The shock in her eyes hardened into anger as she leaned closer to Vanessa, the pressure in her gaze making the air between them feel tight.

Vanessa stiffened, then slowly explained about Luna. She spoke about how the girl had returned to Qin Wei's side, how she stayed near him almost constantly now, and how she had taken it upon herself to keep his desires in check.

At the very least, Vanessa said, Qin Wei no longer visited brothels or allowed other maids to stay too close. Thea's expression only darkened further with every word.

"Where is that woman?" Thea asked coldly.

Vanessa hesitated before answering softly, "She should be tending to his bath right now." She lowered her gaze slightly as she continued. "At first, Master Icarus bathed alone. But over the past few weeks, he and Luna became much closer. She rarely leaves his side now. According to the rules, she shouldn't stay with him after midnight, but when I reported to Lord Kaelan, he said to show a blind eye." Vanessa paused, then added carefully, "It was never officially announced, but Master Icarus once let it slip that Luna might become his future concubine."

"Concubine."

Thea repeated the word slowly, but the calm in her voice was gone. Her eyes burned with restrained fury as she took a step forward. "Who is this woman who dared to charm my husband and try to snatch him away?" she growled.

"Let's go."

Without waiting for another word, Thea turned and strode toward the bathing chambers. Her steps echoed sharply against the stone floor, each one filled with restrained rage.

When she reached the entrance, the warm scent of medicinal steam drifted out. Beneath it, faint laughter slipped through the half-closed door.

A woman's giggle.

Thea pushed the door open.

Warm mist rolled out into the corridor.

Inside the large bathing pool. Qin Wei was seated within the medicinal liquid, naked, steam curling around his shoulders. A busty naked woman sat beside him, her long hair falling over her back as she rested against his chest with intimate familiarity. His hands were on her breasts, busy with kneading them like dough, while her soft moans echoed lightly against the tiled walls.

Just as he closed in on the neck, he suddenly froze, sensing a killing intent from a certain direction.

For half a heartbeat, everything froze.

Luna was the first to turn her head. Her eyes widened in surprise.

Qin Wei followed a moment later.

The color drained from his face.

"Th… Thea?" he stammered.

Thea stood at the doorway, her hands clenched at her sides, her gaze sharp and icy as it swept over the scene before her. The steam did nothing to hide the intimacy unfolding in front of her eyes.

"Husband," she said slowly, her voice cold enough to chill the room. "It seems you are truly enjoying the finest moments of your life."

Qin Wei swallowed and instinctively straightened his posture in the water, removing his hands from Luna. "When did you end your closed-door training?" he asked quickly. "Vanessa never mentioned anything to me."

Thea's lips curved into a humorless smile. "It doesn't seem like it would matter to you even if she did," she replied. Her eyes did not leave him. "From what I heard, you've been living quite happily in my absence. You gained wealth, strange new techniques, and now even a woman who can satisfy both your body and your heart."

The steam continued to rise.

But the warmth in the bath could no longer soften the chill spreading through the room.

Qin Wei remained frozen in the bath, unsure which words would fix anything and painfully aware that none of them would. Before he could attempt an explanation, Thea's gaze snapped away from him and landed sharply on Luna.

"And what exactly are you still doing there? Can't you read the room?" she demanded, her voice cutting through the steam like a blade. "Get out. I need to speak with my husband."

Luna blinked, her expression faltering. A small crease formed between her brows, but she didn't move. Qin Wei quickly spoke before the air thickened further.

"Luna, she's the master of the villa," he said quietly, though urgency threaded his voice. "Can't disrespect her order..."

Luna hesitated a heartbeat longer, then dipped her head. She rose from the bath, water cascading down her body like a stream, before she reached for a robe. Her movements were hurried, flustered even, and she wrapped the cloth around herself before slipping out of the room with her head bowed.

Despite the fact that she was a Rank-7 Sorcerer and only answers to Qin Wei, she grew up a maid in a noble household, and being ordered isn't something she finds insulting or something. And that too, when it is a legitimate wife of her master.

Thea waited until the door clicked shut.

Then she turned toward Qin Wei, folding her arms across her chest in a hard, controlled motion. Her eyes bore into him, filled with a swirl of frustration, disbelief, and an emotion she herself wasn't ready to name.

"I have been looking forward to seeing you again," she said, her voice quiet but sharp. "Three months. It's been three entire months, husband. I put away my chance to spend another month, my chance to break through because I have missed you so much... And the first thing I walk in on is… this. You are happily having fun with that wench..."

Qin Wei shifted slightly in the bath, the warm liquid rippling around him. He avoided her gaze for a long breath, the weight of her disappointment heavier than any physical injury.

"Well," he said slowly, "it's not entirely my fault."

Thea's expression tightened instantly.

Trying to justify himself, Qin Wei continued, "You're the one who left after only a week of marriage. Just a week, Thea. We were supposed to spend months together as newlyweds." His tone was not angry, but there was a rawness beneath it. "You left without even informing me. I was… vulnerable. Confused. And she—" his voice softened further, "Luna isn't some prostitute I found in a brothel. She is Someone I trust. Someone who's been with me through my worst moments. After my entire family and people were exterminated, she is the only one I can call family. You weren't there, and she reappeared in my life again… I..."

Thea's jaw clenched, and she glared at him fiercely. "So you're saying it's my fault you couldn't keep your lust under control."

Qin Wei blinked once. Then twice.

And with infuriating calm, he answered, "Yeah. Totally."

Thea's breath hitched.

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