Rebirth: The unfavored Princess is the Tyrant King's favorite-Chapter 164: The palace master

"This is beautiful, how did you find this place?" Luciana asked, her eyes sparkling like stars as she stared at the beautiful scene before her.

Nestled deep within the emerald embrace of the forest, a serene lake lay hidden, its glassy surface reflecting the dappled sunlight that filtered through the canopy, creating a mosaic of light and shadow on the water; the edges of the lake were gently fringed with moss-covered boulders, while the surrounding trees lean in, their ancient branches almost touching the still water as if whispering secrets to the quiet depths below.

The air was filled with the soft murmur of the wind rustling through leaves, and the beautiful colors of butterflies flying through the air, occasionally touching and breaking the surface, a testament to the life thriving within this secluded sanctuary.

"It’s a secret," Nicholas breathed.

"Do you like it?" He asked,

"Are you kidding? I love it; it’s beautiful; this looks like a place made for the gods," she gushed.

"Maybe you’re right," he chuckled, "there’s a story that a goddess used to reside in the lake."

"Really?" Luciana’s eyes bulged at the revelation.

"I’m not sure; I’m just repeating what I heard the people say," he added, and Luciana felt it could be true. Because, how can you explain that such beautiful scenery exists? This otherworldly view can only exist in the pages of fairy tales or a magical realm.

"Do you think the goddess still resides in the lake? Maybe there are fairies and other magical creatures around?" Luciana asked and Nicholas smiled.

"I don’t think so," he said and added, "I’ve been here countless times but I’ve never encountered any goddesses."

"Yeah, I don’t think there’s a goddess living in the lake. Besides, even if a goddess did reside in the lake, she would not show herself in front of us humans," Luciana reasoned.

"Why won’t she show herself? I’m very handsome, and I’ve been here alone several times, but no beautiful woman appeared," Nicholas said, and Luciana’s eyes widened.

’This overly confident man, he was still talking about beautiful women in her presence...humph.’

"And I’ve bathed in this lake naked several times, but no one appeared," he continued to boast, not realizing someone was gritting her teeth in jealousy.

"And why would you leave the palace that is so far from here to come and bathe in this lake? Could it be that you were secretly hoping to meet some goddess and fairies here?" She asked with pursed lips.

Nicholas heard her question, saw the looming clouds above her head, and realized she was jealous; he didn’t know she would be jealous of those nonexistent fairies or goddesses.

But he knew he had to rectify his words; after all, a happy wife makes a happy life, right?

"No way, even if any goddess or fairy appears, I’m sure she would not be as beautiful as you. To me, no fairy or goddess could be as beautiful as you," Nicholas said and Luciana blushed.

"You sweet talker, you are getting good at twisting words to your advantage, I didn’t know you were such an expert," Luciana teased.

~~~

Unknown to the lovebirds, Goddess Harriet was bored and watching them again and was listening in on their conversation. Days had passed since she sent Eve to find a way to separate these two, but that human girl named Evelyn had yet to make a move; what was she even waiting for? she thought angrily.

The goddess who used to live in that lake was her sister, the woman King Emric had loved with all his heart, the woman she had killed because she stole what belonged to her.

Harriet was betrothed to Emric since infancy but she had no idea the man she had been raised to marry loved her sister, her weak sister who couldn’t even transform into a dragon.

She was a mere water snake, and killing her didn’t even take much strength; she didn’t even use much of her powers to trample on such a small bug.

As Harriet continued to watch the lovebirds, her hatred continued to increase; they were not supposed to be happy; this happiness should have been for her original daughter, the real and first Luciana.

Feeling angry, Harriet decided to spoil their fun; she wanted to teach Luciana a lesson, so she began to walk toward the direction of the lake.

What people didn’t know was that the main source of the beautiful lake was in the heart of the dark forest. It was originally a waterfall, and it even looked more magical in the dark forest and under the moonlight.

Harriet deposited 90% of her power at the riverbank and transformed into a long red snake as it slithered into the water. It swam with the speed of lightning, heading towards the direction of the lovebirds.

~~~

"Come here," Nicholas whispered huskily, beckoning her to him after seeing how rosy her cheeks had become.

"Come where?"

"Do you want me to come to you? That also works," he said and took off his outer robes.

"What are you doing?" Luciana asked when she saw him undressing.

"I feel like bathing in the lake with you...Naked," he drawled in a seductive whisper.

"No way, are you crazy? Nick, the water must be freezing cold because of the weather," she protested.

"Perfect! That’s why I’m here, the fire to melt away all the coldness."

"No!" She stood her ground.

"I didn’t know you’re such a scaredy cat," he teased.

"I don’t know how to swim," Luciana lied; she didn’t know why, but she was vehemently against going into the lake. She admitted that it looked beautiful, but she couldn’t even see what lay underneath, and he wanted them to bathe naked?!!.

"That’s why I’m here; I’ll guide you and hold you close every step of the way," he said, and she stared at him just as he took down his last piece of clothing.

Luciana quickly averted her gaze, her face burning at how brazen he was.

He began to walk towards her and tried to pull on the sash that held her clothes together.

"No wait, I’ll do it myself," she said. He smiled, seeing how she kept her gaze only on his face, making sure not to move it elsewhere.