Chapter 155: Decision [unedited]

“His Highness the Prince is looking for you, so I apologize if I rudely intervened in your conversation.”

It was decided then. I guessed I didn’t have to talk to this guy. Well, it was a bit of a headache anyway.

“I’ll go,” I answered coldly.

Paul couldn’t stop me as I was called by Sigren. So I just said ‘I’ll see you next time’ without a deeper meaning.

I approached the songstress, then we went away.

When I stood close to the songstress, I just realized that she was a lot taller than I thought. She has been only around Sigren. So I thought she was kind of small. It turned out she was quite tall. Though compared to Sigren, she was indeed smaller.

“Where is His Highness?” I glanced up at her.

The songstress was dressed in layers of thin clothes but the curves of her body were barely visible. I recognized that she was not dressed in the attire of the capital. It seemed like she wore the traditional attire of a particular province. Not everyone could pull off this kind of design, but when she wore it, it gave her more mysterious charms.

The low but soft voice answered. “I’m sorry, Miss. It was a lie that His Highness called you.”

“Okay. So, why?”

Those long eyelashes quivered. Seeing her up close like this, I just realized her makeup was pretty thick. Somehow a useless thought appeared in my head that her bare face must be pretty too. I somehow imagined, if she removed her makeup, she might look like someone. However, I also felt weird about how thick her makeup was. It was like stage makeup.

“You seem to be in trouble. Also, I saw that man bullying some maids couple of times. Since you’re the benefactor’s lover, I was worried that you’ll get involved in something bad….”

“The benefactor you mentioned, is it Prince Sigren?”

“Yes, it is, Miss.”

The songstress was extremely polite and obedient. She seemed accustomed to currying favor with nobles. And it seemed that she really regarded Sigren as her benefactor.

There was a rumor saying a young beautiful songstress stole the prince from me. However, the way she conducted herself in front of me was full of courtesy and definitely not the behavior of someone who had the determination to seduce a high-ranking man. Well, of course, from my interaction with her, I could say the rumors should not be trusted.

“Miss, if you’re offended, I will gladly receive the punishment.”

“No, it’s fine…”

This woman was genuinely tall for a woman and has this cool vibe and androgynous beauty. Looking at her closely, she also has a subtle sense of decadence. However, her attitude was just the opposite of her charm. Well, it was understandable since there was a status system in this society. She must have learned how to lower herself so as not to get caught in the unwanted problem.

“That’s enough. So, what’s your name?”

The songstress smiled lightly. “My name is Cali, Miss.”

A nickname? Even the name has an androgynous feel. It fit her well.

I nodded, “Okay, Cali.”

When I said her name, Cali smiled happily.

When I actually had a conversation in person, she was so friendly that somehow I felt a little embarrassed being looked at by that friendly expression. I felt like, I behaved like a child; being jealous of her, when she was on the verge of her life because she almost had to serve in Emperor’s bedroom.

Seeing that bright smile of hers, I was secretly sorry.

I stepped back a bit, feeling guilty, yet I was tripped by my own foot.

“Be careful.”

Cali caught me in a hurry.

I thought we would fall together, but unexpectedly, she supported me firmly. Was it because she was taller than me? Thanks to her help, my conscience was stabbed twice.

Hah, we truly shouldn’t interact too much until she escaped safely. No matter what, it would be a waste to die for the empress.

“Heavy, isn’t it?”

Cali smiled modestly.

“No way, light as a feather. I’m glad you aren’t hurt, Miss.”

Well, for now, I’ll try to be kind.

***

if you read this on other websites, it means it was stolen. Read the translation only on itsladygrey.wordpress.com.

“You must be having a fun time lately.”

Sigren frowned hearing those words from the empress’ lips in the hallway. Those words were similar to what the emperor said to him.

[“it is futile to hang on a woman when you’re still young. It’s good to have multiple partners.”]

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

“Are you pretending not to know? You’re your father’s son, of course, you’re just like your father. Sharing the same blood, so it’s natural.”

Sigren stayed silent. He deliberately neither denied nor affirmed it. This was an intended reaction of him.

“You could think whatever you like.”

“See? it’s all the fleeting moment.”

The empress laughed. She felt happy seeing how this love play developed. The so-called love in this world was just like this: shallow and easy to disrupt. Now, it was time for that Fiona Heilon to change her mind.

“If I can give you one advice, be in moderation, then throw them away. — This is what I could say.”

Sigren walked away irritably. The way of thinking of that woman was beyond comprehension. He didn’t want to talk to her any longer.

When Sigren arrived at his palace, he encountered Cali. This was good, he happened to have a business with Cali. So he dragged Cali into his room. Of course, the matter was not doing the kind of things the rumors said.

“I told you to not approach Fiona” Sigren frowned as he looked at Cali.

Carli exaggeratedly put her hand to her mouth. It felt like she met a wild animal on the street. ‘Ah, so he found out that we met at the ballroom.’

“Oh my, so scary—”

“Stop that attitude, it’s annoying.”

“If your highness is angry, the insignificant me could only be trembling in fear…”

Cali was always like that. And Sigren wasn’t used to responding to that kind of act. In the end, he responded in anger.

“Stop playing.”

Then Cali laughed, brushing her long black hair with her fingers.

“You should thank me Your Highness, I helped you chasing away the fly that was attached to the lady.”

“Just stay low if you can. Being a discretion to the empress is already enough.”

Recently, Fiona has been in the spotlight. Their relationship was in people’s conversation. Adding to the fact that the empress somehow kept talking about them, the attention on her was more than enough. If Cali was with her, the attention on her would increase tremendously. Such malicious attention was poison to her.

Cali smiled briefly, opening her eyes languidly like a cat.

“Oh, you must know that the empress spreads the rumor that we are playing wildly in bed, in your room, right?”

Sigren frowned.

Cali knew that expression was a rejection.

“You’re so naive…. You don’t just hold hands with that lovely lady, do you?”

Sigren swept his hair up roughly.

“It’s none of you business.”

Cali chuckled seeing Sigren’s subtle naive reaction. “She is a very nice girl. She must have heard the rumors, but she’s still nice to me.”

“Fiona is always like that.” She didn’t care much about herself. Sigren didn’t know if that was fortunate or unfortunate.

“Leave Fiona alone” Sigren sighed.

Cali hummed amusedly. “I can’t possibly draw the attention to a pretty, sweet girl. Besides, I’m the one who hurts her.” Cali hummed amusedly.

“Did she look offended?”

Cali suppressed her laugh. The guy in front of her looked very concerned.

“Hmm, let’s see. It’s our first meeting. Do you want to hear it?”

Sigren rubbed his face roughly. Damn, he got hooked up, “Never mind. I’m stupid for asking you. It’s better to ask Fiona directly, later on, explain everything to her in honesty, and apologized to her.”

“Well, do whatever you want. Just don’t forget the promise Your Highness originally made.”

“I can’t forget.” Sigren’s eyes changed. No man was too anxious to think about how his beloved lady would feel.

“That’s good.”

Cali also smiled coldly and lifted the glass from the table. A low voice echoed in the dim room.

“I will surely overflow this cup with the blood of those who harmed my poor mother and aunt.”