Chapter 89: The Choice is Yours
As we moved away from Sigren, Livya murmured, “His Highness… unexpectedly, he has that side to him, doesn’t he?”
“He’s not usually like that…”
“Then it must be just for Lady Fiona.”
Livya and I had moved to a more secluded area, a women’s lounge. However, it was empty except for the two of us. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Is there something you want to say to me?”
Livya grinned. “Lady Fiona, you’re surprisingly straightforward, aren’t you?”
Ah, right. I needed to remember to use the formal language typical of nobles. In my defense, I had been accustomed to the direct speech of battlefields where indirectness could be fatal. This mistake was just a slip.
“Umm… is something wrong?”
“Do you remember the agreement we made before?”
“Yes, I do.”
It was the agreement we made during the hunting competition, which ended up being useless because of the monster attack. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Could I renew that agreement?”
“Renewal?” I asked, puzzled. “Why?”
“Nowadays… Well, there’s nothing I can say other than Her Majesty, the Empress, has been giving me too much attention.”
I wondered what the Empress had done. The only impression I had of her was that she had argued with Abel.
“Ah, but I hope you don’t mind listening to me first.”
“I can’t do anything about the Crown Prince, though?”
Well, I had kicked him when no one was around. Ugh, I got heated just thinking about it!
‘I’ll make him pay.’
But I wasn’t sure how helpful I could be to Livya. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I know, that’s why, in this case, I’m betting on Lady Fiona’s future possibilities.”
I rolled my eyes. What was she expecting?
“Isn’t it better to bet on His Highness, Prince Sigren, than on me?”
Livya responded bluntly, “I like strong people.”
“His Highness Prince Sigren is also strong…”
“I know. But what my own two eyes have seen clearly is your strength, not the prince’s. I’ve seen your strength twice.”
“Twice?”
“The first time was when you saved me from the Crown Prince, and the second time was what you did at the hunting competition.”
“Oh, right.”
“The prince… I don’t think he’s bad. He’s definitely not. I’ve thought positively of him even without Lady Fiona mentioning him. However…”
“However?”
Livya suddenly wore an angry expression. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“I don’t like people who can’t remember my face and even associate me with other women.”
“What?”
It seemed that part needed some explanation.
“Previously, I met His Highness, Prince Sigren, by accident. But when he saw my face, he said, ‘Oh, you’re familiar with Fiona…’”
Uh, so she didn’t like that? Apparently, Sigren had slightly hurt Livya’s pride.
Livya raised her chin and continued. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“There’s never been a man who hasn’t been thinking of me after seeing me for the first time.”
She was completely confident. And being confident without appearing hateful was a skill in itself.
“Besides, isn’t it the same whether you choose Lady Fiona or Prince Sigren? Seeing Prince Sigren earlier… I think it would be more beneficial to bet on you…”
She wasn’t wrong. Sigren and I were on the same side, after all.
I took a moment to organize my thoughts.
“So, you’re looking forward to my future ‘possibilities’ and helping me, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Does this mean the request isn’t coming from the Priscilla family?”
“That’s regrettable, but yes, that’s correct. I can’t ask my father to change his political position for my own benefit.”
It was unfortunate, but I couldn’t change that. I wanted to ask her to persuade her father, but I knew it wasn’t feasible. I knew her nature—if I forced her to convince her father, it would likely backfire.
“So, I’m not getting help from the Priscilla family, but from Lady Livya?”
“Correct.”
It was a personal request. While it was a bit disappointing, I could understand her position. There seemed to be another reason why she chose to involve me rather than others in her problem with the Crown Prince.
“How can I help you?”
I was curious about her plan, not for personal gain but out of genuine interest in the nature of this contract. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“Lady Fiona and I will be seen as more intimate in noble society.”
To sum it up—
“Isn’t that just being friends?”
“…”
Livya’s expression darkened. It was clear she hadn’t considered it that way.
“Could… could it be interpreted that way?”
Uhh, first Sigren, and now Livya, both seemed weak in unexpected ways.
‘This weakness of hers makes her seem cute, though.’
Anyway, there was nothing wrong with being friendly with Livya. Apart from this ‘contract,’ I wasn’t close to girls my age, but sometimes I got bored, so this seemed like a good opportunity. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
“….”
“….”
We were engulfed in an awkward silence for a moment. Livya’s attitude made me feel strangely uneasy.
Ugh, how should I end this situation?
I finally broke the silence by extending my hand.
“Um, please take care of me from now on.”
Livya coughed lightly and soon regained her usual composure, smiling.
“Please take good care of me too, Lady Fiona.”
We shook hands.
As expected, her uniquely confident attitude suited her perfectly. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.com.
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