Tale 14
Grand Banquet

“Duke why do you look upset?” Lilianna asked worriedly

“I.. I don’t know.” The Duke sigh

“Is there a problem? We’ve been apart for too long, a-are you having second thoughts about us?” Lilianna asked, she’s on the verge of tears.

Seeing her like this, the Duke immediately pulled her to his embrace to coax her, “That’s not true and you know that. You’re the only one for me.”

“R-really?”

“Of course, you’re all I need.” He promised

“But the Duchess—”

“Don’t worry, I won’t let her get in the way.”

“D-don’t hurt her, okay? Adele is my friend!”

The Duke didn’t respond, “Let’s not talk about that woman anymore.”

Lilianna smiled sweetly, “Okay, Duke. Let’s stop talking about her. Let’s forget about her.”

***

The Crown Prince is turning twenty four this year, and the King who adores his only son too much, throws a Grand Banquet as celebration.

Everyone kept glancing at the Duke of Lancaster who’s smiling sweetly to an unfamiliar woman.

“Ommmggg, I guess the rumours are true? The Duke have someone new.”

“Who is that woman? Why is she with the Duke?” asked one of the guests

“It couldn’t be.. Isn’t that Lady Lilianna? She used to be the Duke’s lover back during our academy days.”

“Are they back together?”

“I heard that the Duchess locked her self up in their mansion.”

“I heard she’d gone mad! She refused to step out or receive any guest.”

The guests continue to gossip with hushed voices.

Just then, a woman entered the hall.

Her long silvery hair and bright violet eyes caught everyone’s attention.

“The Duchess is here?!”

“Why did the Duchess of Lancaster showed up alone? And why is the Duke with a different partner?”

“What’s happening?”

“I thought the Duke of Sullivan is madly inlove with the Duchess?”

“What’s the meaning of this?”

Adelina who showed up late, walked in confidently wearing her black serpentine dress that accentuates her goddess-like body. Her long silvery hair is tied up in a bun with several glistening accessories. She’s so stunning that people can’t help but stare. This must be what it means when people praises a woman with beauty that can cause the downfall of a kingdom.

Lady Lilianna may be pretty, but her looks simply pales when compared to the Duchess.

Behind the Duchess is her Lady-in-Waiting, Lady Luella Salem who’s also dressed elegantly just like the Duchess.

Adelina gracefully walked passed the Duke, completely ignoring him.

“Good evening Duchess! And I’m glad you’re also here, Lady Luella. You’re both as beautiful as ever.” Greeted Devin with a bright smile, obviously happy to see Luella.

“You’re still as loud as ever.” Greeted Adelina back to him with a smile.

“You seem fine. I was worried for nothing.” A woman with long red hair and bright blue eyes said with a playful smirk.

“Thanks for the concern.” Adelina smirked back

The woman is no other than Daniella Agrielle, her pen pal.

“Should we just get rid of her?” Daniella asked with a dangerous smile while glancing towards Lilianna’s direction.

“Yes, that’s what’s best for society.” Adelina

“Y-you two are just too scary.” Luella

“Duchess, I didn’t know that you two are friends?” Devin said as he pointed to Daniella

“We’re not.” Adelina and Daniella said in unison

“........” Devin

Are you sure you two aren’t friends? You seem to be getting along too well.

“Duchess! I’m glad you made it!” Maxwell said happily as he ran towards Adelina

“Congratulations on your birthday, Your Highness.” Adelina said with a tone that doesn’t sound sincere at all.

Adelina wants to say Happy Birthday! but that’s not how people greet a celebrant here.

“Thank you, but are you alright? The Duke—”

“I’m fine. Thank you for your concern Your Highness.” Adelina cut him off

It seems that the prince have something to say, but he decided to hold back.

“Your Highness, are you just going to ignore your fiancée?” Daniella interrupted

Maxwell almost jump in fright upon seeing her.

“Y-y-you’re here?!”

“What’s with that reaction? Are you not happy to see me? I’m hurt, really.” Daniella sounds scary instead of hurt.

People watch their lively exchange.

Medallian.

Agrielle.

Salvatore.

And Lionel.

The guests were surprised by all of the big shots surrounding the Duchess of Lancaster!

Lilianna watched this from the distance, she’s smiling sweetly like an angel, but deep inside she’s burning with rage.

Adelina is such a nuisance. This banquet should be her grand debut to the high society. But the Duchess stole away the spot light from her!

Lilianna made a silent oath to show Adelina her rightful place.

And that’s beneath her feet.

***

Adelina watched as Daniella dragged Maxwell to the dancefloor when a slow romantic song started to play.

Devin and Luella are also dancing, they were staring at each other’s eyes while smiling happily at each other.

On the other side of the hall, her husband is gracefully dancing with the bitc—ehem, with Lilianna.

Adelina decided to not pay attention to them anymore. She turned around and went to one of the balconies to breath some fresh night air.

Adelina suddenly remembered what happened earlier that day.

She wasn’t planning to attend the banquet tonight because she was truly... broken.

But someone unexpected showed up earlier today.

A stranger.

Adelina stared at the man in black, “Who are you?”

“I ‘am Sylvester, the shadow guard of the Duke.” Answered the man in black

“What do you want from me?” Adelina

“The Duke is not acting like himself, Duchess. He probably fell under Lady Lilianna’s trap again. You have to save him.” Sylvester

“Again? You made it sound as if this is not the first time?” Adelina

“Yes, it happened once in the academy many years ago. That time, the Duke was stronger than Lady Lilianna so he was able to snap out of her control on his own. But it’s different this time, Lady Lilianna seems.... too powerful.” Sylvester explained

Adelina was surprised.

So the Duke didn’t date Lilianna because he was inlove. It was because he was being manipulated?

Was the reason why the Duke hates hearing Lilianna’s name because he hates her? Not because he’s inlove with her?

“You said the Duke is being mind controlled right now?”

“Not exactly Duchess, the Duke once said that Lady Lilianna can make other people feel attraction or repulsion to one another using her Legacy. I think Lady Lilianna attracted the Duke towards her, and made the Duke feel repulsive towards you.” Sylvester

Attraction and Repulsion. Those are Lilianna’s Legacies. The novel never mentioned that Lilianna’s Legacies have such an effect. No wonder she’s the Queen of Hearts. The title of the novel makes much more sense now.

To be honest, Adelina already copied Lilianna’s legacies many years ago.

When Niklaus accidentally fell off a cliff during a test in the Academy, Adelina used the Legacy of Attraction to save him from falling and pull him back up. Niklaus fell unconscious midway so his memories were hazy. He thought it was Lilianna who saved his life, and Lilianna that bitc—ehem, that woman happily took the credit.

Since Adelina also possess the same Legacies, should she fight fire with fire?

Then an idea struck her, no, there is a better way to deal with that bitch.

Adelina snapped back to reality when she heard some noise at the entrance of the balcony.

“Oppss, we didn’t know that this balcony is already occupied.” Said a woman.

She’s one of Lilianna’s lackey in the novel.

Lady Melanie Gallena, daughter of Count Gallena. She’s childhood friends with Lilianna. Behind her were her friends.

“Good evening Duchess.” The women curtsied as greeting

Melanie smiled, “Duchess why are you alone? Oppss, sorry, I forgot that the Duke is with someone else right now.”

Adelina frown, this woman is obviously looking for trouble.

“There’s some rumours going around. I heard that you ‘ve been acting strange ever since the Duke left you for another woman. Is it true that.... you have gone mad?” Melanie asked, she’s even smiling brightly while asking.

Adelina smiled coldly. Lady Melanie Gallena wasn’t it? Since you’re willingly putting your face beneath my stilettos, then it’s only polite of me to step on your ugly face, right?

“Gone mad? Me?” Adelina pointed at her self, she’s smiling but there’s a glint of anger in her eyes. “Why don’t we just say that yes I have?” Adelina took a step closer towards the women, “After all, that would have been more convenient for you all, don’t you think?”

“W-what do you mean?”

“What do I mean? Why don’t you try using your brain? It must still feels brand new seeing that you don’t use it.” Adelina chuckled dangerously, “Well, let’s just say I have gone mad, I have to, or else how would I be able to overlook your insolence instead of having your heads handed to me on a platter?”

That is obviously a threat.

The women gulped in fear.

They immediately understood that they have to sacrifice someone to salvage the situation. And who else would it be other than Melanie who instigated everything.

“I warned Lady Melanie to watch her mouth earlier but she wouldn’t listen. I hope you’re not offended Duchess.” Said one of the women

“Lady Melanie, what are you waiting for, asked for forgiveness!” said another woman

“W-what? Why should I? You all agreed to do this!” Melanie

“The Duchess is clearly well. How could you say she’s gone mad? Apologize!”

“How could Lady Melanie conduct herself in such a disgraceful manner?” added another woman.

Melanie was at a lost for words. These traitors! Backstabbers!

Adelina on the other hand, secretly rolled her eyes. These women are just... pathetic.

“If there’s nothing else, please leave me be. I want to be alone.” Adelina dismissed them.

“Y-yes Duchess!” the women answered in unison and dragged the angry Melanie away.

Adelina was left at the balcony all alone. She looked up at the sky, the moon is at it’s full, shining brightly.

“Why did you go easy on them?” Daniella asked, Maxwell, Luella and Devin were right behind her.

“It’s pointless to make fun of those pea brained women. It will take them a day to understand that I’m actually insulting them.” Adelina

“It must be hard being that fncking savage.” Daniella chuckled

“Don’t pretend that you don’t know. We’re similar, you and I. You’re just the less dashing version of me.” Adelina

“...... I have this sudden urge of killing you.” Daniella

“You’re not the first person who wants me dead.” Adelina simply shrug

“B-but Duchess, why are you alone here? We should get back inside.” Luella summoned her courage to speak up. Seeing the Duchess earlier as she stares at the moon solemnly made Luella lonely too.

Adelina smiled, “Lady Luella, there’s a favour I have to ask you.”

“A f-favour? Of course I’m willing to do anything for you, Duchess!” Luella agreed readily

“Thank you, I won’t ask you to do anything that may harm you. That, I promised.” Adelina

“I know, I trust you Duchess.” Luella said bravely

Adelina smiled, then her eyes shifted to her other friends.

“I will need all your help too, there’s something we have to do.”

“What is it Duchess?” Devin asked curiously

“Slapping a bitch’ face.” Adelina

“Sounds exciting.” Daniella chuckled

“And waking up the Duke from his trance.” Adelina said as she smiles

“I will gladly help. Can I punch him? Even just once will be enough? Please?” Maxwell

Adelina chuckled.

“Time to show them the true colours of that fake heroine.”

~~~~~~~