Wait, wait a second!

Why invite Rodrika to breakfast too!? This was a special morning meal I made just for you! How could you share it with another woman?

A love triangle breakfast is totally against the rules!

Silphiel shot Rodrika a vicious glare, trying to scare her off with her eyes. But Rodrika seemed oblivious, her gaze fixed on Gao Ying. Or was it Silphiel’s imagination? She even looked… affectionate?

Rodrika clasped her hands before her, cheeks flushing slightly as she replied, "Th-then thank you, Hero-sama."

Gao Ying turned his head. Silphiel instantly switched to a gentle, saintly smile.

"Silphiel, you made so much—I can’t finish it alone. Is it alright if Rodrika joins us?"

*No way! How dare this woman eat the breakfast I made for you?* Silphiel wanted to snap. But as the perfect Holy Maiden in everyone’s eyes, she forced the words out:

"Of course. I hope Rodrika-chan enjoys it."

She swallowed her irritation and gave Rodrika a meaningful look—*Know your place!*—but Rodrika just stared back blankly. After a long pause, her expression finally shifted.

*Hmph. Took you long enough to notice,* Silphiel thought. *Adorably clueless.*

Yet—

Rodrika stepped forward, took Silphiel’s hand, and murmured with a faint blush, "Thank you, Holy Maiden-sama!"

Silphiel’s smile twitched. "Hahaha… no need to thank me. It’s just breakfast."

*Is she blind to social cues? What an idiot. Then again… only an idiot would drink that magic potion and trust a stranger with her life.*

*Whatever. I know what she’s like after all these years. So slow she can’t even sense malice. That’s why I enjoy teasing her.*

Silphiel plastered on her usual warm, fake smile.

To Gao Ying, that smile felt physically repulsive. In his past life, he’d been fooled by its healing glow. He never imagined such darkness lurked beneath the Holy Maiden’s smile.

He wanted to throw her painstakingly made breakfast on the floor and stomp it to dust. But he couldn’t—not without raising her suspicions.

For now, Silphiel was still far stronger than him. He had to play it safe to taste the sweet fruit of revenge soon.

The deeper his past love for her, the deeper his hatred now after her betrayal.

*Life’s a stage. All the world’s actors. How could Silphiel know we’re both performing?*

*Let’s see who falls for whose trap first.*

The brief clash ended unnoticed in the early morning air.

When Silphiel opened the food box, she caught a detail: the Hero hadn’t looked surprised at first. Only when she’d glanced at him in confusion did he suddenly act shocked and ask, "Silphiel… where did you learn to make these?"

She’d prepared this answer long ago—no way would she reveal she was also a transmigrator. "My hometown is on the eastern coast, in the port kingdom of Kaines. Across the sea lies a mysterious ancient Eastern nation. Sometimes merchants from there dock at Kaines… I learned these dishes from them."

She peeked at Gao Ying, feigning nervousness. "Since you look so much like them… I thought you might like Eastern food. Does… does it meet your taste?"

Gao Ying pretended to be newly informed and nodded. "If I ever get the chance, I’d love to visit that ancient nation."

Silphiel sighed lightly. "It’s not easy, Gao Ying. Sea voyages are full of dangers. Countless merchants have perished at sea."

Rodrika stuffed a shumai into her mouth, chewing. "I heard the route to the Eastern lands is called the Grate Strait. Pirates swarm it—they’re obsessed with finding some treasure called the ‘Ten Thousand Silks.’ Crossing it’s nearly impossible."

Silphiel nodded in agreement.

"But if you’re truly interested, Gao Ying… once the world finds peace, I’ll find trusted captains and sailors to take you there."

*Honestly, I’m curious too. Since he brought it up, I’ll dangle this impossible dream to soothe him.*

*Missing home is natural. A land resembling his birthplace might ease that ache.*

"Thank you, Silphiel," Gao Ying said with a forced smile.

"No trouble at all. Your happiness is my joy." Silphiel beamed. "I’m truly sorry for summoning you to this world so abruptly. If this helps ease your homesickness even a little…"

As she spoke, she deliberately placed a hand over her heart—drawing Gao Ying’s eyes to the faintly reddened bandage wrapped around her slender, pale finger.

*Heh. She’s acting again!* Gao Ying thought. *Silphiel’s knife skills are legendary. She’d never cut herself making breakfast. That bandage’s pure theater—for my benefit.*

"Thank you, Silphiel. Wait—what happened to your finger?" Gao Ying played along, taking the bait.

Silphiel flinched dramatically, hiding her hand behind her back with a flustered look. "…It’s nothing. Just a small cut."

*This should move him,* she calculated. *The exalted Holy Maiden, cooking your favorite meal… even injuring her noble hands for you. How could he not be touched?*

She watched Gao Ying’s reaction, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Predictably, he looked deeply moved—then turned to Rodrika and called out, "Rodrika! Come heal Silphiel’s finger!"

*Damn ungrateful bastard.*

The trio’s "harmonious" breakfast continued. Just as their fake laughter filled the room, heavy footsteps echoed outside the door.

Silphiel rose, puzzled. No one entered the Hero’s quarters unannounced. Gao Ying simply kept sipping his beloved century egg congee.

*In my past life, her cooking made me fall for her. Now I wonder… was that calculated too? Everything about her is fake. Where’s her real heart?*

He knew who was coming. Only the Holy See’s highest ranks could enter freely—and this man, though not of the Church, held absolute trust and towering status.

Before Gao Ying could dwell further, a booming laugh filled the room. A burly man with wild crimson hair—like a lion’s mane—threw the door open. "Hmm? Silphiel! What delicious thing are you cooking now? That aroma!"

*The leader of the nobles. The Sacred Empire’s Emperor. His name was—*

"Your Majesty Bartley! What brings you here?" Silphiel bowed hastily. Though the Holy Maiden held no feudal duty to secular rulers, etiquette demanded respect for this Emperor.

Bartley waved her off with a hearty grin. "No formalities here, Silphiel. This—" His hawk-like eyes locked onto Gao Ying. "—is the Hero?"

A crushing pressure slammed into Gao Ying. In his past life, he’d flinched badly under this imperial aura. But with lived experience, he merely paused his spoon for a heartbeat before continuing his meal.

Bartley’s face lit with approval. "Excellent! Worthy of the Hero the Holy See summoned with all its might! True warrior’s pride!"

The Emperor plopped down beside Gao Ying—right in Silphiel’s vacated seat. Her eye twitched, but she bit back her protest, turning away stiffly.

*First Rodrika, now the Emperor? This was supposed to be a romantic breakfast for two! How dare they barge in and devour my food?*

Her simmering rage nearly boiled over at his next words—

"Hero-dono," Bartley boomed, clapping Gao Ying’s shoulder. "How’d you like to become my son-in-law?"