Though Arabella extended an invitation to the siblings, the prince, observing the situation, sensed that Ferdinand wasn't keen on outsiders. Ignoring his sister's eager hints, he politely declined and left.
Arabella didn't pay much mind to this minor episode.
When Ferdinand took out his newly acquired treasure, Arabella's eyes lit up for once.
It was indeed a treasure—a design blueprint for a new weapon the southernmost nation.
The southernmost nation was internationally recognized for its formidable military power, consistently maintaining top-quality equipment. Many major arms dealers aspired to do business with them.
Such confidential material was truly precious.
Arabella examined the blueprint, pointed out a few areas for improvement, and then returned it to Ferdinand.
"Mass-produce it; I'll place an order."
Ferdinand took back the blueprint, inspected Arabella's suggested modifications, and, pleased, gave her a thumbs-up. "An expert is an expert. This'll enhance the firepower. Don't worry; the final product won't disappoint."
Arabella nodded with a smile; she trusted Ferdinand's firearms without a doubt. However, what piqued her interest even more was the black market in Spanka.
The Spanka black market is somewhat renowned internationally, known for the high quality of its transactions, wide variety of goods, and guaranteed reliability and security. Although other countries have similar black market dealings, but this country's has consistently maintained a large customer base.
The black market held transactions twice a year. Arabella had arrived early, with three days to go before trading began.
Since there was no rush, Arabella settled in with her entourage, and Ferdinand invited her to join him for a massage afterward.
Arabella enjoyed massages, so she accepted the invitation happily.
Arabella stayed in Basha's most luxurious suite, which had seven or eight rooms in total. The main bedroom even featured a 360-degree circular bed, adding a unique thrill for intimate encounters.
While Raven was busy with the luggage outside, Arabella pulled Albatross over to the bed, gesturing as she remarked, "Right here, we could try some new positions."
Albatross smiled, wrapping his arms around Arabella from behind and whispered into her ear, "How about we try it out right away?" His gaze held a cold gleam as he spoke.
His words carried a hidden meaning.
He didn't want Arabella and Ferdinand to go for the massage, but it wasn't his place to speak up. The only option left was to take a gamble with this matter.
Arabella didn't turn around. She lightly patted Albatross's arm around her and said with a smile, "The bed isn't going anywhere. No rush."
This was clearly a refusal, so Albatross naturally dared not say any more.
In front of Arabella, neither he nor Raven had any weight, or rather, there was no one in the world who had the power to influence Arabella.
After a quick wash and change, Arabella took only Raven with her as she left the room.
She had arrived in a strange outfit but now switched to casual wear, a very simple style.
Ferdinand sat in the lobby waiting. He had changed into a new outfit, one that was much more imposing. His features were handsome, with narrow, sharp eyes that gleamed with charm whenever he smiled. He exuded the aura and confidence of someone in a position of power.
Ferdinand took Arabella to the massage area within Basha itself, known as the finest wellness and beauty center in Spanka.
Ferdinand didn't choose a female masseuse—not because he was self-conscious with Arabella present, but simply because he felt a female masseuse's strength was insufficient for a proper massage.
Of course, he secretly hoped Arabella wouldn't choose a male masseur, but she did—and she chose a muscular, shaven-headed young man with intense, deep blue eyes that seemed to carry an extra edge when he looked at people.
Ferdinand frowned, finding the masseur Arabella chose somewhat strange. He signaled to his men, instructing them to investigate.
The massage focused on privacy; each guest enjoyed an entire floor to themselves, complete with a large swimming pool, various saunas, bathing facilities, and other amenities.
Raven followed closely behind Arabella the entire way, not leaving her side even when she went into the bathroom to change into her massage clothes.
The male masseur, who had been keeping his head down in silence, continued to prepare the massage tools without so much as glancing to the side, seemingly unphased.
Entering the bath area, Raven stepped forward and whispered, "Master Unknown, that masseur—
Arabella stood under the showerhead, water cascading down, her body fully exposed and glistening under the light. She turned her head with a smile, looking at Raven for a brief moment as she heard his approach.
Raven felt a chill in his heart, lowered his head, and silently retreated to a corner without saying another word.
Arabella's smile didn't reach her eyes—a silent warning to remind him of his place.
Arabella came out wearing her massage attire and lay face down on the massage chair.
The masseur's skills were impressive; his techniques were precise, and the way he kneaded her shoulders and neck with just the right pressure pleased Arabella.
"Please remove your outer robe, master." After finishing with her shoulders and neck, the masseur spoke, his voice broad and slightly raspy.
Arabella nodded, flipped over, and smoothly removed her massage robe, leaving only a disposable undergarment.
Arabella's expression remained calm as she hooked a finger on the waistband and asked with a slight smile, "Should I remove the underwear too?"
The masseur didn't look up, keeping a respectful posture as he said, "If you don't have any areas unsuitable for massage, master, a full-body massage naturally requires complete undressing."
Hearing this, Arabella's fingers tightened around the waistband, and the undergarment fell to the floor.
Now, Arabella lay completely naked on the wide massage bed.
The masseur didn't raise his eyelids, as if this were a common occurrence.
He took a soft towel from the side and gently placed it over Arabella's abdomen, then reached out, starting from the top of her head, his hands moving with skill and care, slowly descending.
Arabella felt the masseur's hands—long and slender, strong yet gentle, moving in a rhythmic flow.
She praised with satisfaction, "As expected from a top club, your technique is excellent."
The masseur, bowing slightly at the top of her head, spoke in a lighter tone after receiving Arabella's praise, "Thank you for the compliment, master."
As he spoke, his oil-covered hands slowly slid down, pressing along her collarbone, then gently cupped her breasts with his warm hands.
Arabella's breasts were firm and full, with soft, rounded pink nipples.
Although Arabella's appearance was ordinary, she was naturally fair-skinned, with soft and delicate skin, which could be considered her inherent beauty in that regard.
The man's hands were broad, and the pads of his index and pinky fingers were somewhat rough, which made the sensation unusually sensitive when he kneaded her nipples.
His hands moved in a clockwise rotation, pushing from the bottom to the top of her breast, then spreading from the nipple across the entire breast.
Then his hands slid down along her ribs to her lower abdomen.
To facilitate the massage, the masseur straddled her waist and abdomen.
In the corner, Raven stood like a towering tree, his brows and eyes briefly lifting with a subtle flicker, before his face returned to its usual calm, as emotionless as water.
With both hands covered in oil, he rubbed in circles over her abdomen before using a heated massager to gently press on her abdominal acupoints. The device's sound was soft, with a low amplitude but a strong rhythmic beat.
Arabella stretched her arms comfortably, half-closing her eyes in contentment.
The room was silent, with only the steady, rhythmic sound of the machine filling the air.
After about four or five minutes, the masseur turned off the machine, poured more oil onto his hands, then slid down to straddle the space between Arabella's legs.
His hands gently caressed the inside of her thighs, moving slowly at first, then gradually massaging toward the innermost part of her thighs.
When his fingers touched the outer edges of her intimate area, the masseur, who had kept his head down, slightly raised his eyes to look at Arabella.
Arabella, with her eyes half-closed and a face full of enjoyment, seemed unconcerned about where the masseur's hands were.
His eyes then lowered, hiding the chilling coldness within them.
