Richard eventually fell asleep in that bar.

He woke up when the sky was already bright, finding no one else around but himself.

Even the bar's door had been shut.

He no longer clearly remembered what happened before he fell asleep. However, he remembered very clearly everything he had said to Augus.

All of his relationships with women—he had revealed everything to him.

Now that he was sober, he couldn't help cursing himself.

If he had been drunk with someone else, he practically would have told them everything.

Fortunately, he was with Augus.

For this one, he was sure Augus wouldn't dare to spread any gossip.

Richard tried to stand while scratching his messy hair.

Alcohol really erased hesitation.

He thought he would only regard the Red Star Empress as a senior he respected. But when she became a widow, he actually wanted her as well.

Richard wanted to blame himself, but who was the one who broke the boundaries between them? It was that woman when she was completely drunk.

If they met again while both were drunk, who knew what would happen.

One thing was clear—Richard didn't want to get drunk again anytime soon. It was dangerous because he couldn't control himself.

'But… what is that Empress thinking now?' Richard wondered in his thoughts.

Surely, that woman would remember everything.

Given what she had done when she was drunk, would she acknowledge those improper desires?

Richard left the bar through its window.

He looked at the street outside—it was quiet, since this was the kind of street that only became lively at night.

During the day, the people here slept deeply.

Richard saw a small river behind the bar, so he jumped into it to bathe. It was only to tidy himself up.

He bathed for a short while before leaping back out of the river.

With just a bit of Aether, he dried his clothes and hair.

Now, of course, it was time to go to the palace.

It seemed Lilith had already halted all royal activities for the day. Richard didn't see officials or generals coming to the palace.

It was quiet, only guarded by soldiers.

Even the palace door was closed.

What he did see was the head butler, who usually stood before the door, appearing to be waiting for someone.

When Richard arrived, the butler immediately looked straight at him without glancing anywhere else.

"Sir Richard!" he greeted, just like always.

This was their first meeting after ten years. Richard didn't see any change in him at all.

On the other hand, the butler couldn't help observing him carefully.

"Sir Richard, Her Majesty the Queen is waiting for you inside. Please enter," he said, opening the door behind him and gesturing inward.

"Thank you," Richard replied.

He stepped through the door and arrived at the palace hall.

Lilith was sitting casually on her throne, still wearing the same clothes as yesterday.

She didn't look like a Queen at all—her legs were crossed, and her posture made her appear almost reclining.

She was observing a crow statue that seemed to be made of wood with a golden hue.

Richard sensed something mysterious from it.

He just wasn't sure what its secret was.

"Boy, this is your Slave Seal!" Lilith suddenly threw a Slave Seal toward Richard.

It was the same one she once used on her own father.

Richard was pleased when he received it, even though he hadn't used the one he already had. If the opportunity came, a Slave Seal could be extremely beneficial.

It might not be as powerful as an oath, but not everyone was unafraid of death.

Just as Richard stored the Slave Seal away, he saw Lilith suddenly stand up from her throne.

"Boy, follow me," she said.

Richard had no idea what she was doing, but since she told him to follow, he naturally followed her.

The woman entered a door behind the throne, leading into a corridor descending underground.

It was somewhat dark, lit only by dim candles that looked as if they hadn't been replaced in ages.

The corridor was clearly specially constructed. Its floor was cold, and every step Richard took produced a clinking sound resembling a bell.

Richard realized the path was heading downward. Strangely, the air felt extremely fresh.

The further they walked, the corridor gradually became a staircase due to the increasing steepness.

Richard didn't count the steps. There weren't that many before he saw a tightly shut iron gate. But when Lilith touched it, it opened instantly, revealing a vast, brightly lit underground chamber.

Richard was stunned by what he saw: rows of tombs, so many that counting them would take time.

By his estimation, there were over five thousand—and that was only in one small section of the enormous underground space.

One tomb in particular stood out. Decorated with luxurious ornaments and covered with countless roses that seemed incapable of wilting, it stood prominently.

(Empress Maya!)

Richard read the name on the tomb.

Instinctively, he thought of the Red Star Empress, but obviously it wasn't her tomb—she was still alive.

It was only a similarity in name.

"These are the graves of the royal family members since the founding of this kingdom," Lilith said. "The largest one belongs to the wife of the Grand Sovereign of Holy Light."

Even without her explanation, Richard had guessed as much.

Under the palace, whose graves could they be?

Still, he wasn't sure why Lilith brought him here.

"Come!"

She waved her hand and continued walking.

Richard followed her to one of the simpler tombs in a corner.

Compared to the others, clearly from ancient eras, this one was new.

(Lili!)

A short name carved onto the tombstone.

Just two letters away from becoming Lilith.

Richard looked at Lilith. The woman who was usually relaxed appeared serious here.

But then she looked at Richard, signaling him to stand beside her.

He naturally obeyed.

He didn't need an explanation. He could already guess why she brought him here.

"Speak your vow to my mother," she said plainly.

Here, Richard acted seriously, giving Lilith a light nod.

It seemed she didn't want any joking in their relationship.

But before speaking, Richard grabbed Lilith's hand, surprising her.

She didn't have the chance to protest.

"Madam Lili, I came today because I will marry your daughter, and I vow to protect her even at the cost of my life," he said.

His voice wasn't loud, but his tone was firm, without the slightest hesitation.

Lilith watched him the entire time, as if she would scold him if he appeared insincere.

But afterward, Richard smiled at her.

"Sister Lilith, I truly love you," he said.

"Boy, you dare flirt with me here…" she glared.

"Even if your mother were alive, I would dare flirt with you in front of her," Richard replied calmly.

Then he suddenly moved in, hugging Lilith's slim waist.

"Boy, you—?" The woman looked beyond shocked.

"Sister Lilith, you need to stop being so shy. Weren't you the one waiting for me to grow up so you could take me as your husband?"

Lilith, "…"

"Boy, why do I feel like you've become incredibly skilled at sweet-talking women? Where did you learn that?" she asked after being speechless for a moment.

"Ehmm…" Richard cleared his throat instinctively.

"Sister Lilith, what do you mean?" he pretended not to understand.

Lilith looked at him suspiciously.

"Hmph." She eventually simply snorted.

"Let's go. Don't make the ancestor spirits rise," she said, pushing Richard lightly before heading back toward the corridor.

Richard quickly followed.

"Sister Lilith, can the ancestor spirits really rise?" he asked.

"Of course. The Spirit of the First Empress can still rise today, and she's quite dangerous when angered," Lilith replied.

"Really?"

Richard instinctively glanced at the Empress's tomb.

"She was the wife of a Grand Sovereign. There are many wondrous things you cannot imagine. It's best not to speak of her—she might actually rise," Lilith said, speeding up.

Soon, they arrived back at the hall.

When Lilith was about to return to her throne, Richard embraced her from behind, freezing her in place again.

Even Richard was startled by the indescribable sensation of her incredibly soft backside.

Even through her pants, the softness was unmistakable.

Lilith's body was fully mature by now. Perfectly shaped.

Hugging her felt like embracing the entire world.

"Boy, it's not time yet," Lilith said.

Despite her words, she didn't try to escape his arms.

"Then when is the time?" Richard asked.

Thankfully, he was only hugging her—not immediately devouring her.

Of course, he wanted to.

"We aren't officially married yet," Lilith said.

"Then when will we make it official?"

"Tomorrow night… I need to prepare and send the invitations."

"Ohhh, so you already have a plan." Richard chuckled.

Lilith rolled her eyes again.

This time, she pulled his hands away from her waist before freeing herself from his embrace.

"You'd better go home first and inform Lisa," she said.

Her suggestion was reasonable, so Richard had no choice but to nod.

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