The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 45.1

Nikolas swiftly crossed the room and took his seat. “Your Highness, it seems you returned late yesterday. Did you rest well?”

“I rested splendidly with my lovely wife,” he replied. Mischievousness disappeared from Nikolas’ face. After a moment, he regained his usual expression and spoke, “I came here because I sensed something troublesome.”

“What happened?”

“Lady Glen invited me to a tea party.”

A smile spread across Ilya’s face. “That’s fortunate. You can go and entertain the ladies, then come back.”

His smile deepened. “You’re good at that sort of thing.”

Nikolas chuckled, appearing somewhat roguish. “That might be awkward. I should attend with a lady by my side.”

A crease formed on Ilya’s forehead. “A lady, you say?”

“Yes, Pia. The enchantress has also been invited.”

Nikolas smiled brightly. “The role-play ended in the Black Forest. There won’t be another occasion where Evelyn becomes Pia.”

“Really? It seems like Lady Glen’s vanity is not satisfied with just enchantment.”

Ilya’s eyes narrowed, as if asking for further explanation.

“Princess… the government’s daughter, not a princess though. Anyway, the Emperor’s only daughter has been deeply immersed in enchantment lately.”

The current Emperor’s aunt was Selice’s’ mother. The only countess of the House of Ajauntice, a member of the imperial family, takes pride in her noble lineage. That was all Selice Ajauntice, no, Selice Glen, was about.

“Thanks to that, all the ladies in the capital are in search of a hallucinologist,” Ilya remarked.

“It’s quite a commotion,” responded Nikolas.

“It’s akin to coveting the beautiful jewels and dresses that others possess.”

“My wife is not an object of amusement,” Ilya declared firmly.

“Although I concur, Countess Glen will not easily relinquish the idea of having a hallucinologist,” Nikolas added.

“That seems to be the case. What the princess possesses is something she believes she should have as well,” a daring voice interjected.

[I wish to attend your aunt’s tea party, assuming the role of Pia.]

Ilya’s fingers brushed against the scar beneath her chin, and she felt a pulsating sensation as if the wound itself were reacting.

Do even dogs bite their owners sometimes? Ah, well, go ahead and inquire properly.

After a brief hesitation, Ilya made her decision and fixed Nikolas with a steady gaze, issuing a warning.

“Evelyn is… your subordinate. Ensure her well-being. Do not allow her to be bitten by treacherous women.”

“I am skilled at handling snake-like women.”

“Who’s to say you aren’t a venomous serpent yourself?”

Nikolas chuckled, exuding confidence.

****

Several days later, Evelyn transformed once again into Pia, preparing to attend Selice’s tea party. Adorning herself with a scarf and robe, layered twice, she reminisced about her initial journey as Pia to the enigmatic Black Forest.

Rene had been observing Evelyn intently all the while, sensing that there was something more to the tea party. When she caught sight of the faint marks on Ilya’s chin, her suspicion solidified into certainty.

After a brief moment of hesitation, Evelyn finally broke her silence.

“When I first arrived at the Grand Duchy, there was a maid I was close to. Her name was Anastasia. She was a child, you see,” Evelyn began.

“I don’t recall seeing her in the annex. Is she a child working in the main building?” Rene inquired.

“She’s gone,” Evelyn replied, her face overshadowed by a cloud of sadness.

“My aunt hosted a tea party in the Grand Duchess’s garden last spring and took the maids from the annex,” Evelyn continued, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

Rene listened attentively, providing a safe space for Evelyn to share her thoughts.

“Since then, Anastasia never returned. When I inquired about her, she had supposedly run away during the night,” Evelyn said, her head bowing down.

“Your Majesty doesn’t believe that,” Rene interjected.

“No, I had convinced myself of it, but this time, something strange caught my attention in the Black Forest,” Evelyn revealed.

René’s eyes widened in curiosity.

“In the Black Forest…?” she echoed, urging Evelyn to continue.

“It was a pair of intertwined branches, bearing a mark known only to him and me. It was within the barrier of trees,” Evelyn explained, her words stumbling out.

“It could be a mere coincidence, but I felt that if I simply let it pass, I would regret it for the rest of my life.”

Rene smiled warmly, understanding the significance of Evelyn’s decision.

“So, the brave madam has chosen to become Pia once again,” Rene remarked, her expression playful.

Evelyn nodded quietly, affirming her choice.

As they stepped into the reception room, accompanied by Rene, Nikolas was already there. He rose from his seat, greeting Evelyn with a smile.

“Apologies for being late. Arthas refused to come, so I had to persuade him,” Nikolas explained.

“Haha, it seems Rene has been quite effective in spreading rumors,” Evelyn replied, sharing a lighthearted moment with Nikolas and Rene, their words aligning seamlessly.

Instead of Nikolas residing in the annex, Pia was living in the Matop, a peculiar hallucinologist secluded in the research laboratory. Furthermore, he was a mercenary who would create anything for the right price.

“To leave me alone in a place where such a dangerous hallucinologist roams around… Arthas caused quite a commotion,” Nikolas chuckled, bending over with laughter. Evelyn found the situation amusing as well and joined in their laughter.