Chapter 83.2

The greenhouse that was full of guests just a moment ago was now empty except a few that were seated at the top table.

Ian smiled, breaking the cold silence, and refilled an empty glass and crossed his legs. The marchioness clenched her eyes shut as she looked at Canillia sitting with Claude.

“Everyone, please leave my house. Kieran, you too.”

She wrapped an arm around herself.

“I should have cut off her leg… I should have had her throat cut. When she had you, we should have cut up that stomach!”

Anastasia screamed as she looked at Canillia. She seemed like someone who was possessed: a blue face, red eyes, and trembling hands.

It was when Canillia’s eyes widened.

The marquis slapped Anastasia across the cheek. His eyes wide, his body shook wildly as his hands trembled.

Anastasia covered her cheek and looked at Gliad with a bewildered face.

“Take her.”

The maids approached her at the marquis’ order and grabbed Anastasia’s arms. Anastasia, with a dazed expression, left the greenhouse with them without any resistance.

Only then did Canillia realize that she was holding Claude’s hand as tightly as she could. When she caught her breath and let go, he grabbed her hand again. Lia caught his eye. They were extremely aloof despite the fact that they forebode everything, as if she was the only one who excited him.

“Canillia, you’re beautiful.”

She raised her head at the voice of the marquis. He approached her with a tired expression, bowed to Claude, and clenched his jaw as he looked at their entangled hands.

“Father…”

“Archduke Sergio. I accept His Majesty’s offer. My daughter… Take her to Geore.”

Canillia felt a tingle in her head, as if she had been hit. Ian held out his hand to the marquis with a faint smile on his face.

Claude stood up with a stern expression.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness Ihar.”

It was then Gliad knelt on the floor with a thud. The marquis knelt with both hands and lowered his head so that his forehead touched the ground.

“Please, Canillia. Please, leave.”

***

After taking something to calm her, Anastasia caught her breath and sat down in an overstuffed chair. Soon after, the bedroom door opened and Rosina entered with a cold expression.

At the visit of the princess, Anastasia struggled to get up.

“I’m sorry for how I acted.”

“So you are aware of your actions.”

The marchioness’ eyes narrowed at her sharp tone. The two women sat across from each other with a small nightstand between them.

“You have harassed Canillia long enough,” Rosina said.

“You will soon be a part of our family. Use your words sparingly.”

“My father values ​​honor and loyalty. However, more important than that is the will of his children.”

“Are you saying you want to break off the engagement?” asked Anastasia.

“Of course not. I love Sir Kieran.”

Then why are we having this conversation? Anastasia thought. Her head hurt just thinking about Canillia, which was why Rosina’s visit was not welcome. As she had said, it wasn’t Kieran who pushed this marriage talk.

“However, I’m thinking of persuading him. Maybe he can throw away the Vales and establish a new family. This is not my opinion. Do not forget that this is the opinion of my brother, who will become the emperor.”

“Princess!”

The surprised Anastasia yelled.

“I don’t like people who have lost their heads. You crossed a line.”

Rosina stared indifferently at the frozen Anastasia and then left the room.

The midday sunlight streamed in through the window on the left. Normally, the banquet would have reached its climax by now. However, as expected, the excitement was gone, and the only thing that was left were scars.

Through the window, she saw someone approaching a driver who was leaning against a car that stood in a long line of cars. Even though it was difficult to see from a distance, it was a woman wearing the maid’s uniform of the marquis family.

A red-haired maid poured hot tea and handed it to the driver. He thanked the marquis for his consideration and accepted it.

The other drivers also expected warm tea, but the maid just turned and disappeared into the mansion.

The maid was strangely familiar.

The driver who received the cup of tea smiled, regardless of the seeping jealousy of his colleagues.

Soon, Canillia came out holding Claude’s hand and got into her car alone. She broke free from his grasp but he grabbed her arms again. He pursed his lips and whispered something.

I will throw away the Vale family. Then I will no longer be the daughter of the marquis, and no one will pay any attention to me.

It was the words of a wounded child that was full of thorns and knives. Poison was among them.

To ask her to leave? She had never heard such nonsense.

Rosina shook her head, recalling what happened earlier.

A wave of relief washed over her as she had said what she wanted to say. She was about to visit Kieran when a maid opened the door to the path where only servants used and entered.

It was definitely the woman who handed the cup of tea to the driver a while ago.

A long scar across the maid’s neck pulled Rosina out of her thoughts.

“Marilyn…?”

The woman who heard her murmur was startled and quickly ran through the door.

Rosina stopped.

Why is Marilyn…?

She felt uneasiness overwhelm her. It was an unpleasant aura that pushed people into confusion.

“No way…”