Hellbents
Chapter 94: Battle of Nerves
“Goodnight, Princess Eve and Duke Frost.” The first to approach them without fear of indirect intimidation Ellijah is a couple who are seen to have a clear age difference. Ava had read their profile, Count and Countess Wildingham, one of the supporters of the noble faction whose area was west of Edodale with the prominence of its marine tourism.
Meet the opponent, yes.
“Goodnight too, Count and Countess Wildingham, you guys look good once tonight,” Ava replied while revealing her business smile, sweetly attacking silently. Although the story of infidelity is perfectly normal among the upper classes, the couple's story has become a public secret. Countess Wildingham was originally the daughter of a Baron, she was then betrothed directly after debut by a man who was three times her age, rumored to have dozens of savings that she obtained thanks to the status and wealth of her husband. The Count himself was a man who had been divorced up to five times, all of his ex-wives either lost or died of illness, but obviously no one believed in such nonsense, plus the maids who often complained about the abusive behavior of their employers, Count Wildingham was rumored to be a female hitter, a repeat perpetrator of domestic violence.
Flaps! The feathered fan covered half the countess' face, “Ah, right,” the response was not enthusiastic. “But seeing you guys now getting along, I feel relieved,” he continued, counterattacking. He must have been referring to the rumors about Duke Frost impregnating Miss Marquess Terelui.
But Ava was ready, he put his embrace on Ellijah, her glove-clad palm also lightly stroked the faux fiance's stocky arm. “Of course we get along, Elli—I mean Duke Frost, even had a visit to the palace even though the Frost area is very far from here.” He accidentally tucked into calling Ellijah casual, also utilizing the stubbornness of the man to stay as a reason for their closeness.
Ellijah's gulp could almost be heard, the thump of his heart even beating the hum of those around him. Eve is so close! The smell of roses is so sweet!
“Disappeared? Of course not, I only run research outside the kingdom. You know for yourself, I often make potions or artifacts. Isn't that so, Count Wildingham?” Wildingham is famous for their tourism, especially its nightlife such as gambling and shows, which is why despite belonging to the Wildingham faction of royals it is the number one consumer of gambling artifact products created by Eve.
“True, Princess,” Count Wildingham replied stiffly. Although they were hostile, it was clear he could not deny the contribution of the genius princess who helped him reap the wealth.
Ava also heard an upset speech that was not successfully hidden by the Countess. But the maturity of a woman of her age does not last long, “But is not it strange, if you do get along, why not married until now?” Ava could imagine a grin dripping poison from behind the feathered fan.
But what is mentioned is true. Eve and Ellijah have been engaged since childhood, but until now their marriage was not immediately determined. Marvin who had asked Ava only answered ambiguously, “ Not suitable maybe,” he said. What doesn't fit? If the two are not suitable, is it better to just break up? But Ava realized that political marriage could not be that simple.