“Sethelus and Charitos?”
At the unexpected names that popped up out of nowhere, there was no choice but to be a little surprised.
“It’s all thanks to you. There’s a difference between you and me. You didn’t have anyone to help you, but I had the key named you. Well, even if that’s not the reason, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to do anything, as the one feared by others.”
Listening to Liandro’s words, it was easy to understand his sentiment.
For someone who grew up in the arms of the Empress as the Emperor’s substitute, becoming the Emperor was not something special. It was natural, and he might have tried to oppress others forcefully.
After all, he was the Emperor.
Considering the personality of the previous Emperor, it was likely.
“That could have been the case.”
“But I’m different. Because you are here.”
“Even if it weren’t me, Liandro, it would have been you. If you had decided to change, you could have persuaded Sethelus and Charitos.”
“Maybe.”
But the former Emperor would have been different. At that time, the substitute was probably on the side of Liandro’s brother, not the Emperor Rahel. The situation in Matap wouldn’t have been much different.
‘Even if things were different, he probably wouldn’t have chosen this path. He couldn’t have imagined that the words of a powerless emperor would lead to death.’
“Anyway, it’s all thanks to you. Because you were there, I could have… changed.”
Is it for these kinds of things that I exist in this time?
‘Maybe the god… didn’t want the tragic death of the novel’s villain, Shasha, the pitiful death of the Emperor Liandro, and the nightmares of the Crown Prince Rodelo in this life. So, I came to this time, and perhaps it’s not about changing them.’
He smiled awkwardly. If gods exist.
Even if they do exist, would they bother with such things?
In the meantime, Liandro gently stroked my head. It was a cautious touch, like touching glass.
“After agreeing to help me at the temple and Matap, the noble faction began to solidify. However, some of them have already turned to my side. Quite powerful forces. They realized there was no future in the noble faction.”
“So Evan Duke causing a fuss with me at the party and the rumor that I’m getting along with the Crown Matapju led to more nobles leaving the faction. In the end, the noble faction won’t be able to stick together like before.”
“Still, be careful. It could be dangerous.”
“Don’t worry. But aside from that, Bella.”
As if trying not to worry me more, he slowly opened his mouth.
“Yes?”
“But I’m relieved that you seem to be sleeping well these days.”
“Ah… I always carried a burden in my heart.”
That was about Noah. Every time I was happy here, the guilt about Noah grew even stronger.
Whenever I was determined to protect Shasha and Rodelo, I chastised myself with the thought, “Who are you?” So, I couldn’t sleep well, carrying discomfort and sadness in my heart.
But thanks to Sethelus, I could let go of the burden in my heart.
I could breathe and live.
“I miss him…”
I had a lot to say to him. I had to tell Rodelo about his feelings, thank Liandro for supporting me, and ask how to keep Liandro safe.
Then it happened.
From the moment I thought about Sethelus, my stomach suddenly felt uneasy. The more I thought about him, the more my mind became distant. And suddenly, everything in front of my eyes went black.
“Bella?”
Since I was sitting, it wasn’t as bad, but if I had been standing, it would have been a moment of excruciating pain. So, after struggling to breathe, I looked at Liandro.
“Ha… Ha.”
“Why is that?”
“Just… my vision suddenly went distant. No… it’s just strange right now.”
As my breathing became a bit more comfortable and the uneasiness improved, my head suddenly cleared. Like being struck by lightning, my mind became dizzy, and everything in front of my eyes went dark again.
It was to the extent that I thought the current me, who was momentarily possessed, was returning to my original body.
It felt like a sudden surge of energy in my body.
“Are you okay now?”
“I’m perfectly fine.”
I awkwardly smiled at him. In fact, it wasn’t fine. I had an overwhelming amount of energy.
I felt like I could go outside right now and run around the Star Palace a hundred times. I couldn’t understand why it was happening, but it felt somewhat ominous.
“I see…”
“Can we rest for today?”
“Sure. Will we part like this today too?”
“Yeah. But it’s not far. Until our end.”
I leaned forward and lightly kissed his lips. However, as if Liandro didn’t want to part like this, he wrapped his arms around my neck.
Then, he blew his breath over my lips. The sensation was so hot that it felt like my lips would burn.
“I love you.”
“Me too…”
It lasted for a long time. I felt my body getting warm. But feeling like it shouldn’t go any further, I detached my lips.
“Let’s stop here today.”
“When will I be able to freely explore your lips?”
“Soon… very soon.”
Then I stood up and patted his shoulder. Only after doing so did Liandro stand up as if there was no other choice.
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
