Cassian found himself in a part of the city he had never truly seen before—the so-called wealthy district. Technically, he had been here before, back when he trained at the mansion where Julius lived, but he had never ventured outside its walls. Now, traveling through the district in a carriage with Sher, he finally took in the stark contrast between this place and the parts of the city where he lived and worked.
It was lavish—perhaps even more so than the central district and the towering spires of the city's elite. The roads were wide and meticulously maintained, lined with lush greenery that stretched as far as the eye could see. Unlike the bustling streets he was used to, packed with shops and the mingling scents of food, metal, and magic, this district was purely residential. The air was crisp and clean, almost like a peaceful forest—serene, yet without the lurking dangers.
"This seems like a nice neighborhood..." Cassian commented, glancing through the high walls at the grand estates beyond.
Sher smirked. "Don't tell me you've never been here. I'd assume your powerful friend lives in one of these mansions. Sir Julius has an estate here too."
As their carriage passed through the gates of one such estate, Cassian took in the sheer size of the property. It was as massive as Julius' mansion, with a long, well-paved road stretching a few hundred meters toward the grand residence at its center. A large lake shimmered off to one side, adding to the estate's extravagance.
Cassian was impressed by Sher's wealth, but it was clear she was still fixated on the mystery of his so-called "friend in high places."
Not wanting to entertain the topic any further, Cassian smoothly steered the conversation elsewhere. "So, does anyone else live in this big place besides you and the servants, Commandant?"
Sher caught the shift in topic and smiled but didn't press. Shaking her head, she replied, "Just me and the servants for now. The children are off on their own little adventures for a few months."
"You have children?" Cassian asked, his surprise evident in both his tone and expression.
Sher chuckled as she stepped down from the carriage, now that they had finally arrived at the mansion's entrance. "Yeah," she said with a hint of nostalgia. "And once upon a time, I was married too."
Cassian followed her inside while a few servants stood waiting. A distinguished-looking butler assisted Sher as she disembarked and then extended a hand to help Cassian down as well. Taking the offered hand, Cassian stepped onto the ground and glanced at Sher. "What happened?" he asked.
"About what?" Sher asked, glancing back at him. Then, realizing he was referring to her past marriage, she gave a casual shrug and said, "Oh, well... the person I was married to died."
Cassian's expression softened with sympathy. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Don't be. It was a long time ago," Sher replied, waving a hand dismissively. Then, turning to the butler who had been silently following, she instructed, "I ate out, so just send some light snacks to my room later tonight. That'll be all."
The butler gave a professional bow, asking no further questions, clearly understanding that Sher wanted privacy. As she turned back to Cassian, she simply said, "You're coming with me."
Without hesitation, Cassian followed her up the grand staircase. She walked at a brisk pace, not saying a word as they moved through the corridors until they arrived at her room. Once inside, she shut the door behind them and, with an amused smirk, asked, "Should I take my clothes off completely, stay fully clothed, or would partially undressed be fine?"
The question caught Cassian off guard—he hadn't expected her to bring it up right after talking about her children and late husband. But reminding himself that it was just for the massage, he cleared his throat and said, "Completely off would be better."
"Well then, help me out here," Sher said, slipping off her shirt and motioning for Cassian to unhook her bra.
Cassian, momentarily mesmerized, found himself admiring her figure—lean yet muscular, with just the right amount of curves. Her snowy peach-toned skin was flawless, smooth, and without a single blemish. She was tall, giving her a naturally elegant and commanding presence, yet her full chest and slim waist only enhanced her appeal.
His hands itched in anticipation. He couldn't wait to get started on the massage.
As Cassian stepped closer, he reached for the clasp of her bra, unhooking it smoothly before sliding it off. Without hesitation, he moved on to her pants, pulling them down as he asked, "Do you use oil or anything? I can have a servant bring some if it helps with the massage."
"No, it's fine," Sher replied.
Taking the opportunity, Cassian hooked his fingers around the waistband of her lace panties, helping her slide them down. As he did, he leaned in slightly, stealing a close look at her perfectly shaped buttocks—firm, smooth, and undeniably enticing.
Sher's body showed little sign of her age, except for a slight softness in certain areas—something Cassian was sure would only make her skin even more pleasant to touch. Standing back up after admiring her curves, he said, "Lie down however you prefer—face up or down—whichever side you want me to start with. Though I'd suggest beginning with your legs and the back of your thighs first."
Sher didn't seem particularly interested in the specifics, simply walking over to the bed and lying down without hesitation. "Whatever you think is best," she said casually.
Cassian frowned slightly. Her nonchalant attitude bothered him—not because he wanted her to be shy, but because it was almost unsettling how indifferent she was. She was completely naked in front of another man, allowing him to touch her body as if it were nothing more than routine. He couldn't believe it. Then again, considering her age and experience, perhaps she had long since moved past the usual human reactions—things like embarrassment or modesty didn't seem to concern her in the slightest.
Which was going to make it much harder for Cassian to seduce her into having sex.