Elias’s gaze turned hollow for a moment before he spoke with a faint, mocking smile. “Peter never really tried to hide it. From a young age, he told me not to entertain any fantasies—don’t expect to inherit anything. My life was meant for Marcellus’s sake. During every health check, all my data was meticulously recorded to ensure I remained in perfect condition, ready for emergencies.”Alia felt a dull ache in her chest, as if suffocated by Elias’s story. She took a deep breath, trying to dispel the heavy weight pressing down on her heart, but she couldn’t stop herself from asking, “Was there… another reason?”Elias lifted his head, his gaze growing colder and deeper. “Of course. Another reason was to protect Marcellus. Back then, heirs of noble families were frequently targeted—assassinated due to rivalries or disputes of interest. By making the public believe I was Marcellus’s brother, Peter created a diversion. At the very least, the world thought our family had two heirs.”“Two he
Elias sneered, a hint of self-mockery in his expression. “What, did you think I was just some useless playboy squandering the family’s wealth? Emma, Marcellus’ mother, treated me decently—or at least pretended to. And since they brought me out of the orphanage into this powerful family, I understood that I had to repay the favor. From a young age, I was sent to deal with unsavory characters in the streets, handling dirty work for the family.”His words carried both bitterness and an unyielding edge. “Eventually, I took control of the family’s underground network. Any threat or danger to the family? It was my job to resolve it. Do you think someone like me wouldn’t have built up my own resources and connections in such an environment? Naturally, I picked up skills that most people couldn’t even dream of, learning secrets that ordinary folks would never uncover.”Elias shifted the tone, his voice tinged with pride. “As for the diary—of course, I found it when he wasn’t around. He though
“Came to me?” Hearing Elias mention this part of the past again, Alia took a deep breath. She knew she couldn’t avoid the truth any longer and decided to face it head-on. “Tell me more. What exactly happened?”“Yes,” Elias said, his gaze suddenly turning tender. He held Alia’s hands tightly, his voice trembling slightly. “I love you. My feelings for you have always been genuine. For so many years, I kept them buried in my heart, never daring to hope you might feel the same. So when you came to me that day, seeking my help, do you have any idea how happy that made me?”Alia froze, stunned by the intense emotion in Elias’s words.“I fell in love with you long ago,” Elias continued, his eyes filled with bittersweet memories. “But I always held back because I knew your marriage to Marcellus was a contract, a transaction between families. At first, I even believed Marcellus truly cared for you. You seemed composed and rational, never revealing any feelings toward me beyond friendship.”He
Elias furrowed his brow, his voice low and tinged with helplessness. “I’m not entirely sure. Something happened back then, and the Grail vanished from everyone’s sight. I tried to investigate, but the trail went cold completely. What I do know is that Marcellus and Edgar haven’t given up looking for it. This city’s expansion project is just another of their tests. They’re hoping it will prompt you to sense the Grail’s presence again or lead to the discovery of a similar artifact.”“Sense it?” Alia’s eyes widened as she stared at Elias in disbelief. “If the Grail is so dangerous and ominous, why are they so obsessed with finding it? What are they planning to do?”Elias shook his head, his expression darkening with a trace of complexity. “I don’t know their exact motives. But there’s no doubt the Grail has some purpose we don’t yet understand. And you”—his gaze locked onto Alia’s—“are the key to their plans. Because you’ve sensed its presence before, they believe only you can find it ag
“Why did I marry Livia? “. The line pierced her heart like a blade. Her breathing grew rapid, her chest heavy as though a stone pressed down on it. The following words sent a chill coursing through her:“Our marriage was solely for family interests. More importantly, it was because of her ability to sense the Grail. That was the only reason. I had to keep her.”Her fingers froze on the page, her eyes drawn to the torn edges of some entries. The gaps seemed to silently scream of secrets more vital than the words that remained. Secrets that might tie everything to the Grail.On the final recorded page, a single line struck like a tolling bell:“No matter what it costs, I will never let Livia leave me.”Alia’s gaze lingered on the words, Marcellus’s tender, low voice echoing in her mind. She recalled his apparent care and affection. But was it all just a lie? If Livia had been nothing more than a tool to him, what could she be?“If he didn’t love Livia, how could he possibly love me?” A
When the car came to a stop, Alia and Elise stepped out, taking in the sight before them. Alia was slightly surprised by what she saw.Adrian’s new home was located in the northern part of the city, far from the bustling downtown area. Although described as a “new home,” the house itself had a modest exterior. There were no lavish carvings or extravagant decorations, nor was there a prominent family crest on display. The structure, built with deep gray stone, exuded a clean and understated elegance, carrying a steady and composed aura.The yard wasn’t large, but it was impeccably maintained. The neatly trimmed lawn bordered a few evergreen trees, creating a natural perimeter. A gravel path led to the front door, where a few guards stood respectfully, bowing slightly in greeting to Alia.“At least my younger brother seems to have some sense. No unnecessary extravagance,” Alia thought, feeling a rare hint of appreciation for Adrian.Adrian personally came out to welcome them. Dressed in
Alia took a deep breath, her gaze shifting between Adrian and Elise. Her eyes carried a hint of weariness but also relief.Ensuring no attendants were nearby, she spoke softly:“Let me be straightforward. The two of you being together won’t be easy, but I’m in support of it.”Adrian and Elise exchanged a glance, clearly unprepared for Alia’s directness. Their expressions betrayed a mix of tension and unease.But Alia pressed on, her tone unusually serious:“Adrian, I trust your character. However, I must remind you that Elise is my ‘sister’—my family. Her happiness means more to me than anything. If you truly want to be with her, you must treat her well and ensure she never suffers any harm.”Her voice was firm, slow, and carried an unspoken pressure.“If you want to be with her, you’ll need to
In the living room, the atmosphere lightened significantly after Alia’s departure.Adrian looked at Elise, a warm smile spreading across his face. Taking her hand gently, he led her to the window, where sunlight poured through the glass, casting a soft glow over the young couple.“She really gave us her blessing,” Adrian said, his voice tinged with disbelief and excitement. “I thought she’d be more hesitant.”Elise gazed at him, shaking her head lightly. “Livia only wants me to be happy. She’s the type to have a tough exterior but a soft heart.”Adrian chuckled at her response, his eyes softening as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his voice full of affection:“I know how much she cares for you, but from now on, you won’t have to let her worry anymore. That responsibility is mine to bear.”Elise let out a small laugh, tilting her head playfully. “Can you really handle it? You still act like a child sometimes.”Adrian feigned a dramatic sigh, pretending to be hur
Alia inwardly rolled her eyes.Why was everyone speaking in riddles? They always stopped halfway, as if afraid of revealing too much and giving away the upper hand. But in the end, what truly mattered was never what the “Grail” could do, but rather—who would find it first and claim control over it.“You don’t seem surprised at all about the ‘Grail.’ Looks like someone has already told you about it.” Emma raised an eyebrow, choosing not to answer Alia’s question directly.Alia nodded calmly. “Elias once mentioned some things about the ‘Grail’ to me. I knew it was important, but I didn’t expect… that they would go to such lengths and pay such a heavy price for it.”She hadn’t stated it too definitively, but her words were enough to make Emma realize that she wasn’t entirely an outsider.Emma paused briefly, then let out a low chuckle. Her gaze darkened slightly, as if recalling something, and there was an almost imperceptible weariness in her tone. “Yes… everyone has gone mad, willing t
“Hiding myself? Something unexpected?”Alia knew very well that all of this was only because she had reincarnated into Livia’s body. Without this reincarnation, the original Livia might have indeed been nothing more than a noble lady sheltered too well—naïve, ignorant, and completely unaware of the intrigues of the world.She didn’t refute Emma’s speculation, nor did she offer any explanation. Instead, she simply looked at her in silence, waiting for her to continue.Seeing that Livia did not respond, Emma didn’t seem to mind. She continued speaking at her own pace, “It seems you don’t believe I was the one who ordered your kidnapping. Otherwise, you would be more flustered right now.”Alia finally spoke, her tone calm and unwavering. “Indeed. I know about your relationship with my mom. Ever since the kidnapping, I have been trying to figure out who was behind it. I don’t believe you are someone who would be ungrateful. Even if you were involved in the kidnapping, I don’t think you wo
Despite maintaining a calm facade, Alia’s heartbeat skipped a beat.She had deliberately refrained from using her true abilities to avoid exposing her identity, yet the person before her had still managed to suppress her movements with uncanny precision. That alone was enough to tell her that this was no ordinary assassin, but a highly trained expert. Alia clenched her teeth inwardly—given the current state of this body, even if she fought with all her might, she stood no chance.But she had no intention of giving up so easily.Slowly, she raised her hands, placing them obediently on her lap while discreetly glancing at the nearby desk. Fortunately, the handgun wasn’t too far from her seat. As long as she found the right opportunity, she might still have a chance to fight back.Yet, to her surprise, although the other person had immobilized her, there was no true killing intent. The dagger’s blade pressed against her neck, but without exerting force—it was merely a threat. And within
Deep in thought, Alia’s attention snapped to the sound of approaching footsteps outside. She instinctively lifted her head, her gaze sweeping toward the door. A soldier passed by in the corridor, his steps unnaturally light, barely making a sound. This detail made her frown—typically, a soldier’s boots would produce some noise against carpets or marble floors, yet this man moved with an almost deliberate silence, as if intentionally concealing his presence.Even more suspicious was the way he wore his military cap—pulled low over his face, casting heavy shadows under the flickering candlelight. It obscured his upper features, making it impossible to discern his expression. This was highly unusual among the disciplined castle guards. Under Marcellus’ strict training, every soldier was expected to maintain proper posture and bearing, and none would deliberately lower their gaze to hide their face.Alia’s instincts flared—something was off about this soldier. Her fingers unconsciously ti
The night was deep and heavy, and the castle’s lights cast flickering shadows over the tense, busy figures in the grand hall. Marcellus, his expression grim, rose to his feet and immediately summoned all the guards, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.“Gather everyone at once. Mark, begin screening the castle guards—I want absolute certainty of their loyalty.”Mark, the butler, understood the gravity of the situation and promptly carried out the order. He meticulously examined the guards’ backgrounds, past records, and recent movements, overlooking not even the slightest irregularity. Within the castle, the guards were questioned and screened one by one, and a stifling sense of pressure filled the air. Marcellus’s thoughts aligned with Elias’s—when facing an army head-on, numbers were secondary. The true priority was ensuring there were no traitors among them.Meanwhile, security outside the castle was also being reinforced. Upon learning of the situation, Edgar dispatched a con
The scenery outside the car window grew increasingly desolate, with raindrops sliding down the glass like silent sighs. Eryx leaned against the seat, his long fingers tapping lightly on his knee as his deep gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The car slowed to a stop in front of a run-down little house. He didn’t get out immediately; instead, he scanned the surroundings to ensure there were no suspicious figures lurking nearby. Only then did he push open the door and stride steadily toward the entrance.He knocked lightly a few times, hearing faint footsteps inside before the room fell silent again. Waiting a few seconds and confirming there was still no one around, he pushed open the door and stepped into the hidden safehouse.The interior was dimly lit, with simple yet neatly arranged furniture. Eryx moved with practiced ease, lifting a corner of a worn-out rug to reveal a concealed hatch. He frowned slightly, knocking three times on the wooden panel and waiting for a response. Momen
Inside Edgar’s dimly lit secret chamber, the air felt thick and suffocating, as if it had solidified under the weight of tension. The flickering candlelight cast erratic shadows across the heavy oak table at the center of the room.With a sharp crack, Edgar’s palm slammed against the tabletop, making the candleholder tremble. The flames flickered wildly, casting jagged silhouettes on the stone walls.“You’ve heard what happened, haven’t you?” His voice was low but brimming with restrained fury, his sharp gaze piercing through the stillness like a blade. “You’d better give me a damn good explanation.”Opposite him, a tall man in a dark coat stood with his hands calmly clasped behind his back, his expression indifferent. Edgar’s anger seemed to slide off him like raindrops off a stone.“I didn’t expect Emma to go that far,” he said, his tone smooth and unruffled, as though discussing an irrelevant matter. “I only shared information with her, knowing that she had a stronger motive to see
Elias swiftly gathered his most trusted men—people who had fought alongside him through countless life-and-death situations. If an enemy still lurked among them, then there was nothing more he could do.In the dimly lit meeting room, candlelight flickered, casting shadows over the solemn and contemplative faces of those present. Elias’s gaze swept across the room, his expression cold and severe as he finally spoke—“You are the men I trust most. I do not doubt you.”“But we have a breach. My base was infiltrated. Today, it was Livia who was kidnapped. That is something I will never tolerate.”There was no rage in his voice—not even a hint of emotion. His tone was disturbingly calm, yet everyone instinctively tensed.“Our enemy is stronger and more cunning than we anticipated.” His sharp eyes scanned the room as he continued in a low, steady voice, “So, from this moment forward, I will restructure my forces.”He paused, his gaze as sharp as a blade, his tone unwavering—“Each of you wi
The morning sunlight streamed through the gap in the curtains, casting a soft halo that outlined Livia’s delicate features. She slowly opened her eyes, her long lashes quivering slightly, as if still immersed in the lingering emotions of the night before. Sitting up, the thin blanket slipped down, revealing her smooth, bare shoulders. The morning light caressed her skin, lending it a warm, luminous glow.Marcellus’s eyes opened, his gaze immediately drawn to her. A flicker of fascination crossed his deep-set eyes. Propping himself up, he watched her intently, his eyes tracing the curves of her back as though trying to etch this moment into his memory forever. Slowly, he reached out, wanting to pull her back into his embrace, to feel her warmth once more, to taste the sweetness that lingered between them.But just as his fingertips were about to touch her wrist, Livia suddenly spoke.“Can you really not tell me everything?”Her voice was soft, yet it carried a restrained sorrow, as if