NOVEL NEXT Chapter 110
“She said she was sorry for everything?”
“Yeah. She cried, saying she was sorry.”
“It’s an act. All of it.”
I turned my head sharply.
People don’t change that easily. If they really change, perhaps it’s only when they’re about to die. Remembering the emperor coughing up blood, I let out a sneer.
But still, she’s a better person than Endimion. At least she precisely recognized her mistakes and apologized.
My eyes narrowed. Endimion probably doesn’t even know what he did to Merilly, probably not until his death.
“Anyway, I’ve delivered the message, so I should go now. I really made time to come here.”
“You should go if you’re busy.”
“Yeah.”
“I really want to see you, but… you know I might not be able to attend the coronation, right?”
“Yeah. Your debutante ball is the very next day. You must have a lot to prepare too.” Frinel replied calmly.
The coronation was followed immediately by the debutante ball. It was a bit of a tough schedule, but the debutante ball couldn’t be postponed, so it had to go on as planned.
“I probably won’t be able to make it. Sorry.”
I had preparations to make, and Endimion wouldn’t take me to a public place anyway.
She blinked her large eyes, lowering her eyebrows in an apologetic gesture. Even that seemed cute to him, making the corners of his mouth twitch.
“If you’re sorry—”
“I understand.”
Before even hearing his response, I gently pressed my lips against his cute lips. Sharing a tender kiss, the corners of both our mouths turned up slightly in happiness.
“Go ahead.”
Only after we parted did I push him towards the door.
“
Sigh
, I’ll go now.” He left the room hastily, his steps quick, indicating he was indeed very busy. After all, becoming the emperor without being the crown prince first meant he had a lot on his plate.
I took out the debutante ball preparation documents I received from Bella. Quickly scanning through them, I used my magic to burn the documents without a trace.
My gaze shifted to the ring Frinel had given me. Touching this ring, which contained my mother’s divine power, filled me with a warm energy as if rejuvenating my body. Perhaps I was stronger now than when I first woke up. I could feel the lively mana and divine power swirling within me.
I gathered her strength and focused it on her dantian. Even when I used my power, I didn’t feel like my life force was being drained anymore.
Now that I think about it…
I tilted my head slightly, pondering.
My mother had almost lost all her power after giving birth to me. How come I didn’t lose my power even after having Merilly?
Was it because my power was sealed at that time? Or because of human blood?
I picked up a teacup, mulling over my thoughts, when someone knocked on the door.
“Little Madam.”
“Yes.”
“His Royal Highness has left an invitation to the coronation ball!” Chelsea entered the room, her voice full of excitement. “You will be the first commoner to be invited to the coronation ball, Madam! You seemed quite close to him…!”
“
Ah
, is that so?” I smirked and accepted the invitation.
The coronation was open to everyone, but the celebration ball was different. It was customary to invite only the nobility. However, Frinel probably also invited commoners from the merchant association who supported and helped him. If I went there, it wouldn’t seem out of place.
“
Um
, did that come for Endimion?”
“Yes, Little Madam.”
I had already told Frinel I might not attend the ball. Endimion, cowardly and vile as he was, wouldn’t allow me to go. But this could be a way to torment him. Frinel must have left the invitation knowing I couldn’t attend.
“I see. I’ll pass it on.”
“
Oh
, will you do that?” Chelsea handed me Endimion’s invitation.
“Then, let’s go,”
“Yes, Little Madam.”
I headed straight to Endimion’s office.
“Endimion.”
“
Ah
, Lia. Come in.”
He greeted me with a bright smile, busy with his work.
“Sit down. Did you deliver the divorce papers?”
“Yes. He said he would process them quickly. Probably around the day of the nobles’ debutante ball.”
“I see. That’s good, Honey.”
The term ‘honey’ nearly made my ears bleed, but I managed a broad smile.
“Here, Chelsea brought this.” I then handed him the invitation to the coronation ball.
“
Ah
, the coronation is really soon.”
“Yes. I was also invited.”
“…
Uh
?”
“I was invited too, Endimion. Since you gave me so many dresses, I should wear one of those, right?”
“
Ah… um
…”
Endimion’s complexion darkened momentarily. He hesitated, struggling as if looking for an excuse.
“What’s wrong? I was formally invited. It’s not like I’m throwing a tantrum wanting to go.” I deliberately lowered my voice, showing a disappointed expression.
Sure enough, you’re a coward.
It was amusing. Endimion had yearned for me to the point of tears, calling me his fate. And he ended a 5-year marriage with Magorit at my word. Yet, he hesitated to marry me or to attend a ball together.
The reason was simple. Because I was a commoner.
“It’s not that, I’m just worried about Lia.” Endimion lied smoothly, hiding his true feelings.
“What are you worried about?”
“Being officially known as my concubine has already been made public. In society, a concubine is something to be mocked at, a symbol of dishonor.”
“That means…” I trailed off for a moment, sighing. Then, I looked up sharply and spoke coldly. “So, you’re not worried about me but about yourself.”
“…
Uh
?”
“You were the only person I loved. Being with you isn’t dishonorable.”
My words left Endimion with a look of embarrassment on his face. He couldn’t refute a single word.
Looking at him pitifully, I continued. “Isn’t the dishonor supposed to be borne by you, who loved two women?”
“Honey… I didn’t mean that…”
“Didn’t mean that? It’s true, isn’t it?”
My voice rose slightly in excitement, and tears welled up in my eyes. “After deceiving me for three years, the reason you refuse to marry me is just because of my status.”
“Lia… No. That’s not it…! Why won’t you listen to me…?”
Endimion was desperately trying to come up with an excuse. It was a love that he finally regained. He couldn’t lose it again. Yet, on the other hand, the thought that he couldn’t marry a commoner due to his overwhelming pride dominated his mind.
“Enough. Don’t even get a divorce.”
“
Uh
…?”
“I should have followed Frinel’s advice from the start,”
“What do you mean by following His Royal Highness’s advice?”
At the mention of ‘Frinel,’ Endimion’s eyes widened in shock.
“Frinel said he would prepare a mansion for me. To live there comfortably with Merilly.”
“His Royal Highness offered that to you…?”
“Yes. He said it’s better for me to live that way than to suffer here.”
“
Sigh
, Lia. Honey.”
That was absolutely something that couldn’t happen. Even though she was officially a concubine within the mansion, Frinel was openly visiting Lobelia. And he even accepted a handkerchief during the swordsmanship competition.
Endimion clenched his fist tightly. “That can’t happen. For a woman to raise a child alone, it’s extremely dangerous. Stay with me…”
“I was willing to live as a shadowed woman.”
She sniffled and pulled out a handkerchief.
“I thought it was okay even if you married another noble. As long as I could see the lovely children and you were by my side.”
At that moment, the embroidery of Lobelia’s name entered Endimion’s sight.
“If the reason you can’t marry me is because of social status, then the story changes.”
“Wait.”
He stood up, grabbing her wrist that was wiping away tears.
“What is this?”
“Let go, it hurts.”
“What is this, Lia! Who gave this to you!”
Madness seemed to leak out of Endimion’s eyes, revealing his true selfish nature for the first time. I firmly pushed his hand away, suppressing any words that tried to escape my lips.
“Frinel gave it to me. As a token of gratitude.”
“Why would he…! Didn’t I tell you the meaning of accepting a handkerchief? You shouldn’t have accepted it!”
“Why should I refuse a gift from His Royal Highness? According to you, I’m just a commoner!”
“
Ha
, this is why…!”
In the midst of their loud argument, Endimion abruptly stopped himself. But my face had already turned cold.
“This is why, what?”
“…It’s nothing.”
“This is why commoners are like this. Is that what you wanted to say? Is that why you can’t marry me, even though you say you love me?”
“No, I didn’t say that…!”
As he was about to say something, the door suddenly burst open.
“Father!”
It was none other than Roseni. With her face flushed red, she stormed in, yelling at him.
“Marry Lobelia!”
“Roseni?”
“Then I can truly become Lobelia’s daughter…!”
With that, Roseni burst into tears and ran out.