Chapter 72: Aisha’s Intervention

“Don’t lay a hand on that child!”

A familiar, gentle voice echoed from not far away.

I lifted my head, spotting a figure I hadn’t seen in far too long.

Her vibrant red hair, catching the light, seemed to dance with a fiery passion, instantly igniting my memories.

‘Aisha?’

‘How could she be here?’

‘Shouldn’t Young Master Allen have her under strict control?’

‘And what’s with her sickly appearance?’

Cough, cough, cough…

Even as she uttered her first words, Aisha slowly stepped into the reception room from the doorway.

Her movements appeared incredibly weak, punctuated by constant, soft coughs.

When she finally stood before me, I clearly saw her pale face, beaded with fine sweat on her forehead.

‘Is she ill?’

“Aisha, how could you—”

Just as I began to ask, Aisha raised a hand, gesturing for me to be silent.

Then, with her frail body, she positioned herself between me and the guests from Clearwater Port, shielding me from their ill-intentioned gazes.

“Don’t lay a hand on this child…”

She reiterated in her weak voice, which lacked its usual firmness and strength, yet still conveyed an undeniable resolve.

“Today… I was supposed to be responsible for receiving all of you, but earlier, I felt a bit unwell and took a short rest. I never imagined that the maid would unilaterally decide to have this child take my place…”

“I know this child all too well. Aside from her pretty face, she’s not skilled at anything else. She’s clumsy on a daily basis and has caused countless troubles. How could she possibly entertain distinguished guests like yourselves properly?”

“So… I… I immediately rushed over, feeling quite spirited, but I didn’t expect to still be a step too late…”

Aisha explained humbly to the men, her tone brimming with endless apology and self-reproach.

“I also saw that this child did indeed make a mistake, but I am willing to bear the punishment for her. Whatever demands you guests may have, I will do my utmost to satisfy them…”

She placed her slender fingers on her chest, pressing lightly, consciously displaying her ample figure.

Indeed, compared to my own still-developing girlish appearance, Aisha’s generous and full figure undoubtedly appealed more to the average man’s taste.

While I considered my own chest size not meager, it was clearly a touch less full than Aisha’s.

The waist of a young girl is often so slender it can be spanned by a single hand, like a willow branch, making one feel as if it might snap with the slightest bend.

Aisha’s waist, however, was filled with a healthy elasticity, yet remained perfectly slender.

Moreover, Aisha was undeniably a beauty—a slender waist, delicate skin, and exquisite features. Every aspect exuded feminine charm.

In the world I once inhabited, she would certainly possess an aura comparable to a celebrity.

No wonder she had once captivated the Lord of Coldwind; no wonder she was confident in making Rodd utterly infatuated with her.

Even I sometimes found her…

‘No, that’s not right. What’s more important now is *why* Aisha is saying this!’

‘Aisha, do you know what you’re saying?’

I stared at her back, feeling utterly bewildered.

As expected, Aisha’s words seemed to possess a certain magic.

The several guests present paused, shifting their gazes from me to her.

“How interesting. Take the punishment in her stead?”

Tim, the corpulent man, revealed a playful smile.

“Are you two… sisters?”

“No,” Aisha gently shook her head.

“Tsk, what a pity. I was planning to have a good taste… But why are you sticking up for her? That’s a bit suspicious!”

Tim’s gaze lingered on Aisha for a moment, a flicker of desire in his eyes. However, he seemed reluctant to give up the ‘fat meat’ (me) right before him, so he didn’t immediately agree.

“No, unless you explain it clearly, I won’t easily agree to let you take her place. Of course, if you’re willing to share some of her burden, then it’s not entirely out of the question.”

‘This pervert’s imagination is truly something!’

‘A sister sandwich?’

‘Go to Yoshinoya for that!’

I quickly whispered into Aisha’s ear, “Don’t stick your neck out for me! These guys are no good! Besides, Lord Rodd might not even agree.”

“Cough, cough… I don’t need your help,” Aisha retorted weakly, “This is what I should be bearing… cough, cough…”

“No way, Sister, at a time like this, how can you still—”

Before I could finish, Aisha cut me off. “Shut up! Anyway… I have nothing left to lose…”

I didn’t understand the meaning behind Aisha’s words, but from her demeanor, it seemed she was determined to shield me here.

I felt little relief at having escaped, but rather a profound sense of strangeness.

Whether it was that time on the *Longwind* or now, Aisha had consistently helped me. Why? Why, exactly?

Oh, right. I remembered she had seemed about to say something back then, but then…

“If I were to say something…”

Just like that time, Aisha spoke again, presumably intending to explain her reasons for helping me.

But also just like that time, the process was interrupted once more.

A dull clanking of iron boots suddenly echoed through the corridor. The sound wasn’t loud, yet it carried an undeniable sense of oppression.

Each step sounded like a heavy hammer striking the ground, reverberating through the empty hallway.

The light from outside the door gradually dimmed as a tall, imposing figure entered first.

He wore a dark cloak, a sharp longsword hanging at his waist, and slowly strode into the reception room.

The moment he stepped inside, the hall was enveloped in a tense atmosphere, and the existing sounds abruptly vanished.

The guests from Clearwater Port finally stopped looking at Aisha and me, their gazes all converging on Lord Rodd.

The air itself seemed to hum with an inescapable pressure.

‘What’s wrong? That guy looks… today.’

I watched the familiar figure with a touch of surprise.

Unlike the gentle and peaceful demeanor he usually displayed, today’s Rodd was different.

Perhaps it was his attire, or perhaps some other factor, but simply looking at him from afar, I could feel the chilling authority emanating from him.

“Aisha, leave him alone and go outside.”

As he passed by me, I heard Rodd utter these cold, blunt words.

Then, I watched him sweep his cloak and settle directly into the main seat at the long table.

‘…’

A slight irritation flared in my heart, tinged with a hint of bitterness.

‘What does he mean, “the other one” should go out?’

‘Even if Lilian isn’t my real name, are you not even willing to call me by a proper address anymore?’

‘At least I made you relive the feeling of dancing with… what’s-her-name, didn’t I?’

‘For that day, do you know how long I painstakingly practiced that ridiculous dance?’

‘Do you know how painful it is, as a man, to endure the nausea of kissing another man?’

‘Do you know how hard it was for me?’

‘Could anyone else have done it besides me?’

‘And after all that—’

‘You had your fun, and because I misspoke, you’re turning your back on me now, aren’t you?’

‘Fine, fine, I know you’re madly in love with your dead wife!’

‘I can’t compare!’

‘I’m not worthy, damn it!’

Filled with suppressed anger, I had intended to leave the moment Rodd spoke, but unexpectedly, Tim, that pot-bellied man, reached out.

“Wait!”

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