"The real identity of Black Rose is Adrian Langford"
"Aunt, if you don't want people to know, don't do it yourself. The truth cannot be hidden."
"Over the years, I have been planning to restore the country and sent many undercover agents. I also have an undercover agent in your lover area."
"My cousin is not my real cousin! Alas, my uncle is wronged!"
At this point, Liana calmed down and said lightly, "Your uncle is not wronged. He knows everything about me, but he doesn't mind and helps me hide it. He said that he will treat Lily as his own daughter."
"Your uncle is a good man!"
Hearing all this Luis was speechless.
"Aunt, don't you want to know about Black Rose Adrian"
"Can... you tell me about him?" Liana said with broken voice
"Bad news, Adrian is already married"
"What!"
"Another Bad news, He also has a son as big as Lily"
"What!!!"
"Good News, The Son of Adrian is not his own son and His wife is also not his wife."
"WHAT!!!!"
"This is a complex story!" Luis sighed at the creativity of the author.
"Wait, explain to me" Lily said with quick breath. From sadness of her lover marriage to now confusion. Her mind was confused.
"I'll tell you. Adrian's surname is Langford, he's a noble of the Valor Kingdom. You've heard of the Langfords, haven't you? They're the Duke family, but the throne is little more than a title now. The true power lies within the council of Duchy.
His wife and child… they actually belong to his older brother, the former heir of Valor Duchy, who was ambushed years ago. Everything Adrian has done… it was to protect them: his brother's wife and son.
But don't worry, Aunt. Adrian has never crossed the line. He respects his sister-in-law deeply, there's not a trace of improper thought in him."
"Since, i have already told you information about Adrian. I want to negotiate with you, Aunt"
"Negotiate?" Liana was still deep in thought after hearing everything Luis had told her.
"Aunt, you're a widow now, yet black roses cover the entire villa. You're still deeply in love with Adrian."
"No, I hate that man. He hasn't come to see me in all these years."
"Who are you trying to fool, Aunt? Let me tell you the real reason, he's a Langford, watched closely by the council of the Valor Duchy."
"Though I may not be the most talented, I'm willing to go to Valor and bring Adrian back to Anyu. Once my cousin has both parents here, I'll marry her. What you do with Adrian afterward is up to you."
Liana's heart raced. There was no cure for a lovesick heart.
"Can you really bring Adrian here?" She sounded doubtful.
Luis smiled. "I'm stronger than Adrian. Taking him down won't be hard, especially if I use some tricks."
"Besides, we can cheat and ambush him."
Liana considered his words.
"That makes sense. You've put a lot of effort into marrying Lily. But you used to be so indifferent toward her, now you're suddenly so eager. You must have another motive, don't you?"
She studied Luis with suspicion. She knew him too well, and his sudden change in behavior felt strange and unnatural.
Luis replied, "Nothing escapes you, Aunt. Lily's real father is a noble of Valor, Adrian Langford. The king of Valor has no heirs, and their tradition requires the crown prince to serve in the Temple. Adrian is that prince, the future Duke of Valor."
"Lily's status could rise as well, making her a Daughter of Duke Valor."
"Valor may be weak Duchy, but it produces fine wine and warhorses. That would be a great advantage in restoring my kingdom."
Since Liana didn't believe his interest in Lily was purely about her beauty, Luis had to craft a convincing reason.
Liana's eyes widened in realization. "So that's it. Luis, you still dream of being an emperor? When will you let go of this ridiculous fantasy?"
Luis smirked. "Why shouldn't I? Success depends on strategy, and I'm patient."
"Aunt, if we work together, we both benefit. Don't you want to be the rightful Duchess of Valor?"
Liana fell silent.
After a moment, she said, "Fine, Luis. If you can bring Adrian here, I'll let you marry Lily."
"Then it's a deal, Aunt." Luis's smile brightened.
He knew that Liana would not so easily agree to let his daughter bear a child for the rebels, but Luis was used to advance wages.
He also had a plan to make her pregnant in advance. By the time Lily was pregnant, Liana would have no choice but to accept Luis as her son-in-law, no matter how unwilling she was.
"By the way, there is one more thing." Luis suddenly said.
"What is it?" Liana asked.
Luis said: "I need some activity funds for my trip to Valor. Recently, my force has been spending a lot. How about my aunt sponsoring me 5,000 gold coins?"
Liana was speechless.
However, 5,000 gold coins is really not a lot of money for her.
"As long as you can invite Adrian, let alone 5,000 gold coins, 100,000 gold coins will be no problem."
Liana said generously, "I will send someone to deliver 5,000 gold coins to you later."
5,000 gold coins is a lot. So much gold needs to be transported manually, and of course it cannot be given directly to Luis.
Luis felt more and more that his aunt was rich, and thought that the free rice at Whitmore Villa was really delicious.
"Ok! Aunt i will go out"
-----
Luis stepped out of his aunt's courtyard, his expression unreadable.
The three maids waiting outside immediately straightened, their eyes full of curiosity, but they knew better than to ask.
Without a word, he turned and made his way to Lily's room.
The moment he entered, Lily's face lit up.
"Cousin!"
Her joy was unmistakable, though the memory of his proposal made her cheeks flush like a budding flower, shy yet eager.