Sefina began to change herself for the sake of seeing Lin Shu again.
She knew that only by becoming exceptional would she have a better chance of getting closer to Lady Liya and seeing that black-haired, gold-eyed human. She began to actively appeal to Sian, fighting for opportunities to participate in family affairs.
Although Sefina found it extremely difficult at first, the knowledge she had once buried herself in within the library provided significant help, allowing her to gradually learn the ropes. She grew out her curly purple hair, selected more elegant dresses, and practiced a proper smile repeatedly in front of the mirror.
‘I want to see her; I want to know how she is now.’
As she combed her hair before the mirror, Sefina suddenly froze, staring at her reflection.
‘What is this feeling of urgently wanting to see another person?’
Sefina began to understand. Perhaps when her mother was inseparable from that human maid all those years ago, she had harbored the same feelings.
To secure more opportunities, she cultivated informants, gathered intelligence for the family, and bit by bit, accumulated social capital within the Blood Clan. Finally, on that day, she stood before Liya as an official representative of the Drago Family.
By then, Liya had already become a member of the Blood Clan whom the Tepus Family was proud of.
Liya raised a hand to tuck her long blonde hair behind her ear, looking down her nose as she sized up the purple-haired girl before her.
Sefina lifted her skirt, stepped back with one leg, and bent her knees slightly in an elegant bow. “Greetings, Lady Liya. I am Sefina of the Drago Family.”
She raised her head, her gaze sweeping past Liya’s face to look behind her.
Lin Shu was standing there.
She was a bit thinner than Sefina remembered, but her features remained delicate, and her golden eyes looked back calmly. Noticing Sefina’s gaze, Lin Shu gave a polite, gentle nod.
Sefina felt her heartbeat quicken clearly.
The sentiments of her secret crush had long since taken root and branched out deep within her heart. Seeing her again now, emotions of longing and desire tightly constricted her heart.
After the simple greeting, Lin Shu’s gaze quickly returned to Liya. She faced Liya at every moment, like a shadow chasing light in a dream.
“I have heard of you,” Liya said, tilting her chin up at Sefina. “From now on, you may follow the Tepus Family’s activities and assist us while you learn.”
“It is my honor,” Sefina replied with a perfect social smile.
Afterward, Sefina accompanied the Tepus Family on many battles and expeditions. She could never help but look at Lin Shu. Sometimes, if she stared too long, Liya would intentionally cough twice, her eyes filled with a warning intent.
During one operation, Lin Shu collapsed from exhaustion due to excessive blood loss. It was not until Sefina spoke up to remind her that Liya ordered someone to take her back to the camp.
“What happened? If you knew you couldn’t hold on, why didn’t you say something?” Liya scolded. “You clearly made progress last time, but now you’re starting those old habits again.”
“I am very sorry, Mistress,” Lin Shu struggled to sit up. “I will work hard not to make a mistake again.”
Sefina watched them from a distance.
Seeing Lin Shu’s dejected and self-reproachful expression, Sefina’s heart felt as if it were being squeezed by an invisible hand, aching dully.
‘Why are you Liya’s familiar?’
‘If it were me, I would never let you make such a sad face.’
‘How can I have her?’
Once this thought emerged, it refused to leave Sefina’s mind. As if possessed, she walked into the library and searched through the books she had once read. After searching for an entire night, she finally found the answer:
**[Under the premise that the familiar has a strong enough will, the contract may be changed if a new master initiates a contract invitation.]**
But Lin Shu cared about Liya so much—how could she possibly be willing?
Sefina sighed and closed the book.
‘If that is the case, I will simply stay by her side. As long as I can look at her, it is enough.’
Liya was not good to Lin Shu. If the day ever came where Lin Shu decided to give up, Sefina would certainly reach out her hand without hesitation.
Sefina waited for several years, until finally, the day arrived when Lin Shu decided to leave Liya.
When the mark on Lin Shu’s forehead changed to that of the Drago Family, Sefina’s heart pounded wildly in her chest.
‘Finally, I have the chance to give you happiness, Lin Shu.’
—
“Ah!”
Sefina snapped her eyes open, gasping for breath.
“The Family Head is awake!” Surprised shouts rang out from all around her.
“Head of the family, are you alright? Do you feel discomfort anywhere?”
Sefina breathed raggedly and shook her head. She pushed herself up, feeling a dull pain radiating from the back of her neck.
She remembered now. To kill that wolf girl named Hati, she had pursued her for a long time, but in the end, she had been swiped at in return. That claw might have crushed her spine; the wound was extremely deep, and she had lost consciousness instantly.
Sefina looked around, her gaze passing through the crowd gathered by her side as she recognized her surroundings.
She was already back at Drago Manor?
“Where is Lin Shu?” Sefina asked, realizing the person she cared for most was not by her side.
As soon as she spoke, the circle of people around her fell into silence.
“What happened?”
Sefina scanned the faces of those around her, finding their expressions filled with unease and self-reproach. The last time she was injured, Lin Shu would follow her all the way to her bedroom door, yet she didn’t see her shadow this time.
Sefina instantly had a powerful, sinking feeling.
“Where is Lin Shu?” she asked again, her voice slightly louder.
A guard summoned the courage to speak. “Family Head, we are sorry… we failed to protect the manor.”
“Liya of the Tepus Family led a team that broke through the manor’s barriers and took Miss Lin Shu away.”
Sefina’s body swayed, and she hurriedly grabbed the edge of the bed. She gritted her teeth, suppressing the rising anxiety in her heart. “Why? I strengthened all the defensive barriers in the manor.”
“Madam Tepus came in person. Her strength was simply too great,” the guard said, gradually lowering his head. “To keep her from continuing to harm the family members, Miss Lin Shu took the initiative to compromise and left with Lady Liya…”
“We tried to stop them, but we were no match for Madam Tepus.”
Lin Shu was taken by Liya… How could this happen?!
Sefina was speechless. Her chaotic thoughts made her head feel like it was splitting open.
A moment later, Sefina threw back the covers and commanded, “Prepare a carriage. I am going to Tepus Manor.”
“Family Head, you have just recovered. Are you really going?” those around her urged anxiously. “Should we wait until you have rested before going together?”
She couldn’t wait any longer.
“Go now,” Sefina said firmly.
Sefina knew that Liya’s mother had always been cruel. If she intervened between Liya and Lin Shu, what would happen to Lin Shu?
Sefina clearly wanted to protect Lin Shu forever; she wanted to give Lin Shu happiness.
But what exactly had she managed to protect?!
Eve also stepped forward, pushing her wheelchair. “I will… go too.”
“No, Eve. You stay.” Sefina turned to look at her. “The Drago Family was just attacked. Some families coveting us will try to take advantage of the crisis. You guard the manor and don’t let them succeed.”
“I am going to bring Lin Shu back.”