Chapter 69 The Rose and the Snake 9

In the study of Malfoy Manor, heavy velvet curtains blocked out the outside light, leaving only the pale flames jumping in the fireplace.

Abraxas Malfoy's figure was stretched out and cast on the obsidian wall, like a dormant ghost.

He sat behind a large desk with his left hand spread out on the table. The gauze wrapped around it had been removed, revealing the new skin underneath with pink scars.

The strange scarlet light in the house-elf CC's eyes last night was like a cold brand, deeply imprinted in his mind.

His right hand was still wrapped in a thick magic bandage, and the venomous corrosion from Voldemort's "return gift" was temporarily suppressed by the powerful potion.

But the cold pain and sluggish magical power that penetrated deep into his bones were like leeches, constantly reminding him of the twisted 'connection' between him and the Dark Lord.

What made him even more alert was the fragment of dark magic belonging to Voldemort in his body.

Like the most sophisticated parasite, it quietly builds its nest in the magical ruins created by the Heart-Eating and Bone-Gnawing.

Coldly 'repairing' the cracks, it was also slowly and irresistibly changing certain characteristics of the source of his magic power.

Every time the magic power flows, it carries with it a strange feeling of stagnation and a breath of destruction.

On the table lay the poisoned gilded apple that Voldemort had given her last night.

It was placed in a transparent magic isolation cover. The golden skin was still tempting, but the dark green snake venom flowing inside pulsated in the flesh like a living thing, emitting a sweet and deadly fishy smell.

Abraxas's grey-blue eyes examined it coldly, his fingertips unconsciously running across a piece of parchment spread out on the table.

It recorded in complex ancient magic words the information he had analyzed from the residual magical fluctuations in the apple, an extremely rare and sinister curse that could slowly erode the core of magic power.

[Ding! Daily quest reminder: 'Knit a loving sweater for your capture target' countdown: 60 hours.]

[Materials distributed: Acromantula venom gland silk (processed, 70% less toxic). Host, please use your creativity!]

[Warm Tip: The target expressed 'High Appreciation' for the host, 'Poison Apple','s acting skills. Happiness Value +5%. Killing Intent Value Fluctuation -3% (reason unknown).]

The emotionless notification tone of the system elf Hermes rang in his mind. At the same time, a colorful, wriggling ball of yarn emitting a faint stench of sulfur fell on the table with a "plop", only a few inches away from the poisoned apple.

Abraxas's gaze swept across the disgusting ball of "wool" and then fell back on the poisoned apple, with a cold arc at the corner of his mouth.

Appreciate? Voldemort probably admired his embarrassing struggle to swallow the poisoned fruit in public while enduring the severe pain.

The killing intent value dropped? Perhaps he found it more fun to torture him than to kill him directly.

He picked up a slender mithril probe, carefully pierced the golden skin of the apple through the isolation cover, and dipped it into a tiny bit of dark green venom.

The venom at the tip of the probe gleamed with an eerie luster under the magic lamp.

Just as he was about to further analyze the magical erosion characteristics, a cold, powerful mental wave with an unquestionable command, like an invisible chain, suddenly penetrated the space and directly crashed into his consciousness!

【Abu.】

Voldemort's deep, ice-hardened voice rang directly in the depths of his mind, carrying with it the arrogance of a controller and a hint of... imperceptible scrutiny?

[Evening. Ministry of Magic Garden Party. Come see me with your 'return gift'.]

The order was brief and unconditional.

Immediately, the mental link was severed, leaving only a cold aftertaste and a clear image of the Ministry of Magic garden party scene.

Abraxas' fingers gripping the probe paused slightly.

A banquet? With a return gift? What was Voldemort planning?

Public humiliation? Or... a new temptation?

A cold light flashed in the depths of his gray-blue eyes.

The uneasiness brought by the scarlet in CC's eyes last night, the restlessness caused by the alien magic in his body, and Voldemort's sudden "invitation" all point to an increasingly dangerous vortex.

The Ministry of Magic Garden in the evening was carefully arranged into a hypocritical social feast.

The magic ball of light hanging in the air emits a soft glow, and the melodious string music conceals the politicians' hypocritical greetings and calculations.

The air was filled with the aroma of expensive perfume, flowers and food, but it could not dispel the invisible smell of money that was part of the power transaction.

The appearance of Abraxas Malfoy instantly attracted countless eyes.

He was wearing a perfectly tailored silver-gray dress robe, and his long platinum hair was neatly tied back, revealing his stern profile and the teardrop mole at the corner of his left eye.

His pale face and the heavy bandages wrapped around his right hand did not weaken his aura, but instead added a touch of fragile and dangerous charm, like a wounded beast.

In his hand was a silver tray covered with black velvet, and in the center of the tray was the apple, shining with an alluring golden glow under the magic light.

Voldemort (in the persona of Tom Riddle) had already arrived, surrounded by a group of Ministry of Magic officials and pure-blood family heads who were eager to curry favor with him.

He was wearing an exquisite dark purple robe, with an elegant posture, talking and laughing, and a perfect gentle smile on his handsome face.

His deep eyes were like an inclusive ocean, and there was no trace of the dark lord with scarlet pupils in Knockturn Alley.

Only when he glanced at the entrance seemingly casually and saw Abraxas approaching with a silver tray, did the cold interest in his eyes, like a venomous snake locking onto its prey, flash through his eyes and reveal a little bit.

"Ah, our distinguished Master Malfoy has finally arrived!" A bald Director of the Ministry of Magic greeted him warmly, his eyes curiously scanning the silver tray in his hand. "What is this...?"

Everyone's eyes were focused on the golden apple.

It is so perfect, as perfect as a work of art, exuding an alluring luster and a faint sweet fragrance.

Abraxas walked calmly through the crowd and directly to Voldemort.

His gray-blue eyes were calm as he met the other person's eyes that seemed gentle but were actually bottomless.

"Your Excellency Voldemort," his voice was clear and steady, echoing through the slightly quieter garden, "Thank you for your... 'care' last night. This is just a small return gift, not a token of respect."

He held the silver tray slightly forward.

The golden apples shone brightly in the light.

The corners of Voldemort's lips curled up into a perfect arc, and the interest in his eyes became more intense.

He stretched out his hand, and his slender fingers gently brushed the smooth, cold skin of the apple, his movements as gentle as caressing his lover's cheek.

"Malfoy, you are always so... thoughtful." His voice was low and pleasant, with a strange magnetism. "I like this return gift very much."

He picked up the golden apple and weighed it in his hand. His eyes swept over the guests around him who were craning their necks, full of curiosity and flattery, and finally fixed on Abraxas' face.

"It would be a pity to keep such a precious gift alone. Malfoy, how about... we share it?"

He handed the apple to Abraxas, his face still wearing that gentle and harmless smile, but the scarlet in his eyes was like an invitation from the abyss, "Let you all also witness... the 'friendship' between us?"

The air froze instantly!

Everyone heard the malicious meaning behind this "sharing"! This apple... is problematic! Voldemort was forcing Abraxas to eat this obviously problematic "return gift" in public!

Clarisse was also in the crowd. She was unusually quiet today and her face was pale. The shadow of being harassed by Dobby and injured by CC last night had not yet dissipated. When she saw the golden apple, her eyes were filled with fear.

She opened her mouth, as if to scream to stop it, but Voldemort's seemingly casual glance froze her in place, her whole body cold.

Countless gazes, some sympathetic, some gloating, and some simply watching the show, pierced Abraxas like needles.

Minister Millicent Barnold stood on the outskirts of the crowd, a gleam in his cloudy old eyes, and quietly took out the magic quill for recording.