Volume 4, Chapter 60 – The Unnoticed Person

Taking advantage of the rare leisure time, Fia came alone to a palace.

Compared to her own, this three-story building, even if not described as shabby, was still a considerable step down from the complexes in the center of the Royal Castle. Its appearance was merely that of a common mansion, not even comparable to those of nobles like Prince Schain or Count Reinhardt. In addition, the distance between it and the other surrounding palaces was also quite close. If not for the Three Main Towers in the distance, Fia would have thought she had left the Royal Castle and arrived at the noble district outside.

This was Liti’s residence.

As Liti was still several decades away from adulthood, she still lived with her mother, the Third Royal Consort. And neither of them was favored by King Yelido, so the palace could naturally not be built to the standards of Fia’s.

Although Fia had been to Liti’s palace once before, seeing it again still made her feel emotional. To be born into the royal family, many things were beyond one’s control. She and Liti were both elf princesses, yet their treatment was so vastly different. The Eldest Princess had her own palace and over thirty servants, while Liti shared a palace with her mother, and it was still such a simple configuration.

She couldn’t control others, but for Liti, perhaps she should bring her to her own palace, or suggest to Yelido that he renovate and expand Liti’s and her mother’s.

“Your Highness, the Eldest Princess, are you here to see Her Highness the Third Princess?”

Seeing Fia stop in front of the palace, a man dressed as a soldier came forward and asked. Fia scanned him with [Wind of Exploration]. He was only at the First Rank, clearly not a member of the Imperial Guard.

To be able to guard the door of the Third Royal Consort in a soldier’s uniform without being a member of the Guard, there was only one answer: this soldier was the Third Consort’s confidant, serving by her side. Just like Anastasia and her, although Anastasia did not hold a position in the Royal Castle, she could still move about in the palace, a special kind of existence.

As for the matter of this man possibly being the Third Consort’s lover, Fia was not interested. The Third Consort was a woman who had married Yelido when he was still a prince. She was born into a noble family that had existed in the elf territory before Silvar was founded. However, as the years went by, the industries her family managed gradually fell behind the times and declined, and could now be described as barely hanging on. Her marriage to Yelido was purely for political reasons, making her a pitiful person.

Of course, compared to Yulisha, she was lucky enough. At least she and Yelido had Liti. Yulisha, on the other hand, had been infatuated with Yelido in the past, but he had never paid her any attention and had left her with nothing.

Why was such a person her Father?

Fia clicked her tongue internally, but the Third Consort’s confidant was still waiting for her answer, so she did not dwell on it.

“I want to take Liti out.”

“Understood. Please come with me to see Her Highness the Royal Consort.”

“No need. I’ll wait for her here.”

Facing the confidant who was gesturing for her to enter, Fia waved her hand in refusal. When she had come before, the Third Consort had shown an unwelcoming look. Although she understood her desire not to involve Liti in the political vortex, she could not accept a cold shoulder after offering a warm face. She did not want to see that “please leave” look on her face again, so she would naturally not cause trouble for herself by going in.

The male confidant had not expected her to refuse. He was stunned for a moment, then nodded and bowed with a placating smile.

“Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I will go and ask for Her Highness’s permission.”

“Mhm.”

Fia watched as he ran into the three-story, mansion-like building. A short while later, Liti came out, accompanied by an elf woman who looked to be in her thirties and had a score of nine out of ten in terms of appearance. Fia had seen this woman before; she was the Third Royal Consort. Compared to their first meeting, she no longer had the expression of hoping she would leave quickly, but was instead looking to the side, unwilling to look at her.

She probably knew that she had already ended Prince Schain’s faction and, for the sake of her family’s and Liti’s future, did not dare to refuse her request. But in her heart, she felt that Veronica had stolen the favor that should have belonged to her, and thus disliked her out of association. Under this contradiction, she had this kind of reaction, which was perfectly normal.

In addition, Fia also noticed that the Third Consort often looked at the male confidant beside her. That look, as if asking for help, and the relief that appeared on her face after seeing him, clearly showed that the relationship between the two was not ordinary.

It didn’t matter anyway. She had barely exchanged a few words with her, and she was not at all concerned about her private life.

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In just a second, Fia shifted her gaze to Liti beside her. Now that Schain’s faction had been uprooted, there was no need to worry about Liti being implicated in the future, so it was time to take her out.

Of course, Fia did not become arrogant just because she had gained power. Even if the Third Consort’s status was far inferior to hers, she still went through the proper procedures. She took a step forward with an expressionless face and explained her reason for taking Liti away.

And then, the Third Consort’s mouth fell open, her expression full of shock.

“You want to break Liti’s engagement to Ebert?!”

“Exactly.”

“I do not agree!”

Without even thinking, she refused.

The purpose of Fia taking Liti away today was to break her engagement to the Prime Minister’s son, Ebert. It was best to have this matter settled with the Prime Minister before Yelido returned, otherwise, the conflicts could easily pile up.

“Why do you want to break Liti’s engagement to Ebert? What are you trying to do?”

It was obvious that she saw Fia’s statement as autocratic. Although Liti was a royal, she was not favored. To be able to marry into the powerful Prime Minister’s family was actually a blessing, and would also benefit her own family. For Fia to suddenly propose to break the engagement was, in her eyes, to ruin Liti’s and her family’s future.

Fia had long expected her to get emotional. She said directly.

“Have you ever asked Liti what she thinks about this?”

“What is there to think? Ebert’s character and strength are there for all to see. It is a match made in heaven for Liti to be with him. Besides, this is His Majesty’s decree.”

“Then ask Liti and see if she is willing to marry him.”

Fia nudged Liti with her chin. The Third Consort immediately looked down at her. The result was that Liti did not stand on her side as she had expected, but pressed her lips together with a troubled look.

It wasn’t that Fia was deliberately pushing the problem onto her. On the matter of her wishes, Liti had to say it herself. Otherwise, it would be difficult for her mother to accept the annulment from the bottom of her heart.

As Liti said nothing, a look of anxiety appeared on her mother’s face.

“Liti, are you not willing? Ebert is excellent in every aspect. You can’t find many better men than him in the entire Royal Castle.”

Whether it was a genuine display of emotion or an act, Liti hunched her shoulders and lowered her head with a weak, scolded look.

“I… I don’t like Ebert…”

The Third Consort was stunned for a moment, then let out a sound of exasperation. She placed her hands on Liti’s shoulders and tried to persuade her earnestly.

“You are still young and don’t understand things. You will understand when you grow up. Go inside first. Let me speak with your sister alone.”

“Wait.”

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Before she could push Liti back, Fia stopped her.

The Third Consort frowned.

“Your Highness, this is a matter between our family and the Prime Minister’s. I know it must have been Liti who spoke out of turn on the road, which is why you are doing this today. But she is still young and doesn’t understand many things. These things should be decided by us adults. Only by marrying into the Prime Minister’s family can she be happy. I accept your kind intentions, and I am very happy that you could come and sit in my house. But on the matter of the engagement, please do not insist.”

“Liti herself has said she is unwilling. For you to say that she can only be happy by marrying into the Prime Minister’s family, don’t you think that’s a contradiction? How can an unwilling marriage possibly be happy?”

At this, Fia glanced at her palace with an expressionless face.

“You were married to Yelido by your father’s arrangement, yet you can only live in this cold palace far from the center of the Royal Castle. Do you think this kind of life is happy? You are just repeating your father’s actions, saying you are thinking of Liti while also considering your family.”

“You—”

Her words hit a sore spot. The Third Consort was stunned for a moment, then her face flushed red. As a young lady from a noble family, she had long been dissatisfied with her current shabby life. The situation of falling from a high place and being ridiculed by those around her, plus the fact that Fia was Veronica’s daughter, made her words directly ignite a powder keg that had been accumulating for years. She lost her reason and shouted emotionally.

“What right do you have to say I’m not satisfied with my life! Don’t think that just because your mother is favored by Yelido, you can act so brazenly in front of me! When I was in my prime, you weren’t even born! You have no right to meddle in my marriage!”

“Brazenly?”

Fia sneered with feigned coldness.

¹ this is fia continue speaking “Yes, that’s right. I can be as brazen as I please. Who do you think you are talking to? My attachment to Silvar lies only with Mother Yulisha and the others. It has nothing to do with you or the likes of Veronica. If you weren’t Liti’s mother, I wouldn’t even give you a second glance. Don’t think too highly of yourself. You are just pitiful now.”

“Clinging to the little charity Yelido has given you, thinking you still have a chance, yet you can only live in this shabby place. Is this the happiness you speak of? In the end, you still have a lover in secret. Don’t think I haven’t noticed. The way you look at that man is like looking at a lifeline. You should accept reality. A forced marriage will not only not make your daughter happy, but will also make her follow in your footsteps.”

“You… What are you saying! You—”

Being exposed by Fia, the Third Consort swung her hand at her in a rage, but Fia simply raised her hand and caught her wrist. Her expression became impolite.

“I am just telling the truth, to prevent Liti from becoming the next you. I am taking her with me. I am not interested in your relationship with this man. You can do whatever you want. If you are worried about Liti’s future, then I guarantee that as long as I am alive, she can enjoy a lifetime of wealth and prosperity—at least live a happier life than you.”

At this, Fia used [Telekinesis] to separate the Third Consort and Liti, then let go of her wrist and pulled Liti to her side.

As the Third Consort was unable to utter a single word the entire time, under Fia’s forcibly displayed ruthlessness, a hint of pity rose in her heart. Her actions were just the inertial thinking of people in this social environment. It didn’t mean she really saw Liti as a tool from the bottom of her heart. In the end, she was also a pitiful person, saddled with a political marriage to Yelido and then cast into a cold palace. No one would want to live such a life.

Her coldness was just to make her wake up sooner, to not self-righteously think that the future she had arranged for Liti was definitely the right one—to impose her own curse on her daughter, and then comfort herself with the thought that “this is the right way,” as if that could make her current life seem satisfactory.

She exhaled a long breath through her nose, then threw a heavy bag to the male confidant at her side. It was full of platinum coins. Before coming, Fia had inquired about the Third Consort’s stipend from Erin Slate. Even compared to Liti, her stipend was pitifully small.

“I am not trying to snatch Liti from your side, but am doing what an older sister should do. Think about it carefully these next few days. Don’t make a decision you’ll regret for the rest of your life because of a moment of foolishness. That’s all.”

With that, Fia took Liti’s hand and turned around. However, before she could take a step forward, the Third Consort’s voice came from behind her. She snatched the purse from the male confidant’s hand and unceremoniously threw it back at Fia.

“I don’t need your pity! Take it back! Don’t look down on people so much! I haven’t fallen so low as to accept Veronica’s help!”

Did she choose not to take Liti back?

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It was unclear if it was because she considered that she couldn’t take her back, or if she felt that what Fia had said was reasonable, or if she was worried that if she did, Fia would expose her affair.

In any case, her goal had been achieved. As long as she could take Liti back, it was fine.

Catching the purse with one hand, Fia said no more and led Liti away.

It wasn’t until the palace had completely disappeared from their vision and maids cleaning the roadside appeared that the tense Liti finally relaxed. She kept patting her flat chest as if she were terrified, her waist even bending slightly.

“Hah, that scared me to death… since you lost your memory, Sister, this is the first time I’ve seen you like this. Ah, wait, you haven’t turned back, have you?”

At this thought, Liti looked up with a horrified expression.

Fia gave a wry smile.

“What are you thinking? I just felt that your mother wouldn’t listen to me properly if I didn’t use that tone. Some people are only suited to be treated impolitely.”

Seeing Fia smile, Liti was relieved. Her mood clearly lightened, and her steps became much lighter, the corners of her lips and eyes also turning up. Fia even felt that Liti might start humming a song at any moment. Her bouncing, light purple hair was reminiscent of a lively little animal in spring.

“That being said… you were actually thinking of Mother too, Sister. She’s just too stubborn. If she had faced reality sooner, she wouldn’t be so troubled now.”

“People are born to chase after power, especially when they see those around them surpass them, and when others live better lives than them. It’s hard to calm down, not to mention that your mother is from a noble family and is used to a life of luxury.”

“Mmm, aren’t you defending her, Sister? You say scolding words, but you’re still doing good things in your heart.”

Liti, holding Fia’s hand, pressed an index finger to her lips and tilted her head to observe Fia’s expression from below. Her pure, rosy eyes reflected the sunlight, which brought a little healing and a smile to Fia, who had been entangled in politics for days. She couldn’t help but flick Liti’s forehead lightly.

“Ouch! Why did you hit me all of a sudden?”

“Because you’re too cute,” Fia smiled, then sighed as if with emotion. “I hope your mother can face reality. By the way, do you know who that man is, Liti?”

“It’s just as you think, Sister. Although Mother has barely shown it these past few days, I’ve seen it all. Whether it’s secretly staying together, or sometimes sending me away, it’s long been exposed.”

“Aren’t you afraid of others finding out if you say that? That’s your mother.”

“Ehehe, I know you won’t tell, Sister.”

Giggling foolishly, Liti hugged Fia’s arm affectionately, her cheeks and flat chest rubbing against it continuously, like a spoiled little kitten.

“Hah~ The scent of my sister that I haven’t been able to get enough of for so long. I knew you would save me, Sister. I was about to die of boredom being cooped up at home all day. You’re the best to me—hmm?”

Suddenly, Liti twitched her nose as if she had smelled something. Then she looked up with a suspicious expression, her pouting look like that of a wife catching her husband coming home too late.

“How come there’s the scent of another woman on you, Sister?”

“What scent?”

“There’s clearly the scent of another woman’s perfume!”

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“Ah…”

At her reminder, Fia suddenly remembered. It was probably the scent left by Loca. After bringing her out of the prison, she had come straight to Liti’s house. She had neither bathed nor changed her clothes in between.

However, Fia did not seem panicked. She just found it amusing. Liti’s sense of smell was too sensitive.

“What does that have to do with you? I have to meet with all sorts of people every day. It’s not normal for me to have a little of someone else’s perfume on me?”

“This is an affair! It’s infidelity! How could you secretly be with another woman while I’m locked up at home!” Liti protested in a rage. Then her voice grew smaller, like a defeated, resentful wife. “Wuu, wuu, even if it’s an affair… you should have let me know.”

Anyone who didn’t know better would have thought she had done something unfaithful to Liti. But the fact was, even if she had, it had nothing to do with her—this girl was her younger sister, and a child whose development was even inferior to her own. Only a pervert would have impure thoughts about her.

Fia couldn’t help but find this clingy little sister amusing.

“Alright, alright, you can stay at my place from now on. Are you satisfied with that? Claire is back too, by the way.”

“Eh? I can stay in your palace? The kind of life where you’re waited on by several maids to get up and dress every day, and have luxurious meals and a huge bath?! I remember there’s a continuously heated stove in the room at night, and even a bed-warming service!”

No, no, there was no bed-warming service, was there?

As if she were looking forward to a beautiful future, Liti’s rosy-purple eyes shone with a star-like light. But soon, she had a look of confusion again.

“Cl…aire? Who’s that?”

Fia’s expression changed slightly, a sense of melancholy rising in her heart.

“It seems the story I told Anastasia earlier will have to be told to you again, Liti. But before that, we have to go to the Prime Minister and get the engagement annulled. You just have to cooperate with me when the time comes.”

“Will it be alright? We don’t have any preparations… The Prime Minister will definitely not let go of the chance to have a marriage alliance with the royal family.”

Seeing Liti’s worried face, Fia’s lips curled into a confident smile.

“Hmph, hmph, who do you think your sister is? Now that Prince Schain is dead, I have the final say in the entire Royal Castle. The Prime Minister’s marriage alliance is to stabilize his family’s position. He knows how to weigh the pros and cons between offending me and having me owe him a favor.”

“Eh? Prince Schain is dead? Did it happen last night? The Royal Castle seemed very noisy last night. Mother had a worried look on her face and even packed a lot of things.”

Extremely surprised, Liti’s eyes widened.

The smugness on Fia’s face grew even deeper. To be looked at with admiration by her younger sister was a very satisfying feeling.

“Of course. I am Dofilia, who can evaporate hundreds of thousands of monsters in an instant. Alright, let’s go to my residence and change into some suitable clothes first, and then we’ll set out. I think Yelido… Father will be back soon.”

“Okay~”

Answering with great energy, Liti hugged Fia’s arm like a cheerful little bird and, under the half-lidded gazes of the many maids along the way, walked briskly towards her palace.