The Story Is Not Over Yet Chapter 82

“How are you going to untie the string in the back by yourself? I have dismissed all the maids, it's only you and me here, so don't worry.”

“Sto, stop it!”

Azela did not stop despite her hastily shouting voice.

Livia twisted her body, but it was not enough for her to defeat Azela. As she untied all the laces, the dress, which had been draped over Livia's body, fell to the floor.

Azela's eyes widened and then narrowed… It was as expected. At the same time, Livia closed her eyes tightly and covered herself with her hands.

“…Don't, don't look.”

The girl lowered her reddened face and whispered softly, covering herself further with her hands. Her body was covered with scars and bruises, with almost no flesh attached to it. Azela had a hard time finding a place where there were no bruises.

She gently wiped the scar on her shoulder, which appeared to be new, much to Livia's astonishment.

“Uh!”

Livia shed tears as the wounds were sore and let out a small moan. With the sound that conveyed pain just by hearing it, Azela hurriedly withdrew her hand.

“Who did this?”

“Who dares to the Princess…”

Even to her trembling voice, Livia did not answer. She just shook her head as if she didn't want to answer. Was there anyone who could mit such atrocities against the Princess?

Azela frowned.

There were few who could do this to her — the Emperor, his concubines, including the Empress, and her brothers, including Chises… That was it.

So, just because Livia answered who it was, Azela could do nothing to help her.

Taking out the dress that she had draped over the hanger, Azela hurriedly put it on Livia to cover her wounds. The dress, which she expected to be a little bigger, fortunately, fit the girl perfectly. Azela lightly kicked the little dress that had fallen on the floor with her feet.

“…Please, keep this a secret from others.”

As she tied the knot in her dress, Livia whispered in a dignified voice, just like when they first met at the party.

Even though she wanted to say something to the Princess, she didn't know what to say. It was nosy to worry more than this. It was her life… the life that Azela could neither live nor take responsibility for. In the end, she frowned and nodded her head.

“…Yes.”

Livia smiled faintly as she spat out the heavy, bitter words.

She then told her story while changing the dress and tidying her hair, except for, of course, the fact that she was a witch who could wield ancient magic. It was because she seemed to avoid approaching that fact with Azela.

Although Livia spoke lightly and cheerfully, the story was by no means so.

“…So that's why I went to the party to find Duke Ferial that day.”

Livia, who started the conversation first in a melancholic voice, uttered her words with a light smile as if she felt good about having someone to talk to like this. Her smile was in full bloom on top of her gloomy face.

In a way, Azela was also her petitor, but she didn't seem to care because she didn't love him anyway.

“How can Duke Ferial help…?”

“My nanny told me. She said I could get out of the Imperial Palace if I married him.”

“…Ah.”

“I want to get out of that Palace… That's why I'm going to marry Duke Ferial.”

Azela asked with a bitter smile.

“You don't love him, do you?”

She looked startled at Azela's question. She looked like she had never even thought about it, and Livia bowed her head as if contemplating something when she asked her. Then, Livia shook her head before opening her mouth.

“Love is difficult for me.”

“Duke Ferial definitely is great in appearance, and outwardly everything is perfect. And, that's not just all. He has enough fortune to live up to an imperial standard, and he has the power to match it.”

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“Yes.”

Hearing it through her mouth, Azela realized it again.

The human Duke Ferial was the perfect man… He was perfect, with no flaws, to the point that he couldn't be called a human. Even the Princess, who grew up in the Imperial Family, felt that he was such a perfect person.

“Still, my heart has never raced against Duke Ferial. I've never been excited, I've never been emotional… Oh, I've been angry before. He told me he wasn't interested in women, but the last time he visited with Miss Bellasta and embraced you. At that time, I was angry because he lied to me.”

“Then…”

“Miss Vellista.”

As Azela was about to speak more, Livia lightly cut her off. She then turned her body from the chair where she was sitting and gazed up at Azela.

It was a straight gaze with no disruption.

“Are you Duke Ferial's lover?”

“…Yes?”

Livia's expression was serious.

Azela, who was about to shake her head saying no to that question, bit her lips firmly instead of answering. Did Livia want to marry him if her said she was not his lover here? What if she asked her to help the two get married…?

Even though her situation was pitiful, that didn't mean she could help Zagnac and Livia get married. At the same time, Livia let out a deep sigh as Azela didn't answer and only her gaze rolled to and fro.

“I see. I thought so, too. Miss Vellista is tall, gorgeous, beautiful, and she's such a good swordsman.”

“It's not…”

Azela muffled her words. Her conscience was pricked as this felt like cheating on an innocent little child.

Livia, who had let out a deep sigh, continued again.

“Is the reason you came out of Count Todd's mansion because of Duke Ferial?”

“It isn't.”

“I heard that Count Todd had a mistress… If not, is it that Miss Vellista wants revenge on Count Todd, and is pretending to be Duke Ferial's lover?”

Somewhat. As her reasoning came close to her answer, Azela replaced it with a puzzled smile. Seeing that she simply smiled at her, Livia shrugged her shoulders as she blushed with embarrassment.

“…I'm sorry. Has my imagination gone too far? All I do while in the Imperial Palace is read books from the library. Sometimes, the library contains books about love stories that moners like.”

“It's okay.”

Azela smiled as she knelt down on one knee and made eye contact with Livia. She spoke bluntly, stroking the girl's blushing cheek with her finger.

“Actually, Duke Ferial and I are not lovers.”

“Well then, could you help me…”

“But unfortunately, I can't help the Princess.”

Livia's face, which had stood in anticipation at her resolute words, was stained with disappointment. Her droopy shoulders even looked like she was about to cry.

Azela smiled sadly and took off Livia's shoes.

Perhaps, she was still wearing shoes that were too small for her. Her toes were curled up and had turned purple as the blood didn't flow properly.

“Because…”

She continued her words as she took out the little shoes Livia had worn before and pared it with her feet. Embarrassed on her feet, which Livia suddenly showed, she hastily covered her feet with her hands.

“I…”

Azela paused. When she stopped her mouth, her hand stopped as well.

'…Because I like Duke Ferial.'

Those were the words that couldn't e out of her mouth because it was a feeling she had somehow denied. The moment she wanted to take it out, Azela had to keep her mouth shut, as she felt it would bee a feeling she could no longer hide or deny.

“Do you like Duke Ferial?”

Livia, who tilted her head, asked as if she had noticed. She seemed to have forgotten to cover her feet. The big red eyes lit up with romance, and her face was full of excitement.

Azela didn't answer, she just smiled faintly.

At that smile, Livia nodded her head as if that answer was enough. However, it was only for a while, and soon, her face turned dark.

Chapter end