DEATH—was unavoidable. Every creature dies at some point. That was something Lily had accepted the first time she learned it. As for rebirth, she didn't believe it at first. But three never-ending cycles of it left her speechless and utterly stunned.
In a world full of wars and hardship, Lily had long given up hope of survival. So when she died in her first life, she wasn't resentful. In fact, she was content. Lily was overjoyed to finally be leaving this world.
Unfortunately, instead of heaven or hell, what she encountered shocked her.
Lily had gone back in time. She returned to when she was still the spoiled and adored young miss of an aristocratic family. Everything appeared normal and happy—but only she knew what lay ahead.
Given a second chance at life, Lily didn't treasure it. She lived and died just the way she had in her previous life.
To her surprise, she experienced rebirth again—a second time. Her third life. This time, she returned to when she was still a baby. Still not taking it seriously, she lived and died the same way she had before.
But after being reborn three times, Lily finally snapped. She cursed fate.
She was now exhausted and enraged!
What did heaven mean by reincarnating her again and again?
Couldn't she just die properly and in peace?
Dearest heavens, give her a break!
After spending the night cursing 'fate,' Lily walked out of her room feeling refreshed. The two maidservants assigned to her quickly followed without uttering a word.
When they reached a particular location in the estate, one of the maidservants stepped forward and announced her presence.
Regardless, Lily entered the room without waiting for a reply.
"Grandpa! Please assist me! I want to cancel my marriage agreement with the crown prince!" Lily declared the moment she entered.
Duke Pei was taken aback by his granddaughter's outburst. The hand holding his wine trembled, and he nearly spilled it on the man seated across from him.
Realizing what his granddaughter had just said, Duke Pei forgot all thoughts of apologizing to his guest. He immediately snapped, "What the hell are you saying? Do you think breaking off an engagement issued by the monarch is that easy? What are you thinking this time? Just yesterday, you were mumbling about how dashing the crown prince was, and now you suddenly want to dissolve the engagement?"
Duke Pei glared at his granddaughter. He had raised her since her parents' disappearance. Out of heartache and pity, he spoiled her rotten. But sometimes, he regretted not raising her more strictly. Otherwise, her personality might not have become what it was now—the root of many headaches.
Lily wasn't fazed by her grandfather's glare. Instead, she raised her chin arrogantly. "I'm not the same person I was yesterday. The 'me' yesterday lacked a brain. Now, not only do I have one, but I've also become reasonable," she stated proudly.
Duke Pei felt like his head was spinning. "Which part of what you're saying is reasonable?"
"Breaking off my engagement with the crown prince."
Duke Pei couldn't help but sigh. "Will you at least tell me what's wrong with the crown prince? If we break the engagement in front of His Majesty, wouldn't that be slapping him in the face? We might incur his wrath."
"So what?" Lily frowned. "We have millions of soldiers under our name—and they are independent. The monarch has no right to mobilize them. Only those with the surname Pei can. If he dares to make an enemy out of us, let him try."
Duke Pei nearly choked on his saliva.
That was true. The Pei family was an independent clan with millions of soldiers. They had originally lived in seclusion, but Duke Pei's father and the emperor's grandfather had become friends during an expedition.
When that friendship deepened, Duke Pei's father agreed to move into the Immortal Dragon Empire. However, they maintained full independence. The monarch could not treat them as mere subjects. Still, since the Pei family had pledged to act as the empire's sword, the monarch had to treat them accordingly and supply their needs.
Duke Pei and the previous emperor had been childhood friends, so their bond was strong. As for the current emperor, Duke Pei held no special affection—only respect for his position. The one he truly liked was the emperor's fifth brother, the man he'd been speaking to before Lily barged in.
Recalling his visitor, Duke Pei turned back with embarrassment. He looked at the man and apologized. "Apologies, Fifth Imperial Uncle. You had to witness a family matter."
Fifth Imperial Uncle Hugo smiled gently. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. Even good families bicker from time to time."
Now that he had spoken, Lily finally looked his way. She wasn't surprised to see him in her grandfather's study. She'd met him many times in her previous lives. But she had been too indifferent to care and ignored him.
Still, she had always found it admirable—he was a man without desire. As the empress's son, he had a claim to the throne but willingly gave way to his brothers. He lived like a monk—never taking a wife or concubine. In fact, when she died in her last life, she had been given ten days to roam as a ghost. During that time, she saw him truly become a monk.
He entered a temple, shaved his head, and never left again.
Since then, she had admired him. In a secular world where concubines were the norm, a man without lust was rare.
Fifth Imperial Uncle must have noticed her gaze, as he suddenly looked at her and smiled gently. The man was already good-looking—his smile only made him more alluring. No woman would be immune.
But Lily simply raised an eyebrow in response and then ignored him once more. Admiration was one thing. She had no intention of getting close to him.
"...." Hugo blinked, a little taken aback. Had he done something to offend this girl?
"Grandpa, don't change the subject," Lily said, turning her attention back. "We're discussing the engagement with the crown prince. We need to settle it now."
Duke Pei held his forehead. His head was beginning to ache. "Can't we talk about this later? The fifth imperial uncle is still here. Show some decorum!"
"I've already said my piece and he heard it," Lily said, her eyes full of disdain. "Since he already knows, what's the point of hiding it? Let me make this clear, Grandpa: I'll keep pestering you until you agree!"
"Then tell me, what exactly is wrong with the crown prince?" Duke Pei finally gave up. He knew he couldn't win against his granddaughter.
"He's an unclean man," Lily said with distaste.
Duke Pei was stunned. "That's all?"
"What do you mean by 'that's all'?" Lily's irritation grew. "The Pei family has always been clean. We've practiced the mantra of one man or one woman since the family was founded. I am your only descendant. If I'm to be sullied by such a dirty man, our family line will be finished."
Duke Pei was initially flustered at the first sentence, but his face turned solemn after hearing the rest.
He had spent his life in this empire, where men behaved as they pleased. He had forgotten the mantra that preserved their lineage. If Lily hadn't reminded him, he might have lost her. Duke Pei realized then—he wouldn't have been able to face their ancestors either.