77: 77 The Engagement Is Approaching

77 The Engagement Is Approaching

Vivian's POV 1

"Delia!"

I called out Delia's name with excitement and pushed open the door to her bedroom.

But as soon as my foot crossed the threshold, my smile froze on my face. Oh, how unfortunate I am! I sighed in my mind. Instead of finding Delia, I found myself surrounded by people I disliked.

"I don't believe it's appropriate to directly address the future queen by her name, Vivian," Susanna's voice sounded calm but laced with a warning.

"Yes... ma'am."

Though her tone was gentle as she spoke my name, it carried an insincere politeness to my ears. As a witch, I abhorred hypocrisy!

I shouted in my mind. Despite my discontent, I couldn't help but feel a pang of submission whenever Susanna glared at me.

It was as if I were being pricked by needles, forcing me to obediently comply. I suppose it stems from a sense of insecurity. After all, this isn't my home. It belongs to the werewolves.

I had assumed Delia's room would be empty, but I forgot that her engagement ceremony with Kral was coming. It's an immensely significant occasion within the royal family.

As a result, Susanna was bustling about with a group of maids, busy preparing for Delia's engagement ceremony.

It was obvious that I had disrupted their work, drawing Susanna's attention and making her upset.

Her gray eyes, reminiscent of a hunting hawk spotting its prey, stared at me with piercing intensity. Her serious face betrayed her dissatisfaction with me. Susanna always adhered to the protocols of royal etiquette as her guiding principles.

I lowered my voice silently and murmured, "...alright."

"Vivian, despite your identity as a witch, I hope you haven't forgotten the lessons I've taught you, such as the standards of royal etiquette. And you should be aware that the engagement ceremony is fast approaching. I expect you to remember the responsibilities you are meant to fulfill," she uttered.

I raised my gaze and glimpsed the room, which appeared unexpectedly crowded.

Delia's bedroom was bustling with maids.

Under Susanna's direction, they busily attended to the preparations required for the engagement ceremony. Some held dresses of varying styles, while others cradled jewelry with diverse designs. In short, everyone was occupied.

"Hmph, how could a witch ever work with us? She only knows how to ingratiate herself with the future queen," a maid standing beside Susanna sneered in a sharp tone.

"I can't fathom why a witch would be among us werewolves. It's truly peculiar!" another maid, clutching a white gown, chimed in, accentuating the sense of bewilderment.

"Yeah, I have no idea what she does all day. I've seen her often mingling with Alen. She's disregarding the rules of the royal court," a maid standing in the corner remarked.

"You!" I was too furious to find the right words. As a witch, I was being mocked by a few servants!

I tightly clenched my silver robe, my face turning red with anger.

"Alright, quiet down. Don't disturb our future queen during her changing time," Susanna said, attempting to keep order. Her stern gaze briefly met my flushed face before shifting to the maids. Her voice echoed, "Vivian is Alen's mate. Let's show some tolerance towards her."

Mate? What mate? I felt a sense of bewilderment.

Yet, the maids were now staring at me in astonishment. Their composure and decorum had disappeared, replaced by whispers and exclamations.

"Oh, my moon goddess! What is going on?"

"I can't believe it!!! Oh my goodness, did Alen actually say that?"

"It must be a lie!"

"No, I refuse to believe it. How could Alen be mated with a witch?"

The maids' shrieks darkened Susanna's expression. She turned around and shouted, "Silence! Mind your manners!"

As I observed their state of chaos, I found it intriguing.

Some were seething with anger, some were shedding tears, and others had flushed faces. My heart was momentarily filled with amusement. But then a question arose.

Did they all harbor feelings for Alen? Was he truly a heartthrob?

I couldn't understand why, but it dampened my spirits to know that Alen was so adored by the girls. It felt as if my strawberry cake had caught the attention of others, causing me to feel a sense of unease.

After Susanna finished speaking, the maids remained silent, but their gazes towards me were filled with intensified hatred, far stronger than the disdain and mockery they showed at first.

Ha! I'm not afraid of you!

I shot a furious glare back at them.

The thick curtains were pulled aside as a maid opened them, and Delia emerged from the inner chamber.

"Vivian, you're here," she greeted me with a smile, then turned to Susanna, "I heard there was chaos here. What happened?"

"It's nothing, Your Highness. Just a few ill-mannered maids causing a ruckus," Susanna bowed her head respectfully and replied.

I rolled my eyes. Delia seemed to have sensed something. She kindly said to Susanna, "Thank you for your hard work. I'm feeling tired today, so you should all go back. We'll continue tomorrow."

Susanna appeared slightly flustered but couldn't refuse. She furrowed her brow, slightly lowering her posture, and hurriedly added, "Your Highness, tomorrow is the engagement banquet, but there are still a few outfits you haven't tried on here," she paused for a moment, seemingly recalling something, and continued, "Prince Kral mentioned that he wants everything to be perfect tomorrow. He doesn't want any regrets."

Here we go again, I thought to myself. Whenever Susanna wanted something from Delia, she would conveniently invoke Kral's authority, and Delia would reluctantly comply with her requests.

Realizing that my visit was less than a happy one, I prepared to leave when I heard Delia's voice.

"Susanna, I've made myself clear. I believe today's preparations have been sufficient. I need some rest. Please, you and the others can leave now," Delia firmly stated.

Delia concealed her gentle smile, and her face instantly turned cold. Oh, her tone and demeanor resembled Kral's. I stared at her, noticing a change in her over these past few days. She had become assertive.

The room suddenly fell silent. Susanna, taken aback by Delia's direct refusal, remained silent for a moment before finally conceding.

"As you wish, Your Highness. I will immediately take the maidservants and leave," Susanna said, her face stern. She then led the maidservants out of the room. The room was now left with only Delia and me.

"Wow," I exclaimed, joyfully blinking at Delia and rushing to her side, embracing her arm. "You were amazing, Delia! Just like Kral, I mean, the way you looked and spoke. It was so cool!"

"Is that so?" Delia's expression softened once again, but there was something different in her eyes. They no longer held the familiar innocence I knew, but they had been tainted with a shade I couldn't comprehend.

"Delia, what happened? Your eyes tell me that you're... not happy," I struggled to describe my concern, gently touching her face.

“Vivian, as a witch, do you possess a potion that can easily make someone fall in love with you？”

Delia gazed at me, her hand quietly covering mine. I noticed her palm was cold. She bit her rosy lips with her white teeth, her face filled with complex expressions.

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