Alia's voice no longer held its usual gentleness; instead, it carried a tone of unwavering resolve. "Adrian, the world has no sympathy for the weak. You either stand at the summit or be crushed beneath it."
Her words startled Adrian. The sister he had always known to be soft-spoken and kind suddenly revealed an unexpected ambition, her tone brimming with rare authority. He opened his mouth, as if to refute her, but found no suitable words. After a brief silence, he finally absorbed the weight of her statement. Determination gradually replaced hesitation in his gaze.
Lifting his head, Adrian looked at Alia with a newfound respect and a conviction that brooked no argument. "Alright. Trust me, I will make it happen." His voice was low yet resolute, as though he were swearing an oath—not only to her but also to himself.
Alia studied his expression, her gaze layered with complex emotions. There was a sisterly fondness in her eyes, but also an unyielding authority. She gave a soft scoff, waving him off. "Go. Get some rest and think carefully about your next steps. If you're unsure, come to me."
Adrian's lips twitched into an awkward smile tinged with gratitude. He nodded, his voice quieter now. "Alright, I will." Without another word, he turned and left, his pace quickening as though afraid she might see through the turmoil of emotions swirling within him.
After he disappeared from view, Alia let out a long breath. Her stern expression softened, though a faintly exasperated smile tugged at her lips. "That foolish little brother…" she murmured, her tone carrying a hint of expectation.
Meanwhile, Adrian strode down the corridor, his fists still clenched tightly. Though his steps were brisk, they carried no trace of panic. Alia's words echoed in his mind, filling him with both pressure and an unprecedented sense of drive. Taking a deep breath, he muttered under his breath, "Livia, don't worry. I won't let you down."
But as his determination solidified, his gaze drifted unconsciously toward a distant room—the one where Elise was temporarily staying. He stopped in his tracks, his expression wavering. After a long moment, he let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. "For you, I must become stronger, too…" With that, he resumed walking toward the castle's main doors, his steps now carrying a newfound steadiness and purpose.
Elise stood beside Alia, her hands nervously twisting together until her knuckles turned white. Drawing a deep breath, she finally gathered the courage to speak, her voice trembling. "Livia, there's… there's something I want to tell you."
Alia turned to look at her. Her gaze was gentle, yet imbued with a calm understanding that seemed to see through everything. She didn't wait for Elise to finish before letting out a soft sigh. "You don't need to say it. No matter what happens, you are my dearest friend, and I hope you know that. I want you to be happy."
Pausing for a moment, her tone grew serious. "But there are certain things that require great effort. Until the time is right, I need you to hide it—don't let anyone find out. Otherwise…" She hesitated briefly, a trace of helplessness creeping into her voice. "Otherwise, I'm not sure if I'll be able to protect you."
Elise froze, her eyes welling with emotion. Lowering her head, she spoke in a choked voice, "Thank you, Livia. I understand. Even if, even if I am not able to... I would find a way."
Alia chuckled softly, lifting a hand to gently stroke Elise's hair. Her fingers ran through the silken strands, her movements full of comfort. "Silly girl. You've had it rough, haven't you?" Her voice carried a mix of pity and regret. Her gaze turned introspective, as though recalling something from the past. "This world is just so unfair. Some are born with silver spoons in their mouths, while others must claw their way up, step by step."
Hearing this, Elise bit her lip, her eyes flickering with a stubborn determination. Though it seemed she wanted to say something, she ultimately just nodded. Then, in a soft voice, she said, "I'll go tidy up now."
Alia nodded, her expression softening further. "Alright, get some rest. You've been working hard lately. In a couple of days, I'll give you a day off—go out, have some fun, and unwind."
Elise's eyes lit up, and she quickly nodded. "Thank you, Livia."
As Elise's figure disappeared down the hallway, Alia leaned back in her chair, her gaze growing distant. She sighed softly and murmured, "I hope, in this lifetime, I can change your fate… and maybe, just maybe, fate will be kinder to me as well."
When Alia returned to her bedroom, it had already been tidied to perfection. The warm light cast gentle shadows across the walls. "What a long day…" she murmured to herself, her voice tinged with exhaustion. She made her way to the washroom.
The mirror reflected her image as she removed the ribbon holding her long hair in place. Silky black locks cascaded down her back like a waterfall. She splashed her face with warm water, trying to dispel the weariness of the day. As her gaze drifted to the reflection in the mirror, a strange sense of dissonance washed over her. This was Livia's face, yet it was also her own—familiar yet foreign. Reaching out to touch the mirror, she let out a bitter laugh. "Am I living for her, or is she living for me?"
After finishing her routine, Alia changed into a soft nightgown and made her way to the bed. She collapsed onto it, savoring the fleeting sense of relief. The quiet of the night enveloped her, and exhaustion flooded her senses like a tide. Her eyelids grew heavy, and as she drifted into sleep, the faint furrow in her brow finally began to ease.