Free Web NovelChapter 36: A Face-to-Face Meeting Without Disguise
On the other side of the luxurious palace, Lucy sat completely alone inside her private suite. At a dedicated desk, she was immersed in a state of apparent peace and serenity, reading her favorite book: How to Tame Your Husband and Make Him Love You Like a Mature, Open-Minded Woman.
This was already the third time she had reread the exact same pages on that very day. She was trying her best to calm those obsessive and exciting thoughts that invaded her mind and body whenever she remembered Cain.
Suddenly, out of nowhere and without any introduction, a flying magical message materialized right before her eyes. It was sealed with that luxurious royal wax seal. In a fraction of a second, Lucy snapped up from her place and took a step backward, assuming a terrifying offensive stance, while her magical aura nearly shattered the walls of the room!
At first glance, she thought that this wretched, mysterious entity had decided to ambush her.
However, when she looked around with extreme precision and caution, she did not notice any unfamiliar aura or hostile energy in the vicinity. Moving her fingers softly, she used her mental energy to slowly control the flying envelope, until it landed safely and lightly between her smooth hands.
When she broke the seal and opened it, her eyes fell upon the following lines:
{Within the framework of restoring diplomatic relations, and moving past the old misunderstanding between the Royal Family and Lady Lucy Montgrad... we personally and officially invite you to attend the Grand Victory Banquet achieved by the Kingdom. It will be held tomorrow at exactly nine o’clock in the evening in honor of Duke Cain oster. We hope that we have turned the page on the past disputes between us, and that you will honor us with your presence.} freeweɓnovēl.coɱ
Lucy’s brows furrowed as a deep anxiety washed over her. Her worry did not stem from the content of the royal invitation itself, but rather from a terrifying question. How could the Royal Family know her exact location inside the Duchy of oster? She had not sensed any scouting aura or the presence of anyone monitoring her.
This made her think seriously. Even if they had discovered her true identity in some way, there was no magical technique or transmitter on this continent capable of delivering a message directly to her precise location with such efficiency without her sensing it. Even the traces of the magical aura on the invitation message had completely vanished.
Furthermore, the handwriting on the paper did not seem human. It was overly elegant and perfectly precise—handwriting that a normal human would never write!
She instantly sensed the foul stench of a hidden entity and a filthy conspiracy wafting from this entire situation. He was the only one capable of performing such optical illusions and spatial manipulations behind her back.
However, the moment she looked back at the written phrase, "in honor of Duke oster...", her heart rate accelerated and her emotional tension rose to its peak. Did this mean she would finally be able to meet him there, and be by his side in her true form?
Without any problems, and without Maxi’s mask. She and him, face to face, directly in front of each other.
The idea was so thrilling to her that she had already imagined it dozens of times. This sudden offer seemed like a rosy dream caressing her wild fantasies. Even if this trap was an unknown plot woven by this entity or the Royal Family, she would absolutely be present at that party tomorrow. She would never miss this opportunity!
A charming, overwhelming smile filled with obsession formed on her breathtakingly beautiful face.
The following night, Cain stood before the large mirror in his suite, wearing an official ducal suit that was extremely attractive, elegant, and luxurious. He adjusted the collar of his shirt and flicked imaginary dust from his shoulders. As the Duke of the oster Province, he represented the public image and the political and military facade. He had to look brilliant, majestic, and flawless, no matter the event.
Meanwhile, two figures appeared in the mirror approaching from behind him: Amelia and Lucy, who was disguised as the maid, Maxi. The little girl looked at her father’s grand clothes and spoke in a childish tone, "Lord Duke... where are you going now in these wonderful clothes?"
Cain turned and smiled at his daughter standing beside Maxi, then answered her tenderly, "I am going to attend a royal banquet alone tonight, my little one. You can stay here and play with Lady Maxi. I won’t be late; I will return immediately after the ceremony ends."
Although he wanted with all his heart to take Amelia with him to show her the world, he thought rationally. He did not want any creature in the royal palace to know she was his daughter. The noble society was full of snakes who loved spreading filthy rumors and plotting conspiracies. He did not want to taint the purity of her childhood with rumors that could harm her future—which would undoubtedly enrage Lucy as well.
Lucy bowed under Maxi’s mask with feigned reverence and said softly, "Safe travels, Lord Duke oster. Amelia and I will wait for you here at the palace until you return safely."
Cain nodded his head, directing a glance of thanks and gratitude to Maxi for her kindness and constant care for his child. freewēbnoveℓ.com
A few moments later, Cain stood before the luxurious royal carriage drawn by six well-groomed horses. He stepped inside, the velvet doors closed tightly, and the magical wheels began to turn, moving through the palace gate. Meanwhile, Amelia stood alone with her mother, Lucy.
Amelia turned excitedly toward her mother and said, "Mom! Dad has finally left. Does this mean we will spend the night together, and we have the entire palace to do whatever we want?"
However, when Amelia turned completely and contemplated her mother’s body, she was stunned!
Lucy had completely discarded Maxi’s magical disguise. She was already wearing an exceedingly sophisticated ball gown of breathtaking royal black velvet. With an off-the-shoulder and open-neck design, it accentuated her snow-white skin and her majestic, slender figure, making her beauty appear exciting to a terrifying, indescribable degree!
Lucy smiled tenderly yet mysteriously at her daughter while shining in her deadly black look, saying, "I am truly sorry, my little daughter... you can go and stay with your aunt Roselina tonight. Your mother must leave now to catch up with your father."
In a swift, magical flash, and in less than the blink of an eye, Lucy vanished from the place completely, her trace fading away, leaving behind a scattering of dissipating dark energy!
Amelia held her head in frustration and sighed with childish annoyance at her parents’ strange behavior. But she did not grieve for long; soon her playful look returned, and a wicked smile formed on her lips.
Since her father and mother had left, and there was no one watching her in the palace except her aunt Roselina... this was her golden opportunity! She would go to her aunt’s suite to play together with no interruptions, defeat her miserably, and make her taste utter defeat in the magical card game!
