Chapter 3

Chapter 3

He held my hand and led me to the Matchmaker Temple, where countless lovers were praying under the Matchmaker Tree, hoping for a lifetime of love and happiness.

With great anticipation, he handed me a wooden plaque and said, "Lilah, write your wish on it and hang it on the tree. It will come true."

Just like in my previous life, he wrote: "I wish to be with Lilah forever, never to be separated."

I watched silently as he finished writing, feeling a mix of emotions that I couldn't quite describe.

"Lilah, hurry and write your wish. This temple is known to be very effective."

I looked into his sincere eyes, pressing my lips together, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

It was well-known that Eric, the Northern Marquis, was a ruthless warrior who used the heads of enemies to boost morale on the battlefield. He had once decapitated an enemy and used the head to inspire his troops.

People were aware that Eric never believed in gods or spirits and never set foot in a temple, let alone come to the Matchmaker Temple to pray for love.

But everyone also knew that he was deeply in love with Miss Williams, the eldest daughter of the Williams family. He once picked a rare white plum blossom from the north of the city just to make her smile.

As I looked into his eyes, I couldn't tell if any of this was real. If it was fake, why couldn't he keep up the pretense forever?

"No need. What I want, I will achieve with my own hands," I said, silently adding in my heart, just like I will kill you with my own hands.

Seeing my determination, he didn't insist. Instead, he hung his wooden plaque on the peach tree and silently prayed with his hands clasped together.

I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh, mocking how flawlessly he acted.

Suddenly, fireworks lit up the sky, just as I remembered.

Eric returned to my side, took my hand, and was about to speak when I interrupted him.

"Eric, are you truly sincere?"

My face was more serious than ever before.

"Lilah, my feelings for you are unwavering and true!"

He spoke with such conviction. If I hadn't experienced the betrayal and suffering of my past life, if I hadn't begged him in the pouring rain to save my parents only to be ignored, I might have believed him. But now, all I wanted was to stab him.

Eric knelt on one knee before me, his expression gentle and devout.

The dazzling fireworks had already attracted a crowd, forming circles around us.

I listened to the murmurs of the crowd and looked at Eric without speaking. The dagger hidden in my sleeve slowly slid out.

"Isn't that the Northern Marquis?"

"He is so devoted. Miss Williams is truly fortunate."

"A perfect match."

I pulled him up and studied his eyes once more, knowing this might be the last time I saw him alive.

"Lilah, have you agreed?"

Eric, overjoyed, hugged me tightly, his back completely exposed to me.

At that moment, the dagger in my sleeve was fully drawn. If I stabbed him in the chest now, I could complete my mission and free myself from this life.

But the next second, the crowd erupted in screams.

Several masked men suddenly appeared out of nowhere, charging straight at us.

The scene turned chaotic.

Eric immediately shielded me, intercepting the attackers' blades.

I stood there, stunned, watching the assassins who had appeared out of nowhere. I quickly hid the dagger back in my sleeve.

I remembered that in my previous life, there were no assassins at this moment. Could this be the butterfly effect?

The crowd scattered in all directions, and the guards Eric had brought with him managed to fend off some of the attackers.

But there were still some who slipped through.

"Lilah, watch out!"