V2: Chapter 43: The Most Heart-Fluttering Moments Are Those That Happen Unintentionally

"Liang Di, how is Duke Auston doing lately?"

"Very well, very well. He's lying in bed, barely clinging to life, but his spirits are remarkably good."

Liang Di feigned sadness, lowering her head. "Hmm… Father is still the same, but he seems to have gained some weight recently (purely rambling; she hadn't even visited Auston). He's probably getting better."

"Give my regards to Duke Auston."

The King must have felt this was an unparalleled favor to Liang Di, for a barely perceptible smug smile appeared on his face. In fact, the surrounding nobles did indeed cast envious and jealous glances at Liang Lin and Liang Di.

At the same time, everyone could vaguely sense that the King was paying special attention to Liang Di, and Gael would always intentionally or unintentionally approach her.

So… it was clear to everyone that the royal family hoped Liang Di would marry Prince Gael.

While this decision may seem somewhat hasty, it's quite reasonable. The Langwendi family has risen to prominence in just two years; their future prospects are unimaginable.

If Liang Di said she wanted to return the Langwendi to their glory of a hundred years ago, the King would absolutely not allow it.

A hundred years ago, the Langwendi family was a force that could shake the royal family; now that they have fallen, it suits the royal family's wishes perfectly.

After the King left, noble ladies surrounded Liang Lin and Liang Di, inviting them to their tea parties and their own ballrooms, their faces adorned with ingratiating smiles.

"I really don't understand, what's the point of the royal family and these nobles always holding these useless balls and tea parties?" Liang Lin muttered softly.

Liang Di pondered for a moment.

The daily lives of the nobles were filled with luxury and corruption. They pursued endless pleasure, indulging in fine wines, delicacies, and revelry. To demonstrate their status and wealth, they spared no expense in hosting grand banquets and balls, inviting celebrities from all walks of life to entertain them. These banquets often lasted for several days, consuming vast amounts of food, wine, and jewels, resulting in enormous waste.

They were also obsessed with pursuing various luxuries, such as expensive jewelry, rare furs, and exquisite handicrafts. They spared no expense to acquire these luxuries to satisfy their vanity and desire for ostentation. This pursuit of luxury not only exacerbated the gap between the rich and poor but also led to a severe waste of resources.

Using their status and power, they wantonly oppressed ordinary people, seizing their land and property.

In the eyes of the nobles, ordinary people were as insignificant as ants; their lives, honor, and disgrace depended entirely on the whims of the nobles.

They not only exploited the common people materially but also tormented them spiritually. They enacted a series of harsh laws and regulations, restricting the freedom and rights of ordinary people. Anyone who dared to resist or challenge the authority of the nobility would be severely punished, even facing the threat of death.

Liang Di spoke at a very long time: “There was once a nobleman who wore magnificent robes, held golden cups and jade goblets, and enjoyed endless luxury and glory. However, his happiness was built on the suffering of the common people. His arrogance and despicable nature, like a greedy beast, ruthlessly exploited those struggling to survive.”

Liang Lin fell silent. She understood Liang Di's meaning and knew that Liang Di had just answered her question.

On the way back, Liang Lin propped her head up with her hand, looked at the scenery outside the carriage window, and suddenly asked:

“You mean, the lives of commoners don’t count as lives?”

“Yes.”

Liang Di answered decisively.

“They squander their wealth and enjoy endless pleasures, yet they turn a blind eye to the suffering of the common people. They not only occupy a large amount of social resources but also wantonly bully the common people, treating them like dirt. This is inequality.”

“We can’t satisfy everyone, so as long as we satisfy the majority, that’s already good enough, isn’t it?”

Liang Lin fell silent again.

“What if it’s just self-righteous justice?”

She understood. In fact, she understood everything. After experiencing so much, how could she still not understand at all?

“The Soteland Empire has so many people. Do you think it’s possible to satisfy everyone?”

Liang Di was always exceptionally calm and clear-headed when facing such matters.

Well, you could say that, except for her dealings with Liang Lin, she was always calm and able to approach everything with a godlike perspective.

“It’s impossible…”

“So what if it’s self-righteous justice? Some people worship you like a god, so there will definitely be people who hate you and despise you. The things you believe are just, the things you want to protect, you’ve at least done them, and you’ve even died for them. But some people just talk the talk, standing there like bystanders, talking without understanding the consequences. But if you really asked them to step in, they’d chicken out faster than anyone else, turning into cowards hiding in their shells.”

“They only dare to offer unsolicited advice, including, but only, advice. Yes, pointing fingers.”

"They think they're so smart, but they never consider how difficult it is to put things into practice. They just talk the talk, but when you actually ask them to do it, they'll ask why. They only offer suggestions, and if you're not humble, it's considered arrogance, and that's your fault."

Liang Di sneered.

"There's no such thing as absolute fairness and justice in this world. It's already wonderful if most people can enjoy the pleasures this world offers. It's impossible to expect everyone to be happy and fulfilled."

After hearing this, Liang Lin's eyes widened. She looked at Liang Di in disbelief. This was the first time she had looked at the tentacle girl with such admiration; she had never done so before.

Liang Di always managed to answer her questions, which was probably why she didn't dislike her as much now.

Liang Di reached out and patted Liang Lin's fluffy little head.

"Sister Liang Lin, don't blame yourself, don't doubt yourself. It's not good for you. If there's any fault, it must be someone else's. There's no need to torture yourself because of others."

Liang Di's smile was gentle. Her eyes narrowed into crescent moons, and two symmetrical, shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks. Her bright eyes were as azure as the daytime sky.

"Sister Liang Lin, don't forget, I'm here too. We're on the same side now. I... will protect you. You can go ahead and do what you want."

"....."

Eh?

Her heart skipped a beat.

Liang Di would never know that the words she uttered unintentionally, the smile she gave unintentionally, always managed to stir Liang Lin's heart. Perhaps it was because Liang Lin wouldn't tell her this.

Her cheeks flushed slightly; she couldn't let this person see. Liang Lin quickly turned her head away, covering her face.

"Yeah, I know. Sometimes, even your dog mouth can spout ivory. Thank you."

Very good.

Liang Lin was still the same Liang Lin, still able to successfully ruin the romantic atmosphere. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was being sarcastic towards Liang Di.

Liang Di blinked a couple of times, awkwardly scratching the back of her head.

"Uh, I... did I say something wrong?"

That insecure little look annoyed Liang Lin a bit.

"No, don't be so suspicious. I was just praising you for being right."

That fierce tone didn't sound like a compliment at all.

But Liang Di believed her.

She went up to her sister, hugged her arm, and chuckled.

"Hmm~ I believe you, Sister Liang Lin~"

"How silly of you," Liang Lin thought to herself, yet she found Liang Di quite adorable.

Protecting me... I'd never heard anyone say such a thing before.

However, Liang Di was now so strong; she could definitely protect her.

Less than a week had passed.

Rumors about the Langwendi family's chess arena were spreading like wildfire: counterfeit tokens, fake tokens being sold, and a sudden increase in tokens. Before the rumors even started, Bellica had sold all the tokens at a high price, keeping none for herself. When tokens become the currency in the chess arena, an increase in their quantity causes devaluation and inflation.

So, within a week, less than two weeks, it caused a huge uproar, and the chess arena's order collapsed.

"Bellica, announce the complete closure of the Langwendi family's chess arena," Liang Di ordered.

“Yes, Miss.”

Within just half a month, all the chess arenas in the Langwendi family were closed. No one caused trouble at the chess arena entrances; they were all nobles, too shy to risk losing face. However, many came to the Langwendi mansion to “visit” Liang Di.

“Earl Aldrich, you should know that selling tokens privately is strictly prohibited in our chess halls. Anyone caught doing so will be expelled.”

Liang Di interlaced her fingers on the table, her gaze sharp as she looked at him.

“I’ve already said, the Langwendi family’s chess arenas are merely places for noble gentlemen to relax. Gambling, selling tokens, and buying tokens are all prohibited. You clearly know this, don’t you?”

Aldrich was speechless for a moment, unsure what to say, how to argue, or how to provoke a confrontation.

He was the first noble to come to Liang Di, and she could only say that this fellow was certainly courageous.

“The moment you stepped into the chess arena, the person in charge of our chess arena already made it clear to you, didn’t they? So, Earl Aldrich,” Liang Di slightly raised her chin, her eyes dark and fixed on Aldrich, “since you knew it wasn’t allowed, why did you still buy it? Did you think the people of the Langwendi family were so easily fooled? Earl Aldrich.”

Almost instantly, a thin layer of cold sweat broke out on Aldrich’s forehead. His body trembled. Liang Di’s gaze sent chills down his spine, and her words struck him like a hammer blow.

Yes, he had forgotten that he was merely a minor earl, while he was facing the daughter of a duke, the daughter of the Langwendi family, one of the wealthiest families in the world.

Judging by her extraordinary abilities, this young woman was more likely to be the future head of the Langwendi family. He had actually tried to pressure the future head of a powerful noble family.

“I…” Aldrich lowered his head in fear and trepidation.

Liang Di's expression suddenly changed.

"Earl Aldrich, I know you were swindled out of a lot of money by that despicable token vendor. You know that if I give you the money on his behalf, other nobles will surely come knocking on my door demanding their money back. So… I'm really in a difficult position."

Aldrich felt a surge of frustration, a lump in his throat he couldn't swallow.

"I understand, Miss Liang Di…" He stood up, intending to leave.

"Wait, Earl Aldrich," Liangdi called after him, "Perhaps we could cooperate. You can make money, and so can I."

Aldrich turned back, stunned. "You… what do you mean?"

"I remember you have a few shops in Newman City with mediocre profits. How about… you sell them to me?"

Aldrich froze.

Those shops, while not very profitable, were in excellent locations. Giving them up to sell to someone else was truly painful.

"This..." Aldrich hesitated, his eyes darting around in their sockets. He wavered, pondering, weighing the pros and cons. Was it more advantageous to sell those shops to Liang Di, or to keep them?

"Earl Aldrich, how many gold and silver coins did you spend on those tokens?"

A single question jolted him awake.

He'd probably spent a thousand silver coins on those tokens. He was addicted to gambling, almost emptying his savings. Now, his pockets were empty, and his house was empty too.

"Fifteen hundred silver coins for all your shops in Newman City, how about it?"

Aldrich's eyes lit up. Not only could he recoup his losses, but he'd also have an extra five hundred silver coins. However... tsk, in the past, he would never have sold the shops, but now... thinking of his empty pockets, Aldrich finally made up his mind.

"Two thousand silver coins!"

Well, he's raised the price again.

Liang Di's hand holding the quill paused. "Seventeen hundred silver coins, that's the most I can offer."

Aldrich's forehead was sweating profusely. He wanted to raise the price, but meeting Liang Di's deep gaze, he swallowed his words.

"Earl Aldrich, I've heard that your family's jewelry store business in Newman City isn't doing very well. Even if you don't sell it to me, you'll sell it to someone else after you leave here, won't you?"

This was another wake-up call.

Aldrich gave in.

"Seventeen hundred silver coins, deal!"

"Bellica, take Earl Aldrich to get the silver coins."

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Liang Di's lips.

The nobles of Newman City weren't particularly wealthy. The flamboyant Aldrich thought there were no jewelry stores there, and if he opened one, he'd be incredibly popular. So, he insisted on opening a jewelry store there. It would be a miracle if he actually made any money.

Next, every nobleman who came to confront Liang Di was lured into a charade by her, unwittingly "collaborating" on some items—either selling their own shops or engaging in genuine collaborations involving fabrics, jewelry, and the like.

These past two days, Liang Di has been grinning from ear to ear. Whenever she sees Liang Lin, she grins broadly, nodding and greeting her cheerfully. Liang Lin feels uneasy, as if this girl has been possessed by a monster, her body taken over.

"Bellica, how much money do you think we'll make this time?" Liang Di asked excitedly. "We'll design some more beautiful clothes for Sister Liang Lin and Carol, hehe~"

Bellica hadn't even had a chance to answer Liang Di's question before she skipped away.

Bellica's mouth gaped slightly as she watched Liang Di's retreating figure. For a moment, she felt a pang of illusion; she seemed to see the shadow of her beloved Lady Meredith.

“Mrs. Meredith, I missed you so much…”

Click~

Berika opened the pendant on her chest and gently rubbed Meredith’s portrait with her fingertips. Then, she pressed the pendant to her chest, took a deep breath, and a blush rose to her cheeks.

She remembered the way Mrs. Meredith looked down on her with that haughty expression, as if she were a dog, when she raised her whip at her.

“That feeling was just so wonderful!”

Bellica couldn’t help but hug herself, trembling, her blush deepening.

Meredith made her crawl around on the floor like a dog, made her bark like a puppy, and occasionally, she would put a cute black leather collar on her and walk her around the room on a leash. If she misbehaved, the whip would crack, leaving a red, swollen welt on her body. If she behaved well, she would be patted on the head as a reward.

Sometimes, Meredith would choke her, and each time, Bellica felt ecstatic. Perhaps she was a born masochist.

Bellica loved rubbing her cheek against Meredith's hand and thigh; those were the happiest times of her life. Aside from their mistress-servant relationship, Meredith treated her exceptionally well in everyday life.

When Duke Auston was often away from home, Meredith would sleep with Bellica in her arms. Even when Auston was home, Meredith refused to share a room with him. She felt he was dirty, that he had been with too many women other than herself—too filthy.

Moreover, her marriage to Auston was a political alliance, a union for the benefit of their respective families; she had no feelings for him. Meredith was a tragic woman. She always knew she loved women, but she couldn't defy her family's orders and arrangements, forced to marry a nobleman she had no feelings for.

Actually, Meredith didn't force Bellica to be her dog; it was Bellica's own choice, one could even say it was her own initiative.

This story begins at the moment Meredith stumbled upon Bellica punishing herself.

It was one evening when Meredith pushed open Bellica's door and happened to see her lying on the floor like a dog, tightly strangling herself with a rope.