High Value

[ What a sickly beautiful story huh! ]

Diana felt nauseous when she heard Ariana's answer. It felt better if she was scolded or punished as well. After the tea party was over, Diana stepped aside and vomited up all the confectionary that had entered her stomach.

"Lady Evans… are you all right?"

Of course it must be foul. Diana knew Elizabeth Campbell would catch her after the tea party but not this soon. The situation now is a bit...

The revulsion in Diana's stomach suddenly vanished when she found Elizabeth holding out her handkerchief to her.

Elizabeth come with a good intention. She thought it must be because Diana was too nervous. She had also felt nauseous during the tea party, but it disappeared after the party ended. It seemed Diana was going through the worst.

[ Is she a Saintess? ]

Oh, no way. The last Saintess had no successors. Elizabeth should have been enthroned as a saintess with such a noble personality.

Despite her bad condition Diana felt she had to straighten up when she faced Elizabeth. Covering her mouth, she asked, "is there something you'd like to tell me, Lady Campbell?"

Diana understood that Elizabeth would complain about her seat problem. She was well prepared for Elizabeth's anger but not for her kindness.

"Are you feeling better now?" Elizabeth asked the same question again.

"Did you follow me to say that? Lady Campbell, don't beat around the bush. I'd be more than happy if you would just come straight to me. There's no need to hold back."

"Can't you first get my handkerchief before we talk?" Elizabeth still held out her handkerchief patiently even with an understanding smile.

"You mean my current state is disgusting?" Diana couldn't help but snatch the handkerchief that Elizabeth offered and wiped her mouth. She herself was disgusted. Even more repulsed by the feeling of being pitied by Elizabeth.

"Forgive me if I made you feel bad, Lady Evans. I don't regret giving up my seat to you. The meeting with the noble women was indeed a bit worrying. It's just… I wish you'd be more careful."

"Milady, would you tell me what I should be careful of?" Diana knew where it was leading but she still asked for more.

"Please be careful of every word you say in front of the noble women. I'm sure you have no intention of insinuating Her Majesty but those noble women can twist things and get you in trouble."

Huh… Is it just like this?

Diana was somewhat disappointed that Elizabeth was much better than she thought. She still couldn't be sure if her intention was real or superficial. Diana once had known a typically kind girl like Elizabeth but who knew that in the end that girl would be the one who wanted her death the most. Diana should not judge someone arbitrarily anymore.

For now, it might be better for Diana to keep Elizabeth in check. She would seek another opportunity to see what the real Elizabeth was like, and only then would Diana decide how she should face her.

"Thank you for the advice, Lady Campbell. I will be more careful in the future."

Elizabeth's smile grew brighter after hearing Diana's answer. "If there is—"

Diana knew what Elizabeth was going to say so she quickly cut in. "I'm also grateful for the handkerchief you gave me. I hope you don't mind if I keep it as a reminder of your kindness. Instead I will send you a new handkerchief."

"Ah, yes. You can keep it." Elizabeth wanted to continue but she somehow hesitated, like there was a cliff between them and she would fall if she tried to utter another word.

"Then please excuse me, My Lady."

Elizabeth had no reason to hold Diana any longer so she let Diana go.

…

It wasn't until half a day that news of Diana's rebellion reached the Prince's Palace.

"What's wrong with that woman?" Lucas asked because the messenger's aide immediately reported as soon as he entered Austin's study without looking at who was with his master.

"Uh, Your Highness, Lady Evans…" the aide hesitated a little when he noticed Lucas' existence. Luckily he hadn't started talking yet.

"Just tell me what happened." Austin wanted to quickly hear the news.

The aide carefully reported what he had heard from the palace maids. Even so, he made the news sound as horrendous as if Diana were going to be sentenced to death.

"Are you sure Her Majesty didn't do anything after hearing Lady Evans mention such a shoddy history?" Austin asked to make sure. Who knows if there was a stage created, while they were talking, Ariana was probably preparing a punishment for Diana.

As far as Austin could tell, his mother was not a forgiving woman but an extremely vengeful one. Ariana could name every single mistake Austin had made since he was born.

"I don't know but Lady Evans has safely returned to the Princess' Palace."

"Tch!" The news became less interesting for Lucas because Diana survived. She slipped off from the death door again, he thought.

"Okay, you may go." Austin intended to banish the aide from leaving, but strangely Lucas also got up from his spot. "Where are you going?"

"Where do you think? Someone has to teach that country bumpkin some manners." Lucas turned around, following Austin's aide who had opened the door for him.

"I thought you didn't even want to see her face," Austin said again.

Austin knows very well what Lucas does every day. A week after the engagement ceremony, Lucas didn't even take a single time to glance at Diana. Lucas would keep himself busy at work and in his free time he would come rioting in his brother's study.

"Heh, who knew this would be the last day I saw her?" Lucas stepped away while the aide closed the door for him.

Austin started laughing after Lucas left. It was funny watching Lucas immediately move to go meet Diana. It was impossible for Lucas to worry about Diana. This little rascal… don't say that he just lacked an excuse to meet Diana.

Austin opened his palm, he could still remember the sensation when his fingers wrapped around Diana's. When they unite and move their bodies in sync to the foxtrot dance. Diana was like a peony blooming in his hand.

It was the most remarkable dance experience of Austin's entire life. Even after the song was over he could barely let Diana out of his arms.

He wanted to feel Diana in his arms again…

NO! He couldn't lose to the shallow desires that were bubbling up in the meantime. Diana did intrigue him but more than that was pointless move.

Diana would have been nothing without the Empress' support. She couldn't give him any support to make him the crown prince. Count Evans may have managed to make some achievements and receive recognition but that was far from enough. Diana's value was only a tenth of the benefits he could receive from Elizabeth Campbell.

It's just that Austin still can't understand why Ariana values Diana so highly. What was his mother trying to do?