Chapter 117: A battle of sincerity [unedited]

“I heard that Lady Heilon was living in the North before.”

“That’s right.”

“Isn’t it hard?”

“It’s a place where people live, so it’s just as similar as those places.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“I’ve heard that there is a very savage and cruel mage living there….”

Ugh, that rumor has spread even all the way here! 

“Well, I’ve never heard such a story…”

I gave the ‘haha’ laugh.

Eunice listened to the story with an expression that she was very interested in the story.

Ah, Lady heroine…, I’m an innocent and good mage!

Then, suddenly, Heather Arden suddenly opened her mouth. 

“I’ve heard that, apparently Lady Heilon’s bloodline is a little special?”

“….”

For a moment, the surroundings became quiet. 

Eunice, who has been smiling softly, rolled her eyes.

“I heard that you aren’t originally from Heilon.”

It was all a very familiar joke. 

I smiled. “That’s right. You know it well.” 

Heather then smiled brightly. “It’s a famous story. I heard that you’re not from the Heilon family. As far as I know—”

I smirked. “Illegitimate child?”

“Yes, that’s what I hear.”

“You heard it right.”

“Also, you’re from the family—”

“A family whose property was confiscated for drug dealing.” 

Heather frowned when I interrupted what she wanted to say.

“Yeah. I heard that it was the case that Lady Heilon personally reported.”

Well, I didn’t know that this story has been spread around the social world. But honestly, it didn’t matter.

“That’s right too.”

At my affirmation, the other young ladies were rattling.

“Oh my goodnes, if it were me, I wouldn’t able to do it.”

Heather, who felt that she was supported by the reactions around her, raised her chin proudly. 

“I agree. Betraying your family at your own hands for any reason—”

Heather continued with a confident smile. 

“It’s something a beast would do.”

Eunice’s eyes were wide open, “Lady Arden!”

I signaled Eunice that it was okay with a wink. 

It seemed that this Haether Arden had a grudge against me. I guess the only reason was Sigren. She tried to seduce him yesterday, and it was a failure. 

I sipped my tea, “what do you want to say?”

I didn’t need to show my anger to the person who was determined to provoke me.

As expected, because of my unexpected reaction, Heather responded with boiling rage.

“I’m telling you to do it in moderation!”

“What are you talking about?”

“Even if you’re lucky enough to become an adopted daughter, you have to keep your manner as a noble lady!”

I wondered if Heather’s “noble lady’s manner” included lying secretly on someone else’s bed.

“….”

At that moment, I heard the greenhouse door was opened. It was such a small sound, so only I, whose senses were more sensitive compared to normal people, could hear it. 

I glanced over to the entrances as I could sense someone coming here.

It was Sigren.

Meanwhile, Heather’s words continued. “You shouldn’t do such things with his highness the prince while you’re being taken care in someone else’s mansion.”

Eunice couldn’t control her anger, “Lady Arden! You should mind your own words!”

Heather was gasp in anger. 

Because I was distracted by Sigren, my reaction was a bit delayed. 

But Heather seemed to think that she’s been ignored.

“Stay still if you know nothing Lady Arlyn. That’s what my maid told me. Last night—”

“Lady Arden.”

I winked at Sigren. Giving him a sign he shouldn’t appear now. 

He stopped his way with a hardened expression. This was a problem that Sigren did not need to intervene in. 

After all, Heather Arden’s grudge was because of what happened yesterday. Her pride was hurt. In this state, she grew up like a princess. She was beautiful, so people around her must constantly praise her to no end. 

I chuckled silently. It seemed that the Viscount was cheated on by his own daughter. Yesterday, he tried to appeal Sigren. There was a good chance for him not knowing what his daughter did. 

“Lady Arden’s words are right. I’m an illegitimate child, and I destroyed the family I was born into. And I became the adopted daughter of the Heilon family.”

I laughed softly. “But there’s one thing that smart Lady Arden didn’t understand.”

“What?” Heather had a puzzled expression seeing my calm demeanor. 

“And because of what I did, now I have both power and authority.”

I smiled softly.

“I means that if I want to burn your well-groomed hair right here right now, or cut off those beautiful fingers of yours, the only thing that Viscount Arden could do is sending a few complaints to my father.”

“What, what nonsense are you talking about!? Are you threatening me now?”

“Shall we try it?”

I moved my mana. A sharp wind ruffled and cut off a few strands of Heather’s hair.

“AHH!!”

Heather screamed as she saw her hair falling down from her feet. 

It was only a few strands.

“This, I would tell my father about this!”

Well, there was nothing her father could do though. 

Heather hurriedly hid her hands behind her back.

“It doesn’t matter what you and your father say. Also, with you hiding your hands, let’s see, could I cut those fingers?”

For information, this wasn’t a threat. I was genuinely curious whether I could do that or not.

However, seeing the faces of the young ladies around turned white, it seemed that those words were a threat.

This was annoying. How long did I have to deal with these immature girls?

“Haah.. Lady Arden, I’m giving you some advice here. You should know who is your opponent first before acting like a crazy colt, or else your throat could be cut off.”

Heather’s face turned white. 

Ah, I really couldn’t say anything, couldn’t I? Did I become a bit harsher because I was dealing with mercenaries? Ugh, it seemed so. 

At that moment, I secretly wiggled my finger, giving a little sign ‘come here now’ to Sigren who was at the entrance. At first, I thought I’d just handle this alone, but now, I felt like he have to solve this problem too. 

The other young ladies seemed to have noticed Sigren’s existence just then.

“Your, Your Highness the Prince….”

“Since when…”

Heather Arden’s face turned red. She seemed to remember that she was properly kicked last night. 

Good, let’s clear this traffic first.

“Ah, Lady Heather Arden.”

As Sigren stood next to me, I grabbed his shirt collar.

“…!”

I kissed his lips lightly.

“Don’t covet other people’s man.”

Now, this guy is mine. Do you understand?

In an instant, Heather Arden’s face turned red. Then she quickly left the greenhouse with a thumping sound.

“Wa, wait! Lady Heather!”

“Wait!”

Other young ladies, who’ve been only watching on the side, quickly rushed out after Heather Arden.

Sigren was frozen in my kiss. What the….

“Get ahold of yourself. You did even worse yesterday.”

“What you did and what I did are different….”

“Still—” When I grunted and looked straight, “Ah.”

My eyes met the one who remained at the table. I thought everyone was gone, but it wasn’t.

Our dear saintess, Eunice, has been watching the love war live all this time. Her purple eyes were trembling. 

“..Shall, shall I move out the way?”

I suddenly was embarrassed because of that naive reaction.

“Ah, no…”

I felt like an aunt who was caught dating in front of my little niece.

I grabbed Sigren’s shirt and said as calmly as I could. “We’ll go out.”

My image, in front of Eunice, must be ruined.