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
Just as Alia’s thoughts began to spiral, a figure at the entrance caught her attention, interrupting her musings. It was her younger brother, Adrian. He had donned a tailored blue suit, enhancing his tall and handsome appearance. Every movement exuded the grace of nobility, yet he carried himself with an understated elegance, never ostentatious. His gaze, however, occasionally drifted, as if searching for someone.Alia observed him closely and felt a subtle shift in her thoughts—he was indeed looking for Elise.This didn’t surprise her. In her earlier conversations with Elise, Alia had taken the opportunity to ask about each family member’s past and personality. Elise had spoken confidently about everyone else, but when Adrian was mentioned, she uncharacteristically blushed and stammered, offering only a brief “The young master is very kind” before quickly changing the subject.As a seasoned thief with a keen sense for human interactions, Alia immediately sensed something unusual. Cou
“Don’t listen to him! How could that be true? I loved you so much!” Marcellus’s voice trembled as if someone had struck the deepest wound in his heart. His body lurched forward before collapsing weakly to the ground. Pain and regret filled his eyes. “There was… a reason for it all.”Alia watched his disheveled state, her emotions in turmoil. She didn’t know what to believe. The man before her had once brought her boundless sweetness but also endless pain. Her mind swirled with questions, yet she didn’t know where to begin.“A reason?” Elias sneered, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes. “Your so-called reason is treating her with cold indifference, trampling on her feelings, and even using the cruelest words to humiliate her?”“Enough, Elias!” Marcellus clenched his teeth, his hands tightening into fists as though struggling to control himself. “It wasn’t like that…”“Wasn’t it?” Elias refused to back down, his voice sharp with anger. “Then let me tell her what really happened.”El
Marcellus stood at the door, his gaze icy and his tone laced with deliberate mockery. “Elias, I’ve always known about this little hideout of yours, but I never pursued it. As your elder brother, I respected your privacy and let you keep your secrets. But today, it seems I was wrong.”He stepped forward slowly, his piercing eyes sweeping over Elias before his voice shifted, sharp with sarcasm. “I didn’t expect you to use this place for secret rendezvous. And with someone like this,” he said, his gaze falling on Livia. A cold smirk tugged at his lips. “A young man, no less. It seems, as your brother, this is the first time I’ve learned about your… preferences.”Elias’s face darkened instantly. He fought back his unease and was about to explain, but Marcellus raised a hand, silencing him.“Don’t rush to speak.” Marcellus’s gaze locked onto Livia, his smile chilling as it faded. “Let me get a better look at this… ‘young man.’”His eyes traveled over Livia with deliberate slowness, his voi
One late afternoon, Alia disguised herself once again and discreetly left home, boarding a car heading toward Elias’s secret hideout. Earlier that morning, she had called Elias, informing him of an urgent matter. Elias provided her with this address. Before departing, she summoned Elise and whispered instructions, “If anything happens, call me immediately. If anyone asks, just say I went shopping.” Though puzzled, Elise nodded her agreement.When Alia arrived at the hideout, she cautiously scanned her surroundings to ensure she wasn’t being followed before pushing open the door. Elias was already waiting for her, his eyes filled with a hint of urgency, as if he sensed the significance of the news she bore.“What happened?” he asked first, his voice low and steady.Alia took a deep breath, calming her nerves before speaking. “I found the diary you mentioned, but there’s new danger involved.” She recounted the entire sequence of events, starting from Adrian sensing the calling, to Red l
“The Holy Grail?!” The thought flashed through Alia’s mind in an instant, but her hands didn’t pause. She kept digging, her heart racing with uncontrollable excitement and curiosity.As the soil was gradually cleared away, a piece of metal came into view. Her breath hitched as she carefully pulled it out. To her disappointment, it wasn’t the legendary Holy Grail but a rusty, ordinary-looking iron plate.“Is this the source of the light?” she murmured, frowning but still remaining cautious.However, there seemed to be something hidden beneath the plate. Alia gently flipped it over, and her surroundings were suddenly illuminated by a dazzling glow. The light wasn’t like any ordinary flame; it radiated a sacred warmth, piercingly bright even in daylight.As Alia reached out to touch it, something strange happened—the light vanished instantly, as if absorbed by her touch.“What’s going on?” she wondered, her thoughts swirling. “Why did it react to me?”With no time to waste, she continued
After listening to Red’s explanation, Alia gave a faint smile, a trace of sentiment rising in her heart.“No matter whether Elias belongs to the Marcellus family or not, his leadership is truly admirable. Perhaps he was born to be a leader,” she said, her gaze complex yet quickly masking her inner emotions. Her tone became calm again as she continued,“Indeed, he’s my friend.”Red nodded, his eyes showing a touch of curiosity as he looked at her. Alia seized the opportunity to add,“And I do have a new task for you all.”Red straightened up immediately, excitement flashing across his face.“Join the city expansion construction team and dig at the locations I’ve marked.”Red frowned, clearly puzzled by the task. Scratching his head, he asked,“The expansion team has high entry standards, doesn’t it? How could street folks like us possibly join, let alone dig wherever we want once we’re in?”Alia was prepared. She pulled out a letter from her coat and handed it to Red. The fine paper bo
Days passed, and Marcellus remained busy, never returning home. This gave Alia more time to solidify her resolve.During these days, she carefully reviewed all the clues in her mind, organizing her goals and plans. If answers wouldn’t come to her, she would have to uncover them herself.On a new morning, Alia sat in her bedroom with a map spread out before her. It marked the location Adrian had mentioned. Her fingers traced the marks on the map, a determined flame igniting in her eyes.“No more delays. It’s time to act.”Standing before the mirror, Alia deftly disguised herself. Taking advantage of the servants’ busy routines, she slipped out of the manor unnoticed. Familiar with every path in the estate, she climbed over the back wall, evaded the patrolling guards, and made her escape.Following the map’s directions, Alia eventually reached the place Adrian had mentioned. As she stood there, an inexplicable sensation stirred in her chest.She froze, instinctively placing a hand over
The morning sunlight poured over the windowsill, the air still carrying the faint warmth of last night’s intimacy. Alia leaned against the bedroom doorframe, watching Marcellus adjust his coat, preparing to leave. His handsome face remained as striking as ever, his eyes filled with the same deep affection, as if their closeness the night before had brought them even nearer.“Will you be busy today?” Alia asked casually, her tone indifferent as though it was a routine inquiry. Yet only she knew the storm of emotions concealed within those words.“Yes, there’s still work to be done on the city expansion, and I need to keep collaborating with Edgar,” Marcellus replied, stepping closer. He bent down to press a gentle kiss on her forehead, his gaze profound yet tinged with a faint tenderness. “Rest well and don’t overthink. I’ll try to come back more often.”Alia said nothing as she watched him turn and leave. She didn’t call him back or say anything else. She stood there until his footste
The lights in the neighboring houses dimmed one by one. After a hearty dinner, Alia and her companions rose to leave. Elias watched them from the doorway, his eyes filled with reluctant longing, especially when his gaze lingered on Elise. His lips held a faint, bittersweet smile as he waved them off.“Go back inside; it’s already dark,” Alia called back, urging him gently, though she sighed inwardly. Young love… it’s always so complicated.Back at home, Marcellus wasted no time heading straight to the study.Alia lingered by the staircase, watching his familiar figure disappear behind the study door. Her lips curled into a self-deprecating smile. Of course, his mind is still preoccupied with the secrets buried in that room.In the study, Marcellus switched on the desk lamp, his gaze sweeping across the rows of books on the shelves. A vague unease prickled at him tonight, prompting his attention to shift to a concealed mechanism at the corner of the desk. He activated it with a soft to
The conversation in the grand hall ended quickly. Elias and Adrian made an excuse to leave, giving the space to Alia and Marcellus. The atmosphere instantly grew subtle. Sunlight streamed through the towering floor-to-ceiling windows, falling between them. Despite their close proximity, an invisible barrier seemed to stretch between them.Alia was about to speak when Marcellus suddenly approached her. Without warning, his hand gently cupped her cheek, and he leaned in, pressing his lips to hers.His actions were decisive, tinged with a hint of urgency, as if emotions pent up for too long were now spilling over. The warmth of his touch conveyed a tumult of feelings—possession, hesitation, and a faint trace of tenderness.Alia froze for a moment, her heartbeat accelerating rapidly. But she quickly regained her composure. She neither resisted nor pulled away, yet her response lacked enthusiasm. Her posture remained stiff, and though her lips parted slightly, she didn’t truly reciprocate,