Dark Evolution Begins with Marrying an SSS-CLASS Blind Monster
Chapter 140: The Hero and the Princess

Chapter 140: The Hero and the Princess

"Where is she? I told her to clean the doors, but she is nowhere to be found."

At that moment, a voice filled with worry and irritation rang out from within the mansion, accompanied by hurried footsteps.

Suddenly, a middle-aged maid, the source of the voice, appeared at the entrance. She was a stout, sturdy woman, and her face was lined with the years of experience and wisdom that came from working for a noble family. Her eyes swept over the scene, taking in the unusual tableau before her.

"Welcome, Young Master Han," the older maid greeted with a slight bow, her face betraying no emotion. She was the head maid, after all, and such things were expected of her.

Han gave her a quick nod of acknowledgment, then turned his attention back to the young maid who still sat on the ground, looking up at him with a mixture of curiosity and confusion.

The head maid followed his gaze and frowned, her lips pursed in disapproval. "Lina? What are you doing on the ground?" she chided, her voice laced with a stern reprimand.

She addressed the younger maid by name, a hint of annoyance creeping into her tone. Lina, still seated, looked up at her, a flush of red coloring her cheeks. She scrambled to her feet and attempted to explain herself.

"I... I..." she stammered, her voice faltering. She was unable to find the words to adequately express her situation.

"Quick, apologize," the head maid barked, her expression growing increasingly stern.

"Huh?" Lina responded, her voice a barely audible whisper, her eyes wide with shock and embarrassment.

"I am sorry," she murmured, her voice trembling. She bowed her head in submission, her dark hair falling across her shoulders.

Han watched this exchange, his face a mask of indifference. He didn’t say anything, but there was a subtle twitch of his lips, a hint of amusement at Lina’s awkward apology.

The head maid gave Lina a pointed look, and the young maid’s head lowered even further.

"Go and clean the front door now," the older maid ordered, her tone sharp and commanding.

"Yes," Lina replied softly, her eyes downcast. She glanced at Han for a moment before turning and hurrying off, her shoes making quiet scraping noises on the stone path.

As Lina’s retreating figure grew smaller, the head maid turned to Han once again, her expression now composed and polite.

"Young Master, I apologize for my daughter’s behavior."

"She is your daughter?" Han inquired, raising an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes, she is," the head maid answered. "She has just recently joined our service."

"So the source of all the noise has been her," Han said, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The head maid’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Yes. She is a bit clumsy, so she always makes mistakes, and then I have to deal with it," she said, her voice tinged with frustration.

"Haha, it seems she is not fitting well for the job."

"She is not, and I don’t know what to do about her," the head maid lamented, her shoulders slumping in defeat.

Han’s gaze lingered on Lina’s shrinking figure as it disappeared behind a corner. There was a hint of pity in his eyes, but also a trace of something else—perhaps interest, or amusement.

He turned back to the head maid. "She is your daughter, but she doesn’t have anything like you," he remarked, his tone casual and his expression neutral.

"What do you mean by that, Young Master Han?" the head maid asked, her brow furrowing.

"Well, your daughter doesn’t have the elegance and grace that you possess," Han explained, his tone light and his words chosen carefully.

The head maid blinked, taken aback by his observation. "Huh?" she murmured, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.

"She has the beauty, but not the grace," Han elaborated, his voice low and his words measured. "Without those qualities, how will she attract anyone?"

The head maid was speechless, unsure of how to respond to Han’s unusual comment. She could feel her cheeks growing warm as she processed his words.

Han continued, his gaze fixed on the head maid. "You see, elegance and grace are the traits that define a true lady, and without them, a woman is nothing more than a pretty face," he said, his tone thoughtful and his words carefully chosen.

"Young Maste—"

Before the head maid could respond, Han cut her off, his voice carrying a note of finality. "So you’d better teach her well so she can become a real lady," he advised, his tone firm.

The head maid, at a loss for words, merely nodded in response, her cheeks still flushed.

"I will, Young Master," she promised, her voice filled with resolve.

"Good," Han replied, his expression relaxed and his demeanor confident.

"Then, please excuse me. I should go and check on her to make sure she hasn’t created any more trouble," the head maid said, giving a slight bow.

"Of course," Han responded, his smile a hint of warmth amidst the grandeur of his surroundings.

Meanwhile, Nellas, who had been standing beside Han, smiled. He understood what Han was trying to do, and it was quite amusing.

’So you’ve taken a liking to that maid, Lina, huh?’ Nellas thought, his lips quirking up in a smirk. ’It’s just like how I was when I met Sia. It’s the same thing. Hahaha.’

’Interesting! Interesting! I wonder how this will unfold,’ he mused, his curiosity piqued.

"Come with me," Han instructed, his gaze shifting toward Nellas.

"Oh, alright," Nellas responded, his thoughts shifting to the present as he fell into step behind Han. The guards remained outside, scattered around the mansion, standing watch.

"We are going to the library," Han said, his voice calm and composed.

"The library?" Nellas asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes," Han affirmed, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "It is a collection of books and scrolls from ancient times. The knowledge contained in these pages is unmatched. And the thing I want to show you is also there."

’Ancient knowledge? What could he want to show me there?’ Nellas wondered, his interest piqued.

Han led the way through the maze of corridors and hallways, his stride sure and purposeful. The grandeur of the Flameheart mansion was on full display, from the elegant furnishings to the exquisite paintings that adorned the walls.

They finally reached a massive wooden door, two guards standing at attention on both sides. As they approached, the guards gave a quick bow and stepped aside, allowing Han and Nellas entry.

Inside, the air was cool and the lighting dim, and a hushed atmosphere pervaded the room. Bookshelves stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with ancient texts and priceless manuscripts.

’Wow, what an amazing collection of books and scrolls,’ Nellas marveled, his eyes wide with awe.

"Follow me. The thing I want to show you is here," Han instructed, leading the way deeper into the library.

’What is this thing?’ Nellas wondered, following Han with cautious steps. ’What will he show me?’

"Here it is," Han announced, coming to a stop in front of a large painting.

Nellas’s gaze focused on the painting, his eyes roaming over the intricate details. It depicted a group of people dressed in ancient clothing, their faces partially obscured by shadows.

’What is this? Who are these people?’ Nellas pondered, his brow furrowing in confusion. ’They seem familiar.’

In the painting, a brown-haired man knelt on the ground, while a black-haired girl lay unconscious in his lap. A scar from a blade marked her cheek, and blood dripped from the side of her mouth.

’What is this picture?’ Nellas wondered, his gaze fixated on the mysterious painting. ’That brown-haired guy... Why does he seem so familiar? And the girl... Why does she remind me of... No, it can’t be...’

Han’s voice broke through his reverie. "Do you know about this, Nellas?"

Nellas swallowed, his heart pounding. "Know what?"

Han’s eyes gleamed. "This is a picture of an ancient legend..."

Han’s voice carried a certain reverence as he continued, "This painting is said to depict the legendary hero and his princess—the savior and the key to this world’s fate."

Nellas couldn’t tear his gaze away from the artwork. His mind swirled with questions, his heart hammering against his ribs.

Han stepped closer to the painting, tracing the faint outline of the kneeling figure with his fingers. "It was painted by my ancestors, using techniques long lost to time. They claimed it was not just a depiction of the past but a vision of the future. A prophecy."

Nellas clenched his fists. His throat felt dry.

"A prophecy?" His voice came out quieter than he intended.

"Yes," Han confirmed. "They say this hero will rise when the world is on the brink of collapse. He will save the princess—the most beautiful woman in existence—who alone holds the power to dispel the coming darkness. And in turn, she will love him above all else, for he is the only one strong enough to protect her."

Nellas felt an uneasy weight settle in his chest.

’No. This can’t be.’

He took a step forward, staring at the brown-haired figure in the painting. His features were blurred, yet something about him felt... familiar. Uncomfortably so.

And the girl...

The unconscious girl with dark hair, blood at the edge of her lips, a scar marring her cheek...

A sharp pain lanced through Nellas’s skull, as if something deep inside him was forcing its way to the surface. Memories—fractured, scattered, locked away—clawed at his mind, demanding to be acknowledged.

It couldn’t be.

It shouldn’t be.