Chapter 25
“Doesn’t it sound fun?”
“There’s no point in listening any further.”
Keeping Arian—who was impossible to predict—next to Lillian would bring nothing but trouble. Worse, being subjected to that kind of interrogation might make her recall uncomfortable truths she should never be forced to face.
“I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Ah, very well. The Sun Festival will proceed as planned, so please don’t stay angry.”
When Arian grabbed him, Cartan couldn’t bring himself to shake her off and ended up sitting back down. That was when Arian’s eyes lit up again.
“Then at least make sure to invite Lady Bella. Don’t stop that, at least.”
The moment the name was mentioned, Cartan’s expression turned cold.
“Must you invite that woman?”
“Yes. Otherwise, I suppose I’ll have to invite Lady Lillian instead, to soothe my lonely and desolate heart. Or better yet, I could send her traveling around the country to compile a complete encyclopedia of plants.”
“You’ve truly managed to hit my weak spot.”
A headache throbbed, and Cartan pressed a hand to his forehead. Even so, Arian was so absorbed in her own thoughts that she paid no attention to his reaction.
“Uncle! Lady Bella is absolutely dazzling. She’s probably the most suitable beauty in the empire to become Empress. Her family background, her looks—there’s not a single thing lacking, is there?”
Bella Arianna was an exhausting woman.
As the only daughter of a ducal house, she carried the title of the empire’s greatest bride. And wherever she went, controversy followed.
Watching Arian beam with excitement, Cartan let out a long sigh. It was obvious—the capital was about to be thrown into another uproar.
