They are all characters I control.

The families had been linked by marriage so many people that it was impossible for Claire to kill them all, and most of the family's wealth had been dispersed and hidden away.

Even so, Claire still made a fortune.

The Nolan family was stripped of their titles and their territories were confiscated, causing their power to plummet.

At this moment, Claire never expected to hear the name of the Nolan family, and that Leah was actually a descendant of the Nolan family.

Good heavens, the noble family I dealt with has actually started living with the descendants of a traitor's family?

But currently, their situation doesn't seem to be very good.

"Even if the Nolan family got a beating, they shouldn't be in such a bad state, right? Isn't this the new empire era? Aren't the nobles who were persecuted by the evil god emperor just welcoming the new master?"

Given the Nolan family's wealth and connections, they would certainly be currying favor with the Church and the new royal family to restore their titles.

How come Lia's mother is still a commoner?

Claire was imprisoned in the dungeon for a hundred years, missing out on a lot of fun during that time.

“I’m not quite sure either, but it seems to be because of something that happened during the time of the first Marquis of Rost.” Anna tried hard to recall what she had heard before.

"The first Marquis Rost seemed to be very close to the Nolan family, but after the Rost family was ostracized, the Nolan family stopped having much contact with them."

"However, by the time of the second Marquis of Rost, the Nolan family still failed to regain its nobility and returned to dealings with the Nolan family, and even agreed to a marriage alliance."

“Miss Lia’s mother was the marriage partner sent by the Nolan family.”

"After the marriage alliance, the Rost family still did not improve, and the Nolan family did not regain their noble titles."

The maid's account was brief, and she wasn't entirely clear on the details.

But that was enough for Claire.

How could he not know about the nobles' deals? Besides, the Church and the new royal family didn't want the former great nobles to come back and share the spoils with them.

Since those nobles had already divided up their cakes themselves, how could they possibly give them back?

"This is a double loss; the Nolan family has also declined. The person who made this decision must have been out of their mind," Claire scoffed.

After finishing his melon-eating, he should get down to business.

After placing the Rost family crest ring on the first mark, the mark on the treasure chest perfectly matched the crest ring.

Then, one of the runes binding the treasure chest disappeared, leaving only two.

Looking at the two remaining empty marks, Claire wasn't in a hurry to go back immediately.

He turned to Anna and said, "Since we're here, take me to see Lia's mother's grave."

Firstly, because she was Lia's mother, and secondly, because she simply wanted to see the descendants of the Nolan family, whom she had known for a long time.

“I understand, Master,” Anna replied.

However, once Claire went to that place with the maid Anna, she immediately regretted it.

Anna's earlier comment that Leah's mother's grave was in a remote location was a complete euphemism. How is it remote? It's almost outside the Rost family's ancestral burial grounds.

Just as Claire was regretting coming, they finally arrived at their destination.

It was a small, abandoned clearing, with a low, gray-white tombstone standing alone in the center.

Surprisingly, however, there was a figure standing there.

"Who is it?" Before Claire and Anna could speak, the other party had already spotted them.

Chapter 45 I've tried that trick before.

Claire originally intended to visit Leah's mother's grave on the way, but the direction she went was not convenient, and someone else had already arrived.

The other party spotted them first and walked towards them.

When Claire saw the other person's face clearly, she was surprised to find that the other person's appearance was comparable to her own.

His face was so handsome it was almost a work of art, yet it possessed a nonchalant elegance.

His skin was the pale, sun-deprived kind common among nobles, but his features were three-dimensional and deep, especially his slightly upturned peach blossom eyes, which now shone with an amber light in the morning light, as if they could see through people's hearts.

Beneath his high, straight nose, a faint smile played on his thin lips.

He had short, dark chestnut-brown hair that was slightly curly, with a few unruly strands falling casually across his smooth forehead. Far from looking messy, they added to his free-spirited and dashing air.

However, what is most captivating is not merely his appearance.

As he walked closer, a very delicate and unique fragrance wafted over.

The fragrance is complex and unique, with cool cedar and slightly bitter citrus in the top notes, noble orris root and iris flower in the middle notes, and warm amber and calm sandalwood in the base notes.

The fragrance blended perfectly with his own refined, dangerous, and mysterious aura, creating a strong and aggressive presence.

In Claire's opinion, the other person was clearly a man, yet he gave off a seductive charm that only women possess.

It has such a strong Nantong flavor?

"Hello, Miss Lia." After recognizing Claire (Lia), the other party's attitude changed instantly.

"I am honored that I am no longer watching you from behind, but can look you in the eye right now."

"Indeed, you are even more beautiful than I saw when I was watching you from behind last time."

“Oh, sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Orlando Marlowe, and I hold the title of Earl thanks to the glory of my ancestors.”

The handsome man spoke in a magnetic voice, then knelt on one knee and reached out to lift Claire's hand to his forehead, as if he were seeing a goddess.

The name Count Orlando appeared many times in Leah's memory.

The Marquise Marie and Miss Elena often mentioned this name, discussing which noblewoman's party the Earl had attended that day, the kind where the only male confidant was Earl Orlando.

The Marquess of Rost would often mention the Earl, not because the Marquess of Rost also attended any girls' dinner parties, but because of how powerful the Earl was.

Therefore, in Lia's mind, this count was completely polarized.

Now that Claire had seen the count's appearance in person, she understood why he was both a friend of women and a member of the ruling class.

She's good-looking, has high emotional intelligence, speaks well, and if she's also a little capable, she'll get promoted quickly in any workplace.

However, Claire found the count's enthusiasm repulsive.

"I've heard so much about you. I've heard you're into other men's wives. Now you want to cuckold the prince? You know I'm engaged to that prince, right? Are you a minotaur?"

Claire pulled her hand back from the other man's and looked at the devilish count with a mocking expression.

Earl Orlando was a little taken aback by Claire's direct words.

He didn't know what a minotaur was, but it sounded like a bad word.

"Ahem... I have already obtained Prince Alvin's consent beforehand."

The charming count quickly regained his composure: "In my opinion, Miss Lia is far more beautiful and charming than your sister Elena."

“Oh~” Claire looked at Earl Orlando and said, “That silly prince is a turtle. Are you the designated driver? I used to like him too…”

Looking at 'Lia' in front of him, Earl Orlando suddenly felt as naive as a green recruit.

What turtle? What designated driver?

Is this some kind of slang? I don't understand it at all, but it doesn't seem wrong.

“Actually, it’s not as…unpleasant as you think.” Earl Orlando composed himself, striving to maintain his gentlemanly demeanor.

“His Highness Prince Alvin’s feelings for your sister, Miss Elena, were quite evident at last night’s banquet.”

"Therefore, your engagement with His Highness the Prince is practically dead in name only."

"Although Miss Elena also cares about me, I chose Miss Lia, just as Prince Alvin chose your sister Elena."

Claire glanced at the devilishly handsome man before her and calmly replied, "So it's not about husbands and wives, but about an exchange? Are we exchanging dance partners? Or sisters exchanging dance partners?"

Earl Orlando's elegant smile froze; he felt as if he had been stripped naked!

Putting aside all the nonsense about romance and aristocratic manners, the 'Lia' in front of him was dragging him out for execution, completely disregarding the difference in their status and reputation.

Count Orlando even felt as if he were being looked down upon while being spoken to.

“…Miss Leah,” Earl Orlando took a deep breath, paused for a few seconds before saying, “…Love, or rather, infatuation, is an emotion that is difficult to completely confine with reason, Miss Leah.”

"What's with all this talk about love and affection?" Claire looked at his eyes, which were trying so hard to charm her, and pursed her lips. "Why all the fuss? It's just those kinds of things that come and go."

"Pfft—" Anna, who was next to her, finally couldn't help but let out a short, sharp sound.

She immediately covered her mouth tightly and turned her face to the side.

“…Me.” Earl Orlando was completely speechless.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't think of anything else to say.

Who would have thought that this 'young girl' could utter so many vulgar words? Her swear words were more numerous than the love words that Earl Orlando knew.

There's no way out, there's really no way out.

“It seems that ordinary methods are unlikely to win your heart.” Earl Orlando sighed, his tone carrying just the right amount of helplessness and indulgence: “You are indeed more special than I have heard or imagined… no, much more unique.”

"This unique authenticity is what fascinates me even more."

"Then, Miss Lia, how can you possibly accept my feelings?"

Accept my ass, because I'm a man.

Claire couldn't bring himself to say those words aloud; he was currently in control of Leah's body.

Looking at Earl Orlando before him, he actually made a condition: "I want a badge, which is probably in the possession of the Marchioness Mara. If you can get that badge, I will attend your personal dinner."

After saying that, Claire drew the token badge she was looking for on the ground.

Earl Orlando stared intently at the badge at his feet, his eyes flickering for a moment before quickly returning to their usual frivolousness.

"Just an old badge? What's the use of it?" he asked, his tone inquisitive.

"It's not very useful, but it's a symbolic item for the Rost family, for now," Claire said casually. "Then I'll wait for your news."

After saying that, he turned and left with his maid Anna, ignoring Earl Orlando's response.

Claire and her maid Anna left the Rost family cemetery.

"Master, will Count Orlando really help us find the badge?" The maid Anna couldn't help but ask curiously, but when she turned to look at the evil 'Lia' at this moment, she was startled.

Just moments ago, the master was exchanging all sorts of strange words with Earl Orlando, teasing him, but now he has a serious and thoughtful expression on his face.

This was in stark contrast to his composed demeanor in the cemetery just moments before.

“What surprises me even more is that we’ve actually made it out alive.” Claire looked into the distance and rubbed her nose, which still carried the scent of Earl Orlando.

When the other party first discovered the two of them, it was clear that they intended to kill them to silence them.

But he lowered his guard as soon as he saw Lia? That's interesting.

Moreover, the fact that the other party wasn't surprised at all when he saw him speaking so rudely in a tone and manner that didn't match Lia's usual behavior indicated that the frivolous count had already discovered his presence.

But the other party didn't make any indication, only kept probing and getting closer, which is interesting.

It seems that as long as it's Lia's body, the other party will forgive her.

Of course, this couldn't possibly be because Earl Orlando truly loved Muria; there must be other reasons.

Meeting Earl Orlando was an unexpected bonus for Claire.

Chapter 46 Plot Item: Moonstone Necklace

In the courtyard of the Royal Academy, the afternoon sun lazily spilled onto the grass.

Lia sat on a bench in the courtyard, somewhat absent-minded.

Besides not remembering how she got up and losing her morning memories, it was also because some strange things had happened at the Royal Academy these past few days.

Her gaze involuntarily drifted to the delicate white gift box and bouquet at her feet; she had been receiving flowers and gifts every day for the past few days.

This time it was a rare cluster of blue hydrangeas with star-like spots, paired with a few white tulips still glistening with dew.

The small gift box contained only some inexpensive small gifts, and there was no signed card inside.

The flower delivery person would deliver flowers to the college three times a day, regardless of whether the student was in class or resting. Servants carrying bouquets would also be waiting for the students when they went to and from school.

Although Lia had asked who the other person's master was, the servant replied: "Miss, you know."

However, Leah was completely clueless and couldn't think of anyone who would send her flowers.