That first encounter was merely the beginning.
From that day onward, Dorian returned to the Light Clan every single day without fail.
It became a familiar routine—morning or evening, the guards at the gate would see the same tall, calm man arrive with a confident stride, his expression unreadable yet his presence commanding attention.
At first, the members of the Light Clan treated him with a respectful curiosity.
He was, after all, an outsider whose origins no one could clearly trace.
But soon, as the days went by, Dorian's visits became impossible to ignore.
He was always seen at Valentina's side—walking through the gardens, talking with her beneath the radiant crystal trees, or sharing quiet moments near the lake that shimmered with azure light.
Sometimes he would be seen bringing her rare spirit fruits; other times, the two would exchange soft laughter that even the wind carried to curious ears.
Their closeness no longer seemed professional, nor could anyone claim it was merely friendship.
The way Valentina looked at him—the subtle smile, the relaxed tone of her voice, the faint blush that sometimes colored her cheeks—spoke volumes.
For a woman who had long been known as the proud and untouchable Fire Empress, this change was shocking.
Soon, whispers began to ripple through the Light Clan like a silent storm.
"Have you seen them walking together again? That's the fifth time this week."
"I heard he's staying overnight in the guest courtyard now."
"No way! Could Elder Valentina really be in love?"
The gossip spread fast, and by the end of the month, every corner of the clan buzzed with speculation.
Some were envious, others worried, and many simply couldn't believe what they were witnessing.
Before long, word reached beyond the walls of the Light Clan.
In Azure Cloud City, the tale of Valentina and Dorian became the talk of taverns, markets, and even cultivation halls.
"The Fire Empress of the Light Clan and a mysterious man who just appeared out of nowhere… people say he's a powerful hidden expert. This could be both a blessing and a curse for the clan."
"Blessing? You mean trouble! If that man isn't loyal, the Light Clan might end up doomed!"
"Trouble or not, that man is lucky beyond belief! Elder Valentina is one of the most beautiful women in the entire city—how did he manage to win her heart?"
"No! I don't believe it! Valentina is the goddess of my heart. There's no way she would choose to remarry! I won't accept it!"
The discussions grew louder each day, filled with awe, jealousy, and disbelief.
Some admired Valentina for finally opening her heart again, while others called her foolish for trusting an outsider.
Political rivals within the city began to watch closely, wondering what this mysterious man's true intentions were.
And through it all, Dorian remained completely unaffected.
The stares, the rumors, the judgments—none of it mattered to him.
He was calm, composed, and utterly focused. When people saw him walking beside Valentina, his expression betrayed no emotion, yet his eyes held the quiet determination of a man with purpose.
He didn't care what others thought, nor did he bother to correct their assumptions. Let them talk.
Let them speculate. For Dorian, this was all part of a larger plan.
He had a goal—one that went beyond fleeting affection or idle companionship—and deep down, he knew it was only a matter of time before he achieved exactly what he desired.
***
A month passed, and after days that blurred into nights filled with conversation, silence, and fleeting glances that said more than words ever could, something within Valentina finally began to break.
Every day, Dorian would come to the Light Clan as he always did.
Sometimes, he would bring her tea and simply sit beside her without speaking.
Other times, he would challenge her views, question her decisions, and provoke her temper—forcing her to feel emotions she had long buried.
Their exchanges had started as sharp debates, but over time they softened, turning into talks filled with reflection, even laughter on rare occasions.
It was during one of these evenings that Valentina finally gave in.
They met by the Turtle Shell River, a place few dared to visit after dark.
The river was ancient, its waters said to run as deep as the city's oldest secrets.
Under the pale moonlight, the currents glowed faintly blue, swirling and colliding in patterns that resembled the scales of an enormous turtle—hence its name.
The air was cool, heavy with mist, and the sound of rushing water filled the silence between them.
Valentina stood by the edge of the riverbank, her long crimson robe trailing across the damp grass.
Her hair fluttered in the night breeze, and though her posture remained regal, her expression betrayed her inner turmoil.
"You should know," she said finally, breaking the silence, "that whatever I do from this point on will never seem natural." Her voice trembled ever so slightly, but she steadied it with effort. "You forced me into this situation, Dorian. You left me no choice but to comply."
Her words were defiant, but her tone lacked true venom.
She wasn't speaking as the feared Fire Empress of the Light Clan anymore—she was speaking as Valentina, the woman behind the title.
Dorian stood a few steps behind her, his eyes calm, unreadable. He didn't interrupt.
He simply watched her—the way the moonlight kissed her hair, the way her shoulders tensed as though carrying invisible weight.
The river's churning reflected her heart.
For years, Valentina had lived with a storm inside her—anger, grief, guilt—all coiled so tightly that she had forgotten what peace felt like.
She had lost her husband many years ago, but the memory of that day remained as vivid as ever.
It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life—the birth of her daughter, Seraphine.
But joy had turned to horror when a rival sect struck without warning.
The clan was caught off guard, and her husband, gravely injured yet unyielding, faced them alone to buy her time.
She remembered his final words before he left her side: "Protect her, Valentina. Live for her."
He had died fulfilling his vow—to defend his wife and newborn child.
And though their enemies were repelled, the victory came at too great a cost.
When Valentina had begged the clan for justice, the elders' coldness crushed whatever faith she still had in them.
The patriarch's response still echoed in her mind:
"Strong plants don't grow strong in a garden. They thrive only when tested by the storm."
That cruel logic became the creed of the Light Clan—a creed that allowed them to thrive for more than a hundred thousand years in Azure Cloud City, but at the expense of compassion.
Valentina had lived by that philosophy ever since, convincing herself that strength mattered more than warmth.
Until Dorian appeared.
Valentina knew she couldn't keep refusing him forever.
Dorian was far too powerful, and his influence had already seeped into every corner of her life.
No matter what she did, there was no true escape from him.
"Love can be nurtured," Dorian said quietly, his deep voice steady but carrying a note of warmth. "And I promise you this—I'll take care of you, and of your daughter, Seraphine."
His words were brief, but they carried a certainty that made her chest tighten.
She drew in a slow breath, trying to calm the emotions twisting within her.
Then she lifted her gaze and met his eyes.
"The wedding will be set in one month," she said finally, her tone even but her expression unreadable.
She had made her decision.
Since there was no escaping fate, it was better to face it with dignity than to cower before it.
Dorian's lips curved into a faint smile—one that held both satisfaction and quiet understanding.
"One month it is," he replied.
He extended both hands toward her, palms open.
For a long moment, Valentina hesitated, her fingers trembling ever so slightly.
Then, slowly, she placed her hands into his.
It was only the second time their skin had touched—the first being that fateful moment when Dorian had held her before.
Yet somehow, this touch felt entirely different.
His hands were warm and steady, grounding her in a way that both comforted and unnerved her.
They stood like that by the riverbank, hands intertwined, saying nothing.
The wind rustled through the reeds, carrying the distant song of night insects, and the river's faint shimmer cast wavering light across their faces.