“Weren’t you just an ordinary human kid at the start? So why did you end up like this? Don’t you really remember?”

“I’ve told you already!” Gratice struggled again, kicking her legs wildly. “This is kidnapping! I—I’m reporting you to the Knights Order! They’ll arrest every single one of you!”

*Pfft~*

Liang Lin, watching from the sidelines with amusement, let out a soft chuckle.

Send the Knights Order—those lapdogs of the nobles—to arrest nobles? What a joke of the century.

“Hmm. Later, I’ll take you somewhere. Might jog your memory.” Liang Di stuffed the handkerchief back into Gratice’s mouth.

Inside Lanvendi Manor.

“Tell Grandfather I still have unfinished business. Once done, I’ll go report on Orlando City’s recent situation.”

Liang Di handed her coat to a maid and dragged the bound, struggling Gratice toward the back garden. Liang Lin hesitated—should she follow?

Liang Di suddenly turned.

“Oh, right. Liang Lin, take Laura to change. Skip the fancy dresses. In my room’s wardrobe—there’s a nun’s habit. Have her wear that.”

“Huh? Why do you even own a nun’s habit…?”

Liang Di didn’t answer, pulling Gratice into the garden.

“Come on, Laura.”

Suspicion coiled in Liang Lin’s chest. She had a faint sense—Liang Di was taking Gratice to *that* place: the black hole hidden by House Langwendi, where family secrets lay buried. What was inside? Why did it feel so oppressive? Would they go in?

Still… later, she could slip into Liang Di’s room. A quick look while she’s gone couldn’t hurt. Maybe find something unexpected.

“L-Liang Lin Miss… the way you wield your sword… it’s truly gallant.”

“Thank you.”

Liang Lin’s reply remained politely distant.

Commoners knew Liang Lin as the story’s villainess. Laura had imagined a fox-like woman—seductive, tall, curvy, arrogant—someone who’d trample peasants like dirt.

But the real Liang Lin? A cold-eyed beauty with no seduction, even a hint of youthful softness. She rescued commoners. Mourned their deaths. Fought to protect them.

Rumors were just rumors. They had nothing to do with her.

Laura gazed at Liang Lin’s back, hands clasped devoutly—as if praying before a chapel statue.

*Click~*

Liang Lin opened Liang Di’s wardrobe. Among lavish gowns, a stark white nun’s habit stood out. She pulled it down and handed it to Laura.

“Change over there. I won’t look. Give your dirty clothes to the maid outside. Sit on that chair after. I have things to do.”

“Yes… thank you, Miss Liang Lin.”

At Liang Di’s desk, Liang Lin tugged a drawer—locked. She crouched, checked underneath. Nothing.

*Sigh.* Of course. Liang Di wouldn’t hide important things openly.

Her eyes caught a book. A paper corner peeked out. She tugged it loose.

*“Do not anchor your soul to anyone or anything beyond yourself. All things expire. Sincerity, affection, embraces—they spoil like milk.”*

Again… Sister Siralili’s note. Liang Lin had seen it before—written for her missing lover. That damned, heartless woman who vanished and shattered Sister’s heart.

Why was it *here*, in Liang Di’s room? If the fairy tale book came from Sister’s lover… why this note too?

What are you hiding?!

If Langwendi Family secrets demand silence… what about Sister’s whereabouts? Did you even see her? Why keep *this* from me?

Since becoming Liang Lin, she’d been trapped in a conspiracy. She’d been too naive. Too blind. Until now.

Missing family? Sleepless night? Feeling the whole world mocked her—everyone knew the truth but her?

Her mind snapped.

*Thud!*

Her fist slammed the wooden desk. Splinters bit her skin. She felt nothing. Slumped into the chair, limp, staring blankly at the ornate ceiling.

*I want to go back… back to…? What was my name…? Hers…? Why… can’t I remember?*

Yes.

She jolted awake.

She’d forgotten her boyhood name the moment she became Liang Lin.

“Enough! I said—ENOUGH!”

She shot up, blood dripping from her fist, sword in hand. Fury carved her beautiful face. She flung the door open, ignoring Laura’s and the maids’ cries. She heard nothing. Only one thought burned: *Find Liang Di. Now. Uncover the truth.*

She stormed into the back garden. Her mind a tangled mess—but the path to the black hole stayed sharp.

Twists and turns. There it was again: the chilling black hole. Just one look sent ice through the bones.

Outside it stood Head Maid Belica.

“L-Liang Lin Miss?”

Belica saw her—and the bewildered Laura trailing behind.

“Get lost, you dog.”