As a villain, he could do whatever he wanted.

Page 181

"Brother! You've finally arrived! Hehe, Lia has been waiting impatiently."

Accompanied by this lively cheer, Lia was like a little rabbit released from its restraints. She lifted the hem of her white dress, stood up from beside her seat, and hopped and skipped on the grass with her feet covered in sheer white stockings, leaving a fragrant trail as she ran towards Leus.

"Commander K! Hug me!"

Meanwhile, Sofia, feeling Leah's enthusiasm for Leus, was somewhat bewildered. Leah, like a silver bullet, plunged headfirst into Leus's open embrace without reservation, and began to rub against him.

"Brother~ Hehe, give Lia a hug~" A sweet, cloying voice with a coquettish ending came through clearly. Under these words, Lia buried her whole face in Lius's chest. Her petite body seemed unsatisfied, like a kitten seeking its owner's affection, giving him all the soft touch she had.

Her long, silver hair swayed gently with her movements, becoming slightly disheveled in Leus's arms, adding to her endearing charm. "Ha," Leus chuckled softly at his stepsister's almost excessively affectionate gesture. As usual, he gently encircled Leah's slender waist with one hand to prevent her from losing her balance in excitement, while his other hand tenderly stroked her smooth, silky silver hair, his fingers combing it as gently as if handling a rare treasure, displaying his utmost affection for Leah.

"Alright, alright, brother, I'm here now, aren't I? Lia." Stroking the little white cat in his arms, Leus smiled slightly. "We've only been apart for a short while, and you're already so clingy."

"It's not just a short while. For Leah, every second she doesn't see Chief K feels like an eternity!"

Lia raised her head, puffed out her cute cheeks, and spoke in a tone that was half coquettish and half complaining. Her red eyes were filled with undisguised love and dependence on Lius.

"Ha, alright, alright, then I'll comfort Lia a bit more and make sure she's satisfied, is that alright?"

As he spoke to Leah, Leus gently comforted his adorable stepsister in his arms, then looked over her head and onto Sophia, who was still sitting blankly in the chair, as if her soul had left her body.

"Oh?"

Leus was stunned at first glance.

At this moment, Sophia's pretty face, as red as a ripe apple, was almost steaming. When she saw Lius arrive, she seemed to want to stand up and greet him, but for some reason she didn't dare to do anything. She wanted to speak but didn't know what to say, and her whole body was in a state of chaotic stiffness.

Looking at the dazed black-haired girl, and then at his own innocent and lively stepsister, who was also incredibly proactive in some ways, and her devilishly excited expression just now, a clear guess instantly formed in Lius's mind. "Hmm, look at Lia with a helpless smile." Lius was almost 100% certain that just now, Lia had used her unique and passionate logic to give Sophia a highly impactful lecture on "the diversity and harmonious coexistence of family members."

"Honestly, I was planning to wait until we'd spent some time together before subtly revealing these things to Sophia, but Lia spilled the beans right away. She really knows how to give me trouble..." Thinking this, Lius sighed softly to himself, a helpless yet gentle wry smile appearing on his face. "Alright, Lia, stop fooling around. Let's go sit down and talk. Don't keep Miss Sophia waiting." "Yes! As you wish, brother!"

In response to Lius's instructions, Lia nodded obediently, affectionately taking Lius's arm as she slowly walked towards Sophia, her body practically pressed against her brother's as if declaring her ownership to the world.

And so, under Sophia's stunned, even shocked, gaze, Lius, with his overly close adopted sister, slowly walked to the stone table and naturally sat down opposite Sophia.

As soon as Lia sat down, she clung to Leus like a sloth, resting her head gently on his shoulder with a contented and happy smile. Her red eyes lingered on Sophia, as if displaying the deep affection between them. The atmosphere in the courtyard, because of the arrival of this "sibling duo," became increasingly strange and...filled with a peculiar tension.

In this atmosphere, Lius coughed lightly, breaking the suffocating silence. After sorting out his thoughts, he looked at the black-haired girl opposite him, who was clearly on the verge of system collapse, in a gentle and tentative tone.

"Miss Sophia, are you... alright?"

Chapter 423: A Conversation with Sophia (Part 1)

"Miss Sophia, are you... alright? Why do you look so unwell?"

Lius's gentle yet knowing question, like a pebble thrown into a chaotic lake, created a small but clear ripple in Sophia's almost frozen consciousness.

"Ah, me. Sophia's somewhat unfocused eyes seemed to be reawakened the moment she heard the voice. Suddenly, her long eyelashes fluttered up and down like startled butterfly wings, trying to dispel the fog in front of her.

She shook her head vigorously, and her consciousness, which had been drifting away from her body, finally returned. She saw the gentle yet inquiring smile on the face of the blond boy in front of her, and she also saw Lia, who was clinging to him like a cat and looking at her with curious eyes.

"Are you alright? Should I call some maids over?" Leus asked in a gentle tone. "I...no...I'm fine, thank you." Young Master Leus looked at Leus. Sophia pursed her lips, and relying on her years of aristocratic education, she managed to greet Leus. Her small mouth, which had been wide open in shyness and surprise, regained its usual composure.

At this moment, she tried her best to straighten her somewhat stiff back, attempting to maintain the demeanor of a merchant's daughter. However, a closer look would reveal that her body had honestly betrayed her true thoughts.

Her hands, resting on her knees, unconsciously clenched together, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force, as if trying to ease her inner anxiety. Her gaze darted around, and after a brief encounter with Lius's gentle eyes, she quickly lowered her head like a startled deer, no longer daring to meet his gaze. She could only stare intently at the grass in front of her, as if there were some patterns on it that could reassure her.

Having witnessed the intimate moment between Leus and Lia, and recalling Lia's words to her, Sophia felt a surge of intense emotion welling up within her. Every detail seemed to be branded into her mind, leaving her unable to extricate herself.

What should she do?

Should she, as a pure and dignified noblewoman, follow the principles she has always upheld and express strong condemnation and disdain for this depraved private life? Or should she... try to "understand" and "accept" it, as Leah suggested?

In the silence, the girl's gaze involuntarily and furtively drifted upwards, landing on the location of Leus and Lia. At that moment, Leus was gently stroking the girl's smooth silver hair, while Lia squinted contentedly, letting out a soft, kitten-like hum of satisfaction, looking quite pleased with herself.

The intimacy and naturalness between them seemed so genuine and genuine, not at all like an act.

This scene made Sufia's mind even more confused.

She even had a ridiculous illusion—perhaps, the abnormal one in this world was herself, and that her own improper and unladylike lifestyle, which she herself thought was wrong and lacked aristocratic etiquette, was the norm in this world.

Meanwhile, Lius was secretly watching Sophia, carefully observing her every micro-expression—her tension, her panic, her bewilderment, and the hint of confusion hidden deep within her.

"Hmm, Miss Sofia's appearance... it seems things have become complicated. Ms. Aurora, you've certainly given me a lot of work to do by raising Sofia like this. At this point, we have no choice but to change our strategy and consider further action."

Recalling the black-haired young woman who had explained the whole story to him in the reception room, looking at him with a respectful yet slightly amused smile, and asking him to agree to the marriage, Lius sighed helplessly. Facing the blank-faced black-haired girl in front of him, he also fell into thought.

He knew that the marriage could no longer be revealed gradually; Leah, this innocent and naive "bomb," had already shattered all pretense of propriety.

Rather than let Sophia sink deeper into the mire of her wild thoughts, it would be better for him to lay everything bare and make things clear. With that thought, Leus gently patted Lydia's back, signaling her to calm down, then leaned forward slightly, gazing intently at the black-haired girl opposite him, who was practically curled up in a ball, with an extremely serious and sincere look.

"Miss Sophia."

Taking a deep breath, Leus spoke, his voice still gentle, yet carrying a deep seriousness. "I think Lia has already... told you some rather personal things about me."

These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Sofia's ears, causing her to abruptly raise her head. The blush that had just faded from her face surged up again with even greater force.

She opened her mouth, but found her throat so dry that she couldn't make a sound.

Lius did not press her for an answer, but continued speaking to himself in a calm and composed tone, as if stating a perfectly normal fact.

"I admit that everything Leah said is true."

“There are indeed many girls around me who are close to me and willing to stay by my side, just like Leah. They are all people I cherish very much and are an indispensable part of my life.”

When facing Sophia, Lius did not use any fancy words to embellish his words, nor did he try to defend himself. He simply admitted everything in the most straightforward and honest way. This frankness was more impactful than any attempt to conceal anything.

"That's all I have to do."

After speaking, Lius exhaled and fell silent, looking at Sophia with his deep eyes as if awaiting her judgment. He had completely handed the choice over to her.

"So, Miss Sophia, what do you think of me? I hope... to hear your most honest thoughts."

"The most genuine thoughts and atmosphere were frozen in this moment."

Chapter 424: A Conversation with Sophia (Part Two)

Hearing these words, Sophia felt that all her escape routes had been blocked by Lius's words. He had laid out an extremely sharp and realistic problem in front of her without any disguise, forcing her to face it, to think about it, and to make a choice.

Faced with this reality, an unprecedented and fierce battle unfolded within the girl's heart.

“No. This…this is outrageous! Even if such things are common among nobles, I cannot accept it! I should stand up immediately and tell Prince Lius that I will never accept such a shameless life!”

"But... Mother has already made her decision. The marriage with the Fren family is not only related to me, but also to the entire caravan. And... looking at Miss Leah, she seems so happy, without the slightest bit of coercion or pain. Perhaps... perhaps things are not as simple as I think? Perhaps I... am too naive?"

This thought, like a poisonous vine, quickly entangled her reason.

Yes, awareness... If this is truly part of aristocratic life, then the only thing she can do is adapt to it. This is her awareness as a member of the caravan, and also her awareness as a noblewoman...

As Aurora's daughter, she must shoulder corresponding responsibilities, including this arranged marriage...

This idea provided a seemingly reasonable outlet for her chaotic mind; it was a form of self-hypnosis and a compromise under immense pressure.

After a long while, Sophia took a deep breath, as if she had used up all her strength. When she raised her head again, the blank look on her face had disappeared, replaced by a stiff and fragile smile.

“I…I understand, Prince Leus.”

Her voice trembled slightly, but every word was spoken with exceptional clarity, as if she were reciting lines she had prepared long ago.

"If...if this is a common lifestyle in aristocratic society," she paused, as if giving herself a final mental pep talk. "Then, as someone who is about to become your partner, I think...I will try my best to learn and try my best to accept all of this. This is...my responsibility."

After she finished speaking, she lowered her head again, like a criminal awaiting sentencing, giving the most appropriate and considerate answer she could, sacrificing her principles to conform to the "rules" she had imagined.

However, what she received was not the expected satisfaction or approval, but a soft denial.

"That's not quite right, Miss Sophia." "Hmm?"

Hearing Lius's voice, Sophia looked up in surprise, meeting the boy's eyes, which were filled with complex emotions—surprise, tenderness, and even a hint of… barely perceptible pity. "The rules among nobles are not as you just described, Miss Sophia."

Lius spoke slowly and clearly, completely rejecting her compromise that had just been made at the cost of her dignity.

"The fact that I am surrounded by many girls... is not common sense among the nobility, nor is it a conventional rule. On the contrary, in the eyes of most people, my behavior is unconventional and incomprehensible."

Lius paused, adopting a serious expression, before a self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips. "This is merely... my personal preference. I want to keep all the people I cherish by my side, which is why the current situation has come about. It has nothing to do with any rules or common sense."

As he spoke, he looked into Sofia's eyes, which widened again in shock, and his tone became incredibly gentle, yet incredibly firm. "So, Miss Sofia, you don't need to say such things against your conscience just to please me or to fulfill the responsibilities I've been asked to do. What I asked you just now was your truest thought, not the standard answer you think you should give."

If Lia's words overturned Sophia's worldview, then Lius's words at this moment shattered the temporary refuge she had just barely built for self-comfort!

She was completely stunned, her mind went blank, and she was astonished by Lius's words.

“Young Master Lis actually… actually… admitted that none of this was normal?” “If that’s the case, then why… did he tell me so frankly?”

One question after another, like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, sprang up wildly from Sophia's already completely chaotic mind. She originally thought she had grasped a lifeline, that as long as she attributed it all to "the common sense of the Responsible Clan," she could find a reason to convince herself to accept it.

But now, Leus himself has snapped that straw, forcing her to confront the problem she had been avoiding all along. In this situation, an unprecedented and deeper confusion has enveloped her.

If this isn't the rule among nobles, isn't Lius afraid that by laying everything out, he might actually find it unacceptable, leading to the failure of the marriage? Why would he take this risk?

Suddenly, a thought, which made Sophia's heart tighten and even feel a sharp pain, appeared without warning.

Does he not care at all whether the marriage will succeed? Is he telling himself all this not to give him a choice, but... to make him back down?

Did he... not want to marry me at all? Is that why he deliberately used this most direct and impactful way to subtly reject me, hoping I would give up on my own and avoid conflict between our families due to a direct annulment of the engagement?

Once the thought arose, it spread like wildfire, instantly occupying her entire mind. Yes, that must be it!

Prince Leus is such an excellent heir, and he already has a lovely girl like Miss Lia who is devoted to him. He must be unwilling to marry a woman he has never met.

That's why he was so "frank"—not out of respect, but to refuse!

Having figured this out, Sophia felt as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping her heart, sending waves of dull pain through her. She didn't know where this emotion came from—was it the bitterness of a bruised ego? Or… a vague sense of loss that she herself hadn't even noticed?

As Sophia pondered this, she looked at Lius's handsome and gentle face. The sincerity on his face now seemed to her to be a kind of most skillful, polite cruelty.

"Why are you clenching your fists?" Sophia's lips trembled slightly, and a question slipped uncontrollably from her lips. "Why... why are you saying this, Prince Lius? Aren't you... worried that I won't be able to accept these words?" Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of humility that she herself didn't even realize. "Or... is this actually what you truly want... not for me to join your family, and that's why you're using these words to... to reject me?"

Chapter 425: A Conversation with Sophie (Part 3)

"Young Master Lius, is it because you are unwilling to form a marriage alliance with me that you are using these excuses to reject me?"

Sofia's question, tinged with self-doubt and humility, was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples that spread outwards in the air.

This question contains all the panic, confusion, and vulnerability that a young girl can feel after her worldview has been completely overturned, as well as a hint of vulnerability she herself is unaware of—a fear of rejection.

"Ok?"

As for Lius, he was somewhat surprised to hear the girl's words.

"Previously... wasn't Sofia looking reluctant? But now she's making this connection, and she seems quite unwilling."

As he pondered this, Lius looked further at the girl, allowing Sophia's eyes, which seemed ready to shatter at any moment, to be clearly reflected in his vision, so that he could fully feel the fluctuations in the girl's heart.

"Hmm...it looks like she's about to cry. It seems like I really don't want me to refuse...she was unwilling before, but now she's reluctant. Women's hearts are truly hard to understand." Thinking this, Lius silently complained to himself, then straightened his expression and focused his attention on Sophia. Facing Sophia, he didn't answer immediately, nor did he offer any explanation. He simply gazed at the black-haired girl before him with an extremely gentle, even tender, look, at her who had fallen into deeper turmoil because of his "honesty."

With his thoughts stuck in his throat, Leus sighed softly again, feeling even more certain of Sophia's current thoughts.

He knew that his overly direct words had a huge impact on Sofia, who had grown up in a very structured environment.

It was almost inevitable that she would misinterpret her honesty as the most skillful way to refuse.

"This misunderstanding can't continue, otherwise it will only hurt Sophia more... In order to restore the relationship between me and Sophia, Ms. Aurora might do something even more significant, maybe even trick her daughter into my bed. Uh... We can't let it get to that point."

Thinking this through, and looking at Sophia, Lius decided that this time, he would convey his true thoughts through actions, not just words.

Miss Sophia greeted Sophia, and under the girl's gaze filled with surprise and confusion, Lius slowly stood up from his seat and walked step by step to her.

Ah, his approach carried an invisible sense of oppression, causing Sofia to instinctively tense her body and subconsciously want to shrink back.

However, Lius did not make any aggressive move. He simply stopped a step away from her and, under the increasingly confused gaze of the girl, slowly raised his right hand.

That slender hand, carrying a hint of warmth, gently and tenderly touched Sofia's smooth, black, satin-like hair, passing through the air between them.

"!"

After a moment of stunned silence, a gentle and warm touch came from above her head, causing Sophia's body to stiffen abruptly. She was completely frozen in place, as if she had been frozen in place by a spell.

She could clearly feel Lius's warm fingertips gently stroking her scalp through her hair, the movements so gentle, so...so soothing.

What... what is this?

Sofia was completely disappointed; her brain was once again thrown into a daze by this sudden, overly intimate gesture.

Amidst her inner turmoil, she subconsciously looked up, meeting Leus's eyes, so close they were brimming with complex emotions. There was not a trace of frivolity or manipulation in them, only an unyielding tenderness and a barely perceptible, deep apology. "I'm sorry, Miss Sophia," Leus's voice was low, carrying a strange, soothing power, "it seems my words just now caused you misunderstanding and made you uneasy."

His hand remained on the girl's hair, gently stroking it as if soothing a frightened animal.