Eliade had no right to inquire about his orders. She could only guess that it might be for scouting enemy lines or perhaps a preference to move separately.
“I wanted to see Your Majesty the Empress one last time before leaving.”
“…Don’t talk about ‘lasts.'”
Eliade shook her head and pressed herself against the balcony railing. Any talk of ends was ominous to those heading to war.
“I meant the last for today. I won’t be able to see Your Majesty for a while.”
Revel stepped forward, matching the distance with Eliade. The Empress, illuminated by the dawn light above, shone clearly and brilliantly. My beautiful person, even in the night. A smile appeared on Revel’s lips.
“Why me…”
Eliade forgot her voice was trembling. No, that couldn’t be. Why would someone she had just met care for her? For what reason?
“Do I need a reason?”
Her breath caught. Could those blue eyes be so intense? Had she ever been the recipient of such fervent longing in her life? As Eliade faltered without an answer, Revel continued:
“I will faithfully execute any command from Your Majesty the Empress.”
A command? Before she could ask, Revel disappeared. Eliade looked around in bewilderment, but the balcony area was quiet.
Morning came with the departure ceremony.
In the Imperial Palace, Claudius was already prepared. Naturally, the Consort was by his side. Celina’s eyes were red and swollen, as if she had been crying for a long time.
“Your Majesty the Emperor, you must return safely.”
“I’ll endure the hardest moments thinking of the Consort.”
It was a tearful farewell. Celina held a handkerchief tightly in her hand, drenching it with tears in a bout of weeping. Claudius tenderly comforted her.
At first glance, it was quite a romantic scene, but the looks from the surrounding people towards the couple were not all favorable. It was almost offensive how Claudius blatantly favored her, with the Empress right there.
“I wish you good fortune.”
Eliade offered only a formal greeting, refraining from any comforting or affectionate words. Her tongue and throat were too precious to utter such words.
Claudius appeared somewhat disappointed.
“Empress, isn’t your greeting a bit too cold? To give only a few words to a spouse leaving for battle.”
“That should be more than enough.”
Eliade’s response was curt, reflecting her true feelings.
Celina, who was clinging close to Claudius, let out an uncontrollable laugh. It was infuriating. Although their relationship was rumored to be strained, couldn’t she at least speak kindly?
The Emperor hugged Celina once, kissed her forehead lightly, and left without saying anything else to Eliade.
That was more comfortable for Eliade. It was always more awkward to receive hollow actions and words. What if Claudius whispered words of love to Eliade? The thought made her stomach churn.
Suppressing the nauseating feeling, Eliade spoke to Lynette and the maids.
“Let’s go back.”
Walking back to the Imperial Consort’s Palace, Eliade thought of Revel, whom she had encountered at dawn.
At least he was friendly towards her. If he could achieve good results in the war and extend his contract with the imperial family, the situation would tilt slightly in her favor.
What next? The issue of paying them, starting with the contract fee, was a challenge.
Thankfully, Eliade had a hidden asset passed down by her mother, Keira Lowen Melfiram, before she entered the palace.
‘A woman should have her own money. It prevents you from becoming pathetic. Keep this a secret from Lynette and the imperial family.’
Mother, did you foresee such a situation? Eliade struggled to contain her bitterness.
Should she embezzle and launder funds like Claudius, using them casually? Or should she seduce Revel?
At this thought, a weary smile escaped her. The sudden laughter caused Lynette and the maids to glance at Eliade’s expression, but the Empress had already returned to her usual impassive face.
To Eliade, seduction was not her forte.
During her adolescent years, filled with curiosity, her brother Rimres kept her strictly monitored, preventing her from meeting boys her age.
Then, she stayed in the mansion to receive education as an imperial consort before entering the palace directly. Eliade was curious about men, but she never behaved as if it was her life’s purpose.
‘Seduce, indeed.’
Would things have been easier if she knew such tactics? Frustrated, Eliade quickened her pace.
Matching her hastened steps, a gust of wind suddenly blew fiercely. The scarf, fluttering uneasily, loosened and fell to the ground after a few steps.
Unaware of the fallen scarf, Eliade walked quite a distance ahead.
“Your Majesty the Empress, wait a moment.”
Alerted by the maids’ calls, Eliade touched her neck and returned with an embarrassed expression. Lynette quickly wrapped the scarf around Eliade’s neck.
The thin scarf tied around her neck had become quite fashionable among the nobility, thanks to Eliade.
Some speculated it was a symbol of mourning for her family. However, these were just assumptions circulating among people. Eliade never explained the story behind the scarf.
Eliade carefully removed her hand from her neck. The diagonal scar on her neck revealed its dark presence. Being the only blemish on her otherwise clean neck, it was particularly noticeable.
Lynette busily adjusted the scarf back to its original shape.
“There, it’s done.”
Lynette tried to sound cheerful, but Eliade’s gloomy expression did not lighten. Lynette, aware of the story behind the scar, walked with her head down.
That scar was the price of Lynette’s life.
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
