Freya struggled to get up, but was held down by Bradley's hands on her shoulders. "Freya, don't reject me."

"I don't play well. I don't want to play the piano anymore."

He solemnly looked at her. "It sounds nice. I like to listen to your playing."

"My music has lost its soul. It's too hollow. It will only bring your mood down, and you'll feel very depressed listening to my music."

"I like experiencing your emotions. I am willing to accept all of them, whether they are happy, angry or sad." He then grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest over his heart. "A married couple is one. You should share with me all the burdens and troubles you carry. I will bear them for you."

Freya's eyes teared up.

"Freya, I was not part of your past, but I will never be absent from your future. The piano was the first skill your mother taught you. I think she would be happy if she were still alive to see you continue playing."

He had been standing quietly behind her for a long time.

He could tell that she truly loved playing the piano.

She closed her eyes with an intoxicated look on her face that he had never seen before.

He remained silent behind her until the entire piece was finished before he approached her.

Freya's heart skipped a beat because of his words.

She looked up, gazing deep into his eyes and softly said, "Honey, thank you."

"Silly girl. Thanks are not needed between us. If you really want to thank me, play a piece with me."

"Okay."

Freya nodded.

Bradley's lips curved up slightly as he held her hands and placed them on the keys.

This time, they played a cheerful tune together.

Freya rested her head on his chest as her fingers following his movements.

The music was lively, gradually dispersing the heaviness in her heart.

After the music ended, Freya suddenly turned around and threw herself into his embrace.

"Feeling better now?" He tilted her chin up so that he could look into her eyes.

Freya smiles. "Much better. Thank you, honey."

"You can't just say thanks. You need to show it with your actions."

Freya blushed at that.

He looked down at her with a smile.

He waited for a long while, but he did not get the response he wanted.

He was too impatient to wait any longer and was about to act.

To his surprise, a pair of soft and tender hands were placed on his cheeks. Then, he felt the warm and delicate touch of her lips.

He looked at her pretty face, which appeared several times larger from how close she was to him, and firmly held the back of her head, deepening the kiss.

The temperature continued to rise.

They only separated when they were almost out of breath.

Bradley's forehead touched hers as he softly said, "It's late. Let's go to sleep."

Freya had not yet recovered from the kiss, so when she heard the word "sleep", her scalp tingled.

The "sleep" he mentioned required a lot of moving around.

She was feeling a bit tired and could not handle a night of tossing and turning

Thus, she deliberately pursed her lips and said, "I'm hungry."

Bradley was about to carry her upstairs when he heard her say that. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I'm hungry too."

With that, he lowered his face and took a few deep sniffs in her hair and neck.

Freya immediately realized that his "hunger" was not literal. Rather, his mind had gone into the gutter.

She was infuriated and pounded his chest. "You are despicable."

Bradley let out a low chuckle. "Feed me."

"Bradley, you scoundrel."

...

The next day.

Ella brought Freya information on Shadow One.

"She is the third-ranked expert on the Dark Web known as The Shadows, but she never takes on external jobs."

Ella handed the information to Freya.

Freya glanced at it and narrowed her eyes. "The ranking on the Dark Web is based on job value, so how did The Shadows climb the ranks if she doesn't take on any jobs?"

"That is the greatest mystery about her. I found during the investigation that she seems to only work for one person."

"Who?"

"The mastermind behind the Dark Web, the Dark Master."

Upon hearing that, the furrow on Freya's brows deepened.

The Dark Master of the Dark Web is an extremely mysterious figure.

No one has ever seen him, and he had never appeared at the internal meetings of the Dark Web.

They were like an unsolved riddle.

She had not expected Shadow to be working for the Dark Master.

"When will the Dark Web's internal meeting be held this year?"

"No date has been announced yet, but I heard it should be soon," Ella replied.

"Okay. Inform me as soon as there's an update."

Ella nodded. "Should we continue investigating Shadow One?"

"Yes, trace her movements. I want to know the identity of this Dark Master."

Since Shadow One was one of Bradley's people, Freya had to thoroughly investigate her.

Shadow was able to work for Bradley while remaining loyal to the Dark Master.

Is she friend or foe?

If she was an enemy, then she could not be allowed to stay by Bradley's side and disrupt his plans.

Ella quickly went to take care of it.

Freya stared at the document with a deep scowl on her face.

She pondered whether or not she should tell Bradley about this matter.

"Madam."

Just as she was thinking, a melodious voice sounded in her ear.

Freya immediately put away the documents and casually turned to look at the newcomer. "What's the matter?"

"Madam, Leonard is at the stables. Please head over."

"Alright." Freya nodded.

No wonder she had not seen Bradley since waking up. He was at the stables.

...

The stables.

The majestic sound of horses galloping could be heard from afar.

When Freya arrived, she saw Bradley's imposing figure on the horse's back.

He urged his horse to gallop while dressed in a custom-made riding outfit that accentuated his tall and muscular figure.

Back when she was at the Royal Garden Mansion, she had imagined how Bradley would look while riding a horse. She was certain it would be a highly mesmerizing scene.

He was born to be a king. Every move he made exuded an air of dominance.

She walked over to him.

Unexpectedly, he grabbed her wrist as he rode past her, effortlessly pulling her onto the horse.

"Ah!"

Freya exclaimed in surprise.

His strong arms wrapped around her waist to grab the reins as the horse galloped across the field.

The cool breeze brushed past her cheeks, making her hair dance in the air and gently sweeping across Bradley's face.

Her back was pressed against his chest, and she could feel his strong and powerful heartbeat clear as day while her nose was filled with the light scent of mint emanating from him.

His breath brushed across her face, causing shivers to run down her spine.

"I never imagined that you would be at horse-riding."

Freya let out a murmur in admiration.

A faint smile played on Bradley's lips as he nuzzled her neck with his chin. "There will be more surprises to come in the days ahead."

The two of them circled the field a few times.

Shadow One stood in the distance, watching them with eyes blazing with jealousy.

She silently clenched her fists and bit her lips until they bled.