Chapter 82
‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.
While Emilia was lost in thought, observing the woman with snow-white hair, she suddenly realized another pair of purple eyes was scrutinizing her. Startled, she retreated from the window.
“Uht.”
He’s looking right at her.
The illusion of locking eyes with Adrian choked her breath. Emilia covered her mouth with her hand and clutched the curtain.
His gaze still seemed directed at the floor where she stood.
Eventually, Emilia withdrew her gaze from the pair.
The Duke and now the King. Could it be that her room is clearly visible from the outside?
The suspicion felt rational, yet when she looked out, nothing inside was visible. How could that be…
‘That’s impossible.’
Emilia shook her head. She sat on the edge of her bed, recalling those violet eyes.
Violet eyes.
Both Lady Luther and Adrian had them.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Madam, it’s Dell.”
Dell, who had gone out to fetch books, knocked on the door cautiously. Emilia called her in, feigning calm.
Dell entered, revealing the books she had smuggled in her arms with a proud smile.
“Good heavens!”
Emilia received the book, smiling in response.
“It must have been hard to find, being banned.”
“I have quite the extensive network. A friend of mine runs an old bookstore. I remembered seeing this book in the storage while helping clean it. Wasn’t sure, but luckily, it was there.”
The book detailed the Stein royal family thoroughly. With its delicate and specific descriptions, Emilia started reading with anticipation.
“By the way… His Majesty the King has arrived.”
“I saw him just a bit ago.”
“Aren’t you going to see him?”
“It’s fine. He must think I’m still not fully conscious.”
“Ah, right, the doctor said you need to rest well…”
“I’ll just read this and then go to bed. Don’t worry.”
“Really? Promise me.”
“I’ll only look at this for a moment and then lie down quietly. But, do you know who came with His Majesty?”
“Ah! That’s Lady Leah von Chevron. His Majesty’s cousin.”
“…His cousin.”
Nodding, Emilia couldn’t stop thinking about the woman in the white dress.
* * *
As Leah stood before the impressive man, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. The broad shoulders and the perfect physique captivated her, and she was hit by a wave of grassy scent.
Or was it a rose?
The subtle scent touched her so strongly her heart pounded.
But nothing compared to his red eyes, which were too intense to stare directly into.
Golden hair as bright as the sun. Eyes as hot as if they could see through everything.
As her heart raced uncontrollably, Leah realized no amount of imagining when hearing stories could have prepared her for this encounter.
“Leah.”
Overwhelmed by Mikhail’s gaze, Leah clasped her hands tightly, looking up at him.
“Leah von Chevron,” Leah snapped back to attention at Adrian’s irritated voice.
“Ah! …I’m Leah, the daughter of Count Chevron.”
“Your Majesty, she hasn’t even made her debut yet.”
He dismissed Leah’s greeting with ease. It was obvious that the visit seemed unwelcome for him but she simply gazed at him with sparkling eyes.
Adrian, seemingly unaffected by the Duke’s clearly displeased demeanor, brushed it off.
“Sure, but I’m here, so what could possibly go wrong?”
“You could be embroiled in unnecessary scandals.”
“I won’t hold you responsible, so no need for the Duke to worry.”
Mikhail’s brows furrowed, withdrawing his gaze from Leah to take a seat.
Leah found herself unable to avert her eyes from him. Even seated, her glance repeatedly drifted his way.
“What brings you here without notice?”
“You must have received the letter?”
“If it’s about the wedding, wasn’t it to be arranged by the royal household?”
“So, you truly have no interest at all.”
Mikhail glanced at his watch while sipping tea.
“You could have just sent the documents.”
“We need to discuss this face to face. The wedding will be in a week, and the invitations will be sent out soon.”
“Understood.”
Leah quietly observed their conversation, not interrupting while merely sipping her tea.
‘…Marriage.’
It’s alright. They’ll soon be divorced anyway.
But would she want to divorce such a handsome and impressive man?
Leah thought of Mrs. Heinrich. Though not yet wed, they were officially a couple.
Effectively, Leah would have to seduce a married man, but that aspect didn’t bother her at all.
“But I don’t see the Duchess around.”
“She’s unwell, so she took some medicine and fell asleep.”
“Is it serious?”
“Just a cold,” Mikhail said nonchalantly.
“For her not to greet the King who came, could it be seen as disloyalty?”
“If you insist on seeing her, I’ll bring her here.”
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