"My lady did you hear that Marquis Michael is pursuing you as his bride~ Your parents feel sad to let you go, but hearing how much you've been in love with him they're considering you marry him" One maid said.
The maids all gushed about the so called 'happy news' while dread washed over Erionella's face.
Marquis Michael was among the three top scumbags of the story. A young man who would pursue so many ladies and at the age of thirty he would have forty wives which he had discarded and was in pursuit for more.
After the maids were done arranging her for the day one stayed behind and Erionella asked her what the problem was.
"I warn my lady to be careful about the Marquis. I heard the Marquis said he would even use force to get your parents' permission. I don't think they have a choice. I once worked at the Marquis' mansion and I know he has gotten married to at least ten wives already all with broken bones and bruised bodies"
Erionella dwelled on the words of the maid and knew it was true. Before she would get a chance to enter Ulenov, she might be sent in marriage to that scumbag.
Unless she could get engaged to someone of higher status, her plans may fall apart.
Erionella gazed absent mindedly out of the carriage window as she closed the book on magic that she had been reading, as she counted the number of carriages that passed them by.
"What family is that?" Erionella asked about which family rode in the carriage.
"Hmm, I'm not so sure" The maid with black hair said uncertainly as she tilted her head. Her red eyes holding a peculiar gaze. It was the maid who had told her the truth of Marquis Michael forcing and threatening her parents for her hand in marriage.
"You've already given me enough information. Take this for your time" Erionella said handing over two small gold coins to the maid which she received as she pointed at the carriage Erioella asked about.
"I think that's the family of Marquis Michael"
Erionella turned to the maid as she raised an eyebrow questioning her "You knew that already, didn't you?"
"The gold coin and the cold carriage wheel jogged my memory~" The maid said as she looked blankly at Erionella.
"What's your name again?"
"Irliona"
"I need your help with diverting my family's attention when I need it"
"The young lady may be up to something, and I'm afraid I cannot help you as I fear the Count and Countess will be worried again" Irliona said pitifully.
"I will personally double your salary"
"Then at what coordinates will you be standing. Give me a time and place where the diversion should be done. Is the use of smoke too much?" Irliona asked eagerly as she started calculating in her head.
'Wow, so just pay her and the job is done'
"I need you to help me be away for at least thirty minutes" Erionella said as she saw the Duke Garcia's flag proudly in the air on a carriage.
"Thirty minutes….
"I'll triple it"
"If it's thirty minutes you want, thirty minutes you shall get."
The first one hour of the birthday party was boring. Listening to gossip and being monitored by her family was getting to her.
Weren't reading about aristocrat party's more interesting than sitting at this snooze fest?
Crash. As if her prayers for SOMETHING to happen was answered, the first table of food was flipped over hardly, revealing a young girl with black hair and golden eyes.
Erionella recognized her from the moment their eyes met.
Darker than night ebony hair and shiny as gold eyes. The evil smirk. The confident strut and manly strength yet rare graceful lady etiquette.
Veloryn. The one who would almost succeed in assassinating the male lead of the story.
A noble woman of the society who was originally a commoner but was more graceful than any simple aristocrat.
"Tch. Just staying in a room with you disgusts me. I don't know if it's the nonsense you always spout to each other that's spoilt your ears to this extent or are your lies just covering up your brain understanding.
I'll repeat this only one more time 'ALLOW ME TO LEAVE THIS FREAKING BALLROOM" Another table was flipped over until the knights made way for Veloryn to pass as she pushed passed them.
Her eyes were immediately held an uncontrollable brightness as she watched Veloryn leave the ballroom.
One of her favorite characters in the whole book made eye contact with her.
"Brother may you call my maid so she can take me to the dressing room. My corset is becoming undone" Erionella whispered to Johan who allowed her to go as she asked for a maid.
Of course she chose Irliona who she would just pay after wards to keep quiet.
Looking in the hall ways for the lady with black hair she mistakenly bumped into someone without concentrating.
The person was quite tall like a man but wore a ball gown. Erionella had to look up to view the person. It was the person who she was looking for.
"Ah, pardon my mistake, Lady Veloryn." Erionella said as she curtsied.
Veloryn was about to say something but Erionella beat her to it. "Yes, I was following but that is because I'd like to make a request"
Veloryn looked down at the girl who stood before her. What could she possible need her help for? Finding her lost earing?
"Marquis Michael is in attendance and is currently in a conversation with my family"
That was right. Marquis Michael was currently talking to Count and Countess Renowarin.
The man who had swindled Veloryn and was currently at the point of being drunk along with the Count was someone Veloryn had been looking for up to a year.
"What?!" Wasting no time to check out the truth about the information she immediately marched back to the ball room.
The loud noises of things crashing and the cries of a man echoed loudly in the hall.
"Good job for encouraging my parents to take more alcohol, Irliona"
Her parents who were drunk would be surprised by the crazy lady beating up their conversation partner and her brother would have to deal with the situation and Irliona would go back and the corset excuse would give Erionella thirty minutes away.
To execute her grand plan.
She marched towards the dressing area of high nobles. Most of them were in the ballroom.
And none would leave for some time.
Except one.
A few minutes of waiting and footsteps came gently. And the sight of dark blue hair came to view.
That cold gaze. Those icy eyes. The angry face. His noble posture.
As he came to the door of his dressing room she pushed him into the room with unbelievable strength that no one would imagine coming from her.
Her eyes stared into his golden ones and she felt his power as the villain of the story almost scare her.
Duke Crinoel Garcia; the person who determined her return to Felix.