Today, I met Princess Anessa again.
After checking whether I had the recording device, she began tormenting me, pinching my cheeks in frustration.
“Sweetie, does it hurt a lot?”
“No.”
When I confidently replied, the princess opened her eyes wide and whispered low.
“If you cry and ask for help, say you want my assistance. Then, I might help you from falling into the abyss.”
“I don’t want that.”
She mockingly smiled and touched me again.
“On the topic of a fake daughter, you still don’t understand. Should we continue a bit more?”
For now, I endured it all.
After pinching my face, she poured holy water on my cheeks.
To prevent swelling or bruising, any evidence that could be left behind was promptly erased.
‘Well, honestly, it’s not a big deal. Endurable.’
I had to slowly and quietly accept Princess Anessa’s intentions and what exactly she would do.
To that woman, I was no more than a mischievous ‘little one’ to be toyed with.
So, I had to be vigilant and not suddenly accelerate.
‘My father is more precious than my body. That person might do something to my father using me.’
So, I patiently endured her attitude.
Today, she and I were once again having a conversation in a small reception room.
Princess Anessa, while talking about the fake daughter, generously shared the information she possessed.
“Do you now understand that you’re a fake daughter? Have you heard the rumors?”
“You spread the rumors, didn’t you?”
“Oh, I thought you were a fool, but you can guess that much. Did you like what I did? What do you think about those rumors, Cyan?”
“Mm. Seems like I’m a fake daughter.”
What she said was exactly as Delfia had heard.
There was nothing more special.
‘Does this woman not have any more information?’
Thinking it was time to stop this, I remained silent.
As if she thought I was hurt, a bitter smile formed on her lips.
Now, it was time for her long nails to make welts on my face.
If I didn’t act as she intended, Princess Anessa couldn’t control her anger and abruptly pulled out a small dagger. Afterward, she poured holy water on the swollen cheek to treat it and left.
Today, it seemed like she intended to do the same; Princess Anessa raised her hand.
However…
Contrary to my expectations, she lowered her eyebrows and whispered towards me.
“Lord Cyan, how can you say such frightening words?”
I widened my eyes.
Why was a person who had been cursing me suddenly acting like this?
“No matter how much you dislike me becoming your stepmother…”
The princess dropped tears from her beautiful eyes.
I was dumbfounded.
‘So, this woman suddenly acting like this means… Is this… coming out of a weekend drama or something?’
I felt sweaty palms in this dramatic situation.
Thud, thump. The sound of rapid footsteps echoed from the door.
Even the voices of people’s excitement started ringing in my ears.
Finally, thinking we had reached the climax, Princess Anessa shouted dramatically.
“If you torment me this much, it’s hard for me too! Others, they like me… no matter what you think of me as a stepmother, please show some restraint!”
“Huh?”
“Even if you keep insulting me as your stepmother, I’ve en… endured it!”
Finally, the door creaked open with a large noise.
And outside, there were maids, Duchess Lucella, Leonhardt, and Delfia.
Princess Anessa lowered her eyelashes coldly and murmured while looking down.
“I… I’m not hurt by the words of a five-year-old.”
With an expression clearly showing she was hurt, Princess Anessa mumbled.
“Even if Lord Cyan, you act like you’re exposing my feelings.”
I enjoyed her excellent acting.
Anyone seeing that appearance would reach out to her. While thinking it hurts, they wouldn’t know what was hidden within that angelic appearance.
Princess Anessa, in a short time in this mansion, had built up her reputation.
Perhaps, the magical object she momentarily concealed in her embrace had some kind of brainwashing effect.
Princess Anessa seemed to think people would overlook her acting.
But she overlooked something.
These people…
“Xralhane, Lee-si.”
…are on my side.
Delfia’s bold words echoed loudly in the reception room.
I chuckled and tilted my head.
The actions I had taken so far to deceive Princess Anessa were finally coming to light.
‘Stupid Princess Anessa.’
No one got angry even if she used a dagger on me, so Princess Anessa probably thought I was a mischievous troublemaker from the Mirmode family.
Even when she spread rumors that I was a fake daughter, no one got angry. She thought her plan worked and triumphantly called for the next operation.
“…Xral, you said?”
Momentarily seeming not to understand what she heard, Princess Anessa’s lips trembled.
I began to observe the situation with great interest.
“What did you just… say?”
“I said Xral.”
Astonished by Delfia’s aggressive statement, the princess showed a confused expression.
It was understandable. Until now, the princess had almost always praised Delfia.
She might have been under the delusion that everyone had come over to her side.
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