Chapter 133: Tug of War
When I entered the venue, I headed straight for Livya. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
She saw my expression and immediately handed me a glass. “Not very pleasant, is it?”
I downed the cold drink in one gulp. “Yeah, now I see why you’re so hostile toward him.”
Livya sighed. “For me, it’s not just about his behavior. He’s also created a new clique in the social circles.”
“A clique?”
“Yes. I’ve heard they’re running a secret club and inviting some nobles. Very shady business.”
I remembered the black envelope Bill Curtis had given me. Was that an invitation to this club?
“A suspicious club?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Livya tilted her head. “Yes, very suspicious. He makes strange claims, like he can teach people how to control monsters or save victims of the darkness. Something like that.”
Those claims piqued my interest. “Is there any truth to it?”
“Of course not! That’s something even the imperial palace mages and generations of saints couldn’t achieve after dozens of attempts. But somehow, it’s gaining popularity among the nobles. I hate it, though.”
“Starting today, I hate him too.”
Livya raised her glass, and I grinned, picking up a fresh one from a waiter’s tray.
“To our comradeship.”
Clink—
The sound of our glasses meeting rang out clearly.
“Never mind Bill Curtis,” Livya continued. “Lady Fiona, you may not be familiar with it, but there are plenty of noblemen who try to gain attention through empty boasts in high society. Especially toward a noble lady like you, there are many who’ll try to attract your attention. It’s very possible he’s just doing that to seduce you.” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I nodded in agreement. “Right.”
Livya then pointed her glass toward a specific direction.
“Well… just as it’s inevitable that noble ladies flock to the handsome prince.”
I followed her gaze. Indeed.
A group of noblewomen had gathered around Sigren, and, unlike his usual shy self, he was actually engaging with them.
I suddenly understood why Livya had brought up the topic of engagements the other day.
Livya smiled slyly. “So, what do you think? Are you going to just watch this time?”
“Nope, not anymore.”
“Oh my.”
I had already felt a bit jealous when Heather Arden sneaked into Sigren’s room the other day—how could I not be now? But barging into their circle and declaring, “This man is mine!” while completely sober felt a bit embarrassing. I needed a little liquid courage. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I took another drink.
Livya quickly tried to stop me. “Lady Fiona, stop drinking!”
“Well, since I can’t put on an iron plate on my face (brave face), I’ll at least need to put some alcohol in it.”
I downed another glass. As my head began to feel light, I realized I’d probably had too much, too quickly. My vision wavered slightly.
Woah… Here we go!
Now, I felt like I could say anything embarrassing without hesitation!
I staggered toward Sigren, just barely managing to keep my balance. I sensed Livya trailing behind me, both worried and curious.
As I got closer, I overheard one of the girls asking Sigren who he was dating. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Wait,” I interrupted, before breaking through the circle of noblewomen and wrapping my arms around Sigren’s back.
“Your Highness, are you going to cheat on me? Aren’t you going to be engaged to me? You will, right?”
Sigren turned halfway around, clearly embarrassed, and made eye contact with me.
I laughed out loud in the sweetest voice I could manage. “Didn’t you say you’re mine before?”
That was the last sentence I could muster as my consciousness began to fade little by little. It felt like I was slipping into another dimension.
That was my final memory. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
***
Sigren supported the staggering Fiona, glancing at Livya, who was closely following them. His eyes seemed to ask, Why didn’t you stop her from drinking?
Livya smiled and replied, “Lady Fiona encountered a terrible man earlier and was upset after meeting him.”
Sigren frowned. “A man? Who is it?”
“Why don’t you ask her yourself, Your Highness?”
‘And then it would be nice if you could deal with that annoying Bill Curtis’, Livya thought insidiously, aspiring to be the tyrannical queen of society.
“Ah, however, the reason she got drunk like this is because of you, Your Highness.”
“Me?”
Livya smiled beautifully—a smile so captivating that nine out of ten people would look back at it. “Why don’t you ask about that as well, Your Highness?”
Sigren remained unfazed by Livya’s enchanting smile, thinking, ‘She is really a strange woman’. He hoped that Fiona wouldn’t spend too much time with her, but since Fiona liked her, there wasn’t much he could do.
Trying to support Fiona proved to be a hassle, so he simply picked her up. The surrounding crowd had already been noisy, but it grew even louder when he lifted her. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I’d like you to step aside,” he said firmly.
People slowly retreated, some young ladies with tears in their eyes, but they felt powerless to intervene.
Sigren carried Fiona to the carriage. Both of them had an extremely average drinking capacity. In her case, she would feel energetic after drinking, but once she reached a certain limit, she would fall asleep. Although her drunkenness was calm, it was still concerning to those close to her.
“Mmmm…”
Fiona tossed and turned as Sigren attempted to lay her down on the carriage seat. She feebly regained her senses for a moment. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Sigren rested Fiona against his side, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
“Fiona, what happened?”
“Sigren cheating…” Fiona mumbled.
“Stop talking nonsense.”
“Playing around with other girls—”
“Last time, you told me to be kind to other young ladies.”
“Ah!” Fiona pressed her palm against his lips while keeping her eyes closed.
Sigren was stunned. It was frustrating because he wanted to kiss her. He was confused about whether she was conscious or not, but it was definitely possible to have a conversation. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Okay, if you don’t like it, I won’t do it in the future.”
“Uh… umm…”
Anyway, that wasn’t the point. Lady Priscilla suggested he ask Fiona directly.
“Fiona, what kind of guy did you meet at the ball?”
Only then did Fiona slowly open her eyes, revealing an expression that indicated she was completely drunk.
“…ah… umm… it was the person who sent me the suspicious love letter the other day.”
Sigren’s voice naturally hardened. “Love letter?”
Fiona seemed to sense the subtle change in his tone, even in her drunken state. She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“….”
Sigren expected this answer. It was a habit of Fiona’s; if he showed any sign of concern, she would typically brush it off as “it’s fine.” However, now that she was drunk, she might reveal more than usual. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘Just take it slowly.’
All he had to do was not show that he cared too much.
Sigren began to work earnestly. He picked her up and placed her on his lap.
Fiona groaned and settled back comfortably in his arms.
Sigren pressed his lips lightly to her cheek and whispered softly. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Fiona, just rest comfortably. So, what happened with the letter?”
He ran his hand slowly through her long silver hair.
Fiona then began to vent her dissatisfaction at his leisurely behavior, which was completely different from before.
“Earlier, I met a man who gave me a strange love letter.”
“….”
Sigren felt very offended by that sentence but chose not to show it for now. Thankfully, holding Fiona helped him calm down.
“Then?”
“Well…”
Seeing her hesitate again, Sigren kissed her chin and gently soothed her. His lips brushed against her neckline and exposed shoulders. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Fiona let out a short laugh in his arms, perhaps feeling a little ticklish.
Sigren asked again, “So, what happened?”
Fiona leaned her head against his shoulder, as if fatigue was washing over her again.
“We met today, and he was annoying as hell. He irritated me to death, saying nonsense about how he would be worth more than you…”
Almost there.
Sigren kissed her forehead and whispered one last time, “What’s his name?”
Fiona, who was dozing off from her drunkenness, barely answered, “Bill Curtis…” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
***
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