The knights’ eyes sparkled with curiosity as they looked at Edward, who greatly resembled the Commander’s fiancée.
“Nice to meet you.”
Edward gave a slight bow.
Just then, Allen, who was bringing Edward’s sword, greeted Edward warmly.
“Oh, so the disciple is Edward? He’s definitely worth raising.”
Recalling Edward from their joint training in the square, Allen nodded in agreement.
“Hello again. It’s been a while.”
“Don’t worry too much, just trust me.”
“Why should I trust you?”
“I’m better than the Commander. To be honest, the Commander is a bit awkward. No finesse.”
“What’s wrong?”
Interrupting the two squabbling individuals, Edward quickly interjected.
“What should I start with?”
“Let’s start with loosening up your body. Run around the training ground. Ten laps. Then some light sparring. We need to assess your level.”
“I’m sparring with my brother? Me?”
“Yes, I promised, didn’t I? When we first met.”
“Wow, you remembered? That’s exciting.”
An excited Edward clenched his fists.
Then he quickly resumed his posture.
“Ah, my sister told me not to call you ‘brother’. Should I call you ‘Master’ here, or ‘Commander’?”
“Hmm? Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“Then I’ll call you Commander, for practice.”
“Alright, go ahead.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Edward cheerfully responded and promptly ran off with the other knights.
(Time separator.)
“Edward, how is your swordsmanship training? Are they teaching you well?”
During dinner, Alicia seemed to remember and asked.
“Yes, sister. It’s really fun.”
“Fun? Isn’t it tough?”
“Not tough at all. Everyone’s really nice.”
Upon hearing Edward’s words, Alicia narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
“By the way, sister, my brother even sparred with me.”
“Really?”
“My brother only used his left hand while standing still, and I couldn’t even get close. He’s really amazing.”
Listening in, Lady Lancaster smiled.
“My, it seems Eric is taking good care of you.”
“Yes, mother. Plus, my brothers are really fun.”
“That’s good. Enjoy your learning.”
The Knights’ order had plenty of delicious food, an abundance of swords, and a large arsenal of weapons. It’s quite entertaining to look around. But they were heavy and not easy to handle.”
Listening to Edward’s enthusiastic chatter, Alicia slightly tilted her head.
‘Went to learn the sword but finds it fun? I should check if he’s really doing it right.’
(This is a time marker.)
After dinner, Alicia chatted briefly with the butler and climbed the stairs to return to her room.
Reaching the second floor, she suddenly looked at the balcony in front of her.
“Who left the door open?”
Muttering to herself, Alicia approached to close the door.
Then, something blue caught her eye, sitting on the railing of the balcony.
“What’s that?”
Curiosity drew Alicia closer.
“A butterfly?”
The familiar shade of blue captured her attention.
As she continued to watch its slightly flapping wings, she felt strangely absentminded.
Feeling that Alicia posed no threat, the butterfly seemed ready to flutter into the mansion.
Just then, Edward came up behind Alicia, carrying a glass of milk.
“What are you doing, sis?”
“Shh. Look there.”
“What is it? A butterfly? Why is it here?”
“Ugh!”
Suddenly, Alicia swatted the butterfly with a broom standing next to her.
As a result, the butterfly fluttered forcefully and flew to the side.
“Wow, sis. What are you doing? Poor butterfly.”
“It’s a moth, not a butterfly. It’s nighttime. Keep it from coming in and close the door.”
“Okay.”
Alicia swung her broom again, and the butterfly fluttered, then darted back out.
Edward quickly closed the door.
“Well done, Edward.”
“It’s no big deal, sis. Don’t you think you’re being a bit too aggressive? It’s trying to live too, you know.”
“What are you talking about? Moths should live outside.”
“Didn’t its color look a bit different for a moth?”
“What do I know? Whether it’s a butterfly or a moth, it’s troublesome if it comes inside.”
Alicia put the broom back and firmly closed the curtain.
“Really, Edward should see this.”
“Don’t say weird things and go inside.”
“Sigh.”
Shaking his head, Edward moved towards his room.
As Alicia glanced at him, she entered her room, and the corridor became silent.
Meanwhile, the butterfly, which had been chased away earlier, returned and fluttered its blue wings on the balcony.
(This is a time marker.)
The next day, Alicia headed to the training ground to meet Edward.
“Hello.”
“Oh, you’re here? What brings you all the way––”
Hearing Alicia’s voice, Eric turned around with a smile and looked surprised to see her.
She had her hair tied back, dressed in a light shirt and pants, which seemed comfortable for movement.
“What’s with the outfit? What are you planning?”
“I’m going to do some tests.”
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
