Transmigration: Step Into The World of Books And Become The Strongest!

Elizabeth snorted coldly before turning her gaze back to Nora, a warm smile returning to her lips.

"In that case, I won't take up your time any longer," she said softly, rising gracefully to her feet.

Nora simply responded with a polite smile, saying nothing.

Elizabeth walked out of the parlor, but as she passed Arthur, she slowed her steps and whispered coldly, "Don't ever bring trouble to the Vanitas family, or you'll face severe consequences."

With that, she resumed her pace and disappeared from sight.

Arthur's expression remained unchanged—such a trivial threat was hardly enough to provoke him.

Still, he would remember every bit of malice Elizabeth harbored against him and repay it many times over in the future.

He was neither cruel nor evil, but if necessary, he would not hesitate to act.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he lifted his gaze to Nora, who was watching him with a knowing smile.

Ignoring her, he walked over to the sofa where Elizabeth had been sitting and took a seat.

Just as he was about to speak, Nora quickly cut him off.

"Is life at the Duke Vanitas Mansion not treating you well, Young Master Arthur Vanitas?"

She unfolded a gold-colored hand fan, covering half of her face as she gazed at Arthur with a playful glint in her eyes.

Arthur was momentarily startled but quickly regained his composure. He responded with a faint smile, shaking his head.

"My life is just fine, Princess. I spend ordinary, peaceful days—though they can be a bit dull," he replied politely, shrugging his shoulders.

Of course, the truth was far from "fine," but he wasn't foolish enough to reveal that to Nora.

He had to uphold the name and dignity of the Vanitas family. Besides, there was a chance her question was merely a trap.

If he carelessly walked into it, his days ahead could become even more troublesome.

"Still, I can see that Duchess Elizabeth is cold and rather harsh toward you. Is that what you call 'fine'?"

As if dissatisfied, Nora pressed the topic further, causing Arthur's brows to furrow slightly.

Now, he was certain that this girl was deliberately trying to make him slip up.

'Sure enough, she's sly and irritating,' Arthur muttered under his breath.

Considering Arthur Vanitas' nature in the novel, he was certain the original Arthur would have walked right into this trap, exposing all the hardships he endured at Duke Vanitas' mansion—disgracing the family's name in the process.

But would he be as foolish as Arthur Vanitas? Of course not!

He was a transmigrator who had read countless novels filled with intricate intrigues.

Moreover, in his previous life, he had been a 25-year-old man who had endured numerous hardships.

Could a mere trap set by a 13-year-old girl possibly fool him? Heh… that's simply ridiculous!

Arthur's expression gradually turned cold and serious as he spoke. "Third Princess, I understand that you hold a high position and are indulged by the Emperor and Empress. However, you should know your limits and refrain from speaking that way about my mother. Do you realize your words are tantamount to mocking the Vanitas family?"

"If my father were to hear of this, would you dare to face the consequences? The Vanitas family is one of the most powerful in the Magic Empire of Luminus, second only to the imperial family."

"Should we choose to bring this matter before the Emperor, I'm certain he wouldn't hesitate to punish you—regardless of your status as the Third Princess."

Arthur's words, laced with accusations and veiled threats, wiped the smile from Nora's lips. Her beautiful face flushed red, her expression darkening with anger.

"Are you threatening me?" she asked through gritted teeth.

Arthur's expression remained composed as he replied casually, "If you see it as a threat, that's your choice. I merely stated the truth."

"You…" Nora bit her lower lip, clenching her hands tightly.

She hadn't expected Arthur to be this sharp and unyielding. Her question had been meant as a simple test—to gauge his character and see what kind of person he truly was.

Before setting out for the Duke Vanitas Mansion, she had secretly investigated her fiancé and discovered that Arthur lived in hardship within the Vanitas household.

Moreover, the reports she received painted him as weak and cowardly.

That was why she had wanted to test him firsthand. Yet, instead of proving her assumptions right, the test had completely backfired.

Not only had Arthur threatened her, but he had also humiliated her!

As the Third Princess, accustomed to arrogance and superiority, how could she possibly tolerate such an insult?

Arthur could sense her anger, but he had no intention of apologizing.

At first, he had planned to discuss breaking their engagement in a civil manner. However, he hadn't expected Nora to come at him so aggressively.

Since she was the one who initiated the hostility, he saw no reason to be polite—let alone try to win her favor.

Moreover, he recalled certain details about Nora from her character description in the novel—she despised those who fawned over her and looked down on them.

With that in mind, he decided to change his approach—firm and unyielding.

Of course, this approach had a major drawback—it could easily backfire on him.

Still, as the saying goes, "The world is like a gamble. The greater the risk, the greater the reward."

So, he chose to take the gamble.

"Don't you want to apologize to me?"

Nora's sharp voice rang out from the front, snapping Arthur out of his thoughts.

He smirked, leaned back against the sofa, and crossed his legs in an air of defiance.

"Apologize? Heh! And why should I? Shouldn't you be the one doing that?"

Gone was the pretense of politeness and respect, replaced by sheer arrogance.

"You—!" Nora gasped, her chest rising and falling in anger as she glared at Arthur, her eyes burning red with fury. "How dare you be so insolent? I am a princess of the Magic Empire of Luminus, and you're nothing more than an illegitimate child of the Vanitas family! If I tell my father, the Emperor, you will face severe punishment!"

Faced with her threat, Arthur merely smiled faintly. "If you truly dare, then go ahead. I'm sure the Emperor is a wise man who won't be easily swayed by your provocations. After all, he knows you well—and he knows exactly who is at fault here."

Nora's beautiful face turned pale, and her throat tightened. She couldn't refute him—because she knew Arthur was right.

Moreover, her decision to visit the Duke Vanitas Mansion and break off the engagement had been made without her father's knowledge.

All things considered, she was indeed cornered and at a disadvantage.

Seeing her on the verge of exploding, Arthur chose not to press her further. Pushing too hard could be dangerous for him.

According to the novel's description, Nora was a girl who loved and hated with equal intensity.

Earning her love was a blessing, but earning her hatred… Ahem! That was nothing short of a disaster.

"So, can you tell me why you came to see me? Is this about the engagement?" Arthur swiftly shifted the conversation.

Nora took a deep breath, trying to compose herself, though the resentment in her eyes was unmistakable.

"Yes, it's about the engagement," she said flatly, then added bluntly, "I want to break it off!"