Betty’s jaw dropped at my words, but she nodded solemnly.
After a moment of pursing her lips, she seemed to decide it wasn’t her place to pry and brushed it off with an awkward smile.
Finishing my business with her, I stepped out of the general store.
But as I did, I noticed someone in a deep hood following me.
There hadn’t been anyone else in the shop—how did this happen?
Glancing back with suspicion, I saw only the empty street and a gust of wind.
What was that? I could’ve sworn someone was there…
Tilting my head, I quickened my pace, humming cheerfully while carrying an armful of precious herbs.
“Your Highness, it’s Alvin.”
The door to Prince Claude’s dimly lit study opened.
Alvin stood before Claude, seated on the sofa, and respectfully handed him a report.
“As ordered, I had a skilled operative compile this report on Lady Aselin’s activities today.”
Claude took the report and scanned the densely written pages, while Alvin asked, “Your Highness, Lady Aselin is your benefactor who cared for you through the night. Why investigate her? Is there something suspicious?”
“Just curious.”
“Pardon?”
“She’s the first thing to annoy me since my dog.”
Claude replied indifferently, reading the report.
Aselin had visited only one place today: Everything General Store.
A tacky name for the only place she’d gone.
Claude read the detailed account of her conversations and purchases.
His slow-moving red eyes suddenly halted on a particular line.
His brow furrowed sharply.
“What’s wrong, Your Highness?” Alvin asked, tense, fearing he’d done something wrong.
Claude’s gaze remained fixed on the report.
[Actually, my fiancé is impotent.]
Hah. Claude let out a short laugh, tilting his head to stare at the ceiling.
In the heavy silence, he spoke slowly.
“Alvin.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Why does this woman think I’m impotent?”
Late afternoon, Rachel’s face crumpled as she read the newspaper in the dining room.
“What’s this? Prince Claude Vial de Berta secretly engaged?”
Furious, she flung the paper to the floor.
“Who’s this wench that seduced my Prince Claude?”
Rachel glared at the crumpled newspaper, her eyes blazing.
No newspaper with a spotless reputation would publish a false story.
“No way! The noble Prince Claude, engaged to some other woman?”
Every girl dreamed of a prince on a white horse, and for Rachel, Claude was that prince—her eternal unicorn.
But now, it felt like some fox had stolen her cherished chocolate, and rage surged within her.
Trembling, she picked up the newspaper to confirm.
She desperately hoped she’d misread, but the word engaged stood out starkly.
The paper crumpled miserably in her grip.
“Then why did he ignore me back then?”
[Please attend my tea party. I’ll be waiting.]
After her debutante, she’d invited Claude to the manor when they met by chance at the palace.
He didn’t show up—not even a reply to decline.
Just a clean rejection.
Recalling that humiliation, a sob escaped her.
Rachel bit her lip, fanning her flushed face.
“Ugh, so annoying! I’m so pissed off!”
“What’s got you so worked up?”
Aselin entered the dining room with a calm voice.
Rachel scanned her sister’s appearance and sighed.
Dark circles under her eyes, gaunt cheeks, and skin so pale it was ghostly.
“Goodness, sister, what’s with that look? Up all night again?”
Rachel covered her mouth, feigning pity with a sigh.
She thought Aselin foolish for sacrificing sleep for research.
Such a drama queen.
Rachel smirked.
“Can’t you pay some attention to our brother’s business while you’re at it? I hear you’ve stopped developing new medicines, and the factory’s about to shut down.”
“He rejected my terms, so I saw no need to continue our partnership.”
“That’s a bit harsh, isn’t it? Can’t you help for the sake of the family?”
Aselin gave a light laugh at Rachel’s fussing.
“If you’re so eager to help, why don’t you do it?”
“What?”
“Your makeup, perfumes, jewels, dresses, daily tea parties—cut back on those, and you could save 5,000 trangs a month. That’d help the family and our brother, wouldn’t it?”
“What? That’s for maintaining my dignity!”
“Maintaining dignity shouldn’t be excessive. Or go earn something yourself.”
“What? Me, earn money? How would I do that?”
“Well, I suppose you don’t know how to do anything but spend.”
Aselin smiled brightly, her eyes crinkling.
Rachel’s face hardened like stone.
She stood, glaring at her sister.
Excessive dignity? That’s why you look like a pauper, reeking of poverty.
By beauty or noble virtues, Rachel was far superior to Aselin.
If not for her status.
If only she and her mother were the same.
If her father hadn’t been a commoner.
She’d have secured a proper noble title and become the wife of Alex, one of the empire’s wealthiest men.
Just you wait, Aselin. I’ll stand above you and crush you.
Rachel shot a venomous glare at Aselin’s back before storming out, grinding her teeth.
I salivated at the food on the table.
Juicy lamb steak and fresh salad.
Devouring it with gusto, my stomach soon felt full.
Patting my belly, I leaned back comfortably.
Sipping sweet hot chocolate for dessert, I noticed a crumpled newspaper at my feet.
Unfurling it, I saw the headline:
[Prince Claude Vial de Berta Secretly Engaged. Who Is His Fiancée?]
“What? How did this…”
I read the article with wide eyes.
It was supposed to be secret, so I was baffled.
Sighing, I scanned the text and was relieved my name wasn’t mentioned.
I needed to find out what happened before Alex or Rachel caught on.
Standing abruptly, the dining room door opened.
“Aselin, there you are.”
Alex showed up out of nowhere.
Despite my request through Dana to give notice, he hadn’t.
No shred of consideration, as expected.
Suppressing a scowl, I forced a bright expression, noting his recent gift barrage suggested he suspected something.
“How did you know I was here, Viscount?”
“Rachel said you’d be in the dining room.”
His eyes scanned the table, hinting he wanted to join.
Reluctantly, I pushed my chair under the table.
“I was just finishing and about to leave.”
“Then could you stay until I’m done eating?”
What, sit and watch him eat like some ornament?
He was as self-absorbed as in my past life.
How did I ever like this man?
Sighing inwardly, I sat back down.
If he sensed something and dodged before my plan unfolded, it’d ruin the fun.
Alex sat leisurely, eating at a glacial pace.
I was yawning by the time he finished.
When he finally set down his empty teacup, I spoke immediately.
“Done eating? Shall we go?”
“Aselin.”
Alex smiled slyly, locking eyes with me.
Why was he suddenly setting a mood? Then he continued.
“My dear Aselin, there’s something I want to hear from you today.”
“Oh, was the meal good? I hope it suited your taste.”
“Not that.”
“Then… oh, I forgot to ask after your family. Is the Dowager Viscountess well?”
Alex, a known filial son in my past life, shook his head, not breaking eye contact.
“No, not that. Look into my eyes. Don’t you know?”
I see your fishy eyes, alright. Just say it, you jerk!
Swallowing my rising anger, I forced a trembling smile.
Suddenly, he grabbed my hand, his eyes gleaming suggestively.
