My Child Is A Villain - Chapter 54
Some of the ladies gathered around faltered at Viscountess Erath’s words, wearing embarrassed expressions. However, amidst their embarrassment, they couldn’t help but show their curiosity.
I had a feeling something like this might happen.
That’s why Adele had discussed it with Lucas beforehand. After all, all of this was for Ronschka’s sake. There was nothing to hide now that they were here. She replied confidently, “Yes, I have an adorable son.”
Viscountess Erath was momentarily speechless at Adele’s unexpectedly confident response. “You have no shame, do you?”
It took her a while to muster her words while fanning herself with her fan, but the atmosphere had already shifted.
“Should I be ashamed?” Adele tilted her head, feigning ignorance.
Viscountess Erath didn’t press Adele any further. Seeing Adele’s nonchalant response, and with Lucas joining them shortly after, she realized there was no point. Usually, in such gatherings, women mingled with women, and men with men. But it seemed that Lucas held his betrothed in high regard.
So, Viscountess Erath began to withdraw subtly. And as the central figure among them did so, the others followed suit, becoming more cautious with their words. In particular, Baroness Chira began to act kindly toward Adele, as if she would even offer her liver had she asked.
“Is this your first social activity? If so, I might be able to assist you.”
“Thank you, but I’m well-versed in all matters. You needn’t worry.”
Though it was somewhat awkward to speak so politely throughout, that day, Adele played her role perfectly, just as Kish had trained her to do.
***
“Waaah!”
As soon as Adele arrived in the room, she kicked off her shoes and leaped onto the bed. Her dress got wrinkled, but she didn’t care at all.
The dinner invitation from Count Montpel was the beginning. The subsequent invitations were all equally daunting. Despite Lucas’ best efforts to coordinate, it was incredibly exhausting.
Are all these ladies Energizer bunnies? Adele sighed and blinked. She felt too tired to even remove her makeup or change out of her dress.
After a while, the maids came into the room and helped Adele. Thanks to them, she managed to change into comfortable clothes, and then Ronschka came to find her.
“Mom, are you very tired?”
“No, not at all.”
As she spread her arms, Ronschka rushed over and hugged her.
“It doesn’t seem like it.”
“Well, let’s just say I’m a little tired.”
Adele said, lightly kissing Ronschka’s cheek. His soft and plump cheek involuntarily drew her lips.
How can someone be so cute!
It wasn’t just because he was her son; objectively speaking, he was adorable.
I feel so much better now.
Holding Ronschka made her fatigue melt away.
More importantly, the real party isn’t that far away.
The pretext for the party was to celebrate the return of the emperor’s younger sister, who had been studying abroad. Adele had heard that the scale of the party for the imperial family would be as grand as it gets.
First and foremost, it’s best to avoid dresses of the same color as the imperial family. Similarly, one should steer clear of dresses resembling those worn by ladies of high rank. Fortunately, Lucas’ family was of the duke’s rank, and most of the ladies from respected families who would attend were older, so the chances of overlapping dresses were low, she was told.
After avoiding overlapping dresses, the next step was to choose accessories.
“You shouldn’t go for something too cheap,” Kish said firmly. “You should use accessories within the price range appropriate for your rank.”
Then she was given even more expensive accessories with a hefty price tag.
“Can’t I just use what I already have?” The accessories they had picked out in the boutique didn’t seem cheap either.
“It might be fine under normal circumstances, but not this time.”
I wonder if Lucas’s financial situation is really okay despite spending like this, Adele worried again.
“On that day, Miss Adele must look more perfect than anyone else.”
The noble society was indeed complex. Adele thought she could avoid Heirn just by getting engaged, but to come this far…
Nothing in this world ever came easy.
***
Amidst the hustle and bustle, time flew by, and before she knew it, it was the morning of the palace party.
Adele had slept well and started preparing. After finishing procedures almost identical to those of the engagement ceremony, she put on the dress she had prepared in advance. The subdued, pale green dress suited her perfectly without being overly extravagant. She had tried on other colors, but as it was during the engagement ceremony, this color suited her best.
After completing all her preparations, she finally put on the white gloves. Stepping outside, she found Lucas waiting for her.
“Adele.”
Her heart skipped a beat as Lucas turned to face her.
“Does he ever wear anything that doesn’t suit him?
Even dressed in rags, he would still radiate charm. With his attire perfect as well, her heart couldn’t help but race. Adele placed her slightly trembling hand on Lucas’ arm.
“Are you worried?” Lucas asked in a gentle voice, seeming to misunderstand her trembling.
She couldn’t just say, “I’m trembling because you’re so handsome.” So, Adele nodded, feigning apprehension.
“I’m fine. I won’t leave you alone, so don’t worry.”
It was a reassuring statement.
The two of them got into the carriage after leaving the mansion. Ronschka and Leon both seemed eager to come along, but this time, they had to be left behind. Since Adele hadn’t yet firmly established herself in society, she feared what might happen if she brought the children along.
And so, they headed toward the palace.
***
With long, sparkling golden hair cascading down, and eyes as blue as a lake, the princess with the exquisitely beautiful face gazed out the window.
“Princess Amanda.” Lisa, Amanda’s personal maid, approached with a smile. “It’s been a while since we’ve been back home, hasn’t it? Are you looking forward to the party?”
“A little,” Amanda answered quietly, turning her head. “But is that rumor true?”
“What rumor are you referring to?”
“Don’t pretend you don’t know. The rumor about Sir Lucas getting engaged.”
Lisa laughed awkwardly. “It seems so. He’s even registered at the temple.”
“That’s absurd!” Amanda’s delicate eyebrows furrowed. “He said he’d never marry anyone, and now what? He’s engaged? What about me, who has been waiting all this time?”
Her blue eyes flickered with intensity.
“Princess.”
Lisa, looking at Amanda like that, also felt sorry for her. Lucas was a perfect man in many ways, but he lacked a lot. That’s why she didn’t think he could make the princess happy. Having thought so, when the emperor tried to send Amanda abroad, Lisa agreed. She believed that even a few years outside might change her mind.
But I was wrong.
Amanda’s heart hadn’t changed. If anything, it seemed to have grown stronger.
“I heard the fiancée is coming today too? I’ll have to get a good look at her face.”
Amanda bit her lip tightly. If an unsuitable woman stood beside Lucas, she was determined to somehow get rid of her.
***
“Finally, the day has come.” Similar to Amanda, Selexion, a man with brilliant golden hair, raised his wine glass and smiled. “Engagement, huh. Lucas has changed a lot, hasn’t he? Isn’t that right?”
The man sitting opposite him replied in a cold voice, “He has changed in a strange way, but it seems true.”
“In what strange way?”
“He’s coveting what belongs to others.”
“Coveting what belongs to others, huh? Are you talking about Lucas’ fiancée?”
“She’s not his fiancée. She was originally mine.”
The glow from the fluorescent lamps illuminated the man’s face sitting across. With his long, curly red hair and red eyes, Heirn, who had been hidden for a while, was revealed.
“Are you even married?”
“She has borne my child.”
“Hmm.” Selexion tilted his wine glass again, wearing a contemplative expression. Despite his demeanor, Heirn still spoke with a stern face.
“Your Majesty, the party is about to begin. Please refrain from drinking further.”
“I purposely sent away the guards; now you want to lecture me?”
“It’s not like that.”
“No, well, I was going to stop drinking anyway. I suppose most people have arrived by now.”
As Selexion shook the bell on the table, a servant who had been waiting hurried over and stood beside him.
“Prepare.”
“Yes.”
All the nobles had already arrived. However, Selexion, without concern for them, began his preparations now. It was something he could do as the emperor.
“Then I’ll go out and wait.”
“Go ahead.” Selexion waved his hand half-heartedly to Heirn. Though his demeanor lacked dignity, there was no one here to point that out.
Storyteller Wook's Words
The princess' name is so common, so I was expecting the emperor's name to be like "Richard" or something. Then comes "Selexion". What?
Comments for chapter "Chapter 54"
NOVEL DISCUSSION
Support Site
"We require funds to enhance and develop additional features for the site! If you'd like to show your support, consider buying us a Ko-fi. Additionally, explore our more affordable subscription tiers for novels under the Teamaster's name."