Legacy of The Arcane Lust Mage-Chapter 20: My Woman

She couldn’t believe her ears.

Was it easy to cultivate? No, it wasn’t even if you had resources.

Lukas, however, didn’t have any cultivation resource, and because he had lost almost a decade of the prime time for cultivation, no one would be surprised if he took several months, even half a year to step foot on the Magic Cultivation path and become a low 1-star mage.

However... he was saying he was already about to reach this stage?

How could she not be shocked?

Lukas grinned upon seeing her reaction and nodded, "You heard me, I’m about to become a mage."

After being stunned for a while, Oriana gathered herself and smiled happily, "Young Lord... is a genius! Mistress would be so happy when she finds out about this."

Quickly and casually wiping her moistened eyes with the back of her hand, she added with a look of realization, "No wonder Young Lord said you wanted to hide the news of your awakening until you reached Mid 1-Star... Given your speed, it wouldn’t take you more than a few days to become a Mid 1-Star mage and hiding the news just for a few days wouldn’t be difficult."

Lukas neither agreed nor denied her speculation and just stared at her beautiful face that was currently lit up with genuine joy and happiness.

Suddenly, he was feeling the urge to hug her, but he didn’t want to scare her.

’Is it right to let this fear hold me back?’

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, he wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her in his embrace, looking into her widening eyes.

Ba-Dum! Ba-Dum!

Oriana’s heart skipped several beats and insecurities and fear clouded her mind which made her eyes moisten and look at him with a panicked, almost terrified look on her face.

"Y-Young Lord... what are you—"

Lukas interrupted her mid-sentence and asked, "Oriana, tell me something. What is the reason you have refused Isaac until now? I know there are several other maids who have submitted themselves to him and enjoyed some preferential treatment, though not much. Despite this, other maids are still willing to surrender themselves to him but not you. Is it really only because of late uncle Ryan?"

Oriana slowly calmed down upon hearing his words and took a deep breath.

Then, she bit her lower lip in hesitation before looking away from him and shaking her head and slowly saying, "A part because of him but mainly because I’m not like the maids who are solely after money and don’t care whether he throws them away after he is done with them."

Lukas’ eyes lit up when he heard this and asked, "Does this mean if he’d promised to take care of you, you would have agreed?"

Oriana stayed silent for a moment before nodding lightly, "Mm."

Lukas took a deep breath.

As if thinking her answer had disappointed him, she moved her gaze back to him—her eyes brimming with crystalline tears—and said, "You now think I’m also a shallow woman, right? I hate myself for it, but it’s the truth, Young Lord."

Not giving Lukas the chance to respond, she continued, "Only those who have gained favor from someone, particularly a noble male, are able to earn a decent amount, normal maids don’t earn much, Young Lord.

Before Ryan passed away, everything was good as he also earned, but now I’m the sole earner in my family. I need to pay back the debt, take care of all the household expenses, taxes and Little Ellie’s education, clothes etc.

Also, because I usually don’t return home for several days at a time, Little Ellie stays with my sister and I have to pay some money to her too.

When Little Ellie was younger, it was still alright, but as she grew up, it has become hard to take care of all the expenses.

Thankfully, I’m the Young Lord’s personal maid and therefore receive a bit more salary than the ordinary maids and sometimes the Mistress rewards me with a few silver coins which helps me a lot, otherwise..."

She stopped her tirade and heaved a deep breath before saying, "So, yeah, I would have agreed to Third Young Lord’s demands if he could ensure a stable future for me and Ellie."

Lukas calmly heard her and once she finished, he said, "I understand, Oriana, and I don’t think you are a shallow woman. On the contrary, I think you are a very good and responsible woman who is doing everything to take care of her family which is admirable."

Oriana stared into his eyes, trying to see if he was lying just to make her feel good, but she only saw sincerity and appreciation.

A smile full of emotions gradually formed on her face which looked very beautiful despite the tears running down her cheeks—she was relieved to see he wasn’t disgusted with her and was happy that he understood and appreciated her.

At the same time, she felt a weight off her heart after sharing about her struggles to him.

Lukas put his other hand around her shoulders and hugged her, burying her face in his chest.

A startled look appeared in Oriana’s eyes which she closed after a moment and snuggled in his embrace.

After a minute, Lukas pulled her away so he could look her in the eyes but made sure the parts of their bodies remained pressed together.

"But you should have told me or mother that you were struggling so much. We could have helped you." He said with a stern look on his face.

Oriana, red-faced, lowered her head apologetically, "I didn’t want to worry Young Lord, but I think Mistress knows otherwise she wouldn’t have given me reward money several times throughout the years."

Lukas nodded, took out his handkerchief and offered it to her, "Here, wipe your tears."

"It’s alright, Young Lord." She said and took out her handkerchief from her pocket before wiping her tears. Then, she lowered her head and apologized, "Forgive me, Young Lord, for putting on such an embarrassing display."

Lukas reached out with his free hand and gently lifted her chin with his index finger so she was looking at him.

"Don’t mind it." He calmly said before asking, "Can you feel it, Oriana?"

Oriana started, confusion coloring her face but just a moment later, realization dawned on her and she blushed. She could feel it alright. How could she not when it had been pressing against her belly all this while.

Embarrassed, she averted her gaze and slowly nodded, "i-I can, Young Lord."

Lukas moved her chin so she was looking him in the eyes and slowly declared, "I want you and I promise to take care of you and Ellie until I breathe. Would you give yourself to me and become my woman?"

The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel