Chapter 148
Elena’s POV
The next day, just like what I said to the Duchess, I went back to the palace to pay the Grand Princess a visit.
Wearing another uncomfortable set of maroon dress and heels, I sat on the back of the car with the windows down, letting the fresh air calm my nerves before we arrived.
As soon as the car was parked in front of Princess Geline’s mansion, I looked at it and couldn’t help but feel only coldness despite the beautiful mid–morning sun gleaming on it.
Grabbing the wine box from the armrest, I opened the door and walked out of the car.
“Zara, stay in here. I’ll go alone,” I ordered with my palms up as soon as I saw Zara about to open the passenger’s door and follow me.
I didn’t know how long I would stay in there. Knowing the Grand Princess’ personality as she showed in the party, it might take longer as she’s harder to handle than the Duchess. For sure, Zara won’t be able to come inside with me either. And I wouldn’t want her waiting outside the door for too long.
The hesitation on Zara’s part was evident in the worried glance she gave me and the way her lips parted to speak.
“But-” Her eyes travelled to the box I was carrying.
“Don’t worry. I’m not here to fight. I’m just here to return a gift.” With that, I turned my back on her.
In fact, I’m not just here to talk to her as I planned yesterday after I talked to the Duchess. I’m here more to confront Princess Geline.
After my visit to the Duchess, I came back to the packhouse only to learn that I received a gift from Princess Geline. One that spoke mockery than an actual congratulatory gift.
With my head held high and my spine straight, I stood outside her mansion, where two guards, each on a separate post, stood guard.
Keeping my eyes straight, I spoke with dominance, “Please let the Princess know I’m here, asking for her audience.”
I had Jayden inform them about my arrival. If it were any other person, they would have already prepared to welcome me or had someone wait for me to guide me inside. But things were different.
Instead, the guards blocked the gate and looked at me with strict expressions. “Her highness gave strict orders that you are not to-”
I tilted my head. “Then you can tell her I’m returning something and will leave it behind here if she doesn’t see me. She’ll know what it is.”
Their stances wavered slightly. They looked at each other with hesitation, but I didn’t wait and took that as an opportunity instead. With a smooth manoeuvre, I swerved to the left, vaulted over the wall by jumping and kicking on it a few times before landing quietly on the gravel path leading toward the rear garden.
Gasps and shouts echoed behind me as I heard the gate open and others trying to catch up with me.
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It’s hard doing things with my dress and heels on, but I’m not about to give up now. So, I kept walking with long and fast strides, weaving through one place after another until I saw her.
The Grand Princess was sitting in her garden, sipping green tea and enjoying the fresh air with ease as if she didn’t have a single enemy in the world.
When she saw me, her eyes widened.
“You.” Her cup hit the table with a sharp clink, and she sat up properly, sending me a deadly glare. “You dare show your face after the disgrace at my birthday?”
“I made no such thing, Your Highness,” I said, stepping into the light.
“No such thing?” she snapped. “You insulted your elders, hijacked the attention, and now you come here?”
“I came to return a gift,” I said flatly as I set the wine box on the table with a thud.
She looked at it as if it might explode.
“You know exactly what this is,” I added.
Her jaws clenched. She didn’t touch it.
“You sent it to my pack yesterday in the guise of your gift for me…” I continued. “A congratulatory gift after the announcement of my engagement to Deacon.”
She said sharply. “I thought you’d enjoy a little humour. That’s what you people do now, isn’t it? Laugh everything off?”
I flipped the box open.
Inside sat a pristine custom–printed designer wine bottle. The label read: “For Miss Elena and her future husband – A Toast to Winning the Consolation Prize.”
And underneath, in small print, it says: “May your husband enjoy what others politely declined.”
My hands stayed steady. “You sent this to mock me. And my engagement.”
The Grand Princess leaned back, unbothered. “If you’re engagement and relationship were so secure, why does it bother you?”
I met her gaze as I spoke with a low but clear voice. “Because you think this is about pride. About rank. But it’s about cruelty. You don’t know me. You don’t know Deacon. Yet you feel entitled to spit on something you barely understand.”
She scoffed. “I understand enough. You’re in trouble with a ribbon on. I see the way people look at you now -like you’re something admirable. Like you haven’t clawed your way here, dragging scandal behind you.”
I took a step closer. “I’ve been called worse. But at least I’ve never hidden behind birthday parties and passive–aggressive gifts to get my way.”
Suddenly, guards appeared at the edge of the garden. She raised one hand sharply. “Stand down. I won’t have gossip saying I called my guards on my future niece–in–law.”
“Oh, don’t worry. You won’t have to deal with me often,” I said, lifting the bottle out of the case. “But since
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you sent this to my doorstep-”
With a sharp crack, I threw it against the base of her marble fountain. Glass shattered, and red wine spread like blood.
Smirking at the masterpiece of how the water on her fountain turned to look like blood, I smirked. “I thought it only fair to return it to yours.”
The silence after was deadly. She didn’t even breathe. She was just there looking at me like she’d murder me any second now.
“I know who you are, Grand Princess,” I said quietly. “And now you know who Lam. I don’t bow to bullies. I don’t run. And I never forget.”
She remained frozen, eyes wide with insult and fury.
“Have a good afternoon, and…” Looking at some of which spilt on the floor, I added. “Try not to slip.”
And with that, I turned and walked out, my heels clicking like thunder across the stone path.
Chapter 149
Chapter 149
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
