Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 137017 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 685(@200wpm)___ 548(@250wpm)___ 457(@300wpm)
Hmm. I really had fucked up the story, hadn’t I?
Never mind.
At least I’d messed it up in my favour.
“What can I do for you, Lady Lillia?” I asked. “I didn’t expect you to come and see me.”
“Ah.” She shuffled her weight from one foot to the other. “I was hoping I could speak with you for a moment.”
“Very well.”
“We can come back later, Allie,” Georgina said, moving to stand.
I waved my hand. “No, it’s fine. It won’t be a very long conversation. Please, stay.” I smiled at her before turning back to Lillia. “Let’s step outside for a moment.”
Lillia nodded and went out, and Rina stepped forward. “My lady, please allow me to accompany you.”
Right.
This was her job.
“Keep your distance,” I ordered. “I’m sure I know what this is about, and I doubt she’ll talk to me if you’re too close.”
Rina bowed her head. “I will stay within stabbing distance, my lady.”
Yep.
She was one of Kalon’s knights, all right.
“What is it about?” Sasha asked, staring at me with wide, curious eyes.
I smirked. “The fact I caught her trying to give Kalon her handkerchief earlier. She insisted it was a misunderstanding, but given that she’s here, I doubt it. I’m interested to see what her excuse will be this time. I’ll be back shortly.”
“The audacity,” I heard Georgina mumble as I left the tent.
Lillia was waiting for me a few feet away, and she turned as I approached. “Oh, are we not alone?”
“Rina is my knight,” I explained. “Don’t worry, she’ll keep a distance from us. Our conversation will remain private.”
“All right.” Lillia’s gaze was full of uncertainty when she looked back at Rina, but she brushed it off quickly. “Do you mind if we walk?”
I did.
Why did we need to walk?
Was I being too paranoid right now? It was all because of that weird feeling I’d had in my tummy all day—not to mention that I’d read enough books where the love rival steers the heroine to a secluded area, only for something to go wrong.
But was I the heroine or the love rival in this situation?
What a peculiar turn of events.
“Not at all,” I answered, falling into step beside Lillia. “What is it you wish to discuss?”
“I would like to apologise for earlier,” she said softly. “My actions have been weighing on me, and Your Ladyship was right to scold me in the manner you did. It was not my personal handkerchief you saw in my hand, but one I was indeed offering to the Grand Duke.”
“At least you’re wise enough to admit your wrongdoing.”
“Baroness Kilgard told me I should offer a handkerchief to a gentleman who caught my eye, but I wasn’t aware that it was a gesture of romantic interest. The Grand Duke was so kind to me at the ball last night that I merely wished to offer it as a symbol of my gratitude.”
It was a smooth lie.
Unfortunately for her, I could see right through it.
Mostly because Kalon hadn’t been that kind to her last night.
“I understand you were upset by my actions, and I—”
“Lady Lillia,” I said coolly. “Do you take me for a fool? Perhaps you’re unaware, but Baroness Kilgard was once my etiquette teacher. She’s a diligent woman who wouldn’t send you off into high society without ensuring you were fully aware the meaning of all your actions. You and I both know what you were doing when you offered your handkerchief to him, so please do not insult me by insisting otherwise.”
She stilled.
Gotcha.
“Contrary to your belief, I was not upset by your actions. You’re free to express your interest in anyone you like, whether it be platonic or romantic, but it would be best if you did so after considering your position. I chose to play along with you earlier because it’s your debut, and a lady’s debut should be a time of joy and excitement, but if you continue in this manner, I will no longer be doing such a thing.”
She dipped her head, clenching a fist at her side.
“However, my advice to you still stands. There’s nothing I can do if you hold a romantic interest in the Grand Duke, as your feelings are your own. In fact, you may even approach him and inform him of your position if you so wish. There is little I can do to stop you.” I clasped my hands together in front of me as I stopped at the edge of the forest and turned to look at her. “With that being said, you should seriously consider your actions. Our engagement is not one that came about on a whim. I am the eldest daughter of House Vermillion, and not only is Kalon the Grand Duke of Stein, but he’s the First Prince of the Sada Empire. His Majesty released an Imperial Order for our marriage just two days ago. If you think to pursue him even after this, there is a very high chance that my father, Marquess Vermillion, would consider your actions to be an insult towards our house. You would also be blatantly disregarding an order from His Majesty.”