“Want an apple? I’ll feed you.”
“No.”
“Shoulders sore? I can give you a massage.”
“They’re not sore.”
“Mr. Lynn, you look so handsome when you’re focused.”
“I’m not.”
……
The moment Sophie’s consciousness returned to her body, a somewhat noisy squabble echoed in her ears.
She followed the sound, and in the next instant, Sophie’s gaze locked firmly onto Lynn—who was busy mixing potions at the side—and the girl next to him, Livia.
The girl wore a white dress, propped her chin on her hand, and bit into an apple as red as her little cheeks, her face full of stars as she looked toward Sophie.
Though, in reality, Livia hadn’t even glanced at her.
Still, when the sunlight gently streamed in from the window and lit up the girl’s delicate, doll-like face, Sophie couldn’t help but be mesmerized.
“So women… can be this beautiful too?”
Sophie found herself a little distracted.
“Awake?”
Lynn waved a hand before Sophie’s eyes.
Sophie blinked, immediately snapping back to her senses.
“Drink this first.”
Lynn handed Sophie a bottle of magic potion.
“Livia has already treated most of your external wounds, but your internal injuries haven’t healed completely. You’ll need a few days to recover.”
Sophie accepted the potion, channeled a bit of magic within her, and in the next instant, a wave of piercing pain surged through her body.
The boy in front of her hadn’t lied.
“Thank you for saving my life, miss.”
Sophie slowly took Livia’s hand, her tone full of sincere gratitude.
Sophie knew well how severe her wounds were.
Even the court physicians would have found it extremely tricky to treat her external injuries.
She couldn’t imagine what price Livia had paid to keep her alive.
Such a beautiful girl, yet so kindhearted.
Sophie’s eyes welled with tears.
A girl like this—she’d be hard to find even if you searched with a lantern!
Seeing the infatuated look gradually appearing on Sophie’s face, Livia shivered.
This girl… could it be…
She’s trying to cozy up to me to get closer to Mr. Lynn?
What a schemer!
With that thought, Livia unhappily yanked her hand away.
“It’s just what I ought to do, there’s no need for thanks.”
Livia puffed out her cheeks, turned her face to the side, and spoke with a hint of annoyance.
Seeing Livia’s slightly pouty, adorable expression, Sophie only felt her nose grow hot.
Even her shyness is this cute?
Sophie stared blankly, lost in thought.
Suddenly, she felt as though she’d already fallen in love.
Is this what they call love at first sight?
“You’d better wipe that nosebleed first.”
Lynn pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it firmly to Sophie’s nose.
He figured she must have taken a fancy to Livia.
Lynn felt a bit helpless.
Although Sophie was undeniably a protagonist in the original story, when it came to matters of the heart…
She’d fall for anyone, but never take responsibility after leading them on.
A true heartbreaker.
What’s more, in the later plot, she’d often end up in trouble because so many exes kept coming back to find her.
Though Livia wasn’t especially close to him, Lynn still couldn’t bring himself to ruin her whole life this way.
Sigh, what can he do—he, Lynn, is just a naturally kindhearted kid.
He’d have to find a chance to warn Sophie and get her to rein herself in a bit.
Lynn mused.
“By the way, Livia, I need to discuss something important with this young lady. Could I trouble you to step out for a bit?”
“Mm-hmm.”
Livia nodded obediently.
It wasn’t until she left the room and gently closed the door behind her that she suddenly realized something wasn’t quite right.
Wait.
A man and a woman alone in a room together?
What are they planning?!
Scenes from a certain forbidden book she’d peeked at before flashed through Livia’s mind.
No, please—don’t tell me I’ve become the helpless wife!
…
“You’re Lynn… right?”
Sophie looked at the boy in front of her with some wariness.
Black hair, emerald eyes, a gloomy expression.
Probably that infamous local bully who loved to throw his weight around, just like the rumors said.
Sophie had always detested this type.
But this guy had saved her life…
What exactly was he up to?
“No need to be nervous. I mean you no harm,” Lynn explained.
“I saw you were injured by the Sky Abyss Cult’s magic, so I stepped in to help.”
“Sky Abyss Cult…” Sophie murmured.
That’s when she remembered why she was here.
She and her master had been living in seclusion in the mountains, but just a few days ago, assassins from the Sky Abyss Cult had tracked them down, aiming to take the True Phoenix Blood from her.
To protect her, her master had burned away her own life force to cast a high-level array, teleporting Sophie—gravely wounded—to this remote kingdom, with strict orders to make her way to the Imperial City.
Thinking of this, Sophie clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug deep into her flesh.
She was an orphan, raised by her master’s own hand, and now…
“Hoo—”
Sophie let out a long breath.
“I will never forget the kindness you and the young lady showed in saving me. If there’s ever anything I can do for you, I, Sophie, will go through fire and water—no matter how many times it costs me my life, I will never refuse.”
Hearing this, Lynn’s lips curled up slightly.
Heh, ‘never refuse, no matter how many deaths’—you said it yourself.
“In that case… why don’t we strike a deal?”
Lynn said, his lips curling up in a gentle smile.
Sophie looked at his smile—it was clearly polite and kind, but for some reason, she kept sensing he was some kind of swindler…
“Go ahead,” Sophie said, her guard up, afraid she’d end up counting money for Lynn even after he’d sold her.
“To be honest, I too have suffered at the hands of the Sky Abyss Cult.”
“But, I’ve come up with a way to fight back.”
“So…”
“Would you be willing to lend a small hand?”
…
Livia paced restlessly outside the door, like an ant on a hot pan.
Her mind was playing scenes from all those forbidden books she’d read in the past, replaying every plot and detail.
At this moment, Mr. Lynn could very well be rolling around in bed with that fox spirit, doing who knows what.
And she…
Could only watch from outside!
Only watch!!!
“Despicable fox spirit…”
Livia gnashed her teeth in anger at Sophie.
She just knew her hunch was right.
That fox spirit really was going to snatch Mr. Lynn away!
What was that woman’s name?
How old was she?
Where did she live?
Why did she get to swoop in before Livia?
A chilly aura began to emanate from Livia, almost taking solid form.
“Guess I’ll just kill her, chop her up, and toss her in the sea to feed the fish…”
Livia muttered darkly under her breath.
“What are you mumbling about?”
Lynn’s voice suddenly sounded right behind her.
Livia froze for a second, her ice-cold face from a moment ago instantly brightening.
“It’s nothing, I just missed you, Mr. Lynn.”
Livia grinned, then dove into Lynn’s arms.
Sniff, sniff.
Livia took the opportunity to carefully smell him.
No scent of that fox spirit.
Had she really just imagined it all?
Livia’s mind felt a little muddled.
But there was one thing she was sure of.
She had to act quickly.
Mr. Lynn’s first time… couldn’t be stolen by some fox spirit!
At this moment, a cunning idea was already forming in Livia’s clever little head.
She remembered that, in his previous life, Lynn had a small habit before meals.
Because Lynn had chronic stomach trouble, he would always drink a bottle of magic potion to help with digestion before eating.
So, all she needed to do now was add something extra to the potion Lynn always drank.
Then…
“Hehehe…”
Livia snuggled in Lynn’s arms, squirming, a slightly eerie chuckle slipping from her lips.
Why did Lynn have the feeling this girl never had anything good brewing in her head?
His right eyelid twitched inexplicably a few times.