Chapter 50: The Beginning of the Change
After we got away from the crown prince, Livya released my arm. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“My father looking for me was a lie, wasn’t it?”
“Was my interference not helpful?”
“No, it was great improvisation. Thank you for your help.”
I smiled brightly. “I’m glad it helped you.”
“Come to think of it, I wasn’t able to introduce myself earlier. My name is Livya Priscilla.”
“My name is Fiona Heilon, Lady Priscilla.” I had mentioned my name before, but I introduced myself again out of courtesy. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Please call me by my first name, not my last name. May I call you Lady Fiona as well?” Livya asked in a soft tone.
“Sure.” I was pleasantly surprised by her friendly attitude. It was a nice change.
“It’s the first time I’ve met Lady Fiona in the social circle.”
I replied honestly, “I’ve been in Heilon all the time… This is my first time coming to a banquet in the capital.”
“Ah, Heilon… A place that really intrigues a lot of people.” Livya smiled warmly, her expression thoughtful. “Anyway, I appreciate your help. I really want to repay you.”
I smiled at her. “What do you mean by paying back? I didn’t do it for that.”
“If you say so… Ah, my family is planning to host a small tea party soon. Would it be okay if I invited you?”
Given that it was a tea party hosted by Livya, most noble girls would likely be invited. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“It might be a bit odd to call it paying back, but perhaps this could help Lady Fiona adjust to the social scene more quickly.”
With that said, it was hard to refuse.
“Then… I’d be grateful for your invitation.”
“Great! I’ll send you an official invitation to Heilon’s mansion later. Once again, thank you very much.” Livya flapped her fan and then moved away.
I stared blankly at Livya’s red dress for a moment before coming to my senses.
Somehow, I got to know Livya and developed a friendship. Although it was a bit unexpected, it wasn’t a bad thing. Livya was an influential noble in the social circle, so being invited to her tea party would certainly make it easier for me to fit into the capital’s noble society. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
There was one thing that worried me: Livya’s role in the original plot as a villain. However, she hadn’t been mean to me earlier. Even though she was a villain in the story, I couldn’t ignore what had happened right in front of me. Furthermore, Fiona and Livya hadn’t had any contact, let alone conflict, so helping her seemed justified… right?
Ugh, I helped her because I felt I had to at that moment. I might regret what I did later, but screw it. Whether I regret it or not, it seemed better to act than to do nothing. I’d deal with any regret when it came.
‘Whatever happens in the future, there will surely be a way to handle it.’
Those words had been lingering in my mind lately. Strangely, I was beginning to adopt that mindset, especially with Abel on my side. In today’s situation, it seemed I had already offended the Crown Prince. Although I planned to lay low for a while, no one knew what the Crown Prince might do. But I had a path to face him: Abel. No matter how noble the Crown Prince was, he wouldn’t be able to attack me openly because of Abel. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
No matter what, having Abel on my side was the best decision. Even if someone tried to approach me, I didn’t have to deal with them myself. He could simply give them a cold glance, and they would shut up and walk away.
I scoffed slightly while recalling the Crown Prince’s behavior. If this were Heilon, someone like him would have had a vital part of his body removed immediately.
I straightened my back and walked away, ignoring the curious glances that clung to me once again.
***
The Crown Prince, Enoch, was deeply irritated. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘All of them are so arrogant!’
Livya Priscilla. She was a woman he had admired for a long time. She was beautiful and came from a powerful family— the perfect woman to stand by his side. Furthermore, if Livya became his Crown Princess, the Priscilla family, which had always remained neutral, would be on his side. This would undoubtedly strengthen his position. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. Livya, too, would gain immensely: she would become Crown Princess and eventually Empress. Such opportunities didn’t come by mere luck.
At least, that was what Enoch believed.
‘How dare she keep rejecting me?!’
Initially, Enoch thought Livya was merely playing hard to get, so he tolerated her behavior and even enjoyed the chase. But lately, his patience was wearing thin. How could she continue to reject him? It was absurd. He was the Crown Prince, second only to the Emperor in nobility!
Enoch ascended to the second floor and looked down at the main ballroom on the first floor, hoping to spot Livya, who had cheekily rejected him and then fled.
‘Has she already gone home?’
He couldn’t find her anywhere. Instead, he spotted another woman.
Did she say Fiona Heilon?
It was the woman who had rudely taken Livya away from him. Earlier, he hadn’t been able to see her face clearly because Livya was in the way; he could only notice her hair color.
Looking at her now, she has a pretty face.
He didn’t know if it was common in the north, but in the capital, silver hair was a rare sight, and her bright red eyes made it even rarer. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. This unusual combination drew even more attention. Additionally, her pale skin and petite stature triggered a protective instinct. She was quite alluring.
Furthermore, she seems much more obedient than Livya.
Unlike Livya, who was beautiful but always arrogant, Fiona appeared more submissive.
“She said Heilon? But I don’t remember the Duke of Heilon ever getting married. Is she an illegitimate child?”
There wasn’t much information about her family, but if she were illegitimate, he could toy with her without much consequence. Moreover, a connection with the Heilons wouldn’t be a bad thing. While he had an interest in House Priscilla, having House Heilon under his influence wouldn’t hurt. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. Even if something went wrong, Duke Heilon would likely refrain from causing trouble with the Crown Prince over an illegitimate child.
The more he thought about it, the more intrigued he became.
“Fiona Heilon… it’s really not that bad.”
“What are you doing here?” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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