'I'm okay if it's with Lucius.' Vanessa thought as she looked at him shyly.

Her cheeks burned, but she held her ground. She was older than him, and yet here she was, lying down with zero experience and her poor heart racing like a schoolgirl's.

Elara had once told her during one of their late-night talks that Lucius didn't have any experience either.

That alone gave her courage.

They were starting from the same place.

Meaning they were perfect for each other.

She kept stealing glances at his handsome face, searching for even a hint of fluster.

At least there had to be some sign that he was just as nervous as she was. But Lucius sat there with that maddening calm, as if this kind of moment was nothing unusual for him.

"Or… don't you want to do it?" she asked, her voice smaller than she intended.

She glanced down at herself.

She didn't want to brag, but she knew she was beautiful.

She took care of her body daily, from the curve of her waist to the tone of her legs.

Lucius swallowed. His lips parted. "I do, but—"

He never finished.

The door opened and Villy stepped into the room. The little dwarf maid bowed gracefully, oblivious to the tension she had just shattered.

"I've finished tending to Lady Elara, my lord," Villy said smoothly. "Do you wish for me to do anything more?"

Lucius blinked, then instinctively turned his head toward Vanessa.

But she was gone, she didn't even leave her coat behind.

He frowned. "…She ran."

Villy adjusted her maid cap and tilted her head. "If you are searching for my lady, she left the instant she saw me. Moving very fast."

"That checks out," Lucius muttered, dragging a hand down his face.

He looked at the date on his phone and sighed.

"Well, I can't chase her now. Prepare some good clothes for me, Villy. Because of that damned council, I'll have to work a bit for my favors."

Villy bowed. "Yes, my lord."

Lucius leaned back, pinching the bridge of his nose.

The council's requests weren't optional. He had asked for too many favors, and now the bill was due.

"I'll be going on photo shoots," he muttered to himself.

…

The next morning, Lucius stood outside the mansion, dressed in one of his many suits and a rose in the pocket.

His dark hair had been smoothed back and every strand was perfectly in place. He yawned lazily, eyes narrowing at the horizon.

"Let's get this over with," he murmured.

He tugged at his cuffs, already regretting what was about to happen.

The council had wrung him into modeling for several brands. Well he had been the one to suggest it but still? He was a changed man now.

A sleek black limousine rolled up to the front gates.

The polished surface reflected the morning light, and Lucius checked his watch, sighing.

"Alexia," he muttered as the car stopped.

The door swung open, and the former council secretary emerged in her sharp skirt suit, moving to hold the door open for him.

"You're late," Lucius said flatly, stepping closer. "Five minutes late."

Alexia froze, lips tightening, but she said nothing.

Her eyes flickered away.

Lucius arched a brow. "Not going to defend yourself?"

She stayed silent, her cheeks were pink.

She still hadn't gotten over what had happened during the last council party.

Lucius smirked, brushing past her as he slipped into the limousine. He'd never sat in one before, but the leather seats hugged him like a throne.

'Mama would be so proud,' he thought smugly, settling into the plush seat. 'Her boy made it.'

The car hummed to life and Alexia entered through the other side, clipboard in hand.

"Boss," she began, her professional tone layered over her embarrassment. "I've prepared a list of companies that have commissioned photoshoots with you. There are about five. If we manage all of them today, you'll have some free time afterward."

Lucius accepted the clipboard, eyes flicking over the neat list of names.

His brow furrowed. "Fizzypop?" he read aloud. "What the hell kind of name is that? Sounds like a kid's prank."

Alexia cleared her throat. "Boss, Fizzypop is a very popular brand. They're known across the country for their fizzy drinks. In fact, you can find them in almost any store. Their products sell out quickly."

"Then why do they need my face?" Lucius asked, lounging back in his seat with a smirk.

Alexia shrugged faintly. "More popularity, perhaps. They think your image will help."

Lucius chuckled. "Of course. Can't blame them."

He stretched, letting his smooth arrogance show. "When you've got a face like this, the world wants to plaster it everywhere."

Alexia bit her lip, saying nothing.

…

The limo eventually pulled up to the sprawling Fizzypop factory.

A massive neon sign glowed overhead, it was glowing green, with the brand's bubbly logo sparkling like carbonation.

Lucius stepped out, adjusting his suit jacket with a smooth tug.

Alexia followed close behind, clipboard tucked under her arm.

'Where are the professionals?' Lucius thought as his sharp eyes scanned the entrance.

He expected a welcoming committee, photographers, maybe even a red carpet.

But the gates were strangely quiet.

Then he heard buzzing.

Lucius glanced up just as a drone descended toward him.

Its metallic claws clutched a small can, which it promptly delivered into his hand with a mechanical chirp.

He raised a brow. "…Seriously?"

He looked at the can.

It had a bright green wrapper and bold bubbly letters: Fizzypop.

Lucius turned it in his hand, studying the design. At least it looked decent.

If the packaging was anything to go by, maybe the drink had some merit.

He cracked it open with a hiss.

Foam fizzed up, tickling his fingers.

"Well, here's to selling my soul," he muttered sarcastically, then took a swig.

The taste hit him like a punch in the mouth.

His eyes widened and his throat constricted.

It was vile.

Lucius nearly spat it back out on the pavement. Every instinct screamed to throw the can as far away as possible.

He forced it down with a grimace, lowering the drink slowly as if it were poison. His hand twitched, tempted to fling the offending liquid into orbit.

"…It's horrible," he croaked at last, voice flat, disbelief dripping from every syllable.

Alexia winced. "Boss?"

Lucius stared at the can like it had personally insulted him. "…These lunatics want me to put my face on this?"

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