The words came out of nowhere, striking Alia’s heart like a gentle blow, sending a ripple of emotion through her that left her momentarily flustered. Years of training, however, allowed her to quickly compose herself. She lowered her gaze to hide her subtle reaction, feigning indifference as she replied lightly, “You go first. I’ll bathe later.” She deliberately added a touch of casualness to her tone to mask the tension she felt inside.Marcellus said nothing more but gave her a meaningful glance. His deep, penetrating eyes seemed to pierce through her pretense, seeking the emotions she had hidden. The intensity of his gaze made Alia feel as though needles pricked her back, her chest tightening under the pressure. Yet, she forced herself to remain calm, only relaxing when he turned and walked into the bathroom.The sound of running water came from behind the closed door. Alia stood frozen in place, her thoughts unexpectedly chaotic. It was only natural for her to share a room with Ma
Alia’s body went stiff. Her instincts screamed at her to resist, but her thoughts were a chaotic tangle, leaving her utterly clueless about what to do. In her previous life as a thief, she had navigated countless dangerous missions and lived a rough, unpolished life. She had even disguised herself as a man and shared rooms with other men. Yet, never before had she been so close to a man’s essence like this. The situation felt overwhelmingly intimate.What made it worse—or perhaps more perplexing—was that this man before her wasn’t just any man. He was stunningly handsome, exuding an innate masculinity that left her both unsettled and faintly spellbound.Her internal alarms blared, but her body refused to obey. Her hands clutched at the bedsheet, her chest heaving with rapid breaths. After all, the man leaning over her was, in name at least, her husband. His nearness, his intimacy—it could all be justified. If she rejected him now, wouldn’t it raise his suspicions? Would he think she w
At dawn, Alia rubbed her still-throbbing temples and slowly climbed out of bed. Memories from the previous night swirled in her mind like relentless waves, leaving her restless until morning. She forced herself to freshen up, trying to appear composed, then pushed open the door to her room.Standing outside was Elise, holding a neatly folded set of clothes and a steaming cup of tea. Her face carried the usual respectful smile, and it was clear she had been waiting for quite some time.“Good morning,” Elise greeted softly, stepping forward to hand Alia the tea. “Lord Marcellus left early this morning, saying he had important business to attend to. He mentioned he might not return until late tonight.”Alia nodded, her thoughts flickering briefly: So, Marcellus did sleep in the castle last night. But after everything that happened, I wonder if he’ll return tonight. At least I won’t have to worry about… intimacy for now.The memory of last night’s events brought a faint blush to her cheek
Alia knew there were countless mysteries still shrouding her, but she also understood that her most urgent task was to regain the skills and abilities she possessed in her previous life. Resolutely, she set aside her tangled thoughts and focused on rebuilding her physical condition.“Elise, help me buy some equipment,” she ordered her maid decisively.“Equipment?” Elise blinked in mild surprise. Though curious, she nodded and complied without hesitation.When the shopping list was handed to her, Elise realized it was far from a typical list of gym equipment like dumbbells and barbells. Instead, it included items she had never encountered before: a balance beam reminiscent of a narrow log bridge, staggered obstacle boards, a climbing rope net, and multiple jump platforms. Bewildered, she didn’t dare ask questions and simply followed Alia’s instructions to gather everything.A few days later.Alia stood before the equipment, now delivered and neatly arranged, a faint glimmer of satisfac
Alia halted, her gaze icy as she fixed her eyes on Elias.“What do you know?” Her voice was low and carried an unmistakable authority.Elias smirked faintly, a playful glint in his expression. He didn’t answer immediately; instead, he casually adjusted his cuffs, speaking in a slow, deliberate tone:“Let’s take our time, Livia. Truth is never something revealed all at once.”There was an enigmatic undercurrent in his words, as if he already knew everything yet was intentionally probing. His calm and collected demeanor only heightened Alia’s wariness. She took a deep breath, swiftly reining in her emotions.“What are you talking about?” Her tone turned steady, tinged with coldness and denial. “I was simply unwell—no one is out to harm me.”Elias chuckled softly at her response. His laughter carried no mockery, only a trace of pity. Taking a few measured steps closer, he lowered his voice and said:“Ah, you can fool others, but not me. We were so close once.” Leaning in slightly, he loc
“Do you have something you want to tell me?” Alia asked, her tone calm but probing, as if testing Elias’s true intentions.Elias fixed his gaze on her, his expression unwavering.“That depends on whether you’re willing to trust me. Perhaps I can help you uncover the truth.”His words carried a weight of intrigue, a mix of an extended hand and a veiled implication that he held crucial information. This made Alia more acutely aware that Elias was far more complex than he seemed. He was not merely a flirtatious, carefree nobleman—there was a depth to him, as well as a plan. Whatever their history as Livia and Elias, it had threads that extended far beyond mere private affection. Elias must have his own schemes and goals.This realization lit a fire within Alia. She knew she couldn’t fully trust him, but outright rejecting him might close a valuable lead. For now, she needed to tread carefully.“Even if that’s true, I’ve lost my memory, I don’t know what I am able to do.” Alia replied, fe
Marcellus stood at the entrance of the training ground, his dark robe draping to his ankles. The heavy fabric and meticulous tailoring accentuated his tall and commanding presence. Though his figure was cloaked in the shadow of the doorway, his imposing aura was impossible to ignore. His brow furrowed slightly, his gaze calm yet deep as a still pond, fixed intently on Alia as if attempting to decipher some hidden clue from her expression.Alia’s heart tightened but remained outwardly composed. As an experienced “thief,” lying had become second nature. She tilted her lips into a faint smile and spoke with deliberate calm:“Oh, I was just talking about Elise.” Her tone carried a hint of exasperation, her eyes even showing a trace of reproach. “She got curious about the equipment and couldn’t resist trying it out. She nearly fell, so I scolded her and told her not to touch anything. I sent her off to do something else, thinking she might have snuck back to bother me again.”Her words wer
Alia followed Marcellus, her hand in his, her mind occupied by the subtle differences between the brothers’ hands. Step by step, she allowed herself to be guided toward the study. The moment they crossed the door, her gaze was immediately drawn to the room before her.It was an opulent study, fitting for someone of Marcellus’s stature as the wealthiest man in the city. The space was vast, with a soaring ceiling adorned with intricate floral carvings. A massive crystal chandelier hung at its center, radiating brilliant light that reflected off the polished surfaces of the room. Dark oak bookshelves lined the walls, filled with heavy tomes whose embossed covers and gilded titles spoke of immense value.At the heart of the room stood a grand desk, its finely carved legs and intricate surface detailing a testament to exquisite craftsmanship. On it sat an antique globe and a gilded quill pen, its ink bottle emitting a faint, fresh scent as if waiting for its owner to write at any moment.N
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