Chapter 132: Tug of War

    A few days later, I was processing the invitations addressed to me as usual.

    “Oh, this drink is delicious.”

    I took a sip of the drink Livya gave me.

    Livya smiled contentedly seeing my reaction.

    “Still, the alcohol is suprisingly strong, so drink it slowly.”

    I glanced at Livya. She was pretty today as well, and she gave off the scent of a luxurious perfume that was in fashion these days.

    I sighed silently. It was truly a great pity to her enemy if she was in the princess side.

    “What can I do for you?”

    Livya’s voice turned sharp as there was someone approaching us.

    I also turned my head.

    “…”

    It was a guy who I’d never seen before. He was a man with a slender build in a black suit. His fox smile gave off people the feeling of ‘intimacy’.

    I didn’t know this guy, but Livya seemed familiar with that face. The hostility that appeared on her face was rather sharp.

    “Oh my, I apologize to disturb you, ladies.”

    “Apologize accepted, then you could leave, Count Bill Curtis.”

    Bill Curtis? I frowned. It was familiar name. It was the sender of the strange love letter.

    Despite Livya’s cold reaction, the man still has a smile on his face.

    “I’m sorry, but I have a matter to discuss with you companion, Lady Priscilla.”

    “What is it?”

    “It’s an honor to meet you, Lady Fiona Heilon. Please call me by my name.”

    I blew my nose at that cheap trick.

    “I don’t think that’s going to happen. As far as I remember, this is the first time I’ve met you. Right, what is it?”

    “Have you received my letter sometimes ago?”

    “Yes I got it. But I think my respond has been clear enough.”

    By not replying at all.

    “Could you spare me a moment of your precious time?”

    Why was this guy suddenly interested in seeing me? This was annoying. I think I could understand why Livya didn’t like this guy very much, because now I found him very unpleasant.

    I wanted to know what matter this guy had, but I felt sorry for Livya as it would a bother for her.

    “Okay, but only for a moment.”

    It was not a good thing for a noble lady to be alone with a man she didn’t know well and who had a crush on her. However, because it was me who was the noble lady, I could make an exception since I had the power to suppress the bad things that could possibly happen. If he was going to do something sinister, I could just grill him a whole…

    Wait, wasn’t that too much? Gosh, I felt like my mind was getting a little radical as the days went by.

    Bill Curtis and I arrived at the terrace.

    “It seemed like you don’t understand. So, I’d tell you in advance, Count Curtis. Not replying itself was a refusal.”

    “I know.”

    You knew that yet why did you call me, you bastard?

    “But I still want to have just one intimate talk.”

    I crossed my arms. Hopefully, that intimate matter won’t test my patience.

    “Sure, what is it?”

    Bill Curtis grinned.

    “I know Lady Fiona very well.”

    “…”

    I almost flinched as if something was poking me. But I answered sarcastically with my calm face.

    “What? The fact that I am an illegitimate child? Oh lord, there are many people who talk about that as my weakness.”

    He paid no attention to my hard attitude.

    “No, not that kind.”

    Anyway, I can’t be bothered by these words.

    I asked irritably. “Then what do you know?”

    Bill Curtis smiled and held out his hand.

    “If you come with me, I will let you know.”

    What the fuck.

    “My lady, I’ve already written it in the letter. If we are together, we could do everything in this world. Please, make a wise choice.”

    This guy was the type of a person who could not be swept away just once move.

    I could see why Livya was so hostile.

    “I don’t need it, and I don’t care. I’m going, Count.”

    Bill Curtis let out an exaggerated sigh.

    “It’s a pity. Then please accept this.”

    He pulled out a black envelope from his chest.

    “If it’s a letter, I don’t need it—”

    I wanted to return to the hall quickly, so I took the invitation letter and turned around.

    Then I heard Bill’s voice behind my back.

    “My lady, please think about it. At least, I’ll be worth a lot more than His Highness if I’m the one who is on your side.”

    “…”

    So now, he dared to talk about the value of Sigren?

    I turned around. “Hearing what you’ve said changed my mind.”

    Bill’s face lit up. “Did you decide to go with me?”

    “No.”

    I smiled.

    shriek—

    I tore the invitation I was holding in half.

    For the first time, a look of bewilderment appeared on Bill’s relaxed expression. I guessed he didn’t expect I would react like this.

    I dropped the torn invitation to the floor and smashed it with my heel. Then I smiled a rather arrogant smile that Abel often did.

    “This is my answer.”

    I gave a cold warning. “If you ever again try talking about the value of the prince one more time, I won’t let it go.”

    “…”

    I turned around without looking back.

    Tak— Tak—

    The sound of my high heels as I stepped forward in anger resonated clearly in the hallway.