Chapter 25 " Liane , just ask whatever you want to know . " Lorrayne saw through Liane's hesitation . 35 vouchers D Liane looked a bit ashamed . " You saw right through me . I'm sorry . I do have a question . How did you know the monster was there ? " People born into the royal family were naturally suspicious . Today's events seemed too coincidental , so Liane couldn't help but wonder . Lorrayne said frankly , " To be honest , I didn't know there was a monster . When I did a divination at noon , I noticed something unusual in the north . Out of curiosity , I rode out of the city with Troy . " Later , we got tired from riding and rested by the river . That's when we saw the black mist in the woods . Troy said it was the aura of a monster , so we knew one had appeared in the forest . " Saving you was also a coincidence . While Troy was killing the monster , he accidentally noticed something moving inside its stomach . " Suspecting there were still survivors , he cut open its belly and got you all out ." One moment , Liane was surprised that Lorrayne could do divination . Next , her expression turned painful . Liane said , " It must be Vincent and Robert . They heard someone fighting the monster outside and used all their strength to make a move , hoping to be saved . " Lorrayne complimented in agreement , " They are truly loyal warriors ." " Sure ," Liane nodded repeatedly . " But why would a monster appear there ? " Lorrayne frowned . " That forest seemed so ordinary . How could it attract such a powerful swamp monster ? " If only there were paladins here . They would definitely know how the monster got there ." Liane sighed . " Why would paladins bother with such a minor issue ? Without an oracle , they would never leave the Holy Curia . " " Yeah , " Lorrayne sighed too . " But oracles don't come often . Unless it causes chaos , it wouldn't alarm the Holy Curia . " Liane gave a wry smile . " That's how they operate , always preferring to save the world after disaster strikes . " If I had died at the hands of that monster today , they might have come to investigate at my father's request and given some vague answer . Lorrayne's mouth fell open in surprise . " Liane , so you also dislike the Holy- " " Shh ! " Liane raised a finger to her lips . " Don't say it out loud ." Then she looked at Lorrayne and laughed . " It seems we royals aren't too fond of that way of doing things ." " Yeah , " Lorrayne gave a knowing smile . Liane yawned slightly . " Lorrayne , I'm going to sleep now . Thank you for today . " " Don't mention it . Go get some rest , " Lorrayne said . As Liane turned away , a glint flashed in her eyes . She had deliberately used the trap phrase " we royals " to test Lorrayne , who hadn't even noticed . She was indeed of royal birth , too , she thought . After Liane left , Lorrayne's eyes flickered . Athina had lied to her . The paladins wouldn't come to investigate just because someone sent a letter of accusation . And she had also misinterpreted today's horoscope . Jacqueline had said the accuracy of a divination's answer required one's own Judgment . She had nearly walked into a dead end today because of her wrong judgment . The great misfortune indicated by the horoscope was actually the chain reaction caused by Liane's death . If Liane had truly died in the monster's stomach today , the King of Chinordom would certainly have sought help from the Holy Curia . Then the Holy Curia would have sent investigators , who would have discovered Lorrayne as a " body - snatching Hellspawn , " and she would have been executed The way out shown by the horoscope was actually to go to the northern forest to save Liane . As long as she saved her , the subsequent 1/3 Chapter 25 35 vouchers things wouldn't happen . Yet Lorrayne thought the horoscope was telling her to flee north . She had even been reluctant when Troy suggested killing the monster . Thank goodness Troy is a kind soul . If he weren't , I'd be paying with my life for my selfishness today , she thought . Lorrayne made up her mind inwardly - she ought to treat Troy more kindly from now on . He might well be her guardian of fortune , the pivotal key to turning her fate around . It was completely dark when Troy finally returned with the horse . Lorrayne heard the noise and walked into the yard to see him untying a cloth from the horse's eyes . " How is it that I feel you treat this horse far better than you do them ? " Lorrayne asked . Fearing the horse might grow skittish at the height , Troy had even bound a strip of cloth over its eyes . He had never been half so attentive to Liane and the two knights . Troy snorted , " And you treat them better than you treat me . " Oh , are you jealous ? " Lorrayne teased . Troy sulked , hanging his head , not wanting to engage . " Come on , don't be mad . They won't stay here long ," Lorrayne said , thinking she'd discovered the reason for his mood . " They'll move out once those two knights recover . " " This is your place . You decide who stays ," Troy said , turning his back to her . " I'll stay at the tavern during this time . " " Troy , you're not afraid they'll see your hair , are you ? " Lorrayne ventured . Troy paused a little . " So what if I am ? " Lorrayne fell silent . ' Indeed , so what ? I can't just kick Liane and the others out now , ' she thought . But she couldn't let Troy leave either . Although Troy seemed easygoing , she knew his heart was as unyielding as stone . " Troy , " Lorrayne thought for a while and said softly , " I know you don't like highborns . Maybe they've hurt you before . But not all of them are . " Liane saved my life once , so I can't turn a blind eye when she needs help . I'm truly grateful for your help today . It's because of you that I might repay this debt of gratitude to her . " Once I've repaid her for saving me , I won't have any further dealings with her . Just endure their presence for a while . It won't be long . " Troy finally looked at Lorrayne , a hint of confusion in his eyes . " She's a royal princess , and I'm just a lowborn . Why do you care whether I like her or not ? " Lorrayne said rationally , I want to say we're friends , that I'm closer to you , and we've known each other longer . But I think those words are too false , and you wouldn't believe them anyway . " Troy thought , No. I would believe them . " So the real reason is this - I need you . More than I need them . " Lorrayne looked at him with utter sincerity . " To me , your presence matters more than theirs ever could ." Without Liane , Lorrayne wouldn't really lose anything of consequence . But without Troy's protection , her death would be doomed . Troy stood there as if stunned . Those words kept echoing in his ears . She said she needs me . She said I matter more than any of them , ' he thought . Abittersweet feeling welled up in his heart , making him feel numb and itchy . He couldn't help but want to unbutton his shirt and touch his heart . Is my heart broken ? he wondered . Suddenly , Troy clenched his fist to hide his excited emotions . " Well , in that case , I'll treat you well from now on . You don't need to pay me anymore Fil find a way to earn- Lorrayne looked at him , confused . ' What on earth is Troy talking about ? Wait a minute , ' she thought . " You mean fure you without paying ? Is there really such a good thing ? " Once she got the point , her eyes lit up . " Really , no charge ? " 2/3 P Chapter 25 Troy looked into Lorrayne's bright , utterly innocent eyes and finally realized he had misread the situation . Troy's face instantly darkened . Then he smirked . " Hire me without pay ? In your dreams . Not a single coin less . " 313 Title: ReelTalk EP 40 - Contract Lovers & Heartbreak CrushReel's ongoing romance series, Miss You After Goodbye, continues to captivate on the latest ReelTalk episode. Haley Lohrli dives into her daring new character, while Ben and Josh share insights into their own memorable roles, promising a blend of laughter and heartwarming moments. Exploring themes of love, loss, and unexpected connections, this episode delves deep into the intricate relationships that drive the narrative forward. As the stars reveal their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie, viewers are in for a treat with each unfolding scene. What sets this episode apart is its ability to balance humor with poignant storytelling, offering a refreshing take on modern romance dynamics. Dive into the world of Contract Lovers & Heartbreak, available to read at CrushReel for a journey that promises both entertainment and emotional resonance.