Chapter 7
Chapter 7: Your Answer is Correct
As Hien had expected, Cynthia couldn’t help but ask.
Her voice was cold and direct, carrying an inescapable sense of oppression.
After speaking, her gaze lingered on Hien’s face for a moment, as if testing his reaction.
Hien silently breathed a sigh of relief—it seemed his analysis of Cynthia’s personality was quite accurate.
Though she appeared strong and cold on the surface, deep in her heart she had an undeniable desire for control and curiosity.
She disliked being speculated about, yet was unwilling to completely hide her emotions. This contradictory personality gave him an opportunity.
“Lady Cynthia, I believe I only need to know what you want me to know. As for other matters, if you feel it’s necessary to tell me, you naturally will. I won’t ask unnecessarily.”
Hien looked up, his gaze calm and humble.
A flash of satisfaction crossed Cynthia’s eyes, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly upward, revealing a faint smile.
Just as Hien had guessed, she detested those who presumed to speculate about her thoughts, and even more those who tried to dig secrets from her.
However, Hien’s answer was perfectly appropriate—it showed respect for her without appearing overly servile or fawning.
This made Cynthia’s impression of this youth improve several points.
“You certainly understand propriety.”
Cynthia’s tone softened slightly, though it still carried some testing undertones.
“But aren’t you really curious?”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t curious, but I understand better not to ask what I shouldn’t ask.”
Hien smiled slightly, his tone calm and neither servile nor arrogant.
Cynthia stared at him for a moment, as if judging the truth of his words.
Hien’s expression remained frank throughout, without a trace of falseness or flattery.
This attitude gave her a rare sense of relaxation, even momentarily creating an impulse to confide.
This was something even her deputy Irene hadn’t achieved.
“Since you’re so reasonable, I don’t mind telling you some things.”
Cynthia rose and walked to the window, her back to Hien, her tone carrying a trace of coldness.
“At today’s routine meeting, I questioned the Temple of Light about why they delayed support when the beast disaster broke out, but they brushed me off with a bunch of high-sounding reasons. What’s more ridiculous is that the other saints didn’t stand on my side either—instead, they thought I was being too emotional.”
She paused, seemingly suppressing the anger in her heart.
How could those women know that if she hadn’t happened to encounter Hien today, she would probably already be dead under the claws of magical beasts.
“What do you think about this matter, Hien?”
Cynthia turned around, her gaze sharply focused on Hien.
“I think this matter probably isn’t as simple as coincidence.”
Hien lowered his head slightly, not meeting Cynthia’s direct gaze.
He was well aware this was another test from Cynthia.
“Oh? Continue.”
Cynthia’s interest was immediately piqued.
“Lady Cynthia, this incident is indeed suspicious. You encountered a beast disaster while patrolling alone, and the disaster level was high enough to threaten your life, plus the delayed support information… these coincidences are far too many.”
Hien pondered for a moment, then continued his response.
“I suspect someone might be manipulating things behind the scenes.”
A flash of surprise crossed Cynthia’s eyes—she hadn’t expected that Hien, a commoner, could also consider this possibility.
“Indeed, this beast disaster’s level was the highest in recent months, and these magical beasts seemed organized.”
She touched her chin, talking to herself.
“As they say, when things are abnormal, there must be demons at work. It seems someone in the Temple of Light wants to harm you.”
Hien concluded his earlier analysis.
“It seems I underestimated you.”
The corners of Cynthia’s mouth curved upward slightly, revealing a cold smile.
“These are just my humble observations. I’m glad they can provide you with reference.”
Hien smiled somewhat embarrassedly.
“Your analysis is quite valuable. So, as you see it, what should I do next?”
Cynthia stared at him for a moment, a trace of indecipherable emotion flashing in her eyes. Her mood seemed to have improved, and her tone had also softened.
She slowly walked toward Hien, her high heels making crisp sounds on the floor. Her steps were elegant and leisurely, yet carried an invisible sense of oppression, as if each step was treading on Hien’s heartstrings.
Hien sat on the sofa, feeling her approach. His body tensed slightly, but he didn’t dodge, instead looking up to calmly meet her gaze.
Their eyes met in the air. Cynthia’s gaze was deep and sharp, as if trying to see through his heart, while Hien’s gaze was gentle yet firm, without the slightest retreat.
“Without evidence, conducting a large-scale investigation would only alert the enemy and might even provide ammunition against you. Since their attack failed this time, they certainly won’t give up and will probably implement a second attack soon.”
Hien tried hard to calm his inner restlessness and continued expounding his views.
“If you could create an opportunity, pretending to be isolated again, they would very likely be unable to resist striking again. At that time, you would only need to prepare in advance to catch traces of their activities.”
“You mean drawing the snake out of its hole?”
“Exactly.”
Hien nodded.
“It’s not a bad method, but…”
Cynthia suddenly leaned down, instantly closing the distance between them.
Her cheek was almost touching the side of Hien’s face, her breath lightly brushing past his ear, carrying a faint fragrance like some high-end perfume mixed with her unique cold aura. Her voice was low and soft, carrying a subtle seduction.
“Why are you helping me so much? You should know that getting involved in these matters won’t benefit you.”
Hien felt her breath so close, his heartbeat involuntarily quickening, but he still maintained surface calm.
“Aren’t I your special assistant? This is part of my duties, isn’t it?”
He turned his head slightly, meeting her gaze again, acting nonchalant.
“Oh?”
The corners of Cynthia’s mouth curved upward slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.
Her finger lifted gently, the tip tracing along Hien’s jawline as if admiring a piece of exquisite art.
“Just part of your duties? Not even a little… personal interest?”
Her voice dropped even lower, almost like a whisper.
Hien’s breathing caught slightly, but quickly returned to normal.
“You gave me what I wanted, so naturally I should serve you with all my strength, shouldn’t I?”
“Heh.”
Cynthia chuckled softly, the sound like a feather lightly brushing across the heart, carrying an irresistible charm.
Her finger slid from Hien’s jawline to his ear, gently pinching his earlobe—the gesture intimate yet measured.
Hien’s gaze flickered slightly, his body tensing.
A playful smile appeared on Cynthia’s face as her finger slid down from his ear, lightly resting on his shoulder.
She moved her face even closer, their breaths almost intertwining.
Cynthia’s gaze looked directly into Hien’s eyes, as if trying to see through his pupils into his soul, carrying an undeniable dominance.
“A good answer.”