Chapter 35: She is My Lover!

Night fell, coating the Golden City in a deep,幽 blue.

The maid Liya had prepared the evening dress Weiluoya would wear tonight.

It was a moon-white silk gown, with silver thread embroidering fine, subtle patterns on the fabric that shimmered softly under the light.

Unlike her usual dresses designed for ease of movement, this one was cut to emphasize feminine elegance, with delicate lace trim at the neckline and cuffs.

Weiluoya looked at herself in the mirror.

Her cute, doll-like face was expressionless.

It was only when Liya fastened a seemingly luxurious necklace around her neck that she subconsciously touched it.

“What’s this?”

“Master Arthur has already left ahead. The necklace was prepared for you by him.”

“He said wearing it would better match your status. He also asked me to tell you that he hopes you’ll smile more at this exhibition.”

Liya explained as she arranged Weiluoya’s hair.

Xia Lvdi was still in her neat black suit, showing no interest in dresses at all.

Once they were dressed, Liya fetched the gold-embossed invitation from Arthur’s study.

The three of them then left together, boarding the steam carriage whose door handle had been repaired.

The Golden City at night was even more dazzling than during the day.

The alchemy lamps on the buildings lining both streets were all lit, countless beams of light converging into a flowing river.

Above the city, on the intersecting brass tracks, steam airships and cable cars darted back and forth like glowing schools of fish.

Weiluoya leaned against the window, watching the vibrant nightscape outside, but her mind was elsewhere.

“Liya, will there be many people at tonight’s exhibition?” she asked suddenly.

Liya, who had been smoothing a crease on Weiluoya’s skirt, looked up at the question.

“Yes, miss. The Eternal Star is the warm-up for the upcoming city festival. Every notable figure in the city will be there.”

Weiluoya gave a soft “oh” and turned to look at Xia Lvdi sitting across from her.

The other woman had her eyes closed, apparently indifferent to the noise outside, but Weiluoya could sense her intense focus.

The exhibition of the “Eternal Star” sapphire was held at the Art Palace in the city center—a building even more classical and solemn than the White Night Hall.

The carriage stopped smoothly at the designated track in front of the exhibition hall.

Liya got out first, then opened the door for them.

After verifying the invitation, the guards at the exhibition hall respectfully led the way.

As soon as they stepped into the hall, a wave of clamor washed over them.

Richly dressed guests holding wine glasses gathered in small groups, chatting in low voices.

The air was a mix of perfume, food, and the complex smell of steam engine oil.

Gentle music drifted down from the orchestra balcony on the second floor.

Weiluoya didn’t like this kind of lively occasion.

She instinctively shrank behind Liya, trying to lower her profile.

Xia Lvdi noticed Weiluoya’s subtle movement.

Without changing her expression, she shifted her stance slightly, shielding most of Weiluoya’s body behind her own.

Even so, Weiluoya’s appearance drew most of the eyes in the hall.

Her face, often featured in newspapers, and her brilliant exploits were already a hot topic among the city’s aristocratic circles.

Many people were curiously sizing her up, as well as the cold-tempered black-haired woman in men’s suit beside her.

“Isn’t that the young lady of the Crinwell family? Who’s that beside her?”

“Never seen her, but she’s quite good-looking. Look at that figure…”

“Shh, keep your voice down. Mr. Arthur is still over there.”

The whispers weren’t loud, but a few bits still drifted into her ears.

Just then, a slightly tipsy young nobleman, glass in hand, staggered over.

His gaze was fixed directly on Weiluoya.

“Oh, isn’t this our Golden City’s most beautiful little detective?” he said with a frivolous smile, blocking Weiluoya’s path.

“Miss Weiluoya, do I have the honor of a dance with you tonight?”

Liya’s brow furrowed.

She was about to step forward and decline, but a figure moved faster and stood in front of Weiluoya.

Xia Lvdi had somehow already positioned herself between them.

She was half a head taller than the man, her dark eyes calmly looking down at him.

“I’m sorry, sir.”

“I am Weiluoya’s lover, Xia Lvdi.”

Her voice wasn’t loud, but she deliberately made sure everyone around could hear.

“Besides, Weiluoya doesn’t like talking to strangers like you.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Xia Lvdi herself froze.

They had only known each other for a day.

How did she know Weiluoya disliked conversing with outsiders?

The thought had risen from her mind like instinct, so natural it felt self-evident.

The young nobleman was intimidated by Xia Lvdi’s presence.

He looked at the woman who seemed even more imposing than himself, then at Weiluoya peeking out from behind her with only her blue-green eyes visible.

His drunkenness subsided by half.

He gave an awkward laugh, muttered an excuse, and slunk away.

Weiluoya peered out from behind Xia Lvdi, watching the man’s retreating back.

Then she looked up at Xia Lvdi, who stood shielding her.

This feeling…

This sensation of being protected from behind.

And the possessive tone Xia Lvdi had used when she spoke—so matter-of-fact.

So familiar.

Just like… just like…

A name slipped uncontrollably from her lips.

“Vanessa?”

She said it softly, tentatively.

Xia Lvdi, still perplexed by her own outburst, turned at the unfamiliar name and looked at Weiluoya in confusion.

“Vanessa?”

she repeated, her black eyes full of bewilderment.

“Who is that?”

Seeing Xia Lvdi’s blank expression, Weiluoya felt a pang in her heart, but also let out a small sigh of relief.

Right.

How could it be her.

She couldn’t have come to this world.

Vanessa should have broken free from the Cycle and started her own new life in that world.

“It’s nothing.”

Weiluoya shook her head, casting aside those impractical thoughts.

“Just asking.”

After the small incident, the surrounding guests tactfully withdrew their inquisitive gazes.

The hall’s noise surged back.

Weiluoya stood behind Xia Lvdi, watching the people nearby awkwardly disperse.

“Thank you.”

Xia Lvdi turned around, meeting her puzzled gaze.

Her dark eyes held emotions Weiluoya couldn’t read.

“No need to thank me. It’s what I, as your lover, should do.”

This reply choked back the next words Weiluoya had prepared.

She could only nod silently and ask no further.

Xia Lvdi seemed unfazed by what had just happened.

She turned, her curious gaze landing on the glass display case in the center of the hall, which was crisscrossed by several red beams of light.

The case was empty, obviously reserved for tonight’s star.

“Weiluoya, what are those red lines?” she asked, like a complete novice seeing such high-tech equipment for the first time.

“Just decorative lighting? They look pretty.”

Weiluoya’s attention was immediately diverted.

Following Xia Lvdi’s gaze, she began to explain.

“Those aren’t lights. They’re part of the alchemy grid security system.”

She pointed to the inconspicuous metal bases beneath the display case.

“Each base emits an invisible beam. They’ve been adjusted to red tonight as a deterrent.”

“If anything passes through the grid, an alarm will immediately sound in the central control room.”

Weiluoya explained in detail, as if afraid Xia Lvdi might not understand.

“At the same time, the floor around the case will release high-pressure steam, enough to repel anyone who tries to approach.”

Liya stood quietly to the side, watching her young lady’s serious demeanor.

She sighed inwardly and moved a step further away to blend into the background.

Xia Lvdi nodded repeatedly, wearing an “Oh, I see” expression.

She looked at the intersecting beams, then at several brass nozzles on the ceiling, and finally at the straight-backed security personnel in uniform standing around the case.

“It’s very safe, isn’t it?” she asked.

“In theory, yes. But every security system has flaws we haven’t discovered…”

Before Weiluoya could finish, the light from the huge crystal chandelier in the hall suddenly dimmed, leaving only a few wall lamps casting a soft glow.

All the guests stopped talking, turning in unison toward the illuminated stage at the end of the hall.

A host in a tailcoat walked onto the stage and announced in an impassioned tone that the long-awaited climax of the night—the “Eternal Star”—was about to be officially unveiled.

As the host’s voice fell, the stage curtain slowly rose.

Under the spotlight, a young lady in a silver gown walked out slowly.

She was Seraphina, the owner of this legendary gem.

Around her neck, the fabled “Eternal Star” emitted a deep, dazzling blue light.

It was a huge sapphire.

Cut into a perfect teardrop shape, it refracted countless shimmering points of light with her every movement, casting a dreamy blue glow across Seraphina’s face.

A collective gasp swept through the hall, followed by thunderous applause.

Most of the noblewomen and young maidens stared at the gem in fascination, and even many well-traveled gentlemen wore expressions of awe.

But Weiluoya didn’t think it was particularly beautiful.

She had several of different colors in her cabinet at home.

“It’s a bit stuffy. I’m going to the restroom.”

A warm breath brushed her ear.

Xia Lvdi’s voice was very soft, nearly drowned out by the roaring applause.

Weiluoya gave a distracted nod, her eyes darting around.

“Mm. Come back soon.”

Xia Lvdi looked at Weiluoya’s profile, a smile no one noticed flickering across her face.

She took a silent step back, turned, and melted into the crowd that had become blurred and indistinct in the dim lighting.

Like a drop of black dissolving into ink.