Back in her room, Etienne immediately lay down on the bed. She set aside the letter and fiddled with only the invitation, the family name on it appearing and disappearing under her hand.
“I remember around this time, Count Pigment used to host a ball.”
Count Pigment was a family that had maintained neutrality until it opportunistically aligned with the Second Prince to survive.
“The Second Prince wouldn’t just leave Count Pigment alone after he joined his side. Surprisingly, the count settled in quickly.”
“There’s only one reason for that.”
Count Pigment must have done something to gain the Second Prince’s favor.
“What could it be?”
It seemed possible that it involved something related to the Crown Prince, but there was no proof, just speculation.
“When did Count Pigment switch to the Second Prince… three years later? Four?”
With no detailed knowledge on this matter, Etienne sighed.
“If it were the past, I could’ve found out somehow…”
“Using your restoration ability?”
Startled by the sudden voice, Etienne looked up to see the butler standing beside her.
“When did you get here?”
“I just tidied up and came.”
“I see.”
“You must be tired, Miss Etienne, to not notice my presence.”
“Retin…”
Etienne trailed off, regretting having the conversation with Lani in front of the butler. He had noticed her use of the restoration ability.
Etienne clammed up, and the butler sighed.
“Restoration is a demanding ability for you. You should use it as little as possible.”
“Wouldn’t anyone want to restore a torn piece of paper to see its original form?”
“Normally, they wouldn’t.”
“Right. Of course.”
Accepting his point, Etienne watched as the butler approached and began massaging her hand.
“The unique ability of the Clare family is very special and rare. Everyone covets it.”
The butler’s touch brought a refreshing sensation, and Etienne closed her eyes, deciding to listen to his nagging in exchange for the massage.
“Using your ability while still growing can exact a toll. If it weakens you, it’s a significant risk.”
The butler’s family had served the Clare family for generations. Perhaps he knew the family best.
“Using the power in my immature state…”
The butler was right. Etienne was still growing, and using her power recklessly could sap her energy, leading to symptoms similar to anemia.
“Right now, I’m just tired.”
Etienne’s excuse was met with a firmer grip from the butler. It was soothing yet painful.
“Is fainting from using a greater power preferable?”
“That’s not what I mean, but…”
“Wait until you’re an adult to fully explore your abilities. Avoid using them for now.”
Etienne regretted letting the butler know about her power usage.
‘I already know the extent of my ability.’
At eighteen, Etienne had fallen ill with a high fever and realized upon recovery that her power had fully developed.
“The butler might not know, but I’m incredibly powerful. Maybe as much as the first head of the family.”
“Is that so?”
The butler humored her, smiling as if she was just boastfully speculating.
“It’s true…”
Her power surpassed even her father’s. Yet, despite such immense power, she couldn’t save her family.
Etienne returned a bittersweet smile as she grasped the butler’s hand.
“At least we discovered something good.”
That Lani wanted to find her brother.
“Yes. Thanks to you, I had a very satisfying dessert.”
“My father wouldn’t touch sweets, but how can you eat so well?”
“Seems like my taste changed while raising you.”
The butler replied playfully, with a chuckle.
“It’s all because of me, huh…”
Etienne responded timidly, never winning an argument with the butler.
“Anyway, don’t use your restoration ability next time.”
“Okay.”
She agreed easily, though Etienne didn’t firmly promise to never use it again.
“Then, let’s move on to another question.”
Startled, Etienne sat up and exclaimed.
“More to talk about?”
More nagging, her patience wearing thin.
“Which one will you go with?”
“Oh…”
Remembering the butler’s question, Etienne lay back down. She didn’t feel like looking at the letter she’d tossed aside.
“It’s confusing to suddenly have two partner proposals.”
Especially from the Crown Prince, whom she met once, and Fernando, who suddenly started acting friendly.
“Who will you choose?”
“Why all this trouble because of rumors related to the Crown Prince?”
“Whom will you pick?”
“And why Fernando? Unless he had an interest in me from the start… Why now?”
Ignoring the butler’s persistent questions, Etienne mumbled to herself, then realized her own slip.
The butler didn’t miss a beat.
“Something with Fernando, I see.”
Of course, the butler wouldn’t just let it slide.
“There is something.”
Her regression was Etienne’s secret alone. A nightmare to be borne solely by her.
‘I don’t want to talk about the butler’s beheading.’
“Why are you looking at my neck like that?”
“The wrinkles have increased.”
“A sign of age, Miss.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Don’t like to see it?”
“I’m growing up, but you’re getting older. I don’t like that.”
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
