Chapter 186 - Chapter 186: Lilia Appears
The time was immediately after Isabella and the others had defeated Count Cutter in the Fleming Trading Company's financial maneuvering. Arthur, under Steve's orders, had joined the Economic Revolution Club to strengthen his surveillance over Isabella.
Inside that club's room were Isabella, Michael, Elizabeth, and Arthur.
Isabella sat in a chair, leaning her back against the cushion, gazing up at the ceiling.
"I want the next goal for this club."
Ever since the financial maneuvering against the Fleming Trading Company had ended, every day had appeared gray and boring to Isabella, who had become obsessed with the thrilling allure of such maneuvers.
Elizabeth watched Isabella like that and giggled.
"Since it was revealed that you're your uncle's daughter, everyone has found it hard to get close to you."
"Yes. Because Nick let it slip. Classmates came to our house with their parents to apologize, and the rumor spread further, so it feels like a wall has formed within the class."
Isabella remembered being exposed as the daughter of the House Archibalt by Nick, and in anger, she began to tear at her hair, messing it up.
"But you got along well with Jasmine, didn't you?"
Michael offered a wry smile, and Elizabeth immediately interjected.
"If you're going to say that, then say it about Misha. You cried and got angry at your uncle. It's been intense since then."
"Hey, Liz!"
Isabella hurriedly tried to shut Elizabeth's mouth.
This referred to the assassination attempt that had just happened recently.
Isabella and Michael had been targeted by assassins sent by Jackson, Count Cutter's son. Isabella managed to dodge the attack, but Michael had suffered a fatal wound. Steve had appeared at that moment and treated him, saving his life.
Elizabeth was referring to the fact that Isabella had genuinely gotten angry when Steve, appearing on the scene, criticized his daughter. Isabella had been desperate to rush Michael's treatment. At that time, Steve had heard Isabella say, "Please, Michael. If you heal, I'll kiss you or do anything, so don't die!" and had sharply remarked that they were only allowed to maintain a pure relationship until graduation. However, since he had healed, they had kissed, which was what Elizabeth was pointing out.
Of course, the fact that they had kissed was kept secret from Steve.
The feelings of a father whose daughter is taken by a boyfriend are enough to drive even the usually calm Steve to madness. As a side note, Michael had sensed this chaos from this time onward, which would occur when they went to report their marriage a few years later.
Well, a knocking sound came at the door of such a club room.
When the four turned around, the door opened before anyone could say whether it was good or bad.
Standing there was a girl wearing the same school uniform, about 160 centimeters tall. She had long blonde hair, the color of gold mixed with sand, reaching down to her waist, and amber eyes. Furthermore, she had a healthy, wheat-colored skin tone from being tanned.
Such a girl spoke bluntly.
"I wish to join the club."
Isabella felt a sharp irritation at that remark, but before it seemed like a fight would break out, Elizabeth asked first in a calm voice.
"Who are you?"
"Lilia Hess Remington. Don't you know the faces of your classmates?"
The girl who introduced herself as Lilia looked exasperated.
Isabella and Elizabeth had no interest in their classmates, so they didn't remember their faces or names.
And furthermore—
"She is also my fiancée," Arthur spoke up.
Lilia Hess Remington was the daughter of Margrave Remington. To be precise, not the Margrave Remington when Steve defeated the Kingdom of Merda. He was currently retired, and his son had succeeded him.
The story of Lilia and Arthur's marriage had been pushed forward by Christina, Arthur's mother.
The House Archibalt belonged to the Western Faction. And the House McIntosh, from which Christina hailed, belonged to the Northern Faction. Seeking a connection with the Southern Faction, they had approached the Margrave Remington with this proposal.
The House Archibalt was a Viscountcy, but since Steve held the Dragon Head Medal, they were practically treated as equivalent to a Duke. Even the Margrave Remington, considering the favor of the South having cut off and expanded the Kingdom of Merda's territory, and the fact that Sherry, now the Queen of the Kingdom of Merda, came from the South, strongly agreed for the purpose of stabilizing the South.
Arthur intended to follow his parents' wishes regarding marriage, and no one opposed this marriage.
Except for the other party, Lilia.
Yes, Lilia opposed this marriage. The reason was that she was a mage of the Earth attribute. In contrast, Arthur could not use magic. Therefore, Lilia looked down on Arthur and considered him unworthy of being her marriage partner.
However, considering the family status, she thought that simply because he couldn't use magic, the marriage could not be avoided, so she had knocked on the door of the Economic Revolution Club's room to find Arthur's flaws up close.
Only Arthur sensed such an atmosphere; while he did not show it on his face, he was sighing inwardly.
I haven't finished writing everything yet, but I wanted to post it by the end of the month.