Chapter 25: The Invitation
Caramy’s biggest worry was precisely this.
If Lena was plotting a rebellion, it would inevitably drag his family down with her.
Working with a tiger was akin to digging your own grave. Caramy didn’t believe Lena could flawlessly execute a rebellion. If any problems arose, everyone would die under the executioner’s axe.
That’s why he had come to probe and advise Lena to abandon this unrealistic idea.
The result, however, was nothing.
“Cough, just pretend I didn’t mention it…”
Caramy coughed awkwardly, trying to gloss over it.
Lena entered the classroom with Ling Ling, choosing a seat towards the back, and continued, “When a great tree falls, insects become kings. It’s a race to the bottom, let’s see who can rot the most spectacularly.”
Good people don’t live long, but evil people live for a thousand years.
The principle was simple, yet countless people still flocked to it.
Lena had once been one of them, and her end was tragic.
Caramy: “…”
“Speechless?” Lena opened her book, placing it on the desk, inviting Caramy to sit beside her.
Three seats away was Caramy’s bottom line.
He didn’t want to sit too close to the devil, so he shook his head. “Your way of thinking is different from ordinary people. I can’t keep up with you.”
“I know exactly what I’m saying, and I understand the calamity the empire is about to face.”
Lena’s confidence stemmed from her two lifetimes of experience, making Caramy even more unable to understand her.
The rumors were all false. Lena wasn’t an ignorant young lady; her strategy, her composure, her strength, all completely surpassed everyone’s imagination.
This person had been disguising herself with a false persona of a spoiled brat!
Caramy’s heart tightened. “Do you want to be a savior?”
“A savior…?”
Lena actually considered the possibility. “What a bold thought, young man. You have a heart for saving the world.”
Even when the lecturer entered the classroom and the lesson began, Lena was still lost in her thoughts of killing…
“Hmm, rather than a savior, I’m probably more like a world-destroying witch.”
Lena’s languid murmur followed the lecturer’s sleep-inducing speech.
Caramy clicked his tongue. “Devil…”
“A devil isn’t as beautiful as me.” Lena ignored his rudeness, her gaze returning to the blackboard.
“Hiss—”
Caramy suppressed the urge to retort, focusing on the lesson.
Time passed slowly.
As soon as the bell rang, Lena received a purple-red envelope bearing the unique seal of the imperial family, quite novel.
“As expected of the imperial family, their reaction was swift.”
She didn’t know how the news had leaked, but just one day later, she had received a letter from the Empress. Judging by its weight, it likely contained a few magic scrolls and a letter.
The magic scrolls were a welcoming gift, set aside for now. The letter was filled with official jargon, nothing substantial.
The gist was: Cultivating a rank six professional wasn’t easy, especially for a prominent family like the Falmouths, making it even more valuable. The Empress sent her congratulations and extended an invitation to a ball, a gathering for young people of similar age to network and build relationships. The letter also contained a note written by the Imperial Princess herself, likely a ploy to build momentum for the princess before her enrollment…
A clear Hongmen Banquet.
Only a fool would go.
In the past, Lena might have accepted.
But things were different now. Lena was already accustomed to dealing with the two-faced nature of those in power.
“Write a reply expressing my gratitude to the Empress. As for the banquet, I’ll have to decline. My father has instructed me to stay at home and not engage in frivolous activities.”
Lena summoned a small, pale green glass bird, gave it instructions, and then went to the window to release it.
The glass bird was a product of magic technology, the latest development from the empire’s Frontier Outpost, used to store various spells or transmit messages, extremely convenient and fast.
It was worth mentioning the Frontier Outpost.
Most of the magic products circulating in the market came from this research institute, including Lena’s magic carriage.
This world wasn’t solely about swords and magic. Magic was commonplace, but magic technology had also become deeply ingrained in people’s lives.
Flutter—
Powered by magic, the glass bird flew towards the sun.
Its small, transparent, pale green body shimmered like a jewel in the sunlight, attracting the gazes of passersby.
“If even the Empress knows, then the old man will probably hear about it soon.”
Lena extended her slender finger, the one wearing the King of Narcissus, and gently touched Ling Ling’s cheek.
Soft and delicate, like freshly made tofu.
Thanks to Lena’s daily care, Ling Ling’s wounds had mostly healed, and their relationship had progressed rapidly from strangers to close confidantes.
“Miss… purr…”
Ling Ling closed her eyes comfortably, making a cat-like sound of contentment.
You’re a fox, though.
Lena chuckled at the amusing scene and asked, “Is it really that comfortable?”
“It’s not that Ling Ling is comfortable, it’s the feeling Miss gives Ling Ling that makes Ling Ling want to cling to Miss’s fingertip,” the little fox girl said obediently, her face flushed.
Her tail wrapped around Lena’s stocking-clad leg like a vine. Most beastkin used their tails as tools for courtship, and Ling Ling’s subconscious act of curling her tail around Lena’s leg was undoubtedly a sign of affection beyond friendship.
“Hmm?”
Lena suddenly felt a stirring within her, a sense of excitement.
That powerful, tentacle-like tail was pressed tightly between her legs, the culprit, the little fox girl, shyly lowering her head, her fingers fidgeting with her skirt, crumpling it repeatedly, then smoothing it out…
The little thing’s intentions were clear.
Even the most oblivious person could see what Ling Ling meant, but Lena didn’t want things to progress too quickly.
Come to think of it, Lena had never considered that aspect, nor had she ever delved into Ling Ling’s feelings.
After all, in her past life, she had been too busy running for her life, barely able to afford food, let alone having the time for romance, let alone passionate love. It was all a luxury.
So today, was this little fox, who had hidden her feelings for so long, finally revealing her fangs?
“Don’t be silly,” Lena scolded, feigning anger. “Let go.”
“wuu…” The little fox girl immediately released her tail, slumping to the floor, deflated. “Ling Ling didn’t mean to…”
“Too much energy with nowhere to vent?”
Lena scoffed, stepping closer, cornering Ling Ling against the wall, one hand pressed against the wall beside her head. “Or am I being too good to you, making you think you can take more and more liberties?”
“Please forgive me, Miss… Ling Ling just… just…”
The little fox girl panicked, her small hands clenching into fists in front of her chest, looking as if she was about to cry.
She regretted her actions.
Just as Miss had said, she had been too presumptuous. Towards someone who had given her a warm home and accepted her sensitive identity, she shouldn’t have looked at her with such suggestive eyes, nor should she have used such indecent methods to seduce her…
Wasn’t she behaving like those women in the red-light district, trading their bodies for money?
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