Carl's lips were dry.

The delicate features so close at hand, the clear eyes, seemed to possess a kind of Magic Power that accelerated his heartbeat.

The woman before him had a figure so perfect it was criminal, yet her face was as innocent as a clueless girl. The stark contrast easily stirred a man's protective instinct.

"You must have heard stories about me, haven't you?" Lady Annie said, her gaze on Carl as she slowly lowered her head, her smooth hair veiling her cheeks. "It's shameful, isn't it?"

"No," Carl blurted out. "You needn't concern yourself with what others say, My Lady."

Hmm? Something isn't right! How could such words possibly come from me?

A chill went through Carl's heart. He activated both his Breathing Method and Meditation Method to suppress the restlessness welling up inside him.

"Not care?" Lady Annie gently shook her head. "How could I possibly not care?"

"In this world, who doesn't want to live as they please? Since I've chosen this life, of course, I must bear the consequences."

"Yes," Carl nodded. "You are very perceptive, My Lady."

"That's easy to say, but people are different." Lady Annie lifted her hand to lightly brush aside her hair, revealing her cheek, her gaze lost in confusion. "My mother was a prostitute who had me by accident. My father never cared for my mother and me."

"My mother passed away early. Though I claimed to be the daughter of a wealthy merchant, in reality, I was just their servant—a free one, at that!"

A bitter smile appeared on her face, her eyes turning complex as if recalling past scenes. "I envied my sister her new clothes and new toys, so I wanted them too. That wasn't wrong, was it?"

"Not at all," Carl nodded.

Something isn't right! This woman isn't right!

"I came from a lowly background. I had no education, no vision, and no friends. I couldn't get anything I wanted." Lady Annie sighed lightly, her voice laced with a sense of helplessness. "Fortunately, God took pity on me and gave me a pretty shell. I used it to get what I wanted. That isn't wrong either, is it?"

"..." Carl remained silent.

"I know you look down on me, but it doesn't matter. You are nobility. Some things come naturally to you," Lady Annie said. "But I can't!"

"To get what I want, I need to fight for it, snatch it, barter for it."

"You nobles can command others at will and change women every day. Why can't I?"

"Why is it that when you do it, you're called dashing and charming, while I'm cursed as despicable?"

"My Lady," Carl spoke slowly, "what exactly are you trying to say?"

"Heh..." Lady Annie chuckled softly. Her body leaned closer again, her robe slipping further off.

"From a very young age, I understood that only by finding someone I could rely on would others dare not touch me. At most, they could only speak ill of me behind my back."

"I married the Earl. I found a patron..."

"Carl!"

Beneath the robe, her graceful, delicate body was fully exposed.

"I want you to be my patron."

"My Lady," Carl's eyes narrowed. "I want to get out of the carriage."

"Get out?" Lady Annie laughed charmingly. "The door is locked tight. How will you get out?"

"Don't be afraid!"

She pressed ever closer, her voice laced with seduction. "I know what you want and what you lack. Just be with me, and you can have everything you desire."

"Just like..."

"Robert!"

A shiver ran through Carl's heart!

"Lady Annie!" Just then, Dana's voice called from outside, and the moving carriage came to a halt.

"My Lady!"

Dana opened the carriage door and stepped into the compartment. Seeing the two of them almost pressed together, she looked slightly surprised and said, "I have something I'd like to ask you."

The door wasn't locked after all.

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