Chapter 69: Change
Livya Priscilla was a girl who lived a perfect life in everyone’s eyes. First of all, she was very beautiful and came from a high-profile family. No matter how picky she was as a lady, her elegant manners were always the object of admiration. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Livya, you’re of marriageable age now.”
Livya raised her head. The woman discussing her marriage was not her mother but the Empress of the Empire. What she said felt like an overreach, but Livya responded calmly.
“I’m indeed of age, but I still have a long way to go.”
The Empress laughed as if she had heard a funny joke.
“You? That’s impossible. You are the most perfect bride in this empire.”
“That is an undeserved compliment.”
The Empress treated Livya like her own daughter and inquired about her marriage, which felt burdensome to Livya. She knew the Empress’s intentions.
“It’s beautiful to see your modesty. But everything has its place. Think seriously about it.”
Livya almost wondered who was supposed to think seriously about what. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“My son… Enoch may have a temper, but he has a good heart.”
Enoch was the name of the crown prince. The Empress wanted her son to marry Livya.
“Don’t you notice that Enoch likes you too? You must be aware of it.”
The biggest reason the Empress wanted Livya to become the crown princess was her family. If Livya became the crown princess, the Priscilla family, who had always maintained neutrality, would surely align with the crown prince. This was also why the Empress treated Livya as if she were her own daughter. Moreover, whether it was due to her wariness of the new prince or something else, the Empress’s invisible urgings grew more insistent.
“When a man and a woman in their prime stand together, what a perfect match, isn’t it?”
“That’s an overstatement, Your Majesty. How could I decide on my own marriage?”
“What could be more important than understanding the minds of the parties involved?”
Of course, Livya didn’t have strong feelings for the Crown Prince. But she couldn’t say that in front of the Empress. In the end, she could only offer excuses as always. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Yes, you’re right, Your Majesty. But I’m still very immature, so I’m just following my father’s will.”
The Empress looked at Livya with a hint of secret regret.
After Livya left the palace, she sighed as soon as she was outside.
‘How long will I be able to hide behind the excuse that I’m obeying my father’s will?’
Fortunately, her father, Duke Priscilla, respected his daughter’s opinion. He did not force her to marry a man she did not like. Having such a father in a noble society where arranged marriages were common was a great fortune for Livya. However, it would be a burden for her father if he had to continue rejecting the royal family’s secret marriage proposals, especially since there was no good reason to refuse.
‘I need to find another way soon.’
In all honesty, Livya knew that having a fiancé would be the best solution for her. So she had been considering some of the eligible bachelors who suited her family’s expectations.
‘Are the Marquis Clovis and Prince Sigren about the same age?’
Objectively, neither of them was a bad choice. However, if it were Prince Sigren, her father would eventually have to abandon his neutral position. As for the Marquis Clovis…
‘I’m not comfortable with our personality compatibility.’
She had met Marquis Clovis more than once. Like herself, he always hid his innermost thoughts. She loathed their similarities. She was not a kind person, so he likely wasn’t either. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com. They were the type of people who constantly weighed the pros and cons and were driven by greed. However, this type of personality could help one establish a strong position in noble society.
‘Well.’
Lost in thought, Livya accidentally bumped into someone while turning a corner.
“Oh, excuse me.”
At the same time, the person she collided with grabbed her arm. Once she regained her balance, their hands fell away, and she saw who it was.
“Prince Sigren.”
A “Who the hell are you?” expression appeared on Sigren’s face but soon disappeared.
‘That’s strange.’
It wasn’t because Livya was very confident, but she was sure there were only a few men who wouldn’t remember her. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
Livya wondered if her presence had begun to fade.
“My name is Livya Priscilla. I made a mistake—”
Sigren lightly waved his hand.
“No, it’s okay. I’m also at fault here.”
Saying so, Sigren pressed his own forehead. Livya Priscilla. He seemed to remember that name.
“Ah, you’re acquainted with Fiona…”
“Sigren!”
Then, the voice of the person he had just mentioned rang out. When Livya heard the prince’s name, her eyes widened.
Sigren seemed to think, ‘Oops,’ upon seeing Livya’s expression.
Fiona appeared around the corner, clearly having run there in a hurry.
“As expected, you’re here. What I said last time—”
“Lady Fiona.”
Fiona paused when she heard Sigren address her as “Lady” with a warning tone and then noticed Livya. Realizing her mistake, she quickly adjusted her words. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“No, it’s— I’d like to speak with you. I have something to ask…”
Fiona inwardly cringed at her lack of proper etiquette towards an imperial family member.
“Well, Your Highness, Prince Sigren.”
Sigren sighed silently at her awkwardness, but Livya pretended not to notice Fiona’s mistake.
“It’s been a while, Lady Fiona.”
Fiona couldn’t hide her embarrassment. “Long time no see, Lady Livya.”
Livya smiled. “I heard that you were ill after the hunting competition. I’m glad to see that you look healthy now.”
“Yes, I’m very healthy now.”
Livya had just come from the Empress’s palace and wondered why she had run into these two. She glanced around and saw that the Empress’s palace was already far behind. It looked like she had taken the wrong way. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
‘Did I just walk around while lost in thought?’
The other two were also staring at Livya, perhaps having similar questions.
Livya responded honestly, “I’m afraid I’ve lost my way.”
Fiona laughed softly. “It happens. I get confused sometimes, too.” Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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