The Author And Her Protagonist

Elena raised her head.

Her gaze was fixed on the man she adored with all her heart. The longing in her eyes was so intense and thick that others could sense how strong the woman’s feelings for the man in front of her were.

Elena had been frustrated with her own love for three months. As a result, she found it difficult to control herself as soon as she met him.

Elena struggled to remain graceful, even though her heart desired to leap into the arms of the Marquess she adored.

Meanwhile, the man himself, Edgar, paid no attention to Elena.

“Yes, we met here by chance,” he said to Xander, still holding Cheryl’s hand.

Edgar cast another quick glance at Xander. “My wife and I will go in first,” he said, gently grabbing Cheryl’s hand and saying, “Come on, my dear wife.”

Cheryl nodded, her face bright with a smile.

They followed Beth and the other two maids from the courtyard to the palace.

Cheryl reflected on the previous meeting in silence. Elena was a woman Cheryl remembered well.

Just then, at Emily’s tavern, she learns that Edgar has a woman from a brothel named Elena who caters specifically to him.

“The Marquess of Northland is said to be very fond of this woman,” Emily had told her at the time.

If Cheryl had been able to respond to that fact with ease, it wouldn’t have been the same now.

Offended? Obviously. What woman does not experience pain when she meets her husband’s former “bed partner”?

Jealous? This is also unquestionable. Elena, in particular, has a stunning face and a sexy body shape.

“What’s the matter, my dear wife? Why do you appear uninspired? Are you feeling unwell? “Edgar inquired.

Cheryl raised her head, meeting Edgar’s concerned gaze.

Because she was irritated, the young woman refused to respond. In her mind, Edgar must have given that look to another woman, making Cheryl sick with rage.

Instead of responding, she turned her gaze to the overcrowded area of the palace.

This engagement party was much busier than her wedding reception, as she had expected.

Edgar didn’t mind if his wife ignored him. He gently guided Cheryl’s hand up the stairs and through the main door of Zizvailles Palace.

Even though the Marquess had only just entered the hall, there were nobles everywhere who wanted to speak with him. Whether it’s a casual greeting or someone who is well acquainted with him.

Edgar talked with the gentleman without letting Cheryl off the hook, causing the woman to snort repeatedly.

“Why is he clutching my hand like a cop clutching a suspect? I’d rather eat than converse with these people “She grumbled angrily.

The nobles who had been obstructing the Marquess’ path for so long had now disbanded after achieving their goal.

“Let’s go see the King first,” he said to the person next to him.

They walked through the main hall to the king’s throne, which was at the far end.

Following multiple of formal greetings to the king in accordance with court protocol, Edgar took Cheryl to meet today’s engaged couple, Yvette Rowe and Marius Laverty.

Cheryl kept pulling her hand away from Edgar’s grasp as she walked.

“What exactly is it?” Instead of letting go, Edgar asked.

“I don’t like being dragged around like that. First, let me go.” Cheryl rationalized.

Edgar had no idea his wife had been planning to leave him all along. “We greet the third Princess first,” he said helplessly, sighing.

“Will you let me go after that?”

“Yes.”

Cheryl couldn’t help but agree.

After the ringing ceremony, all that remained was for the fiancé to greet guests and thank them for their blessing, while the royals took advantage of the opportunity to socialize.

The two newly engaged people’s faces were filled with happy smiles. Yvette, in particular, would display a timid demeanor in front of the nobles who teased her.

The nobles retreated as the Marquess and Marchioness of Northland approached, making way for the Marquess and his wife.

Cheryl had seen Marius Laverty’s appearance from a few meters away.

The man stands approximately 170 cm tall and has long dark brown hair that is tied back. The appearance is clean, with no unnecessary luxuries. He also appears to enjoy smiling and to be unpretentious. His facial features are similar to Eugene Laverty’s, but he appears to be a little younger.

Because of his sudden appearance, this man had given Cheryl a headache for some time. Cheryl didn’t let down her guard because he appeared docile.

In fact, Cheryl is more suspicious of people like Marius Laverty because it’s so easy to hide a knife behind a suave smile.

“Greetings, Your Highness the Fourth Prince and Princess the Third. I’d like to congratulate you on your engagement. I’m hoping that this engagement brings you luck and blessings.” Edgar greeted in an uncharacteristically humble manner.

Cheryl frowned, her gaze drawn to Edgar. She knew this guy had always looked down on the royal family, but he didn’t even hesitate in front of an imperial prince. Edgar didn’t appear to be afraid of anything.

To Cheryl’s surprise, Marius didn’t seem to mind Edgar’s accent. He kept a friendly and sociable expression on his face.

“Thank you again, Marquess,” Marius said in response to Edgar’s greeting. “I heard you just got married not long ago, is that true?” he inquired.

“That is correct. This is the Marchioness of Northland, my wife.”

Marius gave Cheryl an unfathomable look. He continued, still smiling, “Marchioness, aren’t you a Princess? That means we’ll become a family. I hope we can get along in the future.”

Marius’ words were casually spoken, but they carried a much deeper meaning.

Edgar simply chuckled in response to Marius’ words.

Yvette stood by Marius’ side from the beginning, saying nothing. The young woman who holds the title of Zizvania’s most beautiful woman just stood there, staring at Edgar with eyes full of unknown emotions.

The women allegedly exchanged greetings on their own. But, seeing Yvette’s hesitation, Cheryl was also hesitant to begin. She was preoccupied with the buffet table, which was piled high with various types of food. Desire rumbled in her stomach.

Yvette became aware of Cheryl’s gaze.

“I’m hungry right now, Royal Sister. Would you like to join me as I eat some dishes?” Yvette inquired abruptly.

Cheryl was taken aback by the way Yvette addressed her.

“Uh…”

“Call her by her new title,” Edgar said.

Not only were Cheryl and Yvette taken aback, but Marius’s expression changed slightly as a result of Edgar’s impolite words.

Yvette’s surprise, on the other hand, recovered quickly. She put on her best smile and made an apology gesture.

“I apologize, Marquess. I was too tired to remember that my younger sister had married. From now on, I will refer to her by her formal title. Please don’t be concerned.”

Yvette’s approach to Edgar was noticeably different. Yvette had pulled Cheryl towards the dessert buffet table before she could think of anything else.

As they approached the table, a sweet fragrance wafted up.

“You can do whatever you want, royal sister.” Yvette refers to Cheryl as “royal sister” once more, whether on purpose or not.

Cheryl was not paying attention this time. She looked around, deciding which food she wanted to eat first.

Yvette unexpectedly took a piece of cake and handed it to Cheryl.

“This looks so good,” she said as she handed her a small plate of pretty cake slices.

Cheryl didn’t like the color of the cake, but she couldn’t say no. So she accepted Yvette’s cake and scooped it out slowly.

“Does it taste good?” Yvette inquired.

“Yeah, it’s tasty.” Cheryl responded truthfully.

“That makes me feel better.” Yvette also took and ate another cake.

Yvette hadn’t finished her cake when she noticed Eugene’s figure not far from where he stood.

The third princess quickly set her plate down.

“I have to return to greet guests with my fiancé. Are you alright with that?”

“Yes, it’s fine.”

“Excellent. If you require anything, please feel free to call my maid, Mithreene. She will supply whatever you require.”

“Of course, thank you.”

Cheryl took another cake and ate it after Yvette left.

A maid approached her, carrying a tray of drinking glasses.

“Would you like a drink, My Lady?” the maid asked politely.

“Yes, please.”

The tray contains four glasses in total. Three of the others are wines, and one is orange juice. Cheryl chose the juice glass without hesitation.

Cheryl then continued to eat and drink.

Beth appeared from behind her not long after. Cheryl had just remembered Beth’s group had joined her.

“Did you just walk in?”

“My Lady, yes. While we were registering the gifts, some palace maids caused some confusion. But don’t worry, everything is fine now.”

Cheryl nodded, sipping her orange juice, as Beth spoke. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with it, so she wasn’t concerned.

Cheryl’s body wobbled slightly as she reached out for more snacks, as if the strength in every muscle was fading. Her head was also dizzy and hurting.

Cheryl’s body was on the verge of collapsing. Fortunately, Beth acted quickly and restrained the Marchioness’s frail body.

“My Lady, are you alright?”

“I feel weak, like I’m about to pass out,” Cheryl admitted.

Mithreene approached them at this point.

“What happened, Marchioness? You appear ill,” she observed.

“Our Marchioness is not feeling well. Could you please give me some space to rest?” In place of Cheryl, Beth responded.

“Ah, yes. Please come with me. The third princess had already messaged me to be on the lookout in case the Marchioness required anything. The Princess even asked me to prepare the Princess’ private room for the Marchioness.”

Mithreene spoke for a long time as she led the way. Beth was standing behind her, as were two servant girls from the Baldwin Mansion.

Mithreene led them through a lengthy passage. Several palace guards stood guard in front of the hall.

Beth cast a glance at some of the bodyguards, her instincts making her uneasy when she met one of the bodyguards’ gaze.