Chapter 181: Loose Leash
Sigren and I wore the same ring. It was both amazing and surreal to see it. Sigren must have sensed my thoughts; he wrapped his large hand around mine. The rings, with their similar designs, sparkled under the lights. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Congratulations on your engagement, my lady.”
“You two look great together.”
Numerous people offered their congratulations. When I looked around, I spotted Sir Kane Erez, one of Sigren’s knights. I couldn’t help but flinch for a moment.
“Sir Kane is here.”
“It’s better than the Marquis Erez coming in person.”
“No, I’m just worried something might happen if he runs into Carl.”
“Carl wouldn’t act so carelessly in this kind of situation, I think…”
“The phrase ‘I think’ at the end is very unsettling…”
I scanned the venue. Fortunately, Carl was nowhere to be seen. Still, I couldn’t shake my anxiety, so I grabbed Kane’s arm.
“Sir Kane, please always take care of yourself.”
“Ah, I hope you are always healthy, my lady…” Kane responded awkwardly to my unexpected greeting. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“How is the Marquis doing?”
Kane smiled awkwardly. “Yes, he’s been resting well these days.”
The Marquis Erez had been absent from noble circles since the empress was imprisoned. There were even rumors that his position would be passed to his son. Honestly, I thought it would be better for Kane to take the position quickly, as the rumors suggested, since he had more sense than the Marquis.
“Then, have a good time.”
Sigren and Kane exchanged light greetings. It seemed true that these two had become close friends, though every time I asked Sigren about it, he would deny it. I decided not to press the matter, considering my fiancé’s shyness.
When I turned my head, I spotted familiar faces: Livya and Eunice.
“Shall we say hello separately?”
“No, let’s go together.”
I looked at Sigren and Eunice alternately. The scene felt surreal, especially since in the original story, it was Fiona who participated in Eunice and Sigren’s engagement party.
“Lady Eunice.”
“Lady Fiona.”
Eunice smiled broadly. It was a beautiful smile, as always.
I would need to have a serious talk with her sometime about the issues with the darkness. Eunice’s power was absolutely necessary. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Congratulations on your engagement! The scene at the training ground last time was also really cool.”
Sigren stepped back as he watched Eunice chatter at me like a bird.
After talking to Eunice, I turned to Sigren and asked, “Do you not like Lady Eunice?”
“No, I don’t. It’s just that I’m a bit uncomfortable around that type of person.”
“What type of person is Lady Eunice?”
“Should I say she’s the innocent, pure type? I don’t dislike it, but I worry about how to interact with someone like her. Especially since she is your friend, I can’t make a mistake.”
“Aha.”
Was it because he had grown up among mercenaries for so long?
“But then you treat Lady Livya without much thought?”
Sigren sighed. “It’s easier to deal with a person who has that kind of personality.”
Oh, speak of the devil—Livya approached us. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Congratulations on your engagement, Lady Fiona.”
“Thank you for coming.”
Livya looked at Sigren with a smile that was not the usual one she wore in society. It was a smile laced with subtle annoyance—a high-level technique in high noble society, I must say.
“I am very sad that Lady Fiona got engaged. But our friendship will remain the same; we will always be as close as before.”
Wow, Livya really has Sigren on his toes! Sigren didn’t want to lose, so he pulled me closer by the shoulder, wearing a confident smile. His demeanor at this moment was so different from the discomfort he showed when facing Eunice earlier.
“I apologize, but I think that would be difficult, Lady Priscilla.”
My heart was pounding. It felt like a love triangle between a handsome man and a beautiful woman. I wondered whether I should enjoy or end this situation. In the end, I chose to smile bashfully.
“I like both of you. I hope we can all spend time together someday.”
Livya and Sigren looked stunned.
“That’s great! I’ll invite you next time.”
As we walked away from Livya, Sigren lightly pinched my cheek and grumbled, “You like both?”
That was because it was hard to give up both a handsome man and a beautiful woman… Of course, I didn’t say this out loud; Sigren would be angry.
“Don’t be jealous of my friend.”
“Don’t tell me I’m in a similar position as Lady Livya?”
His childish jealousy made me giggle. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“I get it. Let me correct myself: I don’t like you.”
Sigren rolled his eyes, taken aback by my words.
I kissed his cheek. “I’m in love.”
“Fiona, you…” Sigren’s face turned slightly red.
“What? I thought you wanted me to tell you what you like to hear?”
“Say that when we’re alone.”
Oh my god. I slapped him on the shoulder and glanced at him. “Don’t visit me at night from now on.”
Sigren grinned. “I was planning on visiting more often, though.”
Oh my lord. I never thought he would say something like this one day.
While I contemplated whether to hit him again, I heard a voice from behind us. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“What at night?”
Both Sigren and I stiffened in surprise upon hearing that voice. It was Abel. When we turned around, Abel stood with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Even if you’re engaged, Sigren’s access time is still until 8 o’clock.”
Sigren immediately made a dissatisfied face. Of course, it was just for show. He would still visit my balcony regardless of the time. That was a secret, though.
“Don’t tell me you plan to keep us from meeting until our wedding, Duke?” Sigren started to adopt a princely attitude.
“Your Highness, I never thought I would say something like this…” Abel grinned. “I plan to stick to the rules.”
The two men exchanged disapproving glances.
“Don’t fight.”
Abel pretended to be sad. “I can’t believe my lovely daughter got engaged by throwing dirt in her father’s face…”
“I struck with a lightning bolt, to be exact.”
I thought being struck by a lightning bolt was definitely more deserving of sadness than just being thrown dirt. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Sigren grabbed my hand and whispered, “Let’s go outside for a while to avoid that nag.”
I looked at Abel’s face for a moment and couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Then I followed Sigren.
****
Check out my Patreon to read advanced chapters!
