He originally thought that as long as he was careful enough, he could avoid being discovered and continue to indulge in his current life of luxury. But reality slapped him hard across the face.
Alice was right—staying stagnant and refusing to improve would only lead to being slaughtered in the end. Even a peaceful life could hide turbulent undercurrents.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the dead-silent study.
Luo Lin’s gaze involuntarily followed the sound, moving down bit by bit. A pair of long, shapely legs slowly approached him, filling his vision.
The smooth black stockings tightly wrapped around those slender, well-proportioned legs, making their graceful curves even more pronounced. But at this moment, Luo Lin had no mind to appreciate them.
‘It’s over, it’s over, it’s over.’ Luo Lin felt like his life was about to end. His mind went blank, and his vision turned white. Just then—
“Hehe.”
The elf-like girl’s lips curled upward slightly.
“I really didn’t expect this.” Lucia’s gentle voice carried a hint of delight.
“The notorious Young Master Lorin, rumored to be so disreputable, actually turns out to be not only helpful but also such an honest person who keeps his promises. Truly, some things need to be seen to be believed.”
As she spoke, she gracefully leaned forward, her breathtakingly beautiful face drawing close to Luo Lin’s.
“It was that Miss Silver Dragon who used the sword you originally intended to give Laura to slay the cultists and protect you. And you asked her to keep it a secret, right?”
“Right… right?” Before Luo Lin’s brain could even process the situation—
“Young Master Lorin, you don’t have to say anything.” Lucia tilted her head slightly and smiled softly.
“I know. Everyone has their own secrets.”
Luo Lin met the girl’s gaze. Her brilliant golden eyes stared straight at him.
“The way you protect your friend’s secret like this—really, it’s very charming.” Her voice was like an evening primrose blooming on a deep summer night.
“Please forgive my rudeness today. But I truly, truly want to know that girl’s information.”
Luo Lin found it unbelievable. This elven girl before him—the future empress who would shake the entire Sera Continent—was acting like a pure, innocent girl experiencing her first love. ‘Did she really fall for Selina?’
“So, since I’ve contributed a little today, could you do me the favor and tell me the name of that girl?”
“You see… I’ve fallen in love with her at first sight.”
An unreserved, genuine smile bloomed on the girl’s face.
‘What is this feeling?’ Luo Lin couldn’t describe it. Looking at the elven girl before him, at her indescribably beautiful smile, at the blush on her cheeks, a name that seemed engraved in his mind ever since his first transformation slipped out.
“Selina.”
“Selina…” Lucia murmured the name with extreme gentleness.
As she uttered the name, the light in her eyes grew brighter and brighter.
“Selina—what a beautiful name. Just as lovely as the Miss Silver Dragon herself.”
At that moment, Luo Lin felt his head spinning, and he couldn’t help but stare in a daze. ‘How terrifying. This woman—between her every smile and frown, she combines the purity of an angel with the seductive allure of a succubus.
No wonder in my past life, so many heaven-chosen female protagonists bowed down to her.’
Luo Lin let out a silent wail. ‘Who can resist this?! Not to mention I’m a straight “man.” Even if I had been a girl from the start, even a straight woman would get turned on the spot! But I’m no delicate maiden—I’m a real man. I don’t want to end up in Lucia’s crystal palace later. She’s a pure love warrior.’
“Um… Miss Lucia, while I respect your orientation, if you’re really interested in her, then I suggest you give up as soon as possible.”
As he spoke, Luo Lin explained.
“Selina… she doesn’t have a very good temper. And she’s always showing up and disappearing without a trace. Most importantly, she’s a loner and hates it when people pester her.”
‘Reject her! Give up!’ Luo Lin roared in his mind.
However, after hearing this, Lucia didn’t show the slightest sign of backing down. On the contrary, her interest grew even deeper.
“Young Master Lorin, aren’t girls with personality more worth understanding and pursuing?”
Lucia extended her slender fingers and gently twirled a strand of hair by her ear, her demeanor as gentle as a spring breeze.
‘I was too hasty. I forgot that in her past life, this female protagonist was exactly like this—the harder a heaven-chosen female protagonist was to conquer, the more excited she got.’ Just as Luo Lin was scratching his head in a daze—
Whoosh—
A faint blue light flashed from the space ring on Lucia’s slender finger. A long, cyan sword appeared in her fair palm.
Lucia held the Wind Flower Sword in both hands and smiled at Luo Lin.
“Well then.” Her tone carried a hint of earnestness as she looked seriously at Luo Lin.
“May I be so bold as to ask you for this magic weapon?”
As if afraid Luo Lin would refuse, she quickly added with a blush: “I can trade it for something else—a real epic-grade weapon.”
Luo Lin looked at Lucia’s sincere eyes and shook his head helplessly.
“Miss Lucia, this sword was once meant as a gift for that bad woman Laura. It’s been tainted by that green tea’s bad luck. I feel it doesn’t suit you.
‘Others might not know, but as a transmigrator, I do. Though the current Lucia looks like an ordinary commoner girl, soon the descendants of the original Kairier Empire’s nobles at Sera Academy will recognize her and announce her identity to the whole continent, declaring the empire’s restoration. And I remember in my past life, Lucia’s first weapon was a divine-grade sword—this quasi-epic Wind Flower Sword is beneath her.’
Hearing Luo Lin’s explanation, Lucia’s blazing golden eyes showed no trace of disdain.
On the contrary, she gently caressed the blade.
“Luo Lin.”
The girl’s eyes were full of stubbornness. “I’ve never cared about a sword’s—or a person’s—past.”
Her voice was full of determination. “What matters is that in the future, it will be the sword in my hand. And that person—in the future—she will definitely be mine!”
This near-confession declaration shook Luo Lin’s heart. He couldn’t help but admire her frankness. ‘Back in my past life, if someone liked the same sex, they would never dare say it so openly.’
“Alright, since that’s the case, I’ll give it to you, Miss Lucia.” Luo Lin shrugged. “This way, I can also help my friend repay a bit of your kindness.”
Lucia, upon hearing this, gripped the sword hilt tightly with both hands and carefully stored it back into the space ring on her finger.
“Great! I’m going to engrave my name on this sword!”
Then she lifted her skirt with both hands and curtsied to Luo Lin.
“Thank you. But please also tell Miss Selina not to worry about such a small matter. Honestly, if not for her righteous act, who knows how many innocent people those despicable cultists would have harmed?”
Lucia straightened up and smiled slightly. “Young Master Lorin, thank you again for your generosity.”
“I think I’ve found the true meaning of coming to the Papal State.”
“Well then, I won’t disturb your rest any longer today.”
Lucia bowed slightly, performing a standard noble’s salute. Then she turned around and, with her long, black-stocking-clad legs, walked gracefully toward the study door.
“Looking forward to our reunion at Sera Academy, Young Master Lorin.”