"Cecil, it seems that your medicine has atst started affecting her." Suddenly, a man''s voice echoed within their surroundings, making Scarlet gasp in surprise.


    The sound reverberated around them, echoing in the darkness of the night, sounding like some kind of ghostly entity speaking from beyond the grave.


    Scarlet felt goosebumps rise on her skin as the hairs on her body stood up straight, fear gripping her heart.


    The voice continued. "Good job, Cecil. I knew you wouldn''t let me down."


    Soon, the branches around them rustled, and a tall figure emerged from the shadows, revealing his features under the dim moonlight.


    The person stepped forward, revealing himself to be a handsome young man wearing a ck robe embroidered with golden runes, which made him look quite distinguished and imposing.


    His eyes shone with intelligence and wisdom that far surpassed most people in their youth, while his skin was wless, pale white, making him seem like some sort of aristocrat born into royalty.


    He had short brown hair with a few strands sticking out of the side of his head and dark eyes that were sharp and piercing.


    Upon seeing his face, Scarlet immediately recognized who he was. "Rick Cutler!!"


    Rick Cutler, a fellow disciple of the Twilight Mist Sect that Scarlet met several times before. He always tried to court her, but Scarlet showed zero interest in him, as he was arrogant, entitled, and full of himself.


    The young man, named Rick Cutler, chuckled. "You''ve guessed it, Miss Scarlet."


    "Young Master Rick..." Cecil eximed as soon as she saw him and ran into the embrace of her young master.


    Rick opened his arms and wrapped them around Cecil''s slender waist, pulling her closer to him and rubbing her body against his.


    Cecil blushed and snuggled into Rick Cutler''s broad chest as a shy smile formed on her lips.


    "I''m d that you were able toplete your task without fail," Rick said as he caressed Cecil''s soft cheek with his hand. "It wouldn''t have been this easy to trick Miss Scarlet like that if it weren''t for your help."


    Cecil shook her head, still blushing. "I only did what Young Master Rick needed me to do, nothing more or less. I hope that my actions pleased you."


    "Of course, my sweet Cecil." Rick assured her as he stroked Cecil''s hair lovingly before pulling her face close to his and nting a kiss.


    Cecil closed her eyes, letting the young master taste her lips, not resisting in the slightest.


    This wasn''t the first time that they had kissed like this, but it was always so thrilling each time that they did.


    At that moment, Scarlet stared wide-eyed at the two lovers kissing each other, her brain struggling toprehend what she was seeing.


    She couldn''t believe that the beautiful and gentle Cecil was working with this arrogant bastard named Rick Cutler, who acted like he owned everything around him.


    She red at Cecil angrily and shouted out. "Cecil!! How could you betray me like this?!"


    Cecil ignored her, too absorbed in her own bliss to pay any attention to Scarlet''s words, but Scarlet persisted.


    "Answer me, Cecil! You can''t possibly love that jerk, can you?!"


    Soon enough, Cecil broke away from her lover''s mouth and turned towards Scarlet before answering in a soft voice, "It''s true, Scarlet. I do love Young Master Rick very much, and he loves me as well. It hurts my heart to know that I had to deceive you, but it was necessary."


    "Why...?" Scarlet uttered in disbelief. "Why did you do this to me?"


    Cecil gave a gentle smile to Scarlet, as if apologizing for everything that happened, and began to speak. "It''s really simple, Scarlet. You''re just too stubborn for your own good, not wanting to listen to anyone other than yourself. If you had agreed to be Young Master Rick''s lover, then none of this would have ever happened. You see, Young Master Rick really likes you, Scarlet.


    He''s admired you since the day he joined the Twilight Mist Sect, and he was hoping that one day you would reciprocate his feelings, but you always brushed him aside, ignoring him whenever he came to visit you."


    Cecil paused for a moment before continuing, her eyes filled with sadness and regret. "You know, I also really like you, Scarlet. You''re so strong and beautiful, always willing to help others even though they don''t deserve it. You have a big heart full of kindness andpassion. That''s why I couldn''t stand watching you turn away from someone like Young Master Rick, who is such a great guy.


    So I offered my assistance to help bring you together with him so that you could finally find happiness, Scarlet, just as I did."


    Scarlet just couldn''t believe what she heard and turned silent.


    At that moment, Rick gave a gentle tap on Cecil''s shoulder and made a gesture, which she understood, and then moved away from his embrace, nodding before she stepped towards Scarlet.


    Shortly, she crouched in front of Scarlet, who was still paralyzed, and looked into her eyes with a loving smile and said, "Please forgive me, Scarlet. I never meant to hurt you. It pains my heart knowing that I''ve betrayed your trust, but I did what I thought was best for everyone involved."


    Scarlet gritted her teeth as she listened to Cecil''s confession, feeling anger rise from within her chest.


    Her friend had betrayed her, and she wasn''t even remorseful about it. She simply thought she was doing the right thing for everyone involved.


    Soon, Cecil took her hand and removed Scarlet''s space ring so that she wouldn''t be able to escape using any teleportation jade within it before stepping away from her frozen figure.


    The moment Cecil removed the space ring from Scarlet''s hand, there was a hint of sinister glee within Rick''s eyes that the two girls didn''t notice. It was like all of his ns would soon beplete.