Chapter 3

Chapter 3

I was taken away by him, given a new identity, and sent to the Marsh Residence.

The person who took me away was Prince Cody, the fourth son of the current Emperor. He was often overlooked and not favored by Tobias.

He gave me an opportunity, and I had to help him seize the throne. It was an unfair deal, but I was grateful to him, as it was my only chance of escape.

The Lovesickness Cursed Insect inside Tobias was nurtured with my blood since childhood. Each generation of witches could only cultivate one such insect in their lifetime, but no one had ever used it. Even the women of Zleanding longed for mutual love.

When a witch died, the Lovesickness Cursed Insect would die with her, becoming nourishment for the next generation of insects.

Princess Milly's voice still echoed in my ears: "Father Emperor, if Mr. Marsh marries such a woman, wouldn't it disgrace his status?"

The Emperor looked at Tobias, then at me, and finally asked Tobias for his opinion.

As Tobias pulled me away, Milly's noisy protests were still ringing in my ears.

He held my hand tightly: "Andrea, don't worry, I never cared about your status."

"But what about Princess Milly? Tobias, if she wants to choose you as her husband," I pretended to be worried, my eyes brimming with tears, "wouldn't I be in your way?"

Compared to Milly, Tobias suddenly found me much more virtuous.

He escorted me to the gate of the Marsh Residence, reluctantly letting go of my hand: "I have some matters to attend to. I'll be back this afternoon to accompany you."

As I entered, I saw a group of maidservants carrying food boxes, hurrying by with their heads down, not saying a word.

I was puzzled and was about to take a few steps forward when I heard a voice calling me from behind.

It was a farmer who supplied vegetables to the Marsh Residence daily, dressed in rough-spun clothes.

He said nothing, but discreetly handed me a note from his sleeve.

The note bore Cody's handwriting: "Tomorrow at the Spring Banquet, take Tobias to the Imaginary Field Woodland."

The Spring Banquet was an annual grand event for the royal family. Someone like Tobias, whose every move was closely watched, never accepted invitations from others.

If I led Tobias to the Imaginary Field Woodland and happened to encounter the fourth prince there, others would naturally perceive Tobias's attitude towards the fourth prince differently.

As he wished.

After the banquet, I used the excuse of picking wild flowers to brew wine to lead Tobias to the Imaginary Field Woodland.

From a distance, I exchanged a glance with Cody, then knowingly turned around and walked deeper into the woods, leaving him and Tobias alone.