Luo Ye’s voice mercilessly shattered Anna’s psychological defenses.
Her rosy lips trembled, and she lifted her hand in fear, her throat bobbing a few times, but no sound came out.
Her fingers clutched the armrest so tightly that her knuckles turned pale.
The air seemed to freeze, and even the afternoon sunlight flickered uneasily, shining upon her nearly broken body.
“Don’t, don’t send me away…”
Anna reached out, as if grasping at a lifeline, hoping Luo Ye would pull her up.
Tear stains were evident on her delicate face, and the sorrowful girl inspired pity.
But Luo Ye only looked at her coldly.
Then, he let out a mocking laugh.
“Miss Anna, you wouldn’t want Alicia to know about how you secretly lose control around her every day, would you?”
Anna’s eyes widened in shock. Clearly, this was her absolute taboo, the secret she never wanted Alicia to know. She still wanted to struggle, she could still struggle…
“……”
It seemed she couldn’t do anything anymore.
In an instant, Anna felt as if all her strength had been drained. She sat on the floor like a duck, unable to lift her head, her gaze lifeless, just like a broken puppet.
But Luo Ye suddenly said to her:
“Stand up, Anna.”
“Is that all your feelings for Alicia amount to?”
The broken puppet was beginning to revive.
Light gradually returned to Anna’s eyes, her body slowly regaining strength, as if invisible strings had been attached to her, giving her the motivation to move.
Is that all her feelings for Alicia amounted to?
Why would Teacher Luoye ask her such a question?
Didn’t he want her to leave Her Highness Aelisia’s side?
Then why would he ask a question that would stir her resolve…
No, that’s not right…
No matter what Teacher Luoye was thinking, right now she should only be considering one thing.
Is that all her feelings for Alicia amount to?
Anna pondered for a long while, then lifted her head resolutely, her violet eyes shining as brightly as the stars.
“No, I will never leave Her Highness Aelisia!”
“Teacher Luoye, if you plan to report me, I’ll blow myself up with you right here…”
“As long as I kill you, then…”
Luo Ye suddenly raised his hand, interrupting her.
“Heh.”
“Where did you get the courage to threaten me with self-destruction here at the Imperial Magic Academy, on my home ground?”
Luo Ye glared at her, displaying for the first time an aura of authority without anger.
At this moment, in Anna’s eyes, Luo Ye’s clothes and hair seemed to move without wind.
He stood with his back to the sunlight, but didn’t completely block it. The dazzling rays pierced through the window into her eyes, making it impossible to see Luo Ye’s face clearly at first.
But she could sense that he was truly angry.
And there was endless mockery too, mocking her weakness and helplessness.
Anna was dazed for a moment, suddenly remembering that he was the Heir of the Sage, and the Sage was currently at the Academy. Would he just sit and watch as his heir was killed by her?
No, he wouldn’t.
She had been too naive.
So why did Luo Ye ask her this question, guiding her to think this way?
Was it just to toy with her?
Anna looked up, and sure enough, saw Luo Ye’s mocking smile.
Her mood instantly sank.
“Teacher Luoye… no, His Excellency Luo Ye…”
Anna began to cry silently again.
This time, she didn’t try to challenge Luo Ye as before, but crawled over, grabbing his hand and staring at him pleadingly.
“I’m sorry. I apologize for my earlier behavior. I shouldn’t have threatened you like that.”
“But I really don’t want to leave Her Highness Aelisia. I have nothing left. My illegitimate status absolutely cannot be revealed, but my mother is missing, my adoptive father is dead, and aside from Her Highness Aelisia, I have nothing left.”
“Please let me stay by Her Highness Aelisia’s side. As long as I can stay by her side, I’ll do anything!”
Anna had thought that after saying this, Luo Ye would ponder for a moment and be moved by her words.
After all, on her journey from the countryside to the royal capital, she had witnessed far too many things she’d never dared imagine before—countless transactions between men and women, countless acts that had shattered her worldview.
And she knew, those words she’d just spoken would have a powerful impact on a passionate, newly adult youth.
A girl’s tearful plea, pledging loyalty, agreeing to any condition, crawling on the ground to let him see her pitiful, beseeching appearance…
If it were any normal boy, he’d probably be moved, right?
Anna was still confident in her looks and figure.
But what happened next took her by surprise.
Luo Ye ruthlessly shook off her hand.
“Eh?”
Anna froze in place.
“Anything at all?”
Luo Ye, as if mocking Anna, turned away, his back to her.
“Your identity is very sensitive—to Alicia, to the King, and to me. In fact, if the nobles discover who you are, they might even get rid of Alicia and put you on the throne as a Puppet King. After all, you look easy to control.”
“So tell me, in this situation, what value do you have that would make me keep you by my side, or even let you live?”
“Come to think of it, it’s not impossible to let you stay by my side. Didn’t you say you’d do anything? Then if I order you to die, will you do it?”
Anna’s body tensed up in an instant, her pupils dilating.
Clearly, she hadn’t answered yet, but Luo Ye already knew the answer.
“Do anything at all? You’re just an illegitimate child, you can’t bear the weight of such an expensive promise. That sentence carries a lot of weight—don’t make promises you can’t keep. An illegitimate girl with nothing, and you want to bear the weight of those words?”
Anna’s lips moved, but no matter what she did, she couldn’t utter a single syllable to refute him.
Luo Ye turned back and stared at her. “Even after I’ve said all this, you still want to stay by Alicia’s side?”
“I…I…”
Anna was so shamed by Luo Ye’s words that she couldn’t lift her head, her pretty face burning red.
But she still nodded resolutely.
“Yes… I want to stay by Alicia’s side.”
“I have nothing left but Her Highness Aelisia.”
Luo Ye looked at her expressionlessly.
“You really are someone who only ever thinks about yourself.”
This sentence was like the final straw that broke the camel’s back, collapsing the dam, and Anna burst into tears.
She cried in utter sorrow, desperately hoping Luo Ye would take back his words, or say something to guide her on what to do next.
But Luo Ye did not.
He simply watched her.
After crying for a long time, Anna finally composed herself and tidied her appearance.
Though she was still sobbing, she knew she couldn’t stay by Her Highness Aelisia’s side any longer—she was destined not to be welcomed.
But then, a turning point truly arrived.
“Are you really just going to leave like this?”
“Eh?”
Anna slowly turned around, unable to understand why Luo Ye’s attitude had suddenly changed so drastically.
“Just a few words from me and you’re ready to give up.”
“Do you know who you’re serving?”
“Are you really not betraying Alicia by doing this?”
Anna instinctively wanted to argue, but Luo Ye didn’t give her the chance.
“Anna.”
Luo Ye spoke softly, his testing now complete. He closed his eyes for a moment, gathering himself.
Then he slowly opened his eyes, imitating Alicia’s tone, and smiled at her gracefully:
“Didn’t we agree to be ‘Fate Community’ for life?”
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