After returning home, Alia changed into casual attire and tidied up her belongings, her mind already working on plans for the next day. Glancing out the window, she saw the darkening sky dotted with faint stars, as if encouraging her to move steadily forward with her mission.
The next day, at the break of dawn, Alia rose swiftly from bed. She knew how important this day is—not just for her plan but also as an opportunity to showcase herself. Opening the window, she let the cool morning breeze invigorate her.
After washing up, she headed to the kitchen and found Elise already bustling around. Hearing footsteps, Elise turned and was startled to see Alia.
“Livia, you’re up so early? I am preparing the breakfast. I’ve got the kitchen covered,” Elise said, a touch of concern in her voice.
Alia smiled and shook her head. “No, I want to personally prepare something for Marcellus and my father. It’s my way o
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
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
Once again, she was reminded of who she used to be in her past life.Back then, she hadn’t met her master yet, didn’t even have a name. She was just a shadow slipping through alleys and street corners, someone who could vanish at any moment. Every morning she woke up shivering from the biting cold, her stomach hollow and aching. Every night, she curled up behind broken crates or next to trash heaps, falling asleep to the sounds of crying and fighting on the outer edges of the city. There was never enough food, never enough warmth—no trust, no direction.If she hadn’t met her master that night, she might’ve quietly died in some nameless alley.And now, the man before her was saying he wanted to build a new residential area—for people like she once was, people with nowhere to go.If what he said was real, if this expansion project could truly take shape, it would mean that in the future, there would be fewer people like “Alia.”In that moment, something sparked inside her—Livia… no, Ali