The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 86

“Madam, don’t you think we make quite the team? Especially when it comes to plotting mischief,” Michellini remarked with a sly grin.

Evelyn nodded in agreement. She had always thought of herself as timid, but she found herself surprisingly bold whenever she was with Michellini.

“I’ll join you for the tea party,” Michellini announced confidently, but Evelyn’s expression remained troubled.

“Should we send an invitation to the Lady Yulie? We’ve already fallen out, and seeing her would be uncomfortable after that fight,” Evelyn voiced her concern.

“The Countess of Glen doesn’t know I’ve regained my memory yet. She still thinks I’m as clueless as her daughter,” Michellini replied with a smirk.

Evelyn’s mood darkened again as she remembered Yulie’s apologetic face from yesterday, after breaking a porcelain teacup. Michellini paused, then continued.

“If I were just any other simpleton, there’d be nothing good about it. But I’m a simpleton with money and power,” she declared with such confidence that Evelyn stared at her, mouth agape.

The pity she felt for Yulie vanished in an instant. How dare she, Evelyn thought, pity Yulie when Michellini was so unabashedly confident. The frustration clogging her chest since yesterday dissipated, replaced with a sense of relief.

Evelyn felt a growing admiration for Michellini from that moment on.

“What’s the point of having a rich father if you can’t use his money? Or I could always ask Sir Lauren for help,” Michellini continued.

“It would look better if we asked Sir Lauren,” Evelyn suggested thoughtfully.

Michellini rubbed her chin, pondering. “So, you’re saying we should ask him to sneak me into the theater troupe?”

“Exactly. How could the Countess refuse that?”

“Alright, then all I need is a new dress and some jewelry,” Michellini said, her excitement bubbling over.

As Michell laughed joyously, Evelyn couldn’t help but smile along with her. After a brief hesitation, Evelyn spoke up.

“Lady, after the Countess of Glen shows me her play, would it be impolite if I showed her one in return?” Evelyn asked, nervously glancing around but determined to voice her thoughts.

Michellini burst into laughter, charmed by Evelyn’s anxious yet candid demeanor. “It’s only proper to return what you’ve received. Those ladies will be thrilled at the thought of gossiping about it when they get home.”

Evelyn hesitated again. To pull this off, she’d need Nikolas’s help, but how could she ask such a favor from him? Securing a theater troupe from the Grand Duchy was impossible given the time constraints, and this region was a cultural desert. Finding a troupe that could meet the Countess’s standards on short notice was out of the question.

Misellini, who had been observing Evelyn with narrowed eyes, smiled. “I’ll ask Sir Lauren. Our family has more money than we know what to do with, so one or two troupes won’t make a difference.”

“No, I can’t let you—” Evelyn began, but her thoughts were already racing. She considered her few valuable possessions, wondering if they could cover the immense cost. Reluctantly, she realized she might have to ask Illya for help. She didn’t want to beg her soon-to-be ex-husband for money, but this wasn’t just her battle; it was a struggle between the Grand Duke and the Countess. It wouldn’t be fair for Nikolas to bear the cost of the internal power struggle within the Grand Duchy.

“Then I’ll bill His Grace for the troupe,” Michellinidecided.

“Yes, please do,” Evelyn agreed, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.

Michellini watched her with interest. “So, the big things are settled. We can handle the details later. I’ll head back now. I’ve been up and about since early morning, and I feel like I might faint.”

Groaning theatrically, Michellini stood and began to pack her book into her bag. Evelyn, who had been hesitating for some time, finally spoke up, her words timid and hesitant.

“Lady, have you… eaten?”

“I usually skip lunch…” Michellini replied, trailing off.

Summoning what little courage she had left, Evelyn blushed and lowered her head in embarrassment.  Michellin, noticing her shyness, continued with a playful glint in her eye.

“Starting today, I’m going to try eating more. I’ve been losing too much weight lately and need to take better care of myself,” Michellini replied with a wry smile.

Evelyn’s face lit up with delight. “Shall we go to the dining hall then?”

With a bright smile, Evelyn led the way and Mechillini followed. As they walked, Michellini called out to her companion’s back, “Next time, why don’t we dine at my villa? It seems like a better place for planning our mischief than here.”

Evelyn turned around and gave her a shy smile. “If His Grace allows, I’d love to come.”

Catching up quickly, Michellini fell into step beside Evelyn. Behind them, Arthas trailed along, his face etched with confusion. He whispered to Velina, “When did they become so close?”

“I have no idea,” Bellina replied, equally bewildered.

That night, at the entrance of the Tower of Confession, Ilya waited for Evelyn. He turned to Naz, who stood by his side.

“Did Sir Louis and Sir Navaron leave for the Count of Edith’s territory this morning?” Ilya asked.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Naz confirmed.

Ilya muttered with irritation, “There are plenty of others from Edith. Why did it have to be Louis?”

“The area is small, Your Highness. As a knight of the Black Forest, Louis is quite well-known there. He’s the only one who can move unnoticed. It’s his specialty,” Naz explained.

“So, who will replace Louis at the villa?” Illya demanded.

“Starting tomorrow, Sir Ione will be guarding the Madam,” Naz replied.

Ilya felt a sense of relief. Ione, who had gotten along well with Pia in the Black Forest, would likely not make Evelyn uncomfortable.

“Did you know the Madam has become quite close with Lady Luten?” Naz’s sudden comment took Ilya by surprise.

Ilya stared at Naz, his eyes narrowing in curiosity.

“What do you mean by that?” Ilya asked, frowning.

“Sir Velina mentioned it earlier. Lady Luten barged into the annex this morning and even stayed for lunch. They had a delightful time together,” Naz explained.

The thought of Evelyn and Lady Luten together seemed odd to Illya. He couldn’t fathom how his gentle wife had become friends with such a brash woman. Naz, however, seemed pleased.

“It’s good for the Madam to have a noble friend her age. Lady Luten comes from an excellent family and has a strong personality. She won’t bring any harm to the Madam.”

“True enough,” Ilya conceded. He decided he’d have to ask Evelyn about it when he saw her.

“Oh, look, here she comes now,” Naz said, spotting Evelyn’s carriage.

“You’re dismissed, Naz. You must be tired,” Illya said.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Naz replied with a bow. He waved to Arthas and Bellina, who rode close beside the carriage and then departed.

As the carriage came to a stop, Arthas and Bellina dismounted and greeted Ilya. “Your Highness.”

Ilya acknowledged them with a nod and then stepped towards the carriage. Arthas opened the door, revealing Evelyn in a pale lavender dress. She smiled shyly as their eyes met.

Ilya examined her closely. The pale, trembling woman he had seen the night before was gone, replaced by a serene and composed Evelyn. Relieved, he extended his hand to her. When she took it, he gently helped her down from the carriage.

“Did you wait long? I’m sorry I’m late,” she said.

“No, I arrived early. Let’s go inside,” Illya replied.

He turned to Arthas and Bellina. “Wait outside. I wish to be alone with my wife.”

“Yes, Your Highness,” they answered in unison.

With a protective arm around Evelyn, Illya led her inside, eager to hear about her surprising new friendship.

Ilya didn’t release Evelyn’s hand, guiding her steadily inside. When he bypassed the lift that led to the upper floors of the tower, Evelyn hesitated. He turned to her, meeting her questioning gaze.

“Your Highness, aren’t we going upstairs?”

“Tonight, we’re going to the underground.”

“There’s an underground here? I had no idea.”

“It’s only known to the Ajauntice family,” he explained, resuming his pace and gently pulling her along.

They walked down a dim corridor, relying solely on the torch Illya carried, as there were neither magical lights nor candles. Gradually, Evelyn’s eyes adjusted to the darkness, making the walk slightly easier.

“I heard Lady Luten visited you today,” Ilya remarked.

“She mentioned the Countess of Glen is hosting a tea party soon. She came to inform me,” Evelyn replied.

“That’s news to me. She seems to get information faster than I do.”

Evelyn hesitated, unsure how to broach the next subject. “She stopped by the magic tower and happened to meet Sir Lauren there.”

“How did he know about this?” Ilya’s tone was calm, but Evelyn could sense the underlying tension.

“The Countess asked Sir Lauren to arrange a theater troupe for the tea party. She wants to present a play.”

At the mention of a play, Ilya’s expression darkened. As a warrior, he had little appreciation for the arts, and after the disastrous event on Evelyn’s birthday, he developed an aversion to theater. He forced his features into a neutral expression and scoffed, “Why did Lady Luten feel the need to rush to the annex to tell you that?”

“She suggested the Countess wants to perform something specific, which is why she asked Sir Lauren for a troupe. What do you think it could be?”

Ilya stopped walking and stared at Evelyn intently. “Probably some cheap melodrama. You shouldn’t go. There’s no reason for you to be there.”

“Can I refuse to attend?” Evelyn asked quietly.

Ilya’s stern expression softened slightly as he considered her words. “You can if you wish. But if you think it’s necessary, we’ll find a way to handle it together.”

Evelyn nodded, feeling reassured by his support. They continued their journey through the underground, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead together.

“When the tea party happens, I’ll call for you. Stay in my office. There’s no way she’ll dare come there to drag you away.”

“But you might have to leave the castle. I don’t want to cause trouble for everyone just because of me.”

Irritation flickered across Ilya’s face. Evelyn feared this look but gathered her courage. She didn’t want to run away anymore.

“I want to show the Countess a play in return, but I’ll need your help,” she said, her voice steady despite her nerves.

Ilya was ready to snap at the mention of a play, but her follow-up gave him pause. “What kind of help? Do you want me to put on a sword show on stage?”

“No, I need money. A lot of it,” Evelyn said, looking him in the eyes.

Ilya’s eyes widened in surprise at her unexpected request.