Chapter 2: A Desperate Plan for a New Fate

In the original storyline, Lovelenica would have blinded Lucia in one eye at this very moment. Given Lucia’s current abilities, her eyes were not yet capable of self-regeneration. This act would have utterly broken Lucia’s spirit, and her future partner, Imeline, would have been driven to a furious rage, initiating a thorough investigation into Lovelenica. Such an investigation, in turn, would have marked the beginning of Lovelenica’s true identity being exposed.

This was precisely why Lovelenica had appeared so flustered; upon her transmigration, the original body’s gun-sword had already been thrust forward. Had she not reacted with lightning speed, Lucia’s eye would still have been tragically blinded.

“…Lu-Lucia? Did you hear me? Please, step back a little!”

“Hm… Oh! Right, I’m so sorry, Teacher!”

Only after Lovelenica reiterated her instruction did Lucia finally snap to attention, hastily retreating a couple of steps.

It was only then that Lovelenica allowed her arm to drop, while Imeline, who had been observing the scene, appeared as if her lungs were on the verge of bursting from sheer fury.

“Lovelenica! Do you even comprehend what you’re doing?! Even if Lucia is the Saintess of the Church, the Angel’s Dust, her current power is insufficient to heal her own eyes! Do you understand the immense danger involved? What if you had truly blinded her!?”

“Hmph, I know what I’m doing.”

Lovelenica merely let out a cold laugh, offering no further explanation.

This indifferent demeanor only further enraged Imeline, and the resentment that had simmered within her for so long finally erupted at this moment.

“I forbid you from continuing to instruct Lucia! From this day forward, Lucia will study with me. The mages of our family will guide her cultivation; it will undoubtedly be far superior to following someone like you!”

“Lucia will absolutely not be guided by anyone else!”

“You!”

With that declaration, Lovelenica swept away, leaving behind a thoroughly exasperated Imeline and a somewhat bewildered Lucia.

However, once Lovelenica had departed from the training grounds, her stern composure vanished entirely. She nervously wiped away the beads of cold sweat from her brow, and, feeling a touch disoriented, she had no choice but to return to the Crimson Family’s mansion.

She absolutely could not afford to lose her right to instruct Lucia. To be frank, Lovelenica’s very ability to stand here now hinged entirely upon that teaching authority.

Not only had the majority of her power been stripped away, but her body was also afflicted with a curse placed by Liliana. While the curse itself posed no threat to her life, it granted Liliana the power to torment Lovelenica at any given moment. Should Liliana discover that she had lost her instructional authority over Lucia, Lovelenica was certain she would be tortured to the point of wishing for death.

A profound sense of powerlessness welled up within Lovelenica as she contemplated the unfolding of the future storyline.

If she continued to instruct Lucia, the moment Lucia discovered her identity as a bloodkin, she would undoubtedly be killed. Conversely, if she ceased teaching Lucia, Liliana would recall her, and nothing but a sunless cage and unending torment would await her.

Following the trajectory of the original plot, even if Lovelenica were to stop instructing Lucia, Lucia would still inevitably engage in a battle with the ambitious Liliana. Even if Lucia were to emerge victorious against Liliana, what then? Would finding Lovelenica imprisoned truly lead to her freedom? No, she would certainly still be killed.

What, then, of directly eliminating Lucia?

Such an act would render Liliana’s mission incomplete, and Lovelenica would still be recalled. In essence, Lucia was a Sword of Damocles hanging precariously over Lovelenica’s head; while she offered temporary stability, she also brought with her the imminent danger of death. The moment Lovelenica’s true form was discovered, only demise awaited her.

Lovelenica absolutely refused to accept such a bleak future. Having transmigrated to another world and become such a formidable bloodkin, how could she possibly resign herself to such a tragic end?

Yet… how could she possibly alter her desperate fate?

‘…I’ve got it!’

After a moment of contemplation, Lovelenica’s eyes suddenly brightened, as if a brilliant idea had struck her.

Since Lucia possessed the potential to defeat Liliana, why not simply cultivate Lucia properly and have her deal with Liliana herself?

Conveniently, Liliana’s mission for Lovelenica was precisely to cultivate Lucia. As long as she didn’t train Lucia in an abusive manner every day, unlike the original body, Lucia and those around her would surely harbor no suspicions.

Once Lucia’s strength was sufficient, Lovelenica would make Liliana the very first target for Lucia to eliminate.

By then, even if Liliana were to sense that something was amiss, it would be too late. Liliana could merely torment her at will; she could neither control her remotely nor outright kill her. As long as Lovelenica could deliver Lucia to Liliana before any suspicion arose, even if Liliana wished to retaliate against her, it would be futile.

Even if Liliana exposed her identity, it wouldn’t matter; she would simply need to flee. Lovelenica doubted Liliana could simultaneously battle Lucia and activate the curse within her. Once Lucia had slain Liliana, the curse would naturally dissipate.

She harbored no desire for the power or status of a bloodkin; a peaceful life was all she sought. When the time came, she would simply find a place where no one knew her and begin anew.

With this thought, Lovelenica once again felt a surge of relief. It was fortunate that she had transmigrated before the original body could blind Lucia. Although Lucia’s goodwill towards her had now been thoroughly eroded, it was not yet akin to Imeline’s animosity. As long as she began to change now, there was still ample time to salvage the situation.

“Welcome back, Miss Lovelenica.”

Soon, Lovelenica arrived back at the Crimson Family’s mansion, where two guards standing before the courtyard gate respectfully bowed to her.

Lovelenica merely cast a fleeting glance their way, offered no words, and proceeded through the grand gate, crossing the courtyard to enter the elegant manor.

These guards were not blood relatives of the Crimson Family, but merely hired personnel; thus, they were unaware of Lovelenica’s true identity. Very few individuals knew her actual nature, and Lovelenica happened to encounter one such person immediately upon stepping inside.

Upon entering the manor, Lovelenica’s gaze immediately fell upon a voluptuous woman in the living room. The woman sported a cascade of golden, wavy curls, and was adorned in a fluffy, pale yellow dress. Her slender fingers were tipped with vibrant pink nail polish, and as she saw Lovelenica return, an unconsciously teasing expression graced her features.

This woman was none other than Theresa Crimson, the current matriarch of the Crimson Family.

The Crimson Family pledged allegiance solely to Liliana. Even though Lovelenica was Liliana’s sister, the members of the Crimson Family held little regard for her; most only offered superficial respect. As the mistress of the Crimson Family, Theresa made no effort to conceal her profound dislike for Lovelenica.

The notion that a being as noble and sacred as Liliana could have such a lowly biological sister was utterly incomprehensible to Theresa.

What amused Theresa even more was Lovelenica’s reaction whenever she faced mockery. While Lovelenica typically presented an arrogant and overbearing demeanor towards servants and outsiders, the moment Liliana was mentioned, or when she was told she was inferior to Liliana, she would immediately adopt a crestfallen expression, acknowledge her inadequacy compared to Liliana, and even proceed to laud Liliana’s virtuous qualities.

Taunting Lovelenica in this manner had seemingly become Theresa’s daily custom.

“Ah, are you referring to Sister-sama? Indeed, she is certainly not as garrulous as you are.”

Lovelenica casually tapped her lips with a delicate, jade-like finger, as if lost in thought, and brushed past Theresa with utter indifference.

“However, I am genuinely curious as to why some individuals, who haven’t even met Sister-sama, exhibit such dog-like loyalty.”

“You!”

Theresa’s eyes widened in disbelief as she turned to stare at Lovelenica, who had passed her by and was now ascending the stairs without a backward glance. She had never imagined Lovelenica would speak in such a manner; in the past, merely invoking Liliana’s name would cause Lovelenica to cower. What had gotten into her today?

“What ‘you’? A good dog doesn’t block the path. Just focus on completing the tasks Sister-sama has entrusted to you.”

“Lovelenica! Get down here this instant!”

Theresa’s entire face contorted with rage, shedding her earlier image of composed elegance as she hurled abuses at Lovelenica on the staircase. Yet, Lovelenica paid her no mind whatsoever, simply continuing upstairs to her own room.

Recalling Theresa’s utter breakdown from moments ago, Lovelenica felt a profound sense of exhilaration.

What did it matter if the Crimson Family members harbored resentment towards her? Cursed by Liliana, they were forever bound to obey her commands. Liliana’s directive was to ensure Lovelenica was well-fed and provided for, and to train Lucia; therefore, no matter how terrible Lovelenica’s attitude, the Crimson Family had no choice but to endure it.

The original body had failed to grasp this truth, allowing herself to be manipulated by the Crimson Family. However, the transmigrated Lovelenica understood perfectly: as long as she refrained from uttering any disparaging remarks about Liliana, she could treat the other Crimson Family members as imperiously as she wished.