Nathan was surprised by the news of my breakup with Ronald.
He seemed even more surprised after hearing that Ronald cheated on me with Paisley.
"You treated that girl so preciously. Yet this is how she repays you?"
"It seems to so"
"And that Ronald guy is so stupid... Rejecting you for her...it's almost unimaginable!"
Nathan seemed to be angry on my behalf. He insulted Ronald and Paisley and asked if he should kill them. Seeing this made me chuckle.
I had a feeling of nostalgia as I recalled how I met Nathan.
It was a winter day, twelve years ago.
Mother had taken me out for hunting for some winter game. She had been annoyed after discovering the existence of a mistress with a daughter, younger than me with a few months.
She wasn't angry about the fact that my father, Marquis Deor had another family. It was a common thing in the South, for noble men to have mistresses.
Instead she had been vexed by the fact that he had kept it a secret for ten years.
At that time I had just been ten years old.
I had wandered away from her, exploring the area. I then noticed that a huge part of the snow was stained red. I could also smell the heavy smell of blood.
Immediately I was alarmed and searched for the source of the blood
"I've been hearing about how Adrianna Deor, the weak hearted daughter of Marquis Deor has been donating gifts to the less privileged out of kindness"
Nathan's voice cut me out of my flashback. I concentrated on his words instead of recalling some memory.
"What kind of sick people believe that story? Kind? Weak hearted? Haven't you destroyed any of their families?"
Nathan was amongst those who knew my true cruel nature. He was fully aware of my wicked acts in dealing with enemies, and seemed to even admire it.
I faked some tears and put a hand on my chest, making a shocked and innocent expression.
"Me? Destroy... families?"
In the next second, we both laughed at my innocent act.
If I were an actor I would have probably won many awards.
"Your character of being evil is what captivates me so much to make you my wife"
Nathan suddenly dropped one of his cheesy lines that confessed his love.
"Geez, wife this wife that. Is that all you want from me?"
"No. I also one day want to have children with you. Three to be precise"
I looked at him with uninterest then changed the subject.
"I heard you'll be debuting after the knights come back"
"Mhh... I haven't yet decided"
We spoke about somethings for over an hour. After some time a faked a yawn, covering my hand over my mouth.
"I feel sleepy. You can come back tomorrow, right?"
"Sure"
Nathan stood up from the bed and moved to the balcony. I followed behind him, feeling a creeping emotion while I stared at his back.
Despite him being in my room numerous times at night no funny business had happened in between us...yet.
Finally, he reached the balcony. He turned around one last time, desire evident in his eyes. His hands reached for my hair, taking it into his hands then raising it to his lips, he planted a kiss on my hair and seemed to smell it afterwards.
"Good night" He said.
His hands left my hair.
Like magic, his visage began to fade away. The sight of Nathan disappeared into black fog right before my eyes.
"Night" I said as he finally vanished. Just the way that he always did.
It seemed to be the same things that happened. But after my breakup with Ronald, my feelings towards Nathan have become clearer.
'But I'm sure that it isn't yet love'
***
When I woke up, the sun had barely risen.
The moment I stood up from my bed I went towards the mirror in front me. I admired by pretty reflection.
Locks of red hair cascading down my waist, and some towards my round and small face making me look innocent.
Purple eyes that held some sort of coldness and cynicism. Red lips that were very seductive. My figure was very vivacious and voluptuous.
This look of innocence, coldness and seduction were all contradictory but made a perfect blend. The look I had varied from time to time. Depending on my expression and mood.
Pushing a strand of hair that covered my eye, I sighed in relief.
I had been feeling a bit insecure about my looks and charms after discovering Ronald's affair with Paisley.
'Nathan was right. He's such a fool to abandon all of this for someone like Paisley'
I had been raised to be confident in myself as Adrianna. Excellent bloodline. Amazing ability. Outstanding smarts. Stunning looks.
This confidence began to falter after yesterday's incident. But no worries, I knew I'd soon regain my high self esteem.
Ronald seemed to have been smitten by the charms of the heroine. This thought annoyed me.
'If Paisley was able to win over Ronald from me. Will she be able to steal Nathan when they meet?'
I shook off the thought.
Nathan was deeply in love with me. I had trapped him with my charms for a very long time. Even though the novel said they had fallen in love at first sight, I had very much altered the plot.
Besides, I wouldn't sit back and wait for Paisley to take what belongs to me. I'd begin to take action.
Today, there was an event being held for couples that I was supposed to attend with Ronald.
However, due to what has happened, I won't be able to attend with my partner. But I'll still go.
'It's time to begin destroy Ronald and Paisley's reputation. Oh how people will pity the 'weak' Adrianna who got cheated on with her 'dear' sister.'
Thinking of what I'd do filled me with so much excitement. I had been feeling bored during these past days.
***
The event for couples was a grand party to celebrate the holiday known as 'valentine's day'.
It was a major gathering every year in the South.
Aristocrat noble men and women would come and display a show of luxurious love towards their partners.
Presenting expensive gifts to their partners in front of everybody. Showing of their opulent love.
Dressed in a teal colored dress that covered my neck, I did not wear any accessories, making myself look plain.
People noticed this and seemed to whisper about it.
It was a custom for noble ladies to adorn themselves with many accessories. The only time a lady did not put on a single accessory was when she was mourning the loss of somebody.
"Lady Deor is dressed plainly"
"I wonder what happened?"
"Did you hear any news?"
She picked up the words of some people that whispered around her.
Being the eldest child and daughter of the second most powerful family in the South, of course I'd attract attention the moment I walk into the venue.
"Hello Lady Deor"
The host of the event came up to me in greetings.
He was the young Count of Farret. Thomas Farret.
The Farret family had been the hosts of the valentine celebration every year, making them a rather influential family in the South.
"Hello, Count"
I greeted him back and smiled.
I was rather familiar with him since he was my cousin's fiancé.
"I'm glad that the lady ca-
Thomas Farret's speech was interrupted by a high pitched voice behind him.
"Oh Adria! You came! I was looking for you this morning, but didn't see you"
A lady standing behind Thomas Farret came forward. She snaked her arm around his, holding him protectively and glaring at me for a few seconds, before changing her expression to one full of innocence.
'Speak of the devil. Literally'
"Oh. I left early, Olive"
I reciprocated the innocent smile and greeted the lady.
Olivia Deor was my cousin. She is the daughter of my father's older sister.
Females were allowed to succeed their family, however, due to a very good marriage proposal, my aunt left the Deor household to marry a very prestigious noble man from the country side.
Five years after my aunts marriage, she died in a carriage accident along with her husband, leaving behind her two children.
The property and title of the noble man my aunt had married, was quickly seized by his greedy family members. The family kicked out my aunt's son and daughter.
Immediately, my father, Marquis Deor took the two children into his household and raised them alongside his own.
These two children - that were birthed by my aunt, were my cousins; Cardin and Olivia.
My father made Cardin his successor since he did not have any male child. He had blatantly refused to making a female the head of the Deor family, due to his belief in male supremacy.
And this fact annoys me to no end.
Olivia took my hand into hers then spoke up gently, her tone seemed to want to mock me.
"I haven't seen Lord Belv around. Is he too busy to attend?"
At the mention of 'Lord Belv' who was Ronald, I purposely turned my expression sad. My hands that held hers quivered and I bit my lip.
Tears welled up in my eyes, making Olivia, Count Farret and every other noble watching, surprised.
"I apologize for my m-misconduct"
Immediately I redrew my hands from Olivia's and dramatically cleaned my tears.
Sniffling and tearing up, I had gained the attention of the people present at the event.
I spoke up in a very loud tone, making everybody present to hear.
"Lord Belv w-won't be attending.....at least with me. He m-may attend with h-his lover"
Gasps, murmurs and whispers erupted in the hall. My words were passed on from person to person. From those who were listening to me eagerly to those who had not heard my speech.
"Lord Belv has a lover?"
"Of course he does. He's a womanizer"
"He does indulge in many women, but who exactly is the lady for him to abandon Lady Deor"
"It seems like he enjoys the lady more than lady Deor"
And as if on queue, Ronald, my scumbag ex-fiance and Paisley, the b*tchy heroine walked into the hall at that moment.
All eyes turned to the new couple.