MTLNOVEL Chapter 14: Nora's Interest
In the mansion's courtyard, Sofia waited quietly beside the carriage, while the five escorting cavalrymen sat on their horses, alert and at attention.
Moments later, Nora appeared in the doorway of the mansion, causing Sofia's eyes to light up with happiness.
As Nora approached, Sofia bowed her head respectfully and greeted, "Welcome back, Princess."
Nora offered a faint smile and nodded. "Thank you, Sofia. Let's be on our way."
Without waiting for a response, Nora climbed into the carriage, leaving Sofia standing in confusion.
However, Sofia said nothing and quickly followed, stepping into the carriage.
The carriage, along with the five escorting soldiers, swiftly left the Duke of Vanitas Mansion.
***
"Sofia, please prepare me a cup of hot tea," Nora requested casually.
Sofia nodded slightly and replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness."
She quickly began preparing the tea, though her expression seemed distant, as if lost in thought.
'How did the breakup of Her Highness's engagement go? Was it successful? If so, why doesn't she seem happy?' She wondered, puzzled.
Before leaving the Duke of Vanitas Mansion, Sofia had always seen Nora's proud, eager expression, as though she were anticipating the end of the engagement with excitement.
But now... why did she seem so indifferent?
Her confusion lingered in her mind until she finally finished brewing the tea and brought it to Nora.
"Here's your tea, Your Highness," Sofia said as she handed the teacup over.
Nora smiled and replied, "Thank you."
She lifted the teacup from its saucer and took a sip, her face brightening with a contented expression.
'This is really refreshing,' she murmured as she continued to sip.
Sofia stood silently beside her, but the confusion on her face was hard to hide from Nora.
After a moment, Nora slowly placed the teacup back on its saucer, crossed her legs, and asked, "What's on your mind, Sofia?"
Ah!" Sofia was startled and gave an awkward smile. "Your Highness, I was just thinking about the breakup of your engagement. Did it go well? If so... why don't I see you smiling happily?"
Nora's expression remained unchanged as she heard Sofia's words. She knew exactly what was on Sofia's mind but deliberately chose not to acknowledge it.
She rested her right cheek lazily against her hand and gazed out the small window, watching the trees sway in the breeze.
"As for breaking off our engagement... I'm not going to do it."
Sofia's face froze at the words. Her eyes widened in shock, and her mouth fell open, as though she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.
After a moment, she regained her composure, her brows furrowing with concern.
"Your Highness, have you really thought this through? Weren't you so eager to break off the engagement with Arthur—I mean, Young Master Arthur Vanitas? Why are you changing your mind now?"
Nora remained calm in the face of her doubts and replied, "I did think that way before. But after meeting Arthur Vanitas, I've had a change of heart."
Her cryptic words left Sofia stunned, and a sudden thought flashed in her mind, making her heart race.
"Your Highness... Are you in love with him?" Sofia asked, horror evident in her voice.
"Ahem!" Nora immediately choked on her saliva upon hearing Sofia's accusation.
Her face flushed, and she glared at Sofia angrily. "In love? What nonsense are you talking about?"
Despite her anger, the embarrassed blush on her face was impossible to hide.
Sofia let out a relieved sigh and patted her big chest. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. I thought you were in love with him."
Nora took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and scoffed. "Humph! How could I fall in love with someone so talentless like him?"
There was confidence in her words, but anyone who paid attention could sense the uncertainty beneath them.
'That strange feeling... Am I really in love with him?' Nora wondered inwardly but quickly shook off the thought.
She was a proud princess, and her future partner had to be someone of great talent, not an ordinary man with no magic talents.
Though Arthur was incredibly handsome and his appearance outshone many of the young masters or princes she had encountered, it wasn't enough for her.
"In that case, can you tell me why you're keeping your engagement to him, Your Highness?"
Sofia's curious question snapped Nora from her thoughts.
Nora was silent for a moment before replying, "It's because I don't want to be engaged to someone else."
She picked up her hand fan, idly fiddling with it, then continued, "As you know, if my engagement to Arthur Vanitas is canceled, my father will surely be angry. But his anger would be short-lived, and soon enough, he would betroth me to a prince from another kingdom or perhaps a young master from another noble family."
"Most of those young masters or princes are arrogant and bothersome. Some are even downright lustful. So, I'd rather stay engaged to Arthur Vanitas to avoid them."
"Despite his many flaws, Arthur Vanitas is neither as annoying nor as depraved as the young masters from other noble families."
She blinked her eyes and took another sip of her tea.
This was the excuse she had prepared for Sofia and anyone else who might question her decision after her visit to the Duke of Vanitas Mansion.
As for the real reason she had kept her engagement to Arthur Vanitas, even she didn't fully understand it. At first, she believed it was out of pity for him, which had led to her decision.
But was that a logical reason? Of course not.
Born in the Imperial Palace, she had witnessed countless intrigues and was taught to be ruthless and decisive from a young age.
In the end, there was only one real reason—Arthur Vanitas was unlike any young master she had met.
While many people flattered and admired her, Arthur was easygoing, straightforward, rough, and unyielding with her. It was something she had never experienced with anyone else, and it drew her to him.
A playful smile spread across her lips as she opened her hand fan and hid half of her face behind it.
'Arthur Vanitas... What kind of person are you?'