Chapter 643 – License to Seduce
The Avariel family mansion wasn’t subtle.
Even from the gate, it was the kind of estate that whispered old money and blessed bloodline in every shimr of enchanted coral marble, every glitter of water-light sliding along the spiraled pillars. The place wasn’t just rich. It was curated. Tailored like a legacy heirloom you don’t touch with dirty hands.
rmaid lineage. High-standing. Regal reputation.
They didn’t flaunt gold. They flaunted history. Ocean-blessed lineage, long-lasting contracts with sea dragons and tidal spirit. Ariel’s family rarely did parties. They did galas.
Lux stood at the front entrance. Human-looking.
Neatly dressed like a normal mortal businessman.
Light gray slacks. Navy blazer. Unbuttoned collar. Leather loafers. Not even a shimr of runes or mana. No horns. No demonic tail flicking. No infernal pressure trailing behind him like the devil’s cologne.
Just a paper bag in one hand. Branded. Elegant.
Inside? A dress. Her size. Her color. Picked with Ariel’s new style in mind.
He waited less than ten seconds before footsteps echoed down the marble.
A butler sprinted... well, as much as one could sprint in polished shoes, bowtie askew and breathing hard.
"I— Mr. Vaelthorn!" the man panted. "Sincere apologies for the delay. I never imagined you’d walk from the outer gates to the door so quickly. Most people are waiting for the escort."
Lux smiled, calm as ever. "I used to be a runner before I was a CFO."
The butler straightened, brushing his coat flat. "Please, co inside. The young lady will be so relieved to see you. She’s been worried sick. Especially since she hasn’t been able to reach you by phone."
Lux followed the man through the tall coral doors. The scent of jasmine saltwater drifted in the air. The floor shimred slightly, enchanted to resemble shallow waves underfoot, an aesthetic choice more than practical.
"Yeah..." Lux said, exhaling. "I was sick. Bedridden for a week. Really bad. Couldn’t touch my phone. My girls wouldn’t let work."
"Ah, yes," the man said with a knowing nod. "Miss Ariel once ntioned you have... a rather complicated circle of won around you. A lot of them."
Lux chuckled softly. "That’s a polite way to put it."
They turned a corner. Light danced along the blue crystal chandeliers.
"But I must admit," the butler continued, lowering his voice slightly, "I was confused. There have been rumors about you lately. Attending parties. Showing up at events. All over the place, especially last week."
Lux’s steps slowed. His eyes narrowed just slightly.
"Oh?" he asked. "That wasn’t . I’ve been... unavailable."
The butler frowned. "No? But he looked exactly like you."
Lux sighed. "Imposter. He’s under investigation. Mimicking my face, style. Sa haircut too. Creepy."
The man’s brows lifted. "That’s... concerning."
"Very," Lux said, tone sharpening. "Although now I’m more curious."
"Curious?" the butler echoed.
Lux turned his head slightly. "You said parties. Events. Anything more specific?"
The butler hesitated.
"Well..." He looked around, then leaned in a little. "There’s gossip. Not official, of course. But my cousin works at the Daran household."
Lux raised a brow. "And?"
"He told to be careful of you. Said you were caught red-handed three days ago in Lady Daran’s boudoir. With... her."
Lux stopped walking.
Dead in his tracks.
"...What?"
The butler nodded solemnly. "Apparently quite a scandal. Lady Daran is married, you know. And not discreet. She told her friends. Bragged. Said you were an absolute beast in bed. That her legs didn’t stop shaking for hours."
Lux’s eye twitched.
"More," he demanded.
"She also said—uh—that you whispered sothing about... licking her feet during it?
"...Oh goddamn it."
He rubbed his forehead. So that was the ga.
The imposter didn’t just want his na. He wanted his license to seduce. His whole brand. The forbidden luxury package. The sexy devil with deep pockets and deeper stamina.
He wasn’t stealing Lux’s image.
He was stealing Lux’s consequences immunity.
And getting laid. A lot.
Lux gritted his teeth. "So just to confirm... there’s a guy out there who’s been sleeping with married won, mimicking my identity, using my face, my style, my na... and nobody thought to call about this?"
The butler gave a sheepish smile. "You weren’t answering your phone, sir. And they mostly cover these scandals for reputation."
Right. Because he was actually sick. Because he had ethics. Because he didn’t ruin people’s marriages for sport. Lux’s jaw tensed.
This... could beco a problem.
Just then...
"Lux!"
A voice. Light. Familiar. Bright.
He looked up.
Ariel was running down the hallway. Barefoot. Her dress fluttered behind her like a wave. Her hair bounced gently as she moved.
And the mont she reached him?
She flung herself into his arms.
He caught her easily. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Her scent, ocean lilies and peach nectar, hit him instantly.
"I missed you," she said, voice muffled against his chest.
Lux smiled, so of the tension easing.
"Hey, hey," he murmured, hugging her back. "It’s just been a week."
She pulled back enough to pout at him. "More than a week!"
He raised both hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. More than a week. I deserve that."
She held him tighter again. "I was so worried..."
"I’m fine now," he said softly. "Better. Much better now."
She leaned back again, eyes narrowing. "Why didn’t you ssage ?"
Lux exhaled. "Because the mont I picked up my phone, soone would’ve tried to drag onto the bed. They thought I was going to work."
Ariel stared. Then slowly smiled. "That... actually makes sense."
He reached into the paper bag and pulled out the dress.
"I brought you sothing," he said. "It’s not a peace offering. It’s a welco back to your man gift."
Her eyes lit up. She opened the bag, peeked inside.
"...Lux."
"I got your asurents from Lyra," he added quickly. "Don’t ask how she had them."
Ariel giggled.
He leaned closer. "You like it?"
"I love it." She bead.
He kissed her forehead. "Then go try it on. I’ll wait here."
She smiled, but lingered a second longer before leaving. One last kiss to his cheek. A lingering squeeze to his hand.
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