Two-Faced Princess

New Embers (11)

“I don’t want you to.” Uriel said with a troubled look but Apollonia was adamant.

“I’m fine, so go. I’ll be back after hearing what he has to talk about, so you don’t have to worry. I’ll be back before 2 o’clock at the latest.”

Apollonia pushed him back into the room without letting him answer.

“I’ll be right back, so please bring as much information as you can at the meeting this noon.”

She smiled pleadingly and Uriel sighed with a nod.

“Then, I’ll see you outside the palace.” Apollonia said, her smile widening.

Sunny weather. Nostalgic garden. An invitation from Marquis Trion and an introduction through Count Aeter. What a lucky day~

* * *

The Albrate garden was still as beautiful just as she remembered. The center was filled with all kinds of bright, rare flowers of purple, pink, and gold. Most of all, lilies were her favorite. Apollonia followed her memory and found where the lilies were located.

It was quieter than anywhere else. The white, pure flowers covering the pond were even blinding. It was a suitable place to have a couple of civilian escorts around and have conversations that others wouldn’t hear. It was also safe to deal with strangers since the space wasn’t narrowed and blocked. To prepare for any possible danger, Apollonia handed their payments in advance and asked them to vacate the lily garden. She left a few escorts near her and set up a few others outside, instructing them to search for the person who wanted to meet her before letting them in.

“Are you the business owner?” A man’s low-pitched voice was heard behind her back. From the moment she left the palace and met a civilian escort, her face had been covered with a cloth. Since there was no one else in the lily garden, he seemed to have recognized Apollonia immediately. When she looked over her shoulder, he began, “I’m Enoch Thean. Count Aeter introduced you to me.”

She raised an eyebrow at his appearance. The person was covered from the top of his head down to his toes. He was as secretive as Apollonia, whose face was covered with cloth.

“Show your face to me.” Apollonia said. She would never make a deal with anyone who hides their face or identity even after meeting them. One Apollonia was enough to be secretive.

“Of course, I intended to do so without you asking.” The man replied, grinning. But he didn’t take off the robe. His dimly exposed face and his voice made her feel strange as if she had seen and heard him somewhere.

When he didn’t move, Apollonia demanded. “Now.”

Whether she saw his face or not, she was going to turn around if he didn’t introduce himself properly in ten seconds.

The man took a step forward and said, “You’re as determined as I’ve heard.”

He approached her too closely. His expression and tone were soft as if he wanted to sound less dangerous. Apollonia instinctively looked around to confirm her escort’s location. Until a moment ago, three guards were watching over her in the lily garden but her eyes widened when she saw where they were. They weren’t standing. They all fell down as if someone had knocked them out.

“What the hell?”

“Now you’ve noticed.” The man whispered. As cold sweat trickled down Apollonia’s spine, she instinctively stepped back from the man and searched for a retreat.

“It’s late.” The man quickly reached for her. When she turned, her mouth was already covered with a white handkerchief. An unpleasant and strong scent permeated her nostrils.

“He—Help.” She couldn’t finish her sentence because she had lost consciousness.

* * *

Uriel sat in Marquis Trion’s drawing room as he waited for the man. Ten minutes after the maid had guided him there, he was still alone. Uriel wasn’t a person who would stress out about that because he was pretty patient. However, as time passed, he sensed that his surroundings were too quiet. It shouldn’t have been this quiet if the Marquis and the other nobles had gathered in the house. If the house owner invites a precious guest to a meal, shouldn’t the mansion be busy? How can it be so peaceful here?

Uriel frowned.

Was this some kind of a joke? But why——-

While he was lost in his own thoughts, the drawing room’s door opened and someone entered.

“You’re here.”

“Lady Laila?”

Laila Trion appeared in front of Uriel. With her thick mahogany-brown hair, she was rather dressed up in a rather luxurious gown. The mole around her mouth accentuated her charm.