Study Room of the Prince of Qin's Manor
Alexander Hayes knelt with devotion, carefully massaging Lily Evans' feet—treating each toe like a precious gem, finishing one before moving on to the next with deliberate tenderness.
Lily Evans perched regally, sipping fragrant tea and nibbling on delicate pastries, her lashes lowered as she watched Alexander with a gaze full of layered meaning.
Alexander’s hands worked with painstaking care, not a hint of laziness, each movement melting away Lily’s fatigue and leaving her feeling pampered beyond measure.
Lily Evans took a slow, thoughtful sip of her tea, then fluttered her lashes mischievously. "The people you train, Alexander, are truly in a league of their own. Is there a secret recipe, or just your magic touch?"
Alexander’s fingers hesitated mid-massage, then resumed their gentle pressure. He offered a rueful smile, "I suppose that’s my fault… maybe I was too soft-hearted."
"You let things slide, and that’s on you," Lily said, shaking her head. "But Sophie White’s crimes are unforgivable. She’s no child—she’s a grown woman who tosses lives aside like yesterday’s laundry. All those innocent children, not even ten years old… What did they ever do wrong? Just because she fancies you and despises me, she murdered them so she could frame me. That’s the real evil."
Alexander bowed his head, silent and heavy, Lily’s words settling over him like a shroud. He had no defense, not even a whisper.
Lily let the silence hang for a heartbeat, then arched a brow. "So, today Little Five and I set a clever trap for her and that black panther. Your Highness, what’s next? Will you mete out justice, or will you let old feelings cloud your judgment and secretly let her off the hook?"
Alexander exhaled deeply, fetching a steaming basin of medicinal water and gently lowering Lily’s feet into it. He let his sigh linger, then declared, "My love, her crimes are beyond forgiveness. She hurt so many children and tried to pin it on you and our own kids—I’ll never pardon anyone who threatens my family. After all I did for her, she threw it away. I’m more disappointed than words can say; there’s no way I’d shield her now."
"You… you really won’t shield her, not even a little?" Lily’s voice wavered, her eyes searching Alexander’s face for any hint of hesitation.
It was true—Sophie White had spent years at Alexander’s side, learning every martial skill from him. Their connection ran deep. Now, with her life on the line, could Alexander truly feel nothing for her?
Alexander’s sigh was heavy with regret as he gently massaged Lily’s feet in the steaming medicinal water. He looked up, sincerity blazing in his eyes: "Lily, you, our children, and my mother are my whole world. Anyone who tries to harm you is my sworn enemy—unforgivable. I was kind to Sophie White only because of her family’s loyalty. But after all she’s done—slaughtering innocents, targeting you and Ann—I could never forgive her. Her bloodline means nothing now. She’s erased every ounce of the White Family’s honor with her monstrous deeds."
"So… not even a sliver of regret for Sophie White?" Lily pressed, her voice soft but persistent, searching for any crack in his resolve.
"The only ones I’d ever miss are you and our children," Alexander said, sighing as he washed Lily’s shell-pink toes. "Everyone else is just a stranger. If I treated outsiders better than my own family, I’d be the biggest fool in the manor."
Relief flooded Lily as Alexander’s unwavering answer settled her worries. She let out a long, contented sigh, feeling the tension melt away.
She’d half suspected that Alexander’s pampering—washing her feet, showering her with attention—was just a clever scheme to win her over and secretly spare Sophie White.
But to her surprise, Alexander was genuinely remorseful, sincerely apologizing for the monster his own disciple had become. He was doing everything he could to win back Lily’s trust and affection.
Lily gazed at Alexander, her sigh tinged with empathy. She understood his pain—after all, the child he’d nurtured had turned into a demon.