The Triumphant Ophelia

In a grand and luxurious room,

Luo Wei sat on a chair, idly flipping through a thick book while waiting for Ophelia to finish her bath.

The faint sound of running water echoed from the distant bathroom. It seemed like she had been doing this all day.

Luo Wei's wish to join her in the bath had been denied, as Ophelia found his hands-on approach too distracting and had kicked him out.

Thus, he found himself with some free time to read.

The book was titled *Gould’s Book of Magic: An Introduction to Magic Crystals and Ring Magic*.

The title was fitting, as it indeed covered the foundational principles of a certain type of magic. A significant portion of the book delved into how magic crystals store the mysterious energy known as "magic" and how Master Gould had transformed natural magic ore into standardized magic crystals—stable, reusable, and of appropriate size.

The book was more rigorous than a thesis, and Luo Wei found it quite challenging to digest. The latter half, in particular, focused on the mysteries of a type of magic called "Ring Magic," filled with complex formulas, incantations, and symbols that left Luo Wei feeling like he was reading something utterly incomprehensible.

He decided to revisit the "Ring Magic" section later, as Evelyn, his teacher, would undoubtedly know more about it—perhaps even being proficient in it herself.

After all, Evelyn was incredibly knowledgeable and had lived for who knows how many years...

While the latter parts of the book were dense and difficult, the beginning was quite engaging. Master Gould had written about his many years of travels, almost like a collection of essays.

It also detailed how he had begun his research into magic crystals.

Contrary to popular belief, magic crystals weren’t his original invention. He had been inspired by similar magical artifacts he had seen within an organization called the Magic Hermitage. After tireless research, he eventually developed the standardized magic crystals commonly found in Saint Callen City.

Luo Wei had heard of the Magic Hermitage before, having had some connection with them in the first timeline.

It was a black magic organization officially banned from operating within the empire. The Holy Edict Church had labeled them as "heretics," "blasphemers," "spreaders of plague and panic," and had repeatedly launched purges against them.

Luo Wei knew this so well because one of the members of the Magic Hermitage had been a key character in one of the chapters of the first timeline.

As he pondered these thoughts, Ophelia approached with a slightly resentful look.

"I'm done. It's your turn now!"

Luo Wei silently put down the magic book. Seeing his leisurely pace, Ophelia urged him again.

"Hurry up! We still need to get dressed. I don’t want to be the last one to arrive at the banquet and appear arrogant or domineering..."

"Got it—!" Luo Wei's laughter echoed from the distance.

After his bath, Luo Wei returned to find the maids tidying up the room. Several dresses were displayed in the center, and Ophelia had already chosen one. Caroline was helping her tighten her corset.

"Luo Wei, does this dress look good on me?"

Ophelia instinctively turned to Luo Wei, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Luo Wei's gaze fixed on her. "Of course, it looks beautiful."

She was wearing an elaborate evening gown, primarily ivory with accents of emerald green. The dress had a voluminous, intricately pleated skirt with a bustle, requiring the assistance of three or four maids to put on.

"Really? But..." Ophelia hesitated, glancing at another black-and-red evening gown.

"I think that one might look better. It’s also my favorite color... I’d probably look even more stunning in it..."

Caroline, who was styling Ophelia's hair, chuckled softly. "But Your Highness, that dress is too eye-catching and aggressive. Didn’t you always say it’s best to keep a low profile at banquets?"

"Oh, right..." Ophelia lowered her eyes, still seeming uncertain.

Caroline found this behavior quite surprising.

In the past, Ophelia had never concerned herself with whether her clothes were beautiful or not, leaving such decisions entirely to Caroline.

So...

Caroline glanced at Luo Wei, who was also being helped into his formal attire by the maids. It had to be because of him.

Her Highness wasn’t trying to compete with other noblewomen. She simply wanted to look beautiful in front of the person she loved.

Caroline sighed inwardly. Her Highness had truly changed.

She was no longer as sharp and cold-blooded as before. Instead, she had become more like a delicate woman, prone to sentimentality...

With so many enemies, Caroline wondered if this change would be good for her future...

The only thing left for Ophelia’s outfit was the jewelry. Luo Wei dismissed the maids and personally fastened the necklace for her.

Once it was in place, Ophelia smiled at Luo Wei, lifted her skirt, and spun around playfully like a butterfly.

"Do I look beautiful?"

A hint of admiration flashed in Luo Wei’s eyes. "Absolutely stunning!"

Ophelia’s figure was naturally graceful, and the corset accentuated her slender waist, making it seem as if it could be held with one hand. It also perfectly highlighted the curves of her chest.

With just a touch of makeup, her face looked exquisitely beautiful. Paired with the pure and elegant style of the dress, her soft smile made her look like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.

No words were needed. Luo Wei’s expression was enough to satisfy Ophelia, and her lips curled into a wide smile.

She glanced at the black-and-red dress again, wondering how Luo Wei would react if she wore that instead. Would he be even more captivated?

Sensing her slight regret, Luo Wei smiled and looked into her light-colored eyes.

"It’s you who brings beauty to the dress, not the other way around."

He extended his hand, offering a gentlemanly gesture of invitation.

"I think this dress suits you perfectly. I’ve never seen you like this before."

"Let’s go."

Luo Wei meant every word.

No matter how beautiful a dress was, it needed a person to give it soul. In short...

Ophelia was so beautiful that she could make even a potato sack look good.

Moreover,

the Ophelia before him now was dignified, pure, and gentle.

Caroline’s carefully crafted makeup had softened all her sharp edges, and Luo Wei could no longer see the cold, domineering Ophelia he was used to.

Accustomed to her usual queenly demeanor, this princess-like version of her was a refreshing change.

"Flatterer!"

Ophelia laughed heartily, grabbing Luo Wei’s hand and pulling him closer in a decidedly unladylike manner.

"Why do you always say such sweet things? I can’t help but love hearing them..."

Just as Luo Wei was about to respond, a pale finger pressed against his lips.

Ophelia pretended to ponder. "From the very first time we met, your opening line was so unique. That’s why I took the risk to escape with you."

"Thinking about it now..."

Her light-colored eyes stared intently at Luo Wei. "It was all planned from the start, wasn’t it?"

"Ophelia..." Luo Wei looked puzzled. Why bring this up now?

She must have known all along, but had chosen not to address it directly. Why mention it now?

Luo Wei opened his mouth to speak, but Ophelia stopped him again.

"Don’t explain. I know what you’re thinking, and I’m not angry about it," Ophelia said with a faint smile.

If he hadn’t sought her out back then, if he hadn’t deceived her, she might have spent the rest of her life in loneliness.

The thought was too terrifying to dwell on.

With that, she gradually suppressed her smile and deliberately put on a look of feigned anger and jealousy.

"You always say such sweet things. Do you say the same to other women?"

Seeing Luo Wei’s expression tighten as he struggled to control his emotions, Ophelia couldn’t help but feel amused.

He knew she could read his expressions, and now he was too scared to speak, knowing that any words would likely be lies.

Ophelia quickly grabbed Luo Wei's hand and, taking advantage of his sudden distraction, slipped a ring onto his finger.

"Huh?"

"What are you doing? What is this?"

Seeing Luo Wei's surprised and puzzled expression, Ophelia began to explain.

"This thing, you can think of it as a talisman. It was crafted by one of Master Gould's disciples and imbued with powerful magical energy. It might just save your life in a moment of danger..."

"Really?" Luo Wei exclaimed in disbelief, trying to move the mysterious ring now firmly placed on his right middle finger.

But he found it impossible to remove.

Not only could he not take it off, but no matter how much he twisted or turned it, the ring remained completely still, as if it had become a part of his body.

"Ophelia?" He felt a surge of anger, realizing that her earlier behavior had all been leading up to this.

She had even tried to exploit his guilt! How devious!

"It looks good on you, don't you think?" Ophelia blinked innocently.

"This isn't about whether it looks good or not..." Luo Wei suddenly realized something and stared at her intently. "This thing, it’s not just a talisman, is it?"

"Tell me, does this ring have some other function?"

Hearing this, Ophelia finally revealed a triumphant smile.

She nodded and, with a playful grin, extended her left hand.

Luo Wei was shocked to see an identical ring on her finger.

"The ring isn't just a talisman," she explained with a smile. "It has a special ability—it can sense if you're in danger. If you are, my image will instantly appear by your side, no matter where you are. We can communicate remotely, and I can even briefly manipulate your surroundings to help you out of danger~"

"In danger?" Luo Wei pondered for a moment, then quickly realized something was off.

"What do you mean, 'in danger'? You're trying to keep tabs on me, aren't you?" Luo Wei shot her a look of exasperation.

Ophelia's face instantly turned cold.

"This isn't about keeping tabs! I'm doing this for your own good!"

She poked Luo Wei's chest, as if she wanted to poke a hole through this ungrateful man. "You already have me, but what if you disappear again? Am I supposed to go through what I did four years ago? If something happens to you this time, I’ll be left a widow for real!"

"And another thing!" she added fiercely. "You’re always so secretive, like you’re on some big mission. Now that the chaos in Saint Callen City has settled, are you planning to leave again?"

"Uh..." Luo Wei looked at her helplessly. It was true—his next mission could take him anywhere, and no matter where he went, he would have to say goodbye to her.

"So!" Ophelia leaned in close to Luo Wei's ear, her voice low and filled with menace:

"According to the order between me and Helena, your next stop will be to see that woman!"

"But no matter what you think, I don’t want to see her. I hate that witch! I hate her so much I could kill her!"

"Got it?!"