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Chapter 89: The Choice is yours
As we moved away from Sigren, Livya murmured.
“His highness…, unexpectedly he has that kind of side too, doesn’t he?”
“He’s not usually like that….”
“Then it must be only for Lady Fiona.”
Livya and I had moved to a more secluded place. It was a women’s lounge. But there was no one except me and Livya.
“Is there something you want to say to me?”
Livya grinned. “Lady Fiona is surprisingly straightforward, aren’t you?”
Ah, right. I had to use the way how nobles speak. In my defense, I’ve been used to being in the middle of battle, I had to be direct in my speech — we would die if we were to talk in a roundabout way—so this kind of mistake happened sometimes.
“Umm.. is something wrong?”
“Do you remember the agreement we had before?”
“Yes, I do.”
It was the agreement we made during the hunting competition. However, because the monsters attacked, it ended in vain.
“Could I renew that agreement?”
Renewal?
“Why?” I asked curiously.
“Nowadays…Well, there’s nothing I can say other than Her Majesty, the Empress, has been giving me too much attention.”
I wondered what that empress did. The only impression I had of the empress was that she had an argument with Abel.
“Ah, but I hope you don’t mind listening to it first.”
“I can’t do anything to the Crown Prince, though?”
Well, I did kick him at that time when there were no people around. Ugh, I got heated when I thought about it!
‘I’ll pay back higher.’
But I was not sure if I could be that helpful to Livya.
“I know, that’s why, in this case, it’s more like I’m betting on Lady Fiona’s future possibilities.”
I rolled my eyes. What was she expecting?
“Isn’t it better to bet on His Highness, Prince Sigren, than me?
Livya responded with a blunt answer. “I like strong people.”
“His Highness Prince Sigren is also strong….”
“I know. But what my own two eyes have seen clearly is your strength, not the prince’s. I’ve seen your strength twice.”
“Two times?”
“The first time was when you saved me from the Crown Prince, and the second time was what you did at the hunting competition.”
Oh, right.
“The prince…. I don’t think he’s bad. He’s definitely not. I’ve also thought about him positively even without Lady Fiona mentioning him. However.”
“However?”
Livya suddenly made an angry expression.
“I don’t like people who can’t remember my face and even associate me with other women.”
“What?”
I think that part needed a little explanation.
“Previously, I met His Highness, Prince Sigren, accidentally. But when he saw my face, he said, ‘oh, you’re familiar with Fiona..’”
Uh.., so she didn’t like that? Apparently, Sigren had slightly hurt Livya’s pride.
Livya raised her chin and continued her words.
“There’s never been a man who hasn’t been thinking of me after they saw me for the first time.”
She was completely confident. And being confident without looking hateful was also an ability.
“Besides, isn’t it the same thing whether choosing Lady Fiona or Prince Sigren, anyway? Seeing Prince SIgren earlier.., I think it would be even more beneficial to bet on you…”
She was not wrong. Sigren and I were on the same side, regardless.
I sorted out the information I had for a second.
“So, you mean you’re looking forward to my future ‘possibilities’ and helping me, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Does this also mean the request is not from the Priscilla family?”
“That’s regrettable, but yes, that’s correct. I can’t ask my father to change his political position for the sake of my greed.”
It was unfortunate, but there was nothing I could do about it. I kind of wanted to ask her to persuade her father, but I knew it was not possible. I knew her nature. If I force her to persuade her father, it would only backfire.
“I’m not getting help from the Lady of Priscilla, but from Lady Livya.”
“Correct.”
It was really a personal request. It was a bummer, but at some point, I could understand her. Also, it seemed to me that there was another reason why she chose me instead of others to help her with her problem with the crown prince.
“How can I help you?”
I wanted to know what plan she had, not because of profit but out of pure curiosity. I wanted to know what we were going to do in this contract.
“Lady Fiona and I are becoming more intimate openly in noble society.”
To sum it up—
“Isn’t that just being friends?”
“….”
Livya’s expression darkened. She looked like she had never thought of it that way.
“Could..could it be interpreted that way?”
Uhh, first Sigren, and now this girl, were both weak in an unexpected way.
‘This weakness of hers makes her look cute, though.’
Anyways, there was nothing wrong with being friendly with Livya. Apart from this ‘contract’, well, I was not close to girls of my age, but sometimes I’m bored, so I think this was a good contract.
“….”
“….”
We were engulfed in an awkward silence for a moment. Livya’s attitude made me strangely awkward.
Ugh, how should I end this kind of situation?
I finally broke the silence, reaching out my hand.
“Um, please take care of me from now on.”
Livya coughed a bit and soon regained her usual bearing, smiling.
“Please take good care of me too, Lady Fiona.”
We shook hands.
As expected, the unique confident attitude was the best match for this girl.