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Scarlette said, and the first time that Jeffrey heard the mysterious woman's cold voice, for some unknown reason, he felt something that burst inside him, and felt his cheeks heated all of the sudden
Since both of them were hidden within the corners and it seemed like no one had noticed them yet, the Marquis felt relieved for a moment and sighed to calm himself down for a moment.
Although the spectators around them didn't see them but unbeknownst to the Marquis, the Emperor and the Crown Prince had spotted him in that hidden corner from their high platform and both father and son smirk upon watching the Marquis blushing over like some sort of a maiden.
The Crown Prince almost burst out laughing from his seat but refrained from doing so as he didn't want to get humiliated and be scolded by his Royal father, but he knows that the Emperor would also burst into laughter as well because of what he is seeing right now.
However, the Crown Prince also felt awkward because he immediately recognized that mysterious woman who is also his seemingly adopted little sister…
"It seems like there would be a Marchioness Middleton in the future. What do you think?"
The Crown Prince snapped from his thoughts when he heard what his Royal Father stated and he just nodded as he looked back at the direction where the two of them are still in that hidden corner, away from the spectators within the crowd.
"Maybe. Also, this is the first time that I have witnessed that the revered Marquis, who is a sought-after bachelor within the society as noble ladies still keep lining up to get his attention would suddenly blush like a maiden for someone who he just met."
The Crown Prince said reasonably, and the Emperor nodded as he looked in that direction as well and sighed.
"Also, who would have thought that Scarlette would suddenly appear in this event? I thought that woman wasn't interested in this kind of event or something."
The Emperor said and the Crown Prince smiled awkwardly and said; "W-well, you know how unpredictable she was, right? And besides, after this event, we could invite her to dinner and for sure that Royal Mother would be happy to see Scarlette then."
The Emperor hummed in agreement as he also thought about inviting Scarlette after the event since the Empress told him that she wanted to see Scarlette as well.
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Back at the event, the semi-final round had begun, and all contestants were given a number and at that moment, Scarlette emerged from the hidden corners to get her number as well, followed by Jeffrey as he also picked a number after Scarlette got hers.
As she looked at the number she had picked, it indicated that she would be the last one to fight.
When all contestants have fought on the stage and when it's Scarlette's turn, the crimson-haired woman entered the stage and waits for her opponent.
Minutes later, she saw someone entered the other side of the stage and the crimson-haired woman shouldn't have been surprised when she saw the Marquis himself.
Both of them prepared as they positioned themselves for the battle as the fight was about to start, the Marquis said something first.
"I watched how you fought earlier, and I could tell from that time you're different from the others. You know what I'm saying, right? Give me your all and don't hold back."
The Marquis demanded and Scarlette was taken aback because of his words but after that, she sighed almost akin to annoyance.
'This guy…. Argh!'
She thought for a moment and afterwards, the crimson-haired woman composed herself and then looked at the host of the event who was standing at the other side.
"Tell me. What would happen if I accidentally wounded the Marquis? Since he is a noble and I am a commoner, will I be apprehended?"
Scarlette's cold voice resonated within the area and many spectators had heard the mysterious woman's voice and most of them couldn't help but felt shivers down their spines.
The other few spectators who had long recognized the crimson-haired woman's identity and heard what she said; "…."
At that moment, the Emperor heard this, and he couldn't help but chuckled at the words coming from Scarlette's mouth and since the crimson-haired woman is still hiding her identity then, the Emperor would gladly help her.
'Well, since she is my daughter, although adopted but still…'
He thought as he stood up from his seat from the high platform and all the spectators present had saw this scene.
The Emperor looked through at Scarlette's direction and said; "No need to worry if that happens, S—, I mean, ehem… Lady. You have my word. Just don't resort to any violence and killing intent. Can you do that?"
The Emperor said and he almost slipped his tongue by saying her name but managed to compose himself at that moment and thankfully, others didn't notice his mistakes.
Well, except for two people.
The first one to notice is of course, the Crown Prince, who was seated at his Royal Father's side and he almost frowned but managed to remain stoically as he just hummed in agreement on what his Royal Father stated.
And the second one is the Marquis. Since he is a Swordmaster, he had a quite sensitive hearing and also, he is an observant as he noticed the Emperor slipped his tongue when he said those words and he frowned a little while but managed to school down his expression within a second.
'It seems like the Emperor knew about this mysterious woman. Who is she?'
As much as his curiosity kicks in, that doesn't matter for a moment.
When the crimson-haired woman heard what the Emperor said, she bowed down at the direction of the Emperor and answered; "Thank you for clarifying and for your words, Your Majesty. I will keep mine as well."
'He almost exposed me with that mouth of his! Tsk! How troublesome….'
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