The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 46.1

After dismissing the mourning ladies who had been sighing since the birds disappeared, Selice turned her gaze towards Nikolas.

“Could you walk with me for a moment?”

“I’ll accompany you, my lady.”

Nikolas rose from his seat and escorted Selise. Evelyn followed them silently.

Selice, who had been enjoying the spring garden, suddenly stopped and turned around.

“Can one create the apparition of a deceased person?”

Taken aback by the unexpected question, Evelyne responded calmly.

“If one knows their face, it is possible. It would be even better if we knew their mannerisms, way of walking, or habits.”

“I’m embarrassed to say this, but could you create an illusion of my late mother?”

This woman must long for her mother to make such a request. Though Evelyn didn’t know what she was up to, she was satisfied that they would have a chance to be alone.

“Please call upon me anytime.”

“Thank you, truly.”

Selice turned her gaze towards Nikolas.

“Perhaps you should ask this child for a favor as well. Don’t you have someone you want to see?”

Nikolas expression stiffened.

“Who do you mean?”

“Naturally, you would want to see your fiancée, and there is also your nephew who departed too soon, isn’t there?”

Both the mention of his nephew, Nasser, and the term “fiancée” caught him off guard.

“Why the sudden rush? You seem quite determined,” said Nikolas with a composed voice.

A gloomy expression flickered across Selice’s face as he replied.

“It is proper etiquette to let the dead rest in peace, my lady.”

“As I observed, you keep thinking about her… Perhaps the old lady had a hand in this.”

Nikolas looked at Selice with a bitter expression.

“It’s not just you, my lady. After hearing about Pia, even your mother was the same. She asked if she could see her great-grandson just once.”

Selice’s pupils widened.

“Did Lady Lauren really say that? How pitiful.”

Nikolas stared directly into Celis’s eyes.

“Do you think Olivia Lauren would speak such words out of sadness?”

“What are you implying?”

“She wants to see Nasser’s face before making her oath.”

Selice looked at Nikolas as if asking what he meant.

“She insists on stripping the skin off those who tarnished our grandson’s honor, leaving them all alive.”

A tense atmosphere filled the room, as if it would snap at any moment.

“Who dares to besmirch the honor of the Grand Duke’s lineage?”

Selice’s voice carried a hint of anger.

“The current Grand Duke’s wife, Evelyn Maddus.”

Evelyn trembled all over.

“But with that child…?”

“Do you think the same, my lady? That my nephew seduced his brother’s wife?”

After a moment of hesitation, Selice finally spoke. However, she couldn’t hide the trembling in her voice.

“Is it even possible? They are just ignorant fools spouting baseless rumors.”

Nikolas spoke with a cold and stern tone.

“Spread such absurd rumors and bring all those who have marred my grandson’s name here!”

Nikolas smirked and continued.

“I came here under the name of the Lauren Family.”

A chilly silence settled in the room. Even the renowned Selice Ajauntice de Laurentia seemed intimidated. Evelyn couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Madam, is there anything uncomfortable about this place?”

Nikolas looked at Selise, her face pale with disgust, and his expression turned worried.

“It seems that my shoes are causing discomfort. I should probably go back.”

“Oh, my, how thoughtless of me.”

Nikolas turned his face towards the gentleman again and escorted Selise. Evelyn followed behind them, scanning every corner of the garden with her eyes. Was there a cabin here? It’s the first time I’ve seen it. Evelyn suddenly stopped in her tracks. Nikolas, who was walking ahead, turned back with a puzzled expression.

“Pia, what’s wrong?”

What captured Evelyn’s gaze wasn’t the cabin. It was something familiar hanging from the large tree in front. Something that only she and the child, Anastasia, could recognize. A branch intertwined as if bending the two fingers of a newborn. It was exactly the same shape as the one she saw at the entrance of the dark forest.

“Ah, Anastasia. What on earth happened?”

Evelyn struggled to suppress a scream that was about to burst out.

“I tripped on a pebble. I’m fine, Master.”

“Be careful.” Nikolas matched his steps with Selise once again and continued walking. Intense emerald eyes clung to the back of the lady’s figure.

*****

Evelyn was led by Nikolas and finally returned to the mansion. He looked at Evelyn with a worried expression for a while, then went back to the annex. Evelyn had changed her clothes and was sitting on the sofa before Arthur came to escort her.

“Madam, how was the tea party?”

Rene handed Evelyn a warm herbal tea as she returned, pale and exhausted. After taking a sip of the tea, Evelyn let out a soft sigh.

“I think I found a clue.”

“Really?”

Thump! Evelyn placed her teacup on the table and raised both hands. She extended her pinky fingers on both hands, then crossed them over and bent them.

“What is that?”

“This is a promise between Anastasia and me.”

Rene looked puzzled.

“What kind of promise?”

A deep voice suddenly cut in. Evelyn’s shoulders trembled at the familiar voice. She lowered her head deeply when she saw the man walking towards her. Evelyn raised her head slightly, then quickly lowered it again. A bandage on her chin was clearly visible.