THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

The moon hung low in the sky as David and Vivian quietly made their way out of the graveyard, leaving the solemn headstones behind them. The cool night air brushed against their skin, and the sound of their footsteps echoed softly on the cobblestone path leading back to the castle. David walked with a measured pace, his hand still gently holding Vivian's, but he couldn't help but notice the way she occasionally glanced back, her steps slowing as if reluctant to leave.

Sensing her hesitation, David tilted his head slightly, his eyes filled with curiosity as he looked down at her. "Is something wrong, Vivian?" he asked, his voice gentle but laced with concern.

Vivian paused, her gaze lingering on the path ahead before she looked up at David. There was a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes, but beneath it, something else—a quiet yearning. "Do we have to go back to the castle, Young Master?" she asked softly, her voice almost hesitant, as if afraid to voice her desires.

David's lips curled into a knowing smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling with warmth. He could see the question hidden behind her words, the unspoken wish that lingered between them. "What do you have in mind?" he asked, his tone playful, already guessing the direction of her thoughts.

The scene shifted with a quiet breath, and they now stood in front of a modest inn, its wooden sign creaking gently in the evening breeze. Vivian had led them there with a sense of purpose, and David had followed without question, intrigued by this unexpected detour. They stepped inside, the warmth of the inn enveloping them as they approached the reception desk.

Behind the desk stood an elderly woman with a kind face, her grey hair pulled back into a neat bun. Her eyes lit up with recognition as she spotted Vivian, and her wrinkled face broke into a wide smile, a mischievous glint sparking in her eyes as she took in the sight of the young woman standing beside such a handsome man.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" the old woman teased, her voice rich with amusement. "Vivian, my dear, it's been ages since I've seen you around these parts. And with a man, no less—a handsome one at that." She winked at Vivian, causing the young woman's cheeks to flush with a deep crimson.

Vivian stammered slightly, trying to find the words to explain, but the elderly woman waved a dismissive hand, her smile only growing wider. "No need to explain, dear," she said with a chuckle. "I see what's going on here. Nice job, kid."

David couldn't help but laugh softly at the old woman's playful tone, the warmth of the inn and the light-hearted banter easing away any tension that had lingered in the air.

"We'd like a room for the night, if you have one available," David said, his tone polite yet tinged with amusement at the situation.

The elderly woman's eyes twinkled as she looked between them. "A room, is it? Well, I have just the one for you two. And tonight, it's on the house."

Vivian's eyes widened in surprise, her immediate reaction one of protest. "Oh, no, we couldn't possibly—"

But the old woman cut her off with a firm shake of her head. "Nonsense, child. I've watched you grow up, and I've waited for the day you'd bring someone special through those doors. This is my gift to you. Just accept it, and enjoy your night."

Vivian's protests died on her lips, her heart swelling with gratitude and something deeper. She glanced up at David, who nodded in agreement, his hand giving hers a reassuring squeeze.

"Thank you," Vivian finally said, her voice soft with emotion as she smiled at the elderly woman.

The woman returned the smile, her eyes softening with affection. "You're welcome, dear. Now go on, enjoy yourselves. The night is still young, hehe." With that, she handed over a key, and Vivian and David made their way up.

As they climbed the creaking wooden stairs, the soft murmur of voices and the occasional sound of clinking glasses faded behind them, leaving only the quiet intimacy of the inn's upper floor. The corridor was narrow, the walls adorned with faded portraits of landscapes and simple scenes from a time long past. The dim lighting cast warm, golden hues over the polished wood, creating a cozy atmosphere that wrapped around them like a comforting blanket.

David's fingers intertwined with Vivian's as they walked side by side, his gaze lingering on her profile as she led the way. He couldn't shake the curiosity that had taken root in his mind. "Vivian," he began, his voice breaking the comfortable silence between them, "have you been here before?"

Vivian glanced at him, her eyes softening as memories surfaced, memories tinged with both warmth and sadness. "Yes, Young Master," she replied, her voice carrying a quiet reverence. "The elderly woman downstairs... She was like a guardian to me and my brother after our parents passed away. Before I became a maid at the castle, I used to help around the inn whenever I could. She took us in when we had nowhere else to go."

David's expression softened as he listened, the pieces of Vivian's past falling into place. He could hear the affection in her voice as she spoke of the old woman, a bond forged in the fires of hardship and love. It was no wonder the inn felt like more than just a place to stay—it was a part of her, a piece of the life she had lived before their paths had crossed.

They continued down the corridor until they reached a door marked with a simple wooden sign that read

"Vacant."

Vivian paused, her hand hovering over the doorknob as she took a deep breath. There was a sense of familiarity in the way she moved, as if this door had been opened by her countless times before. With a soft click, she pushed it open, and they stepped inside.

The room was modest, far from the grandeur of the castle, but it was welcoming and cozy in a way that felt like home. The walls were painted in warm, earthy tones, and a woven rug covered the wooden floor. A small window let in the moonlight, its soft glow casting delicate patterns on the quilted bedspread. The air was tinged with the faint scent of lavender, calming and soothing, and the crackling of a small fire in the corner added a gentle warmth to the room.

Vivian closed the door behind them, her heart racing as the reality of their solitude sank in. She barely had time to turn around before she felt David's strong arms wrap around her from behind, his chest pressing against her back in an embrace that was both tender and possessive. The heat of his breath against the nape of her neck sent a shiver down her spine, her pulse quickening in response.

"Vivian," David whispered, his voice low and filled with a hunger he could no longer contain. "I can't control my urges anymore."

His words were a confession, raw and unfiltered, and they made Vivian's knees tremble beneath her. She could feel the intensity of his desire, the way his hands tightened their hold on her, fingers tracing slow, deliberate paths along her waist. Her breath hitched, and she leaned back into him, her body responding to the fire that burned between them.

"Yong master..." she whispered, her voice trembling as much as her body. The sound of his name on her lips was like a plea, an acknowledgment of the irresistible pull between them.

His lips brushed against the curve of her neck, a feather-light kiss that made her gasp, her skin tingling with the anticipation of more. "I need you," he murmured, his voice husky with desire, each word sending waves of heat coursing through her. "I've needed you for so long, Vivian."

Vivian's eyes fluttered shut, her heart pounding in her chest as she surrendered to the overwhelming sensation of his touch. Every caress, every whispered word was like fuel to the fire inside her, igniting a passion she had kept hidden for so long. She couldn't hold back the soft moan that escaped her lips, a sound that only spurred David on as he turned her in his arms, his gaze locking onto hers with an intensity that stole her breath away.

Their faces were inches apart, the air between them charged with electricity. Vivian's eyes, heavy with desire, met his, and in that moment, there were no words—only the shared understanding of what they both wanted, what they both needed.

David leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a kiss that was both gentle and demanding, a kiss that spoke of everything they had been holding back. The night was still young, and there was no rush, no need to hold anything back any longer. The world outside could wait, for in this room, in this moment, they were each other's everything.

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A/N: I have no excuse, lol. I promise the next scene is lemons

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