How Could I Possibly Want You to Be a Rogue

"Celestial Empress Miranda Min wants me dead, but she can't beat me. And she can't mobilize those powerful High Gods either, so she started staging a bunch of city massacres in my name," Damian Black said. "To stir up public outrage and get everyone to hunt me down."

"Why does she want to kill you?"

"Because I once tried to assassinate her."

Little Fish's eyes widened. "Assassinate her? Why would you do that? She's the Empress!"

"Because..." Damian Black looked at her. "I hate her."

"Why do you hate her?"

"She killed someone who meant a lot to me."

"I see... Who did she kill?"

Damian Black went silent for a moment, then said, "Invite me over to sit and I'll tell you."

Little Fish frowned. "Why do you sound like such a rogue? The real Damian Black isn't like this!"

"I'm your deepest imagination," Damian Black said. "You want me to act this way, so I do."

Little Fish sucked in a breath. "Nonsense! Why would I ever want you to act like a scoundrel?"

Damian Black stood up and started walking toward her.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Little Fish scooted back, away from him. "Don't come over here! You can just disappear now!"

Damian Black stopped—and vanished.

"Oh my god!" Little Fish clutched her forehead, spacing out for a long moment. "Is my subconscious really this repressed and thirsty? Heaven help me!"

...

The next day, Lord Faustin finally 'recovered.'

He accepted Young Master Drake's plan.

It was set: on the fifteenth of next month, the selected elites would gather and head to the Wildlands.

Lord River Drake finally left, satisfied.

Henry Xiao, however, deliberately lingered for a moment and called out, "Little Fish."

Lily Bai looked at him. "Huh? Fourth Prince, is there something else you need?"

"In a few days, Lady Serena's birthday is coming up. Will you be attending?"

Lily Bai was briefly stunned. "You even know my aunt's birthday, Your Highness?"

"Lady Serena is dearly loved by Lord River Drake; her birthday is famous throughout all three Divine Realms," Henry Xiao replied with a smile.

My aunt really is amazing!

Lily Bai giggled. "Of course I'll go."

Henry Xiao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Then, I'll wait for you in Drake Abyss."

Lily Bai: "...Okay..."

"Farewell."

"Safe travels, Fourth Prince!" Lily Bai bowed.

He gave her a gentle smile and left.

...

Lily Bai's mother, Clarissa Summers, was born immortal and hails from the illustrious Summers Clan on the Ten Wilds Continent.

The Summers Clan is the family once graced by the reincarnation of Saint Grace, and stands among the Ten Top Aristocratic Families alongside the Xuan, Stone, and Tushan clans.

Clarissa Summers also has a younger sister, Serena Summers. Though her talent is lacking and she's only half-immortal, her beauty is unmatched—even her elder sister can't compare.

She once married a heartless man who favored concubines over his wife, let their child be killed, and eventually discarded her.

In her grief, Serena sealed her immortal veins and went to a quiet lake, intending to drown herself.

Luckily, Lily Bai had already noticed her aunt's depression and secretly planted a talisman on her.

When Serena's life was in danger, the talisman sent out a distress signal that was picked up by Lord River Drake, who happened to be passing by. He rescued her.

At that time, my aunt was soaking wet and heartbreakingly fragile.

For Lord River Drake, it was love at first sight.

He brought Serena back to Drake Abyss, cared for her tenderly, showered her with affection, made her his Secondary Consort, and had a child with her. My aunt's legendary 'second spring' became the talk of all three realms.