Chapter 1
To the left, an office is dedicated to marriage licenses, with hardly anyone inside. To the right, the office for divorce registrations is packed with clients eager to end their marriages. A striking woman, wearing a hat, sunglasses, and a mask, frowns as she speaks to a staff member. Beside her stands a tall, handsome man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. They had been waiting since the Civic Registry opened that morning, and after a long wait, finally approached the counter with their signed divorce agreement and necessary documents. However, the staff explained that they couldn't process the divorce immediately; there was a mandatory waiting period. “According to the latest provisions of the Family Code, there is a thirty-day cooling-off period before divorce proceedings can be finalized. During this time, either spouse can revoke the divorce application at the Civic Registry.” “We both want the divorce—can’t we get the paperwork done now?” the woman pressed again. The staff, adhering to the principle of reconciliation, attempted to dissuade her. “Ma'am, why not take a moment to reconsider? Don't let a moment of impulse ruin a lifetime of happiness.” The woman glanced at the man beside her, named Lord Alaric, hesitating for a moment. Yet, she ultimately stood firm. “Thank you, but we’ve already made our decision.” A few minutes later, they exited the Civic Registry. The woman looked around warily before getting into a parked white Toyota Alphard with Lord Alaric. Inside, a short-haired middle-aged woman anxiously inquired, “Did you get it done?” The younger woman removed her sunglasses, revealing a stunning face. If passersby recognized her, they would immediately identify Lady Seraphina, a recently popular actress. Yet, the usually radiant star, known for her sweet smile, appeared exhausted as she rubbed her temples. “The Civic Registry said we need a thirty-day waiting period before we can finalize the divorce,” Seraphina replied. “Thirty days?” Sir Cedric, her manager, looked taken aback, obviously disappointed. He had been the one to encourage Lady Seraphina to divorce her mediocre husband and orchestrate today’s visit. He looked back and forth between Lady Seraphina and the silent, handsome man, letting out a sigh. “Three years have proven this is a failed marriage. What’s the point in waiting another thirty days?” The mood inside the vehicle grew somber until Lord Alaric suddenly spoke up. “I’ll move out today, and we can handle the divorce paperwork in a month.” With that, he opened the door and stepped out. Watching his familiar upright figure, Seraphina couldn’t help but shout after him, “Lord Alaric.” Turning back, Lord Alaric's expression was calm, but the warmth in his eyes had faded. Lady Seraphina opened her mouth, her voice dry. “Are you really not going to take the three million?” She and Lord Alaric had fallen for each other at university, their romance blooming over four years before they married right after graduation. Now, three years into that marriage, they stood on the brink of separation. Seraphina transitioned from a regular college student to an overnight sensation after winning a singing competition, ultimately becoming a moderately successful singer. Throughout it all, Lord Alaric had been at her side, serving as both her assistant and bodyguard. She dazzled on stage, while he remained her quiet protector behind the scenes. In the beginning, they had been so in love that Seraphina even had carried Lord Alaric's child, but she terminated the pregnancy to focus on her career. As Seraphina’s star continued to rise, she felt increasingly like Lord Alaric couldn’t keep pace with her rapid ascent. A rift formed in their hearts, leaving their domestic life increasingly bland. Although they still lived in the same house, they had been sleeping in separate rooms for over half a year. The pure love of a campus girl and her handsome boyfriend had ultimately been dulled by the harsh realities of the entertainment industry, rendering their once-clear affection vulnerable to the fickle nature of human emotions. Days ago, Seraphina had initiated the divorce. Without a plea or an attempt to win her back, Lord Alaric had signed the divorce agreement without hesitation, relinquishing all joint assets. The house, the cars—everything had been purchased after Lady Seraphina became famous, and Lord Alaric felt no attachment. He had even declined Sir Cedric’s offer of a three million confidentiality payment.
Chapter 2
Sir Cedric was worried that Lord Alaric, after the divorce, would harbor resentment and go around talking about him and Lady Seraphina. The image of Lady Seraphina's purity would definitely be tarnished. At that moment, Lady Seraphina expressed her concerns, which were evidently shared by him. Hearing her words, Lord Alaric turned and smiled calmly at her. "After so many years together, you still don't know me. What a pity," he said before turning away, the noon sun shining on him, clean and carefree, just like the boy he once was—unchanged. Lady Seraphina stared blankly at his retreating figure, her eyes slightly moist. She closed her eyes, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill over. This man was handsome, gentle, considerate, and responsible. If she were an ordinary woman, there was no doubt she would want to spend a lifetime with him. But unfortunately, she aimed to climb to the top of the Hyal Bard Guild and could not afford any burdens. Sir Cedric was still a bit uneasy. "What does he mean? He won't go around slandering you, will he?" Lady Seraphina sighed, "I know him; he won't do that." Only then did Sir Cedric feel reassured and smiled, "I have good news for you. You've been invited to be the lead singer for the third season of 'The Bard's Contest'." Lady Seraphina paused, the moisture in her eyes fading away as joy took its place. "Really? That's amazing!" Being the lead singer on a top-tier show like 'The Bard's Contest' meant her status had been recognized. If she did well, perhaps she could truly make it into the ranks of top singers. Sir Cedric paused before adding, "Lady Elara has also received an invitation. If nothing goes wrong, she will be the lead singer as well." "Lady Elara..." Hearing that name, Lady Seraphina furrowed her brows. The truth is, she had a certain connection with Lady Elara; they debuted around the same time and signed with the industry giant Cloudspire Entertainment, and they had similar looks and vocal qualities. But the difference was that Lady Elara was already recognized as a rising star, a national beloved figure. Meanwhile, Lady Seraphina was still struggling to climb the ranks, often mockingly referred to as the "budget version of Lady Elara." If Lady Elara were also to join 'The Bard's Contest', it would be tricky for Lady Seraphina, who was stylistically similar but ranked much lower. Sir Cedric reassured her, "You don't need to worry too much. Recently, Lady Elara has had a lot of negative news, and I heard she's not in great shape. Maybe this is your chance to take her spot." "To replace Lady Elara and become the music industry's rising star." Lady Seraphina's gaze sharpened, her ambition and desire unmasked. It was time to let go of a marriage that might have been happy but wasn't beneficial to her growth, and turn her career ambitions into reality. --- Lord Alaric took a cab back to the home he shared with Lady Seraphina, quickly packed his bags, and glanced one last time at the house where they had lived for three years before leaving without looking back. As he wheeled his suitcase out of the neighborhood, he looked up at the blazing midday sun and couldn't help but chuckle wryly. "Divorced on Earth, and now I'm doing it in Blue Star Glade too." Lord Alaric had lived in Blue Star Glade for twenty-six years. Just a month ago, a car incident left him with minor injuries. Since that time, fragments of memories from his life on Earth began surfacing randomly in his mind. But those memories were quite hazy; he only remembered having been divorced and little else. After deciding to divorce Lady Seraphina, strange texts began to appear before his eyes, visible to him alone. At this moment, four lines of text once again materialized before him: "Alas, Not You - Earth Memory Recollection, Progress 1%." "The Ordinary Path - Earth Memory Recollection, Progress 1%." "The Encounter - Earth Memory Recollection, Progress 1%." "The Lone Brave - Earth Memory Recollection, Progress 1%."
Chapter 3
In Riverwood, home to the headquarters of Cloudspire Entertainment. A woman stood in front of the wide, bright floor-to-ceiling window of an office, silently watching the bustling traffic below. She had an elegant oval face, eyebrows like distant mountains, and eyes as clear as autumn's sky. Her figure was perfectly proportioned. Even without makeup, dressed simply in a white blouse and denim jeans, she looked more beautiful than many glamorous celebrities. Yet, her demeanor was icy, reminiscent of a solitary figure in a snowy night—Galen the Hermit. Though stunningly beautiful, her coldness made her hard to approach. Recently, amidst the swirling rumors and gossip, this frigid beauty had been labeled a shameless mistress willing to sell her body for advancement and reveling in her own drama. To make matters worse, after recently battling a serious illness, her voice had been affected. Many were eagerly anticipating the day she would tumble from grace. In just three years, she had risen from a best newcomer to a nominee for the best singer of the year, and now she was a pop diva. Her rapid ascent had obstructed many paths. But the troubling matters extended beyond mere rumors and hidden rivals. There was also a package sitting ominously on the table. The package was already opened, revealing a photo of Lady Elara with three blood-red words scrawled across it—“I’m coming for you.” “Lady Elara, Dame Rosalind, this marks the third such photo we’ve received in a month,” said Julian the Squire, his round face flushed with concern. Lady Elara had hit a rough patch lately; besides the false rumors, she had been receiving threatening packages. The company had already contacted the authorities, but the packages weren’t mailed. Instead, they were secretly left at the entrance of Cloudspire Entertainment. So far, police had no leads on the identity of the sender. It could be a rival or an extreme fan obsessed with her. If it was the latter, things could get even messier, as the entertainment industry was rife with tales of artists being harassed or even harmed by overzealous fans. The company originally considered hiring bodyguards for Lady Elara, but given her recent troubles, having a bodyguard could lead to accusations of her being high-maintenance. Ultimately, it was Lady Elara's agent, Dame Rosalind, who suggested they hire a personal assistant in her name, effectively turning the assistant into a bodyguard. However, Lady Elara's cold nature made her uncomfortable with being shadowed by strangers. In the last few days, she had interviewed several candidates, all of whom she dismissed. Now, with no assistant or bodyguard hired and yet another threatening package received, the tension hung heavy in the air. Just then, Dame Rosalind's phone chimed with an unknown number. She answered it, and a calm yet distinguished voice came through. “Hello, is this Dame Rosalind?” “Yes, it is.” “I saw the job advertisement online and I'm interested in the personal assistant position.” “Great, please send your resume to this email address, and if you're suitable, we will contact you for an interview.” Dame Rosalind handled the call with professionalism. “Thank you,” the soft-spoken man replied before hanging up. “Dame Rosalind, we have another applicant,” Julian the Squire said, his excitement palpable as he leaned closer to look at Dame Rosalind’s phone. Before long, Dame Rosalind received a resume in her inbox. “Wow, he’s handsome!” Julian exclaimed, staring at the picture included. “Lord Alaric, 26 years old, with experience as both an assistant and a bodyguard—he seems perfect. Lady Elara, you should come take a look!” Hearing Julian's persistent chatter, the cold woman by the window slowly turned, her breathtaking face betraying no emotion. She spoke softly, her voice slightly hoarse from her illness, a clear reminder of her recent condition, “You decide.” This further worried Dame Rosalind and Julian, especially with Lady Elara set to participate in the first recording of The Bard's Contest next week. She was already struggling with the weight of rumors, and with her voice still not fully recovered, doubts loomed over her future in The Bard's Contest.
Chapter 4
Lady Cressida wasn’t worried about getting good results anymore; she just wanted to navigate this tough time safely. “I’ll call him in for an interview,” Lady Cressida said to Lady Elara, who was in charge of sifting through the resumes, though the final decision fell to her. They had interviewed over ten candidates so far, yet none had met Lady Elara’s expectations. Lady Elara nodded, and Lady Cressida dialed a number, notifying a man called Lord Alaric of the company’s address and informing him to come in for an interview. After hanging up, she noticed Lady Elara had turned her back and was gazing out the floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the hustle of the city below—a sea of people endlessly flowing by. That tall, beautiful silhouette was stubborn yet thin—almost fragile. Lady Cressida sighed, “I hope this Lord Alaric can make a decent impression.” Half an hour later, Lord Alaric arrived at the towering Cloudspire Entertainment building, dragging a suitcase behind him. “I can’t believe I'm back here again,” he muttered, looking up at the skyscraper that seemed to touch the clouds. He had come to this building many times before, working as a bodyguard and manager for Lady Seraphina. To avoid drawing attention to their relationship, he had always kept a low profile. Now, mere weeks after his divorce from Lady Seraphina, he found himself back in this familiar place. He had just moved out from the apartment he shared with her, and the songs he loved from Earth felt like they were only 1% done in his memory. His priority was to find a place to stay. Although he had some savings, living in a hotel indefinitely wasn’t feasible. “Having a job that includes accommodation would work wonders,” he thought. Soon, he spotted a suitable position on a job board—personal assistant. After three years serving as Lady Seraphina’s assistant, he felt he had the experience for it. As for which celebrity at Cloudspire needed an assistant, he didn’t care. The entertainment industry left him cold. Once a naive girl, Lady Seraphina had transformed into someone hungry for fame and fortune after just a few years in the business. To him, it was merely a cesspool; he could hardly imagine anyone good coming from it. Entering Cloudspire Entertainment, he called Lady Cressida from the reception desk. Moments later, a plump young woman emerged. “Hi, Lord Alaric, please follow me,” Mistress Arabella smiled, secretly awed by his looks—far surpassing any male star she knew. “Alright, thank you.” He nodded and followed her to an office. Upon entering, he was greeted with a scene fit for a painting. A striking figure with long hair stood by the window, taking in the chaotic streets below. Sunlight streamed through the glass, casting a warm glow around her delicate curves—a golden outline of serenity amidst the bustling city. Yet, even under such brilliant sunlight, an aura of coldness and solitude surrounded the woman. She resembled a plum blossom in the winter sun, struggling for warmth, destined to thrive in the cold night. “Isn’t that Lady Elara? She’s the one hiring a personal assistant,” Lord Alaric mused. After three years in the entertainment scene, he immediately recognized Lady Elara, the young diva known for her stunning legs and frosty demeanor. Her long legs were legendary in the industry—tall, perfectly proportioned, slim yet shapely. Then there was her cool temperament; aside from singing, she rarely spoke and offered smiles to no one. Such an ice queen—was she really seeking a personal assistant? Just then, a middle-aged woman seated on the couch chimed in, “Lord Alaric, please have a seat.” Drawn back from his thoughts, Lord Alaric walked over and sat across from her. “Lord Alaric, time is of the essence. Let’s begin the interview,” Lady Cressida said, sizing him up. He certainly had the looks for a performer; assistant and security roles could suit him as well.
Chapter 5
With a calm smile on her face, Lady Elara spoke up: "Lord Alaric, I'm sure you've seen the job listing's requirements. This position is quite special; although it involves some assistant tasks, the primary responsibility is actually that of a bodyguard. You must ensure Lady Sophia's safety. What advantages do you believe you possess that would make you suitable for this job?" Lord Alaric responded without hesitation, "I've worked as an assistant and bodyguard for three years; does that count as an advantage?" Dame Cressida and Mistress Arabella exchanged knowing glances. Dame Cressida inquired, "Lord Alaric, could you reveal the name of your former employer? And why did you leave that position?" "I'm sorry," he replied, "but I've agreed to confidentiality. As for why I resigned, I suppose we both just grew tired of it." Though the last remark felt a bit odd, Dame Cressida didn’t press further about Lord Alaric’s "former boss" and continued with more technical questions related to the assistant and bodyguard role. Lord Alaric answered all of them fluently. Dame Cressida seemed pleased with his responses, and Mistress Arabella found the handsome Lord Alaric quite impressive as well. Ultimately, however, it was Lady Elara who would make the final decision. At that moment, Lady Elara, who had been standing by the window, finally turned to face them. Her breathtakingly beautiful yet cool demeanor was enough to astonish anyone, causing previous contenders for the position to display various stages of awe or stunned silence. However, Lord Alaric remained unperturbed. Having served as Lady Seraphina's assistant and bodyguard for three years, he had encountered many stunning starlets. Typically concealed behind those beautiful exteriors were mundane, self-serving souls. Though Lady Elara was the most beautiful woman Lord Alaric had ever seen, who truly knew the hearts of those in the entertainment industry? As Lady Elara observed the composed Lord Alaric, a note of surprise flickered in her eyes. The applicants before him had all clearly struggled to mask their delight and desire upon realizing their employer was indeed Lady Elara. The position of personal assistant and bodyguard required someone to be with her constantly, twenty-four hours a day. If they hired someone bewitched by her beauty or driven by desire, it could put her in jeopardy. What Lady Elara sought was a man utterly indifferent to her appearance; only such a man could work successfully without causing her any trouble. The man standing before her, uninterested in her captivating looks, seemed to fit her criteria perfectly. Lady Elara walked towards Lord Alaric, her long legs moving elegantly as her waist swayed, her icy demeanor unable to disguise her alluring figure. She approached him and extended her hand. "Lord Alaric, you’re hired." Standing up, Lord Alaric didn’t immediately shake her hand; instead, he asked the question that mattered most to him: "So, does this job include accommodations?" A brief silence enveloped the room until Mistress Arabella quickly chimed in, "All meals and lodging are included." Lord Alaric nodded and extended his hand for a brief handshake with Lady Elara. "Boss, I look forward to working with you." In the next moment, Lord Alaric froze. As soon as their hands connected, a flurry of text leaped back to his mind: *“Alas, Not You” - Earth Memory Replication: Progress 20%* *“The Ordinary Path” - Earth Memory Replication: Progress 15%* *“The Encounter” - Earth Memory Replication: Progress 10%* *“The Lone Brave” - Earth Memory Replication: Progress 5%*
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