She finished cooking the meal and the herbal soup. She tasted it and smiled—the aroma alone could awaken anyone's appetite. The soup's scent spread softly around the kitchen, warm and inviting, making her feel proud of her work.
She tasted the herbal soup she had prepared for him again. The herbal soup was meant to nourish and strengthen the body. Earlier that morning, during their kiss, she had secretly checked his pulse. Even though she couldn't feel it clearly, she could sense something was wrong—he was poisoned. And not just by any poison, but a deadly one.
Still, Aria wasn't too worried. The poison wouldn't be too hard for her to treat. It would just require time and patience. The poison had already spread throughout most parts of his body, but luckily, it hadn't yet reached the most vital organs. That meant he could still be saved.
If left untreated, he wouldn't live past thirty-five—and he was currently twenty-nine. But for her, healing him wouldn't be a problem. She had seen worse.
The poison's name was "Death."
It was a dangerous and rare poison, one that killed slowly and painfully. It spread quietly through the bloodstream, freezing the body from within. At times, the victim would feel like they were trapped in ice, their body trembling from a cold that fire couldn't chase away. Slowly, the poison would rob the person of their senses—sight, touch, even pain. Eventually, it would claim their life.
Aria remembered every single detail about this poison. Her master had taught her about "Death"—its symptoms, its antidote, and how it was created. Only she and her master knew how to produce or cure it. She never used poison, not unless she was forced to. But now, she was certain that someone had poisoned Adrian deliberately.
Her eyes darkened as she thought, But who could have poisoned him so easily?
Someone must have gotten their hands on the "Death" poison. But how? Only she and her master knew about it. That meant someone had stolen or copied it.
I need to ask Sam to investigate later, she thought, her brows furrowed in worry.
She was still deep in thought when suddenly, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist. Aria gasped softly, startled, but she relaxed almost immediately as she recognized the familiar scent—his cologne mixed with the faint fragrance of his body wash.
Earlier, when Adrian entered the villa, he had noticed that the kitchen light was still on. He assumed it was the chef and almost went upstairs, but when he looked closer, he saw a slender figure moving around gracefully in the kitchen. Her long hair shimmered under the warm light, swaying gently against her waist as she cooked.
The aroma of the soup filled the air, and his stomach grumbled involuntarily. He leaned against the door frame and watched her, silently captivated. Her movements were elegant, her expression calm yet focused. Then suddenly, she stopped stirring and stood still, lost in thought.
Adrian smiled faintly, unable to resist anymore. He strode toward her and wrapped his arms possessively around her waist.
Aria froze for a moment, her body tensing in surprise, but she quickly relaxed when she heard his familiar deep, hoarse voice near her ear.
"Darling, what are you thinking about?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
Aria blinked innocently, her almond-shaped eyes glimmering under the light. Her long lashes fluttered as she replied softly, "Nothing."
She cleared her throat awkwardly and tried to remove his hands from her waist. "I'm done cooking," she said shyly. "Let's go eat."
But Adrian only held her tighter. His gaze softened as he lowered his head, inhaling the faint scent of her orange blossom body wash mixed with the mild herbal fragrance clinging to her skin. The scent was intoxicating—sweet, calming, and uniquely hers.
He had been suffering from insomnia for a long time. But ever since she started sleeping beside him, his nights had been peaceful. For the first time in years, he slept soundly.
Unable to resist, Adrian bent down and captured her lips in a deep kiss.
Aria's eyes widened in surprise, but as the kiss deepened, her body melted under his touch. Her hands slowly moved up to circle around his neck, and she responded timidly, her soft lips moving in rhythm with his.
Adrian smiled into the kiss. He lifted her easily and placed her on the kitchen counter, his kiss growing more passionate, his hands beginning to roam across her body.
Aria was lost in the moment until she suddenly felt his hand brushing against her waist. Her eyes flew open, and she quickly broke the kiss, panting softly. "U-Uncle, we're in the kitchen… what if someone comes in?"
Adrian raised a brow and said in a deep, magnetic voice, "They wouldn't dare."
Her cheeks turned red instantly. "Uncle, I can't… in the kitchen—"
Her words were cut off as he effortlessly lifted her into his arms.
"Uncle! I promise next time—just let's eat first, I'm hungry!" she protested, her face completely flushed.
Adrian chuckled, his deep voice rumbling against her ear. "You promise?"
She nodded quickly. "Yes! I promise!"
Satisfied, Adrian finally put her down on the chair at the dining table and sat beside her.
Aria stood up and began serving the dishes one by one. The table looked warm and elegant, filled with rich aromas. Adrian picked a few dishes he liked and placed them gently on her plate, his actions tender and natural.
He ate slowly, gracefully—like a noble prince from an old painting. Then he looked up at her with a smile and said, "It's delicious."
Aria smiled proudly and brought the herbal soup to him. "Drink this. It will help nourish and strengthen your body," she said softly, her voice full of care.
Adrian took the bowl and drank it in one gulp. "You made this?" he asked curiously.
"Yes," Aria said with a soft smile. "I learned it from my grandma. And I also studied traditional Chinese medicine, so this is my own special recipe."
Her lips curved into a gentle smile, showing her small dimples. Adrian stared at her for a long moment, mesmerized by her beauty and gentleness.
The atmosphere at the table was calm and peaceful, the air filled with warmth and quiet affection.
After dinner, they took a walk under the moonlight, their hands brushing occasionally. When they returned, Adrian went to his study to handle some business calls, while Aria went upstairs to sleep. Tomorrow was her first day of school, and she wanted to rest early.
Later that night, when Adrian finished his work and entered their room, he saw Aria sleeping peacefully on the bed. Her face was serene, her lips slightly parted, and her hair spread like silk over the pillow. She looked like a sleeping angel.
He smiled, walked over quietly, and brushed a few strands of hair from her face. Then he leaned down and kissed her forehead softly. His lips trailed down to her neck, where he gently bit her skin, making her stir and hiss softly in her sleep.
He bit her again, leaving faint red marks, and then traced light kisses along her neck before finally heading to the bathroom for a cold shower.
The next morning, a loud shout echoed through the villa.
"Uncle! Look at my neck!" Aria cried as she rushed down the stairs. "Is there a mosquito in this house?!"
Adrian, who was calmly sipping his coffee at the dining table, looked up at her with a faint smirk. "Yes," he said casually, "a very big mosquito. The butler will bring insecticide later."
Aria pouted, puffing her cheeks in frustration as she sat at the table. "Uncle, that mosquito is evil!" she muttered under her breath.
Adrian only chuckled softly. "I'll take you to school after breakfast," he said.
"Okay, Uncle," she replied sweetly.
A while later, they were in the car. Aria sat in the back seat, gazing out the window, lost in thought. Adrian occasionally glanced at her reflection in the glass while scrolling through his tablet.
When they arrived at the school gate, Aria reached for the car door, but it didn't open. She turned to Adrian in confusion.
He smiled faintly and said, "My reward."
Aria blinked. "Thank you for dropping me off, Uncle."
He shook his head slightly. "That's not what I mean." He tapped his lips and raised a brow.
Eric, who was driving, almost choked at his boss's childish demand but wisely kept quiet.
Aria blushed furiously. "Uncle… people will see us," she whispered.
"No one will," Adrian said calmly. "The car's glass is tinted."
Aria sighed, her heart racing. Finally, she leaned forward and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
But the soft brush of her lips only stirred something deep within him. His eyes darkened, and before she could pull back, he cupped her face and kissed her deeply. The kiss grew intense, making her dizzy and breathless.
When he finally let her go, her lips were swollen and her eyes watery. She fixed her hair hurriedly, glared at him shyly, and stepped out of the car.
Adrian chuckled as he watched her walk away, her cheeks still flushed. Then, turning cold again, he said to Eric, "To the office."
Eric nodded quickly. Now this is the real Boss, he thought—the cold, dangerous man everyone feared. But he couldn't help smiling. Only Aria could make him gentle.
As soon as Aria entered the school, she heard a familiar, excited voice calling her name.