"And who are you, young man? I believe that coming to a party uninvited was already rude. I can also put you behind the bars for stepping into another family's business."
"By family, do you mean your family except Lady Chiara?" The man's voice seemed to become much deeper and colder as he uttered every word.
Duke Florentine and Creyson became weary of the uninvited guest.
"What are you──"
"Because that's how I see it."
"What?!"
"Nobody asked her what happened, but everybody asked the other lady what happened to her face. Then all of you jumped up to a conclusion that Lady Chiara slapped her because she accidentally spilled wine over Lady Chiara's dress."
Hearing someone standing up for her was already overwhelming for Chiara, much more when he pointed out how they treated her with unfairness. She found the coat around her shoulders warmer
"We've stopped the interrogation since they're barely breathing. Both of them didn't admit who was behind that incident, Your Majesty." Zandro reported. He just came back from the underground prison of the palace.Carzus expected this much since those servants have families of their own. The Duke must've already done protective measures right before they hired those servants."Let them starve to death." He said coldly as he touched the mask on his face. "If Francia wasn't there, It wouldn't be possible for Lady Florentine to get out unscathed."A loud thud resounded on his office table when he slammed his fist on it. He really wanted to eliminate those people who tried to harm Chiara, but he needs evidence and witnesses though he also believes that it wouldn't be the last one. Maybe at this time the Duke was already planning something against the Lady.'Why do they hate Chiara so much?' Carzus asked
Red light district, located at the western part of the empire. This is the only land in the empire that isn't owned by a noble, this was given by the previous emperor to the current head── Elissa Beatrice.The only woman who beat the previous emperor in swordsmanship during their early twenties.This piece of news isn't new to Chiara. This is in fact one of the reasons why she wanted to come here, to see this woman who made a name for herself.But ...Chiara turned her head and saw several ladies wearing pieces of thin clothings on their bodies, revealing their sexy curves and alluring breasts.She turned red in embarrassment. She squinted her eyes at one of the ladies and those bouncing boobs made her self esteem decrease.'Ahh, why am I not blessed with large breasts like hers? Hah.'She thought helplessly, while the knights with her we
Of course, why would father and mother love me? It's clear that they adopt me to prevent this humiliation from happening to their precious daughter, Clareen.Chiara bit her lower lip with a heavy heart as her father continued his ruthless words."Chiara, don't you think this is the perfect time to repay all your debts to this family? After all, we've fed you and dressed you for so many years, this is just a little payment I'm asking for."His cold voice crushed her fragile heart, how long has it been since she lived here in the Florentine mansion as a slave?Yes, a slave.She was the first lady of this family by paper, but in reality, she was treated like a slave that even servants would dare to harass her.What fed? What dressed? All the foods she ate in this house are leftovers by her little sister, the real daughter of the Duke of Florentine household. Eve
"General, the emperor is at the royal villa." One of the imperial knights reported to the general of the royal army respectfully."Mm." He responded. He looked at the brightly lit and overly luxurious villa on his right and scoffed in his head. Royal villa ... That disgusting being is at it again. He thought referring to the emperor's hobby of taking young ladies of every noble family and forcing them into his harem.Another knight approached and bowed his head in fear, "My L-Lord, the gate is o-o-opened like what you ordered me to do." He stuttered while holding on to his tiny hope of saving his life by taking the enemy's side, but his heart immediately sank after hearing the general's cold words."One word and you're trembling? If I keep you and someone told you to do the same while you're serving me ... will you also sell me off?""N-No, My Lord! No! I would never! P-please spare my life!" H
Now, the real problem began. How would she explain her disappearance to her husband?She reached the gate of Cales household, and the guards immediately let her in. No matter how curious they are, they wouldn't dare ask a question, especially because the Marquess of Cales is like a ticking time bomb these days that his wife disappeared.But his anger didn't seem to root from worry, because the moment the Marquess received a mysterious letter without a seal on it, his countenance changed, and he looks like he was ready to kill anytime.The lady, who was violated in the forest turned out to be Marchioness Lara Cales, the daughter of Earl Grey and was the most beautiful lady in her era.She was sought by every household, even the imperial palace, but she chose to marry Marquess Cales who was her lover at that time. This is also where the emperor's fetish of collecting young ladies into his harem s
"Ssh!" Simon hushes Lara while they're hiding behind the bushes. He made this big pile of bushes so that he could hide whenever runaway soldiers or rebels entered the forest, but now, two of them are actually using this."S-Simon ... I-I ... Hmmp!""W-what?! What's happening?!" Simon instantly panicked after seeing how pale Lara's face is."Aaaa ... AaaaahhHHH!"Her groans of pain suddenly caught the attention of the seven rebels, they immediately traced where the voice came from and found two people coming out of the bushes. One was a man, and the other one was a pregnant woman who's about to give birth."Man, this is troublesome! Two people saw our faces ..." One of the men with a cigarette in his mouth said while unsheathing his sword. His allies seemed to already agree to what the man said, they looked like they were ready to fight at any moment.Or more
"Ce .... Celestine, you said?" The big man tried to confirm the name he had just heard. "Y-Yes, that's right. She sent us here to live ... We are currently homeless, so I was thinking if──." "Young man, welcome to our humble village." An old woman approached them, that's when Simon noticed that all of the village people are smiling towards them now, unlike earlier when they just arrived. 'Err, what's happening?' "Y-Yes?" "That beautiful lady must be your wife?" "Ah, no ... I mean, y-yes, haha, she is my wife. And this is o-our child." Simon introduced them awkwardly, Lara blushed the same. "It's Celestine who brought you here and your family must be tired from your journey, follow me." The old woman who welcomed them is the village's head, Bernadeth. She took the three of them to one of the empty houses available in th
"You, did you take off your mask outside?" Carzus' mother, Lara, asked with a cold voice. She overheard some of her neighbors fawning about Carzus' appearance that morning, so the anger she held for long grew bigger and bigger as the painful memory of her past haunt her again.Carzus felt his body trembled in fear, 'Will I get hit again? Will mother disown me again?' are what going through inside his head. He took a deep breath and finally uttered, "Yes."Lara's brows knitted, she approached her son and gave him a slap. "How many times should I tell you that you mustn't take it off?!""I'm sorry, mother."Carzus ignored the stinging pain on his face and stood at the door like a statue. His mother made him a mask to cover his face when he turned three, and the only time he can take it off is when he's taking a bath, that means even at home, he has to hide his face especially in front of his mother who
Red light district, located at the western part of the empire. This is the only land in the empire that isn't owned by a noble, this was given by the previous emperor to the current head── Elissa Beatrice.The only woman who beat the previous emperor in swordsmanship during their early twenties.This piece of news isn't new to Chiara. This is in fact one of the reasons why she wanted to come here, to see this woman who made a name for herself.But ...Chiara turned her head and saw several ladies wearing pieces of thin clothings on their bodies, revealing their sexy curves and alluring breasts.She turned red in embarrassment. She squinted her eyes at one of the ladies and those bouncing boobs made her self esteem decrease.'Ahh, why am I not blessed with large breasts like hers? Hah.'She thought helplessly, while the knights with her we
"We've stopped the interrogation since they're barely breathing. Both of them didn't admit who was behind that incident, Your Majesty." Zandro reported. He just came back from the underground prison of the palace.Carzus expected this much since those servants have families of their own. The Duke must've already done protective measures right before they hired those servants."Let them starve to death." He said coldly as he touched the mask on his face. "If Francia wasn't there, It wouldn't be possible for Lady Florentine to get out unscathed."A loud thud resounded on his office table when he slammed his fist on it. He really wanted to eliminate those people who tried to harm Chiara, but he needs evidence and witnesses though he also believes that it wouldn't be the last one. Maybe at this time the Duke was already planning something against the Lady.'Why do they hate Chiara so much?' Carzus asked
"And who are you, young man? I believe that coming to a party uninvited was already rude. I can also put you behind the bars for stepping into another family's business.""By family, do you mean your family except Lady Chiara?" The man's voice seemed to become much deeper and colder as he uttered every word.Duke Florentine and Creyson became weary of the uninvited guest."What are you──""Because that's how I see it.""What?!""Nobody asked her what happened, but everybody asked the other lady what happened to her face. Then all of you jumped up to a conclusion that Lady Chiara slapped her because she accidentally spilled wine over Lady Chiara's dress."Hearing someone standing up for her was already overwhelming for Chiara, much more when he pointed out how they treated her with unfairness. She found the coat around her shoulders warmer
"Then I shall leave you here. Marquis Clermont will be coming with Creyson, so behave yourself and make your presence as little as possible."The Duke whispered."I understand." Chiara answered with bitterness. 'What a bunch of trash. When Creyson proposed to me, they were all against it. They even purposely treated the Marquis with indifference just to tell them how unimportant I was in this family. Now, they will greet the guests themselves and what, they want me to make my presence as little as possible? Hah. Ridiculous.'She sat at an empty seat near the white roses and poured herself some a cup of tea, not giving a damn to the people around her.'Serves you right. Don't you dare forget who is the real master of this house.' Clareen smirked and began exchanging compliments with the noble ladies surrounding her.How big of a difference. Clareen was like a flower surrounded by a bunch of butterflies
"Shiela ... I'm exhausted." Chiara complained without energy left in her body.Shiela woke her up before the sun rises, now it's already time to depart to the Duke's estate."What are you saying, My Lady? You look perfect!" Shiela said excitedly that her eyes turned into hearts."Kyaaa! My Lady is already beautiful, but her dress and everything made her beauty rise up to another level!""Of course, Lady Chiara is the prettiest!""I wonder what will His Majesty's reaction be when he sees My Lady like this?""Should you even ask that? Of course he'll fall over and over again! Aaahh My Lady is like an angel!"Several maids together with Fey are all fangirling behind Chiara who was already exhausted from all the beauty procedures she had to go through.This might be just a tea party, but this is also the first time that C
'What's with him all of a sudden?' Chiara asked in her mind while racking his brain for possible answers. Even her back was full of cold sweats.She looked at the man sitting opposite of her with legs crossed, leaning his back effortlessly while his cheek rested on his fist.'Aahh, why does this puppy look like a mad dog? Oh no, oh no! Wait, shouldn't I act angry because of our last conversation? When he said he will reconsider the marriage!' She calmed herself and nodded her head. But before she could utter a word, her thoughts turned into a mess again.'But what should I get angry about? Aren't I the one who suggested it? And even if he gets married, it has nothing to do with me. I-I ... suppose ...'"Please enjoy some tea." Shiela purposefully interrupted the heavy atmosphere. "I've prepared a chamomile tea for the Lady and mint tea for His Majesty. Both of these are for calming the body and mind
"I will have the dress delivered to your estate, may I know your address?" The young attendant's mother, Gretta, asked.Chiara was taken aback. "Can I just pick up the dress here tomorrow?" 'You see, I can't tell you that I live in the palace or you might overprice the dress. I don't have that much money, hehe, hehe.' She thought that way based on personal experience."O-okay then. I will immediately work on this dress and make sure that this will fit you. I will also add some details that I think will suit My Lady.""See you tomorrow then."Gretta and her daughter bowed as Chiara exited their shop. After the latter left with her carriage, they raised their heads and the tears they were holding back from earlier flowed non-stop."Mother ... I thought we wouldn't have a choice but to close the shop! Huwaaaaaaa!""I was thankful that I didn't pack everything ye
"My Lady, you were invited for a tea party." Shiela said with a gloomy face. 'Of all tea parties, why does it have to be that woman's party? Will My Lady come?'She glanced at her lady worriedly.Chiara glanced at the stamp of the letter and her mood also dropped. She didn't want to go, but she didn't want His Majesty to get involved in meaningless gossip if she turned down this invitation.She was sure that her dear sister who was the best at acting would spark a rumor about His Majesty being the reason why she can't attend the tea party. If that happens, then the people who looked disgusted with her sight will spread more false rumors because of Clareen's misleading.'I don't want that to happen. I'd rather put up with all the humiliation than drag innocent people on this. Especially not the one who helped me.'"Shiela, I managed to earn quite a sum of money. Let's go to the ca
"What?!""Who ... Who would do this to a young child?" Chiara mumbled. Her heart was so heavy. She suffered so much as a child, but the child in front of her was literally dying."Have you gone to the herbal shop yet?" Dale asked the child's father."Yes. But they don't have medicine left to treat wounds. He just gave me some medicine to reduce the pain, but ... but his wounds ...""Then why not just make one? Those old geezers."Dale tapped Wilner's shoulder. "They might not have the ingredients. The merchant that was supposed to visit the Capital didn't come for 2 weeks now, maybe that's why they ran out of ingredients."Chiara thought something and asked, "What are the ingredients they need? I can order the knights with me to get it for you."Everybody looked at her with gloomy eyes, "The ingredients for making medicines to treat wound