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nAs Marlina told Seraphina, those who could stay in Ansel’s mansion, serve in the Hydral family, besides their loyalty and fanaticism to Ansel, they also shared another common trait.

n— That is to recognize their own status.

nIt’s not just about doing their duty and never overstepping, but even if they have fallen into the charm brought by Ansel, they must carry out their duties to the end.

nThe reason why the maids were surprised and admired Marlina was precisely because she discovered Ansel’s cold pursuit of “value” in such a short time — there would be no toys around him, only useful people.

nThey all hoped to do those things with Ansel, and they would all lose themselves in the process, but no one saw it as their everything, because such weak women, such useless parasites, were not worthy to stay by Hydral’s side.

n“Seri.”

nIn the end, Marlina held Seraphina’s cheeks, saying very seriously, “For Mr. Ansel, you have a value far greater than mine. So, don’t disappoint him, cherish your most precious first time, when you give it to Mr. Ansel, make sure it’s a meaningful time, understand?”

nSeraphina hugged Marlina with great emotion, the heartfelt words of her sister benefited the young girl immensely, allowing her to break free from the chaotic emotions not long ago, calmly facing her own desires, and understanding more about Ansel.

n“Yes, I remember, Marlina.”

nShe waved her fist with a giggle, full of spirit, “I won’t be Ansel’s bed toy! I am his comrade, the only comrade in this world!”

n“As for the first time…”

nJust after being spirited, Miss wolf became a bit shy again, “Marli, do you think… say, when my name spreads throughout the empire, making Ansel proud, would that be appropriate?”

n“This…” Marlina laughed, “When you feel it’s time, or if Mr. Ansel proposes it not out of desire to vent, I think either is fine. Don’t hesitate because of my words, and miss a good opportunity, understand?”

n“Yes!”

nSeraphina nodded vigorously, then blushed and wrapped her arms around her sister’s neck, “When I’m ready… I, I will help you. After all, there’s no better man in this world than Ansel, and if it’s Marli, I don’t mind.”

nMarlina laughed and pinched Seraphina’s face, “What, do you want me to help you push your butt in bed?”

n“No way!”

nMiss Seraphina shouted like this, and then quietly asked Marlina for books on related knowledge — claiming it was just to broaden her horizons.

nFifteen minutes later, a fully revived Seraphina was full of enthusiasm, decided to practice extra today, and left the bathhouse in a hurry, leaving Marlina alone.

n“Alas…”

nFive minutes after Seraphina’s departure, Marlina suddenly let out a prolonged sigh, laden with an indescribable complexity and… guilt.

n“I apologize, Seri.”

nThe increasingly cunning Miss Marlina murmured, “Given the current situation, I don’t have much time left.”

nShe raised her arm, looking at her increasingly delicate skin, and declared resolutely,

n“I’ve said it before, this time… I won’t let you go first.”

nIn the heart-to-heart conversation just now, Marlina intentionally created a subtle atmosphere for Seraphina.

nThat is, our young lord Ansel seems to have a split personality when doing that kind of thing, with only two states: either pure venting, or rather emotional.

nIn fact, Ansel is mostly a mix of these two states, it’s just a matter of which part is more and which part is less.

nAnd, she told a truth that was not true.

n“Before I can give Mr. Ansel a satisfactory answer, I will continue to restrain myself.”

nWho said… this answer must be given to Ansel in the distant future?

nSpeaking of Ansel’s cold and cruel side, she, more than anyone, understands Ansel’s “kindness”.

nAs the one who handles many affairs for Ansel and can understand the starting point and purpose of Ansel’s policies most directly, Marlina sees much more than ordinary people.

nA person commits evil for only two reasons: one is out of a chaotic and evil nature, and the other is to achieve a goal at all costs.

nAnd by always achieving the goal at all costs, a person’s self often uncontrollably slides towards evil, and after becoming more evil, the means naturally become more cruel and violent.

nSuch a cycle leads to almost no difference in essence between these two reasons.

nBut Ansel of Hydral is not like this.

nHis “evil” has only one reason — that is, to solve a problem that Marlina cannot understand, which is likely to be extremely heavy, and for this, he does not choose the means and spares no effort.

nUnder such unscrupulousness, he has never slid towards “personality evil” for a moment. He is not a madman who will be overjoyed at the sight of human tragedies, nor is he a demon who takes pleasure in torturing others.

nOn the contrary, he doesn’t mind making everything better as long as it doesn’t affect his plan — Marlina, who has always been handling affairs for Ansel, knows this better than anyone.

nThe coldness and cruelty of Ansel of Hydral are only reflected in the fact that when he commits undeniable evil, he will not hesitate or hesitate, maintaining eternal rational indifference and watching everything happen.

nMorally speaking, this is undoubtedly “evil”, and Ansel has never denied this evil, always claiming to be a villain.

nBut in reality, under the influence of position and personal emotions, even Seraphina will no longer judge Ansel’s actions purely by good and evil. Marlina, who understands how cruel this world is, how could she possibly dislike Ansel?

nWhether you say she has fallen or that she is hypocritical.

nMarlina is just as she said, intoxicated in Ansel’s respect and recognition, intoxicated in… that strong rationality and coldness.

nAfter all, no matter how much she grows, she is still a eighteen-year-old girl full of love.

n“According to Mr. Ansel’s plan, the time for you, Seri, to make a name for yourself is not far off.”

nMarlina stroked her skin and couldn’t help but chuckle, “You’ve given me so many headaches and heartaches, now it’s my turn to wrong you once, it’s no big deal.”

n“It’s just… a little bit ahead of you.”

nThe young strategist soaking in the bath showed a naivety and cunning that matched her age and wisdom.

n*

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