Chapter 156: Decision
I saw flowers in a vase. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“What’s this?”
The maid replied carefully, “I put these flowers here for you, Miss.”
It wasn’t that I was nitpicking; it was just that these were the same flowers I had received from Paul Stephen the other day.
Of course, the maid didn’t know this. She probably thought they were just one of the many bouquets sent to me.
I sniffed the flowers. “Isn’t the scent too strong?”
“Yes? I can’t smell anything…?” The maid looked bewildered.
Really? Was it just my nose being overly sensitive? I had been warned about this flower in a letter from Princess Aria the other day. She hadn’t been specific, but she mentioned that the flower could be used to make drugs and that it was dangerous to burn it. Although I was puzzled by her concern, I trusted her judgment that this flower was not good. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. Besides, the scent was overwhelming for me. Every time I breathed it in, the aroma made my head spin. It felt strange that I seemed to be the only one who could smell it; other maids claimed the flowers didn’t have any scent.
Never mind then.
“If flowers like this arrive in the future, throw them all away.”
“Yes, Miss.”
I lost myself in thought for a moment as I watched the maids diligently clear the flowers away.
Where did this flower come from? There must be a specific area where it’s cultivated. If it was truly a dangerous plant, it must be strictly regulated. No, I thought it must be forbidden. It would be better to ask Princess Aria for details later. She seemed to know more about it than I did. Moreover, she must have had some reason for extending all this favor towards me. If her intentions weren’t malicious, it wouldn’t hurt to form an alliance for the time being.
I’d discuss the details with Abel or Sigren later.
Ah, speaking of Sigren, it had been a bit awkward to see him these days. He truly seemed busy; it must be chaotic for him.
“Let’s… let’s meet him later.”
It’s human psychology to put off something when faced with a more difficult situation.
I decided to focus on the more urgent matter at hand.
I was at a ball where Abel and the empress’s presence overlapped. Abel was engaged in a war of nerves with the empress, causing the guests to divert their attention from them while trying to enjoy the party.
When the atmosphere felt right, I encountered the man again—Paul Stephen.
“Could I continue our conversation from last time?”
I looked at him with a wary expression. “What is it?”
“It’s an important matter. It would be an honor if you would grant me a chance to speak with you, my lady.”
In noble circles, it was usually difficult to refuse an offer when someone approached with such humility. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I wondered what he could possibly want to tell me.
I glanced at Abel, who had come with me. He seemed too engrossed in his nerve battle to notice us. I looked back at Paul, weighing the situation before agreeing to speak with him. If I couldn’t gather any vital information, at least I could discern his intentions. I also considered the potential danger of meeting with a man without anyone else present. Thankfully, we were inside the banquet hall, where weapons were prohibited. Paul didn’t seem to possess any special skills, so if it came to a physical confrontation, I could handle him. Furthermore, this wasn’t a dark alley where I’d need an escort; unless he was insane, it was unlikely that an ordinary noble would attack another noble during a ball.
“I hope it’s an important matter,” I replied, deciding to follow him since I had questions of my own.
The place he led me to was acceptable—a room designated as a break area for guests.
However, as soon as I entered, I frowned. A familiar bouquet of flowers lay on the table, and the obnoxiously strong scent assaulted my senses. Did he bring it in advance?
I didn’t want to prolong the conversation, so I got straight to the point. “Why did you give me that flower?”
Paul responded obediently, holding the bouquet. “This is actually a warning.”
“A warning? From you to me?” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“No, it’s a warning from the empress to you, my lady.”
I stiffened. “So, you’re on the empress’s side.”
“That’s right. Her Majesty the Empress wants Lady Fiona to part ways with Prince Sigren and persuade Duke Heilon to withdraw his support for Prince Sigren.”
Ah, so that was the ‘important matter.’
Paul stared at me intently. “Will you?”
“No.”
“Why not? The feelings Prince Sigren has for you have cooled. I’m giving you a chance now.”
The empress must be working tirelessly. The rumors had been annoyingly loud lately, and now she had sent someone directly to deliver this message.
“Before you regret playing with love, please accept Her Majesty’s consideration.”
“That songstress was given to Prince Sigren by the empress.”
I could see that the empress hoped I would lose my affection for Sigren over this.
“That’s right.”
I recalled the strangely androgynous and beautiful songstress, Carli. Was she, after all, an agent of the empress?
“So, hurry up and take your last chance.” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Paul lifted the bouquet.
“It was Prince Sigren’s side that betrayed first anyway. There’s no need for you to feel guilty.”
“What if I refuse?”
“There’s a possibility that you might face personal repercussions, my lady. Or you could find yourself married to someone else.”
His threat was very direct.
“The empress seems to think she has everything under control.”
Once upon a time, I too had loved under that delusion. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I prepared to channel my mana and firmly said, “Oh, then I refuse.”
“Are you sure? The prince has betrayed your love.”
The betrayal of love? It’s a classic dramatic conflict in a love story.
“He didn’t betray me.”
Yes, I believed in him.
I should talk to Sigren soon.
I smiled and continued, “Even if he did betray me, I would make him pay the price with my own hands.”
This was not a classic love story.
“It’s a pity…”
Paul then threw the bouquet of flowers into the fireplace. The flowers quickly caught fire, sending smoke rising and thickening the air. He stepped closer to me, his hand slowly extending.
Was he going to attack?
I frowned as the scent of the burning flowers suffocated me. I quickly prepared to use magic by channeling my mana. Compared to monsters, dealing with a man like him was not even a chore.
“Huh…?”
However, there was no response from the magic that I had been using as naturally as I breathed. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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