“What was it?”
Several days had passed since the incident with Celine, but Delina was still bothered by that day’s events. Although Celine, when they met later, acted as if nothing had happened, the events of that day lingered in Delina’s mind.
“Surely she had a serious nightmare.”
That must be why she couldn’t distinguish between dream and reality, screaming at me even after waking up. Delina had a rough idea of what that nightmare might be.
“Surely it was a dream of the village burning down due to rebellion.”
Celine’s face, which muttered about the heat, hinted at the fear she must have experienced at that time. The agonizing expression and the cold sweat she shed suggested as much. Yes, it wasn’t the first time Delina had seen such a painful face.
“On that horrific day, not only you experienced that.”
On a silent night, lying in bed, occasional nightmares of that day surfaced. Families dying, buildings burning, and people fleeing while screaming endlessly.
Thinking about the heat of that day, Delina realized her breathing had become rough without her noticing. Although much had improved over the years, it was a memory that could never be forgotten.
“…”
At that moment, a shadow loomed over Delina. It was Calix.
“…What are you doing?”
Seeing Delina looking quite serious, Calix stared at her with concern. Delina replied.
“Just enjoying the good weather, taking a stroll in the garden.”
“…”
“It’s nothing. I just have something on my mind.”
Calix’s hair swayed in the gentle breeze. Calix spoke.
“Shall I make some dessert for you?”
At the sudden mention of dessert, Delina smiled. She knew this was Calix’s way of comforting her.
“Yeah, when you have a lot on your mind, sweet things are the best. I’ll help you make it too.”
“Tell me what you want.”
“Hmm… How about making cookies for a change? Cookies with lots of chocolate chips.”
“With warm milk.”
“Sounds perfect.”
That’s how the two of them were discussing the dessert menu. From the direction of the main gate, the sound of a carriage was heard, and several servants were coming out, as if welcoming someone from the carriage.
“Hmm?”
Calix and Delina also looked in the direction of the sound. Noah was descending from the completely stopped carriage.
“Noah?”
Noah approached Delina. Their eyes met. Surprised by Noah’s sudden appearance, Delina asked.
“Did you just arrive now?”
“Yeah.”
“…Why?”
Felik, who seemed to have known about Noah’s arrival, was coming closer from the main entrance. Delina asked again.
“So, what’s the unofficial reason?”
“Curious?”
“…No, no. I’m not curious.”
‘He won’t tell me for free.’
Gradually realizing Noah’s rising smile, Delina quickly responded. Felik, who came to her side, guided Noah.
“His Excellency is waiting. Please come this way.”
Following Felik’s guidance, Noah took a step. Even then, Noah smiled, squinting his eyes.
“What’s going on, really?”
As Noah disappeared into the distance, Delina followed him with her eyes. Then, Calix tapped Delina’s shoulder.
“Let’s go too.”
“Oh, yeah…”
While moving her feet at Calix’s words, Delina glimpsed the direction Noah had walked. And as Delina did so, Calix silently watched her.
“Please come in, Your Excellency.”
Saying that, Felik opened the door to the office. Noah approached Bellion, who was sitting in a chair.
“If you need anything, please call.”
Felik politely excused himself, giving them some privacy. Bellion nodded.
“Sit.”
Upon his words, Noah took a seat in the chair opposite him. After a moment of silence, Bellion spoke.
“I didn’t expect you to come.”
“If you want to be precise, it’s an errand.”
Saying that, Noah took out a paper from his pocket. Placing the paper on the desk, Noah added an explanation.
“It’s about the request you made to the guild.”
“…”
“He said you would know the details once you read it.”
Bellion just stared at the paper without saying anything. Soon, he turned his gaze to Noah sitting across from him.
“I didn’t know Diamon Gongja would even run errands.”
“He’s such a big client; you have to pay attention.”
“…”
“And another big client to meet.”
It was obvious that this client was even more significant than Bellion. Then Bellion, looking at Noah, raised his eyebrows.
“Did the clown make the request?”
“No. It’s because there’s something to give.”
“What is it?”
“It’s confidential.”
Nonchalantly answering Noah in front of Bellion, Noah then glanced at Bellion. Bellion’s displeased face turned slightly askew.
“How about a sparring match after a long time?”
“Considering it might be a sparring match with a lot of emotions involved, I can refuse, right?”
Seeing Bellion’s hand, which seemed ready to throw him out at any moment, Noah raised his head in surrender. Then, Bellion, who had been tapping the armrest of the chair, opened his mouth.
“The clown likes handsome people like me.”
“…”
“Wealth and power are also required.”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
