As the steaming dishes were set on the table, Marcellus couldn’t wait to take a bite. The moment the flavors hit his palate, his expression softened, and his eyes sparkled with unmistakable admiration. “This taste… it’s amazing! Even better than our chef’s cooking!”
He knew that many of these dishes might have been prepared by Elise and the household chef, but Livia’s thoughtfulness had already delighted him. What he didn’t realize, however, was that these dishes were actually prepared by Alia!
He quickly reached for another bite, showering the food with praise and even revealing a childlike, satisfied smile. Alia lowered her head slightly, hiding her expression. Outwardly, she maintained a relaxed demeanor, but her emotions were complex. Marcellus’ enthusiastic response brought her relief and bolstered her confidence in the success of her plan.
Edgar, on the other hand, was more restrained. He carefully picked up a piec
As Livia and Elise left the room, Marcellus turned to Edgar, his expression tense. “Are you really going to let Livia see it? And what exactly am I supposed to tell her? What should I hide? After she lost her memory this time, I thought it was a blessing in disguise, a chance for her to forget all that pain. But now you’re dragging her back… The thing we found during the last expansion, that was the source of her suffering.”His voice carried a mix of frustration and subdued anger, his hands clenching unconsciously as he recalled haunting memories.Edgar raised his gaze, meeting Marcellus with a calm yet commanding look. “You’ll tell her a carefully chosen version of the truth. Tell her the discovery during the last expansion happened because of her instincts—that it was her intuition that led us to unearth that artifact. We need her intuition again, and perhaps she’ll uncover something just a
“Calling me?” Alia’s heart sank sharply at the words. Her thoughts wandered far, and in that instant, she was almost certain of what Marcellus was referring to—the ‘Holy Grail.’The car continued forward, the scenery outside the window retreating in a blur. Marcellus’s voice, tinged with nostalgia and a faint sigh, broke through the hum of the engine.“Back then, Edgar thought the area near the graveyard was too challenging to develop—too remote, with little value. But you insisted there was ‘something about the place,’ something worth exploring. After some discussion, it was decided we’d symbolically turn some soil and plant greenery to improve the environment. However, it was explicitly agreed that the graveyard itself would remain untouched to avoid offending the departed.”He paused, his gaze clouded by a tinge of complexity. “But no
As Alia was lost in thought, the car suddenly came to an abrupt stop. The door opened, letting in fresh air tinged with a damp chill.“We’re here. This is the main site for the expansion project,” Marcellus’s voice broke through her reverie. He stood outside the car, extending a hand to help her out.Alia lifted her head and froze momentarily at the sight before her. The land was clearly abandoned, overgrown with weeds and low vegetation that formed a thin green carpet across the ground. The place was eerily desolate, as if untouched by human presence for years. In the distance, scattered gravestones peeked out from the wild growth, their surfaces weathered and scarred by time. Twisted old trees lined the edges of the graveyard, their gnarled shadows cast by the setting sun creating strange, fragmented patterns on the ground, as if silently narrating the history of this forsaken place.The air car
Elias’s sudden outburst was like a flash of cold lightning splitting the tranquil air, freezing everything around him for a brief moment. Alia stood to the side, startled. She had never seen Elias lose control like this. His eyes burned with more than just anger—they were filled with deep anxiety and unease. Wasn’t he always nonchalant, with that carefree, devil-may-care attitude? Yet now, he seemed as if someone had struck a nerve he could never compromise on.Unlike Alia’s shock, Marcellus appeared calm, as if he had anticipated this reaction. With a quiet sigh, he lifted his gaze to meet Elias’s fiery glare, his voice steady and resolute. “It’s her decision. She wanted to come, just to look. Edgar agreed too. Do you understand? Just to look.”“Just to look?” Elias let out a cold laugh, raising an eyebrow in obvious disdain. His gaze bore into Marcellus, as though searching for any hint of a lie in his expression. The fire in his eyes only seemed to grow. Yet, after a tense moment,
The car was steeped in silence. Marcellus seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking slowly. “The reason I brought Elias here is that I’m preparing to let him start handling some things for me.” His voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable firmness. “No matter how many conflicts exist between us, he is still my brother, one of the few people I can trust.”He paused, his gaze shifting to the window, as if recalling Elias’s earlier outburst. His tone softened slightly. “As for why he was so angry… perhaps he was worried about you. This place is cold, and the climate isn’t great. He might be afraid you’ll get sick. He doesn’t say it outright, but he does care about you.”Marcellus’s expression grew subtle, and a trace of mockery crept into his tone. “Though his ‘concern’ seems a bit excessive.”Alia listened to his words, a cold sneer rising in her heart. That tone—it’s jealousy, plain and simple. While she found it amusing, a trace of annoyance also surfaced.“Why is he so angry?
After a day filled with turmoil and emotional highs and lows, Alia felt both physically and mentally exhausted. She decided to set aside her worries for the moment and nodded in agreement. Picking up her wine glass, she walked to the sofa, sat down, and took a small sip of the red wine. The rich aroma of the top-quality vintage unfolded on her palate.She gently swirled the wine in her glass, yet her thoughts drifted to the past. Though she had been a common thief in her past life, her mentor often taught her the etiquette and skills of aristocratic life, especially the art of wine tasting. “Blending into the noble circles is the first step to steal more valuable treasures,” her mentor’s voice echoed in her mind. “You need to learn how to distinguish wine, understand manners, and even master culinary skills. Only then can you avoid being exposed.”As these memories surfaced, Alia’s hand froze midair, her expression clouded with a hint of wistfulness. She thought of her mentor’s warm ye
Alia’s heart was in a tangled mess. Yet Marcellus seemed oblivious to her shyness. He simply continued his earnest massage, his head lowered in concentration. In a soft voice, he murmured, “Does it ache here the most? Next time, don’t wear shoes like these for too long—they’ll hurt your feet.”Alia nodded, still silent, her gaze lowering as if she were paying close attention. The fatigue and soreness in her feet from the day began to dissipate, replaced by an unexpected sense of comfort. But inside, her heart was racing, as if a startled deer were leaping wildly within her chest.“Does this feel better?” Marcellus suddenly asked, lifting his head to meet her gaze. His deep, dark eyes were filled with a sincere gentleness, as though searching for confirmation.“Yes… much better.” Alia nodded hastily, her voice carrying the faintest stammer. She feared that saying anything more might betray the inexplicable shyness and panic brewing in her heart.She had wanted to stop him from continui
The next morning, soft sunlight filtered through the carved window panes and spilled gently into the room, painting Alia’s face with a golden warmth. Her brows furrowed slightly as she rubbed her sleepy eyes, consciousness slowly pulling her from slumber.Suddenly, as if recalling something, she abruptly flung back the blanket and looked down at herself—her bare skin exposed to the cool morning air. The realization struck her like a bolt of lightning, and her cheeks burned bright red. She turned her head quickly to the side, only to find the spot next to her empty. The pillow retained a faint trace of warmth, but the man who had been there was gone.With a soft “thud,” Alia flopped back onto the bed and curled herself tightly into the blanket, memories of last night flooding her mind—Marcellus’s deep voice, his tender and resolute gaze, the way he touched and held her… and those unspeakable moments she could barely fathom. Such intimacy was something entirely foreign to her. In her pa
Marcellus looked at Livia, his voice tinged with concern. “Alright, go get some rest.”But Livia did not move. Instead, she frowned, a trace of unease in her eyes. “No, I’ll stay here with you. What if someone attacks you again?”Her gaze was unwavering—she was clearly unwilling to leave.Marcellus let out a soft sigh, a fleeting hint of helplessness flashing across his eyes. Still, his tone remained gentle. “They won’t. I’ve already told you—if someone is targeting me, they won’t take my life. At least, not yet.”He paused, his deep gaze fixed on her. “It’s you who should be more careful. Besides, you’ll be facing Edgar tomorrow. You need rest to be at your best.”Livia pressed her lips together before finally nodding. “Fine. I’ll go back for now.”Her voice regained its usual calmness, and her speech quickened. After all, at her core, she was still Alia—the thief she had always been. Once she pulled herself out of the whirlpool of emotions, she had no desire to linger on them. She p
Marcellus frowned slightly as he looked at the resolute Livia before him. He spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of concern. “But you have to convince your father.”Livia’s status certainly gave her an advantage, but Edgar was not someone easily swayed. Moreover, he likely had his own considerations and plans.Livia, however, did not hesitate. Her eyes were unwavering. “I will. I don’t believe he would refuse.”Marcellus fell into brief contemplation, his tone becoming more serious. “You know what our goal is, don’t you?”He didn’t say it outright, but Livia knew exactly what he was referring to—the Holy Grail. This coveted artifact was far more complex than it appeared, shrouded in secrets beyond imagination. More importantly, there was an unspoken scheme between Edgar and Marcellus, one they had no intention of revealing to outsiders.Marcellus was always cautious. His words were both a test and a final reminder. He knew that both Livia and Elias were already aware of the Holy G
The room fell into silence. Marcellus’ deep gaze locked onto her, his voice low yet resolute. “Livia, I feel like you’ve changed ever since your last coma.”Livia—no, Alia—startled awake.A chill crept down her spine, and her fingers clenched unconsciously, trembling slightly at the tips.She had almost grown accustomed to being Livia—accustomed to everything around her, to her role as Marcellus’ wife, to being the object of Elias’ affection, to being the key figure entangled in the Holy Grail’s secret. Yet now, hearing Marcellus pierce through her pretense so directly, she suddenly realized—she had sunk too deep into this web of secrets and emotions.She had told herself countless times that she was just Alia, just a petty thief, someone who didn’t belong in this world. But every time she tried to distance herself, something unexpected would drag her back into this identity—forcing her to accept feelings and a fate that were never meant to be hers.But this time… perhaps this was her
Elias looked at Livia, his gaze flickering slightly. He wanted to refute her, but her analysis was almost flawless. Indeed, if Livia took over, Eryx’s plans would be completely disrupted, and Marcellus wouldn’t truly lose his power.But…“Are you sure?” Marcellus finally spoke, his deep voice carrying a hint of complexity as he locked eyes with her. “Do you understand what this means?”Livia nodded without hesitation. “Of course, I do.”She took a deep breath, her tone softening slightly. “This isn’t just about your safety. It’s because…I don’t want Eryx to get his way.”Marcellus’s gaze darkened, a trace of unreadable emotion flashing in his eyes.For a moment, the air in the hospital room seemed to freeze.Marcellus stared at Livia in silence, struggling with something within himself. Then, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying an unusual trace of concern. “But what about your safety?”Unlike his usual composed self, there was a subtle, almost imperceptible worry in his voice. “If you
The atmosphere in the hospital room was heavy and tense. The dim lighting cast soft shadows, but it couldn’t dispel the suffocating pressure hanging in the air.Marcellus leaned against the hospital bed, his head lowered in deep thought. After a moment, he slowly spoke, “This is what I wanted to tell you—if the explosion was truly aimed at me, then the enemy, having gone to such lengths, wouldn’t have let me escape at the last moment.”His gaze darkened, as if playing out every possible scenario in his mind. “If this was an assassination attempt, they had the means to ensure I died beneath the rubble. But I survived, injured but alive. What does that mean?”He let out a quiet sigh, his eyes growing even more profound. “If this was really meant to kill me, then it’s highly possible… they spared me on purpose.”Livia’s breath hitched slightly, and she couldn’t help but ask, “Spared you? Why?”“It could be a warning,” Marcellus replied, his tone devoid of emotion, as if merely stating a
Elias was just about to step out of the hospital room when Marcellus’s deep voice sounded from behind him.“Don’t go.”Elias paused slightly and turned back. Marcellus’s expression had grown even more solemn, his gaze deep and intense, as if it could pull someone in. He glanced at Livia, then subtly gestured toward the door. Elias understood and casually locked it, ensuring that only the three of them remained inside.“This incident… there’s something off about it,” Marcellus said, his voice low, carrying a suppressed chill.Elias frowned, immediately catching the underlying meaning in his words. “You’re saying… this wasn’t an accident?”Livia’s heart clenched, and she unconsciously tightened her fists, her eyes filled with shock. “What? Not an accident?”She had assumed it was just a construction mishap. Given the scale of the expansion project, even a slight oversight could lead to danger. But if it wasn’t an accident… that meant someone had deliberately caused the explosion.Marcel
Elias stood at the hospital room door, hesitating to step inside. Marcellus had fallen back into a deep sleep after his conversation with Livia.Through the narrow gap in the door, Elias could see Livia sitting beside Marcellus’s bed, her expression heavy with complex emotions. In her eyes, there was concern, heartache, and… perhaps even a deep affection she herself might not want to admit.Elias’s heart clenched.He didn’t want to acknowledge it, but the truth was undeniable—she had always loved Marcellus.He should have expected it. He should have realized it long ago. Yet just hours ago, he had still believed he had a chance. At the top of the Ferris wheel, when he held her hand, she hadn’t pulled away. He had even come so close… so close to kissing her.But then, the explosion shattered everything in an instant.A bitter thought crossed his mind—if that explosion had come just a few minutes later, would things have been different?But reality didn’t deal in “what-ifs.”His gaze fe
The night sky was torn apart by a sudden explosion, its fiery glow illuminating the darkness. The shockwave rippled through the ground, shaking it ever so slightly. Livia’s heart clenched, her mind racing through countless possibilities, but the one that terrified her most—was Marcellus or Adrian caught in that explosion?Screams and frantic cries echoed through the streets as people fled in panic. The once-quiet night was shattered beyond repair. Livia instinctively moved toward the explosion, but Elias grabbed her wrist, his brows tightly furrowed.“Don’t be reckless. At least confirm the situation first.”Livia took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. She quickly pulled out her phone and contacted Adrian.“Are you both okay?” Her voice carried a trace of urgency.A few seconds later, Adrian’s voice came through. “Elise and I are fine. The explosion happened far from us.”Livia let out a breath of relief, but her heart remained lodged in her throat. “What about Marcellus? W
Livia’s mind was in turmoil. She was still trying to figure out what Eryx’s sudden interference meant, whether Edgar’s arrangements were intentional or had hidden motives, and—most pressing of all—what Marcellus’s situation was at that moment…But Elias nonchalantly interrupted her thoughts. “Thinking about all that won’t change anything. Today, I’m taking you out—to eat, to have fun. Let’s take a break.”Livia looked up at him. His expression held an unusual seriousness, as if he had planned this all along. There was no urgency in his gaze, no command—only a quiet expectation, like he was waiting for her answer.She hesitated. It was true—these past few days, her mind had barely had a moment’s rest. Problems tangled together, suffocating her. Maybe, just maybe, taking a break would actually help her sort things out.In the end, she gave a slight nod.Seeing her agree, Elias’s lips curved into a relaxed smile. “Then let’s go. I’ve planned everything for today.”—As night fell, the to