Chapter 1215 - 1155: Kiya’s Leisurely Life

Abyanabad, the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber.

On the Empress Dowager’s bed lay a naked man; he was Vincent Grant, the Empress Dowager’s secret lover.

After a session of passion, the amorous look in the Empress Dowager’s eyes had not yet dissipated. She smiled and said, "Vincent Grant, you still know how to make me so happy."

"It’s Vincent Grant’s honor."

Vincent Grant held the Empress Dowager in his arms. As he looked at her sagging skin, a flash of disgust appeared in his eyes, fleeting and too quick for anyone to catch.

Vincent Grant was Kiya’s man. After the Empress Dowager got together with Vincent Grant, Kiya learned of her affair and then bought off Vincent Grant.

Such a scandal, Kiya never told anyone about it, including his own wife, Paige Desmond.

Vincent Grant was Kiya’s confidant. Kiya could trust Vincent Grant enough to tell him about his staged death, showing how much Kiya trusted Vincent Grant.

This time, Kiya’s order to Vincent Grant was to prevent the Empress Dowager from getting involved in political affairs.

However, the Empress Dowager’s desire for power was too strong. How could she let Gulit and her so-called cousin control the affairs of Abyanabad?

"Isabel, don’t get involved in state affairs. Wouldn’t it be nice to live happily together?" Vincent Grant was still making his final effort; this was Kiya’s order.

"Can’t we live happily together now?"

"I don’t want to be sneaky with you. We can go abroad, find a place where no one knows us... Isabel, I still want you to give me a child..." Vincent Grant painted a beautiful life blueprint for the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager loved but never got what she wanted all her life. She loved her husband, but he betrayed her. Not only did he disregard her feelings, but he also called her the most vicious woman in the world, completely breaking her heart.

"I’m so old now, how could I possibly give you another child..." The Empress Dowager laughed.

"As long as you’re willing, why can’t we..."

Of course, the Empress Dowager was not willing.

To this lover, the Empress Dowager had no love, only treated him like a canary in a cage, teasing him when bored.

Vincent Grant had served the Empress Dowager for many years, understanding this woman’s temperament thoroughly. He could tell what she meant with just a glance.

Tonight, he used every means but still couldn’t persuade the Empress Dowager.

"Isabel, it’s late. I should go." Vincent Grant gave up.

"Mm." The Empress Dowager didn’t try to keep him.

Vincent Grant dressed, glanced at the Empress Dowager, lowered his head, and quietly slipped out of the luxurious Imperial Palace under the cover of night.

...

Blackwood Town, Sienna Johnson and Adrian Desmond also quietly drove here.

Sienna Johnson built an eco-farm here, larger than Cloudscape Mansion in the Sileria City suburb.

Kiya and Paige Desmond lived in the eco-farm with Dylan.

The people in the manor were all Sienna Johnson’s, and outsiders were generally not allowed in, so it was very secretive.

After Sienna Johnson and Adrian Desmond arrived, they did not see Kiya and the others. Only after asking the people on the farm did they learn they had gone fishing.

Sienna Johnson said to Adrian Desmond, "Looks like they’re doing well here."

Adrian Desmond, who usually didn’t care much about business profits and losses, had recently started to get anxious because half of his Abyanabad business had been shut down, and those still running were struggling.

"Heh, Abyanabad’s people are living in dire straits, yet our Sultan still has the leisure to fish, truly worthy of being our great Sultan." Adrian Desmond sneered sarcastically.

Not only was Adrian Desmond having a hard time, but other businessmen were also struggling since the latest decree levied heavy taxes on merchants. With so many taxes, business naturally became difficult.

"Speak softly, lest others hear and expose Kiya’s identity," Sienna Johnson reminded.

"Hmph!"

"Mr. Desmond, if you become a pauper, I’ll take care of you."

Adrian Desmond turned his head to look at Sienna Johnson, chuckled twice, and said, "You’d better kill me!"

A man like Adrian Desmond couldn’t endure the humiliation and loss of face of being supported by a woman.

"Pride comes before the fall!"

...

The pond was at the west side of the farm.

Initially, it was not very fertile land. After being dug into a pond, Scott Lewis followed Sienna Johnson’s instructions and planted reeds beside it. They had grown now, tall and thin, swaying in the wind, adding quite a bit of wild charm.

Kiya turned back to consult Paige Desmond: "Paige, I’m not very good at fishing. How do I tell if a fish is on the hook by the float? Look, it’s moving now; should I pull it up?"

Can’t even tell this, yet came to fish?

Paige Desmond thought to herself and said, "You boasted earlier about treating me to fish, and it turns out you can’t even fish."

Kiya didn’t feel embarrassed at all, saying, "Aren’t you here? I know you’re a fishing expert."

"How did you know?"

In the Abyanabad Imperial Palace, there was an artificial lake where Paige Desmond would fish when bored, gradually honing her fishing skills.

"I love you more than you think. Those years, though always busy with state affairs, I’ve never stopped caring for you."

"..."

"... You like fishing, so I secretly released many fish into the lake for you." Kiya smiled and said, "Didn’t you notice how easy it was to catch fish in the lake?"

"That’s because I’m good, okay?"

"Since you’re so skilled, teach me how to fish then. The float’s moving, should I pull it up?"

Paige Desmond felt she had been outsmarted by Kiya.

Paige Desmond said, "You naturally have to wait; otherwise, if the fish isn’t on the hook yet and you pull, it’ll run away."

"I see." Kiya nodded, "You truly are an expert, but how long should I wait exactly?"

Paige Desmond counted the time in her head, took another look at the float, and said, "You can pull it up now."

Kiya lifted the fishing rod, indeed catching a small fish the size of a palm.

He showed the fish to Paige Desmond, happily saying, "I really caught one!"

Such a big man was smiling like a child at that moment, with a touch of innocence. His originally bright eyes slightly squinted, like sparkling gems reflecting gentle light.

Paige Desmond noticed a dimple on his left cheek, truly charming when he smiled.

Paige Desmond couldn’t help but also smile, as encouragement.

"Not bad. The fish in this pond are very cunning, much smarter than those in the palace lake. You caught one so quickly, you’re quite talented."

Kiya smiled without a word.

In truth, Kiya never allowed the fish in the palace to be fed, leaving them in a constant state of hunger, making it easy for Paige Desmond to catch them perfectly.

He had always loved his Princess Consort in his own way, only his Princess Consort didn’t know.