Obsessed with a High-Ranking Esper (BL)-Chapter 291: A gift from the Imperial Lord

Inside, Jian Ci was burning. He wanted to protect Yu Xi, to sever him from Thaurion’s poisonous reach. He wanted to grab Yu Xi’s hand and walk out of this hall, away from the man who had ruined his mother’s life. But he couldn’t. He was weak, powerless in this place.

So he humbled himself, forced his aura down, and bowed his head. He couldn’t show his strength here. Not yet.

"Father," Jian Ci said, his voice low but steady. "I apologise for being late."

Thaurion’s eyes narrowed as he looked at his son’s strong back, bent in humility. It didn’t suit him at all. Seeing him like this was both satisfying and irritating.

"Get up," Thaurion commanded, his voice cold. "And come here."

Outside, in the hovercar parked discreetly beyond the palace gates, Jian Rui and Jian Wei listened in through the transparent device. The moment Thaurion spoke, both brothers tensed.

They had anticipated Jian Ci’s arrival. They had even prepared for it. But they hadn’t expected Thaurion to pick a fight this early, to single him out in front of everyone.

Jian Rui’s hand tightened around the console. "He’s baiting him already."

Jian Wei’s jaw clenched. "If Jian Ci loses his temper here, it will be chaos."

Jian Ci was already stimulated, his mood dark and volatile. Every nerve in his body screamed for release, and chances were high he was going to lose it.

Jian Rui’s voice was tight as he said, "I have to go get him."

Jian Wei shook his head, his eyes fixed on the feed. "Wait. I think he can control himself. Just trust him."

Jian Rui’s jaw clenched. "You better be right. Otherwise the mess will be even harder to clean up."

Inside the grand hall, Jian Ci rose slowly, his movements deliberate, and walked toward his father. The air thickened with tension.

Thaurion’s gaze locked onto him, and dissatisfaction twisted his features. Jian Ci’s face resembled Seraphyne’s too closely, and that resemblance alone was enough to stir his ire. Till this day, it gnawed at him that he had failed to tame Seraphyne.

"What was more important than this event that you were so late?" Thaurion’s voice was sharp, cutting through the silence.

Jian Ci smiled, the expression sincere, almost gentle. "I drank a little more than usual and passed out. As you know, my heart was recently broken."

He looked a mess, his eyes red, his aura subdued and his posture weary. He truly looked like a man who was going through a heart break.

Thaurion’s eyes narrowed. He knew what Jian Ci was referring to. It was the matter with Alarna. But he hadn’t thought Seraphyne’s son would be so love-struck, so foolish, that they would hang themselves on that tree of grief.

He scoffed, dismissive. Jian Ci was nothing like him at all.

"There are plenty of fish in the sea," Thaurion said coldly. "Why get hung up on one person? If you like, I can set you up with a lovely high ranking guide from a noble family."

Yu Xi’s gaze flicked sideways, catching Jian Ci at the corner of his eye and his chest tightened.

Jian Ci felt the weight of Yu Xi’s gaze instantly and his muscles tensed. He hoped Yu Xi wouldn’t misunderstand him. He hoped Yu Xi could see through the mask, could understand that every word he spoke was a shield, a performance to keep Thaurion from prying deeper.

He really had no feelings whatsoever for Alarna. He could have killed her, but he hadn’t because he wanted her to suffer. That was the truth behind his restraint.

Still, he lowered his head and spoke with a voice that carried sincerity. "Father, I appreciate your concern for me, but I am really not ready to be entangled with anyone else. I just need some time."

He looked so heartbroken that everyone in the hall believed him. His disheveled appearance, the weariness in his eyes, the faint tremor in his voice, it was a perfect mask.

Thaurion leaned back, his golden robes shimmering as his gaze swept over his son. The Jian brothers were truly pathetic. One was weak, the other powerless, and the last a love-struck fool. He had hoped for a reason to annihilate them, to justify cutting them down, but at this moment he had none.

Disappointment flickered across his face. He waved his hand dismissively, signaling that he had had enough of this conversation.

Jian Ci bowed his head as he said, "Thank you, Father."

Thaurion ignored him, his eyes shifting instead to Yu Xi.

"As for you," Thaurion said, his voice sharp, "I think you would be perfect to work for my imperial guards."

Jian Ci’s muscles tensed, his jaw tightening, but he didn’t look at Yu Xi.

Yu Xi bowed, his expression calm, his tone polite. "I appreciate the opportunity, Your Majesty, but I am already under a mandated blood oath."

Thaurion’s brow furrowed. His mind raced. Who would have the audacity to bind someone so insignificant with such a contract? And why would Yu Xi be foolish enough to agree?

"With who?" Thaurion demanded.

Yu Xi’s voice remained steady. "My apologies, Your Majesty. To mention it goes against my oath."

Thaurion sneered, his lips curling. Everyone in the hall knew the truth: a mandated blood oath was no trivial matter. To break it would cost more than half of one’s life. Not even Thaurion himself could override it.

He didn’t want to discuss it here, not in front of these people. Instead, he leaned back, his tone cold. "That is a very serious oath you took. You must understand the implications of binding yourself so completely."

Yu Xi’s voice was calm, steady. "It was explained to me when I took the oath."

Thaurion clenched his jaw, his golden aura flickering faintly before he waved his hand dismissively. If there was something he wanted, he would do anything until he had his hands on it. And now, he wanted to know who in Virelia had the audacity to possess what he was interested in.

But his curiosity would have to wait. He soon lost interest in the event, his attention drifting, and with a cold command he excused himself.

Jian Ci and Yu Xi had been standing side by side the entire time, but not a single word passed between them. The silence was suffocating, the tension so sharp it made hearts palpitate.

Finally, Yu Xi broke it. "Let’s go." Jian Ci nodded, and together they left the hall.

As they walked down the polished hallway toward the hovercar, the attendant from before rushed over, bowing slightly. "Mr. Yu, please wait."

Both Jian Ci and Yu Xi turned, their movements perfectly in sync. The attendant held a small red box in his hands.

"His Majesty asked me to gift this to you, Mr. Yu," the attendant said smoothly. "And he asked me to tell you that he hopes to meet you soon."

Jian Ci’s face remained calm, but inside his psychic power churned like a raging storm.