<i>So </i>even if Lily were to do something to him now, he could understand.


    But clearly, she had no such intention.


    Seeing how happy she was, not even sparing him a thought, Julian felt an odd sense of relief.


    It meant she truly didn’t see him as important.


    And in his mind, that was a good thing–at least it meant she wasn’t holding on to what had happened


    before.


    That thought allowed him to breathe easier.


    “So, what’s our next move?”


    When Lily stayed lost in her own thoughts, he couldn’t help but ask again.


    After all, when it came to something that could help him rise to the top, he had plenty of patience.


    As long as she could help him, he wouldn’t have to worry about making aeback.


    Whether it was Aurora or his spineless parents, he’d make sure they each paid the price.


    Lily looked at him as he stood, and though he was more disheveled than before, the essence of him hadn’t changed.


    She could still see the ambition in his gaze, the hunger in his eyes.


    That pleased her.


    As long as the hardships of life hadn’t dulled his edge, helping him rise again would be easy.


    Only someone like that was worthy of being her ally.


    “I haven’t decided on the next step yet.”


    She slowly closed the distance between them, lifting a hand to rest against his chest.


    “But remember this–if you want to rise again, you’ll have to rely on me.


    “Don’t worry. <b>If </b>you’re loyal, as long as I have a piece of meat to eat, you’ll have a bowl of soup to drink.”


    Looking at this version of Lily, <b>so </bpletely different from before, Julian felt a fierce fire ignite inside him.


    “Alright, I believe you.”


    Julian’s fists, hanging at his sides, slowly tightened.


    The situation was clear now.


    As long as Lily didn’t abandon him, he would never betray her.


    Lily gave a satisfied nod. “Good. That means we’re in the same boat now.


    “In the days toe, I’ll be counting on you. And if you truly prove your loyalty, I’m willing to set aside all our past grudges.”


    Julian nodded firmly, his expression resolute.


    In that moment, the future felt full of hope.


    The two of them slipped past the police unnoticed and quietly made their way back to Westford.


    But what Julian didn’t know was that even greater dangers awaited him.


    Behind the polished image of a princess, there were inevitably shadows and filth.


    Otherwise, why would a royal princess have ended up in the mountains near Ravenshore for him to find


    in the first ce?


    If he thought about it carefully, the story was riddled with holes.


    But at that time, Julian’s mind had been clouded with hatred–he hadn’t wanted to think about anything


    else.


    All he could focus on was revenge.


    If he could topple the Walton Corporation, then Tessa would no longer have grounds to nder him.


    And his own parents–when crisis struck, they had abandoned their son without hesitation.


    So why had they brought him into the world in the first ce? If they loved their child, would they have treated him that way<b>? </b>


    The thought made him want tough.


    On the road back to Westford, he was already spinning dreams of the life he would have.


    And because of that, he failed to notice the faintly unsettled look on Lily’s face.