“Is this how you treat your lifesaver?”
Luo Lan raised his brows and looked at Ophelia, his voice tinged with a hint of teasing.
“You—”
She pressed her lips tightly together, every word she wanted to say stuck in her throat, unable to go up or down.
As she gazed into those ink-dark, fathomless eyes, the scene of their kiss just now inexplicably replayed in the girl’s mind.
That moment was branded into her memory, playing again and again… the warmth of his breath, the softness of his lips, and the hand that had covered her eyes…
No.
This isn’t right.
She was the Miss of the Blanche Family, Ophelia Blanche, raised amidst the spotlight and crowds, her looks and etiquette second to none, flawless.
Under strict demands and rigorous training, she swore to become the strongest in Altlas Academy, to become the Blanche Successor leading her family to glory, and to save her best friend Chloe.
Those idle playboys were not even worth mentioning; as for the more diligent Noble Offspring, none of them even dared to meet her gaze.
Her beauty was sharp; anyone who approached her would be forced back by her cold, imposing presence.
But now…
Ophelia, in a mix of shame and anger, seemed as if flames might burst from her eyes. She instinctively raised her other hand, wanting to slap this person soundly—
But her wrist was gently held in place by the young man.
Ophelia tried to shake free but only found herself pulled even closer.
“Let go of me.”
Luo Lan looked at Ophelia with a hint of helplessness, seeing the glimmer of tears in her eyes.
“Tell me, have you forgotten something?” he sighed softly, “Your magic is depleted, your body exhausted—in other words, you’re just a rather pretty piece of dead weight. If I wanted, I could kill you right now…”
Ophelia stopped struggling, biting her lip hard, her eyes filled with grievance.
“Forget it, I’m not a demon after all. Consider what just happened as my reward for saving you. Now we’re even.”
Ophelia lifted her head, staring gloomily at Luo Lan for a long time.
—What does this guy take me for?
She trembled with anger. The etiquette, restraint, and noble dignity instilled in her since childhood were all burnt to ashes by her rage in this moment.
“You… you scoundrel! Pervert! Villain! Despicable! Cunning fiend! You—”
It was a pity that Miss Ophelia, from childhood to now, had never learned any truly infuriating curses. Her world was all about diligent cultivation, family honor, and that distant goal.
So she kept repeating those few words, over and over like a recorder.
Luo Lan listened quietly, expressionless.
These words hardly hurt, but he wasn’t the sort to let others berate him for nothing.
The boy’s eyes gradually darkened, and when Ophelia noticed his gaze turning colder and colder, she finally fell completely silent.
The girl instinctively shrank back a little.
“Are you done cursing?”
Luo Lan’s voice was no longer as gentle as before, and as expected, he saw fear flicker in the girl’s eyes.
Looking at Ophelia’s reaction, he couldn’t help but sneer inwardly.
—Hah, a woman who bullies the weak and fears the strong.
“I know your status is noble, your strength formidable, and yes, you are indeed very beautiful…” Luo Lan spoke unhurriedly, “But can’t you take a good look at your situation now? Did I owe you anything? Can you not adjust your attitude a bit?”
“You—”
“What, me?” Luo Lan cut her off bluntly, “Not only did I not kill you when you were weak, I even helped you out. Shouldn’t you at least feel a little gratitude toward me?”
Gratitude?
Hearing that word, Ophelia felt as if she might burst into flames.
“Gratitude for what?” she gritted her teeth, “You want me to be grateful to someone who spied on my Courtyard and molested me? Do you even know who I am?”
The moment the words left her mouth, Ophelia regretted it.
Luo Lan lightly raised his brows, then grabbed her neck.
“So what?” The boy drew closer to her face, “What connection is there between who you are and whether or not I dare to kill you? Or are you so foolish as to think your status scares everyone?”
The red-scarfed, masked boy spoke calmly, with not a hint of agitation—just… calmly asking.
Like asking if tonight’s moon was beautiful.
Ophelia wanted to say something, but when she met his narrowed eyes, she swallowed her words back down.
“Have you heard of the saying, ‘Prophecy of the Wise’?” Luo Lan paused, loosening his grip just enough for her to catch her breath, “I just hope the relationship between us can be a little more… peaceful.”
Peaceful?
Ophelia wanted to laugh, but couldn’t.
This man who had kissed her, choked her, pinned her to the wall and humiliated her—now he wanted to talk about peace?
“If you understand, nod.”
Ophelia stiffly nodded her head.
So Luo Lan released her, then reached out and flicked her cheek lightly.
The gesture was teasing and casual, as if toying with a cat.
“You… who exactly are you? Why have I never seen you before?”
That question was somewhat unnecessary.
Valgard’s Capital was only so big; the noble circle was even smaller, like a fishbowl. For someone like Ophelia, the Blanche Family’s gem, what promising young man hadn’t racked his brains to get in front of her?
Yet this red-scarfed, masked stranger in front of her—she hadn’t even heard a single rumor about him.
It made no sense.
“There are plenty of people you’ve never met.”
Luo Lan shrugged, his tone perfunctory.
Ophelia stubbornly fixed her gaze on him, as if she could dig some clue out from the gap in his red scarf.
“Someone with your skills—there’s no way I wouldn’t know. Either you just arrived in Valgard in the past few days, or—”
“Or I’m a big turtle, hiding in my shell, never exposing myself.”
Luo Lan cut her off, finishing the sentence irritably.
“Then… then why did you spy on me? What do you want?”
“Can’t you put it more nicely?” Luo Lan snorted coldly, “If I said I was just passing by, would you believe me?”
Ophelia pressed her lips tightly together, but her expression betrayed her. The look in her eyes clearly said, ‘Do you take me for a fool?’
“Enough, just leave it at that.” Luo Lan waved her off. “I hope this beautiful Miss will treat tonight as if nothing happened. It’s late, hurry home and get some sleep. Tomorrow, do what you should.”
With that, Luo Lan’s figure flashed. By the time Ophelia focused again, he was already over ten meters away at the Street Alley entrance. The girl instinctively gave chase, but he had already melted into the crowd, his trace vanished.
Ophelia stood there in a daze, staring at the distant, dim lights, and suddenly felt something odd stirring in her heart.
Old Hans had been Steward of the Blanche Family for so long, even he couldn’t remember how many years. Since Ophelia’s Highness had left the Courtyard, he had been waiting at the door for three hours.
When he saw his Miss return from the night looking lost and distraught, his heart leapt to his throat.
“Your Highness!” Hans hurried up, his voice full of concern, “Did something happen in the City District? I received word that even the Guards, who rarely mobilize, took action…”
“It’s nothing.” Ophelia waved her hand dismissively, “I just want to be alone for a while.”
She quietly walked up the stairs, but before opening the Bedroom door, she suddenly stopped.
“Steward.” Ophelia spoke with her back to Hans.
“I’m here.”
“I have something I’d like you to look into for me.”
“Your Highness, please say it.”
“Help me check if any young, arrogant, and somewhat capable fellows have recently entered Valgard. Also… see if there have been any Rumors in the Capital lately.”
“Rumors?”
“Yes, Rumors—any Rumors.”
With that, Ophelia Blanche closed her door.
Listening to Hans’s footsteps gradually fade, the girl slid weakly to the floor, leaning against the wooden door, her skirt spreading out like melting snow across the floorboards.
Ophelia curled herself into a ball, burying her face in her knees.
“How humiliating.”
She spoke softly.
The pride that was once etched into her bones, the cold armor she used to shield herself—all of it proved fragile and useless in front of that guy.
She recalled his departing figure, his mocking tone, and the way his magical skill far outstripped hers.
But most of all, she remembered that kiss.
That absurd, forbidden kiss that even now made her cheeks burn whenever she thought of it.
Ophelia Blanche, you’ve really outdone yourself in humiliation.
She said to herself.