55. Half Unraveled is Best

The secret of the Saintess candidate had already spread due to Jada’s stubbornness. At this point, I had to use the script to quickly locate those informants connected to Jada, and then rely on Nilu’s fairy-like command power to swiftly conceal these “secrets.”

However, this action was quite different from the previous “soothing” of the Saintess candidates, which only required some verbal reassurances. These informants were all outside the church headquarters, so naturally, Nilu and I needed to temporarily leave this place to search for them in person.

To put it simply: I needed to spend some time alone with Nilu. Given the recent busy schedule with Queen Louise IV, attending various events and accompanying Kephiel in suppressing, soothing, and consolidating the church’s territories, would she be willing?

The thoughts of a big shot are not so easy to guess. Rather than understanding through the script, I wanted to ask directly. That’s why I had Nilu wait for me for a day: the next day, I specifically set aside a day to spend alone with Kephiel. I wanted to find an opportunity to inquire about her opinion, uh… perhaps also to “sweeten” Kephiel a bit before we set off?

After all, charming one’s wife is an essential skill for a good man.

Recently, Kephiel had once again made me acutely aware: she was a proud daughter of the Great Yng Empire, standing shoulder to shoulder with Queen Louise IV. Not only did she accompany the queen to various high-end social events that made me feel intimidated, but she also took on some of the “queen’s” duties, engaging in conversations with certain “upper-class” individuals both within and outside the church. It was said that in the Great Yng Empire, this represented proof of having “inheritance rights.” As a royal relative, Kephiel was a strong candidate for the queen’s position.

As for the occasional clueless fools I encountered, I didn’t need to worry; Kephiel had already given one of them a good knock with her ringed hand, which was a straightforward proof of her stance. Being a bit fierce was no problem; the Great Yng Empire was making a grand entrance—who would dare say “no” here?

After that, everything came to an end.

Though it was already evening, I finally got some time alone with Ke Fei’er. Was it because I had been busy dealing with the “Saint Candidate” matters alongside Ni Lu lately that I had seen less of Ke Fei’er? She simply made a request, and I could hardly contain myself.

“Help me take off my clothes.”

“Cough, cough, cough…”

“What are you shivering for? Can’t you keep your mind… a little cleaner? It’s quite difficult to put on and take off a dress like this by oneself in a social setting.”

Ke Fei’er shot me a glance, then turned around, her skirt fluttering like flowers. “Do you see the bow at the back? The ribbon is hidden inside; just pull it.”

As a man, even a fool knows what to do now.

I rubbed my hands together, and when they stopped trembling, I cautiously approached Ke Fei’er from behind. With her back to me, she was gazing into the mirror, occasionally stealing glances at my movements, then slowly raised her arms, sweeping her long hair up and away from her neck.

Compared to the trembling of my hands, it seemed Ke Fei’er’s voice was a bit more tense.

“Is it really that hard to find? Are you looking for it or just peeking…?”

Don’t rush me! If you urge me, my hands will shake even more!

As I reached out and pulled a ribbon, Ke Fei’er’s body shivered slightly, the corner of her dress loosening, revealing a glimpse of her smooth, jade-like back.

However, that was just part of the dress opening. When I began to grasp what was about to happen next, the silence, which made our breaths almost audible, prompted Ke Fei’er to speak.

“The rest is the same method.”

I already saw that! But come on, can you not make my hands tremble like this!?

Following her lead, I started to untie the other knots. Just as Ke Fei’er said, this dress was not something one could easily put on or take off alone. Yet, despite the cumbersome process, once worn, it transformed into the appearance of a goddess-like beauty. I couldn’t help but marvel; indeed, a perfect treasure requires the most exquisite packaging. It’s not just about the moment of “putting it on,” but even the act of “taking it off,” where each movement of my hands gradually revealed the “treasure” was an absolute delight.

“Ou Qi Li De, what are you thinking about?”

“Just like unwrapping a package…”

“Mm?”

“Nothing… nothing at all…”

I almost let it slip out by accident, so I hurried to explain.

Of course, it was too late; for my heartfelt sentiment, Ke Fei’er must have misunderstood something, and she ended up thinking the wrong way.

“You’re taking off my clothes with your hands, but thinking of other women in your head, you charlatan. We haven’t seen each other for a few days, and you’ve become so skilled at this?”

“W-what other women? I’ve never thought of anyone else!”

To be honest, because Ke Fei’er actually guessed half of the truth, my defense sounded a bit guilty, and as a result…

Naturally, it spiraled out of control.

“I’ve long memorized how your voice changes when you lie. At this point, you don’t think I can’t feel it, do you? Who is it? The gentle and commanding Miss Nilu? Or is it the resilient and conquering Miss Louise?”

Ke Fei’er, why have your evaluations of Nilu and the Queen become so strange?

“The woman I’m thinking of is you…”

“You’re lying.”

Come on, have a little more confidence in yourself, big shot.

“It’s true! Otherwise, why would I spend the whole day with you?”

Ke Fei’er didn’t respond immediately; just at the moment when I felt a bit at a loss…

She suddenly turned around, her back to me just moments before, and the haze couldn’t conceal her beauty. Her makeup couldn’t surpass her natural self; her dazzling posture certainly shone, but… the softness under the night had a unique, pure charm.

Because I was too nervous, I didn’t have the time, nor did I want to look at the script’s content at that moment; that would be too much of a mood killer.

“Don’t, don’t turn around so quickly; I haven’t undone everything yet.”

This was the last thing I said before my mind nearly “rebooted.”

“No, this is enough for now.” Ke Fei’er’s hand symbolically covered her chest.

It was really just “symbolic,” because… she didn’t even have the slightest intention to cover up; it was merely a natural reaction born from nervousness and shyness.

So, no matter how “inexperienced” I was, I could clearly understand what Ke Fei’er’s words and actions truly represented.

Just like hesitating, it’s better to “go straight to the point.” Besides, how much have I already let go of? Now, I have no more reservations about the script. A serious response is all that’s needed!

And this time, I won’t get so excited that I forget things. Everything that happens next, I need to imprint it well in my mind.

——

Old Profession