Returning to the palace, Valier gazed at the crystal glass given by Leopold under the candlelight, wearing a satisfied smile. The glass reflected light more brilliantly than the one she had before. Leopold, perhaps conscious of the public’s eyes, promptly rose from his seat, yet he had given her such a precious gift.
“Well, it seems like he has some interest in me.”
Even though she was an avenger who lost her child, Henri was thoroughly ignored by the child’s father. Now, as a concubine, she desperately needed something to rebuild her shattered self-esteem.
“A very exquisite glass. It doesn’t seem to be a product produced within the Trivian Empire, right?”
Countess Brienta, who visited Valier at the right moment, asked with a curious voice.
“It’s an imported item.”
“Did the Emperor give it to you as a gift?”
At the Countess’s question, Valier’s mood rapidly cooled, as if pouring cold water over her.
“Could the Emperor give me something like this? He hasn’t even met me.”
“I see. If he would give such a precious thing as a gift, it would undoubtedly mean you have a special relationship.”
‘A special relationship.’
The word carelessly spoken by Countess Brienta struck Valier’s ears.
“A special relationship? If he would give something like this as a gift, it must mean that you have such a relationship, right?”
“Of course. I don’t know who gave it, but it seems that Viscount Bellian values it a lot.”
“Hmm. It seems so.”
Having failed in her first love, Valier began to contemplate whether she should consider the next relationship.
Countess Brienta smiled coldly as she watched Valier, who was scrutinizing the crystal glass with a frigid gaze, with the eyes of a ruthless woman.
The mansion was certainly different from the palace.
The clean air filled the lungs, and there was an undisturbed tranquility, different from the atmosphere of the imperial palace.
Whether the sun had risen or not, the entire world was still immersed in a dim blue light.
Ermeldine, who woke up early, glanced outside the door and saw that Luni and Mago seemed to be wandering in dreamland.
She was naturally a morning person, but today, she woke up even earlier than usual.
The air inside the temple was so clear, and there was no noise, so she had a deep sleep without dreaming.
‘How about taking a walk?’
Quietly slipping out of her quarters to avoid waking Luni and Mago, Ermeldine strolled through the deserted corridor.
Looking out of the large window, she could see the last bright silver light scattered from the dark blue sky, darker than the dawn sky.
‘Did she sleep well?’
A person who naturally comes to mind when seeing that scene.
With hair darker than the dawn sky, the eyes shining mysteriously like stars, this person has a mysterious charm.
The not yet warm, refreshing breeze lightly brushed her neck.
At that moment, when Ermeldine shivered all over, trying to avoid the unknown emotion, tears about to fall without reason.
At that moment, a bold voice began to be heard from the end of the corridor.
“Nice to meet you!”
Sure enough, it was that unpleasant guy she met yesterday.
He looked like a sweet little cat at first glance, but when he opened his mouth, he showed his true colors as a priest who reveals his inner thoughts.
But because there was something to talk about, Ermeldine obediently turned her head and looked at him.
“Yeah, nice to meet you.”
“Who are you? Don’t think about lying to me! I’m sure you’re not that woman! And if you lie here, you’ll receive divine punishment for blasphemy!”
How can such a wicked expression be created on that pretty face?
‘I’m more curious about your identity. Who the hell are you?’
However, contrary to her inner feelings, a confident remark came out.
“I told you she’s not that woman. But on what basis are you saying that?”
“Ah-ha! I knew it! I knew it!”
“What? Weren’t you sure when you said it?”
“Of course, I was sure. I can see souls with my eyes. I saw that woman’s soul before, and it was a very unique soul, so I remember it vividly.”
“You can see souls?”
‘Is he some kind of shaman?’
“Yeah. Each soul has its own light or waves, and I can distinguish them!”
Proud of his talent, Arbien’s chin lifted a bit higher.
“Well, I see. But how will you prove it if I deny it? I am the Empress, after all.”
Ermeldine deliberately clenched her fist and looked at Arbien with a confident expression.
“Amusing. No matter how much you wash in clear river water, that woman’s soul can’t turn as white as yours.”
“So, how will you prove that white soul?”
“Well, um…”
Seeing Arbien faltering at the word “proof,” it seemed that he himself had no specific way to prove it.
“Perhaps you talk to wandering souls, or dead pets visit you every night, right?”
Ermeldine asked cautiously, wondering if there might be something like that. However, Arbien shouted vehemently.
“No! No way! I’m not crazy! My powers are real!”
Startled by Arbien suddenly jumping around, Ermeldine quickly covered his mouth with her hand.
“I get it. I get it. I’m sorry. Okay, your power is real. So, stop shouting.”
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
