Lady Virelia Nightbane

As Leo's words hung in the air, Ava Carter froze like a statue.

Her cheeks turned crimson. Her entire body stiffened.

Boom.

It felt like her brain had been struck by lightning. Her thoughts blanked. Her world paused.

Embarrassment, horror, disbelief—all surged at once.

"No way… he really divined it?!"

She wanted to deny it.

But deep down, she knew—Leo had hit the mark.

It was the kind of shame she hadn't felt since she was a teenager caught reading something she shouldn't.

And then Leo had the audacity to continue, his tone soft and respectful:

"Miss, I only ask that you try to… restrain yourself after reading. After all…"

!!!!

Ava's heart slammed against her chest.

"AHHH!!" she screamed internally, her expression crumbling. "STOP! Don't say another word!!"

"Enough! Enough!" she shouted aloud this time, lunging forward and pressing her palm against Leo's mouth.

Her voice trembled with mortified urgency. "I believe you! I believe in your divination! Just—just stop talking!"

Leo didn't resist. His mouth was covered, but inside, he was laughing like a villain who'd just stolen a sacred treasure.

"Heh, just as expected."

In the original novel, it was canon: Ava, as the villainess mastermind, had one guilty pleasure—reading forbidden romance novels.

Every time her trusted aide Zhulan came to report on the progress of the protagonist group, the novel would describe her elegantly flipping pages with her slender fingers while seated behind an ornate screen.

> [Behind the misted screen, her seductive figure lounged with grace. She lifted a delicate hand to turn a page and smiled faintly.]

["Hmm? So they defeated XXX? How amusing. Zhulan, release XXX and let them try again. If they lose, let XXX handle it…"]

["Yes, Miss," Zhulan replied solemnly.]

Every time Ava appeared, she was reading. Always.

Clearly, romance was her favorite genre.

So why was she reacting like this now?

Leo almost wanted to ask, "Miss, it's not like I accused you of writing those stories…"

But sensing the panic on her face, he tactfully pulled her hand away, gave a gentleman's bow, and smiled politely.

"Very well, Miss. I understand. I'll forget it ever happened."

Ava felt like she could die of shame.

"He figured out everything—even what I do after reading those books?! This is over! I'm ruined!"

She buried her face in her hand.

"How can I maintain my cold, noble image now?"

"Damn you, divination!"

The atmosphere in the car grew tense and awkward.

Trying to recover some of her dignity, Ava glared at Leo, her voice low but threatening.

"Forget what you divined. Completely. Got it?"

Leo immediately nodded, expression solemn. "Of course, Miss."

> [Emotional value received. Loyalty +10!]

???

Leo blinked.

"Wait, system, what was that?"

> [Response: The "Lackey Heart Sutra" converts emotional value into loyalty, regardless of whether the emotion is anger, joy, shame, or awe. As long as the villain doesn't hate you—it counts!]

"…So I can earn loyalty even when I embarrass her?"

Leo's mind was blown.

He could already sense the shortcut: Ava's emotional swings → more loyalty → more tasks → more rewards → power boost.

So, by embarrassing or pleasing Ava… he could grow stronger?!

A divine shortcut had been unlocked.

Back in the driver's seat, Zhulan's ears twitched. Her curiosity burned hotter than ever.

What on earth did Leo divine to leave the proud Ava Carter so flustered?

Her cheeks were pink. She couldn't meet his eyes.

And worst of all—she'd let him sit in the back with her.

"Is this guy stealing my position as her #1 follower?!"

Leo, meanwhile, wasn't done.

He looked toward Ava with intensity, his voice sincere.

"Miss, actually… there's one more reason I chose to follow you."

Ava blinked, still a bit dazed. "Another reason?"

Leo nodded firmly. "Yes. More important than gratitude, than status… more important than any foundation."

He took a breath.

"I chose to serve you because—your charm left me in awe."

Ava: "?!"

Leo pressed on, solemn and poetic:

"Your face, Miss… like a celestial painting, stays etched in my mind. When I lay down at night, the only image I see is yours."

Ava opened her mouth, completely unprepared for the sudden romantic confession.

Leo's eyes shimmered. "Your hands are like white jade—graceful, delicate. The mere touch brings warmth to my soul."

Zhulan nearly crashed the car.

"WHAT are you trying to do?! Eat the young lady with your words?!"

Leo's voice grew softer, yet more intense.

"Each time I touch your hand, I feel peace. A serenity I've never known. Your smile is the sun—burning away all the shadows in my heart."

Ava's face turned scarlet. Her ears were glowing.

"Ahhh… stop it. You'll make me laugh!" she thought.

"No one has ever said such things to me—not in this life, not in the last…"

She tried to remain composed, biting her lower lip and letting out a faint scoff.

But the corners of her mouth betrayed her—they curled upward.

Trying to gain control again, Ava leaned forward, her slender fingers lifting Leo's chin.

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "That's quite the mouth you have, Leo."

"Tell me—have you practiced these lines on anyone else?"

> [Loyalty +1]

[Loyalty +1]

Leo didn't flinch. Instead, he grasped her wrist tenderly and held her hand in his palm.

"I swear, Miss, every word I've said today was spoken for you alone. I've never said these things to another soul."

> [Loyalty +5]

[Loyalty +5]

Ava's heart soared.

"He really… only says it to me?"

"How embarrassing… but it feels amazing!"

Her cheeks flushed once again. She turned her head to hide her smile, but her fingers subconsciously tightened around Leo's hand.

"He's sweet… loyal… and strong. And he knows what to say. What more could I ask for?"

In the front seat, Zhulan silently screamed, nearly biting her steering wheel.

"What the hell is going on?! Why is their relationship escalating so fast?!"

"I've been with Miss for years and she's never let me sit that close!"

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