Under the veil of night, the sharp crack of gunfire shattered the stillness of the forest. The mingling scents of gunpowder and damp wood filled the air as Marcellus, Elias, and Mark spread out into a fan-shaped formation, silently advancing to eliminate the guards stationed outside the factory.Mark moved like a seasoned predator, swift and precise. His first shot struck a guard’s shoulder, disabling him instantly. Before the second guard could react, Mark had already repositioned and fired twice in quick succession, dropping him to the ground.On another flank, Marcellus crouched behind an abandoned vehicle for cover, his gun steady and trained forward. When a cautious enemy peeked out, searching for targets, Marcellus fired a single, clean shot. The guard collapsed, a bullet in his forehead. Marcellus remained expressionless, his calm demeanor making the act seem like a routine task.Elias, though a bit more reckless, was no less efficient. He darted through the forest like a shado
Elias knelt on the ground, his fists pounding the dirt as his emotions spiraled out of control. His forehead rested against his clenched hands, and his voice was hoarse with despair. “Why did I let her go back alone? Why!” The weight of his decision bore down on him like an invisible shackle, suffocating him.Nearby, Marcellus clenched his teeth, his eyes blazing with anger and pain. Suddenly, he spun around, grabbing Elias by the collar and hauling him to his feet. “Why did you let her go alone?! What were you thinking?!” His roar shattered the silence of the night, the echo stirring the leaves around them.“I…” Elias attempted to respond, but his guilt caught in his throat. He couldn’t meet Marcellus’s eyes, where anger mingled with a profound, unspeakable sorrow.“What was it all for?!” Marcellus’s voice cracked as his grip tightened, then slackened. He finally released Elias, collapsing to the ground. He buried his head in his hands, as if trying to suppress the storm of emotions
Livia had just emerged from the woods when a figure suddenly lunged toward her. Marcellus pulled her into a tight embrace with such force that it felt as though he wanted to fuse her into his very being. His body trembled, and hot tears soaked into her shoulder.“I can’t bear to lose you again…” Marcellus’s voice was hoarse and shaking, as though pulled from the depths of his chest, filled with endless remorse and deep emotion. “I’m sorry… I’m so sorry…”Livia froze, caught off guard by his unguarded vulnerability. She had never seen Marcellus like this before—the man who was always calm and calculating now appeared like a lost child, laying bare his fragility in front of her.“It’s okay. I’m fine,” Livia said softly, patting his back with a gentle hand, her voice tinged with an unexpected tenderness.Elias, who had been standing nearby, couldn’t hold back his excitement any longer. He stepped forward, his eyes reddened, his tone brimming with suppressed joy. “Livia, you’re really saf
As the three of them stepped into the dungeon, the damp, bone-chilling air sent shivers down their spines. Livia stood silently at the entrance, her gaze fixed on the traitor bound to the chair in the center of the room. Behind her, Marcellus stood with his fingers slightly curled, barely containing his simmering anger. Elias, however, strode directly to the chair, his eyes blazing with fury, ready to launch into questioning.Unexpectedly, before the interrogation even began, the traitor, Allen, broke down. His voice, trembling with fear and regret, burst forth, “I’m sorry! I’m so sorry! Please forgive me! I didn’t know things would turn out like this!”Allen’s sudden outburst left the three momentarily stunned. Livia instinctively glanced at Marcellus, while Elias frowned deeply, his sharp gaze locked onto Allen, clearly distrustful of his words.“You’d better start from the beginning and explain everything. If you don’t, you won’t like the consequences.” Elias’s low voice carried an
Allen’s explanation was logical but full of self-justification: “As you said, I passed on your information because I was tempted by benefits and threatened at the same time. But I swear, I didn’t lie. I only reported who you met and what you did. Today, out of sheer curiosity about Livia’s true identity and who you were talking to, I took the risk of eavesdropping. When Lord Marcellus suddenly appeared, it made the meeting seem even more unusual. After all, you and Lord Marcellus rarely meet in public, let alone in your secret stronghold. So, I made up my mind to listen in and pass the information to the commander. As for the kidnapping today, I really don’t know anything. I only provided information—I wasn’t involved in anything afterward.”Allen looked utterly innocent, even pitiable, but his words failed to dispel the doubt in the room.At that moment, a thought struck Livia like lightning. Something must have happened recently to prompt Eryx to take action, and the most notable ev
The moment Allen’s words fell, the room was enveloped in a tense silence. Livia lowered her head, her mind racing to recall the name she’d just heard—Emma, the General of the Seventh Army Group.Who was Emma?Emma’s name resounded throughout the military like thunder. Though she came from humble beginnings, she quickly rose to prominence through extraordinary intellect and unmatched ability. Despite her youth, she earned the trust of her soldiers with her decisiveness and composure. At the same time, she became a figure of interest among the military elite. The Seventh Army Group under her command was renowned for its discipline and precision, and Emma’s talent for devising meticulous strategies led to several major victories. Within the ranks, she was privately hailed as a “rising star of the future.” However, her background remained shrouded in mystery—no one truly knew her origins. She seemed to have emerged from nowhere, an inexplicable yet dazzling force in the army.As Livia lis
The room was filled with a suffocating tension, broken only by the ticking of the clock on the wall. Before long, Edgar strode in with his usual commanding presence, prompting everyone inside to instinctively stand straighter.His gaze landed on Livia first. He scrutinized her carefully, ensuring she was unharmed. Aside from her slightly pale complexion, she appeared fine. Only then did he exhale an almost imperceptible sigh of relief. Yet, he betrayed no emotion as he turned his attention to Marcellus, his voice deep and heavy:“When I reached Emma’s residence, she was already gone.”“What?!” Marcellus’s face darkened instantly, his voice tinged with shock and fury. “So it really was Emma! I was still holding out hope it was a misunderstanding, or that Allen was lying again.”Edgar let out a cold snort, his brows furrowing as his anger simmered beneath the surface. “Hmph. You’ve really outdone yourselves—allowing someone to infiltrate your home without a clue. If my daughter hadn’t b
The room fell into a brief silence after Edgar left. His imposing presence and lingering anger seemed to hang in the air, refusing to dissipate. Alia lowered her gaze slightly, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the embroidery on her sleeve as though she was still processing everything that had just transpired.Elias stood to the side, his expression a mix of emotions as he watched her. After a moment, he let out a soft sigh and spoke in a low voice, “Livia, I wanted to stay here with you, but there’s something far more important I need to take care of.” His tone carried a hint of guilt and self-reproach. “This is entirely my fault. I have to return and reorganize my forces, conduct a thorough sweep to ensure there are no more spies among us. I won’t let you suffer any harm again.”As he spoke, his voice grew slightly firmer, his gaze shifting toward Marcellus. His eyes carried a sharp intensity, as though he wanted to say something threatening. Yet, recalling how Marcellus had risked
The soft morning light spilled onto the cobblestone path as Livia stood alone before the grand iron gates of the Lord’s Manor. Dressed in a simple dark gown, she faced the imposing entrance—a symbol of Edgar’s authority and the barrier she now had to overcome.She had brought no attendants, not even Emma. Today, she had to confront Edgar’s defenses by herself.As expected, the moment she approached the manor, several armored guards stepped forward to block her path.“Miss Livia, please stop here,” one of them said in a low voice. Though respectful, his tone left no room for negotiation.Livia’s gaze swept over them coldly. Without a word, she took another step forward.“Do you not know who I am?” Her voice was crisp and unwavering, cutting through the quiet morning air.The guards exchanged uneasy glances. Of course, they knew—she was the Lord’s daughter. But their orders were clear: she was not to be allowed inside.Moments later, a man clad in silver armor stepped forward. His expre
The night was deep and quiet. Livia stood in front of the mirror, gazing at her own reflection—her eyes, though slightly weary, still held a sharp glint.She scooped up a handful of icy water from the basin beside her, splashing it onto her face with force, the chill jolting her fully awake.She couldn’t rely on willpower alone to persuade Edgar—she needed more leverage.Her mind swiftly ran through all possibilities before settling on one person.Emma.She had to find Emma.The castle was silent, draped in the weight of the late hour. Livia moved soundlessly through the corridors, her steps light as she made her way toward Emma’s quarters.She didn’t knock. Instead, she pushed the door open and slipped inside.But the moment she stepped in, a flash of cold steel came hurtling toward her!Livia instinctively tilted her head, the blade of a dagger grazing past her cheek, stirring a faint gust of air.She retreated swiftly, her steps steady and silent. On the other side of the room, Emm
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