Nathan was surprised by the news of my breakup with Ronald.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iw7qbB7i4
He seemed even more surprised after hearing that Ronald cheated on me with Paisley.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0X3o6gfuJS
"You treated that girl so preciously. Yet this is how she repays you?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKrRRvEgLM
"It seems to be so"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDQzPF3cex
"And that Ronald guy is so stupid... Rejecting you for her...it's almost unimaginable!"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlMC47Gqqc
Nathan seemed to be angry on my behalf. He insulted Ronald and Paisley and asked if he should kill them. Seeing this made me chuckle.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0GIvzWsmQ
I had a feeling of nostalgia as I recalled how I met Nathan.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pShFnIrVq
It was a winter day, twelve years ago.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTAv8G1rxS
Mother had taken me out for hunting for some winter game. She had been annoyed after discovering the existence of a mistress with a daughter, younger than me with a few months.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwkJmLkzOxD
She wasn't angry about the fact that my father, Marquis Deor had another family. It was a common thing in the South, for noble men to have mistresses.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUCvwNwL4X
Instead she had been vexed by the fact that he had kept it a secret for ten years.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTkM6tsOVQ
At that time I had just been ten years old.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgNFEwrbfL5
I had wandered away from her, exploring the area. I then noticed that a huge part of the snow was stained red. I could also smell the heavy smell of blood.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ41srZSuu7N
Immediately I was alarmed and searched for the source of the blood
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPZxO0IRx8
"I've been hearing about how Adrianna Deor, the weak hearted daughter of Marquis Deor has been donating gifts to the less privileged out of kindness"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS4WaC6smG
Nathan's voice cut me out of my flashback. I concentrated on his words instead of recalling some memory.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbj2Pf3ebjg
"What kind of sick people believe that story? Kind? Weak hearted? Haven't you destroyed any of their families?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3UXJ9s9BBz
Nathan was amongst those who knew my true cruel nature. He was fully aware of my wicked acts in dealing with enemies, and seemed to even admire it.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0xjC6RH4dC
I faked some tears and put a hand on my chest, making a shocked and innocent expression.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAiDaJlQbsW
"Me? Destroy... families?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dUTm97aoo
In the next second, we both laughed at my innocent act.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWiZfRGToZ5
If I were an actor I would have probably won many awards.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkc1zNAMA7
"Your character of being evil is what captivates me so much to make you my wife"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANDrRFyezU
Nathan suddenly dropped one of his cheesy lines that confessed his love.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM0PL2hhtJB
"Geez, wife this wife that. Is that all you want from me?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmUs1cZRVdo
"No. I also one day want to have children with you. Three to be precise"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7R8eRPK3Mr
I looked at him with uninterest then changed the subject.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanZGGRp8lM
"I heard you'll be debuting after the knights come back"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS1UhnWtnlg
"Mhh... I haven't yet decided"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07A7TDXbbG
We spoke about somethings for over an hour. After some time a faked a yawn, covering my hand over my mouth.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbenoI5yMW
"I feel sleepy. You can come back tomorrow, right?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJDBUpbundA
"Sure"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnn49Ajaox
Nathan stood up from the bed and moved to the balcony. I followed behind him, feeling a creeping emotion while I stared at his back.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeVllVjlPke
Despite him being in my room numerous times at night no funny business had happened in between us...yet.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNWD9gQyfd2
Finally, he reached the balcony. He turned around one last time, desire evident in his eyes. His hands reached for my hair, taking it into his hands then raising it to his lips, he planted a kiss on my hair and seemed to smell it afterwards.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nDS4iwxML
"Good night" He said.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSU3FO9WbH
His hands left my hair.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSlTTD9k9W
Like magic, his visage began to fade away. The sight of Nathan disappeared into black fog right before my eyes.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUy9fJLmWlK
"Night" I said as he finally vanished. Just the way that he always did.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnakUMTpzN0
It seemed to be the same things that happened. But after my breakup with Ronald, my feelings towards Nathan have become clearer.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKcY8Q9xVdY
'But I'm sure that it isn't yet love'
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKNxxqUmpiW
***
When I woke up, the sun had barely risen.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wE7VOSJOs
The moment I stood up from my bed I went towards the mirror in front me. I admired by pretty reflection.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcN4M9XSRiN
Locks of red hair cascading down my waist, and some towards my round and small face making me look innocent.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡie0AWlDqcM
Purple eyes that held some sort of coldness and cynicism. Red lips that were very seductive. My figure was very vivacious and voluptuous.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHTPjTA0yo
This look of innocence, coldness and seduction were all contradictory but made a perfect blend. The look I had varied from time to time. Depending on my expression and mood.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz8EPosSLz6
Pushing a strand of hair that covered my eye, I sighed in relief.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2ZsbcDJOv
I had been feeling a bit insecure about my looks and charms after discovering Ronald's affair with Paisley.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡphag2GKG53
'Nathan was right. He's such a fool to abandon all of this for someone like Paisley'
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZGFXsdULg
I had been raised to be confident in myself as Adrianna. Excellent bloodline. Amazing ability. Outstanding smarts. Stunning looks.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcz9fL9GSK
This confidence began to falter after yesterday's incident. But no worries, I knew I'd soon regain my high self esteem.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSKLNlzzfI
Ronald seemed to have been smitten by the charms of the heroine. This thought annoyed me.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqz4uiDjEe
'If Paisley was able to win over Ronald from me. Will she be able to steal Nathan when they meet?'
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyth5zwkE9I
I shook off the thought.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡySjUAejTxX
Nathan was deeply in love with me. I had trapped him with my charms for a very long time. Even though the novel said they had fallen in love at first sight, I had very much altered the plot.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWyYL9uICT
Besides, I wouldn't sit back and wait for Paisley to take what belongs to me. I'd begin to take action.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NvEhBTHAh
Today, there was an event being held for couples that I was supposed to attend with Ronald.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKyS1c5m3g
However, due to what has happened, I won't be able to attend with my partner. But I'll still go.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCPaCKT2fxB
'It's time to begin destroy Ronald and Paisley's reputation. Oh how people will pity the 'weak' Adrianna who got cheated on with her 'dear' sister.'
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4YryEpOrXp
Thinking of what I'd do filled me with so much excitement. I had been feeling bored during these past days.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4UssleuAQr
***
The event for couples was a grand party to celebrate the holiday known as 'valentine's day'.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLo4mALrgP
It was a major gathering every year in the South.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULj8tO9qfR
Aristocrat noble men and women would come and display a show of luxurious love towards their partners.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumkxIUgOaw
Presenting expensive gifts to their partners in front of everybody. Showing of their opulent love.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDBWE1Jwxz
Dressed in a teal colored dress that covered my neck, I did not wear any accessories, making myself look plain.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCIZ4GQtNe
People noticed this and seemed to whisper about it.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYgnG8rXpS
It was a custom for noble ladies to adorn themselves with many accessories. The only time a lady did not put on a single accessory was when she was mourning the loss of somebody.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZITLTthntq
"Lady Deor is dressed plainly"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu9N4BoGT5
"I wonder what happened?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsGJlrPlBZo
"Did you hear any news?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPVSJGSlXs
I picked up the words of some people that whispered around me.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLXw2SEHrh
Being the eldest child and daughter of the second most powerful family in the South, of course I'd attract attention the moment I walk into the venue.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlc7huPXewE
"Hello Lady Deor"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBQEd4Dthj
The host of the event came up to me in greetings. He was the young Count of Farret. Thomas Farret.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSOzRsSxTh
The Farret family had been the hosts of the valentine celebration every year, being a rather influential family in the South.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCCoQRtZFkB
"Hello, Count"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbT7lMqfQRr
I greeted him back and smiled.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiT40PVtoub
I was rather familiar with him since he was my cousin's fiancé.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbY6Njhn6S5
"I'm glad that the lady ca-
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNtW19Ihc9U
Thomas Farret's speech was interrupted by a high pitched voice behind him.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviOMbyfvrL
"Oh Adria! You came! I was looking for you this morning, but didn't see you"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuoyktKuGmJ
A lady standing behind Thomas Farret came forward. She snaked her arm around his, holding him protectively and glaring at me for a few seconds, before changing her expression to one full of innocence.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7qB68aUNM8
'Speak of the devil. Literally'
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHe9Oso10kl
"Oh. I left early, Olive"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡULkQebK54U
I reciprocated the innocent smile and greeted the lady.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nd7QR1pE5
Olivia Deor was my cousin. She is the daughter of my father's older sister.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOLsBiViIp
Females were allowed to succeed their family, however, due to a very good marriage proposal, my aunt left the Deor household to marry a very prestigious noble man from the country side.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ9wV6zRLr
Five years after my aunts marriage, she died in a carriage accident along with her husband, leaving behind her two children.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHDo0hHKEBq
The property and title of the noble man my aunt had married, was quickly seized by his greedy family members. The family kicked out my aunt's son and daughter.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3nQdJC8zs
Immediately, my father, Marquis Deor took the two children into his household and raised them alongside his own.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhp180wOWns
These two children - that were birthed by my aunt, were my cousins; Cardin and Olivia.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYsNosmO8PM
My father made Cardin his successor since he did not have any male child. He had blatantly refused to making a female the head of the Deor family, due to his belief in male supremacy.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNLzwFvUL8
And this fact annoys me to no end.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQxqPohkCL
Olivia took my hand into hers then spoke up gently, her tone seemed to want to mock me.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdS4lC4e7ss
"I haven't seen Lord Belv around. Is he too busy to attend?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx6oijzyIt4
At the mention of 'Lord Belv' who was Ronald, I purposely turned my expression sad. My hands that held hers quivered and I bit my lip.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBpJaoI9iIB
Tears welled up in my eyes, making Olivia, Count Farret and every other noble watching, surprised.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeegOqgRrb0
"I apologize for my m-misconduct"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuJiJJka84d
Immediately I redrew my hands from Olivia's and dramatically cleaned my tears.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBz91Ku5cPr
Sniffling and tearing up, I had gained the attention of the people present at the event.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLryK0WXG8
I spoke up in a very loud tone, making everybody present to hear.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡco2PLYPjU0
"Lord Belv w-won't be attending.....at least with me. He m-may attend with h-his lover"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeSSJrAzOoM
Gasps, murmurs and whispers erupted in the hall. My words were passed on from person to person. From those who were listening to me eagerly to those who had not heard my speech.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumzfXrZlxO
"Lord Belv has a lover?"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK4NPp6fhf3
"Of course he does. He's a womanizer"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAS06qFmAPl
"He does indulge in many women, but who exactly is the lady for him to abandon Lady Deor"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hjm1s0ive
"It seems like he enjoys the lady more than lady Deor"
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSsFSywjRf
And as if on queue, Ronald, my scumbag ex-fiance and Paisley, the b*tchy heroine walked into the hall at that moment.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXAbyVRqiM
All eyes turned to the new couple.
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY10eaVFrpH
351Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCqO7fUQAN
