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
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
The night was deep and quiet. Outside the hospital, the streetlights cast a cold glow, stretching the shadows of Livia and Elias into elongated silhouettes.Elias quickened his pace to catch up with Livia, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. “You should stop worrying about him. He’s always been like this—bottling everything up, never saying a word. It’s frustrating.”Livia halted and cast Elias a long, measured glance before shaking her head slightly. Her voice was calm and subdued. “That’s not the real reason he’s hiding things.” She sighed, a faint, unreadable smile playing at her lips. “But for now, I’ll believe he has his own concerns. Let’s not dwell on him—we have more pressing matters to handle.”With that, she turned decisively toward the hospital exit. “Let’s go back to the castle. It’s time we took a look at those classified documents on the expansion project.”Elias raised an eyebrow before a slight smile tugged at his lips, and he followed.—The moment they stepped
The hospital room was enveloped in silence, broken only by the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment. Livia’s fingers curled slightly, her gaze locked onto Marcellus, her patience slowly wearing thin.After a long pause, Marcellus finally spoke, his voice deep and steady. “First of all, in my current condition, I can’t do anything. If Edgar, other competitors, or even potential enemies were to get their hands on that document now, the consequences would be unimaginable. Rather than letting them find it, I’d rather you two get to it first.”He paused, his eyes sweeping between Livia and Elias before continuing, “But I must warn you—I’ve already sent people to search every possible location, and they found nothing. I doubt you’ll have better luck. And—” his voice dropped, his gaze sharpening, “you’re being watched. Every move you make is under scrutiny. No matter what, don’t let them sense your true objective, and above all, do not expose the final destination.”Livia frowned. She knew
Shaking her head, Livia felt a surge of exhilaration rise within her. She knew she had to inform her “allies” immediately and announce the victory she had secured in this political battle. Under the night sky, she strode forward with unwavering determination, as if each step she took was carving out the path to the future.The scene shifted to the dimly lit hospital corridor, where the flickering lights cast fragmented shadows on the walls. By Marcellus’s bedside, the atmosphere was both heavy and intimate. After a day of rest, his condition had noticeably improved—his complexion looked rosier, and the bandages wrapped around his wounds hinted at the beginnings of recovery. But what stood out the most was the gleam in his eyes, as if he had already learned of Livia’s success. His lips trembled slightly, and a faint murmur escaped them:“I knew you could do it.”That simple remark struck Livia straight to the heart like a wave of warmth. She sighed lightly, her tone laced with both rel
The night was as dark as ink, and a gentle breeze brushed past the treetops in the courtyard, bringing a touch of coolness. Under the moonlight, the stone-paved path shimmered faintly, while distant lanterns swayed in the wind, resembling scattered stars.Livia walked briskly out of the courtyard, her steps steady, yet unable to conceal the joy and excitement bubbling within her. However, just as she stepped down the stairs, a familiar figure blocked her path.She halted, slightly startled, and looked up—Allen.The black military uniform he wore appeared even more austere in the darkness. Gone was the relaxed demeanor he had shown earlier inside; now, he carried an air of composed authority. His cape fluttered lightly in the night breeze, and beneath his refined features lay a steely calm, the kind honed through years of battle. Livia had now recognized him—Allen, the general of the First Legion. Having him on her side today was perhaps her greatest fortune and support.She immediatel
Edgar leaned back in the heavy rosewood chair of his study, his gaze calmly fixed on the concealed door before him. The fireplace crackled with a steady flame, its orange-red glow casting shifting shadows on the oil paintings adorning the walls. A faint scent of burning wood lingered in the air, yet the warmth of the fire failed to dispel the underlying chill in the room.His voice was unhurried, carrying a detached indifference. “You saw and heard everything yourself. I have no reason to stop Livia from temporarily taking charge. And besides, Livia is my daughter, after all. I’ve warned you already—you are not to harm her.”Eryx let out a low chuckle, laced with both mockery and disdain. As he approached, his black-gloved fingers idly rubbed against his palm, his tone dark and slow. “No need to worry. I won’t harm her. No matter how capable she is, Livia is not Marcellus. As long as Marcellus isn’t the one leading the expansion project, it won’t be too much of a problem for me.”Edga
As Livia stepped out of the governor’s mansion, the air outside felt far lighter than the stifling atmosphere within. Yet, she could still feel the faint dampness in her palms. Even though the man she had faced was her so-called “father,” she knew all too well that Edgar was no kind parent—he was the ruler of this city, a man of power, calculation, and unwavering control. More importantly, she had never once regarded him as her father.She exhaled slowly, her gaze sweeping across the horizon, where the setting sun tinged the sky with a soft crimson glow. But there was no relief in her heart. She had won today’s negotiation, but this was only the beginning. She was not Livia—she was Alia, a woman from the lower depths of society, forced to tread carefully. More than anyone, she understood the consequences of failure.Raising her hand, she brushed her fingertips against the lingering moisture in her palm before lowering her arm, pushing all emotions deep inside. At this moment, she coul
Just as Livia was still probing her father’s stance, Allen, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly spoke. His tone was resolute, carrying an undeniable firmness:“My First Legion will fully support Livia.”A single sentence, like a thunderclap, shattered the delicate balance in the room.Livia jerked her head up, staring at Allen in shock. She had never known who took over the First Legion after her mother’s passing. But now, it finally dawned on her—Elise had mentioned it once before: her mother’s direct lineage had inherited the command. That name… it was Allen.So it was him. No wonder he had sided with her without hesitation. That meant Emma had likely arranged this after their conversation yesterday.A surge of complex emotions welled up within her. On one hand, she found herself even more intrigued by her mother—what kind of person had she been to command such loyalty, even after death, that so many people still remembered her and were willing to help her daughter? On the
“But the people may not agree. They might think I’m showing blatant favoritism.” Edgar continued to find excuses.“Favoritism?” Livia’s voice was firm as she met her father’s gaze without hesitation. “I’ve already said that once I take charge of the expansion project, I will immediately hold a public assembly to announce that I am merely acting as Marcellus’s proxy. The moment he recovers, I will return this position to him.”She paused briefly before continuing with even greater resolve. “Even during my tenure as his proxy, every decision will be reported to Marcellus, and he will have the final say.”Her words were airtight, addressing any potential concerns from the public and giving them enough reassurance.Edgar frowned slightly, as though still weighing how to reject her. But just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside. The noise grew louder and louder, penetrating even the thick walls until it could be heard clearly.The uproar filled the hall, a mixture of shouting and buzzi
“I’m sure you already know why I’m here. Marcellus must have told you—I intend to take over as the new leader of the ‘Expansion Project,’” Livia declared firmly.Seated behind a grand ebony desk, Edgar clasped his hands together, his sharp gaze fixed on Livia. Though he had heard her words, his expression remained utterly calm, as if everything was within his expectations. Yet, his fingers tapped lightly against the desk, slow and steady, a quiet rhythm that betrayed his contemplation.Beside him, Allen leaned casually against the window, arms crossed, the corners of his lips curling into an almost imperceptible smirk. His eyes flickered between Edgar and Livia, as though he were watching an unexpected drama unfold before him.In contrast, Livia stood unwavering, her chin slightly lifted, her gaze firm and piercing. Confronted by two powerful men, she did not falter. Instead, she exuded an aura of confidence, a sharp-edged presence that demanded attention.Finally, Edgar spoke, his to