Adrian, who was sighing because the plan had gone completely awry due to the sudden appearance of the assassins, tilted his head at Teishar’s words.
“My lovely sweetheart, Lady Lorencia, had even prepared a countermeasure in case something like this happened. Isn’t she really too smart? Our Loa is not just smart. Even calling her wise is an understatement. Loa is the one and only genius in this world. Not just a genius, but a smart genius. No, a wise genius. No, the smartest, most intelligent, and wisest genius in the world.”
In the middle of the forest where a fierce downpour and a rain of arrows were pouring down, Teishar was second to none when it came to talking about Lorencia. Adrian narrowed his coldly cooled eyes and stared at him. Lanslon was the same.
“Enough bragging about your lover, Duke Teishar. Tell me the plan from now on.”
“I will tell you after we kill all the assassins.”
“Really?”
Adrian took a deep breath and then swung his sword greatly, blowing away the incoming arrows at once.
“Lord Lanslon.”
“Yes. Your Highness Adrian.”
“Clean up everything from the back.”
“Understood.”
Lanslon quietly disappeared into the shadows.
“Then, Duke Teishar. Will you tell me what the plan is from now on?”
“It’s not that you collapsed from an arrow I mistakenly shot, but that Your Highness was hit by an arrow shot by the assassins.”
“An arrow shot by the assassins, not an arrow thrown by mistake by Duke Teishar?”
“That’s right.”
Adrian threw his gaze at the bushes and raised his red lips.
“Indeed… Everyone will be convinced when they see this many assassin corpses.”
“Yes. So the witnesses, no, the assassins must all be killed.”
The heavy rain slowly began to stop. The assassins in front of them drew their swords and took a stance.
“They seem to be well-trained assassins, so let’s not let our guard down.”
“It looks like there’s poison applied to the blades too…”
“Poison is the basis of assassination. Your Highness.”
An assassin swung his sword and approached Teishar. Teishar confronted him leisurely. Adrian, who was next to him, stabbed the waist of the assassin who had swung his sword at Teishar with the sword he held in one hand.
The battle started again in the tension. The blood flowing from the fallen assassin’s body mixed with the muddy water, turning it deep red and splattering everywhere.
Teishar knocked down the attacking assassins one by one. For him, it was easier to deal with assassins than with numerous monsters. Adrian thrust his sword into the back of the last remaining assassin. Teishar surveyed the surroundings. Except for Lanslon, he could not feel the presence of anyone else at all.
“I’m back. Your Highness Adrian.”
“The surroundings are all cleaned up, right? Lord Lanslon.”
“Of course.”
“How many were there?”
“There were 7 assassins keeping watch around.”
The number of assassins Lorencia had told them was 37. The number of fallen assassins was also 37.
“Although the plan has gone somewhat awry, it will be that Your Highness Adrian died from an assassin’s arrow, not my arrow.”
As Adrian lay down and took his position, Teishar thrust an arrow into Adrian’s chest. Blood began to gush from his chest. Although it was only beast fat inside the leather vest he was wearing, the fishy smell instantly began to spread around. His uniform was dyed bright red with blood. As Teishar pulled out the arrow, blood splattered on his cheeks and here and there.
“I will thrust it again.”
“Thrust it gently. Duke Teishar.”
Teishar thrust the arrow back into Adrian’s chest with a clear smile as if finishing up. Until almost all the beast’s blood put in the leather vest drained out, Adrian thrust the arrow countless times. Each time, Adrian flinched. Teishar took off the cloak he was wearing and began to press firmly on the heart area as if to stop the blood from flowing out any more.
“Just drink the potion. Your Highness Adrian.”
Adrian grimaced and tilted the small bottle Teishar handed him to his mouth.
“I will see you later. Your Highness, Crown Prince Adrian.”
“Please take good care of Charlotte and the child in her womb. Lord Lanslon. Duke Teishar.”
Adrian frowned. He began to breathe roughly as if he had sprinted at full speed, his body began to tremble, then soon his body’s breathing stopped and his eyes slowly closed. Teishar brought his ear to Adrian’s chest. He could feel his heart getting slower and slower.
“Lord Lanslon. You can go and inform the people.”
“Understood. Duke Spencer.”
The rain had completely stopped, and the clouds were disappearing little by little, and sunlight began to appear. Thanks to Lanslon running and informing them, many people came running. To confirm Adrian’s death.
[This is the timeline separator]When Empress Ines heard that Adrian had been shot by an assassin’s arrow, she ran out with a pale face. The other noble ladies and young ladies all left the tent as well. Charlotte avoided her seat.
Left alone, Lorencia opened the tent flap and went out, and ran into Ruans.
“Lorencia.”
“Prince Ruans.”
“I came to see you.”
“Yes.”
As Ruans approached Lorencia, Evan and Amelin blocked the way.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d stop approaching our lady. Prince Ruans.”
Evan politely said to Ruans.
“Evan. It’s okay. Can’t I just talk a little with Prince Ruans?”
“My lady…”
“I’ll talk briefly. Please.”
Having obtained permission, Lorencia took Ruans and Carlien and moved to a big tree next to a tent where people rarely came.
“Lorencia. My elder brother Adrian is dead.”
“I’m glad it turned out as I dreamed.”
“Yes. Lorencia. You’ve worked hard all this time. You can stop being lovers with Duke Teishar now.”
Ruans had sent assassins to kill Teishar. However, there was no news of Teishar being dead. And it was said that all the assassins who had gone were killed without a single one left. As expected, Teishar Spencer was a monster. Still, he wasn’t in a bad mood. Because Adrian was dead.
“I had a dream yesterday.”
“A dream?”
“A dream where Your Highness, Prince Ruans, becomes the emperor. And a dream where the temple that serves Goddess Ella moves to the Isuter Empire.”
“That’s a good dream.”
“After you ascend to the throne as emperor, if you start a war together with the priests of the Ella Temple… You can achieve everything you want.”
Lorencia lowered her eyes as if embarrassed. She slightly raised the corners of her mouth.
“Because the prophecy you dreamed is absolute.”
“Yes.”
Ruans stared at Lorencia blankly without answering. Ruans’ green eyes curved round.
“You’ve become prettier since I last saw you.”
Lorencia’s body trembled at his compliment of her appearance.
Ruans’ terrible verbal abuse came to mind. She must not be mistaken. His compliment is a lie.
“You say I’ve become prettier?”
“Maybe it’s because you’ve gained weight, your risen cheeks are cute too, and your red hair is tempting.”
“I guess it’s because I ate well while I was at the imperial palace.”
Ruans’ cheeks flushed red as his eyes met Lorencia’s.
“Have you grown taller too?”
“I haven’t grown taller.”
“I’m sorry. When you were trapped in the earl’s residence, I should have paid more attention to you…”
“You shouldn’t pay attention to a bastard child like me when you have important things ahead of you.”
“Even though I was by Duke Teishar’s side, my heart was always turned towards you, Prince Ruans.”
“Now, Princess Charlotte just needs to return to the Poloid Empire and die in a monster attack, right?”
“Lorencia.”
“Yes?”
“I have something to confess to you today.”
“A confession?”
“Yes. I should confess to you today. My feelings.”
It was when Ruans was narrowing the distance with Lorencia little by little.
“Prince Ruans. It would be better for you not to get any closer to my lover.”
Teishar, who had appeared at some point, glared at Ruans while breathing roughly. The moment he heard the report that Ruans had gone to Lorencia, it felt as if his blood had frozen in an instant.
“Duke Spencer.”
“Now is not the time for you to be here. Prince Ruans. His Highness Crown Prince Adrian has died from an arrow shot by an assassin.”
At Teishar’s words, Ruans’ eyes slightly widened and then soon curved like a crescent moon. His raised lips didn’t seem like they would come down.
Ruans slowly walked up to Teishar and whispered.
“From now on, you’ll have to call me Crown Prince, not Prince Ruans. Duke Spencer.”
Teishar shrugged his shoulder with one hand as if he had no interest in Ruans’ words. And in two steps, he approached Lorencia.
“Loa. We must go now.”
“What? But…”
Lorencia stared at Ruans intently.
“Lorencia. It’s okay. I’ll confess again later, so listen to my confession then.”
Teishar’s brows narrowed on their own. He was dumbfounded by the crazy words of confessing even though his lover was clearly in front of his eyes.
“Prince Ruans. See you again.”
Lorencia said with a bright smile. As Ruans left the place with Carlien, Teishar kissed the back of Lorencia’s hand and asked.
“I will ask you once more. Loa.”
“Yes.”
“Will you come with me to the Poloid Empire?”
“Why are you asking such a question? Is it because of what I said to Prince Ruans?”
Teishar nodded his head with a pained expression.
“Ter.”
“Yes.”
“Please take me to the Poloid Empire. Take me to where my real family is.”
Lorencia showed a smile.
“I want to leave the Isuter Empire.”
Lorencia had no lingering attachment to the Isuter Empire. She couldn’t have any. False love. False family. False regards. All she experienced here was nothing but lies. So there was absolutely no room for lingering attachment. Therefore, she bids farewell.
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
