Chapter 47: The beginning of The Change
The time when the plot began had finally arrived. Sigren and Fiona were now at the age when the original story started. The first significant event was the imperial palace ball, held at the end of the month-long flower festival, where a large number of nobles from the capital would attend. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“That ‘illegitimate child’ makes his appearance today, right?”
“Shh… be careful. There are rumors that His Majesty will appoint him as the official prince.”
Naturally, the biggest topic of discussion at this time was the sudden emergence of a young man named Sigren.
“Isn’t it rare for an illegitimate child to be officially appointed as a prince? Especially with the current emperor’s personality…”
“But he’s the first person to succeed in subduing a dragon.”
The nobles gathered in small groups, whispering about him. The noble girls who attended the ball with their parents were also abuzz with anticipation and concern over the emergence of a new prince.
“I heard he’s a very handsome man.”
“Oh my… I also heard he’s a very mean and cruel person. Well, it’s plausible, considering he’s been living in the northern region of Heilon.”
“Heilon, you say… isn’t that a very dangerous territory?”
“The danger of the territory isn’t the only issue. I’ve heard that because the place is full of monsters, even the locals are violent.”
The distance between the capital and Heilon was vast, leading to a lot of uncertain information. Naturally, rumors about Heilon were rampant in the capital. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Ah… I also heard a rumor that there’s a powerful but extremely cruel magician living there… they say when he’s angry, a storm rages.”
“I think I’ve heard that too… Oh my gosh, let’s just hope the new prince can at least speak properly, like a human.”
Among the capital’s aristocrats, the most common perceptions of Heilon were that it was ‘barbarous’ and ‘always sinister.’ However, these were, of course, all just prejudices.
Heilon was a place where adventurers, mercenaries, and merchants actively interacted. It had once been a barren land, but now it was one of the wealthiest regions. Business was thriving. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. However, not many people recognized these facts. Among the nobles, only those with real insight could see the true value of Heilon, and they rated it highly. At the same time, they closely monitored Abel’s every move.
“Lady Priscilla, what do you think?”
At that moment, Livya, who had been wearing a bored expression while listening to the other girls’ conversation, looked up. As soon as her red lips parted, her soft voice rang out. “Well, it’s something you have to decide after seeing what happens, isn’t it?”
Livyia was the only daughter of Duke Priscilla. It was no exaggeration to say she was the most powerful young woman among the noble girls.
“Still, there’s another rumor that’s causing quite a stir in the noble circles, almost as much as the news of the illegitimate child becoming the official prince. I heard a daughter of a low-ranking noble has recently been proven to be a saintess.”
Livya spread out her splendid fan studded with jewels, pretending to yawn with a bored expression. “The noise is so loud, it’s giving me a headache.”
The girls around Livyia quickly exchanged glances and then responded in agreement. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Is, is that so? That’s what I thought too!”
“Yes, I agree with Lady Priscilla.”
Just then, the lively chatter around them suddenly quieted down. The girls looked around with puzzled expressions at the sudden change in the atmosphere of the ballroom. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“It seems that young man is the rumored illegitimate son.”
“The rumors that Duke Abel Heilon supports him must be true.”
Apparently, the subject of all the gossip had arrived. The noble girls who had been discussing Sigren moments before fell silent as they caught sight of his face.
“….”
Livyia glanced toward the source of everyone’s attention with disinterest. But as she saw Sigren entering, a faint smirk began to play on her lips.
***
‘Oh my… is she really making eye contact with me?’
After I entered the hall, I felt someone’s gaze on me. I looked around and spotted a beautiful woman with reddish-brown hair and matching eyes looking at me from the direction where the noble girls had gathered. Her faint, coy smile was quite striking. I recognized her immediately. That was Livya Priscilla.
I couldn’t believe I was seeing the villain before even meeting the heroine.
In the novel, Livya is the character everyone calls a villain. She had high self-esteem and took great pride in her lineage, which made her someone who, once she decided to get something, would stop at nothing to achieve her desire. That included Sigren. She became interested in him the moment she saw him. For her, Eunice, who was getting closer to Sigren, was simply an obstacle in her way. Later on, she gave up when all her efforts failed. She was, in other words, a very typical character. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
I couldn’t help but feel a bit sympathetic toward her. Now, I found myself in a similar position—a villain. Thinking about this, I almost wanted to give her some advice on finding someone better than Sigren.
“Sigren, you sinful man…”
“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
I shook my head lightly at Abel’s question beside me. “It’s nothing.” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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