But at the main entrance of Green Count’s mansion, there was no one to stop Brittany. The gatekeeper checked the invitation and immediately opened the door. Even the butler came out and politely guided Brittany.
“Hey. Where is Princess Ketven staying?”
“The princess is staying in the main building.”
“Oh, really? Then guide me there. No, no.”
It was not proper etiquette to go meet the princess on her own.
“Please deliver a letter for me.”
“Alright.”
While waiting for the butler, Brittany wrote a letter to Mary.
The butler headed towards Mary’s room with Brittany’s letter.
Mary, after checking Brittany’s letter, grinned.
“As expected.”
Before coming here, Mary thoroughly investigated Rishi. Naturally, the Witley Ducal House was also included in the scope.
“If one daughter becomes too superior, the other tends to be jealous. Iris cutting ties with the Witley Ducal House indicates there were several undisclosed issues.”
Mary decided to meet Brittany first. Whether she would be useful or not would be decided after the meeting.
+++
The butler who delivered Brittany’s letter to Mary informed Rishi of the fact.
Rishi had expected Brittany to be the first to come to this mansion since she was on Mary’s guest list.
“I’m giving you a chance, Brittany. This will be your last chance.”
Rishi gave Brittany this chance because of a memory from their very early years. Brittany hadn’t always tormented Rishi. There were times when Brittany, delighted to have a younger sibling, had treated Rishi well.
Even if it was just for a short while, Rishi remembered receiving warm affection from Brittany, which is why she was giving her this final chance.
If Brittany attempted to deceive Rishi again this time, Rishi had no intention of tolerating it any longer.
“Are you okay, Lady Iris? Lady Witley probably has a lot piled up against you.”
Krishina asked with a worried expression.
“If Lady Iris permits, I can go and deal with that blockhead…”
Thunk!
Erwell, attempting to make a terrifying noise again, was about to do so but jabbed Krishina’s side forcefully.
Rishi calmly said, “Ropes tied to harm others eventually tie around one’s own ankles. If Brittany quietly enjoys the party, there won’t be any issues. But if she causes problems, those problems will entangle Brittany’s ankles.”
+++
Invitations to the party for the princess of the Minasaric Kingdom reached even the imperial family of the Gaviar Empire.
Iovert couldn’t take his eyes off the name of the host, Iris. It was just a name written on paper, yet his heart sank.
Iris.
“She’s the Green Countess.”
Rishi spoke firmly and clearly.
“It’s Iris, Your Highness. Iris Green.”
His refusal was sharper than a refusal saying, ‘I already have a husband,’ or ‘You shouldn’t say such things, Your Highness.’
“I am the Countess Green, Iovert. Isn’t the Green Countess your friend?”
It felt embarrassing and pitiful to recall the gentle yet cold refusal. Without recalling Kei, it would be better not to associate with the Green Countess.
At least until the heart settled and stopped sinking at the mere mention of Iris’s name.
+++
When Iovet made that decision, the Second Prince, Lacojen, was checking his invitation.
“Mary Ketven… Isn’t there a rumor that she’s the most beautiful woman on the continent?”
“Lacojen, you shouldn’t underestimate Minasalic.”
At Advisor Adam’s words, Lacojen narrowed his eyes.
“No, why is the talk about Minasalic even coming up here? I’m just asking if Princess Ketven is pretty. Can’t I even ask?”
Adam’s anger boiled.
Asking is fine, but Lacojen showing interest was not good. Lacojen was fine, but he was too weak when it came to women.
“It would be better for you to decline this invitation, Prince Lacojen. The Green Duchy did not invite you even during the wedding. So attending a party hosted by the Green family might make you look ridiculous.”
“Well, wedding invitations usually don’t come to the palace. Iovet got an invitation because she’s friends with the Green Countess. Besides, this party is hosted by the Green family, but Princess Ketven invited me. She specifically mentioned me.”
“His Highness, the Crown Prince, must have received an invitation as well.”
Lacojen’s gaze turned cold.
Adam realized his mistake.
Bringing up the Crown Prince here was not the intention.
“Yeah, there’s no way Iovet didn’t get the invitation I received. Whatever it is, Iovet is the top priority for me.”
“Does that mean…”
Thunk!
Crash!
The cup thrown by Lacojen hit Adam’s forehead and fell.
Adam’s forehead was torn, blood trickling down, but Lacojen didn’t blink an eye. Adam also didn’t make any major moves to wipe the blood flowing from his forehead.
“Prepare to head to the Green Duchy. It’s a place with the most beautiful Mary Ketven Princess on the continent and the flower of the Witley Duchy. There’s no reason for me not to go. Right?”
+++
Brittany looked out of the guest room window in the reception hall, contemplating what to talk about when meeting Mary. She then saw Rishi walking in the distance.
Rishi was accompanied by Eldhert Green.
Eldhert Green.
Knighted at a young age, quickly promoted to become the deputy commander of the Tesay Knights, Eldhert, who swiftly rose through the ranks, was one of the men causing a stir in high society.
“Rough like a wolf, but isn’t that roughness charming?”
“What would it feel like if he called my name with those cold eyes?”
“Acting rudely but subtly crossing the line, speaking ambiguously – that’s cool.”
Eldhert, who made the hearts of noble ladies and young ladies flutter, was currently next to Rishi, explaining something seriously.
However, Rishi didn’t turn her head toward Eldhert as if she found it annoying.
‘Why is she pretending to be so high and mighty?’
Brittany had already forgotten the humiliation she suffered from Eldhert at Rishi’s pre-wedding party. No, she even considered that humiliation Rishi’s fault.
Originally, that position should have been mine.
I should have received Kay’s love there, enjoyed Eldy’s protection, and lived proudly while being treated by Kay’s shadows.
But Rishi stole it all. She robbed me of everything that I should have had.
‘Being born from a maid…’
I wanted Rishi to know her place.
Before leaving the Witley Mansion, Father must have told me a hundred times, “Just attend the party quietly. Huh? Please, just attend the party quietly!” But I’ve already forgotten.
Brittany opened the window and shouted.
“Iris! I’ll come down now. Just wait a moment.”
The Male lead Always Seduces Her with His Beauty (Matriarchy)
Xin Jiao Zhou is the leader of the world’s premier sect. She has just experienced betrayal from all sides, was poisoned in an assassination attempt, and faced death squad attacks while the poison was taking effect. After finally clearing out the scum from her sect, she was drugged again while trying to detoxify.
After waking up from a night of unconsciousness, she gained a “beautiful and kind-hearted” husband.
Xin Jiao Zhou: “???”
He fell ill.
She came to see him, bringing breakfast.
As she put down the breakfast and was about to leave, his hand slipped while holding the spoon. “Clank!”
She turned around upon hearing the noise.
He looked up at her, his eyebrows drooping: “My hand… has no strength.”
“Shall I… feed you?” she asked tentatively.
He opened his mouth cheerfully: “Ah—”
Thinking she was drowning, he jumped in without hesitation to save her, but nearly drowned himself. In the end, it was she who swam over to rescue him, giving him air underwater.
After emerging from the water, his ear tips turned red. He lightly brushed his cheek, tucking his sideburns behind his ear, revealing delicate, pink-tinged ear tips. He lowered his gaze, too embarrassed to look at her.
Xin Jiao Zhou: He’s truly beautiful, kind-hearted, and adorable.
A certain someone when disciplining subordinates behind the scenes: “If they don’t obey, just kill them.”
What’s that? She might already have someone she cares about in her heart? A certain someone: Find out who it is, kill them, and then there won’t be anyone.
What? She met a man by the riverside? What? That man even hurt her? A certain someone: Whichever hand hurt her, chop off his entire arm.
Love at first sight without realizing it, gradually falling in love, slowly getting closer…
Family and national grudges, schemes and desires, good and evil, crime and punishment, she and he face the future together, seeking justice with passion!
A naturally dark female lead who could accidentally destroy the world but is actually an honest person VS a weak, pitiful, and helpless but skilled fighter, beautiful white-cut black male lead
My heart is not of stone, how steadfast is your love? — Tao Yuanming “Imitating the Ancients (No. 3)”
— Reading Guide —
Cold female lead & dramatic black lotus with hidden yandere traits male lead
