Imperial Calendar Year 27, Royal City.
A steady rain poured down, drumming on the lake’s surface and sending ripples across the water. It fell on the ground, stirring up the scent of damp earth. The smell of rain and mud, mixed with the gravity of the occasion, made the mood even worse for everyone present.
The First Princess, Alicia, was dead.
She died on her eighteenth birthday.
The funeral was filled with Linghua, and atop the Coffin stood the Princess’s Portrait. Around it, men and women dressed in mourning black gathered—besides the Royal Family, there were high-ranking ministers of the Empire and friends of the Princess from days past.
The atmosphere was suffocating. With a white Linghua pinned to his chest, standing beside the Portrait, Luo Ye found it hard to breathe.
He glanced around, trying to make sense of his current situation.
For him, it was pointless to dwell on why he, who had been working overtime, had suddenly transmigrated here, or to lament the regrets of his previous life left unfinished.
Even though he knew nothing about the situation, he understood that daydreaming or acting out of place during such a solemn ceremony was absolutely forbidden.
“Aili, Your Highness, why did you refuse to see me, even at the end?”
A gentle yet low voice snapped Luo Ye back to his senses.
He looked up. It was a beautiful girl.
Silver hair and blue eyes, wearing a knee-length black dress with padded shoulders and a mourning hat. A black veil half-concealed her stunning face. Her long hair flowed like a waterfall to her waist, and her eyes, cast down, were filled with melancholic beauty. Though just a teenager, she was dressed like a woman in her twenties, exuding the air of a widower.
It was as if the one who died was her husband.
At that moment, memories belonging to the original owner of this body merged into Luo Ye’s mind.
Hisenei, the eldest daughter of Duke Laurent’s prestigious family, had known Princess Alicia since childhood. According to the original owner’s memories, they had been inseparable, sharing every secret.
Yet from Hisenei’s muttered words just now, that understanding was clearly mistaken.
Of course, Luo Ye had no time to worry about that, because his attention was drawn to the girl with pale green hair standing beside Hisenei.
It wasn’t her looks that caught his eye, but the way she knelt on the ground, slender figure trembling, hands clutching a Flower Bouquet that shook as she stared at the Portrait on the Coffin, her eyes red from crying.
Her pale golden eyes brimmed with sorrow, two trails of tears streaking down her cheeks, soaking the petals. Her lips pressed together in stubborn grief. Anyone who saw her would feel their heart ache.
But before Luo Ye could look away to observe the others, the girl suddenly straightened, turning to fix her tear-filled gaze on him.
“Why? Why? Why?!!”
Her low, anguished voice drew the attention of everyone nearby, making her and Luo Ye the focus of all eyes.
What was going on?
Luo Ye was taken aback. Surrounded by unfriendly stares, he looked at the girl in confusion, hoping for an explanation.
But the girl acted first, throwing the Flower Bouquet at him. The scent of petals and cold droplets splashed across his face, and thorns from the stems pricked through his mourning attire.
“Lilith?!” Hisenei exclaimed in surprise.
Lilith seemed not to hear her. Before Luo Ye could remove the Flower Bouquet from his face, she rushed forward, rising on tiptoes to grab his collar, tears streaming as she lost control.
“Aren’t you the Sage’s disciple, the Princess’s fiancée? Why didn’t you protect Her Highness? The Princess is gone, and yet you haven’t shed a single tear… Do you even have human feelings? Are you really still human?!”
Lilith’s outburst drew murmurs from the crowd. The looks directed at Luo Ye were now full of accusation and ridicule.
What was this?
Luo Ye, bewildered, met the hostile gazes around him, then looked back at the girl, hoping for an answer.
But before he could react, she had already thrown the Flower Bouquet at him. The fragrance of petals and the moisture from the rain clung to his face, while thorns scratched through his mourning clothes.
“Lilith?!” Hisenei called again in shock.
Lilith acted as if she hadn’t heard. Before Luo Ye could brush away the flowers, she rushed forward, standing on tiptoe to seize his collar, sobbing and losing control.
“Aren’t you the Sage’s disciple, the Princess’s fiancée? Why didn’t you protect Her Highness? The Princess is gone, and you haven’t even shed a tear… Do you have any human feelings? Are you really still human?!”
Lilith’s outburst drew murmurs from the crowd, their eyes now full of blame and mockery as they looked at Luo Ye.
Luo Ye lowered his eyes, coldly observing the pale green-haired girl, whose tear-streaked face was tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible smile. Memories about her flooded his mind.
Lilith, daughter of the Royal City’s most famous Drama Master and renowned Actress, a Countess, and also Alicia’s childhood friend—even closer to her than Hisenei, known as the Princess’s “other half.”
Her greatest talent was inheriting her mother’s beauty and acting skills, though only a few close to her knew of the latter.
So that’s it. Luo Ye realized that the smile he’d glimpsed on her face wasn’t a mistake—Lilith truly was smiling.
She was deliberately steering things this way.
Guiding the crowd to put him on the spot.
Lilith continued to sob, her sorrowful appearance drawing sympathy, as if the person she clung to was a heinous villain.
But only Luo Ye, standing close enough to catch her subtle fragrance, could see the sly curve of Lilith’s eyes and the faint upward tilt of her lips.
This girl…
Just as Luo Ye was about to respond, a pleasant yet stern voice came from the side.
“Please let go of His Excellency Luo Ye.”
Luo Ye was about to turn and see who was speaking for him, but the next moment left him stunned.
Pa!
A crisp slap rang out.
Lilith clutched her flushed cheek in disbelief, turning to look at the tall, elegant young woman with golden hair and pale purple eyes beside her.
Luo Ye recognized her at once.
Anna, the Princess’s Guard, tasked with protecting Alicia and studying with her at the Imperial Magic Academy.
She had stepped in on his behalf because he was Alicia’s fiancé, and her duties included protecting him when necessary.
So that’s how it is.
With all the clues now in place, memories Luo Ye had yet to recall surged into his mind. He finally understood why he was standing beside the Princess’s Coffin.
He had transmigrated to a world reminiscent of medieval Europe, becoming Princess Alicia’s fiancé.
And now, with the Princess dead, he had naturally become a widower—the male equivalent of a widow.
If Alicia had been an unloved Princess, that might have been fine.
But she was His Majesty the Emperor’s most beloved daughter, and among the most gifted of the Empire’s youth.
Faced with these classic tropes, Luo Ye could only stare in disbelief.
On one side was the Empire’s most favored First Princess.
On another, the Princess Consort chosen by His Majesty to win over the Court Mage.
On one hand, a pampered Princess of boundless elegance and power, whom no one dared offend.
On the other, the Sage’s illegitimate son with a Mistress—a boy with great magical talent, but a highly sensitive status.
And his greatest support, the Sage himself, had died half a year ago.
The Sage had been the Empire’s most famous Archmage, leagues above other professors. But he had no legitimate children—his only child was Luo Ye, born of an affair with a Mistress.
If not for the fact that the Sage’s wife was childless, Luo Ye would never have been acknowledged.
Was this reasonable? Luo Ye wondered.
Having read so many transmigration stories, he was used to odd identities. The only real surprise was having a Princess as a fiancée.
And what a Princess she was—a classic “rich lady, sugar mommy, pampered” type, with waist-length blue hair, dazzling amber eyes, and a stunning face.
Whether in light novels, anime, or even galgames, she had the looks and stats of a true main heroine.
With her status, she was the undisputed number one on the “must-marry-rich” list.
Given his own position, he shouldn’t even have qualified to apply for a political marriage.
But the Sage doted on him, treating his illegitimate son as his own.
Seeing this, the Royal Family didn’t hesitate long before decreeing the engagement between Alicia and him, to strengthen ties with the Sage.
By the time Luo Ye came of age, however, the Sage had already passed away, leaving his life’s work to the Imperial Magic Academy.
In other words, Luo Ye received nothing of real value.
The Sage’s Family was now just an empty title.
The Palace, valuing appearances, didn’t break off Alicia’s engagement with him, sparing him the fate of a “broken engagement protagonist.”
But fate had other plans—his fiancée died unexpectedly.
Of course, the Palace confirmed that the Princess’s death had nothing to do with him, but rumors were dangerous. Who knew if someone would try to curry favor with the Royal Family by kicking Luo Ye while he was down?
He was just an illegitimate child, after all—who cared?
Luo Ye did.
Because the original owner was dead, and now he was the one suffering in his place.
And now, the Princess’s “other half” was grabbing him by the collar, interrogating him in front of everyone.
Luo Ye gently took hold of Lilith’s hand, which was clutching his collar. Taking advantage of her distraction after Anna’s slap, he pried her hand away.
Since the girl before him was the Countess who loved drama most…
Luo Ye decided to fight back with acting.
Come on, if it’s a contest of acting, let’s see who wins.
As a corporate worker, hadn’t he played mind games with bosses and colleagues before?
“Miss Lilith… I understand how you feel.”
Luo Ye secretly pinched his own thigh hard. His eyes instantly turned red as if he’d truly been crying, his face pale, lips trembling—a testament to how hard he’d pinched himself… no, how heartbroken he was.
“Alicia was my fiancée. Her passing pains me deeply. I can’t even remember how many times I’ve prayed for her to still be alive in my dreams.”
“But Lilith, you are Alicia’s other half. You know better than anyone how much she loved to smile. If she were still here, she wouldn’t want to see you like this, would she?”
Luo Ye’s words seemed to touch Lilith.
Her eyes grew even redder. Though she clearly had no intention of mourning, she still glared at Luo Ye, crying as if in blame and accusation.
“His Excellency Luo Ye…”
Anna, worried Lilith might latch onto him again, stepped forward to intervene, but Luo Ye suddenly held out his hand, blocking her.
“Anna, let me speak with Lilith alone,” Luo Ye said softly but firmly.
Anna was surprised by Luo Ye’s sudden change, but at a funeral, it wasn’t her place to question him. She bowed and stepped back.
Luo Ye, holding the Flower Bouquet Lilith had thrown at him, slowly turned, walked to the front of the Coffin and Portrait, and knelt on one knee to place the bouquet with the others.
When he rose and met Alicia’s Portrait, he clenched his fist, lowering his gaze, eyes filling with tears, lips pressed tightly as if stung by onions.
This image of a devoted lover wasn’t just for Lilith’s benefit—it was also for the distant King. Whatever happened, he had to establish his role first, to guard against future trouble.
Seeing Luo Ye’s grief and devotion, Lilith’s eyes reddened further. She approached the Portrait, her gaze sorrowful, seemingly moved by the atmosphere Luo Ye had created.
But if you looked closely at her face, you’d notice her brows arching slightly, as if surprised Luo Ye could keep up with her performance.
Come on, Princess, you’re her best friend—at least cry for real! What’s with that “like a cat” expression?
Luo Ye grumbled inwardly, but seeing Lilith ready for her next move, he braced himself, watching her every step to keep up with the act.
Lilith extended her hand, keeping it just a knuckle’s width above the Coffin, as if caressing it. She walked along, softly mourning.
“Hey, Your Highness, you promised, didn’t you? That we’d be best friends for life, and whoever broke the promise would get scolded by the other. I’ve kept my promise…”
“So you’d better keep yours too!!”
“You promised never to leave me, to be my best friend forever! You said so! You liar!!”
Lilith’s trembling hand grabbed Luo Ye’s collar, her voice choked as she broke down in sobs.
“And you! Weren’t you the Princess’s husband? Then you should have kept your promise too, not let her go!”
“Liar! Liar! Big liar!”
Luo Ye was dumbfounded.
How was he supposed to respond to that?!
And wasn’t this sequence—getting slapped, then causing a scene at the funeral—strangely familiar?
Was he supposed to say, “Miss Lilith, you’re not actually that fragile”?
Luo Ye’s brow twitched. He gave a meaningful look to Hisenei, the Duke’s daughter who had accompanied Lilith.
Though Luo Ye and Hisenei hadn’t interacted much before, at a funeral, everyone shared the same goal: not to let anyone cause a scene.
Lilith’s performance was so convincing that several neutral women around them were moved to tears, the atmosphere unbearably heavy.
But Hisenei wasn’t fooled.
Her keen intuition told her something was off between the two, though she couldn’t put her finger on it. In any case, she didn’t accept Luo Ye’s presence or his behavior at the funeral.
Her resentful gaze was like that of a guard who failed to protect her husband.
Hey, my fiancée’s the one who died, Duke’s daughter—can you not look at me like that?
The funeral ended. The sky was still gray and the rain fell steadily.
Luo Ye, holding a black umbrella, saw off each mourner in the rain. When the last guest had left, he closed the umbrella and looked up, letting the rain soak his hair, face, and clothes.
So much had happened in just three hours—he needed to cool down and clear his head.
Suddenly, another black umbrella appeared, blocking his view and sheltering him from the rain.
“His Excellency Luo Ye, if you stay in the rain like this, you’ll catch a cold.”
Startled, Luo Ye turned to see the cold, golden-haired, purple-eyed girl—Alicia’s guard, Anna—holding the umbrella for him.
Anna now stood close beside him under the same umbrella. The faint Bluebell Fragrance she wore drifted to his nose with the wind and rain.
“Why haven’t you left?” Luo Ye asked. Given Anna’s status, she should have been assigned to Alicia by the King.
Now that Alicia was gone, Anna ought to return to the Palace to report.
“His Excellency Luo Ye, I…”
Unusually, a trace of hesitation appeared on Anna’s lovely face. She lowered her eyes, lips pressed together, then spoke softly.
“His Excellency Luo Ye, I know the loss of Her Highness Alicia has hit you hard… but you must take care of yourself.”
Anna raised her head, her eyes determined. “There’s something I need your help with. Some of Her Highness’s belongings can only be opened by you. I need your help organizing Her Highness’s relics.”
So that’s it.
Luo Ye nodded. Hearing Anna’s words, he remembered the gift Alicia had once prepared for him because of their engagement, sealed so that only he or Alicia could open it.
Not only that, if he could enter Alicia’s room, he might gather more information about this world, which would help him survive in the future.
Both emotionally and logically, he should go with Anna.
“All right, lead the way,” Luo Ye said, opening his umbrella again. “You go ahead. I’ll hold my own umbrella. There are too many people outside—let’s not give them more to gossip about.”
“Understood.” Anna nodded and led the way.
Luo Ye followed Anna, his gaze sweeping the Royal City, trying to gather as much information as possible.
His situation was extremely precarious—pressure from the Royal Family, public opinion, the revenge of mages once suppressed by the Sage…
Things couldn’t get much worse. Fortunately, he could still visit the Princess’s quarters for information, so he wasn’t completely lost.
What he didn’t notice was that, as Anna walked ahead, listening to his footsteps behind her, a faint, almost invisible smile curved her lips.
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