Tangled In Love And Lies

Chapter 1

I was born a sorceress from Zleanding.

With just a casual remark, "The witchcraft of Zleanding defies the laws of nature," the regent ordered the annihilation of my entire clan.

The fire blazed for three days, turning the entire town into a wasteland of ashes.

Amidst the darkness that engulfed the city, a man dressed in luxurious attire took my hand and asked, "If you seek revenge, I can help you."

Tears still streaked my face as I gripped his hand tightly, my voice resolute, "For the massacre of my clan, I will not rest until I have avenged them."

Because of my beauty, the women of the Imperial City saw me as their enemy.

They believed that I had won Tobias's favor solely because of my looks.

In reality, appearances meant nothing to Tobias. I had merely cast a spell on him.

"I don't know what tricks that woman used, but even the regent is completely enchanted by her."

"I heard she just arrived in the capital. She must be trying to gain entry into the Marsh Residence."

That's what people said about me.

But I liked listening to them. The more I listened, the more new information I gathered.

"Did you know? Mr. Marsh once had a wife whom he married through proper channels. She later died of illness, and Mr. Marsh was so heartbroken that he vowed never to remarry."

Never to remarry?

That night, Tobias appeared at my door, dressed in black official robes.

"Today, the court was in an uproar again over the matter of designating the heir. I've been busy with various official duties until now," he said, looking impatient.

The Emperor was a mere puppet, and Tobias, the regent.

His impatience stemmed from not having a new puppet prince to control.

I took his hand and teased, "Why are you still thinking about state affairs when you're with me?"

He removed his outer garment, wrapped his arms around my waist, and fell onto the bed. "How could I? When I don't see you, my heart longs."

A longing heart was just right; my Enchanted Insect never failed.

In the midst of our passion, I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Tobias, what do you think our relationship is now?"

He didn't answer.

So I pressed further, "Am I your lover?"

He seemed to understand what I was about to say next. "Andrea, don't mess with me."

Fine, I won't mess with you.

A splinter from the wooden bedhead accidentally pricked my fingertip, causing bright red blood to ooze out.

I touched my fingertip to his lips, the color spreading.

Then, my finger slowly slid down to his chest, feeling the agitation of the Lovesickness Enchanted Insect.

Gazing into his eyes, I coyly said, "Tobias, marry me."

Tobias's dazed eyes trembled for a moment, and in a hoarse voice, he said, "Alright."

Tobias was deeply emotional.

So I planned to marry him and kill him when he loved me the most.

I wanted Tobias to die by the hand of the one he loved the most, ensuring his suffering is endless.

Chapter 2

The regent, Tobias, was about to marry an unknown woman from the countryside.

The entire city was in shock, and even the palace was abuzz with the news.

The Emperor himself couldn't resist the urge to see what I looked like.

The day after Tobias submitted a request to the Emperor, we were summoned to the palace.

Princess Milly was also seated in the grand hall.

Princess Milly, the Emperor's only daughter, had never been denied anything she desired.

Except for Tobias.

Today's summons were likely at her behest.

I kept my head bowed, kneeling respectfully on the floor.

Princess Milly fiddled with her painted nails and asked, "Where are you from?"

I answered properly, "I come from a family of slaves. I was originally a servant at the Marsh Residence, but I was fortunate enough to catch Mr. Marsh's eye."

"A slave, how could you be worthy of Tobias?" Milly snapped.

If I had been a noble lady, she might have accepted it and used her status to pressure me.

But I was a slave, implying that she couldn't even compare to a slave.

She didn't need to be so angry.

After all, my identity was a lie, and Tobias's love for me was also a lie.

I still remembered the first day I met Tobias.

It was the day Zleanding was set ablaze. I was in the nearby mountains, tending to magical insects.

When I saw the thick smoke rising into the sky, I realized something was wrong.

Descending the mountain, I saw many soldiers surrounding the burning town, preventing anyone from escaping.

"Don't come here." Among the townspeople trying to flee, I saw my mother.

She looked at me in despair, telling me to leave and not come closer.

My legs felt heavy, and my hands clenched tightly.

"Only by living can you find a way!"

As the fire consumed them, burning them alive, their anguished screams echoed from the flames.

The soldiers had already dispersed, and the government officials arrived too late to extinguish the fire.

I hid nearby, watching the government officials speak respectfully to someone in a nearby carriage.

"Your Highness, the regent, everything is taken care of."

A breeze lifted the carriage curtain, and from my angle, I saw the face inside-sharp, handsome, and exuding nobility.

He was Tobias. Just one glance, and I etched his image deeply into my mind.

After the scene was cleared, everyone left.

I stumbled and knelt in the ashes, my trembling hands scooping up the ashes of hundreds of people.

I bit my lip so hard that I didn't notice the blood flowing.

In my grief, a piece of fabric sewn with gold thread appeared before me.

My heart skipped a beat, thinking the person in the carriage had returned.

Looking up, I saw a different face, not as sharp but gentle and refined.

He extended his hand to me, offering help.

In the darkness, he seemed like a ray of light.

Looking at the surrounding devastation, I forced my numb legs to stand.

"I will not rest until I avenge my family."

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.