Chapter 10: The First Meeting with Nora
In the parlor, a young girl sat with a calm and indifferent expression.
Despite her young age, her face was extraordinarily beautiful and captivating.
She was none other than Nora Luvina, the Third Princess of the Magic Empire of Luminus.
"Princess Nora, I warmly welcome you to our mansion."
Seated across from her was a mature woman of remarkable beauty and charm, who greeted her respectfully.
The woman had long black hair styled into a bun on the left and striking red eyes that shimmered with allure.
Dressed in a perfectly fitting black gown, she exuded a gentle yet dignified aura, befitting a noble lady.
She was Elizabeth Voundel, the lady of the Vanitas family and the legal wife of Jacob Vanitas.
To those meeting her for the first time, she appeared as a kind and loving woman. However, those who truly knew her understood that she was a dangerous and calculating figure.
In response, Nora simply smiled politely and gave a small nod.
"Thank you, Duchess Elizabeth. I hope my visit hasn't caused any inconvenience," she said calmly.
Elizabeth chuckled, shook her head, and waved her hand. "Don't feel that way, Princess. Your arrival is our greatest honor, and we are truly delighted to welcome you."
Had those sweet words of praise come from a low-ranking noble or a commoner, Nora would have simply ignored them.
However, since they came from Elizabeth—a Duchess—she couldn't afford to take them lightly. After all, the Vanitas family held a prestigious position in the Empire, and even her father and mother had to show them respect.
The two then engaged in conversation, discussing various topics related to daily life. As noblewomen, their discussion remained formal and somewhat dull.
Until suddenly, the sound of approaching footsteps from the right made them pause and turn toward the source.
There, they saw an extraordinarily handsome young man. His flawless features could stir envy in any man and admiration in any woman.
Even Nora, who had encountered many handsome men, found herself mesmerized. A faint flush spread across her youthful face, and her heartbeat quickened.
However, as a princess, her self-control was formidable. Within seconds, she regained her composure, though her gaze occasionally flickered toward him.
The young man, none other than Arthur, came to a stop two meters away from them.
"Forgive me for being late to welcome you, Princess," Arthur greeted respectfully, bowing his head slightly.
At the same time, he observed Nora and couldn't help but admire her.
'She's truly beautiful, just as described in the novel,' he thought sincerely.
Her beauty was beyond words. Her long golden hair was styled in an intricate updo, yet it suited her perfectly.
Even standing in her presence, one would instinctively feel a sense of pressure and subconsciously lower their gaze. It was the invisible aura she exuded.
Well, that was no surprise. As a princess, Nora carried the bloodline of Emperors who had ruled the Magic Empire of Luminus for generations.
The oppressive presence she radiated was a natural trait she had possessed since birth.
Nora couldn't help but smile upon seeing Arthur. She studied him from head to toe, a hint of intrigue in her gaze.
'Arthur Vanitas, huh? He's even more handsome than I expected,' she murmured softly.
Although Arthur's status as an illegitimate child was well known among the noble families, few had actually seen him in person.
Jacob had never introduced him publicly, keeping him in the shadows.
However, rumors spoke of Arthur as a stunningly handsome and charming young man.
Whether those rumors were exaggerated or not, the image had already taken root in the minds of the nobility.
Now, seeing him in person, Nora had to admit—the rumors weren't just baseless gossip. In fact, Arthur's looks far surpassed them.
'Unfortunately, he has no talent for magic,' she muttered with a hint of regret.
As the proud princess of the Magic Empire of Luminus, she held high standards for a potential partner.
Arthur undoubtedly exceeded expectations in terms of appearance, but when it came to talent, he fell painfully short.
She wanted a partner who was stronger and more gifted than she was—someone she could wholeheartedly devote herself to without hesitation.
Nora took a deep breath to calm herself and was about to speak when Elizabeth suddenly cut in.
"Arthur, how can you behave like that? Don't you know the proper etiquette for welcoming a guest?" Her cold gaze bore into him.
Then, as if remembering something, a faint, mocking smile curled on her lips.
"Well, I suppose I shouldn't expect much from an abandoned child who never had the chance to learn etiquette," she said sarcastically. "Even so, you've made the grave mistake of keeping the Third Princess waiting. Do you know what you should do to make up for it?"
Arthur's expression stiffened at her mocking words.
He shot her a cold glare and muttered under his breath, 'Damn it! This woman—Elizabeth—is such a bitch!'
Since his thoughts were entirely focused on Nora, he ignored the presence of this irritating woman.
Admittedly, Elizabeth was undeniably beautiful, possessing the refined charm of a mature woman.
Perhaps it was her upbringing in noble etiquette since childhood that gave her a grace beyond that of an ordinary woman.
If otaku in Japan saw her, they would undoubtedly drool with excitement. After all, Elizabeth's appearance aligned perfectly with their fantasies.
Suppressing his irritation, he lowered his head toward Elizabeth and replied in a distressed tone, "I'm sorry, Madam—I mean, Mother. I know I was wrong and promise not to repeat it."
Under normal circumstances, Elizabeth would never allow him to call her "Mother." However, in the presence of others, she insisted on maintaining the act.
Although he didn't know the exact reason, he suspected it was likely to conceal the rift between them from others.
Elizabeth nodded in satisfaction but quickly added, "Do not apologize to me—apologize to the Third Princess."
Arthur rolled his eyes. He could sense Elizabeth's smugness as he apologized to her, yet she continued this farce, humiliating him in front of Nora.
Turning his gaze back to Nora, he bowed his head once more.
"Please forgive my impolite behavior, Third Princess," he said sincerely.
'Patience, Yuuya! This is only temporary! When you rise in the future, you can escape this damn fate!'
Arthur kept reminding himself, forcing his tense body to gradually relax.
Now was not the time to confront Elizabeth. He had to bide his time, build his strength, and when the moment arrived, he would no longer have to bow his head in submission.
As the old saying goes, "A man's revenge is never too late, even after ten years."
Unbeknownst to him, Nora, sitting on the sofa, noticed the subtle change in his expression.
She was momentarily taken aback before a playful smile appeared on her lips.
"How interesting..."