CH 156

Chapter 156 - Meeting an Old Friend

No, I couldn’t even expect my servant Daisy to be graceful. Even if she’s an exceptional assassin, she’s quite clumsy, to be honest. Anyway, I believe my friends’ parents work for the Grand Duke. I hope I run into them… I was in the middle of such thoughts when I saw someone and became shocked.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness. Mother and father are out on official business on His Majesty’s orders. Please understand I’m here to greet you in place of the head of the house.” A low voice with such a beautiful face that looked alluring, a young man my age, the prince of the Grand Duke, was smiling at the Crown Prince.

“It’s allowed.”

“If you’ll allow it, I’ll guide you to the room… Huh?”

Then his smiling face immediately turned expressionless as his gaze turned over to me. I’m the one who is shocked, Mion. Why are you making such a face?

“Marin?”

Everyone flinched at the nickname that came out of his mouth.

“Do you both know each other?” Rian suddenly asked a bit stiffly, which made me think about what to say until I heard a charming voice responding in place of me.

“Yes, we know each other very well.”

I looked up the stairs and saw a woman coming down slowly. A beautiful woman with pale white skin with a graceful faceline and lips. She can look arrogant somehow, but she still was the kind young girl on the inside.

“It’s been a while, Beatrice.”

“Yes, Your Highness. It’s been a while.”

I felt betrayed the moment I heard her full name. Beth. That was my friend, who I’ve known as Elizabeth, the oldest daughter of a family that works for the Grand Duke. The moment I confirmed her name to match that of the princess of the Grand Duke, I felt like I was lied to, which infuriated me. Then she came over to me.

“It’s been a while, Marin.”

Still the same kind of voice. Yes, I liked that about you and trusted you. But now I realize you’ve deceived me all along. I feel betrayed as much as I like you.

“Greetings… Your Grace.”

That made me more infuriated. I felt bitter at you as you became saddened by my words, but it didn’t matter. I felt so stupid for relying on my friends, who were confident no matter what happened, which made me like them so much.

“Marin, I know you’re surprised-”

Mion tried to jump in, but Beth refused, “Stop. I’ll handle it later.”

My heart sank at her cold voice, but it didn’t matter. I was enraged about being betrayed by my best friend. That’s when I heard the Crown Prince’s chilly voice.

“How long are you going to make me stand here?”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’ll guide you to the room where you can stay.” Mion guided the Crown Prince and disappeared from my sight. Beth came over to me. She was about to say something to me when-

“Marina, I have something to tell you.”

Rey dragged me over. Something fell upon Beth’s eyes as she saw him. It was anger. She turned away as she bit on her lips as if she had seen something awful and walked away. I turned to my cousin. Rey sighed at Beth going away and spoke to me.

“Let’s get to the room first.”

***

A maid bowed as she left me in the room where I’d be staying. Daisy also hesitantly left the room. I turned to Rey and asked, “Did you know?”