Lillian's Request

What Shadow Dome Council?

This was entirely convened by Lloyd specifically for "Charles," and the purpose was very simple: an obvious threat!

"Your Highness Charles, you should have a way to control that armor, right?" Lloyd as he analyzed the armor.

That's how they discovered the secret of this armor.

It seems that only a special method can control and awaken this armor, which is precisely why "Charles" dared to hand the armor over to them directly.

"You, you---" Alvin glared at Lloyd, his eyes burning with rage as if he wanted to devour him alive.

"Calm down, Your Highness Charles." Lloyd remained unfazed, a half-smile playing on his lips. "I can give you two choices: either hand over the method to control the armor, or—we can wait until something happens to you, and then slowly unravel the armor's secrets."

Faced with the Fernando Family's shameless behavior, Alvin turned pale with anger, pointed at Lloyd with trembling hands, and couldn't utter a single word.

"You've harmed the bloodline of the Imperium nobility! Aren't you afraid of the Vought's pursuit?!" Alvin roared, veins bulging on his neck, as if enraged. "If you dare kill me, no matter how perfectly you conceal it, you can't escape the Vought's eyes. They will definitely find you!"

"The Vought? Hahahaha-"

However, the Vought, feared by the world, was like a clown in Lloyd's eyes. He mocked, "Your Highness Charles, you are too naive. If the Vought were truly so powerful, our Fernando Family would have been wiped out long ago. How could we have ruled Nomad Port for so many years?"

"Now that things have come to this, I'm not afraid to tell you the truth, Your Highness Charles," Lloyd said smugly. "Just recently, we intercepted and killed an Inquisitor. Now—do you still think we'd be afraid of the Vought?"

"You, you even dared to kill Inquisitor?!"

Alvin feigned panic, but deep down he already believed Aldrich's words to a great extent.

It seems the Fernando Family is indeed plotting some earth-shattering secret; otherwise, if it were just about dealing with Xenos...

Heretical collusion wouldn't warrant assassinating an Inquisitor!

If it were only the former, one could use the power of Rogue Trader to argue one's case. Even Inquisitor would find it difficult to convict someone unless they were caught in the act.

But if it's the latter... well, that's not necessarily true!

"Your Highness Charles, don't you like Lillian very much?" Seeing that his coercion had worked, Charles began to use a conciliatory approach, speaking gently and kindly, "If you are willing to hand over the control method of the armor, I can not only have Lillian serve you, but also cooperate with you. With the power of our Fernando Family, we will surely become an asset to you. At that time, even the position of head of the Acquis family will not be impossible!"

The Destroyer Armor —they're determined to have it!

This is the only hopeful key to unlocking the secrets of the "Old Ones" civilization, and it is Fernando's hope for a resurgence.

It was also their hope of breaking free from "that person's" control, so at any cost, Lloyd was determined to get it from Charles.

We've found a way to control the armor!

Using both soft and hard tactics, Lloyd was not afraid of this good-for-nothing nobleman's son who refused to submit to him. He was full of confidence; he did not believe that such a good-for-nothing would value that thing more than his own life!

Women, power, status, money!

Lloyd didn't believe anyone could refuse these four things, especially not a good-for-nothing nobleman like him.

"I... I need to think about it."

Alvin's tone softened, and his face showed hesitation and conflict.

"That's alright, you can take your time to think about it."

Lloyd patted him on the shoulder and smiled, "We have plenty of time, and I'm confident that someone as wise as you will make the right choice."

"Ha, what a useless piece of trash." Looking at Alvin's departing figure, Lloyd's lips curled into a smile. With such a foolish offspring, it's no wonder the Acquis Family has declined.

The idea that Fernando would be an asset to him is just child's play!

Once he gets the method to control the armor, he'll kill that idiot immediately. The secrets of the Fernando Family must never be known to the living!

Soon—once the plan is complete, it's not impossible for the Fernando Family to rule the entire Imperium of Man!

Thinking of this, Lloyd's face showed a struggle, and he couldn't help but burst into wild laughter.

Emperor?

Heh, that's just a rotting corpse sitting on Golden Throne, looking down on the misery of humanity. Humanity's fate should be left to humanity itself!

After Alvin returned to the manor "trembling with fear," Lloyd delivered a "gift" that very night!

And this gift was none other than Lillian, the granddaughter of Lloyd, a member of a collateral branch of the Fernando Family, the capable and charming woman from the daytime.

At this moment, the handprint on her face had not completely faded, and it looked so glaring on her fair and jade-like face.

Lillian appeared calm, seemingly without any resentment at being given away as a "gift," especially her emerald green eyes, which were as perfect as jewels, as she quietly observed the pampered nobleman before her.

What are you looking at?

Alvin found her behavior strange.

In the short hundred days they spent together, he could tell that although this woman appeared flattering on the surface, she actually possessed a stubborn streak deep down.

To be given away as a gift to a spoiled brat like this—shouldn't one remain calm about it?

"We are looking at you, Your Highness."

Lillian's gaze was fixed intently on Alvin, as if she wanted to pierce through him.

"Heh, what's so interesting about me?" Alvin's lips curled into a slight smile. He stood up and came to her side, deliberately bending down to take a deep breath on Lillian's fair nape. "Mmm, smells so good. I didn't expect that old man to be so quick. Looks like I'm in for a wonderful night tonight."

However, even in the face of Alvin's "impatient" behavior, Lillian showed no resistance whatsoever this time, allowing Alvin's groping hands to roam freely over her body.

"Oh, so you've given up hope and completely surrendered?" Alvin chuckled, his hands resting on her waist as he gently inhaled the scent of Lillian's neck.

"No, you misunderstand, Your Highness." Lillian turned around, her eyes alluring, her red lips slightly upturned. "It is my honor to serve you."

The stark contrast between his behavior and his demeanor puzzled Alvin. He slowly stepped back, sat down on the sofa again, crossed his legs, and scrutinized Lillian: "Weren't you quite resistant to me during the day? How come you're so obedient at night? The Fernando Family's training—it's truly impressive."

"No, you've misunderstood again, Your Highness."

Lillian bowed slightly, her smile radiant, "My change of attitude isn't because of Fernando, but because of you!"

Alvin frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"

To everyone's surprise, Lillian knelt down, looked up at Alvin sitting on the sofa, and said, word by word, "Your Highness, you are not a descendant of the 'Acquis' family at all, are you?"

Where is the evidence?

Faced with Lillian's questioning, Alvin couldn't help but laugh, "Dare to question a nobleman? Do you know what crime that is? Even your grandfather wouldn't dare say that to my face. Where did you get the guts?"

"Because he's stupid, he can't see it."

Lillian looked him straight in the eye without flinching and said, "Actually, a second ago I wasn't sure, but now—I'm certain, you are definitely not Scion of the Acquis Family!"

"What's the reason?"

Alvin wasn't angry.

In fact, he didn't care at all whether his identity was exposed or whether he would be suspected, because from the very beginning, he had already secured the victory!

"You know what?" Lillian smiled gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "True nobles are blind to our suffering. —And you, while you were comforting me, I was already beginning to doubt your identity."

"Why?"

Alvin became interested and asked.

"If he were a true nobleman, how could he possibly save that receptionist's life?" Lillian laughed. "You hit her, but you also saved her—didn't you?"

"Just because of that?" Alvin frowned.

"Not only that, but when you were comforting me, those words—it's hard to hear from the mouth of an arrogant and domineering scion of a top noble family," Lillian continued.

So what?

Alvin chuckled and shook his head, "Even the greatest nobles have moments of compassion for their servants, don't they?"

"Yes, that's why I said—I only just confirmed it." Lillian looked directly at him and said, "If you were truly Scion of the Acquis Family, you wouldn't have talked to me so much. Questioning noble bloodlines is a grave crime, and the fact that you didn't kill me directly already proves my suspicions."

"After all that talk, there's still no evidence."

Alvin shook his head listlessly. "Let's leave this farce at that. I'm not interested in your personal speculation."

Just as he was about to leave, he saw Lillian kowtow to the ground. "No, Your Highness, it is precisely because there is no evidence that your identity will not be exposed. This is merely my personal speculation and will not have any impact on you!"

"What does this mean?" Alvin stood up, looking down at Lillian kneeling on the ground, his brows furrowed, unable to understand her thoughts for a moment.

"I don't know your purpose in coming to Nomad Port under a false identity, but I know you're definitely here for Fernando!" Lillian's forehead was pressed against the ground, her voice hoarse. "I want to ask you for a favor, and only you can do it!"

Alvin stared expressionlessly at Lillian, who was prostrate on the ground. "Why should I help you?"

"I'm willing to give anything, including my life!"

Upon hearing this, Lillian abruptly raised her head, her gaze resolute, containing a deep, bone-chilling hatred. "If you can help me destroy the Fernando Family, I'm willing to give up everything!"