As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight streamed through the wooden lattice of Lucas’ chamber. He exhaled deeply, his breath steady yet filled with mild frustration. He had spent the entire night cultivating, yet his progress remained slow. Dual Cultivation required both Yang and Yin energies, and he had already maximized his internal Yang. Now, to break through to the next stage of the Adept Rank, he needed Yin energy—something he was currently lacking.
A soft knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Good morning, my Lord," Lira’s gentle voice carried through the chamber.
Lucas opened his eyes and stretched lazily before turning to look at her. She stood by the doorway, her usual modest servant attire neatly in place, her hands clasped in front of her stomach in a respectful posture.
"Morning, Lira," he said, his voice smooth but slightly groggy. "Would you prepare my bath?"
"Right away, my Lord," she answered swiftly, moving toward the bathing area with practiced grace.
As she worked, pouring warm, herb-infused water into the large wooden tub, Lucas found himself admiring her without even meaning to. There was something about Lira—she wasn’t the most breathtaking beauty in the world, especially when compared to women like Princess Nyx or Selene—but there was a raw purity to her, an innocence that made her strangely alluring. Unlike noblewomen who carried an air of pride and refinement, Lira was humble, soft-spoken, and utterly devoted.
"It’s ready, my Lord," she said, bowing slightly.
Lucas nodded, standing up and undoing the belt of his robe. The fabric slipped off his shoulders, revealing his lean, well-defined frame. Although he was not overly muscular, his broad shoulders, sharp collarbones, and toned abdomen hinted at his growing physical strength.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the bath, the heat from the water immediately soothing his sore muscles. He leaned back, resting his arms on the edges of the tub, letting his mind wander.
After a moment of silence, he spoke.
"Join me, Lira," he said, his tone casual but firm.
Lira froze, her body tensing.
"M-My Lord?" Her voice held both shock and hesitation.
"Have your bath at the other end if you wish," Lucas said, keeping his eyes closed. "You must be exhausted too. You’ve been working tirelessly. You deserve some rest."
Lira’s breath hitched. Her heart pounded against her chest. A servant bathing with her master? That was unheard of. Even though she knew that Lucas was not like the other noblemen—who treated their servants as mere objects—this was still an unexpected request.
She hesitated for a long moment, clutching the hem of her robe. She had no choice. If her master commanded it, she must obey. If he wished to take her body and soul, she could not refuse. That was the cruel reality of servants.
"Join me," Lucas repeated, his voice calm. Then, after a pause, he added, "I’m not going to touch you without your will, Lira. I won’t do anything to you."
The sincerity in his tone made her stomach tighten.
Taking a deep breath, Lira slowly untied her robe and let it slide down her shoulders, revealing the delicate white inner garments she wore underneath. Though it covered her, the fabric was thin and clung tightly to her body, outlining every curve. Her round, perky breasts strained slightly against the material, and her slim waist dipped into her full, shapely hips.
She hesitated before stepping forward, lifting a long, toned leg into the tub first. The water was hot, sending a pleasurable shiver through her skin as she slowly submerged herself. She kept to the opposite end of the bath, making sure to sit as far from Lucas as possible.
Lucas didn’t move. He didn’t even glance at her.
Instead, he closed his eyes again, allowing her the comfort of privacy.
Lira sighed silently in relief, even though her heart was still racing. She had no idea why, but at that moment, she felt... safe.
The water rippled softly between them as the morning sun cast golden streaks through the room.
And for the first time, Lira found herself truly curious about the man who now owned her life.
The warm steam rose in delicate wisps, curling around the chamber like a soft veil. Lucas leaned back, his arms draped lazily over the edge of the bath, letting the heat ease the tension in his muscles. His eyelids were half-closed, his face relaxed—sharp yet undeniably handsome. The flickering candlelight played against his features, casting subtle shadows that accentuated the defined lines of his jaw, the straight slope of his nose, and the depth of his piercing eyes.
Lira had never seen Xavier like this before.
Her hands, which had been idly swirling the water, stilled as her gaze lingered on him. In the dim glow, he looked effortlessly regal, yet there was something untamed about him—something different from the young man she had known before the coma. His lean frame, usually hidden beneath his robes, was now exposed, showing the faint ridges of muscle beneath his smooth skin.
She swallowed, realizing she had been staring.
But just as she was about to look away, Lucas moved.
He sat up suddenly, and their eyes met.
Lira’s breath hitched.
Caught red-handed, her cheeks flushed, and she quickly dropped her gaze, pretending to focus on brushing her arms with the soft sponge.
A small smirk tugged at Lucas’s lips as he observed her reaction. She was innocent, so easy to read—her body language betrayed every little thought running through her mind.
"Come over here, Lira," he said, his voice smooth yet commanding. "Wash my back."
Lira hesitated for the briefest moment before nodding. "Yes, my Lord."
It was part of her duty as a servant. Yet, somehow, this felt different. She wasn’t standing outside the tub, washing him from a distance. She was inside it, with him. The intimacy of the moment did not escape her.
Lucas shifted, turning his back to her and resting his arms over the edge again, this time leaning forward.
Lira moved closer, dipping the cloth into the warm water before pressing it gently against his skin. His broad back, though not overly muscular, was toned and firm. Her hands moved in slow, circular motions, the water gliding smoothly over his skin as she scrubbed.
Then, she noticed them.
Scars.
Faint, but visible—remnants of the accident.
A pang of guilt twisted in her chest. Though she had apologized countless times, it never felt like enough.
"I’m sorry again, my Lord," she murmured softly.
Lucas barely reacted, only shrugging slightly. "It’s in the past," he said dismissively. "No need to dwell on it."
Still, Lira couldn’t help but trace her fingers lightly over one of the scars, feeling the slightly raised texture beneath her fingertips.
Lucas, on the other hand, was focused on something else entirely.
Now that she was this close, he could feel it. The unmistakable, pure Yin energy radiating from her body. It was abundant, untouched, powerful—and most importantly, it confirmed what he had already suspected.
She was a virgin.
A massive advantage for a dual cultivator like him.
Lucas closed his eyes, letting the warmth of the water and the softness of Lira’s touch soothe him. This was just the beginning.
And as Lira continued scrubbing his back, strangely enough... she found herself enjoying it.
Lucas remained still in the water, listening as Lira’s gentle hands moved across his back, the warm bathwater lapping against them in soft ripples. His curiosity about her had been growing ever since he woke up in this world. There was something about her—a quiet resilience, an unspoken depth.
"Tell me about your family, Lira," he asked, his voice low and steady. "How did a lovely girl like you end up being a servant?"
Lira’s hands faltered for just a second before she continued scrubbing, her touch a little more hesitant now. She didn’t answer immediately, as if choosing her words carefully.
"My family..." She took a deep breath. "We weren’t always poor. My father was a merchant—a good one, too. He traded spices and textiles, and for a while, we lived comfortably. But then... he made a bad investment. He borrowed money from the wrong people, thinking he could double his profits."
Lucas could already see where this was going.
"It didn’t work out, did it?" he said, more of a statement than a question.
Lira shook her head, though he couldn’t see it. "No. The deal collapsed, and the debt kept growing. The interest rates were cruel, and soon, we were drowning in it. My father tried everything, but the more he struggled, the worse it got. We lost our home, our shop... everything."
Lucas turned his head slightly, just enough to catch her reflection in the water. There was a distant, sorrowful look in her eyes.
"And then?" he prompted.
"And then... they came for payment," Lira said, her voice quieter now. "Since we had nothing left, they took what they could—us. My elder sister and I were sold to pay off part of the debt. My father swore he would earn enough to buy us back one day, but..." She exhaled shakily. "That was years ago."
Lucas didn’t say anything right away. He wasn’t the type to offer empty words of comfort. He knew better than anyone that life was ruthless, and the strong preyed on the weak without remorse. The world Lira spoke of was the same one he lived in—where power dictated everything.
"Do you still believe he’ll come for you?" he finally asked.
Lira hesitated before answering, her fingers tightening around the cloth. "I... I don’t know," she admitted. "I want to believe it, but sometimes, it feels like a dream I’ll never wake up from."
Lucas leaned back again, closing his eyes. "Then don’t wait," he said simply. "If you want freedom, take it yourself."
Lira blinked, stunned by his words.
"How, my Lord?" she asked, confused.
Lucas smirked. "Cultivate. Grow stronger. Become so powerful that no one can ever own you again."
Lira stared at him, her heart pounding. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. No one had ever told her she could take control of her own fate.
She swallowed hard, determination flickering in her eyes.
"I... I will," she whispered.
Lucas didn’t say anything more. But as he felt the warmth of her Yin energy so close to him, a small, knowing smile played at his lips.