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
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
The night was dark and quiet, like a thick, inky shadow. A woman dressed in black slipped silently through the shadows toward the castle ahead. The moonlight cast a faint glow on her slender figure, outlining her graceful shape even in the night. The castle was a classic piece of medieval European architecture, with tall, towering spires and thick stone walls that looked both grand and eerie. Alia smirked slightly, muttering to herself, “Doesn’t seem too hard. A place this big, and no guards in sight? This should be a piece of cake.”Even though she felt relaxed, Alia’s movements were precise and careful. She pulled out a detailed map of the castle from her bag, studying it in the dim light. With a confident nod, she silently slipped inside. Her eyes were sharp, quickly memorizing every hallway and corner. There were no guards, but infrared sensors were everywhere. Trained from a young age, Alia was more than used to these challenges. She moved skillfully, evading every sensor like a
“How…how can it be him…” Alia’s heart raced as she stared in disbelief. The gunshot from last night seemed to still echo in her ears, and the cold, unyielding face was vivid in her memory. Yet here was Marcellus, no longer ruthless and indifferent. His gaze was soft, almost tender, filled with a strange mix of love and unease, as if she were his most cherished treasure.“You… you…” Alia tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse. She forced herself to calm down, struggling to keep a steady expression. However, her wide eyes betrayed a sense of shock and fear she could not hide, and her trembling hands revealed the turmoil within her.Marcellus noticed her reaction, and with surprising gentleness, he lowered his head and held her hand firmly. “I know you’re still weak. Don’t worry. Whatever you want to say, you can tell me after you’ve rested.” His hand was warm and reassuring, conveying a comforting strength. But to Alia, this warmth only intensified her dread.Images from the night bef
Alia gracefully took a seat on the sofa across from him, masking her inner frustration with a gentle smile. Pretending to be a noble lady is truly exhausting. If I were in my original body, I could have leaped across the room in a few strides. Now, these legs are so weak, overly delicate. Despite her irritation, her face maintained an appearance of soft, elegant composure, her every gesture smooth and refined. She turned her head and softly instructed Elise, “Elise, could you bring some tea for Elias and me?”Elise nodded respectfully and left to prepare the tea.As soon as the door closed, Elias wasted no time. He stood up and sat down right next to Alia, startling her with his sudden closeness. She shifted a little away. Then, his deep, slightly teasing voice reached her ear, “Alia, are you feeling better? I was only away for a month at Marcellus’s command, and I return to find you gravely ill.”Alia stole a glance at Elias. He leaned casually against the sofa, his handsome features
Elise returned to the study with a tea tray, only to find that Elias was already gone. She blinked in mild confusion before setting the tea gently on the table in front of Alia. Alia, feeling a surge of anxiety, seized the opportunity to ask casually, “Elise, what kind of person is Elias? What’s your impression of him?”A shy blush appeared on Elise’s cheeks as she stammered, “Well… he’s very handsome… but, hmm, I guess he doesn’t get along very well with Master Marcellus.”Alia’s heart skipped a beat, and she continued to lead her gently, “Oh? Why do you say that?”Elise gave a small smile, as if hesitant to say too much but continued honestly, “Though he’s not involved in the family business like Master Marcellus, he’s often sent by him on these mysterious errands. Every time he returns, he looks exhausted. I’ve heard no one really knows what these tasks are about.”Elise glanced cautiously at Alia’s expression, then hesitated before adding, “Actually… you and Elias seem quite close
Time drifted by quietly, and dusk soon approached. Alia saw a young woman with a resemblance to herself entering the room. Her steps were light and graceful, and she greeted Alia with a warm smile, her voice sweet and gentle. “Sister, you look so well today! You’ve recovered faster than I imagined.” Alia nodded slightly, a polite smile gracing her lips as she replied, “Thank you for coming to keep me company. Let’s enjoy a good time together today.”This young beautiful woman was her younger sister, Lianna. She seemed demure and affectionate, chatting with Alia about recent events and family affairs, as though the two shared a close bond as always. It was clear Lianna had heard of Alia’s memory loss; she kept the conversation casual, asking about her sister’s health with a warm tone.However, Alia’s sharp eyes, trained from her days as a thief, detected something unusual. She noticed that Lianna’s gaze occasionally roamed around the room, as if waiting for someone to appear. When Alia
In the lavish dining hall, a long table was set with exquisite silverware. Marcellus sat at the head of the table, radiating an air of authority. To his right sat Elias, lounging casually, with a hint of a smile. Alia was seated to Marcellus’s left, with Lianna beside her, and directly across from Lianna was Adrian, who looked uneasy, his posture tense.Alia couldn’t help but sigh internally, thinking, “Rich people’s meals are such a hassle.” In her previous life, meals were simple and quick. Now, sitting in such a grand setting, she felt strangely out of place, but the food seems good.The table was laden with an array of delicacies. First, a creamy lobster bisque, with tender lobster meat perfectly infused with rich, buttery flavors, practically begged her to take another sip. Then came golden-brown lamb chops, exuding the earthy aroma of herbs, with juices oozing out at every cut. Alia couldn’t help but be impressed by the quality of the food.There were also colorful salads, artfu
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
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