Chapter 155 I Miss You

Chapter 155 I Miss You
Lia froze.
Lukas was a heavy smoker, but he never lit up whenever she was around. He would either stub out his cigarette the moment she approached or order those nearby to do the same.
But today...
She couldn’t fathom why he flicked that half-smoked cigarette into the ashtray.
Then he grabbed Lia's hand and pinned her down on the sofa.
Their lips met.
The smoke he’d been holding in his mouth escaped between their pressed lips, some of it entering hers.
Lia choked and coughed as if the smoke had hit her throat. After a few coughs, her eyes welled up.
Her voice was low and pleading. "What are you doing?"
She turned her head away from his kiss, afraid he would come closer again. She covered her mouth with her hand.
Peering through one half-closed eye, she felt that Lukas' face seemed even more darkened than before.
His gaze appeared calm.
"Didn't you ask if I missed you?"
He suddenly asked, not waiting for her reply before adding, "I miss you."
Lia couldn't hold back, coughing more. This time, the tears she'd been holding back spilled out of her eyes.
"Why do you have to give me the smoke? I really can't stand it.”
"Is that so?"
Lukas murmured, then lifted her into his arms the next second.
"Whether you like it or not, you have to handle it today."
Lia's body stiffened slightly.
She felt that Lukas was dangerous, and she wanted to run away.
Erik stood guard outside the study door. When he saw Lukas emerge carrying his wife, he immediately bowed his head, thus missing the darkening expression on Lukas' face.
"Is everything ready?"
"Yes, Mr. Müller. You can go straight in. The water temperature is set to the most comfortable level.”
Still holding Lia, Lukas didn't head upstairs. Instead, he strode toward the villa's exit.
Erik followed at a respectful distance, his face flushing.
Lukas cherished his wife so deeply that he couldn't bear to put her down. His devotion was extraordinary.
Upon arriving home, he even hadn't rested. His priority was his wife.
"Lukas, where are you taking me?"
Lia sensed that something was amiss.
Stilles Haus was vast. She hadn't explored every corner yet, and she knew that many areas were off-limits, especially the eastern section.
Lukas remained expressionless, gazing down at her. "Just follow me."
He wouldn't sell her off, would he?
Lia nestled carefree against his chest, her legs still swinging happily. She was utterly unaware of the severe punishment awaiting her.
After walking for about ten minutes, Lukas insisted on not taking a carriage.
They finally stopped in front of a two-story building.
Lia watched servants bustling in and out. Upon seeing Lukas, they all stood in an orderly row.
"Everyone, leave."
Lukas instructed Erik, "Stay outside and guard the entrance."
"Yes, sir."
He carried Lia inside.
The woman in his arms looked around curiously, unsure of where they were.
A faint, pleasant perfume lingered in the air—subtle yet invigorating—gradually easing her tension. She nestled against him like a lazy cat.
“Lukas, what kind of place is this?”
Beyond the screen, the interior featured Gothic-style carved arches and intricate lace curtains draped from the eaves.
Lia's fingers slipped through the curtains, and the sensation made her let out a soft sigh.
"This place is so beautiful. Who lives here?”
“Never been here before?”
"Yeah. No one ever told me about a place like this.”
Lukas' gaze deepened, and his voice lowered to a husky whisper. "You like it? We can come here often.”
"Yes! The scent here is wonderful. When we get back, let's have Erik make some perfume like this. I'll wear it every day."
"All right."
Further inside, a pool lay ahead.
Calling it a pool felt inaccurate, especially indoors. Certainly not a swimming pool.
Milky white liquid filled it and was dotted with red and white roses and numerous other precious flower varieties plucked from the garden. Each petal was separated and floated on the surface.
Mist swirled around the space, creating an ethereal, hazy atmosphere.
An idea flashed through Lia's mind. Hesitantly, she asked, "Is this where you bathe?"
She surveyed the space again. When she first entered, there was only an area resembling a living room, but it didn't feel like a place for entertaining guests; it was more suited for relaxation. There were also several rooms upstairs and now this spacious bathing area.
Could it be...
"Beneath this lies a natural volcanic vent. After its discovery years ago, this bathing area was built."
She'd never imagined such a marvel existed beneath her home.
"So Stilles Haus is built on a vast crater?"
The house was already far from the city and not near mountains, but quite close to the sea.
"No, just this one."
Lukas set Lia down.
"I just got back and I'm a little tired. Keep me company for a while.”
"Sure thing."
Lia had been dying to get in. She had only seen milky-white bathwater on TV.
Halfway undressed, she suddenly froze.
"Lukas, is there a swimsuit prepared for me here?"
Lukas' gaze remained calm. "You're with me. Why would you need a swimsuit?"
"But why wouldn't I...?"
Having sex with him while completely naked felt terrifying.
Lia began to fidget, determined to cover herself somehow. Her eyes darted around furtively, like a thief's.
Not watching where she was stepping, she suddenly slipped and plunged headfirst into the pool.
Before she could surface, there was a splash.
Lukas pulled her up.
He had already shed his suit jacket and undone several buttons of his shirt. The last button popped open with a sharp snap during his vigorous movements.
Lia wiped the water from her face and coughed. Her cheeks flushed—whether from the steam or sheer embarrassment, she couldn’t tell.
"Do we have to start this intensely? I... I can't quite handle it."
As she spoke, her body leaned into his embrace, her hands gripping his waist beneath the water.
Before she could enjoy the moment, a sudden pressure descended from above.
A faint white mist shrouded the man's face. He moved his lips and uttered words that filled her with dread.
"How was the scene filmed?"
"Huh?"
"How did you seduce the King?"
A sudden chill of impending doom washed over her.
Lia's toes curled beneath the water.
"Lukas, please, let me explain! It was for the role! It was just my character, not me personally..."
Panic left her with no other option.
Seizing a moment when he wasn't looking, she flung water directly at his face, hoping to turn and flee while his eyes were closed.
But no matter how she swam, she couldn't reach the pool's edge.
Turning back, she saw her ankle caught in Lukas' grip.
He showed no panic, raising an eyebrow calmly, his temper held in check. A single glance from him was enough to jolt her awake with terror.
The next second, Lukas flexed his wrist, yanking her back.
Her back slammed hard into him. Lia felt dizzy as her head spun and her eyes widened.
Before she could process it, her clothes—along with Lukas'—were stripped off in a few swift motions.