Chapter 1: You… Are Ultimately Just His Substitute

“I found him.”

“From now on, we don’t need to meet again. You… are ultimately not him.”

At dusk, the setting sun bathed the Imperial Capital Solaris in a dazzling golden light.

Inside a luxurious Howard Ducal Mansion, Li Ang stood quietly in the spacious study, the cold words still lingering in his ears.

Leaning against the soft chair behind the desk was a woman of stunning beauty.

Her black lace nightgown contrasted sharply against her snow-white skin, and her long, slender legs lazily crossed.

The nightgown slipped aside at the thighs, revealing an alluring and absolute territory of bare skin.

Every inch of her was noble and untouchable.

As the most beloved Ducal Heir of Howard Duke, her pride seemed innate.

There were rumors that anyone who pleased her would receive an audience with Howard Duke himself, instantly elevating their status in the Empire!

Countless young talents from across the Empire flocked to her, using every possible means just to earn a smile, but no one expected that the one who eventually won the Ducal Heir’s favor was a destitute Beggar from the streets?!

Why?

Li Ang had wondered the same thing at first, until he finally understood the reason.

She only cared about his face.

Staring at the indifferent young lady before him, Li Ang recalled their first encounter.

Logically, he should have had no connection with this Ducal Heir, but ten years ago, when his parents were judged guilty of Heretical Crime by the Church and executed on the Judgment Platform, everything changed.

Their inheritance was seized by greedy relatives like ravenous beasts, and young Li Ang and his sister became homeless orphans overnight.

Because of their parents’ Heretical Crime, the looks they received were full of disgust and scorn.

He could only wander the slums with his chronically ill sister, surviving by rummaging through trash and stealing.

But even the Beggars in the slums looked down on them.

As his sister’s condition worsened, Li Ang saw no hope for life.

In that moment of despair, he wished he had died with his parents on that Judgment Platform.

Just when he was sinking into hopelessness, a light unexpectedly shone before him.

That day, his sister’s illness was particularly severe. Gritting his teeth, he rushed into a Pharmacy and snatched a few bottles of medicine.

Of course, his frail body at the time couldn’t escape, and he was caught and beaten mercilessly by the Pharmacy Apprentice.

He still remembered that scene vividly.

The Pharmacy Apprentices parted the way with obsequious smiles, then a pair of fair, straight legs approached him.

Under the night sky, he guarded his sister’s frail body behind him like a frightened little beast and looked up warily.

Their eyes met.

The girl, who clearly looked noble, suddenly knelt down, lifted his chin, and gently wiped the dust off his face with her delicate fingers, murmuring as she studied him carefully, “So much like…”

Then she said the words that changed Li Ang’s fate forever, “Little Beggar, from now on, you belong to me.”

“Tsk, no, you’re my Pet.”

The girl was assertive, giving Li Ang no chance to refuse—as if she had just picked up a stray puppy on the street and clipped a collar on it, arrogantly declaring the outcome.

A master never needs to ask a pet’s opinion, much less give them the right to refuse.

Just like that, he and his sister were brought into the lavish Howard Ducal Mansion. From the maids, he learned the name of that young lady—Visilia.

The only heir of Howard Duke, the future Duchess.

Li Ang had a clear understanding of himself; he didn’t believe he had anything to catch the eye of this Ducal Heir, so he was uneasy.

But as he gradually got closer to Visilia, he slowly realized his true role—he was someone else’s substitute.

From then on, his life as a street Beggar was completely behind him, and his sister’s illness was temporarily relieved thanks to the Duke’s connections.

His life underwent a dramatic transformation once more.

Li Ang knew very well that his only value was his face, which resembled that of the young lady’s lifesaving knight.

For his sister’s sake, he was willing to become that person’s substitute.

He dressed exactly as Visilia requested, mimicked that person’s mannerisms, and even learned Knight Swordsmanship, doing his best to play the role of the man in her memory.

At that time, Li Ang was severely malnourished, but Visilia insisted on training him to the standard of a knight, making him train until he was exhausted every day.

Fortunately, Li Ang gritted his teeth and endured.

Still, Visilia’s picky personality often found fault with many details.

“You shouldn’t talk so much.”

“Stop giving me that annoying look—he’s a knight!”

“His swordsmanship is nothing like your terrible skills.”

“Your hairstyle, your outfit are also…”

Under her “careful” guidance, Li Ang successfully transformed from a petty Beggar into a handsome young knight.

Though he had no faith in order, his swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds.

As time passed, Visilia’s desire to control him grew stronger.

Every night, he had to stay by Visilia’s bedside just so she could wake up and see his face first.

Li Ang thought he was doing his duty well, but he understood that his role would eventually come to an end.

A month ago, news arrived about the knight Visilia had been searching for—the one who saved her life.

Since then, Li Ang felt a growing barrier between himself and the young lady.

Their conversations dwindled, and their meetings became rare.

Yet, he had more freedom now—before, Visilia hadn’t even allowed him out of her sight!

It seemed his task was coming to a close.

“I understand. Thank you for taking care of me all this time.”

Li Ang looked up calmly, as if saying something trivial.

Visilia’s slender eyebrows knitted slightly.

Looking at the boy’s casual demeanor, a strange feeling welled up in her chest.

Why did she feel uncomfortable?

Subconsciously, she thought Li Ang’s reaction shouldn’t be like this.

When a little dog is about to be abandoned by its master, shouldn’t it wag its tail and cling even harder?

Her long fingers tapped quickly on the desk.

The quiet study was filled only with the rhythmic tapping.

Li Ang knew this meant Visilia was irritated.

Usually, he would try to please her, but now… this was no longer his responsibility.

Visilia suppressed the discomfort inside and slowly spoke, “About your sister…”

“I’ll take her with me. You don’t need to worry.”

Li Ang spoke first. His sister’s illness had been alleviated thanks to the Duke’s help, but curing it completely was no easy matter.

If he left, naturally, he would take his sister with him.

Seeing the boy’s calm, matter-of-fact tone and steady gaze, Visilia’s irritation grew, and it became harder for her to breathe, as if something was about to vanish from her chest.

Was he deliberately distancing himself from her?

She had expected Li Ang to react more strongly.

She had prepared extensively to handle this situation, yet… he didn’t ask anything.

No doubt, no sadness, no anger.

She thought she had seen the boy’s admiring gaze toward her in their daily interactions.

But why was it like this now…?

Could it be… she had been too self-righteous?

For the first time, Visilia, the proud Ducal Heir, doubted her own charm.

Li Ang had to admit he had some feelings for Visilia.

After all, she saved him and his sister from despair.

Plus, Visilia always treated him like a pet, showing various intimate touches.

Facing such a perfect Ducal Heir, it was impossible not to feel some affection.

But he was only a substitute.

The most important rule of being a substitute was to recognize one’s own identity.

Visilia’s kindness was not meant for him.

If he allowed himself to take pride in it, that would be nothing but arrogance.

Silence returned to the study.

Li Ang lowered his head, staring blankly at the carpet’s pattern.

Only when he was certain the young lady had nothing more to say did he raise his head.

“Then… Miss, I’m leaving.”

Visilia’s eyes were complicated.

She instinctively opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say.

Her chest felt even heavier.

Seeing her silent, Li Ang turned and left the study.

Still, he felt a chill on his back, as if a pair of eyes were boring into him.

“Pssh… must be my imagination.”

Li Ang shook his head.

Now that Visilia had found that person, why would her gaze linger on him?

The years they spent together were just a transaction.

Now that the transaction was over, the past glory no longer belonged to him.

Or rather, it never really belonged to him.

What he cared about now was his sister’s illness.

Li Ang’s luggage was light.

Most of his belongings had been bought by Visilia, so naturally, he didn’t take them.

He only brought some of his own clothes.

When he reached the hall, he immediately sensed a cold stare.

He shivered and looked in that direction. It was Miss Visilia.

Without the desk as a shield, her dazzling long legs were exposed to the air, flawless and perfect.

The expensive silk nightwear softly brushed her pale skin, but her eyes were so cold they were frightening.

“Heh… looks like you’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.”

A trace of self-mockery flickered in Visilia’s eyes.

The cold tone carried a subtle tremor.

Her gaze fixed firmly on Li Ang’s handsome face.

As the boy matured, whether it was vague memories playing tricks or not, she felt he looked more and more like that person.

Sometimes, she even thought they were one and the same!

Li Ang felt awkward.

Knowing Visilia’s proud and domineering nature, seeing him so eager to quit and run away would surely displease her.

His earlier behavior was indeed somewhat ungraceful.

Just as Li Ang was sweating nervously, Visilia left the hall with a cold expression.

He let out a sigh of relief and stepped out of the Ducal Mansion.

Right then, a luxurious carriage was parked by the roadside.

Li Ang recognized it as Visilia’s personal carriage.

In the past, whenever she traveled, he had to sit with her.

With her strong personality, she would never allow anyone else to ride in her carriage.

Now, this carriage was obviously not prepared by Visilia to see him off.

The only person she valued enough for such attention was probably that man.

The one Visilia had been searching for all these years.

Li Ang looked toward the carriage as a silver figure slowly descended.

Tall and proud, clad in shining silver armor, even with the helmet on, the confident aura was unmistakable.

The moment he saw him, Li Ang felt an overwhelming sense of pressure.

He was strong.

Li Ang had no intention of speaking and walked past the knight.

At the same time, a sudden message flashed through his mind.

[Congratulations on successfully unlocking Simulated Anchor Point: Aierwei]

Hmm?

Li Ang paused, looked back—and the knight had already disappeared.

Logically, the person Miss Visilia was searching for was him…

But,

Aierwei… that name didn’t sound like a man at all.