Illucia accepted Rowan's invitation to Southshore to discuss procuring supplies.
With fighting breaking out in Southshore, its harbor had become useless. All the merchants' guilds and major families had abandoned it as a distribution port. As the leader of the Barov Merchants' Guild, Illucia could easily have stayed in Tarren Mill for her own safety.
But since Rowan had invited her, their various shared interests and her personal feelings prompted her to board a carriage early and head for Southshore.
It was not even eight when she arrived.
Apparently, she had traveled through the night. Illucia had not slept a wink, yet her exquisite makeup remained flawless.
Her face was fair and clear, her pale purple eye shadow accentuating her allure. Illucia stepped down from the carriage and exchanged a polite embrace with Rowan.
Rowan did not dare look straight at Illucia. One glance at that seductive smile was more than he could bear.
Illucia had hoped the polite embrace would bring them closer. Unfortunately, Rowan was so proper that his hands hovered behind her back without even touching her.
The more proper Rowan was, the more eager Illucia became. Her father had made his wishes clear: if possible, she had to win Rowan over.
With her father's approval, Illucia no longer needed to hold back. She intended to make Rowan feel her affection in every possible way.
"Thank you so much for coming, Miss Ilucia." Rowan kept falling back on polite formalities to calm his excitement.
Illucia walked beside Rowan, her hands folded before her lower abdomen. Her graceful bearing was a breath of fresh air.
"If Young Master Rowan sent for me, there must be something special you need. There's no need to be so formal." Illucia's leather high heels clicked against the paving stones.
Even after traveling