Alia’s heart pounded in her chest like a war drum. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, then at the pair of tender eyes gazing at her from behind. For a fleeting moment, she felt a pang of hesitation: perhaps she could set aside her dangerous doubts, leave behind the bitter memories of her past life, and choose to stay here in the castle, living a peaceful and happy life with Marcellus.After all, Marcellus’s gentleness and care didn’t seem like a façade. She could feel the sincerity of his affection, a warmth so genuine it was like a campfire in the dead of night, coaxing her weary soul to long for solace and dependability.Yet, that hesitation lasted only a heartbeat before Alia snapped herself back to reality. Taking a deep breath, she buried the momentary softness within.“Don’t be foolish, Alia,” she silently chided herself.No matter how deeply this man seemed to care for her, his love was for “Livia,” not “Alia.” She was merely a soul occupying Livia’s body, always an im
After a moment of waiting, Alia finally managed to regain a semblance of calm from the day’s chaos. Her thoughts, like a small boat caught in a rushing current, had finally found the shore, leaving her utterly drained.Initially, she had been brimming with determination, planning meticulously how to set up training equipment and prepare for any unexpected emergencies. However, Elias’s sudden appearance had stirred her emotions, momentarily making her forget her precarious situation. Then, as if rising from the depths, vague but persistent doubts returned—who had wronged her? Who had dragged her into this inescapable enigma?When Marcellus unexpectedly appeared at the training grounds, her nerves spiked. She feared he might discover Elias’s presence and even began to question whether she had inadvertently revealed something herself. Later, in the study, Marcellus’s intimate gestures left her conflicted. His tender gaze, the warmth of his light kisses, and the deep affection in his whis
Alia took a deep breath, pushing aside irrelevant thoughts. The most important matter now was preparing for the ball. She looked up at Elise and asked, “Before Marcellus left, did he leave any instructions for you?”Elise nodded, handing over a list. With a gentle tone, she said, “Master specifically asked me to give you this guest list so you could familiarize yourself with it in advance. These are the important attendees of the ball, and he hopes it will help you navigate the event with ease.”Taking the list, Alia’s gaze swept across the names. Her hand froze for a moment when she saw a familiar name—her “father.”Since rebirth, she hadn’t sought out this “father,” and he hadn’t visited her either. Their relationship, evidently, was distant at best. What shocked her even more was the name of a woman listed beside his, marked as “wife.”This wasn’t Livia’s mother but another woman altogether.Alia’s brows furrowed slightly as she recalled what Elise had mentioned before: after Livia
Alia’s heart raced wildly, and the sound of footsteps grew louder. Cold sweat trickled down her forehead without her realizing it. She quickly reacted, sneaking around to hide behind the curtains, trying her best to blend into the darkness. Her ears strained to catch every movement of the approaching steps.Through a gap in the curtains, she glimpsed a soldier in the corridor. The soldier, holding a rifle, walked with steady and deliberate steps, clearly patrolling the house. Alia knew that if she was discovered, the consequences would be dire.What should I do? she cursed inwardly, her situation worsening by the second. She gently moved a few steps to the side, trying to avoid the soldier’s line of sight, but she knew she had no way out now.Just as she was on the verge of despair, suddenly, powerful hands grabbed her waist. There was no warning—Alia didn’t even have time to react. She was yanked up into the air before she could make a sound. The force was swift and light, as though
“Alia, Alia.” A cheerful and slightly excited voice abruptly pulled Alia from her tangled thoughts. She looked up sharply and saw her younger sister, Lianna, standing at the doorway. Dressed in a pale yellow knee-length dress with a matching silk ribbon around her waist, Lianna exuded a lively charm, like a bright little bird brimming with vitality. A faint smile played on her lips, and her sparkling eyes carried a hint of mischief, as if she could always find joy wherever she went.“I just heard Marcellus say there’s going to be another ball!” Lianna said as she approached, skipping lightly around to Alia’s side. She tugged gently at Alia’s sleeve, her tone brimming with excitement. “How wonderful! Let me help you with it.”Alia froze for a moment, her emotions stirring into a quiet turmoil. Lianna, as always, appeared pure and carefree, seemingly untouched by the worries of the world. In contrast, Alia felt weighed down by invisible burdens pressing heavily on her shoulders.“You se
Lianna, Elise, and Alia gathered around a large table in the study, diving into an enthusiastic discussion about the upcoming ball. The table was covered with an assortment of lists, seating charts, decor sketches, and invitation templates, all freshly delivered by Marcellus’s staff.Lianna spoke with boundless energy. “Livia, the theme for the ball has to be grand and elegant! How about a medieval courtly style? Lots of gold and jewel-toned blues would perfectly match the castle’s vibe!” She gestured animatedly as if already envisioning the scene on the night of the ball.Elise, on the other hand, took a more meticulous approach. She flipped through a handbook on banquet design, selecting a few decorative patterns to show Alia. “These are the most popular motifs in the city. Especially this chandelier design—if paired with the arched windows in the main hall, it would be stunning.”As Alia listened to their suggestions, she jotted down notes and considered everything carefully. Thoug
The next few days were a whirlwind of activity for Alia. She, Elise, and Lianna were inseparable, spending every waking moment planning and fine-tuning the ball’s details. Lianna brimmed with enthusiasm, often suggesting fanciful, romantic ideas, while Elise exhibited her impressive organizational skills, ensuring every detail was executed flawlessly. Alia gradually found her own rhythm amidst the flurry of tasks, and whenever her ideas were adopted or her suggestions praised, the approving smiles from her companions gave her a peculiar sense of satisfaction.Yet, what truly stirred passion in her heart was the time she spent alone, honing her “skills.” In the training room she had repurposed, Alia seized every free moment to reacquaint herself with her thief techniques. Her body was far more agile and responsive than she had anticipated, as if it had been crafted for such movements. She could now effortlessly perform complex maneuvers that had once required relentless practice.Alia
“This ball is splendid. Elise mentioned it to me—despite your memory loss, you’ve managed to organize everything so flawlessly. Thank you.” A low, resonant voice sounded from behind Alia, accompanied by warm breath against her ear and arms encircling her waist. Startled for a brief moment, Alia quickly recognized Marcellus by his voice and the familiarity of his touch.Over the past few days, despite her conscious effort to maintain a certain distance, Alia couldn’t deny that their relationship had grown increasingly intimate. She no longer felt the initial resistance to Marcellus’s touch; instead, a strange sense of familiarity crept into her heart. Perhaps it was fatigue, or perhaps a softening deep within her, but she unconsciously leaned her head against his chest, her lips curving into a faint smile.“I’d rather attend a track than this ball,” she murmured teasingly. “Right now, all I want to do is run and jump, shake off these cumbersome decorations and rules.”Her playful words
Alia’s heart trembled as she lowered her gaze to the frail young girl before her. A trace of pity flashed through her eyes. Gently patting Mina’s head, she spoke softly, “I’m sorry for bringing up something painful.”“It’s okay.” Mina looked up, forcing a small smile. “I just wanted to tell you—my grandpa really did see it clearly.” Her voice grew quieter toward the end.Alia nodded slightly, though her thoughts were turbulent. The clue was vague, and the person who knew more was no longer alive, yet something felt as though it was beginning to surface. A cemetery, golden light, a female general… The elements pieced together seemed to hint at a deeply buried secret.She pondered for a moment, then crouched down to look Mina in the eye. “If you remember any other details your grandfather mentioned, let me know anytime, okay?”Mina nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with seriousness and hope.Meanwhile, Alia’s mind was quickly assembling the fragments of information into a larger pictur
As the golden hues of sunset bathed the castle in a warm, amber glow, Alia stood by the window, gazing into the distance. Once she confirmed that Marcellus would not return today, she let out a deep breath and turned away, ready to set her plans into motion.She addressed Elise and the other servants casually, her tone composed. “I’m feeling a bit tired today. I’ll sleep early.” Maintaining the poise of a noble lady, she masked her true intentions with ease. Once the door to her bedroom was securely shut, she shed her elegant gown and replaced it with a simple set of men’s clothing.These garments, hastily acquired during her previous escapade, bore no distinguishing marks of her identity. Yet, to her surprise, they fit comfortably. Adjusting the collar in front of the mirror to ensure her disguise was flawless, she retrieved the short blade Elias had given her from beneath the bed, tucking it into her boot.She quietly pushed the window ajar, her keen eyes tracking the movements of t
Several quiet days passed, and life in the castle remained as tranquil as ever. However, Alia’s mind was already brewing her next course of action. During these days, Marcellus was often busy, and their encounters were few and fleeting. Each time she saw him, it was only briefly before he hurried off again. From an offhand remark by Elise, she learned that Marcellus was spending most of his time at Edgar’s estate, discussing the city expansion plans with several key figures.This piece of information stirred Alia’s thoughts into motion. Her father’s estate was not only a repository of secrets but also a crucial target for gathering information. Rather than recklessly sneaking in, it would be wiser to approach in a seemingly harmless way. An idea struck her: she could personally prepare a delicious meal and deliver it to her father’s estate. On the surface, it would appear as a thoughtful gesture for Marcellus, but it would also provide her an opportunity to gather information.Yet as
After washing up, Alia lay down in her soft bed, wearing loose sleepwear. Although her body was weary, her thoughts churned like restless waves, refusing to calm. Closing her eyes, she recalled the day’s events, a faint smile curling her lips. Spending time with Lianna, eating and shopping, had provided a rare moment of relaxation, allowing her to briefly cast off the heavy burden on her shoulders and feel like an ordinary person again. Meeting her past life’s companions stirred a sense of nostalgia, even if they no longer recognized her. Moreover, discovering Eryx’s house and uncovering a long-hidden secret had made the day undeniably fruitful.Yet, as she reflected on concealing her identity from those companions, a vague unease took hold. She opened her eyes abruptly, staring at the ceiling as a deliberately ignored question surfaced in her mind: in this timeline, where was the “Alia” who belonged to this reality?A wave of icy terror crashed over her, paralyzing her limbs. Cold sw
Thinking of her master, Alia’s expression turned slightly serious. She glanced at her watch. It was still early, and the sky hadn’t completely darkened. Resolving to use this opportunity, she decided to investigate Eryx’s house. Perhaps it would yield some clues about him.Before leaving, she set the next meeting place with the gang of street thugs, her tone calm yet unyielding. “I’ll come back from time to time to see if you have new information. Right here. The more you have, the better the rewards. But don’t waste my time.” They quickly nodded in agreement.Turning to Red, Alia asked, “Do you know where The General of the Second Army Group Eryx lives?”Red hesitated briefly but wisely refrained from asking why Alia wanted to know. Instead, he directly pointed her in the right direction.“The place isn’t heavily guarded,” Red cautioned, “but there are patrolling soldiers nearby. If you’re just observing from outside, it shouldn’t be a problem.”Alia glanced at Red, choosing not to e
Alia moved forward until she reached a rundown area on the outskirts of the city. The buildings here were dilapidated, with crumbling brick walls and pothole-ridden streets littered with debris. Despite the dismal scene, Alia felt an odd sense of familiarity. This was where she had often spent time in her previous life—before she followed her master, she had roamed these streets with a group of young misfits, sharing a rebellious chapter of her life.Her gaze landed on a corner where several young men and women lounged on a battered bench, chatting lazily. Their tattered clothes and carefree expressions carried a touch of defiance, but there was a spark of liveliness in their eyes. Alia recognized them—they were her old companions, her former partners-in-crime. Yet, it was evident they no longer knew her as she was now.Alia initially planned to greet them directly, but she halted mid-step. “They don’t know the person I am now, and I am no longer who I was then.” She sighed quietly, a
Autumn deepened as sycamore trees lining the streets turned shades of gold and crimson. Fallen leaves scattered on the ground danced softly with the breeze. Though the sun shone brightly, the crisp air carried hints of the approaching chill. Central Plaza was bustling, its elegant fountain surrounded by lively cafes. People strolled or hurried along, wrapped in seasonal clothing, while the rose statue in the plaza’s center glimmered under the sunlight, adding a romantic warmth to the cool day.Alia walked gracefully, her burgundy heels clicking lightly against the pavement. Her emerald-green long-sleeved dress, tailored to accentuate her slender waist, swayed gently as she moved. Over it, she wore a beige trench coat, slightly open at the collar to reveal a delicate necklace, lending her an air of understated elegance. A light breeze swept by, prompting her to pull the coat closer as she quickened her pace toward the meeting spot.On the other side of the plaza, Lianna arrived in a pa
Though Marcellus was absent from the castle, Alia wasted no time. She understood that this world was filled with unknown challenges. Whether it was facing potential enemies or protecting herself, she needed to remain vigilant. She channeled her focus into rigorous training, aiming to unleash the potential and flexibility of this new body.In the early morning mist, Alia donned a lightweight training outfit and stood in the upgraded practice room she’d refurbished days prior. The room was spacious and bright, with a specially designed floor that absorbed shocks and facilitated agile movement. It had become her most frequented space of late.At first, her movements had been stiff; after all, this body was different from her original one. But through relentless practice, she gradually adapted to its unique traits. While it lacked raw strength, it boasted exceptional agility, with natural advantages in flexibility and speed.“One more time,” she murmured, taking a deep breath as she assum
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains, spilling into the room. Alia woke from a night of heightened vigilance, her mind still occupied by the events of the previous night. She slowly sat up in bed, massaging her temples as she took a deep breath. The discovery she had made only heightened her sense of danger—whoever the man connected to her mentor was, he had come with a purpose. She was almost certain that purpose was the Holy Grail.“If he dared to come once, he might come again. I can’t let this happen again,” Alia muttered, her gaze steeling with resolve.She quickly washed up, got dressed, and, under the pretense of having nightmares, summoned the estate’s head of security. For a young noblewoman to request additional security wasn’t unusual, but the level of detail in her instructions was surprisingly professional.In the grand hall, Alia pointed to a map of the estate as she outlined her directives:“These areas, especially the balcony on the north side of th