The Mastermind Behind the Scenes

Xia Lun didn't pay much attention to the young elven matron who had just run past him... she might simply have had some urgent business.

Xia Lun also had no desire to get involved with her.

However, he hadn't gone more than a few steps when a group of elven men seemed to spring out of nowhere.

"Milady! Where have you gone?"

"Human, did you see an elf in a long dress run past here just now?"

Xia Lun casually pointed toward a dim alley nearby.

"Thanks." The men exchanged glances; some gave chase, while others moved to flank from the other side.

"My, my, Xia Lun. You can lie without batting an eye for a woman you've never even met," Aina remarked with a faint note of mockery, before adding resentfully, "Do you like married women that much? Even though I am also..."

Xia Lun nearly choked on his own saliva.

"I wasn't lying," Xia Lun quibbled. "I was trying to tell them she didn't run in that direction. They just left in such a hurry that I didn't get the chance to finish."

Aina shook her head with a look of disdain. "Heh. The Hero."

Xia Lun blushed slightly, resolving to properly pay Aina back for this humiliation tonight.

As they watched the men disappear into the distance, the elven lady slowly emerged from a corner nearby.

"Phew—thank you so much, Mister Human, and this beautiful young lady... My goodness, I've never seen such a well-matched couple."

"You have a keen eye, Madam Elf." Aina seemed quite pleased. "However, we aren't just lovers; we are husband and wife."

"Is that so? It's rare to see humans married so young. Are you here in the Elven Forest for your honeymoon? That's a wise choice; many newlyweds come here."

This elven lady was clearly the chatty type; once she started talking, she couldn't seem to stop.

"Oh, I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Sera. It's a pleasure to meet you." Sera brushed back her long hair.

"Ms. Sera... why were those people chasing you?" Xia Lun brought the conversation back on track.

"Ah... my family wants me to go on a blind date, but I already have a husband. We even have a child together," Sera said indignantly. "We had a bit of a disagreement recently, so we're currently in a 'cooling-off' period... but my snobbish father has wanted me to leave my husband for ages. I won't give him the satisfaction! Once you've chosen someone, you should stick with them for life. Otherwise, wouldn't that admit that your past self had terrible taste?"

Aina nodded in profound agreement. "You are absolutely right, Miss Sera."

"Alright, I can't keep chatting with you two. I have to run... I don't want those guys to catch me!" Miss Sera said. "As long as I can reach the hanging ladder, I can get to the base of the tree and find my husband... He's usually a bit of a pushover, but he's actually quite capable."

Ms. Sera hiked up her skirt, carrying a pair of high heels in her hand, and ran off barefoot.

"Ah! We found Milady!"

"Over there!"

"Quick, grab her!"

Before long, Xia Lun saw several men in butler uniforms surround Ms. Sera. One burly man hoisted her up.

"Let me go! Let me go this instant! Do you want me to dock your wages when we get back?" Ms. Sera struggled, kicking her legs wildly in all directions.

The burly elf holding Sera looked innocent. "Milady, please stop making a scene... The head steward has already docked our pay for accidentally letting you slip away earlier."

Sera paused. "Huh? Really? Well, I'm terribly sorry about that. When we get back, I'll put in a good word for you with the steward... Wait, no! Let me go! I'm not going back!"

The group of men escorted Sera away, marching back in a formidable procession.

Xia Lun noticed Aina staring straight at him.

"What is it?"

"I admire Ms. Sera... Someone with such a pure devotion to love deserves to be helped," Aina hummed softly.

"But they're obviously from a prominent elven family. We have no reason to interfere in their domestic affairs," Xia Lun said, spreading his hands.

If it were an enemy's lair, things would be simple—they could just barge in and be done with it... but doing that to a major family they had no connection with would be rather rude.

"Do you have a plan, Aina?"

"Who do you think you're talking to, Xia Lun?" Aina reached out and gently patted Xia Lun's cheek. "Of course there's a way. However... if you want to come along and watch the show, you'll have to suffer a little indignity."

Xia Lun spread his arms wide. "I am at your disposal, Lady Demon King."

...

"Miss Sera, you look truly beautiful today."

Jerome praised as he saw Sera walk into the room.

"Get lost. I have no interest in you." Sera snorted coldly, then sat down on the sofa, crossing her legs with an air of haughty indifference.

Jerome narrowed his eyes.

He still felt somewhat unwilling to participate in this arranged meeting... As a wealthy merchant who had risen to prominence in the last century, and possessing outstanding looks, he could easily find any number of young elven girls under a hundred years old given his qualifications.

Yet the woman before him, though still retaining some charm, already had a husband and child... If not for the sake of climbing to the highest social rung, he would have no interest in currying favor with this old hag.

"Don't say that, Miss Sera. Interest and affection can be cultivated over time... You may not know this, but I'm actually quite a humorous person."

"The fact that you can say something like that proves you are indeed humorous," Sera said with a look of utter contempt for her suitor.

Jerome took a deep breath. This woman was clearly giving him no face whatsoever.

"Then let's be frank, Miss Sera." Jerome wore a practiced, template-like smile. "Your father wishes to facilitate a marriage between us... It doesn't matter if you don't like me. After we wed, we can live separate lives. I won't touch a hair on your head; the title of husband and wife is all I require."

"I refuse." Sera raised her chin slightly. "I currently have a husband. I will never give that title to anyone else, even in name alone... My husband can only be Yorid."

"Is that so? What a pity." Jerome feigned regret, shaking his head and sighing. Then, he paused slightly. "However... I seem to have heard that your husband met with an accident..."

"What did you say?" Sera shot to her feet. "What happened to Yorid?!"

Jerome revealed a composed smile. "Please, do not get agitated, Miss Sera. This has nothing to do with me... I merely heard some unfortunate news. It seems assassins from the Blood Alliance have targeted him..."