please take me out of here? "
She didn't wait for the butler to say anything the moment she saw the hesitation on his face, " I was just joking " she said with a sad smile that instantly sent a faint stir in his chest.
' she looks so innocent and beautiful, why did it have to be her?, How did she cross paths with him... Tsk, poor girl.' he sighed softly releasing the tension in him and said softly " I'll be going now, do have yourbath "
" Mm" she nodded absentmindedly.
Before leaving, his gaze swept over her body.
" How fragile, I just hope she doesn't catch a cold. " He thought and immediately left as he wasn't in any position whatsoever to care for her.
Left alone in the room, An liyue felt like she was a child again as fear crept all over her.
The room was overly quiet, the silence pressing hard on her she felt like she was in the helicopter again with Han Raviel's gaze lingering on her.
Walking cautiously, she got to the bathroom not surprised at all at the same aesthetics in bathroom.
She turned on the water, it was hot, just what she wanted.
And without wasting more time she undressed and slid into the bathtub, letting the warmth envelope her.
For a while, she quietly lay inside the tub with no plans of coming out anytime soon.
It seemed to be her only consolation.
She knew it was the only place she could feel relaxed as the warm water eased her tension, calming her mind.
Just when she was almost drifting off to sleep, she shook herself awake and came out.
And to her surprise, when she emerged from the bathroom, there was a white gown, a night wear resting on the bed waiting for her.
She walked over and picked it up.
" Huh?, A– a dress? " It was quite unexpected as An liyue had quite not seen any female butler.
Where could the dress have come from...
Could it be, Han Raviel was already anticipating her arrival?
And had prepared...
Otherwise, why would there be a woman's nightwear here.
Unless,
" So, he–he really was looking for a wife? N–not actually a fresh blood take... " Liyue muttered under her breath. " if–if so, I guess I just have to behave myself and he won't do anything to me... right? "
Either ways, it was a relief as An liyue had no intention of wearing the gown from before, not when it dragged her thoughts to the hotel.
Feeling much better yet still cautious, An liyue leaned against a table staring at the black bed in front of her, wondering if she was could truly sleep on it... peacefully.
But then, she had always been a little superstitious, black was dark energy, so a black bed?
No.
That bed was far too black.
So she chose the floor.
It sure was cold, but she ignored it and slept off.
However, few minutes later, inside a dark room with no warmth, and no softness, illuminated only by the moonlight that slipped through the corners of the heavy curtain, lay Han Raviel.
And just like in room 303 at the hotel, he looked....
Deeply unsettled.
His brows furrowed restlessly.
And then, his eyes snapped open, revealing their fierce red glow once again.
What could it be this time?!