Strange World

It took most of Zenesha's willpower to smile in this situation. She could sense a strange and ominous event waiting for her, but she was in the middle of an act, and she could only continue.

No matter what was inside the mind of this demon, Zenesha couldn't expose herself this early. She only smiled at Louvel before focusing again on her food.

She tried to be as natural and casual with her actions, but she could still sense the intensity of Louvnels gaze on her. It didn't even weaken, but instead increased.

Just what the fuck is his problem? I can't really understand him. But I won't let you intercept my plans.

Zenesha also lifted her head and gave the same smile to Yosef, who, for some reason, was also acting strange. Although curious, she had no time to investigate for now. It was enough that she was distracted by Lovnel.

Yosef was still here; her identity should not be revealed, no matter what was in front of him. She had this strong desire for some reason. Her instincts told her so.

With Yosef's strange gaze, which seemed normal, they continued eating. Zenesha would only hope that this breakfast ends as soon as possible.

Not long after, the breakfast really ended, but she couldn't rejoice yet; the two were still not leaving!

Normally, these two would be leaving already aside if they had something important to say, like Yosef borrowing some palaces or asking permission to leave the palace.

Since it wasn't yet the start of the plot that was in the novel, the amount of interaction between her and these four was limited. Most of them were in the dining room, and some of the individual interactions were also not that frequent yet.

All of these would start after the Moonlight Ceremony.

Still, she had to put up with them as long as she could. This was for her own survival. Zenesha needed a lot of patience.

The two accompany her all the way to the moonlight garden, the place where she always passed her time. Of course, this wasn't a secret to the two but a fact that was well-known to everyone.

"My love, I hope you're not frightened by the recent incident." Yosef held Zenesha's hand and stroked it gently as though her hand was the most precious for him.

As he said this, Yosef's eyes were only focused on her. There was even a slight glint in his eyes that alarmed Zenesha's sense of danger.

In an instant, Zenesha's cautious guard rose in the sky. She finally understood what was wrong with Yosef. If it were indeed the pure and puppet Zenesha, she might not have noticed. Or even if it was her that was imprisoned inside Zenesha, as oftentimes she never paid attention to the scene if she was interacting with the harem members.

However, now that she owned this body, albeit temporarily until she escaped the plot, every strange movement and slight change of expression was vulnerable to her. As an assassin, she was very adept at reading and observing people's behaviors.

This Yosef, he was observing Zenesha's expressions and even her reaction! Zenesha was sure that Yosef was thoroughly examining her at this moment the same way she was doing to him.

What? Does it make sense? But she can't mistake it.

As though she were plunged into a two-way battle, Zenesha couldn't help but get nervous inside. What was up with all these bastards? Why were they all observing her? And it wasn't even the kind they usually do casually, but finding any loopholes in her behavior.

Am I so obvious? Does my acting skills have degraded to this point? With nervous tears, she still continued to act. There was no way. Now that she knew they were finding fault in her, this was even more reason to continue the act.

She wouldn't give up, no matter what.

Sadness flashed in her gentle expression, and she also didn't deny Yosef's touch, no matter how disgusted she was inside. Her expression was indeed the one that evoked anyone's care and sympathy.

"Carina..." she sighed, "I'm not frightened... just sad." For a moment, she fell silent, and then a smile once more formed on her lips.

The quick change of expression was Zenesha's specialty!

"I'm sure she's now in the embrace of the Goddess." she added.

Technically, Carina was a human, so the belief that her soul would return to the Moon Goddess' kingdom did not apply to her, or even to any sorcerers for that matter. As sorcerers, they do not have faith but only invest to seek the truth of this world.

There were also various gods in this world, but as Zenesha didn't care, she never focused on them. She only said it as Zenesha, as a Wolf Queen only thinks of the Moon Goddess as the only God based on the background setting.

Yosef stared at her for a moment, and afterward, the familiar, disgusted grin curled on his lips.

"You're indeed so kind, my love." He then let go of Zenesha's hand. "My love, can I borrow another pavilion this time?" It seemed Yosef had returned to his usual demeanor.

However, Zenesha didn't lower her guard yet and responded to him as per usual. A while later, with a final glance at her, Yosef bid goodbye to her.

Zenesha finally sighed in relief inside. That was really too exhausting. She didn't know what had gotten to him, but this was a lesson for her. She shouldn't underestimate each one of these harem members.

Just as she sighed in relief, Zenesha briefly forgot that it was not only Yosef who was currently observing her. There was one remaining harem member, and even the most strange to her at the moment was Louvnel.

"Your acting skills... are indeed one of a kind." There was some kind of amusement with this dangerously hoarse voice.

As she looked at Louvnel, the demon was now looking at her with a knowing grin on his lips.

Zenesha's heart throbbed; she really had an ominous feeling, but she chose to act ignorant.

"What are you saying?" She asked with a gentle smile.

Louvnel's eyes turned to a slit and he leaned forward; the smile on his lips also faded.

"There's no need to act in front of me. I can see through you."

Finally, Zenesha couldn't help but flinch at these words. She couldn't be blamed, no matter how self-constrained she was. The words that came from Louvnel's lips were simply too shocking, and for a moment, her mind turned blank.

Since Louvnel was observing her and focusing on her, this reaction couldn't escape his notice. He grinned as though confirming something.

Lowering his voice even more, he continued to whisper, "You're like me; don't deny it."

Like him? Zenesha was confused amidst her shock and nervousness. Was Louvnel similar to her, and was he from outside this book world and punished here? However, something within told him it was not it.

Swallowing hard, she asked in real confusion. "What do you mean?"

Although she was now becoming scared inside about her cover being blown, Zenesha could still think clearly and chose to confirm Louvnel's words.

Sure enough, the demon answered her.

"You also know that this world is... strange."