At that moment, Marcellus gently squeezed her hand again. The warmth of his touch eased Alia’s turbulent emotions, grounding her in the present. He didn’t say much, but his small gesture spoke volumes. She looked up at him, their gazes meeting briefly but meaningfully. His silent reassurance seemed to say: Even if that man cannot support you, I will always be here.This quiet support gave her the strength to bury her tangled feelings deep within. Straightening her back, Alia resumed her graceful composure, ready to face the social demands ahead.When the topic turned to her mother, Alia felt a sharp pang in her chest. Though she had never truly met this mother, the emotions carried by this body were overwhelmingly intense. Her mother’s presence hovered like a mist—distant and intangible, yet ever-present. Alia’s gaze lowered instinctively, her mood shadowed by an unshakable heaviness.Marcellus noticed her shift in demeanor and stepped in smoothly, speaking in a calm yet apologetic to
The ballroom sparkled with resplendent light, casting shimmering reflections as the elegant melody filled the air. Graceful steps and twirls intertwined, painting a dreamlike scene on the polished floor. Among the dancers, Marcellus and Alia drew many glances, but another captivating pair—Elias and Lianna—also stole the spotlight.Lianna’s dress swirled like blooming petals with each step, her radiant smile so warm it could melt the winter’s chill. Dancing alongside her, Elias wore a perfectly tailored white suit, exuding the poise of a prince stepped out of a painting, his every move brimming with grace and charm.Lianna’s delight at dancing with her heart’s desire was unmistakable, her happiness lighting up her face.As the music transitioned into a new passage, the dancers began to exchange partners. Elias moved deliberately toward Lianna and Marcellus, offering a courteous bow and extending his hand to indicate his intention to swap. His eyes were gentle yet firm, leaving no room
As the ball drew to a close, the grand banquet hall gradually quieted. Guests departed in small groups, their chatter and laughter fading into the night. The ornate chandeliers continued to cast a warm glow on the polished floors, but the once-vibrant atmosphere now felt hollow and forlorn. Silent servers moved through the room, collecting empty glasses and plates, leaving behind faint traces of the evening’s splendor.Alia stood at one side of the hall, watching the last few groups of guests bid their farewells. Her gown cascaded elegantly to the floor, and her fingers absently played with an intricately embroidered handkerchief. A swirl of complicated emotions danced in her chest. Her gaze drifted instinctively toward Marcellus, who stood in the center of the hall. Engaging in polite conversation with a group of noble guests, his cold, chiseled features softened by a faint smile of courtesy.When the final guest exited, Marcellus approached her with steady, measured steps. He stoppe
Alia’s voice no longer held its usual gentleness; instead, it carried a tone of unwavering resolve. “Adrian, the world has no sympathy for the weak. You either stand at the summit or be crushed beneath it.”Her words startled Adrian. The sister he had always known to be soft-spoken and kind suddenly revealed an unexpected ambition, her tone brimming with rare authority. He opened his mouth, as if to refute her, but found no suitable words. After a brief silence, he finally absorbed the weight of her statement. Determination gradually replaced hesitation in his gaze.Lifting his head, Adrian looked at Alia with a newfound respect and a conviction that brooked no argument. “Alright. Trust me, I will make it happen.” His voice was low yet resolute, as though he were swearing an oath—not only to her but also to himself.Alia studied his expression, her gaze layered with complex emotions. There was a sisterly fondness in her eyes, but also an unyielding authority. She gave a soft scoff, wa
In the dead of night, Alia tossed and turned in bed, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Her once serene expression twisted into one of anguish, her breathing rapid. In her dreams, she was back in that dim and filthy alley, the cracked cobblestones reeking of decay, with distant, low murmurs adding to the oppressive atmosphere.Her small hand gripped a pouch of coins tightly. It was the treasure she had painstakingly stolen just days before—a small fortune that she thought could finally free her from the torment of poverty and hunger. But somehow, word had gotten out. Shadows emerged at the end of the alley, sinister and menacing.“Hey, little girl, hand it over!” The lead thug snarled, his face broad and greasy, waving a rusty dagger in his hand. A cruel grin spread across his lips.Alia bit her lip and backed away quickly, her eyes darting around for an escape route. She reached for a small pouch at her waist, quickly scattering its powdery contents into the air as the thugs adv
Alia held her breath, straining to listen to the faintest hint of footsteps. Her instincts screamed in alarm. She recognized that gait all too well—light as a feather, yet with a precise rhythm, characteristic of a thief in action.“This isn’t something a servant or guard could manage. It must be a professional.” Her brows furrowed as she swiftly reviewed the estate’s security arrangements in her mind. With Marcellus’s level of caution, it should be nearly impossible to infiltrate this place. Unless there was a mole—or this thief was extraordinary.Lowering her body, she slipped into the shadows cast by a nearby bookshelf. Her movements were fluid, a result of years of training. As she hid, a flicker of humor crossed her mind. “Why is it always the study? Seems like I’m here hiding more often than reading. It’s becoming a tradition.”In the darkness, Alia kept her breathing shallow and focused her gaze on the faint glow under the study door. The light was dim, but it was enough to cat
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
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
The atmosphere in the meeting room fell into a brief silence after Eryx took his seat. It was as if everyone was waiting—waiting to see how the newly appointed lead would begin, and whether she might make some kind of “misstep” that could be dissected, interpreted, or used as leverage.Livia slowly rose, her gaze sweeping across the room. She didn’t raise her voice, but the confidence and composure in her tone naturally commanded attention, drawing every pair of eyes toward her.“First, thank you all for taking the time to attend tonight,” she began, her voice gentle yet poised, carrying the refined grace of her noble upbringing alongside an unshakable firmness.She glanced toward the man in uniform beside her, offering a slight smile. “And a special welcome to General Eryx. Your presence here is undoubtedly critical to the success of the upcoming expansion.”Eryx showed no change in expression—only a faint nod in return.Livia continued, “As for the expansion plan, I will be followin
Night had fallen deep and heavy. The stars outside were obscured by thick clouds, and a soft wind passed through the tall firs surrounding the conference hall, making the branches tremble with a faint rustle. Deep within the hall, the amber glow of a dignified chandelier spilled softly across the round table, illuminating the solemn faces gathered before it.This was the nighttime session of the regular expansion project briefing. The venue was set in a side hall on the rear mountain—remote, heavily guarded, and ideal for dealing with matters not meant for public eyes. Representatives from various departments arrived one after another, quietly exchanging words, nodding greetings, or sitting in complete silence.Livia had been present for some time. She sat at the head of the table, beneath a banner of white and platinum—simple in design, but symbolizing the highest authority presiding over the project.She waited quietly, her long fingers resting on her knees, eyes sweeping over the f
Livia sat on the soft couch in Adrian’s office, her gaze resting on the neatly stacked technical drafts and progress reports beside her. She nodded slightly, seeming satisfied with her younger brother’s efforts on the front lines.“I can see that things are progressing well on your end,” she said softly, her tone unusually relaxed.Adrian set down the documents in his hands and gave a bashful smile. “We’re just following the plan Marcellus laid out before. Everyone’s doing their best.”Livia looked up at him, her eyes gentle but filled with unwavering resolve. “Starting today, I’ll be taking over everything Marcellus was handling. He’s already organized all the materials I need to know, and I’ll familiarize myself with the pace as soon as possible. Don’t worry—I won’t be a burden to your team.”Her voice shifted slightly, and her expression grew more solemn. “This afternoon’s regular meeting—I’ll be attending as the lead of the expansion project. Starting today, I’m officially taking
The hospital room returned to its quiet calm.Marcellus leaned back against the pillow, his eyes still fixed on the direction Livia had left, long after she was gone. Sunlight filtered quietly through the gap in the curtains, landing on his chest—where the warmth of her gentle kiss still lingered. He slowly closed his eyes, as if he could still feel the softness of her lips, and the tenderness she couldn’t quite hide when she spoke those parting words. A sigh escaped him, but the corners of his lips curled upward in a faint, helpless smile.Her decisiveness, her unwavering drive, and the unexpected gentleness that slipped through now and then—it was impossible not to fall deeper. But he knew all too well that this was not the time to bask in such feelings. His wounds had yet to heal, the game had yet to reach its conclusion. And she—she had already chosen a path she must walk alone.He shut his eyes again, gently pressing down the stirring emotions in his heart, as his mind began meth
The two of them shared another round of playful banter, their laughter filling the cool morning air of the hospital room, carrying a gentle atmosphere that lingered with a tinge of reluctant tenderness. Livia gradually softened her smile, gently smoothing the stray strands of hair from her forehead, and then turned serious.“I have to go now. I’m visiting all the key sites today to inspect the work, and I have a meeting with all the main leaders in the evening.”Marcellus’s expression immediately stiffened, his gaze sharpening. “So that means… you’ll have to confront Eryx head-on?”Livia shook her head slightly, though her eyes remained steady and unwavering. “I’m not sure if I’ll run into him. According to your schedule from yesterday, today is the time for your routine meeting, and most people won’t expect me to join so soon. So, the attendance might be light. I want to use this opportunity to familiarize myself with the situation and see if there’s anyone worth gaining over to our
Morning sunlight streamed through the narrow gap in the curtains, casting scattered flecks of gold onto the crisp white sheets. Livia stirred, her lashes fluttering as she slowly opened her eyes. The warm light made her squint slightly, pulling her halfway out of sleep—but it wasn’t the sun that fully woke her.She felt it—a quiet, steady gaze resting on her.Turning her head, she met Marcellus’s eyes. He was already awake, watching her with a look that caught her off guard—soft, unwavering, and tinged with an intimacy she wasn’t yet used to.For a second, she panicked.She tried to sit up quickly, but her arm brushed against something warm and firm beneath the blanket—something that made her freeze mid-motion. A beat passed. Her cheeks flushed bright red. Before she could say a word, Marcellus gave her a familiar, slightly mischievous smile—the kind that made her heart skip and her patience thin.“You’re still misbehaving, even while recovering,” she muttered, giving him a glare that
Livia’s eyes lingered on Marcellus’s hand—still gently wrapped around hers, firm yet reassuring. Her heart skipped a beat. In the soft light, their shadows stretched along the wall beside the bed, wavering slightly as if echoing the tremble in her chest. She exhaled slowly, almost soundlessly, and stepped closer. Every movement she made was featherlight, like she feared even the quietest sound might shatter the fragile stillness between them.She loosened the outer robe draped over her shoulders and let it slide down, the fabric rustling faintly against her skin. One hand unfastened her sash with quiet precision. She moved slowly, with the care of someone unsure if they were allowed this moment. Her every motion—removing each layer, folding her clothes, placing them neatly on the bench beside the bed—carried a sense of reverence, as though this small act of undressing held weight beyond its simplicity.With a breath held, she lifted the blanket’s edge and eased herself into the bed. T
Time slipped by quietly, unnoticed. As the conversation between the two deepened, they grew more engrossed, the warm golden light in the hospital room spreading between them like a soft, tranquil embrace.Livia was leaning over the final map, her voice low and focused: “If we reroute through the East Corridor, would that—”She stopped mid-sentence.It suddenly dawned on her that Marcellus, propped against the headboard beside her, looked pale and exhausted. A sheen of sweat clung to his forehead. Though he was clearly forcing himself to stay alert for their discussion, his body had long reached its limit.She frowned slightly, frustrated with herself. Closing the file folder, she murmured, “…Sorry, I got too carried away. I forgot you’re still recovering. I should’ve let you rest earlier.”With that, she stood up and quietly walked over to the simple spare cot on the side of the room, ready to let the night pass in silence and pick up their unfinished plans tomorrow.But just as she l
Elias was just about to stand up, brushing down his cloak as he prepared to leave the room with Livia. But just as he moved, Livia’s voice rang out—soft, even-paced, but carrying a quiet firmness that left no room for doubt:“Tonight, I’ll stay with you.”The air seemed to freeze for a moment the instant those words left her lips. Elias and Marcellus turned to look at her almost simultaneously. Marcellus frowned, a flicker of surprise and instinctive concern in his eyes. Elias, meanwhile, froze in place, a look of stunned disbelief flashing across his face.Livia didn’t shy away from their gazes. She looked directly at Marcellus, her tone as calm and rational as ever. “There are still things I haven’t figured out. No matter how quickly you try to explain them verbally, it’s better for me to ask directly and clear everything up. Let’s settle the rest tonight—so there won’t be any loose ends in the handover.”“No,” Marcellus said at once, shaking his head, his expression unusually urgen