Different Paths, No Common Plans

Lux didn't know how she got back to her room—walking along the carved balustrades and through the blooming garden, she felt like a soulless automaton.

When she regained consciousness, Lux was already lying in bed.

The velvet sheets were incredibly soft, but at this moment, Lux felt like a needle was pricking her back.

The duvet made of Dragonbird feathers was very warm, but at this moment, Lux felt a bone-chilling cold.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, her mind was completely empty.

"Why would this happen," Lux murmured, "My aunt, why did she destroy Eno?"

"Because Eno is not one of the nobility," Karya replied, "In Silvermine City, promoting the Disaster Patrol knights made her realize the problem with your attitude; she needed to make you see things clearly."

"Eno is innocent."

"Of course, she knows that," Karya pointed out another fact with icy coldness, "Otherwise, how could she have been at ease with Eno interacting with you?"

"...Eno is also harmless," Lux grew colder, wrapping herself tightly in the thick duvet, trembling helplessly, "Eno won't say anything she shouldn't."

"Only the dead don't talk," Karya sighed, "Do you still remember your resolve when you were in Silvermine City? You were willing to use the power of the nobility to improve Demacia's situation as much as possible."

"I still remember," Lux said dully, "I always remember."

"But have you never considered where the power of the nobility comes from?"

This time, Lux fell silent.

"..."

Yes, where did the power of the nobility come from?

Wasn't the injustice she detested the primary way of maintaining that power?

Were the people who wielded that power also becoming part of that order?

Every time she used that power, wasn't she also upholding that order?

If she eased the conflicts, wouldn't that paradoxically make the cold order more solid and reliable?

Lux's thoughts began to drift. She had just found her ideals, only to turn around and realize there seemed to be no path beneath her feet.

Even her own advantages were meaningless in the face of cold reality.

Thinking of this, Lux shivered even harder—she felt as if she had returned to the morning she discovered she was corrupted by magic, her azure eyes filled with helplessness.

"It's time to make your choice, my dear student," Karya spoke again, "Will you remain among the nobility and slowly alleviate this conflict, or will you bravely take a step forward and fundamentally change its nature?"

"Naturally, the latter—but, Karya," hearing the question, Lux cautiously poked her head out from under the covers, "Can I really do it?"

"Of course," Karya's answer was unwavering, "A thinker I deeply respect once said something, Lux, and I can give it to you now."

"?"

"Hope is something that is neither inherently existent nor non-existent. It is like a road on the ground; in reality, there were no roads on the ground to begin with, but when many people walk them, a road comes into being."

"When many people walk them, a road comes into being—Thank you, Karya!" Lux threw off the covers and grasped the hilt of her dress sword, as if holding a warm torch that dispelled the bone-chilling cold she had felt earlier, "But... it's truly a shame that my aunt and I are walking on different paths."

With Karya's help, Lux finally managed to compose herself.

Her aunt's coldness was difficult for Lux to accept, but thankfully, there was still room to maneuver.

At least Tiana didn't know that Lux had a "rebel's mindset"—under these circumstances, Lux's noble authority was somewhat limited, but she could still use it for now!

As long as she utilized this power well, perhaps Lux could still save Eno!

Even if she had to resort to more drastic measures!

Then, just as Lux had calmed her emotions, taken a bath, and was about to plan their next move with Karya, someone knocked on her bedroom door.

It was Ogesha.

Upon learning that Lux seemed to be in low spirits, Ogesha had proactively chosen to come and comfort her daughter.

In her opinion, Tiana's choice had been too extreme—Lux was merely kind-hearted, she shouldn't have been treated with such harsh methods.

However, she ultimately didn't object to Tiana's decision, because at least on the issue of nobility and commoners, she and Tiana were on the same side.

Thus, Ogesha didn't bring up the matter of Eno and simply chatted with Lux.

Compared to the composed Tiana, Ogesha made Lux feel much more relaxed.

Lux's condition seemed to visibly improve.

Seeing that it was nearing dinnertime, Ogesha brought their conversation to a close.

Then, as she got up, she seemed to remember something and asked a servant to bring Lux a formal gown—she was to represent the family at a wedding in a few days.

"You remember Dili, who left Silvermine City with you, right?" Ogesha seemed unaware of the past conflict between Dili and Lux, "His son, Gao Kan, is getting married soon—his bride is a daughter of the Laurent family. You will be the representative of the Crown Guard family at the engagement ceremony."

"A daughter of the Laurent family... the legitimate daughter?" Lux was taken aback, replying with a tone of surprise, "Fiora Laurent? I heard she is quite skilled in swordsmanship!"

"That's right, it's her!" Ogesha nodded, looking very pleased, "I heard that Gao Kan's performance recently satisfied Mr. Sebastian, so when Dili proposed, he agreed without hesitation!"

"That's the legitimate daughter of the Laurent family," Lux blinked, "I've heard of her reputation."

"Dili is also a member of the Crown Guard family, this doesn't dishonor them," Ogesha raised her chin proudly, "Speaking of which, the Laurent family has also declined. When I was young, the 'Sword Dance Waltz' was a renowned title, but now, there isn't a single notable figure in the entire family..."

"..."

Lux's already unsettled mood worsened once again.

Lux had met Miss Fiora a few times before.

Although Fiora was an absolute anomaly among the nobility of Demacia, Lux found her highly respectable. Fiora's swordsmanship was astonishing, and she was always brave, daring, and accountable. She never showed any false kindness to others, which, while not earning her popularity or good standing in noble circles, was something Lux deeply admired.

Sometimes, Lux even wondered if, had she not become a mage and met Karya, becoming like Fiora would have been the best possible outcome.

But now, to suddenly learn that Fiora was to marry that Gao Kan...

The mere thought of Dili made Lux feel as if she had swallowed a fly—no, a mouthful of flies. It was utterly disgusting.

At that moment, she suddenly recalled a question she had once asked Karya.

"Are life's choices always this difficult? Or was it only like this in my naive childhood?"

"I want to rescue Eno, and I don't want Gao Kan to climb any higher!" After Ogesha left the room, Lux gripped her dress sword. "You're right, the power of the nobility can be utilized, but it cannot be relied upon!"

"Have you made up your mind?" Karya confirmed for the last time. "This will be an incredibly difficult path."

"This is the path I am willing to choose," Lux stated with conviction. "At least I have you and Sona by my side now, don't I?"

"Well said, Comrade Lux." Karya seemed unusually excited. "Now, I have a grand plan that can solve all our problems!"

"A grand plan?" Lux, who had been resolute moments before, was taken aback by Karya's words. "Wait, you've already planned it? When did you plan it?"

"Just now, when I heard Gao Kan was marrying Fiora." Karya chuckled, seemingly in high spirits. "My plan had a slight issue before, with no one to light the crucial fuse. Now, with this wedding, everything will fall into place!"

"Hold on! The fuse?" Lux quickly interrupted Karya. "What are you going to do? I just disagree with Aunt's ideas; I don't want to destroy the entire family!"

"The fuse is just a metaphor, a metaphor for a... well, a grand and spectacular event. Don't worry, it's not a bad thing!" Karya reassured her. "As long as the plan goes smoothly, even your aunt will be proud of your performance and will actively help cover up Eno's situation, letting her stay with you!"

"How is that possible? You know her attitude!" Lux exclaimed in disbelief. "She needs to consider the family, and she wants me to be like her. How could she possibly do that?"

"That's the ancient wisdom from Shurima! Even if you run away from home and leave Demacia, they will help you make excuses." Karya was extremely confident. "As long as you report your safety on time, even Ogesha won't worry too much—"

"I can run away from home? Leave Demacia?" Lux couldn't believe it. "They would never allow me to leave Demacia!"

"They won't allow it now." Karya chuckled. "But who can say for sure about the future? By the way, that annoying Dili will also fall into misfortune because of this..."

"...Really? You're not lying to me?" Lux blinked. "Specifically... tell me about it?"