"Ever since I was little, I knew I belonged to someone."

Liana propped her chin delicately with one hand, her gaze distant. She spoke softly, as if lost in a dream.

Gu Qinghan set his wine glass on the table, settling into the role of a quiet listener.

"Back then, I was just a little girl. My understanding of the magical word 'love' was very shallow."

A gentle smile touched Liana’s lips, a faint blush warming her cheeks.

"How so?" Gu Qinghan asked, curiosity piqued—a rare flicker of gossip in his tone.

"Grown men and women… doing things that made me blush."

"That was my entire idea of love."

Gu Qinghan blinked, then burst into warm laughter.

Liana joined in without hesitation, utterly unoffended.

As if cradling a memory of carefree days, she continued in a tender voice:

"Once, I overheard my parents whispering. They said Mr. Richard… that is, *you*… were the one destined for me."

"After that, I never played with other boys again."

She swirled the wine in her glass, set it down gently, and stole a shy glance at him.

"Was it shyness?" Gu Qinghan asked with an easy smile.

"No." Liana shook her head slightly. "I wanted to save every fantasy about the opposite sex… for Mr. Richard."

"That is my attitude toward love."

Gu Qinghan paused, then rose with graceful poise and bowed slightly.

"Meeting you, Miss Liana, is my honor."

His voice was steady, his manner so convincingly that of a devoted fiancé.

Liana’s lips curved into a demure smile. "The honor is mine, Mr. Richard."

She took another sip of wine. A tempting pink flushed her cheeks.

The room felt humid. Delicate beads of sweat dotted her brow, and the air carried the sweet, unique fragrance of youth. Her smooth shoulders glowed with a rosy hue, stirring a quiet tension in the space between them.

Gu Qinghan refilled his glass and waited.

"Later, I developed a habit," Liana murmured, gazing into her cup. "Staring out the window, imagining Mr. Richard arriving… waving to me from afar."

"Walking past shop displays, I’d picture you placing a pretty ornament on me. It felt… blissful."

Her eyes held a dreamy softness, a gentle smile lingering at the corners.

"In this country, cherishing love fantasies is encouraged."

"The other children sensed I’d grown up too soon. They stopped inviting me to play."

"And I… I’ve lived all these years wrapped in my love for Mr. Richard."

She sipped her wine. Her ears burned crimson; her smile slowly faded.

"Did you ever feel lonely?" Gu Qinghan asked gently.

"How could I?" Liana met his eyes, earnest. "Though I’ve never met Mr. Richard, just imagining you carried me through every hard day. That feeling stayed with me… until a few days ago."

She paused, lowering her head.

The warm atmosphere turned heavy.

Gu Qinghan watched her conflicted eyes, silent for a long moment.

A few days ago, something happened.

Hohenheim appeared.

This prodigiously gifted hypnotist had set his sights on Liana.

"Mr. Richard… I met a strange gentleman. I couldn’t understand him."

After a long silence, Liana whispered, her eyes glistening.

Gu Qinghan’s expression tightened—then softened into a calm, reassuring smile.

"If you’re willing, Miss Liana, I’m here to listen."

"As your fiancé, I’ll answer anything."

He kept his tone light, pretending nothing was wrong. *She’s tipsy. I must be her anchor.*

"I… can’t speak his name. But I have doubts I need to share."

She drew a shaky breath. "Mr. Richard… do you believe feelings between men and women can exist *beyond* love?"

Gu Qinghan stilled, then sighed lightly. *Ah, the classic trap question—universal across worlds.*

After a brief pause: "In the Kingdom of Pure Love, I’d say no. Only love deserves such reverence."

"Why?" Liana blinked, puzzled.

"In our land, unmarried men and women avoid solitude together. Every boundary exists to protect love’s purity."

"Only love warrants such care… don’t you think?"

Liana looked down, nodding faintly. "You’re right… but it doesn’t ease my confusion."

"When I was flustered, he helped without asking for anything. When I needed aid, he acted with pure intent."

Her voice trembled. "That feeling is real… yet far more tangled than love. I don’t understand it."

Gu Qinghan offered a gentle smile. "I believe his feelings aren’t love, Miss Liana. You can be at peace."

As he spoke, he reached out and softly patted her head. Her silky hair felt soothing beneath his fingers. His gaze softened.

"I know," Liana whispered, eyes still damp. "I can feel it too…"

Suddenly, she lifted her face, eyes locked on his, pain flickering in their depths.

"But… my heart has stirred too."

"Mr. Richard… what’s wrong with me?"

Gu Qinghan froze.

Liana clenched her hands, knuckles pale. Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes.

"Even though I resist it… even though my heart belongs to another… I keep remembering his bright, cheerful smile."

"Am I sick?"

She tilted her chin up. A fragile, tender light glowed in her eyes—the very image of a heartbroken girl.

Gu Qinghan stood utterly still.

*Now I see.*

*This is Hohenheim’s true cruelty.*

*"All who were hypnotized… did so willingly."*

*That… is the pinnacle of hypnotic art.*