The Imperial Castle stood at the edge of the forest, on the outskirts of the city. It was magnificent and awe-inspiring, with a sense of wonder that beckoned people to it.

It's hot.

It's hot, but a good kind of hot.

On a grand English bed, a young child slept soundly. A delicate figure lay beneath a luxuriously fine white veil, glistening beads of sweat slowly trickling down their pretty face and onto the delicate collarbone.

Sweat stains on his arms painted an endless picture of contemplation.

"Well, it's hot..."

Shi Xiao Nian whimpered softly, waking from a deep sleep in a daze.

The room was luxurious yet unfamiliar. Fourteen-century Western oil paintings on the walls flickered in the indistinct vision.

Where is it?

Stares uncomprehendingly around.

Only to see in the corner of a sofa, a man sat there, with long and slender fingers, fair skin, gracefully swaying a red wine glass.

Who are you? Why is it so hot here? Can you turn off the air conditioner?

As soon as she spoke, Shi Xiaonian realized her voice was weak and raspy, as if she had just recovered from a serious illness.

It's too hot.

"Human, if you don't wake up, I'll turn this place up to 88 degrees and steam you alive!"

A male voice rose in the sweltering room, his arrogant and domineering tone chillingly intimidating.

"……

Boiling?

What's up?

Shi Xiaonian's mind was a little scattered, and the sweat that landed in her eyes blurred her vision.

Measured footsteps echoed in my ears.

He raised his hand to wipe the sweat from his eyes, revealing a sharp collarbone. As he looked forward, his gaze met another pair of hawk-like eyes.

The man stood by the bed, his legs straight and long. His white shirt accentuated his tall and muscular figure, with the collar loosened at two points higher up. It was a handsome face that could make one suffocate, deep-set eyes like finely carved jade, sword eyebrows and piercing gaze, under a straight nose bridge, his thin lips slightly parted, giving him a deadly allure.

Although the room was sweltering hot, the man's face showed not a hint of sweat. He remained elegant and composed.

He looks like a man straight out of a magazine, very young, not over 29 years old.

Well, that's a bit eye-catching, isn't it?

Where have I seen this...

Because of her long-term occupational habits, Shi Xiaonian was prone to daydreaming. Thinking this way, she really stared blankly at the man, but soon she came to her senses because the man had drawn a silver handgun.

And the muzzle, aimed.

Uh? What's this development?

What do you do? Who are you? What do you want to do?

Sitting on the bed, Shi Xiaonian was startled and wanted to retreat, but the man took a step closer, his icy gun barrel aimed at her face, which was flushed hot.

She has a face that can be called pure, her features are not ostentatious or aggressive, but rather very comfortable.

His muzzle descended slowly, resting upon the pointed chin and then tracing the delicate collarbone.

Shi Xiaonian unconsciously tensed up, her white gauze-like dress almost falling off. A head of hot sweat instantly turned into cold sweat.

"Where is the child you gave birth to?"

Palace Eu stood before them, his voice cold and sharp. His dark eyes swept over them,

What?

Shi Xiao Nian was dumbfounded.

Three years ago, you were pregnant with my child. Where is the child now?

Gou Eu spoke, one word at a time. His pale hand was light as he traced the muzzle around her collarbone, just above where it met skin thinner than a cicada's wing.

"Child?"

Shi Xiaonian was dazed, and it took her a long time to slowly calm down. "I said...aren't you mistaken? I don't know you. I haven't been pregnant..."

(Editor in charge：novels of ken follett)