There was no fireplace or brazier, yet under the effect of the Temperature Control Array, the room was still unbearably hot.
After Anderson and the others invaded last time, Denise had completely redecorated the room.
The floor had initially been covered with a bright-red Firefly Velvet carpet. After Nancy entered Eagle Fortress on a carpet made of the same material, Denise replaced it with the much more expensive purple Siren Velvet.
At the center of the room was a double bed with clean, elegant white sheets. Opposite it stood a dressing table much larger than usual. Apart from the bronze makeup mirror set into its center, there were numerous documents and receipts on both sides, clearly allowing it to double as a desk.
At that moment, Denise was sitting before the dressing table. She wore a slightly loose pale-green silk nightgown. Her black hair fell behind her, and her left hand supported her temple, revealing a tender, lotus-root-like arm. With a quill in her right hand, she scribbled across the parchment, occasionally pausing to think. Her red lips opened and closed as she murmured the numbers on the page.
Knock, knock, knock.
A knock sounded at the door. Denise parted her lips slightly. "Who is it?"
"It's me." Raven's voice came from outside.
Denise was visibly startled. Her eyes shifted aside first, then a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Wait a moment."
She stood, slipped on the shawl draped over the back of the chair, and opened the door. Seeing Raven's face, she teased, "Well, well. Our hardworking Lord Baron actually has time to come see me."
"I'm temporarily done with work, so I came to take a look." Raven raised an eyebrow. "What, you don't welcome me?"
"How could I dare?" Denise shot him a glance before turning