Chapter 192 [Event] [Celesta Twins' Birthday] [5]



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"Why...?"

A hoarse voice echoed through the opulent corridor.

"Why, Your Highness...?"

Two individuals engaged in a tense conversation.

"I have already explained..."

On one side stood a strikingly handsome man in a whitish gold suit. His neatly slicked-back golden hair accentuated his beautiful features.

"We're running late, Layla..." Alfred attempted to take a step forward, but Layla extended her hand, halting him.

Layla was present, adorned in a sublime white gown, radiating breathtaking beauty. Her wavy black hair was elegantly styled, tied behind her head. Her light makeup enhanced her unique red eyes, which now glistened with sorrow.

"I... don't understand, Your Highness..." Layla's words trembled with difficulty. "Until now, I-I have always strived to act in a manner you would have loved. I changed and restrained myself for y-you, Your Highness."

Alfred shook his head in response to Layla's unusual tone. "Layla, you know that's not the case. I didn't reject the engagement, and I won't. But I want Milleia as my primary wife... I want her to assist me in ruling the kingdom."

"A... a commoner? She knows nothing about the kingdom!" Layla's anger surged, her voice growing louder.

The past month had been challenging for her. Louisa, someone dear to her, had passed away. She yearned for comfort, which led her to put aside her animosity and accept Milleia as the second wife. But now, Alfred was proposing that Milleia become his primary wife—the Queen, surpassing Layla's status as the second wife.

It was unfathomable to Layla.

Milleia, the main wife and the Queen, while she would be relegated to the secondary position with Milleia holding a higher status than her?

It was inconceivable.

Already filled with immense resentment that Milleia, too, had inherited Raphiel's bloodline like her, awakening it even before she did, now Alfred wanted to elevate her to the role of primary wife. Milleia surpassed her in every aspect, and it sickened Layla to her core.

'I loathe her.'

Never before had she harbored such intense hatred toward another girl.

"A commoner?" Alfred frowned at Layla's words. "Milleia is no longer a commoner, Layla. She possesses Raphiel's bloodline. You need to show her respect."

"W-What about me?!" Layla clutched her chest, her voice trembling. "What about me, Your Highness?! I-I worked diligently... tirelessly since childhood to become a suitable Queen and to assist you. I dedicated myself to becoming the wife you desired. I stopped playing and socializing with Louisa, Myra, and the others solely to please you! A-And now, Your Highness chooses a commoner over m-me...?"

"Enough, Layla! I've already told you that Milleia is not a commoner. How can you stoop to the level of other nobles?" Alfred's disappointment was evident in his expression. "Nobles or commoners, we are all human."

"..."

? , ? ? ? ? ? ?.

Layla remained motionless as Alfred walked away.

She clenched her fists in anger. "I-It's all because of her..."

****

"Oh, it's the Prince!"

"Kyaaa!"

"H-He's perfect!"

"H-How handsome!"

As the door opened once more, Alfred gracefully entered, holding his head high, accompanied by a small smile that inflicted significant damage on the hearts of all the noble girls present.

Marrying a prince was the ultimate fantasy for these girls, a dream they knew they couldn't achieve but could still dare to imagine.

However, the drama was far from over.

Someone else followed in Alfred's wake, and this time it was the men who found themselves captivated.

"O-Ooooh!"

"I-Is that really Layla?!"

"She's astounding! Curse you, Alfred!"

"He might hear you! Shh!"

"Who cares! He's getting the hot commoner and Layla too!"

"Agreed! Leave some for the rest of us!"I think you should take a look at

The men continued to whisper among themselves, while the girls could only shoot disapproving glances at Layla, who effortlessly outshone them all.

"L-Layla-hiii!" A man who attempted to approach her shrunk back in fear when Layla cast him a fierce glare.

"Layla?" Miranda tried to step forward, but Elona held her back. "I think... it's best not to approach her, Myra..." She said awkwardly.

Elona honestly didn't know what to make of this love triangle involving Layla, Alfred, and Milleia. Being close to Layla, she had been aware of her longstanding love for Alfred. Naturally, she wanted them to end up together for Layla's happiness, but even if that were to happen, she had doubts about the dynamics of their relationship, given Alfred's clear preference for Milleia.

Her gaze shifted towards John, who was attempting to engage Layla in conversation, but she was ignoring him. Layla's gaze, on the other hand, was fixed on Milleia, while John's cold stare was directed towards Alfred, the true source of Layla's sudden sour mood.

It was typical of John to despise Alfred, but this time, his animosity seemed particularly intense, and Elona couldn't help but worry. She also disliked seeing Layla with such an expression on her face.

"Father." Alfred approached his parents, who sat on their thrones.

"Alfred, where are your sisters?" Edith inquired.

Alfred shook his head. "I haven't seen Aurora or Sylvia since I arrived."

"Oh, and why does Layla seem upset?" Edith asked, her smile forced. "I hope you haven't upset my daughter-in-law?"

"M-Mother, I-"

"Let him be, at least for his birthday, Edith," Charles came to the rescue, chuckling.

Alfred breathed a sigh of relief, but a conflicted expression remained on his face. He didn't know how to broach the topic of asking Milleia to become his primary wife and the next Queen. His mother would surely be furious, and his father would undoubtedly have his doubts.

"Finally, they are here." Charles' words caught the attention of both Edith and Alfred, causing them to turn around.

"Your Holiness!"

Everyone in the vicinity immediately halted their activities and respectfully greeted Francis Higer Eden, the Pope of the Holy Church of Eden. With a gentle smile on his face, the Pope walked gracefully, staff in hand.

Once again, the men present were left breathless as they beheld the three girls following behind the Pope. In contrast to the other girls, they wore simple yet beautiful white tunics. Despite their youth, all three possessed sublime beauty that set them apart, signifying their status as saintess candidates.

Two of the girls walked closely together, their auburn-golden hair flowing. Nervously, they trailed behind the Pope, clearly uncomfortable with the gazes directed their way.

"I-I'm so scared, Sera..." Maria murmured.

"T-There's nothing to be afraid of, Reina. Just ignore them," Seraphina responded, her own nervousness evident.

Maria nodded, stealing a glance at their 'sister' walking nearby. "Helena isn't even scared... she's amazing..."

"Yes..." Seraphina agreed, her gaze fixed on the girl with reddish-golden hair and blue eyes. Unlike the other two, she walked without a trace of nervousness, her expression serious and focused.

Although they had grown up together, Helena remained quite different from them. Despite their attempts to befriend her, she politely declined, solely dedicated to her role as a Saintess Candidate. Being adopted by the Pope himself, she constantly learned under his guidance. While Seraphina believed that she was the one most likely to become the next saintess, doubts had recently started to creep in. Helena's popularity was rapidly surging.

"Charles, Edith," Francis greeted the king and queen with a nod.

"Your Holiness," Charles and Edith replied, rising from their seats.

"Your Majesty, My Queen," Maria, Seraphina, and Helena greeted Charles and Edith in unison.

"These lovely girls have grown up beautifully," Edith remarked with a smile, once again laying eyes on the girls she hadn't seen in years.

"Oh, those are the saintesses? This is my first time seeing them," Carla murmured, her admiration evident. The three girls truly possessed something unique.

"..."

"Hm?" Carla glanced at Jayden, who had his mouth agape while looking... at Maria. "Hey!" Carla elbowed Jayden, snapping him out of his stupor.

"Ah!" Jayden shook his head, but he couldn't help stealing glances at Maria. There was an inexplicable pull towards her that even he couldn't comprehend. Maria was undeniably stunning, but there was something more, something that drew him towards the girl with heterochromatic eyes.

"Oh! Aurora is here!" Carla suddenly exclaimed.

All heads turned towards the entrance to catch a glimpse of the First Princess of the Celesta Kingdom, resplendent in her golden gown. She walked with poise, gracefully greeting everyone in the hall.

"She is beautiful..." Jayden murmured, once again freezing at the sight of Aurora. He knew she was engaged, and it pained him deeply. He had attempted to confess his feelings to her two weeks prior, but she had turned him down, providing a clear explanation.

"She's engaged. Forget it!" Carla exclaimed, exasperated.

"I-I know..."

...

"Aurora, you took your time. Where's Sylvia?" Edith asked, her brows furrowed with concern. She had started to worry about her missing daughter.

"Ah..." Aurora scolded herself inwardly for forgetting about her sister, who was hiding in the closet behind her. She had noticed Sylvia's presence earlier, but after her conversation with Edward, it completely slipped her mind. "She is-"

Before Aurora could respond, a commotion erupted from behind as two people made their way into the hall.