Fire and Lust: Dragon Pact-Chapter 31: Smiles and Threats

The sound of clapping fills the large, luxurious room while Edrin is on the floor spitting blood, and all eyes turn to the person clapping: a beautiful young woman with long white hair, blue eyes, and skin so pale it resembles the vampires from horror stories.

"Impressive, very impressive, indeed." The woman comments in an enthusiastic tone while staring at Theo with those bright, big eyes. "When they told me you took down the half-giant Durnek, I doubted it, but now I couldn’t agree more with the rumors about your incredible strength."

Despite the compliments accompanied by a friendly smile, the white-haired woman only receives a cold look from Theo, who ignores her and turns his attention back to Lorien, concerned and gentle. "Are you alright? Did he hurt you?"

Lorien smiles when he sees Theo’s expression and then forces himself to compose himself before casting a hate-filled look at Edrin, still on the floor. "If I say yes, will you kill him?" His blue eyes shine cruelly, and that same shine is reflected in Theo’s eyes.

"No one is going to kill anyone here." Before Theo can say anything, Sarah steps between them and casts the same disapproving look at Lorien and the white-haired woman. "We are not murderers." She pauses and narrows her eyes as she looks at the woman. "At least, half of us, I suppose."

"Miss Sarah Lysenne Malveryn," the white-haired woman speaks in a tone full of arrogance and hostility. "I knew we wouldn’t get along, so why don’t you save us time and trouble by leaving sooner?"

"Lady... Caelis?" Sarah makes a mocking expression and then smiles provocatively. "Doesn’t matter, I agree. We’re leaving." She signals to Theo, who looks at Lorien as he approaches, all of them turning toward the door.

But before Theo can take a step, the white-haired woman whispers something softly, and her body turns into snowflakes that drift forward toward Theo, materializing again into her form with her clothes intact in front of him.

"You don’t need to leave," the woman smiles charmingly at Theo. "Aveline Caelis is my name, and you, Theodore Vaelmont, right?" She tries to sound friendly but without hiding her confident and mysterious posture.

Sarah and Lorien seem ready to jump at Aveline’s throat, but Theo keeps a calm posture and even smiles at her, though with a sarcastic edge. "Just Theo." He says casually, and she smiles even more. "Theo is a beautiful name, just like you, babe."

"Oh?" Theo makes a fake surprised expression, and Aveline’s eyes shine. "I owe you an apology for the terrible impression my family has given." She makes a slight bow, and Theo gives her a curious look. "You didn’t seem bothered when that trash was intimidating your younger brother..."

"Oh, no," Aveline makes a sorry expression and even glances at Lorien with a gentle face. "Edrin can be a bit strict, but his intentions are only to keep our family united, after all, we have many enemies who could truly want to hurt our sweet little boy here."

Theo glances at Lorien, and he rolls his eyes, shaking his head in disapproval at his sister. Theo glances at Edrin, who is getting up, with a hostile look, and then focuses back on Aveline. "Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone hurt Lorien."

"Hahaha!" Aveline laughs loudly, and Theo cannot tell if she is being ironic or genuinely finds something funny about the situation. His expression grows more impatient, and she quickly composes herself. "I’m truly glad my little brother has found such a dedicated protector since our..." She glances at Lorien at the end. "Oldest Brother has..."

"Don’t talk about him!" Lorien casts a deadly look at Aveline and even clenches his fists instinctively, which makes Theo curious about that brother since it seems to anger the delicate white-haired boy more than being mistreated by his cousin.

"Alright, alright." Aveline raises her hands with a sorry look and then focuses back on Theo. "I am grateful that you take such good care of him; that’s why I can’t help but suggest that we all stay on the same side. And of course, I can offer many other advantages..." She winks charmingly at Theo.

Theo cannot help but laugh at Aveline’s attempt to seduce him because even though she is very beautiful, she is still far below the level of Sarah and Eruina. Yet, for Sarah, that wink is a mortal offense, and the girl moves back toward Aveline with her hands raised and a golden glow appearing in her eyes.

"YOU FUCKING BITCH!" Sarah shouts furiously, and winds surge around her along with a powerful aura, making her clothes and hair sway violently. "Do you think I don’t have the guts to end you right here?"

The aura around Sarah is so powerful that all the guards behind the door instinctively step back, while even Lorien hides behind Theo. Aveline, on the other hand, remains firm in place, staring at Sarah with a calm and provocative expression. "I thought you weren’t a murderer." She comments sarcastically.

"I can start with you," Sarah says as her hands begin to glow blue. Despite the calm on Aveline’s face, a hostile glint appears in her blue eyes, and Theo notices it, preparing for something more serious and instinctively protecting Lorien with his arm.

Aveline notices Theo’s posture and then smiles at him and Sarah. "I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for that to sound dirty. I was talking about the benefits of you joining Vaelthorn, of course." She speaks in a friendly and honest way, clearly an act, but very well done.

Sarah keeps her hands raised for a few more seconds, but then lowers them along with her aura in an instant. "Of course..." She comments sarcastically and then shakes her head before turning and walking back to Theo. "We are not interested."

She stops beside Theo, who looks at Aveline with a look of pity, but the woman does not give up and smiles provocatively at him. "Does she speak for you?" As soon as she asks, Theo responds firmly. "No one speaks for me." He pauses and then smiles at Sarah. "But she’s right, we are not interested."

"Oh?" Aveline makes a sad and disappointed expression. "I was already imagining the great things you could achieve in Vaelthorn, but it seems you prefer Nocthera in the end..." When she says that, Theo makes a fake surprised expression, and she smiles at Lorien behind him. "My brother told me he was going to join them, so I suppose you are together in this, right?"

"Yeah," When Theo nods, Aveline’s expression becomes even more disappointed, and he asks a question. "Is it that bad?" He asks, and she nods. "You can’t compare Nocthera with Vaelthorn, they are like water and wine." She says proudly.

"I don’t understand much about those Houses yet." Theo pauses and then smiles confidently. "But I believe that in the end, it’s all about the people and not a name, so maybe you’ll be surprised by Nocthera in the coming years."

"Haha!" She laughs and smiles at Theo. "Good answer. Well, but if you..." She seems to think of something, but then just shakes her head and smiles. "No. You seem determined, so I won’t try to make you change your mind. I’ll respect your decision."

Aveline clearly changes her posture, putting aside the arrogance and smiling much more kindly. Theo mentally praises her, but has his own plans and smiles in the same friendly way at her. "Thank you for understanding. Maybe I misjudged you; you don’t seem like such a bad person after all."

"Thank you." Aveline smiles even more, and Theo plays along, giving her a charmed look. "Perhaps..." She makes a regretful expression and then lowers her head. "I think it’s better not, I’m sorry."

"Oh, no, please," Aveline keeps her gentle posture, and her eyes shine with curiosity. "I will hear anything you have in mind, My Lord." As soon as she speaks that way, Sarah and Lorien exchange glances, the first rolling her eyes and the second making a fake gagging.

Theo notices the mocking from his companions, making him want to laugh, but he holds it back and keeps a friendly expression toward Aveline. "Well... I suppose it’s natural to consider people from your own House as allies, but what about having allies in other Houses? That seems quite beneficial to me."

"Allies in another House?" Aveline’s eyes shine even more as her smile grows. "Is that a proposal, Theo?" She asks in a charming tone, and he nods with an equally seductive smile. "The beginning of a good friendship, what do you think?"

Aveline simply stares at Theo for a few seconds with an excited smile and then steps closer, extending her delicate pale hand. He does the same, and while she begins to shake his hand formally, he gently pulls her closer and kisses the back of her hand. "My Lady."

At that point, Sarah and Lorien turn away because they cannot keep watching that scene, and Aveline smiles more and more. Theo also seems to be enjoying himself, but then he looks at Aveline with a sorry expression. "I wish I could stay longer to get to know you better, but I still haven’t registered for Nocthera..."

"I see," Aveline also makes a sad expression, but tries to keep smiling. "Don’t worry, we will have plenty of time to get to know each other better soon, but as our little secret, right?" She winks at him at the end, and Theo winks back, making her laugh.

"Now I have to go, see you later, My Lady," Theo says goodbye and then turns around. His friendly smile disappears completely, and Edrin notices it from the corner of the room, their eyes meeting, and the white-haired young man sees a deadly red glint in Theo’s eyes, sending a chill down his spine.

Theo turns his gaze back to Sarah and Lorien, then signals to them, and the group leaves the room through the broken door, encountering several Vaelthorn students with frightened and hostile looks along the way. But under Aveline’s orders, the guard from the entrance escorts the trio safely out.

When the trio finally returns to the corridor, Sarah and Lorien push Theo against the wall. "What the hell was that?" They ask together, both annoyed, but Theo just smiles. "What? Are only they allowed to pretend?"