I Stole the Heroine’s First Love

Chapter 4. The Value of the Invisible

Episode 28

Lela punched Raymond’s cheek as hard as she could.

For a moment, he seemed to have forgotten that he was going to be a great mage.

Suddenly, Raymond rubbed his cheek with a bewildered look on his face.

“What the hell is this…”

I quickly cut between Lela and Raymond.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“No.”

Lela was biting his lips while her hand was trembling.

Her beloved mother almost died, and she lost her workplace in an instant, so her heart could not be relieved with just one punch.

“Well, what do you think?”

Seeing Raymond wince, I couldn’t hide my smirk.

I leaned over and pressed my lips near Raymond’s ear, who was still kneeling on the floor.

“Are your feelings for Tatiana that much?”

“What are you talking about?”

Raymond stepped back as if he had been stabbed in the corner.

“You wouldn’t be doing this if she hadn’t asked you.”

“There’s no need to twist it like that, okay? I just wanted to be forgiven for my mistakes.”

A shameless apology and disgusting acting skills.

What is he trying to get by apologizing like this?

Raymond wasn’t just an idiot to the extent that he thought he could earn trust with just such an apology.

Whatever the intentions, it was a good opportunity to upset Tatiana.

“Or was she worried that she won’t get the invitation again this time?”

Of course, since Tatiana married Andrew, I haven’t invited them to a party.

It wasn’t because I didn’t particularly like Tatiana back then, but because it was painful for me to see Andrew with her.

But this ball was different.

“Tell Tatiana that she doesn’t have to worry so much.”

Raymond glared at me, then squinted his eyes, as if trying to ascertain my authenticity.

“So, don’t bother by pretending to apologize like today.”

Having nothing more to say with him, I returned to the workshop with Lela.

I saw Nivea, who had fallen asleep with her body curled up in her bed.

Lela was watching her mother with a sad look.

I beckoned Lela out of the bedroom.

“I’ll send you a doctor tomorrow. He’s a good person in this area, so she’ll get better in no time.”

“Thank you, as always.”

As Lela said so, she fiddled with her hand that had hit Raymond earlier.

“Anyway, he won’t say anything later, will he?”

“Of course. I can say that this work was done by me.”

“But…”

“You don’t have to worry about me. The person behind me is in a much higher position than the person who came before me.”

Lela’s expression was relieved when I said that I had enough status and strength, even though I had never used it before.

“Thank you for caring so much. I will definitely repay this favor.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the child who clenched her fists and spoke resolutely.

It was a cute declaration, but it was enough to show how serious she was.

“Don’t try to repay me for the favor, take revenge by becoming more famous.”

“Both will do it. Please watch over me, Princess.”

If Nivea was talented, Lela would probably make a name for herself.

And since she was so active, I decided to keep up with her rhythm.

“I look forward to it.”

I gave Lela a smile and stood up.

I had a feeling that this was going to be a success.

~*~

“Whoa…”

After all the invitations were sent, the decoration of the hall was finished. There was still some time left until the masquerade.

“By the way, Miss. Are you going to send an invitation to the Duchess?”

“Yes.”

Lily grunted as she put a hat over my head and tied the ribbon tightly.

Apparently, she didn’t like me inviting Tatiana at all.

“You don’t want her to come?”

“Right…”

I smiled a little because she was so cute that she always said what was on her mind to me.

The reason I kept Lily by my side, who could be said to be cheeky in a way, was because of her personality-always saying things that are absolutely necessary.

Lily’s actions gave me a breath of fresh air. Though I was unfamiliar with the class society, it was probably because I lived in a world before where everyone was equal.

“Don’t worry too much.”

Seeing that what Tatiana wanted has fallen into her hands, I have called her to suffer this time.

Besides, maybe her greedy nature will be revealed a little bit.

No, it will definitely be revealed.

It would be a pretty big party, so there must be a lot of eyes, and besides, the world, which was favorable to her, has changed, so maybe she wouldn’t know what to say.

“I wonder what will happen if that happens.”

“What?”

As I spoke to myself, Lily opened her eyes and looked at me.

I shook my head and looked at the remaining invitations.

I left it for a special guest, so I was going to deliver it myself.

“The carriage is ready outside, Miss.”

“I’ll be back soon.”

At the butler’s words, I put the invitation in a small handbag and left the mansion.

The carriage quickly moved towards the Imperial Palace.

The guards who checked the family crest at the main gate cleared the way.

It must have been that Aster had ordered it beforehand.

It took quite a while to get to the palace where the emperor was even riding in a carriage.

There were also many checkpoints in the middle.

‘It’s been quite a while since he became emperor.’

Even after ascending to the throne, Aster’s position continued to be threatened.

After several assassination crises and suppressing the rebellion, he brutally punished the rebels.

As a result, he succeeded in suppressing the aristocratic faction, but the perception among his people deteriorated.

Then, despite knowing that it would fail, assassination attempts continued.

‘It’s all the previous Emperor’s fault.’

He would not have had to suffer so much if it hadn’t been for the previous emperor to ignore him and give him power on purpose, even after putting him on the throne.

“We have arrived, Princess.”

While I was thinking profanely, I was awakened by the words of the coachman announcing the arrival.

When I opened the door and got off, the chieftain, whom I had met several times, was waiting.

“Welcome, Princess Pioneer.”

The chieftain smiled softly and bowed.

As I greeted him, I handed over the present brought by the maid.

“When His Majesty visited the duke’s place, I brought some of his favorite cakes. Could you have it served later at tea time?”

“I will do that. Follow me this way.”

The chief servant smiled and glanced at the beautifully packaged box, wondering what was so good.

I went through the gates and walked down the fluffy carpeted hallways.

When he arrived at the door with the imperial emblem engraved,  the chieftain turned around and said:

“I will tell His Majesty that you have arrived. Princess, please wait for a moment.”

“Yes.”

As the chaplain entered the door, I looked around, having nothing to do.

Since it was a castle mainly for public affairs, there were hardly any decorations and the inside was neat.

The sparkling midsummer sunlight embroidered on the achromatic wall.

Seeing the quiet midday summer glowing made me feel better.

I thought it was good that I came to meet Aster today.

But after a while, the mood quickly plummeted.

“Karina?”

A voice I never expected to hear.

I stood nailed to the ground and looked back slowly.

I felt a sense of surprise in the purple eyes that looked at me. He blinked as if to make sure he was really right. Read only at pm tl.

“Your Excellency.”

As I opened my mouth, the man’s face soon regained composure.

Then he took one step closer to me.

“It’s been a long time. What’s going on in the Imperial Palace…”

“We’re not in a relationship to have a private conversation, are we?”

I didn’t even want to talk to him.

He bit his lip as he revealed his hostility without hiding it.

As if I was wrong.

“Princess, His Majesty is asking you to come inside.”

It was fortunate that I did not have to deal with him any more thanks to the chieftain who returned just in time.

Had we been facing each other a little more, I might have spit at him.

“I have a prior meeting, so I’ll take my leave.”

I greeted him lightly and turned my back as it was, and I could feel a gaze following my back.

A sigh escaped as the door closed and Andrew’s gaze disappeared.

“Come here, princess.”

Aster smiled brightly and approached me. When I saw his face, I felt a little better.

“Were there any inconveniences in coming?”

“Yes. It was bothersome to get through a lot of checkpoints.”

“Ah, I’m so sorry about that.”

I couldn’t help but burst out laughing at the sight of him with a pitiful expression on his face without being sorry at all.

Aster brought me inside with a playful smile.

The lounge on the other side of the office was decorated like a greenhouse.

Plants that smelled of fresh leaves were covering the outside, so it felt cozy.

The cake I brought was placed in the middle of the table, along with teapots and glasses.

“I’m sorry for calling you to a boring place every time.”

“No, it’s better”

I didn’t hate it as much as it meant showing me his secret place.

I didn’t come often, but it was strangely uncomfortable to see Andrew every time I came.

He then led me to my seat with a happy smile.

The unpleasant encounter with Andrew then has long since been forgotten.