"I've been away for quite some time. I never expected to walk into such a lively scene upon my return."

A teasing voice interrupted Wynd's movement. Everyone turned to look.

I rose silently, with Azure and the others following suit. He cautiously reached for my wounds, but I evaded his touch subtly.

His hand froze.

At that moment, the owner of the voice approached me. "Oh, isn't this my dear Violet?"

"Azure made a mistake. Why is Violet the one being punished?" His tone turned icy.

This voice... I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. "Raven, it hurts so much!"

It was Raven, another senior of me. I knew he was a man of deep emotions, unlike Azure, who was timid and fearful.

He had left the sect for his own journey when I was just six, but precisely because of that, he knew the real me.

Azure's marriage to Seraphina would surely bring him back. He was the one who could help me escape this dreadful place.

They said I only pretended to be weak to gain sympathy, but I would show these "executioners" what true pretense was.

I had given Azure my true heart, but he shattered it and trampled it into the dust.

But before I could make the next move in my "innocent" act, Raven strode towards me with a sullen expression.

Amid the gasps of the crowd, he swept me up in his arms.

Compared to Azure, Raven is the true prodigy of the Immortal Sect, mastering the basics in a hundred days with an effortless grace that won the hearts of countless female disciples and noble ladies.

His bold move to carry me away like this was nothing short of a thunderbolt to everyone present!

Before we left, I even saw Azure's eyes wide with disbelief.

4

Wynd was so insistent on pairing me with Azure because we were prophesied to be destined lovers.

The Demon King had slain Jasper's wife, Azure's mother. But he was too powerful; only the ancient Bonded Swords passed down within our sect could kill him.

The Bonded Swords had chosen Azure and me, and their power would only manifest if our hearts were in sync.

My sword was named Phoenix Cry, and his was Dragon Roar—how fitting they sounded together.

I remember the gentle lady, Cynthia, a cherished secret in my few happy memories.

To avenge such a good person, I didn't feel too distressed, no matter how cold and repulsive Azure treated me.

Now, I realize that the gentleness in my character also bears the shadow of Cynthia.