The ballroom sparkled with resplendent light, casting shimmering reflections as the elegant melody filled the air. Graceful steps and twirls intertwined, painting a dreamlike scene on the polished floor. Among the dancers, Marcellus and Alia drew many glances, but another captivating pair—Elias and Lianna—also stole the spotlight.Lianna’s dress swirled like blooming petals with each step, her radiant smile so warm it could melt the winter’s chill. Dancing alongside her, Elias wore a perfectly tailored white suit, exuding the poise of a prince stepped out of a painting, his every move brimming with grace and charm.Lianna’s delight at dancing with her heart’s desire was unmistakable, her happiness lighting up her face.As the music transitioned into a new passage, the dancers began to exchange partners. Elias moved deliberately toward Lianna and Marcellus, offering a courteous bow and extending his hand to indicate his intention to swap. His eyes were gentle yet firm, leaving no room
As the ball drew to a close, the grand banquet hall gradually quieted. Guests departed in small groups, their chatter and laughter fading into the night. The ornate chandeliers continued to cast a warm glow on the polished floors, but the once-vibrant atmosphere now felt hollow and forlorn. Silent servers moved through the room, collecting empty glasses and plates, leaving behind faint traces of the evening’s splendor.Alia stood at one side of the hall, watching the last few groups of guests bid their farewells. Her gown cascaded elegantly to the floor, and her fingers absently played with an intricately embroidered handkerchief. A swirl of complicated emotions danced in her chest. Her gaze drifted instinctively toward Marcellus, who stood in the center of the hall. Engaging in polite conversation with a group of noble guests, his cold, chiseled features softened by a faint smile of courtesy.When the final guest exited, Marcellus approached her with steady, measured steps. He stoppe
Alia’s voice no longer held its usual gentleness; instead, it carried a tone of unwavering resolve. “Adrian, the world has no sympathy for the weak. You either stand at the summit or be crushed beneath it.”Her words startled Adrian. The sister he had always known to be soft-spoken and kind suddenly revealed an unexpected ambition, her tone brimming with rare authority. He opened his mouth, as if to refute her, but found no suitable words. After a brief silence, he finally absorbed the weight of her statement. Determination gradually replaced hesitation in his gaze.Lifting his head, Adrian looked at Alia with a newfound respect and a conviction that brooked no argument. “Alright. Trust me, I will make it happen.” His voice was low yet resolute, as though he were swearing an oath—not only to her but also to himself.Alia studied his expression, her gaze layered with complex emotions. There was a sisterly fondness in her eyes, but also an unyielding authority. She gave a soft scoff, wa
In the dead of night, Alia tossed and turned in bed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Her once serene expression twisted into one of anguish, her breathing rapid. In her dreams, she was back in that dim and filthy alley, the cracked cobblestones reeking of decay, with distant, low murmurs adding to the oppressive atmosphere.Her small hand gripped a pouch of coins tightly. It was the treasure she had painstakingly stolen just days before—a small fortune that she thought could finally free her from the torment of poverty and hunger. But somehow, word had gotten out. Shadows emerged at the end of the alley, sinister and menacing.“Hey, little girl, hand it over!” The lead thug snarled, his face broad and greasy, waving a rusty dagger in his hand. A cruel grin spread across his lips.Alia bit her lip and backed away quickly, her eyes darting around for an escape route. She reached for a small pouch at her waist, quickly scattering its powdery contents into the air as the thugs adv
Alia held her breath, straining to listen to the faintest hint of footsteps. Her instincts screamed in alarm. She recognized that gait all too well—light as a feather, yet with a precise rhythm, characteristic of a thief in action.“This isn’t something a servant or guard could manage. It must be a professional.” Her brows furrowed as she swiftly reviewed the estate’s security arrangements in her mind. With Marcellus’s level of caution, it should be nearly impossible to infiltrate this place. Unless there was a mole—or this thief was extraordinary.Lowering her body, she slipped into the shadows cast by a nearby bookshelf. Her movements were fluid, a result of years of training. As she hid, a flicker of humor crossed her mind. “Why is it always the study? Seems like I’m here hiding more often than reading. It’s becoming a tradition.”In the darkness, Alia kept her breathing shallow and focused her gaze on the faint glow under the study door. The light was dim, but it was enough to cat
Alia held her breath, doing her best to minimize her presence. Her eyes were fixed on Eryx, as her heart pounded in her chest like a war drum. Each deliberate, steady step he took seemed to tread directly on her nerves, making her feel as if she could barely breathe.“No, I can’t let him find me.”Her mind raced. She could still feel Eryx’s sharp gaze sweeping through the study like a blade, ready to cut through any disguise or subtle movement.“The only reason he hasn’t caught me yet is because of the experience from my past life. If I hadn’t used my thief skills to lower my breathing to its absolute minimum, I’d have been discovered already. If he sees me, he’ll know I’m a ‘well-bred lady’ who somehow knows how to use advanced thief techniques. Everything will fall apart.”She couldn’t allow that to happen. It was clear that Eryx was no ordinary person. His keen awareness and precise movements marked him as a dangerous opponent. Alia knew her abilities, not yet fully recovered from
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
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
“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,