It was Mepeilu, but this time, Countess Ruth was standing beside her.
“Liana... Can we talk for a bit?”
Liana immediately understood what this was about. Although she couldn’t bring herself to be angry when looking at Mepeilu’s face, wasn’t there still Countess Ruth standing right there?
The moment Liana laid eyes on Ruth, she slipped into the right mindset instantly.
“We have nothing left to talk about, Mepeilu.” Liana’s face remained cold as she moved to shut the door.
“Liana! How dare you speak to Princess Mepeilu like that?” Countess Ruth scolded.
“That’s right, I really shouldn’t be speaking to her at all.” Ignoring Ruth’s reprimand, Liana slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
Countess Ruth’s expression grew slightly awkward. “My apologies, Your Highness. Liana’s mood has been a little unstable lately—she wasn’t like this before.”
She was still trying to smooth things over for Liana. “I’ll make sure she properly apologizes to Your Highness.”
Mepeilu shook her head. “There’s no need. Don’t force Liana. This is partly my fault as well. It seems that, for the time being, Liana doesn’t want to see me.”
If you are reading this translation anywhere other than Novelight.net or SilkRoadTL, it has been stolen.
“No problem at all, Your Highness. You’re welcome to stay at Venus Manor for as long as you’d like—please consider it your home. In the meantime, I’ll be sure to have a good talk with Liana.” Now that Minoja wasn’t by Mepeilu’s side, Countess Ruth’s tone had become more intimate.
“Thank you for your kindness, Countess Ruth, but I still have many matters to attend to at Ibet Magic Academy. I already put off quite a lot just to come here. Since Liana doesn’t want to see me, I’ll take my leave.”
“Her Highness is truly concerned about Liana... What a shame.” Countess Ruth sighed regretfully.
“Perhaps I didn’t do enough,” Mepeilu murmured, sounding self-reproachful.
“Your Highness has already done so much. It’s just that Liana can be excessively unreasonable sometimes.” Countess Ruth continued to speak from Mepeilu’s perspective, unaware that she had already fallen into Mepeilu’s trap.
The more unreasonable Liana acted, the less suspicion Countess Ruth would have, and the safer Liana would be.
“Still, wouldn’t Your Highness consider staying a little longer? You could take this opportunity to rest.” Countess Ruth made another attempt to persuade her.
“No, that won’t be necessary. I enjoyed last night’s banquet.” That was likely the only sincere thing Mepeilu had said to Countess Ruth thus far—after all, she had learned the truth. “Thank you for your hospitality, Countess Ruth.”
“In that case, I won’t insist. Allow me to escort Your Highness out.”
The two of them made their way downstairs.
Curious, Liana opened the window and leaned halfway out, peering down below.
“Ah, truly... That child, Liana. Her Highness took the time to visit her, yet things ended so unpleasantly, and she won’t even come out to see Princess Mepeilu off.”
Mepeilu’s face darkened slightly, but she kept her patience. “I was too hasty yesterday as well.”
“Your Highness dotes on Liana far too much—though I suppose I’m the same way.” Countess Ruth chuckled, completely oblivious to the storm brewing in Mepeilu’s expression.
The desire to kill someone couldn’t be hidden, so Mepeilu narrowed her eyes.
New novel chapt𝒆rs are published on ƒгeewebnovёl.com.
However, as she looked up and caught sight of Liana, her mood improved instantly.
“I’ll be leaving now.” She stepped into the carriage.
“Venus Manor will always welcome Your Highness’ visits.” Countess Ruth watched Mepeilu’s carriage disappear into the distance.
Once Mepeilu had left, Liana shut the window and made her way toward the back garden. There, she saw Olivia and Loraviel still in the middle of training.
“Hey!”
“I have a name.”
“Olivia, Mepeilu already left, didn’t she? What are you still doing here?” Liana asked.
“Show some respect to Princess Mepeilu!”
“Alright, alright. Princess Mepeilu has already left. Why are you still here?”
Olivia stopped Loraviel’s training. “I’ll be staying at Venus Manor for a while to train Loraviel.”
“What did she offer you in exchange?” Liana turned to Loraviel.
Loraviel shook her head, looking confused. She wasn’t even aware that Princess Mepeilu had left.
Mepeilu had told her—this was a covert operation, and she was not to reveal the real reason she was staying. Mepeilu had even prepared an excuse for her.
“Princess Mepeilu is concerned for Your Highness’ safety, so she asked me to stay at Venus Manor to protect you.”
Liana clapped her hands together. “Wow, the great Executor herself is here to protect me.”
Olivia clenched her fists, itching to punch her.
Completely clueless, Olivia ground her teeth in frustration. The poor thing had been tricked by both Liana and Mepeilu.
“Well, today’s training is over. Come with me somewhere.” Liana suddenly announced.
“Yes, Your Highness.” Loraviel nodded.
“For what?” Olivia asked.
“To buy some—wait, why do I have to report to you?” Liana shot back.
“My primary duty is to protect you—or rather, to protect the one beside you, Loraviel. To prevent any unforeseen incidents, I must accompany you.”
“I refuse.”
“Refusal is invalid. This is an order from Princess Mepeilu.”
“Does that mean you’ll be standing at my bedside even when I sleep?”
“Yes.” Olivia nodded without hesitation.
“...Get lost.”
In the end, it was Loraviel who spoke up, finally making Olivia drop the subject. “Lady Olivia, I’m sure many of your friends attended yesterday’s banquet. Since you’ll be staying at Venus Manor for some time, why not take the opportunity to go meet with them now?”
“Besides, Lady Olivia, hasn’t all this training been to test whether I’m capable of protecting Lady Liana? If she needs your protection at all times, then doesn’t that mean this training was meaningless? Right now, we’re still within the Venus territory, not traveling far. Trust me—I will protect Lady Liana.”
Olivia: I give up.
“Well... Fine, since you insist, Loraviel.” Olivia relented, though she looked rather dissatisfied.
Especially when she saw Liana’s smug little expression—it made her even more annoyed.
“Alright, let’s go. Lady Olivia, enjoy your time with your dear friends!” Liana grinned, her expression practically begging for a beating.