Sophia stepped into Lucas's private penthouse, the door closing behind her with a soft, final click. Her sharp instincts immediately picked up on the subtle wrongness in the air — the faint trace of smoke mixed with something far more unnatural, a lingering presence that didn't belong. Her eyes swept the room, scanning every shadow and corner. She sensed another life signature, hidden somewhere, female probably.
She said nothing. Her face remained perfectly composed as she turned her attention to Lucas.
Yuna, meanwhile, had fled to the attached training room the moment the kiss ended. She curled up in the far corner, arms wrapped tightly around her knees, face buried against them. Her thoughts were in complete chaos.
You crazy bitch… what the hell did you just do?No, no… he did it, right? He kissed me… I couldn't do anything…But why is my heart beating so fast…?
A strange voice kept echoing in the back of her mind — soft, seductive, and insistent.
Kiss him… obey him… you liked it, didn't you?
Yuna shook her head violently. Did I really like him?
She bit her lip hard, trying to silence the new whispers inside her head.
Back in the main living area, Sophia stood with perfect poise, hands clasped in front of her maid uniform.
"Young Master Lucas," she said evenly, "what can I help you with?"
Lucas didn't reply immediately. He poured himself a glass of water, drank it slowly, then set the glass down with a quiet clink. He turned to face her, his blue eyes calm but commanding.
"Let's go, Sophia. I want you to help me bathe."
Sophia froze on the spot. For a split second, her usual calm cracked.
Helping with a bath…? Even Alex has never asked anything so absurd. What is he, a child? He's even older than Alex…
Lucas had already started walking toward the bathroom. He paused and glanced back when she didn't follow.
"Something wrong?" he asked, voice perfectly neutral.
Sophia struggled to keep her expression neutral, though her thoughts were anything but. Everything is wrong, you perverted bastard. Just because the Master ordered me to serve both of you, you think you can order me around like this?
She forced a polite smile. "Young Master Lucas… are you perhaps injured somewhere?"
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "No."
"Then I'm afraid I cannot fulfill your request," she replied smoothly. "Young Master Alex asked me to return quickly. I'm afraid I must decline."
Lucas tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes.
"So you mean Alex ordered you to ignore the family head's orders?"
Sophia stiffened. "What?"
Lucas's smile sharpened. "Didn't my father say you should serve both of us? So you're my maid just as much as you are his. Tell me, Sophia… how can my little brother set a time limit when you're with me? Does he have authority over me… or my maid?"
Sophia's mind raced. Alex had only asked her to return quickly — he had never set a strict time limit. She had used it as an excuse to reject Lucas's ridiculous order. But Lucas was twisting it, implying that Alex was daring to ignore James's direct command.
She couldn't allow that.
No matter how much James favored Alex, the family head's orders were absolute. Every servant of the Vanderbilt family had to obey them, regardless of rank or personal feelings.
Sophia kept her voice steady. "Young Master, you are asking me — someone who is practically a stranger to you — to help with something as personal as a bath. Moreover, I am not some ordinary maid. I am a B-rank Assassin. Even you must realize how ridiculous this request is."
Lucas scoffed softly. Of course it's ridiculous. You could kill me before I could blink. But his voice remained calm and authoritative.
"Your rank or status doesn't matter right now, Sophia. For the time being, you are my maid. As a maid, your highest duty is to fulfill your master's orders. I will wait for you inside. I won't force you… well, I can't anyway. But if you fail to fulfill your orders, I will have to inform my father. The choice is yours."
With that, Lucas turned and walked into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Sophia stood rooted in place, her mind in turmoil. She had expected Lucas to order something absurd, but this was beyond what she had imagined. She was only a few years older than him. How could he ask her to help him bathe? It was clearly an attempt to humiliate her and, indirectly, to show Alex that he could also command the family's servants.
She wanted to slap some sense into him. For her, it wouldn't even take effort. But she couldn't. Any rash action could endanger Alex.
Her thoughts spiraled. Why are you hesitating? Is your pride more important than Alex's? Or are you afraid you might lose to Lucas…? Or… are you desiring him? Surely you must be… he's a handsome, manly. As a young woman, who wouldn't…
Sophia slapped her own cheek lightly, the sound sharp in the quiet room.
What the hell am I thinking?
She took a deep breath, steadied herself, and started walking toward the bathroom.
I'm just helping with a bath. What could happen? It's not like I've never seen a naked body before. I helped Alex when he was a child…
Suddenly, she paused and turned her head toward the training room door, her eyes narrowing.
Hmm…
She stepped inside the Bathroom.
Yuna, who had been peeking from behind the wall, ducked back quickly. She had been trying to see who Lucas was talking to, but she hadn't expected the maid to suddenly sense her presence.
I think I've seen her before… Wait, more importantly, why is she entering the bathroom? Does Lucas really ask her to… Humph. I knew that guy was perverted. You're an idiot for thinking I like you or something, idiot…
**
Meanwhile, Alex was staring at the dinner table, which was still set with half-eaten plates, but he couldn't focus on anything. He had tried to meditate, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing, yet his thoughts kept circling back to Sophia.
She had been assigned to him when he was only ten years old. At first, Alex had been distant, wary of letting anyone close. Sophia had been patient, maintaining a respectful distance until he was ready to speak. Over time, her steady presence had become a comfort. He had grown to like having her near, to trust her completely.
To the outside world, Sophia saw him as a little brother.
But Alex's feelings had long since evolved into something deeper.
He had always told himself that once he became strong enough, he would confess. In this world where thousands died every day in the Gates, having multiple wives was common among awakeners — a practical necessity for continuing bloodlines. Yet now, he couldn't even stop her from going to his new stepbrother.
The thought of Lucas made Alex's fists clench until his knuckles turned white. After his initial displeasure, he had tried to push the resentment aside, but Lucas was forcing his hand. For the first time in his life, the heir to one of the world's most powerful families felt truly helpless.
***
Lucas had already taken off his shirt, his muscular back on full display.
Sophia stood silently, keeping her head slightly lowered. For her, this was incredibly difficult. She would have preferred facing a life-or-death battle rather than this situation. It was the first time she had seen a man's naked body other than Alex's when he was a child.
Lucas casually removed his trousers as well, leaving only his underwear. Sophia kept her head down, refusing to look.
Lucas turned back toward her and walked forward with nonchalance, his mind focused. Don't forget to start subtly. If she catches on that something is wrong, our whole plan will be busted.
The Imp of Whispers, hiding in the far shadows, replied mentally: "As you wish, Master."
Sophia sensed the approaching footsteps and slowly lifted her head. Her breath caught in her throat as her eyes landed on the prominent bulge straining against Lucas's underwear.
Thiss… is it normal? she thought, fighting to keep her expression neutral.
Lucas stood directly in front of her, his insane physique on full display — broad shoulders, defined chest, rippling abs, and powerful arms honed from years of survival and recent intense training.
Sophia stood rigid, forcing herself to look only at his face.
Lucas smiled. "So… shall we?"
Sophia nodded stiffly, wanting nothing more than to leave as quickly as possible. Lucas walked past her and seated himself on the edge of the large bathtub, leaning back and closing his eyes.
"You can start," he said casually.
Sophia's fists clenched at her sides. With visible difficulty, she picked up the body wash bottle, took a suitable amount in her hands, and began with his shoulders. Her touch was professional and efficient, but her heart was racing.
She moved downward to his chest, finding it hard to ignore how clearly defined and trained his body was. Then she reached his abs. Lucas flexed them subtly. Sophia, who could notice even the smallest detail, thought with irritation, What a show-off.
As she rubbed the soap across his abs, her heavy breasts inadvertently pressed against the back of his head due to the angle. She tried to adjust, but it was impossible to avoid completely.
Lucas kept a soft smile on his face, clearly enjoying the situation.
As she continued, Sophia felt an uncontrollable warmth spreading through her body. Goosebumps rose on her skin, and she involuntarily swallowed. Her thick thighs pressed together without her realizing it. All of this was amplified by the lingering aphrodisiac-like scent Yuna had released earlier — the natural effect of a succubus in an aroused state.
She kept working on his upper body, trying to ignore everything else.
Lucas sighed, stood up, and moved under the shower.
"Come," he said. "It will be easier here."
Sophia moved forward, tense and reluctant. She started on his arms, then his elbows. She crouched down to clean his legs, kneeling in front of him.
At least he kept the underwear on, she thought.
However, as she reached his feet, Lucas lowered his underwear. His thick, heavy shaft slapped lightly against her face.
"EKKK—!"
Sophia slid back in shock, eyes wide.
Oh my god… what the hell is this monster?
Lucas smirked, clearly satisfied with her reaction.
"What are you doing?" he asked casually. "You have to clean every part."