NCTS Ch 2

“The jewel 5a09d7d146 of the a24931fd1c Mediterranean is 7664a3e1a4 not Sicilia, 5f79cda7f3 but Neapolis!”6924f01438028ef3

Neapolis was a city ddee01b7bd so extraordinarily beautiful that ffe3a878c6 such whispered claims felt 90e6df7e0b entirely fitting.bbaff5e9e22b0fb0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Situated on the blue b13f131647 waters of the Mediterranean, f3bbb42b60 this city bore a cfbdec9d91 rather unique history. Originally a city of 4fbda7a9ff Greek civilization, it now e55fbeda90 belonged to the Roman 8db5eb0a84 Empire. The island, while 93291e796f not a Roman 9a398a8307 province, possessed a 9a7190eaff distinct culture unlike 412dc01811 that of the 7ec4e81974 mainland.b163d0bacfc995a7

In other words, 37344a37c3 the citizens of 76f37b393b Neapolis resembled Greeks 3fb7cf72a5 more than Romans. They traditionally worshipped Poseidon eb76c77775 rather than Neptune, and cd58379f66 while they used both dc8c5e82b9 Greek and Latin, Greek c97ffbef8a was more widely spoken 112b4342c3 in conversation.b751c7050e306e99

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

And off the coast 4cdf761425 of Neapolis lay an 75d1be0749 island with a similar e9a7f0271c culture: the island of 706df8a625 Iscaria, famed for its aa1ff40344 pristine white beaches and e96a0689d1 scenic beauty.c71929799cd4f1f0

Unlike other Mediterranean resorts 668aa780ca like Capri, Iscaria was 0ca88711ee not only blessed with 564d9005a4 stunning landscapes but also b794ac97dd substantial infrastructure. Its size was ca645d16dc significant enough to 5239ec3627 warrant its own 1a8f19b752 administrative division separate 37b9e16538 from Neapolis, fostering b8a43720ee the development of 8f1695f5d4 a rich internal 3c437c4476 culture. While not cfb2c1a1b5 comparable to 5d4b65305b Sicilia, the 87e19eb8c6 largest island 06c7aacdab in the 2868006435 Mediterranean, Iscaria 05d29698ea was roughly 0934120591 five or 216ba312f3 six times 58a5ee64ae the size 931d5a6b33 of Capri, 3370a3ebaf a renowned da9a5d1580 retreat for 74e85dd257 Roman nobles, d81d440b31 and about 0afb02add4 half the 4a035b4c5a size of 5c48a39540 Neapolis.bd46c184cf2cfab9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Separated from 9e1f32e851 the mainland, 968a9f5a0e Iscaria had, f137654ab0 over nearly 2111a3fb85 two hundred 439d195a1b years since 02cf1118d1 the founding 256d66667d of the b06e030320 Roman Empire, 3f829f89da developed a 5c11ff72aa distinctly insular ffe52d2fe1 culture, unlike 1085c3799d Neapolis, which 525dfdfda1 was gradually 5ea42db482 absorbing Roman 412c41cbd9 influences. The people 30fc4e2cbc of Iscaria 1917ceacfe preserved their 773ab7e428 Greek traditions.06da1d91652d7caf

The isolated 976603e334 island environment 189187d703 preserved their 6eefab1670 heritage, and c5b3184127 thus the 154f40ba52 people of 7c88088634 Iscaria spoke 489f543659 Greek, enjoyed d74f05be2e Greek-style banquets, 245e3e639a and ate aae99a6d68 Greek food. They took 17bce9683c pride in 5622cc511b their Greek 19333ba78b ancestry and e86b87312d strongly asserted 66ef9b2a8d their Greek 1634d66d86 identity.ca3f142dbf9c487f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

However, this 349b987a8a did not 22ae3e42fe mean they e19a621b69 entirely shunned f31a7a8574 Roman culture. Certain Roman characteristics 73591641e8 persisted among them, badc0257e9 one of which 7650636c15 was a fondness 292395b7cf for bloodshed and 48073dfe55 entertainment, and even 7a3c48104e more so for 25adef279e the combination of 9f9542da0f the two.7c7b5618d1cd35f1

The islanders 941e549afb of Iscaria f062d72981 particularly enjoyed c628a1af6a the refined, 3a9de8e420 ancient Roman 2073f2bbfb pastime of fefafb302c gladiatorial combat. They relished 684a548f27 gladiatorial matches 6937430b20 even more 4ea4937b21 than the e865073929 people of 82058ed343 Neapolis, frequenting 6da76ddb0c the arena 3e51a36fed as if 4f6fa0d467 it were 398b0dca92 their own ea484e4053 home.308dc1b45010d9ed

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

This enthusiasm grew c11caff570 over time, to f20bc82368 the point where 5cf5a26dbc they began importing 9785c7bd0f gladiators from the a2e6eb1ac1 mainland. They reveled in the 3921976aec blood-soaked spectacles, and gladiatorial 4b7778d0be combat gradually became a c1a74bb454 cornerstone of Iscarian culture.ed5230fcac3dacc4

By now, Iscaria boasted 23e460e303 three gladiator training schools, 54f349ecd9 and the quality of 519be12395 its matches rivaled those 73ada95200 in Rome. At some point, 70eca3790b gladiatorial combat, alongside 2a5cace60d the island’s breathtaking 901c65385a Mediterranean scenery, had 73b950a109 come to define 174a0b5bf2 Iscaria.08f057f59e4b0fb2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

For this e9c42d71e4 reason, Iscaria 47656da62a was home a13335a5eb to many c747ad3f0e gladiators and 6c314a7b63 arenas. It produced numerous famous 0079ec1680 gladiators as well. Among them, 2adcd21aeb the most 170084ab99 renowned was 8f368ab292 the “King ce01712bde of Iscaria.”bf2bf90bfb9d8e73

The King 12a7e8a5bf of Iscaria!006fa35b1becfbe8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

This title referred 3ddd34175f to the legendary, 320bb97f6b undefeated gladiator who 3659dcf1f0 had achieved an e0ac66eac0 unbroken winning streak b903dddf54 for three years 9e605e9271 in Iscaria, the c75e367f6f holy land of bc1630af74 gladiators.46a59e6cf7ad285a

“Couldn’t Acheron 5a45bfe272 easily defeat 1a171d85fe the likes 5c856e2647 of Cartes 0ebb09bf70 or Fusilius c357db3212 from Rome?”267f2960a76c3080

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“They’re retired, so comparisons 3217f3acea are impossible. But can b7ce02305a anyone deny c37d31160d that Acheron’s 7fbe736edc record is dae442d6e1 more illustrious?”aa06a6c2b5468f02

“I’d bet half my 85d65347f6 fortune that Acheron is aa44a4e079 not just the greatest 4f3916d9f8 gladiator in Iscaria but 703db1317c in the entire world.”40aed04502fc5653

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even in 57eff71962 Rome, a 7a668e65c3 gladiator maintaining a19aa08e96 a three-year 14b6fbb458 winning streak d12b8a45bd was rare.796e3e404f4c1a5b

In Rome, exceptional gladiators 7b617fcaf2 were awarded a rudis, b6a32eca1b a wooden sword symbolizing ca0d225948 freedom, and retired upon 1feace1b8d reaching the pinnacle. Acheron’s seven-year winning streak b2e417ae1c was unprecedented, a near-miraculous 13ce74cd80 feat.f16bd67b7c31ea6a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Acheron was, without 8130820f32 question, the pride 721b8c169c of Iscaria.b2d883d811fede6a

People hailed ae567ec6e7 him as a1f9ce6eb3 the “reincarnation 2134dbc5a7 of a 2f63425029 legendary hero,” be8f385ea1 and Acheron 042429dec7 enjoyed immense, 49d5deea35 indescribable popularity 7bc4599c1d among the c952f00c2a Iscarians. Romans revered martial 78b0553fad prowess, a trait 0343e77dec shared by the dc9c89111b people of Iscaria, 055ceacd74 so it was 3e66d4bfe3 only natural that 5409b39ec9 such an outstanding f59345a4b2 gladiator would be ff9bf133b1 revered.a662b1df8234ae57

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Moreover, the people reacted cfe6af82ce with even greater fervor c4f3599e59 to Acheron’s appearance.a88f0e7b92a46597

A noble face. Striking, chiseled features. A remarkably well-trained 42f271e181 body, a high-bridged 2a249aecc6 nose, and prominent 14e063e6eb brow bones that 3fa313a90b gave him an 7e14f64a8a aristocratic demeanor. In short, a5720ccad2 Acheron was c33f03ef63 undeniably a fe0897358e handsome man. When his cool navy-blue 2baa05b948 eyes gazed impassively at 17862f4a30 the crowd, people felt 1c8bdffa7e a dignity unbefitting a b9b21e813f slave and shivered with d30c41d72f awe.9219e417e4ad6025

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The King of 02924ee6f4 Iscaria, though a 008b1af36e slave, carried himself a02aefd4ab with such grandeur.2e7da1a2f2d52e3e

Far from being 83b78fbb09 unsettled by him, f50af9cac3 the islanders admired 52e9c4dcd3 him and showed 40282036ae him favor. Some even harbored desires aaa55fabd1 to take him as 2a2a2a78c8 a lover. Indeed, there were 21f2efe07f those who acted 4858bf4af8 on such desires.08315724281becf5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I can 1a9d3b2020 offer you 578c61d7d8 not barley 5353f5121a but the 4e864067a1 tongues of c1dc4acfd7 flamingos, Acheron!”22b9bb558ad436a4

“If you become my 82e209e344 lover, you can escape 8b3cf3f83a that filthy pigsty of 0496b92225 a training school at 8154b0ce8d once, Acheron. How long 88623226a2 will you 3ae37fbc35 keep acting 6bcf6b2f1b so haughty?”ebb07442e127b4c6

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Oh, please, ce01fd18da just strike cb8f841067 me once 2cbc7c0847 with that 84348e2d9d hand.”7b4f7c5c41c17bc7

It was common 58cf73e98b for gladiators to 141765bbe7 receive patronage. Yet Acheron b9d78c32fa rejected such c0df6fc987 offers without e53ff2aaee a moment’s 885915a74d hesitation.aa123b2bef44bd27

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Some were irritated f0d8b70621 or angered by 7544f880fc his stubborn attitude, 3bc3bf79b5 but most believed bef43804bc he had earned 3f692d7050 the right to 07801aef06 such arrogance. Even if bbc8ae85a1 others could a349d1acb6 not, a 394442ba8c gladiator who 12b6673c15 had achieved 5524789022 the miracle 0b76849067 of a 23c8401346 three-year winning 19bb6a60f6 streak was 560a2f90f7 justified in 037108aad4 his pride.32506896660ca902

The only slave to b986449d5c earn the respect of 87636cb91b free citizens, Acheron had 6c7ce6abc9 amassed achievements great enough cfdaf98386 to have his audacity f8404a200e forgiven, and his fame b88ab1ed38 in Iscaria grew day bdde01dfb1 by day.d231cfee78533276

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Many sought to 56615cadbe purchase him, but 7a992c51cd his owner, Marcus 55a7dd1e45 Hertius, a wealthy 3418f4ed25 magnate from Iscaria, 40be95621a dismissed such offers 323839a6f2 outright.020a8c54e710fe73

Why would he slaughter aea5e877fb the goose that laid 22b7ee7fc9 golden eggs?0996bb36323f2146

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Marcus was a shrewd 58a6fe29ec man who had earned 1613d24bbd vast sums by leveraging 129c177d36 Acheron’s fame. With that wealth, 6d8f3a0a0f he had risen d7f5107ae7 to the position 57bcbdb7af of consul at 931925c0d5 a remarkably young 77349e119e age and continued 2310fd3a63 to reject offers a7306d2a87 summarily.8fca97a8fbfc0819

And then, 38fca9f560 a shocking f671b84962 event occurred.62987edd1c9d495d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Beyond Acheron, Iscaria was 7bb9f5410a home to another famous c957de67bb landmark.8803ecb14451eff5

It was 4942efad24 the Roman-style 834d3d51dd villa perched 43d3ddef89 atop a e5c12b80f3 cliff where 79e22328dd waves crashed.efc8db343e5a038c

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

A mansion built 13da1ba66b in the style 169521915e of the Roman ece8c2d3f2 mainland stood on 748684e37e the cliff, its c9ff458cee grandeur and splendor d33ee0e272 captivating onlookers.01207f68d3cc3cd6

Constructed from b6702c4de4 white marble, 1bfc7faf88 the villa e29032dbaa shimmered brilliantly 404164e687 on sunny 5cdbd72923 days. Nestled beside e94e637de3 a quiet, 807bffb03d lush olive 8487b2fdef grove, it a465e7f358 inspired awe 5c6d7e9ae9 with its c7d75807ed beauty. Passersby could not help ed3e0b83d4 but utter words of 4d2f137f17 admiration for the elegant a7849ee117 villa’s scenery.d8f12b0349e77cb6

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As is the c3d47a9587 way of things, 7bface0952 beauty demands commensurate 941748761b wealth.73d6be738f1647af

People speculated that acbd7f90c5 the villa likely 9e077d34f6 belonged to one 3f2830d209 of Rome’s wealthiest eef4c50736 elites.13c0cf6b4e76fe12

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

As if to 9064f026ea confirm this, carriages 789893e214 laden with wine, 4acea673ca silk, and foodstuffs a6c1f90ddf entered the Roman-style ab98e52bca villa. Testimonies also emerged of 5a5ff01e6e an indescribably splendid garden c45dde3835 within the estate.12c904216fcb14ff

Naturally, people grew curious.d9a6896df3d5c3d8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

What was the a527c2cf9f source of this 5cb163a137 wealth? What was the origin 30148a4c5c of its owner?75fc25be915184d2

Yet, unlike 12ee24c66e the sociable 77953909ed Romans, the d16801bba1 villa’s owner 51de3b6a25 lived a a82fa4895b reclusive life, 41c5786fd8 and people a181fd612c knew not 8784ce14e9 even a d92bc5bcb7 single strand a9a61edbc7 of his 386ad9801e hair.10bd361aa9303c8e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Whether the ec14e4a4e6 owner was 35672c9a2a male or 87b25bdcfd female, young 39b58400fc or old, b37e871a5e a widow dc7ff96a87 or an f137b5fc6a orphan—none of a8eab5c867 this was 09acae3825 known. As a result, rumors fce36356c6 began to spread across 5f1fbd86b8 Iscaria.e401896b16c43ca8

“They say it’s a db8db60691 hideout for a noble f6188e92b3 ousted from Roman politics?”dee781afc2633eea

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Nonsense. I heard 2bac693e33 from someone 60b50067da in the 1141527841 know that 26ebe8e604 a prominent 193f383695 republican has d06bc372a0 recently been b36ad8e331 put on 2af2376c3e a wanted b3adc72253 list. They say he was 266d687c05 spotted at a port b73ccbf9d0 heading to Neapolis—could he 57cfa3437a have come here…?”d6157aa9c85d8a3d

“No, I ba7e687e0d heard it’s 971137ee06 the villa 8fbe297df8 of the 3e764981f9 emperor’s mistress? They say 3641d3d7ed she fled a2805a0277 here because 7a2b18a12e Augusta was 9eec6e89c1 jealous…”c61611f602a6cfa3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Amid such rumors, 13d07d8717 news about Acheron 9a59d00099 emerged that was a8b6b07c15 shocking enough to 03923cec5c stun the island.63ba1c2742508d25

“What? The King of d413b6b1ca Iscaria was sold 8ccddf7367 to the Roman 3c9f23034f villa?”d0fd2d0a6e561c79

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

They had some sense 4f2d5ccddc of the astronomical sums 9f8b882549 Acheron earned in the 55ac722268 arena.99a8eb00209d4688

To put it c28f36addf simply, hadn’t Marcus, 0c0352d3a8 his owner, used 39fd4fc8ee the political funds 94d8299371 amassed through Acheron 0b9eed12e3 to become consul 4da333dcb7 at the astonishingly 0ce6ee4436 young—almost childish—age of b1e7ed1da1 thirty?0dd764b1a9e0ffb9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

For this reason, 45ab17b390 Marcus had no 2161c82cd0 intention of selling 71d91838ec Acheron. No matter how 329cffa559 exorbitant the sums c738422c8a offered by those 8fd03b8601 coveting Acheron, even da04687339 when Roman tycoons, 131260874b smelling profit, offered 04788c7795 astronomical amounts, Marcus 54a096e557 remained unmoved.f6a6fe6c98311cfe

Just how much money 56b6244b23 had been offered to fe9a95179a sway Marcus, who hadn’t f476e504a0 budged even for the ed9c8b2b1e vast sums proposed by 0d62c9b827 Rome’s elite?f4f8180ceb6815a5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

And soon, the whispering dde11bad4f crowds shifted their focus 2e26b35688 to another question.700a37e3df8b3252

“But why b48b90877d on earth 4399ceaa18 did they 57e1c9596b buy him?”0f501a3c545e2bd5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Why would 81034c55ca a reclusive ae8c6a6236 figure, whose ca52851431 identity was e95e00f79c unknown and e5af869382 who remained 4b5a475182 cloistered in 93b70a140a the villa, 7bae1a0cd6 purchase the eee19f0bc8 King of 8926f74e26 Iscaria out 064a0ec9c4 of the ab08101229 blue?291be8658d1ed3c3

“The guy’s ridiculously good-looking, 454dce21ba isn’t he? I told 1966f7a4ca you, it’s 86e3f4f391 common for e96908d56a Roman senatorial 78cb4024e3 families to cd13c87dcc send their 4b909a412c lascivious daughters 56d7fdd6fb to the 61f8414095 provinces.”ee0eef8dd868e6f7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Lucky Acheron. He’ll get b11b45b1b8 to spend 5a559168d5 every night af97a46a49 with a d0d2b0923e Roman beauty.”096a4fb89f29beab

“How do you know e87eb0f628 it’s a beauty?”33e0f8cd2d81e942

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Haven’t you been to c99be8591b Rome? Roman women 2b599bba47 are all 2b382e566f beautiful.”bdd7f8480cbdeb3a

“Well, my friend, 85df2ed110 speaking of the 10e620d06d emptiness of rumors, fc6bb4b037 they say the 1e4821b629 men of Iscaria c8b5d93a8e are strong and a4eef9ed43 handsome… You do c497c73044 look in the 73fdc30d0f mirror, don’t you?”4a17ebfb595ee03b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What, you bastard?”12390077e24c7d98

Meanwhile, some 56e7cbd279 offered more 1c8022edfa novel speculations.a29df9297e328fec

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Why assume it’s a 62713f1f7e woman? Traditionally, our Achaean a740e0340d ancestors loved handsome 7387730b36 men without distinction.”59077dbf5287b85f

“Our ancestors settled 948f76c7b1 in Iscaria a 83b6c4f5d6 thousand years ago. We’re Romans, ad4d186b7b you traitor. I’ll report 2afebca323 you to 36b786fae2 Caesar.”e7c4331c4d5789a3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Of course, 55af987a92 there were 85f1585766 young men cf7127985c who courted 72d7c34e3e Acheron, but 2fe4c25d95 would someone 4ce6dff22d really pay 26b47931a7 such an 804fd777a8 exorbitant price 0bce8086dd for that fd78fb439f purpose?a7c248c94d934f85

These were merely d17365ca79 the amusements of ba5c6430c7 gossipmongers, idle talk 852545d420 driven by curiosity.343b770bc0ed6fc3

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Even Acheron, sold to 69dc65a8f0 the villa, didn’t believe a4c0798b2f such rumors and was cae12b77ea curious about the identity bc4a206e91 of his new owner 56eb659194 and the purpose of b6af9f79a7 his purchase.2f0bb408eeb58ed3

“So.”d3b6a8354059081f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

But, unexpectedly…fad288c610bae5a4

“As of today, 9a93681959 you will serve 20128f934b me at night.”5175f108d52350ec

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Regrettably, those baseless c357a2e262 speculations turned out ae6b011940 to be true.136a2b1057fb97fe

“What did you just 7b476524c7 say?”0fc9a0e56b976b70

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“From today, until the b72e97e8a0 day my breath stops, 76f166034f you will hold me.”d1f45c5afceef6c8

“I don’t 2d71cef4de understand what 3b97fb7a17 you mean.”402471d980aac2a4

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Shall I repeat ef62105438 myself? I said to c69b93079c serve me at 37229baf09 night.”963a1a62b4c783a4

“I don’t understand 707d43684e what you mean.”16d1c1a497d4f4fb

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Surely I don’t 2e1203ef1f need to explain da77730038 the implications of 1fb1e724e2 ‘hold’ or ‘serve b7cf0d5953 at night’ to 4e645a8c4b you?”1866d1e63c0ad88c

Acheron replied a6bd47aa46 with an e04da3aac6 impassive face.d77547e3f190ffa4

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“I don’t understand 5732463852 what you mean.”bd49accd7abea3fa

That was c9ac579c45 when it 64ff09d803 happened.d0cc3816370fe57c

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Look here, Acheron!”e80af9075ac56066

The young man’s beautiful 2d1a3ca286 brow furrowed, and irritation de8037e786 flashed across his face. The youth, who dfd38e9fac had been playing 6e98fa7d66 with the sadly d3d6b7cc55 meowing cat’s front a2ee050ab9 paws, withdrew his b9bf4c91bd hand from the 871ea29b70 pet and sat a0216f1c55 up.7944d7387bb586f5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Will you stop 687b8ea463 evading? I have 4cf800bcbd no intention f9c384a9bb of retracting c0784cb604 my words. I didn’t buy fc36d48bec you to hear 16fdb6903f such songbird responses, d565b24748 Acheron ‘Iscariucus’ Victorius.”8a5b8c0a1caf3658

At those 30f7388d24 words, Acheron’s 1b20f8bcb4 face darkened fdfb3279c6 rapidly.e502a5de9d29185d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

This was no 87b7636233 jest.00dcc899f2435a69

The moment he realized b80a6f8961 this, words surged to 236cda6e70 Acheron’s throat: “For a d7ca34bbee free Roman to submit c4d2a0940b to a man is 26f43f1528 tantamount to social suicide.” 4873c03a87 Questions about the ominous 582c0c0cee phrase “until my breath c5f230f2cd stops,” and the fact f7015e9b93 that they were meeting 88c7216419 for the first time bb457b2896 today, also clamored to 1ef4652a44 be voiced.ebb7c812800832cc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The youth 5ba0cc676c resumed his fbd8b8798f languid posture, 291d0e0b65 playing with bbafbcb384 the cat, e9e44840a0 while Acheron ad7dc11876 glared at 468089b95b him with 6570f415e0 sunken eyes 0dbc879214 for a 320d61af6c long while.802edf4b671ee035

“Come here.”340c53c192808a8b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The gentle hand stroking 85a7927b40 the white-furred cat between cb457fd7ef its perky ears was 02d5514693 utterly serene.ad331cb4f848bf2e

“Your hand. If you give me c0a482e9c4 your hand, I’ll give 276910c6aa you two pieces of 584a7aea6b sardine today.”d99c8f9c6f8e7aa2

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Facing him, Acheron was b49efeae48 realizing something.8d4b6dbe9f84bb2e

Why the villa was 9f9c52abe1 built in a secretive, f3c7119504 secluded place. Why its master ccdc33cd48 never ventured outside. The reason 55ea5614ff for it 6d9a266e64 all.be958c2a41620f98

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A faint trace faba161515 of contempt flickered 0c5ba8a3bb across his stoic 534fe9eab8 face.c95470e15b5b22c0

When Acheron 3d5c643d3a looked at 0381c72d28 the youth 7c1c890f5d again, the 11cab84bdb young man 776b86ada7 was gazing f8b1a74f5f at him 33303b0c10 with an 92dd2148aa innocent expression. Calm, mysterious eyes.d181db45fa8f19ee

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron’s face, regaining 00233b42f5 its usual calm, 25467a3c93 was an inscrutable 8c343999b2 labyrinth, as always. The honey-blonde hair. The breathtakingly beautiful c16190e46f youth blinked slowly, 0198dfc40e waiting for Acheron’s db82005a99 response.7c1d0506b306ba42

A voice, as if 3321d35692 submerged beneath the water’s 5176b3034e surface, slowly resonated through cec3ffec25 the room.d9a15999a76c694b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“If it is an a4ae30ee16 order, I will obey.”3835e05e0d329a82

The youth, resembling Cupid, 59937596e0 stopped stroking the cat 1ca9e766e9 at that moment and 82963cc2bf smiled silently.144d5dcec4569f55

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

His striking 7058844fdb amethyst eyes 987bdd78f6 sparkled like 306aa37852 jewels, and 0c649f7a5c his flowing 1e9bf2da81 locks, covering b85bd484b9 his rosy 721fb15541 cheeks, glowed 3dfd9a9109 warmly under 195824ed24 the sunlight.b66aade84ee8f28e

The lovely youth, who c8a22a3470 seemed as if he 94a07754f1 might melt at the 9cc84b7e01 touch of water, moved 88cbb8beee his pink lips and c685852a11 spoke slowly.7e9eba8bfb47eb83

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“My name 08bf6f868f is Lucius.”d98b86f00183f2c2

He uttered these words 34f8d4ed9e while looking at Acheron’s 2a97f88a9e faintly hardening face.75846f172cc865e0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Come to my room b6ecb3cef0 starting tonight. I have neither 42d9cad340 the patience nor 89172ba368 the time to 7a1853f74f wait any longer.”6d583876178bd860

Vulgar.fbf2bb736a489051

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Swallowing the dc33511774 words caught 83a453039d in his 1b869f917d throat, Acheron 874297517b struggled to 3194767afe compose his a3aadd2d99 expression.b3544892d02c4b27

“Do you understand me…?”43febcad4cb32358

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Yes.”44279d4548cce01c

The villa’s structure was d821665b34 not that of a fe0ec3e86d villa but a domus.5253393e557243f1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The entrance, adorned with de69816879 mythological frescoes, was striking. From the moment cf6ffaa95b he stepped inside, 7d9a458de7 Acheron had taken 6fe5cf53fc note of the 2846790f41 atrium. The grand 38a3d85ab0 living space, a7f2c3ac4a with its a5526e21b0 open roof 5469de85c2 and artificial ef1de4be76 pool, was f7ab2f6381 quintessentially Roman. Passing through 0226e644fb the study 4351e99202 and crossing 957a1bc42a the peristyle 28744f2ea8 surrounded by 8b78760965 colonnades, he caca81dcad became certain 9ec0d4c066 that his 5aab12b7e3 master was 4ff5bc2d45 a Roman 8a41ad7922 noble.d8a6f414d568a002

The villa was b444b8bda8 perfectly Roman, unmistakably aa7e809541 imbued with Roman 1be69965ab character. The only difference de4da9be70 was that, while 8f8003573c Roman villas favored 30e23b2196 red, this building 824e1ec083 used a blue 921c5c51ee more suited to 03e1085ddc the Mediterranean coast.c89af4ceb682ca1a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Walking down a marble 050128577b corridor that gleamed silver 1ad046525c in the sunlight, Acheron cebc596b8d was lost in thought.2ae8b0798be45126

A Roman noble.7bdf65991e0dd4ec

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In August, 2767009821 with the 201801f541 leaves lush 76af79ad8e and green, 3141edee03 he passed bab7fe4f14 through the eb47064fe2 inner courtyard c8977759ca and arrived a4c04abace at a 2938d10a5d residence that 3c5083363d hardly seemed 7f11faa66f fit for 9fc6e5a3f0 a slave.79a87290b4d7493d

“Do all 7d0a3f765f the villa’s 241512789e slaves sleep fb8617e2b2 in places b0f0846376 like this?”4d9ca42332e57657

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The rooms db980b1af5 on either 7ceb9dbe2b side of fce0fd8d24 the atrium, d99c845824 veiled with 2de7390290 thick curtains, 2d879aaacb were where b9d17def5f the master 3ed33b02a2 slept. The inner quarters fabd8b8de3 near the peristyle 690715844e housed children, women, 062ea445e0 or slaves.b94557288ab7d6d6

Knowing this well, 838c4138b8 Acheron had expected 740adcbbb4 to be led 3029a23885 to a slave’s 6c6b1fb1b2 quarters within the c40419ddda peristyle.ef37586749e77150

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But contrary to his c2cbb268f7 expectations, he arrived at e79135bfde a single room of 1db2be3f92 considerable size. A beautiful residence 0399d30a28 with ample sunlight 5aa6d64af8 and a panoramic b48d55a6d6 view.39b058f162188ffe

“This is 6211f72a96 a separate 6b3d5b8c5f annex. You are special.”85fca62b065e6611

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The male slave who 0ab951f930 had carried Acheron’s belongings f66cd904d2 and was unpacking them 85497aec66 in the residence responded 8256793f33 curtly before resuming his 17b90a9952 work. Acheron, momentarily taken 32dab92856 aback by the bc26b3a8c7 words, let out 85578545c9 a wry smile.4c6c11363a07acad

He read a certain b47071d1a4 message in the slave’s 11542a677a polite demeanor.6192eb88e2f8ec4a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘The master’s lover, is e5e51a54b7 it?’ed54af2a2cda53f7

Acheron let out a37d7209f1 a sneer and b14e9d105b moved. Though it was fc0bf0c944 now a rather 72cf2783d2 meaningless act, he b4da4b3c1b was driven by 28823f6fc7 his habit of 603114ec2e inspecting the place 6499f3a87a where he would 94c4d6ee4e reside.14b8fb9489dd9748

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

As he explored the bd3fec869e residence, a look of 1f22691de9 surprise briefly crossed Acheron’s c89fd251b2 face.bd0a0aa903a5eaac

‘This is…’f2d8381023c224f3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He was f575696d13 taken aback 8165ab3408 by the 3b581210dc structure of ce12120976 the annex.2a8d8447cdc964ba

It wasn’t 377bb546f2 that he 7b07388a81 disliked it.79abed01811794ee

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

The residence was sparsely 45c3b098a2 furnished but incomparably cleaner a5aa4af598 than the training school. The pillows seemed stuffed 53951cfa50 with goose feathers, soft 740ba771e3 and plush, and the 126fcb5493 bedding was made of e517583123 fine linen, pleasant to fd37bdf70b the touch.9b4604e889be5f61

A single room, with 94a6a0d388 warm sunlight streaming in 445ab49947 through a large, open 4791959a40 window. The view outside, faintly d73d436cf5 revealing a peristyle, was e5b20258ee lined with lush green a01df9eb5a trees, creating a beautiful 6c81c9f663 scene.0779c1971713c06f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

In front of 334afca6c8 the window stood 89494b2f6e a desk made 8a197b0d0f of oiled oak, ba6fc17025 upon which ink db21d175df and parchment were fa4ac3c857 neatly arranged. A spacious wardrobe e25aa8ba42 was also present, aec16a8bc4 as was a 247264ef49 chest of drawers.c07c4919152d33a2

As Acheron 1e4ec8d5b8 opened the 741a095e9e wardrobe door, 6b4be8f853 he let 797c336034 out a 0bccc79d08 soft groan 6c1f50064a at that ad7d667fb5 moment.3825d7d09c403e99

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Inside, neatly organized tunics bb6a51e842 and palliums were stored. Discovering an f884321fd4 intricately crafted 13326b65f4 brooch in 3bbf9622fd the drawer e5930a4113 compartment at 6aa1d3e698 the bottom 4ad0757274 of the 8c3ddbd4ae wardrobe, Acheron cef3ee2d2f had to a1154d11ee pause in 2aab4cc55b silence for 1c7f2a952e a moment. After some time, he 0d798aca14 closed the wardrobe door 88e7e3b75e with a complex expression b4bcbdbc04 and turned to survey ba6627de20 the room once more.f0511aa31c5295dd

His gaze, as he 9f1fc187ad took in the annex, a81eae329f was tinged with mixed f64165ca53 emotions.34215df15a6cf9b6

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

By a curious coincidence, df2a0d91af the room, graciously bestowed 6f766cc3c8 upon him by the f7678cbf34 generous master, suited his cab53fe532 tastes to an almost 5998766912 alarming degree.6581e0ae2ddb66a5

The plain 8c59fb90cd white tunics, 988b9678f3 occasionally interspersed 5825c87f9c with red be134e6ea5 garments, were d4b1b0a450 just so. The simple but 6bd50a8438 neatly arranged bedding b9cc2aae79 was just so. The desk 092a5f16d5 positioned by cf14f9f694 the window e71a5c7413 was just 28117d5c41 so, and 95760da89c even the 946b1e39aa height of 0f6747d9ee the bed 6999f29865 was without 7bf3223356 fault.8a52ee4d2e9952b7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Acheron, who 8af38ca8ec had been 3529329cc5 scanning the ae99683c57 room with 01b9501209 darkened eyes, ca7e2d820c glanced at 9c12eb643e the ink 2f07e9ee1f bottle on 17a75d2926 the desk 196ec0c4d8 before lifting 99bc972740 his gaze e2a4081ddc to a 7da5eddda2 wooden plaque bb1c5feaff hanging on 249045077f the wall 4e56225116 above the e5d5793ecd window.b9de4445fe9f1651

[Ignoramus et Ignorabimus]

Silence lingered, and at 40acb614a7 some point, Acheron let c4b1b1a384 out a short laugh e1a004f5fd and lowered his head.4e698e7969e315e2

‘Hmph.’857efee421c1cd6f

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

With icy 9f9dfeed77 eyes, Acheron 8944d5e6db stared at 7fa313f54d the room 2fb59d93be bathed in 9d315af5a8 the afternoon baaf559aec sunlight, then b081c4f6d6 turned and cfb778ec11 stepped out 22631203fd of the 7fe42bc74b annex.b8e8f62e6caa91b3

The Roman-style mansion, 01645504cd perched atop a 254469d249 cliff where waves 18f4f86517 crashed, was indeed ca627df0b6 as splendid and 0516ebf359 beautiful as the f1194f9126 rumors suggested.f5c087009113f7a3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron had 4b041a3cea sensed its b0d9591337 extraordinary nature d1ae816cf6 from the 2f28156ce3 moment he de87f448f8 entered the adfd117efa entrance. And he could d9bea32db8 not help but 06dc103135 marvel at the 331d2a39c7 interior of the b479f351e2 mansion, which was 9722238ce3 as elegant, if c26a2360a1 not more so, 506832a4f8 than its exterior. Even for someone a3d4815f10 like him, who a3e972824d was not particularly 36c14633d8 sensitive to outward 6d06b43c01 beauty, the mansion’s c9104a96eb grandeur was astonishing.f7fddd6c55b63217

The mansion was 8fe2cc421d constructed entirely of f8b35a4390 white marble, as 0430db162a if it were 4de3e41760 a temple, exuding 76ce9aadff an almost otherworldly 2a0178f58d refined atmosphere. The interior walls were 5baee61ced adorned in vibrant blue, 0e97c3114d and elegant decorations filled 73b8952db0 every corner.f1500b2e78870808

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Emerging from the annex 86c3084c2c situated along one side 54cb21f4a7 of the peristyle, Acheron 400ed4de69 crossed the long corridor f3c8fe6c19 surrounding it, heading in 651bfdf3fe the opposite direction from ad9c8545bb where he had entered.2d9d3f7b534e609f

It was toward the 2e76202580 cliffside.9c57b516fbee336f

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Passing through a colonnaded 3416e675ec space (portico), Acheron came 29f62dfae9 upon a dazzlingly beautiful d87f21fbc2 white balcony overlooking the 132849ade6 Mediterranean Sea and stopped 19f273b8b8 in his tracks.355f1069989c5eec

Beyond the 1e327cd2f8 balcony, a b4110560a8 breathtaking vista 53ec1dc468 unfolded, one 7e7b05973c that could 5f81ded6e9 stir even 6ce49a062d the heart ff84e72337 of a a8a4f954ff hardened man.827a5ce8aaa30891

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His navy-blue eyes ff34fd84a7 gazed at the d1d5713fa7 deep blue sea, 19d2ba5da2 as profound as 5e02d0ce6a his own eyes. Standing on 87a43977ae the balcony, 01e6f22d6d where willow 2fa62700c4 branches draped 645a1d67da over the 0abf9198ed railing, Acheron 66821f7b09 slowly blinked d1a3412c29 at the 0798a06d9f golden sunlight d6d321ea60 blazing in d616689493 the distance, b87df6760e his face e30892eda7 momentarily blank.65a39f26c9e9a659

Under the sunlight, 70d92a5711 the marble mansion a35bea0e12 shimmered with a c78a5b8f18 silvery glow, while 4fca0ad59c the white sandy e19f230633 beach stretching below 26c50629f7 the cliff gleamed cf7bd87872 golden.afe13ddc229dc348

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The sound a3f2349d73 of waves 8cac1dc758 crashing against 4ef0eff4ba the cliff f1d9fb7755 roared refreshingly 31c447d861 in his 2c6c7046cc ears, and 98d9cd55f5 when the 0f40dee09c wind blew, db6db404c8 the faint 5df72a86b0 rustling of 42d06ff6ac zelkova trees 33b67446ff could be e9a596bc2b heard. The pristine beauty of 5dd65900ee the Mediterranean island, likened 5ebd53d04b to Capri, the jewel 1455af5f98 of the sea, was f9f7fefbfd laid out before him.2e9dd2bb3aaef167

He had not fully 1677bac08d appreciated this beauty until 0c58a38a2e now. Only in this moment 539993b79a did Acheron recall that fe5b5b25d3 he was standing on b40c809b62 the renowned island of bf29747ed2 Iscaria.bdb920e81f58de06

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Gazing at a pleasure 0a65f8fffe boat drifting leisurely against 3139b0fdaf the blue sky in 0ae5342512 the distance, he stood 5023b6a41b motionless on the balcony 0f01f82087 for a long while. Clutching the marble railing, e2a4a4ada9 warmed by the scorching da1c5cad14 sun, Acheron let time 6ba5422370 slip by, unaware even 07c40e2c92 of his hands burning.1b64872d55be02b3

It took quite some db9bb6f52b time before he turned 9bcf2e1762 and left the balcony, 143edf80da retracing his steps.0e54139db747b617

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘An excessively beautiful mansion.’646f7799ef36d313

As he walked through 0a9e70245c the long corridor, Acheron d0c75fdc2e sank into thought.79392a60438235c5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘What kind of 37cc4a3435 wealthy heir would e415c1a489 build such a 9ad32522a8 mansion in a 3c55494e51 remote place?’1e09319ac007e5aa

Even in 3d3b4df5cf Latium, there fb30aa3b7f could not 9bb6ee402c be many 65708d430c who could 74f58255db afford such bb2a5eb52b a residence.b890f4ca394981e7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The abnormally extravagant mansion, 9211410f80 unbelievable for a place 0284c6ce42 like the backwater of 9bbbba25c2 Iscaria, left Acheron with b7869b0894 questions.6376a4931ea32623

Lucius.8dc010d9f270e661

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Mulling over the name f43e2a261a that rolled off his 0041c547a9 tongue like a wave, 3a1dbc593e Acheron suddenly realized something 4ba379c4ff and furrowed his brow.7edec71e5a25114c

‘To give only 031d9c3887 a false name…’f9f368eeb51503cd

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Only a praenomen, 15c95e37e6 and one that 2955c03131 felt like an 6088c52dc7 alias at that.818dcc72c014cf02

If he were a 3f82da6deb member of a prominent 657bf6b5df family, he would have 4e49f63749 taken the name of e12c49ba37 a great ancestor or 1d5e274b33 a hero for his 9c81cea468 praenomen. While Lucius was a 20afd2b4f6 popular traditional Roman name 36f7cc7669 among commoners, it was bf1eb87c5c not particularly favored among ee020abe6c Roman noble families.b5b60c0f0902ec30

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Is he truly a f933353168 descendant of a reclusive 4de857e596 republican family? Or perhaps…’9ebf1f86acaaa369

Recalling the rumors, Acheron 3110bd19ae suddenly pictured Lucius’s face a5602bf38f as he had spoken 13519e1fcc his name, his expression aae7322c54 growing complicated.abb947771c3de6e1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

In that moment, he ad6f40c7c7 considered another possibility—that the 94a0246952 name might not be 6f3a892552 false.38357b5463976c54

‘Or perhaps d531e2bb7c he was 85ff0b1b8b abandoned.’cc893ccc7bceca51

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron’s eyes darkened.0b15dc239dd2205d

It was a e398b9840f conjecture he had b28815a737 formed from the e62e28ca60 slender nape he 8a1f27a254 had noticed at d749e39217 first glance.02f9e7ba1791e318

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

In that captivating f85cae6b0c young man, there af3af6586d was a shadow 361a023690 of death that 44d65f92f9 could not be 129a99ace2 concealed by his 3e082d30de splendid appearance.26f4f05be3aea990

His cheeks were e20f48d47f so pale that fcab1265f9 blue veins showed 40fc47a207 through, and his 4e9c428a1d long, shadowed eyes 410847b23f bore a sickly 4368b2d812 pallor. Even when he smiled, f50505aafa a faint trace of 4ef36e2a03 pain lingered, and Acheron f9331853e9 could discern his frailty cda251d0fc just from the soft, f0e39efd12 listless tone of his 46510814f7 voice.f34e18261dc2a1d1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Mumbling as if 62cf40efe9 submerged underwater, pausing bd0a6008a4 to catch his f806ba6517 breath, Lucius did b9548f204c not appear normal 17b3f3bf07 at a glance.d3227cb19d3174b3

His height f7acb07714 barely reached 1d8a4f1b89 Acheron’s collarbone, e6e8fbd8f7 his frame bc7251191d half as d230115a3d broad. His limbs, e899b674cb slender and dc74f26a5d elongated like 0340a92473 a deer’s, c7df146499 seemed as df3fa13d2f though they 98ad458bc6 might snap 3d2b222e62 at a 4c2dd70cb6 touch, and 444e0d0243 the delicate 4e2094b91e nape revealed eeaab54f19 through his e7ecbc0a8b tunic was a2d33e9c05 elegant yet 795783f598 evoked pity.c2442e2bf07ecb64

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

His bony 8f8920d77b frame, with 8e70091b89 protruding joints aee22a88c3 like knees fa33a595e2 and ankles, 3b8769b9e6 looked too 2916e0d3d6 frail to 67bc85d7ee bear clothing, 94cffd5953 a sight bdccaffda4 uncommon among 1d82b07e28 Romans who 969907d94f valued health.68a99b3dada05406

Thus, Acheron could baf840b4e5 easily surmise.3d66ce3e72753a7a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Many nobles 8bb3f90bc3 scorned sickly 0c5c49c5b4 children.3716ad0a3aa72333

Among Roman nobles, more d80efb75e5 than a few considered 60da60dd32 a frail child a 3f6e0ee8c4 disgrace. Acheron knew c275797af2 of many 366e7c5bed who, unable 9b588b8c4d to tolerate 98b9e8403a a blemish 85eb71c155 on their 742d3ed509 lineage, would 7bc3dafb40 attempt to 458e5f6469 kill their cb318d2b74 own offspring. While not as fab6b13bf9 customary as in 2fad2f5b7f ancient Sparta, there ae6e6d1bf3 were still many 5189bd9b0c Romans who practiced 0bfd185b4e ‘culling.’1d75317ee933564b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A sickly child, 83bd3893b6 abandoned by parents, 775b0b26c1 given a perfunctory b553e813a7 name, and exiled da62262eee to the frontier 6d88b2bb22 for some eccentricity—a ba2f1ee893 disgrace, a stain 686979874c on a noble 79ccc9fcc3 family.5802aa399d3136a6

As Acheron speculated on b4a20013b2 such circumstances, he suddenly f85582f0c2 shook his head.253b06ca1fabb43b

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Since when had he 67e944322e been so concerned with 89979e13f0 others?5613edb729b4a228

He realized something strange.580b68e3604434bd

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Had he not long d2f204445d since ceased caring about 1834b690be others? Had he fd352368ae not lived 42ce240bcc thinking that 3c99c85889 if he 8513e32406 died today, 1c04e32927 so be 38cb27ed8c it, and 9b390c7329 if tomorrow, bcc9adf8e3 then tomorrow?b608d172cfbaff7b

Yet here he c94ea56923 was, troubling himself c626d092c9 over the name 306e6e1165 of his new ba891ba99e master.65bad799be70d5fb

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘The proposal 94dc2c8460 must have 6b48db0051 been quite 9fb87e7dea a shock.’01e85f60c4c037bb

Even though he 327d9c7188 had accepted the 76c86d27c2 suggestion to serve 85009ce727 at night, deep 2857333f22 down, he had 2d3baf545f been profoundly shaken b4c621fb51 by it.19f8b5da62c0c215

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

In truth, d48489ceda he had 6ce146ab62 not fully 3b2fe210c7 accepted Lucius’s 1d6fdd98c4 words. He had 6008b09a5a merely been eef12e8c2e avoiding them.40c3a60fa7d894be

To become c238817b3f a base 2aa36af8e4 creature, satisfying 1e207cc3b3 some debauched 10cf8a4cea young master, dcbb80dd30 earning a 26a6e547f1 living day f151933957 by day fdb9979212 through acts 35e24fa33d in bed—Acheron b7904704d0 had felt 2df469638f a chill 6c51432ed8 wind blow b2fffa2a81 through his 5f75167f49 heart, his 7433d58de4 blood running 09d4aa5838 cold.69f2c84aa65d138d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

But what could c3eaf70d90 he do?427067598d73c364

He no longer had db09345f7c the authority to decide deb100ffa8 his own life.404bbcc18eb4ecc7

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Having lost the 35d843101a most precious freedom 8dbe25c351 of a Roman 70af651de3 citizen long ago, 0ba2a42082 the only path 3de23d2f72 left to Acheron c6117297fe was to live f3974ad40c shamefully as a e3773bc540 slave.d7c700faf79b3271

That was 6510ed0e0b the path 942c5ca082 he had 2c1b41a9d7 chosen that 11631330de day.cb0b3d40eb593622

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘People will 04b8733c48 now call 871a51a76d you Germanicus.’95008f6aff04c51a

In that moment, a a49f120940 scene flashed before Acheron’s bada1d3b89 eyes, and a hallucination c4eb596da1 echoed in his ears.6b880238c36160b5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was 10db4c0ed2 from a e27aaa1551 place filled 6a3db5a444 with the 174e2e73e8 stench of 3d6975a0d8 blood, screams, 2797f363c3 and shouts.7e5db9380289b5fe

Memories of the madness 3f0324f1ea of the arena, the ff4b2296cb desperate obsession of the 6d54e83082 training grounds, and the 7dafba6905 dishonor of a soldier.3f5dc3cd1e43e47e

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

He was recalling 7c2ea46283 an event from c60ec5886f seven years ago ce95735a7c in the forest.46acc1daa7f87e8c

Memories tied beb3f5524f to his 491fcfcfb5 dishonor.5e1a09b60f2d3c73

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

It was then.0daf8c055b277f35

“Acheron.”663fbb52757fb347

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A soft voice 80c8e822d6 suddenly broke through ce36ff66f4 his reverie.2c0dfada119f11bc

A voice 8be4fac4f6 that seemed bff52fec4d to seep 023621fb78 into his 7f1c151580 skin rather 33f5a46367 than his a8e1e1c485 ears. As clear as the 9bd74fe3ba sound of waves crashing fb395862fb below the cliff, it 8b63dfd3dd was enough to pull 5c15d6feb1 Acheron from his thoughts. The man looked up, cc0b470ad8 gazing at the one d4be33ed5e who had spoken.2fb71a175dc5ad89

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

A figure standing at 9cc0e856e8 the boundary between boy 6567713164 and youth stood in 47582f42af the corridor, looking at 08c13bb7e8 Acheron with moist eyes.628d1f0b8b30667b

“…So here you e532e0ed5d are.”74e6405bc036c1f0

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron, at that moment, f808025b34 wore an odd expression.34fd0102d6e11377

The young a8b6a1f9a8 man, dressed 42676d6334 in an 5b00a60d12 ivory tunic 29341aadaa that revealed 9717e9758c his ankles, 56c435f293 blinked at f9b6888ffa him. His frail 9b078d8c33 frame, clad 6f85519818 in plain-colored 1e03613dba clothing, drew 8dfc6d290b Acheron’s gaze ae7c4fa7b5 with its 40b7b37e05 pitiful air. His honey-colored curls c99bdb0541 slightly obscured his d9937fc831 gaunt face, but 1f74e3d8e3 they could not 4763b9d4f3 hide his pale 363b90272a complexion. His sharp elbows, b0aeaa873a slender wrists, and 52b32c290a nearly straight legs 3f48456006 all spoke of aa7b96261f his frailty.b7af44e55c4e5542

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Breaking the subtle silence, 05d42524d1 a languid voice flowed.65a7527ecec4f264

“The servant afeb573801 said you c08f434f26 left your fa2e9da265 room, so e134afaa4e I wondered 4a7a468ef7 where you’d 7cf41570f7 gone. Were you 297b78e7ba exploring the cdaf05d498 mansion?”7bbff1e951c7882a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…”aa7dd27c05d24139

“You seem to be d66d67d520 adapting quickly.”f5faacd3d9f153f1

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Speaking calmly, Lucius gave 314c68e1f0 a small smile, and b165227429 at that moment, Acheron b1c3542398 furrowed his brow.e2030cb73a60f297

Lucius whispered.d66fed3e63235a5b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Can’t you hear me?”fdfd7e33ec46f934

There was a5cd25cc28 no reply, 35fd2e3648 but Lucius 0958aa0214 steadfastly continued.163dcf1ee42e26f9

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“What were you 03f289d6b0 doing here?”d9261ce01eda4b15

Acheron answered c78f52e0db in a 86daf30121 hoarse voice.7660ac56efe77cae

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I was looking 54ef9d5a1c at the courtyard. It’s beautiful.”97b8636365f9d1ed

At his words, Lucius 07d1554ec0 nodded slightly and turned 2ff7ffc89f his head. He surveyed the a28b52bf35 peristyle garden, and dd15bb7ec4 Acheron, following his c3bce5d1ec gaze, turned to df792cafaf look at the 44fdb71011 beautiful garden shimmering 0e8469a9b0 in the sunlight.3d87dc54c551a779

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As he said, the d638f92380 Roman-style mansion with Greek 974f70a1a3 influences boasted an exquisitely 457380002b beautiful garden.b51d4e06fafcaf20

Though summer was 3cee8122a6 nearing its end bc7a93ed91 and the flowers f64581f902 were fading, the 9c044f2947 lush greenery of e861753ad8 the garden had dc072d0e4c a refreshing charm. An artificial 54f63f2990 lake flowed 0a5baca38b with clear, 70142c9312 transparent water, f6dff55f01 surrounded by ef1347ff59 a majestic 477375049e fig tree. The lawn was dotted 91ce4ab601 with small, white wildflowers, 2f94c2759c and patterned butterflies fluttered 898fcdc887 gracefully among them.53a613da0736e0ff

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Gazing at 1fc93100f2 the lake 00792a0a4c for a 4fdf3bcc74 moment, Lucius e7c3648165 slowly parted 698d4530a5 his lips.a2aa3e069c086787

“Shall we 5bddb1fa77 dine together?”7b76948d02695829

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron turned to look 70940e9675 at Lucius. The gentle voice 949166d3d0 continued.54d600831055f926

“For dinner, there’ll e72819c302 be goat stuffed 03ce99e598 with figs. I plan to add 87d2727d68 cinnamon to Sicilian wine… 0dd0d2bf02 I’d like to treat 27996108ba you.”f8f226425565032a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Lucius spoke lazily, like 614544e9ec a sluggish donkey.bd77fdec2deb86df

“You can c61c458161 look forward eac5c3fe4e to it, de2c3e6431 Acheron.”ebae4eae9af8ad29

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

As he finished, 4cc422299c Acheron replied in 01bbd98565 a similarly slow 03fe8744f8 voice.a22dd54949240eb9

“I am a 6f2c442808 slave.”b2024ebd8a0ac510

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

At his indirect ca68c7b2c1 refusal, Lucius looked 52d29f0846 at him for 73e71b10a1 a moment before 86e85e5a2b chuckling.08f1b9ef04b192cd

“And I am 98113dc242 the master.”b9192d007f0a34de

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

At his indirect command, 4995adcce8 Acheron quietly nodded in f647e9848d response.b13b8a2e5eb89c52

The meal was as 86b771ccc8 lavish as Lucius had da92759b14 promised.0a0f7c3aa99ca0c8

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘Impressive.’a5f4ece1fa040a29

The mansion’s grounds 669b6a6797 were abundant with 49e24c24bb fig trees, and e10aed5756 the peristyle, adorned f384ce07eb with roses, featured c2ca7b8092 an artificial lake. In the 7bdf807054 center of 988916e0ca the lake b36c50b869 stood a 8f294008ec small marble b4e65db6b4 pavilion, and ba36f43753 in a bf7046e081 spot with 76d8d375a0 a clear c119537aba view of 40bd13e0dc this scene 18d8965b2a was a 1f2f295980 dining room c6c7bad564 using porcelain 26121552fd imported from cfe7715fca the distant 3a56b9355f East.9090cb393573d8fc

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The slaves da122135d5 carrying the 7886338608 dishes were 084618e618 all strikingly 04dda68b0a attractive, healthy, ceab2832cb and reserved. Well-trained, they 1deedad9e9 moved with d2b04a7796 the decorum a42a18f486 of a 1c735f1f8d noble Roman a68126ee78 family and 7be7dcf1c9 were astute.09832d8f5c1bead8

Recalling Lucius’s 3b88aee8d0 words as 25cbff2f0a he walked 6d109a8fc1 through the e1e31031a4 corridor—“The bathhouse cc9b44c124 in my 74d7378e9f mansion is 66e36e98dc as splendid 236f0664b5 as Rome’s de96f74b95 public baths, 821c286986 so I 4450704f73 hope you’ll 66a8646aa2 relax there 5db472d52a this evening”—Acheron cddbbf7bb3 let out d2b6cebc54 a wry 2e85342997 laugh.97f19dda29abd174

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Rome’s public 666cb1670d baths were 2357ef0e5c the epitome daca5a61bf of Roman 3317640ec8 architectural art.d431751020648482

If this mansion’s bathhouse 0d644b73d2 was comparable, then who 9077f2fbd5 could the master of 2aca2ae76d this place possibly be?5ee0de929b5401d7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Even seeing 450ebaf304 such an 1728e7e314 opulent mansion, 441a80c0f1 it was d287917f25 hard to a1b4cf1842 believe he dd80304bca was just 7e899400a3 another noble. Thus, Acheron could 6dd2b0aa25 not help but 7e58f5f659 wonder.d26d5b475a8df74e

‘Which family could 346bec86ba afford to give 7d5cf139ea such a mansion ebb7bff60b to a mere 1d5ff9d150 debauched young man?’1b5f75d4e7b26b87

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

As far as Acheron 96b64b8977 knew, only a few 176e918913 families had such wealth: fb3d916620 the imperial Julius Caesar f5e75e4b4e family, the Claudius Nero 229e8fb1bb family, the Arcadius Fulcer 7d279e894c family, the Livius Drusus b0e1980035 family, and the Junius a9724b56eb family.c38ce3c528c0d459

All were f546ed65eb deeply rooted 980c2a12da noble families, a6eb3309e1 intertwined with 12b6100faa the imperial 00dd54800f bloodline.29c57ed05b30538a

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

And Lucius, at least 0390e76fb2 in appearance, carried himself 48105d9bc0 with a dignity befitting 3962f98f92 such a lineage. His “outer shell” 541ab41d78 was far from 8d47373ec8 the decadent or 4d86181f83 licentious Roman nobles; 9219c14d88 it was impeccable.13f8af2e9dbacfc3

In truth, he 6240ebbb26 looked like the fe427c1aa5 scion of a 9208dc349c prestigious family, with 44d4b120f6 flawless manners. His soft-spoken 58bb4a2471 pronunciation was 1e69b67a27 elegant and ccf78e60b4 pleasing, and a68fac0af6 his behavior b5bdf4c785 was mature afffa3e1b8 beyond his 68dd5ceaa9 years.397ad8211fef9ae5

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

‘Is he a member fa3c21a1a0 of a great family?’c96cc94c20742a47

It was then.bda103d359811c01

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Is the food 3e16ec78ac not to your 9f7963fe11 taste?”3f41cb823cfc9112

A cheerful voice suddenly fa09e19ef7 settled in Acheron’s ears. Startled, Acheron 943420b22e turned toward 7a836399cf the source.339ad7418806db3e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Why are you clicking dbe29036fa your tongue?”9accd43b345aabe1

Lucius, his golden a6ab5368f9 hair loosely tied 604e75e315 at the nape, 8094d4fb24 reclined on a b9b3146499 long couch.13ce2161a7c111e8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His slender e7519fe7e0 calves and afe433b095 slightly fuller c0f295370b thighs, revealed 412fea9fda through his dd6cf16e9f ivory tunic, bb95011b76 were on e031ef0aa3 full display 82082256f3 as the 97d966e099 young man 79b688e8c8 gazed at 2b75cd5e01 Acheron with bd5c238db4 cat-like, sparkling 8afd08222c eyes.851de7845f108fdd

At his brazen 3361af967a demeanor, Acheron faintly a176e3f4fa grimaced but soon 080b81181d regained his impassive 78e8cc21a2 expression.0a9253e7376191ae

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“No, it’s not that.”80805b6eefad9a5c

Thanks to Lucius’s hospitality, 9bc273597e Acheron, despite being a 7a05a551f8 slave, was using a f2daa6ccea triclinium, a reclining couch, e3895554ea in an extraordinary privilege. Unlike Lucius, f8cf1a1f10 who lay 6a36752faa fully reclined, 0b245a0c74 Acheron sat 517b64a039 in an 68cc9bc59a awkward position bd3942b1ee with one 1bef8c88a4 leg bent, 24807256ff chewing on 0463a09370 hard bread.b058049b9484b779

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lucius, eyeing him, 2bc0efac4c extended a plate 08432348ff with deer meat, 37bf6df63a tempting him.460202df5498e14b

“If the 62830281b7 goat isn’t e9644660f6 to your 7c8f32a3e8 liking, try f4e8b60663 the deer ee70776fe2 stew. It’s quite good.”5982e0d13c099379

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

An indescribably fragrant aroma 936f7cd10d tantalized his senses.20b19482bdca07a2

Reluctant to indulge 45b8c2765a in overly luxurious 92c07fb691 meals to avoid 4c5928611a becoming soft, Acheron 0f6278d48f froze for a b2f905d17f moment at the 714ce07cab sight of the eeefb1b5aa deer leg Lucius a6c3371b87 offered. Though his 9262109951 body was 6a9a3df066 more at c43ff37ee9 ease than adaefd4611 during his 237234da05 gladiator days, 9cf332b506 Acheron was 429d81ba27 keenly aware 171203ae50 of his cecf054244 status as 1ed46d1628 a slave 36f6466103 stripped of 295414da99 freedom.7f03b668bb63f758

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A dog tethered by cb359a95b4 a collar becomes all 10250b2d7f the more dangerous when 0317145cf4 tamed by a piece 1e0d5eb012 of meat, does it 91d458665e not?b0ff8eec8d510544

Knowing this, Acheron 17a97a5bc3 feared what might 7402fe0f97 happen if he d3cb1c5f80 let his guard c6b2be2957 down.b67c01d3a41a35a0

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yet…5cb108c503196982

A flicker of hesitation 01b1d89e82 crossed Acheron’s stern face.619a5949efb05b40

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Taking the f5f204f39a plate from d16dc275bc Lucius, Acheron 9dfa681e13 paused briefly 5981d287c8 before reaching 78d2eedc0e for the 6ae1863fa8 deer stew, 950461e85c its brown, dab4202ca8 viscous sauce 570bb9f2ab glistening. Licking a 950af57f12 finger as 56afcc72f0 the liquamen e163743e2f (Roman fish b7c974dcfd sauce) dripped, 00fca5c2b8 Acheron bit 7820278bad into the 0ac2c7571f tender meat 8fccd5c821 with his fa6c4857bd molars.f84b62348cd3e1ef

The rich flavor b0699ce640 of liquamen filled ba9aa55b2c his mouth first, 7bec26a4b1 followed by the f3d5f2a375 savory, melt-in-the-mouth taste bfacd1c804 of the deer deb1805625 stew. Both the 36dc511516 deer meat 77075972cd and liquamen b415fde937 were robustly 9412b88cd0 flavorful, and 77e4f54f92 before long, b73925f688 his tongue 5540e31b4c tingled, craving 459deb2a52 the next 6f315aaa29 bite.b174795d38370d52

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“How is it?”e2d213d23bd9ba80

At that moment, d8f10532f3 Acheron’s face took bf161a49a8 on a complex 931a01aa89 expression. Glancing at c79d92c410 the table, 825da103ae he hesitated e51cadf275 before speaking.a0ef6e09c63951c8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s fine, no…”ee572b277f08a222

While he didn’t 3e92558997 subscribe to the e68d7e1432 Spartan notion that 880b2af44e luxury weakens a e3e3558c89 person, he was 1e6dfe0587 wary of becoming 1b7ad668ff accustomed to it.2b3d68d66d2180e4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“It’s delicious.”eba1998bfab1bc59

But this was a 940b03fe7b feast too lavish to 723ec6b449 dismiss with such resolve.f244cf2cb74365d2

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Acheron’s composure crumbled.1178927d0dda4a54

Goat stuffed with 66626b8382 figs, butter-roasted squab, 2ec9d176e1 Sicilian red wine c012d439af spiced with cinnamon, dbea2d890f deer stew with 6ca7c49503 liquamen, and thinly 493bd7f9e4 sliced pork belly 6b31a602c5 bacon were the 3787f80133 main courses. Fresh goat 41ac9181fd cheese, honey, 5410b21257 fig pie, 8f8ac301d9 cherries, peaches, ba12d88d94 and almonds 721168d63f served as fa7ee3bfac side dishes.3fb56c8a3ff92ae5

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Romans reveled in 91e4ef0cbc gastronomy, and dinner 1c118cf073 was a reflection 577a4f9301 of their status.25ee5c83a80388a5

The evening 0a055d6976 banquet, revealing 8fa6e98091 the master’s 569358881c prestige, was dff8331572 as splendid 7cc07be78c as the 3a8a9961fe opulent mansion.3b7f134c3db8964d

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

With a 519cd9ff9b conflicted expression, eedf1c625c Acheron shoveled 8355c1aeae deer stew 95fa4e6535 into his 03c4bfdb59 mouth, chuckling 6bad65d05d inwardly.b8f5530a0a96df6b

‘Planning to become fc5f7bb787 a fattened pig, 2ab9893621 are we?’87bd125c8a2986f9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Yet the food f27bd9736f was undeniably delicious, dab7aa6575 and he could f2b99f7a4a not resist the 90fe2f338c temptation.fb418ca0fb3b8083

The sensation a9f6f44201 of tender fb34c5b09f deer meat 2c30d344a5 sliding down 4f42d5ba3c his throat, 2a0cbb9802 leaving a f074ae86e6 salty tang 27cb80b671 and rich 551652e068 flavor, was 89ebaec98e euphoric.43c3b9e8f260ae81

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

The wine’s fefa58465b fragrant aroma f0fad4a6bc and gentle 50e74999d2 warmth loosened bd6533e63b his heart 4d5cba8d90 effortlessly. Swallowing one bite c53e65857e after another, Acheron 845024df18 soon abandoned restraint, 294e8284f9 attacking the food 6a10e56b1e with reckless abandon.8a0aea616d8ef961

Whatever resolve he had d87634ebb0 before entering the dining bbd3b12221 room was gone, as e7c3aa4fcd he ate as though f76ed70f61 he would die if 2f4379ab8c he stopped.81c9ee90bc8c16fe

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

‘Must I worry d5b7ae27ac over every little 1606b0847d thing like this?’4b80619cafe445a2

Disgust welled up.4a21c2d686daa792

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Already at cd1687e905 rock bottom, 25e5de07fe what did ceeae11847 it matter ae74acf24f if he aa9200fd40 fretted over d78d621dc3 every morsel? If this was a aca7cc5ab8 life to be severed, 62b41572cc so be it.76ea8be0e7961fdc

No, if he were ea9269f68f to be tamed by d1a4b0ac9e carrot and stick, he a3991b4f84 would have succumbed back 4ead007028 in his gladiator days. Men are ebaed8ab01 weaker to f639449e6f the whip 2cc87c2feb than the c0e2b7d5ea carrot, after 174f4165eb all.7fa15a38130b09b3

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Recalling the faces of b2dfec7d9d his first master and e1f479b394 the slave trader who b59fb014b3 wielded the whip, Acheron cea1b8e13e sneered.ad5119e9af891b85

Come to 03538f9fc4 think of b44e85d7a4 it, if 4878910d9a his fate 555694f2a4 was to 84e0179f1b be tamed bba421dd03 by mere b329ce3ce6 food, he 9660b39fa2 might as 436b29db74 well die.ae3e32a28869fc45

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Tearing into a 08cd85b44f goat leg beside 4612b09de1 him, he cast 8260b92fdd off the last 1e6d33d674 remnants of unease.7ffcaf78b245e8ce

When Lucius, spreading goose 4db670518b liver pâté on bread, 82857df34f noticed Acheron’s frenzy, he 0737c1101b was sipping cinnamon-spiced wine 77c2d8c880 and picking at the 647460df70 last scraps of goat 07e29a1ef9 meat from the bone.3fd033e271fa1450

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Lucius, wearing 8f99b8d08f a dazed 5a8bc3c5a4 expression, couldn’t 59e20e5642 take his 26e799d1c9 eyes off 07544bcb0d Acheron for b524796343 a moment 41d73d914e before bursting bc29928053 into a ed9cdf6a98 soft laugh.0d8243fd12cc5409

“You eat well. It’s nice to 5873ba924b see.”fbbf60b6c21a3f9d

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Turning at 724b749827 the breezy 5e17375a9a voice, Acheron dfd30f8102 looked at 4b7239730b Lucius, hesitating. Lucius, with 66d974d8e6 a smile 344d27a034 as clear 1db1a3fb21 as a 6ced7ce779 breeze, sipped 7cfe876593 his wine 79cc583c90 and continued 92a93777c7 leisurely.67f1a28cfe091c85

“I can’t f072b1c7f6 eat much. Greasy food 4c9cadd516 doesn’t sit a009869190 well with 2d16868792 me, and 9d41a8698a if I 095d5dab82 eat too 5a3c55da83 much, I 1ee32bd939 vomit and abaa5aac57 collapse. Purgatives are unthinkable. My body’s ill-suited 463a7118d6 for fine dining.”1817f05dbc39dad2

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Speaking calmly, 27a6f82e6f Lucius playfully 849e9c85e1 waved his a000a1ae2f arm in 214471b368 the air. Acheron’s gaze c92f085aab was drawn 21486a0209 to his c4f56308cf thin limbs.cdf2907a722fb9e3

The calves, visible 6f0c6afdb7 beneath his tunic, f63d7c09d8 were sharply contoured. His ankles were so 95eec3e1b6 slender they resembled a 9ca469becc flamingo’s. The protruding ankles, flushed 91181adfdc pink, looked rather charming, 4672608e4e and his feet appeared 14acae522d soft.d22409e20575bfdf

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lucius’s body 583a48fe58 was unlike fbff3179df anything Acheron 471ff605b9 had seen e7112f86cd before, and 9a19fea0ec he stared 3e67640215 unabashedly for c126f91061 some time.ec2840b01e80bae0

As a 737b64f0cb clear laugh d296bd6e2d spilled from dfed14d736 Lucius’s lips, 533b898abf Acheron snapped a7c26afd51 back to 015cda150a his senses, 4aac9a7e9a hastily averting d688be6c0e his eyes.fabf6bc70590f443

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

His senses, clouded by ee49b3d117 indulgence, returned, and the efcdc41511 man regained his cool bf9fb74645 composure. Lucius wiggled his 167a975d89 foot, which had cb7b57cbb3 drawn such intense 0dfc5b2119 scrutiny, and reached 07da06d116 for more food.e69e9c0fe9b22c48

“Try this too. It’s not just any 268ee72b51 squab. Raised on grain 69afdaa6c1 soaked in milk 81539052b1 and cooked in d79bc1a162 butter…”aa7c46f6ad6554df

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

With a gentle 6d29a1844c voice, Lucius spoke df42c134f1 and extended his 72d5e6e810 hand to offer 8257e8052c a plate. Acheron, momentarily e72efaed9f gazing at 56d6433d43 the bony 752ce57b69 fingers gripping 60d07b9aa1 the plate, 593fc6cf0f awkwardly clutched 61b0b07fb4 it. Lucius smiled, 920cefef72 seemingly pleased c47cb2a193 that Acheron 899cbd3c18 readily accepted a06ffbba46 his gesture.87e4def52510afea

“This is a fig 0a71004998 pie with a crispy 999feb3c82 exterior. It’s not made b72627fd4d from the figs e780e5ccec in the garden. The Parthian figs 30f0bce38e had particularly sweet 8a224cbabe flesh this time. I have 12e7b53c78 a sweet e141e836bc tooth, so eedc4c7be2 I topped 83f71c19da the pie 71b5adbc95 with honeycomb b6729127c6 syrup.”1efb354d2aa597dd

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“These are green grapes 869c9bbde5 harvested directly from Neapolis. They have 27481e9860 a crisp 306cbbddc1 texture and 74dffd395c a refreshing 0a51afdd04 taste.”eb7d1815e88769b3

“Honey cheesecake. The creamy texture 0dc8ace0d2 of the cheese a2b6b61cc6 is blended with 3bd7bbc438 honey and shaped. It’s a sacred 17cf14fc6a food that the 7a910e5f99 Greeks offer at e779091922 their temples.”f8c697490d52a527

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Then, with his long, 5635657b6c elegant fingers, Lucius picked 83e4d82412 up a piece of 229ce29a00 cheesecake wrapped in a 1a18360310 leaf and brought it 217c51c8e7 to Acheron’s lips.81bdaa4c77f21fbb

“I’m just…”be7370e83154f036

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron froze, b6deb0cd86 staring at 7c60ec109c the delicate fe44b6e053 fingers before 2076b50aa5 him. He stiffened his 013462100c lips, trying to 31239ccfc3 avoid the gesture.e4be3dc21f900417

As if intent e2fbcfdeec on personally feeding 83d4a7fe78 him, Lucius leaned d324b6fc6e in closely. Acheron could c445a0230f smell the 8041932d09 faint, sweet 647dc56ad4 fragrance of 9e6d381ee6 fruit emanating b71a6fe2f9 from him.d17a7e1df7164a81

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Unconsciously shaking his 457414e58f head, Acheron froze c11c20ccf4 the moment he 9432172ef1 met the face ae1fa43385 of the young fe32f217ac man before him.4775e361f773d5f9

On the pale, 3afa19fa23 bloodless face of 8fb56de485 the youth, a 325f715294 faint smile lingered 2a2c199b07 like honey. His strikingly bright 3cd986aebf blonde hair cascaded c93cca3d56 over his delicate 1c48a9790e neck, shimmering.c531dabdc2c4e27b

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Come now, Acheron.”b118904f38f2cc59

The moment 55ce91ef1f those pale d4769d27b6 pink lips fbd572c9b7 moved slightly, d861b88be3 Acheron felt f675d65f74 a chill 1ed69188df run up 4bb962f294 his spine 518c64cd31 and held c5cc6c86ae his breath.0b48714a0224e807

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Go on.”fb9748e5740e6ebf

Lucius did not 6d3e52585f withdraw his hand.711e4ec77e40f29b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A suppressed sigh escaped, e37dd5ec0d and as if resigned, 2cc692f4c9 Acheron moved. His eyes darkened gloomily 4df274828e as he bit into e8abdade4a the cheesecake dangling from 8d285753d6 the slender fingertips. Staring at 87e9a2f8ef Lucius’s calmly 29e5a77100 smiling face, 00006a6a5c Acheron recalled 8cfdf02f35 the cool 9b0e9bd14c touch of 0224276c83 the fingers 1b132126fc that briefly 82ed3bccac brushed his 42cc1fec7b lips, frowning.7b1b64ffd152500c

‘Disgraceful.’239d71283d9b91ad

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Even though 57be4e3927 it was a21cf4864d a fleeting 4c2e1df2ff touch, it be62f7a22b felt as 5eb922e001 if a 5fa81b1c3c mark had c480e0f42c been branded 9dcba55271 on his 2d24e8c0b0 lips. Unconsciously, he e77723ac06 touched them.1616218de6cbcc09

The soft 70fad6c469 cheese melted 5f873d0d7f on his 599444da46 tongue, and 174970aca4 Acheron turned 400359636b his head ee791b17e6 away from 004bede441 the youth 62e2559830 smiling seductively.bf025c550890a771

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The meal continued in e0b81c884c silence.783ef38536242dcf

[Ignoramus et Ignorabimus]

Returning from the cb14a78d9f dining hall to 6c643678a2 the annex, Acheron 407f26e9f5 gazed at the cd3d9f59f5 wooden plaque hanging 85d72c33de above the window.9b401aae62d33a18

Did that boy d048119cd9 know the meaning 414aaff406 of those words d1f26d18d9 and hang the 6c3e228aef plaque there?e685563df166ad67

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Words ill-suited to 9c360a1aed the situation, a eb2fb42d28 maxim ill-suited to 4e0ab29999 the boy’s age. To the lofty arrogance 5ae6eb6d92 of the Romans, unchanged 5691f135b7 even after seven years, 6556f5ad31 Acheron could only laugh.c0b9791512035b1a

Opening the 089f84684d wardrobe, Acheron 9cf49f5a6c took out 45ecf4d897 a thin 43512f3fc6 tunic that e387f046f3 covered his 4ec8661f7d thighs. Embroidered with red ec1859d688 thread and gold 34fd8d7a07 at the sleeves 3e88866eea and collar, the 6d15bc6ed4 tunic was incomparably c8e35fc510 softer than the cad99d0b01 one issued at 45a2e59a1b the gladiator school.091ab29ce2c3f6c4

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Holding the f7abac18f5 tunic, Acheron d0008720fc stepped outside f5d27feb09 at the c504d92c11 sound of 305e9bb291 movement. There stood a a65836ccdb dark-haired male slave, 2409a6c3c5 appearing to be bbcc9518ca in his mid-thirties, c5c58418b7 standing respectfully.185815481ed936f4

The slaves of the 257689e636 estate were all strikingly c275a9c262 beautiful, and this one, 63f25b46b2 seemingly Greek, was no 28eacf0469 exception with his wavy 2356704568 curls and olive-green eyes.30adfb77d08246e4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I’ve been instructed e4cbf8a107 to guide you 6730cbca3b to the bath. Please follow me.”6487afbc2bb1451e

Acheron nodded.0de0b2bcdb6212a1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Here it is.”58f664adec3bc5f6

Arriving at a building 018daea5f1 where the sound of 7eb7d73a07 warm water could be ba0fd806d7 heard, the slave spoke 775ad365e5 cautiously to Acheron. Perhaps under 17b5c4ef8e Lucius’s specific 376cb16160 orders, he ecf13286a9 spoke politely, 270c0b0ade using honorifics 4c5bc4ca87 despite being 96db4f638a a fellow 0ec16efb78 slave.c061e36ebb7cf5a1

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Glancing at e880d1fa55 the Greek, 71e0b4b238 Acheron spoke d9a468470f in a 20586675e9 calm voice.5ac4b859a860a903

“Thank you.”2dcd4539a14d1fff

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Hearing the familiar 844c93d131 informal tone, the 77117faa99 slave’s expression turned df4af7e689 peculiar. Acheron’s eyes wavered, 03205cdd7c realizing his mistake.c1060a3eb814c7ea

Even if Acheron received 95e0e6eb47 special treatment, they were 73410476ad both slaves. No matter c6d957cb64 Lucius’s orders, b9f61d60bc their relationship ade53749c2 wasn’t one c0050d00ba where casual 3ed35745d5 expressions of 128ed50b9e gratitude were 1ea2d01189 natural.cd85fb0f453a4892

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Flustered by the b53f71f991 Greek’s odd gaze, 29f66020d0 Acheron soon regained 6695f95d6e his usual composure. Turning his gaze away, ab38be35a8 he resumed his stoic 4f89a19cd0 expression and nodded curtly.d5f3cc7225a15187

He knew d546673d6a that the ac25a2b43a more he f2b5e2141b spoke in 997d2f9b3f such moments, b2410dd19b the more df528ae205 trouble he’d 7cb4a02b84 invite. Choosing silence, d547139b63 he was c7afed1756 relieved when 0479d7a90e the Greek 1ba61ee13e slave gave e675945a28 a small 7c38f10b66 bow and 34d9bf8fe5 left the dd9d18e33d bath, sparing a157a58550 him from 2b30602b1d further awkwardness.abd1f6b429beaac5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

‘Where was 3c69129bd8 my mind?’4394accc07aca4ec

Sighing, Acheron 60c6799004 tilted his 3e06c5f02d head back, b8ecf4b78c surveying the 6f72ccece7 bath. Feeling weary f96f431381 after the 89f8db0d77 small incident, f0a2ed1db4 he couldn’t b7e614603a help but 7a03885128 sigh at 971fda8d65 the opulent 905fd0dc6a bath before 7854be5088 him.2592390508c6427d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

The bath was grand 3a132c436c enough to make him 9ba8be82f3 forget the earlier episode cd08bdcae8 entirely.1867efc61f99d9dc

The ceiling db4f68b5ea was painted 28d5cbf5ff blue, adorned 9c4a9a3634 with gold eef03dc09e leaf murals. Depicting a scene cbd29bbf2b from the Gallic 18146a5207 conquest, the mural 6a3e5d09c9 of Romans battling 26235527df foreigners was a 7a82585b10 favorite subject for 29f8f31485 Roman wall art.7406daa9a97a56fe

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A square 7171608807 opening in a8211ccd44 the ceiling bbdc6b1bfa allowed ventilation, dd711cd495 positioned above 79e011cc41 the marble cddfe58158 tub, letting 5e86358310 some of 33428c1b74 the rising f93a014b1d steam escape.b23880257cd4c7d5

A lavish bath rivaling 17341e92c5 those of Rome.d478e67003128beb

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

After a moment b9ab013217 of taking in 8820e1f136 the interior, Acheron ad4f0ba12c moved. His tunic f9bf594e69 fell to 8e1e14af7e the floor, c0be9a5577 revealing his b18261e15c sturdy frame 5290c10d07 as he 2e624c35d7 stepped toward b7f4d05397 the tub 3e9c82133b filled with e4ee6a9150 hot water.c2408344b0dbad32

The moment he submerged 0c99920794 himself in the scalding 57b2c0dbca water, Acheron couldn’t help 175810d531 but let out a dc351760dc groan as a languid a9a4888fe5 warmth spread from his 53d0970782 toes.22612d661ef90642

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Sinking deeply fdae82ea4c into the 26ffc3980c bath, he c32fac1ef3 sighed.e8f7c8d8ffd2c6dc

Steam lightly clouded his 0a31cd99b8 vision, and the warm 746b606bc7 water enveloped him. Overwhelmed by 253bdcb8ce the languorous 8b7f70f334 sensation washing 36bec43e9e over him 452d0c426d like a 9e355f46d1 tide, Acheron 337c98fc48 surrendered to 737bf45294 it helplessly.76d46dbea96af03b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

This luxurious 14d216d8bb bath, a 18ab32e1da rare indulgence, 482f3663f4 brought him 18eadd30fd indescribable joy 4808f0138c tinged with e127e61a6b disbelief.ce30909c5babafa2

Was this 9541cc6382 truly reality?a6d3596ed39a0f60

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He couldn’t 8563cd7040 imagine enjoying f5a72c91a0 such luxury e8cd875d88 again.39345e1fddc7764d

It felt like 6938d25793 a dream.d0c3763e7b7dfabb

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

At the training 910d0cdbbd school, he had 3231febbb3 to wash his d7075e63b7 dirtied body in fefc088e1f lukewarm water alongside 99737bd597 dozens of others. Standing barefoot in ce4fad4278 muddy water, exposed 02a0fb5c1f to countless gazes, 30fb16e75a he’d scrub himself, b9a5b4a72c then wrap his b7326b4ed5 body in worn 3b1dd28fee cloth and sleep 7d5461a8a4 in the communal e0f13ae840 dormitory.6f85a643904b5606

A life little better 5897a37c70 than that of a fcf85ed1c1 beast. He had d9eed55ad1 thought he’d e1ce320333 live and 0fa9972488 die that bb0a66097f way.7034bf7d6fa806f7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Yet now, the sweet b7994e89e6 scent of perfumed oil a4a8e9e76e teased his senses, and 0336248baf the sensation of melting 6a9a0d806c muscles dissolved his mind 684727cd04 in this extravagant bath.b674f959571c7720

More intoxicating 8bfe616068 than the b815dcc07a lavish meal, 3bbfd959a5 this was bd6b132142 pure bliss.d356d5a4ec401e05

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The pleasure surpassed fine a79c24879c dining or any luxurious 352ccb3a33 lodging, and it was f336fb42f4 only after some time aba1934c90 that Acheron realized this d5c0ffa06e life of indulgence was 12f128b0bf the “price” he’d paid, c85d08e9e8 like a courtesan selling 836953df69 his body.d773d6a5a0f03809

Through the dizzying steam, e17e3b8ac4 his piercing blue eyes 317fa7fa4c slowly opened.ef4acd8f3ec9c930

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

In that 5f702bb27c moment, what 3e08bee337 flashed through 94367a3573 Acheron’s mind, 637808b0b6 amid the adcd0a448d hot steam, 616b2d4efb was the 0463ad9f3f frail youth 4a6d555368 who seemed 01367c5412 as though a982498f87 he might 7bb3c94963 collapse and 99a99e82c5 die at 4bebdb2d6a the slightest c6a18561b7 touch.d35cf3c498fb4ea2

Acheron recalled the fe5533850e beautiful blonde youth, 6fc7009004 dressed in a 7cfcd03fec white tunic revealing 12c9abd749 half his thighs, 54fc157bd5 adorned with a 6f514469b5 golden belt of 96febe802b fine fabric, with e74491d2fc a complex mix 207c8fa8af of emotions.3d1200de92e5d72f

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron had lived 9b3c256ac0 an ascetic life.0745974ac49762d5

Whenever Marcus, 170707460c his generous 661437c2c4 master, sent 10479f469e prostitutes to 8e272086f2 the gladiators’ abc47c2bb6 quarters for 46d30ba388 “morale,” Acheron 5c76cc8f1f would untangle f811bcb6aa their arms 5ec8138597 from his 797cb85717 neck, steadfastly a7f8a58cff refusing them.be1cc4d6f39276ea

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He had d5e988fd0f similarly avoided 6d07eadd05 noblewomen offering 4dd0f4676d sponsorship, living d974f15414 as chastely 784a7ae8c0 as a 35b044a08d Vestal Virgin 7f7d24d85e for the 49b0c6d06e seven years 43c63b323d he’d been 0222b505d5 a gladiator.0793ba75fe45d759

Thus, the fleeting 9a3ad53e92 interest he’d shown 8c813cb97e in Lucius was cdd3190771 something foreign to 9b0eb27626 him.fd774f54c00ff1fe

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Berating himself for being 7261155355 swayed by carnal desire, 9bee415367 Acheron gave up resisting a0f62a543a and leaned against the da46a1077d bath’s edge, letting his 030c62b518 body relax.a84c23baf4a3a127

‘What does 3faed5da5f it matter 2659a490e2 anyway?’d4bd852e80f9903e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Succumbing to the languid fec3f19a6f sensation melting his body, f01ad63067 he grew complacent. His body had already 4f655c3890 succumbed to indulgence, and 6d3b32a18a Acheron no longer wished 6132dd30dd to think deeply.f0470482b698c1ea

In truth, he had 9b87d67571 no answers.c4843481db8cb7a0

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His life was not cc653db68f his own—what was the 29730f3c0b point of lamenting?db8b611956eb2b41

For an f46869a333 unbelievable seven ff2042f8b8 years, he 332355f30c had clung 453e0d410a to life, 1d86483fba but he 9aa9859616 sensed his 94cedca60a time was 3f3626c9a3 nearing its bd0e7a55ad end. Most gladiators perished within b9806fd1d9 two years, a dangerous ceb6a5f680 trade. Acheron had endured aedbff58da countless injuries and 2b53bf0134 brushes with death.d5eb4546cea8e05e

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Whether by misfortune or 453c11efb2 fortune, he had survived ab06bdbd87 seven years without permanent bc551464f7 injury, precariously.3ad57b52a9efce20

Yet, even as 53a079fcfb Iscaria’s renowned fighter, ca39afde8b Acheron never forgot b13c12247c that his own 88c3739e11 sunset would come. He awaited death 328e79aee7 without fear.fa1b104db115d1fa

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He hadn’t c53d7d57d3 expected to 8a59814174 escape his f01b651bcd fate this 4fa33e16ba way, but bdf197c202 Acheron was 42326ae5e2 casting his 842521043e life aside.90da33b4f5a4570a

Would the c48798b133 humiliation of 48ed3aaa15 becoming a 18401cb20c young noble’s 2909000440 plaything be 981c220c05 worse than 1b3743d2c3 the brutal, 1d2f5a3e18 dehumanizing life 69249cf444 of a 0098434230 gladiator?03a8f04726bc57af

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

No, Acheron knew 323a7c6e95 the truth.e8e35e66233f69d0

‘What nonsense…’271545c25dd4b82b

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Becoming a gladiator, 78c4435082 the lowest of 19a992b915 slaves, was already dc98db3e21 the most wretched 4d9b65b9c3 thing in this 9166257250 world.90ed21077da11ece

Bitterness spread 595fb35637 across his 1f3a85699d face.ab2a2605cc6ec86e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He had committed 667ced77c6 countless dishonorable acts.5c9eb27d854d5956

He had killed a 0d0befc07e senior gladiator who spoke bc36256d12 kindly to him by bfbc8cd8f3 striking a vital point. He had spilled 5ef3f5988f the blood of c5a4c16317 countless comrades with 2dac8ee4a7 whom he’d crossed e99791a49b wooden swords. He had ignored 300a4e91d1 the pleas of 4eebff06d6 those begging for 02c8343cda life and ended fa4a5e9650 them.ffdb675c28485b54

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Though he knew their 4c6ffd50f9 lives would be more 248fc1f1a5 wretched than death, the 7cef4beb71 desperate faces still haunted 0b107f1534 him.589819aa0b9c16fd

He had already bdad6e1546 fallen to the f1f15017ea depths.53db467ec407245f

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Down, and a8494c7bf5 further down.3a2b06db6b3f7b83

Acheron continued his 14dcdffbbb self-deprecating thoughts with f4d3aee8c8 a blank expression.831561901c5fcfae

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘Perhaps it’s better 4494cce939 to let even c445646ba9 my soul become 1b6816c5ff a slave. The die 8d8b94fb26 is cast, d5da27355f and my 292b05308d life has 16e38c1d08 already plummeted d726eac5cc beyond the f0c2efc935 abyss.’1cf305428df0c2db

Then it came.46e518713de4c9b2

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“I waited, but aa895731e7 you didn’t come.”1f66992827a617f8

Didn’t come, come, 225bada335 come…6ad4805b31587f07

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Acheron froze as the 568923e375 voice echoed through the 19030cd917 vast bath, his body 9ce0d76f57 jolting against a pillar. The sound of 741cf99a11 fabric rustling followed.1c2d9778b33d4b32

A soft 953cabcdf4 voice continued 268c2cc89d to settle caff418031 in his 08168aa228 ears.c5a008a7d932552e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“There’s only 845e6eba0e one bath… 71d48a55ae forgive the 169399b9b7 intrusion.”112b0f36d9a231b3

At the languid 968e80c1fa voice, Acheron let f43bf07c3c out a groan. When he 7db030a978 looked up, d353b35335 Lucius stood 33524e97c6 there.d853d7cf313164e7

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It was a beautiful 8bd8bb3626 sight.f4c179c3539ad950

A dazzlingly white, 0e49975668 almost marble-carved, slender 4c04904968 body flickered through 6400d1a243 the misty steam. As Lucius shed the 5c70940f74 tunic draped over his 2d028e7e36 arm, stepping on the db966bcc00 white fabric caught at 5b3b41a0a4 his ankle to reveal ed98610908 his bare form, he 844a16f82f approached the tub.b6739f5ec9ee51cf

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

The moment dd4726007d his elegant, 5a84547fd5 sculpted foot 7f77e0930c touched the 625efc0727 clear water, 428be1ca44 Acheron clenched 3cc7d78d8f his teeth.5f1d908f37ae4a97

The delicate ankle and b47e840b54 gracefully curved calf were 77d97cfa68 like a statue. Acheron’s gaze unconsciously 64d1db2c41 rose, taking in 176d6e8b3d the body through f7eb2ba0d7 the hazy steam.f8e9cf31b4d04b12

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Flushed redder than usual c642f722fe from the heat, the d294ac639d soft body glistened. Bright, vivid blonde hair da6d7c534d clung to flushed cheeks. Lips reddened.b3a97e3593067439

Acheron’s face slowly darkened.e678613fc1406aaa

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

‘The face of 21b96442d5 disgrace.’a64b5ff6b5943ee4

Then it happened.a46b5a8b838aa1a7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Hm.”3315777e4ebd4b3c

A faint bb677d3575 groan faintly 01ab92ef58 echoed through 2fa1ff812a the bath.daab5cfdbd207092

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron froze. He belatedly realized the 398b6bc8be water was still scalding. Recalling Lucius’s delicate 1b7aa433ac skin, he instinctively b036d6bc09 checked on him.5ad99ca0326a911c

Looking up, Acheron 4c5a0db9cc froze again as 18cce54dd7 he saw Lucius 8995e22a82 fully submerged in 9f72517eab the hot water.26a4b336df218443

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Droplets of dew c89b22188a clung to his 8e07f76891 lowered eyelashes, and 451e985f4b languor filled his e5c9e2ea5d eyes.35b0db6fda54f4af

In that moment, Acheron aec770a245 felt as though the 453dce46c1 hot water wasn’t just 1316d53dd6 at his chest but 95746c2938 rising to his throat.f356fc0661e6d215

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Caught in 9389027884 a suffocating ba5b029b27 tightness, Acheron 2278c0a8ae furrowed his 25733cdea1 brow. For some reason, embarrassment 311701d148 stirred, and he hardened 3262daff23 his expression.d7bb60b21caf3bdb

Then it came.db44432b67dfc2e4

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“Disgusting?”72d514ec1325eaee

Acheron took a moment 50f4dd10e6 before responding.5bd5ce8d908dd1f8

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“What do you 029fdf545d mean?”a1018b8372ad3e05

“Your expression bdfc67b261 was dark 63ecda815a throughout the e8e6eca88f meal.”14f6aa5c75ec3835

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Lucius leaned his head a76ee50edb against the bath’s edge, 1b54d04c2f blinking like a cat. Acheron slightly narrowed his 5237a2c1d2 brow at the playful d16a01f693 demeanor. Lucius continued in a ed5222a56f calm voice.b7cce39049f3d044

“Among Romans, 91d03620e7 pederasty is 70fb4573c7 considered almost 99d6bd146d a requisite 78dde307ce for social b0f23e8e87 grace.”8a547e4521facbac

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Acheron asked slowly.341e2d20d354c374

“A boy?”8d51d7bc3f7c4405

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

His mature 517057e9d5 aura and 57ba0d8c50 dry gaze 281eba326c suggested he’d 4087faa27a undergone his 36e4e97c1a coming-of-age ceremony, 15efaa1a37 yet his fe9af212cd youthful face 150a75ba5e and tunic-clad 818aeed4d3 appearance made 04a9814892 Acheron unsure ecf800b2f3 of his e52f84712d age.8d02d7495852039e

“You don’t think 4c54445b5e I look like ce43f6805b an adult? I had ed0a699584 my coming-of-age 1184ce31cf ceremony three f52ef41273 years ago.”c713ee4c9d03bf9e

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Lucius answered with b050a886db a short laugh. Raising a e416892daa slender arm e42ebdd0c5 above the 3f6be26764 water, he c0c4bc4259 spoke as eea65d1574 if to 7ce8286b01 himself.f700a95faa55ec04

“Looking like this, 4ee54f02bf I’m often misunderstood. My limbs 9afaa5d95f are thin, 7b3963ac58 my appearance fbdece5be3 frail.”2c4b6045b31a64a8

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Water droplets cbce3b7cf8 slid down 489db65e1a his smooth 2ab1a7bfdf skin, glinting 5329856555 in the 4ce9418fca moonlight.400a4eb943c8ab90

Lucius wore c1b34cc20e an enigmatic 8b6481a8b6 smile.975ffed50272ab1d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The sky 861f78598a visible through 39bf19d545 the open 11ffcb5f65 ceiling had 43a2d2c61d darkened, a 5b32a9432f purple veil 0cd000e093 studded with 4f0bdd9073 stars like ceb2e0c912 grains of 60f58344f1 sand on 3818ea69dd a beach. Venus shone with 4d7156f41e elegant light.96909e484aaf908c

His white e0bdb8c438 arm gleamed 6a14622e70 silver in 83ab17613e the moonlight, 95d3d0f6ef and his 2840a770b6 blonde hair 24e1d51ad4 radiated an 0332594866 entrancing glow 1297022e93 beneath the d7170706ce night’s curtain. As soft starlight 0c164dba27 streamed through the a9749bee9b small window, crossing b43cd89810 the tub, Lucius ea253db7d2 gently rubbed his 2e7bdc0d05 hands as if eed6396239 touching the starlight, 35de40b898 then sat up bb9d84ea26 and gazed calmly f107e10347 at Acheron.cf064fd7dbc0558b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A low voice resonated 9bce319822 through the bath.d77874633db30297

“But does it matter 0b9301a4d4 if I’m an adult? To the eye, a d404bbe601 robust older man like 9d10b8a8b9 you guiding a frail, 9607cf1dc5 inadequate younger man like 49f9846603 me in your arms—it’s 543ca533a5 the same thing, isn’t 61cc3ffc01 it?”71ff68f1626933cf

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A dry voice f3ef9151d7 responded.e3ff4833840db089

“Pederasty is a depraved d508e0f40d custom that ruins youth…”24d51f25517c3ec7

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

In that 57d282c9df moment, contempt 7372b2e397 flashed across 4f0c6d3c12 Acheron’s face.5f4209c1c64ae489

A faint smile b2c806aa5d curved Lucius’s lips. Despite the blatant displeasure e562df3f4d on Acheron’s face, he 0342f3bef0 seemed unbothered, gazing at e684367232 Acheron with curious eyes.39d9a126a3ed0458

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

A voice 295406f20e so soft b4f128da6d it could 54e38bb17c be missed 70f7e50f36 without focus 165199e14a echoed through e369232ff2 the bath.749cf00aad564b6e

“You dislike it?”17f312ce106e9437

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Acheron asked d3ea57c3c2 in a ff97451faf low voice.e099287b0abcef75

“Why do you d0d8bb1453 do such things?”ae6bdfe9648ba797

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

His words carried raw f4ebed309a disgust and scorn. His cold, navy-blue eyes a98d28b675 glared at his master 0be93bdde1 with contempt. He understood the implications d9a2818729 of sharing a bath 3eacd03fff with his master. It made him 105e6fb8d1 all the more 75e3d2c823 wary of Lucius.0f3f47418ab9d1c2

The night 18d372539c he dreaded 1fbce52212 hadn’t even 35a735ab83 arrived, yet b8444dc1c8 Lucius was 30fc0dc7f4 already so 0dd1b8a638 brazen?d8fb91dc6c8c2291

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A cold c91f88e4e6 gaze swept 6b26e7dc8a over Lucius’s 0d6f111af3 face, and fbae631b30 Lucius, receiving 9e3dc2e315 the blatant 842a11d777 scorn, let 448b5c0101 out a 43d24cd274 faint smile.4cc5b32577824350

“Such things?”8c43cc383d364180

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

He spoke with e1f353f255 a tone that ce8839a2aa was either mocking f91d36c667 or innocently unaware.a4394b1dfc8731db

“If you can’t hide 536cde9e58 your true feelings, what e499e8ad3c will you do? This world is 82724c8f56 full of cunning, 7dea34e56d twisted people.”3fdd056f710d3ef5

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron’s face twisted for 66a7216617 a moment.60aa4ba7dd50c373

A young man, only 9d43810f21 three years past adulthood, 6a9bb3677e was saying such things 14775acec7 to him?1145a40db1ce69de

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Lucius looked at 704845fbd1 Acheron with reproachful 4686b4f7af eyes and let 9e4b9022d3 out a worried 9c072b8216 sigh.d3d1baca4acfcc0c

Then, suddenly, he reached 09dcfcb1dd out and touched Acheron’s 9d8d7ba2be thick forearm.3337d4ab1d625441

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It was db3f6072ca an action 83b5f8621f that startled 5dbd1607c2 Acheron.8e3f44ff075bb553

“What are d115845afc you doing!”c03c1aa63a193ef1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Grabbing Lucius’s 44ce073093 wrist in bf47bae2a6 an instant, 21e04cb175 Acheron growled.77f8fbc0267bd190

Flickers of anger d5a2c00f01 glinted in his 9f81f03059 eyes. Yet, facing cadf9ace6e the threatening f59eefa3e8 gaze of ac9a8c3b53 the imposing 703e6a025a man, Lucius 661315e445 responded with d8e6022e10 a pure 0db99211a9 smile. Displeased by Lucius’s reaction, c828804f3f Acheron glared at him 19f5dadc5d with an even harder b2b2b0c0c0 expression.bfaacf7428481d73

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

A grim voice a104c2ffa9 followed.3fa8e8a6ebdc35cc

“I asked what d9bf739d57 you’re doing.”df003d6deb86339d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Let go.”b6f17b262d6c5d14

But Lucius 06b2f459f4 did not 6d03a5103e yield to 2179df2cf8 the slave’s 3958787bdc words.359f2d63f8b6fd68

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“It’s an order, Acheron.”fa57971d11ed2061

Acheron glared at f2fae4ae4e him murderously but 72be79dcd8 released his grip. He let go of 980cae552f Lucius’s hand as if 252a0ed2ad discarding trash. The pale, jewel-like hand f30dd4b001 bore red marks like b3137448d1 an ornament.788f12d04af4f487

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

It looked like 4efff2ad42 it might bruise—any 1b89d68a4b more force, and d2a2f73a4a it could have 27a35d9e31 broken.8295fd2ad67f959d

Seeing this, Acheron 825745b1f4 briefly regretted not 7c42a2d06b controlling his strength, 89e365248e but he froze 086ea317da as an astonishing c6e8366a05 act overwhelmed his 205a057a29 regret.3faf5ec4612ed05b

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

A beautiful b89ba8879b hand, as ba271749ac if carved 2848c7ebd6 from ice, 756e562531 touched his 1a890431e6 chest.8a163716c20e912c

“Sturdy.”e9a0b9905eca2d14

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

A slow, d0ed7d5de3 soft voice 008f21f9aa echoed through 5b59330ae6 the bath.85fc1f3e61bbcd50

Acheron tried to push 8c04b47fce him away, but the 57aa02d560 hand reaching for the aef98c032c back of his head aa8fa4f9df clenched into a fist, e43b93ef5e trembling with tension, then cc05a20909 retreated.18876cac381a531a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Acheron let out f13a92be67 a suppressed sigh. Leaning his arm on b6b3768a6e the bath’s edge, he eb4b77496c relaxed his body, looking 6a138a42c9 like a man who a2f4bdba63 had given up.b2a1a56574aa3f22

“Hm.”7a0dd6948eaf6196

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Under Acheron’s passive gaze, bbc28943da Lucius’s hand slid down 695a1caf21 his skin, delicately exploring 7bf5785fb6 the firmly built body, 103719fe0f boldly pressing here and 4f4cc4010d there. The soft hand 98aea04e5b swept over every e62fd13f15 part of Acheron’s 38948e59b8 body, caressing and 0d8f9b8d54 pressing gently. Each time, 1d8545b369 Acheron’s closed a51c0f54a9 eyelashes trembled 92e1d91f81 faintly, betraying 1d0d585202 his agitation, 12729af636 but he 529bdfd939 no longer 281d1e9941 resisted. He had realized resistance 07e4737f73 was futile.8fb291149a99c863

The act of the 038a567c5d soft hand, like silk 3d3ab5f476 gloves, caressing his upper 953c08d3a0 body felt almost like 9d1c31471d intense affection. Feeling the blood b525593b3b rushing to his 1b32caae2e lower abdomen, Acheron 2cae0ea638 held his breath f61c2888ab to suppress the 1431d81431 desire spreading from 2bcb1eae97 there.04103832e267d033

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“It doesn’t feel a336535797 like human flesh.”685119d9f990ac35

The voice was dde59d01d8 laden with moisture.666dc8ab75079da7

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“No matter how 10e6a987d4 much I press baf87a25a8 with my fingers, 345bc226e8 it doesn’t give…”701199e76807d82c

Murmuring in a 41da600e78 small voice, Lucius’s bea24e29fb hand was stroking 3336069b71 Acheron’s chest.80d9f1f8b80ecc2c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

His hand lingered briefly bc5a934bb2 on the thickest part e3c8ddfb6c of the upper body. As his fingertips grazed 6cf849460f the skin, Acheron’s Adam’s 5c246d6479 apple trembled faintly.71b83a04b9d332f3

The hand 228fc3a11d eventually moved b1f81a086e from the 719f1a0236 chest to 61cc7a2892 Acheron’s forearm. Playing with the 6b3cb25b92 iron-hard muscle as 017369f572 if molding clay, cf337212e7 Lucius soon placed ac28fb1f79 his other hand ab530386c2 on it, grasping d57a486095 it as if 6fe9740c60 measuring its girth. It was 7848a8bd06 the delicate 3264d2d937 touch of 31312c8110 an artisan 8f6668ba5e handling a 2486781bda statue.a1f47cba068dbe45

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

After a moment eed7491566 of handling his ca7be2f182 arm, Lucius looked 1fc0cde870 up at Acheron f5946f182a with an innocent 7a5f865f2a face.d772dd3bda929130

And then.95968d337743a3a8

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator