Chapter 26: I Have Admired Your Highness for a Long Time, Please Accept Me

So early in the morning, just as Velis was preparing to attend Professor Elliot Laval’s banquet, she was informed that the Lyons Family Matriarch had brought her daughter to pay a visit.

Upon hearing this news, Velis initially thought that what had happened between herself and Ophelia had been exposed, and that the other party had come to demand an explanation.

If that was the case, Velis was also prepared to take her by force. As for making her pay or something, that was absolutely impossible…

But as soon as she entered the hall, Velis sensed that the atmosphere between the two was somewhat strange.

They were supposed to be mother and daughter, yet they were sitting distinctly apart, silent and saying nothing, as though they were strangers.

Ophelia’s eyes were red, and she looked pitiful. From time to time, she rubbed the painful parts of her body with her small hands, as if she had been severely beaten.

As for Rathar Lyons, she was much more complicated.

Joy, anticipation, yet also uneasiness and a trace of fear.

Upon seeing Velis arrive, the two hurriedly bowed.

Ophelia gritted her teeth with a hint of relief and liberation, while Rathar Lyons looked even more anxious and guilty.

Velis sat in the seat of honor, glanced at Ophelia strangely, then turned to Rathar Lyons and said,

“You are the Lyons Family Matriarch, Rathar Lyons?”

Previously, Velis had never formally greeted this sharp-faced woman.

She had seen her before when she took Ophelia away by force, but they had never interacted.

It was hard to imagine that such a woman could give birth to someone as breathtakingly beautiful as Ophelia.

“Your Highness has sharp eyes. This woman is indeed Rathar Lyons!” Rathar Lyons respectfully replied.

‘This doesn’t look like she’s here to demand an explanation from me.’

Velis glanced at Ophelia, who remained silent beside her, and asked, “May I ask why the Lyons Family Matriarch has come to visit this Imperial Princess today?”

“Cough, cough, well… yes, it is like this…”

Rathar Lyons rubbed her hands together, looking somewhat embarrassed to speak.

She pointed toward Ophelia, signaling Velis to look over.

“This is my second daughter, Ophelia Lyons. I wonder if Your Highness has heard of her before?”

Velis pretended not to know and nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard of her. The second daughter of the Lyons

Family, a beauty renowned throughout the Empire as a Genius Mage. Now that I’ve seen her today, she truly is extraordinary in every aspect.”

Hearing the faint implication in Velis’s words, Ophelia clenched her delicate fists and dared not look at Velis.

However, the faint smile that unconsciously appeared at the corner of her lips seemed to betray her.

“Yes, this daughter of mine is 16 years old, graceful and elegant. Not to mention being capable of causing fish to sink and birds to fall, she is at least a beauty capable of captivating an entire nation!”

‘You really have the nerve to boast.’ Velis was speechless.

Seeing that her mother, who had cursed at her earlier, was now praising her under the pretext of “finding you a good husband, and of course, we must also negotiate a good betrothal gift,” Ophelia became even more determined to leave.

However, she still had to maintain appearances.

Although she was dissatisfied with her family and parents, Velis did not know any of this yet. Ophelia did not want this detestable woman to know that she had been sold off.

If that happened, she would certainly be subjected to endless ridicule.

Velis lifted her teacup, concealing the amusement in her eyes as she looked at Ophelia, and nodded repeatedly at Rathar Lyons.

“Yes, you’re right. Ophelia certainly has such beauty.”

Hearing this, Rathar Lyons’s eyes lit up, and she immediately turned around and ordered, “Ophelia,

Her Highness is praising you. Hurry up and stand so Her Highness can get a good look at you!”

Velis did not stop her, and Ophelia, having been called out yet unable to refuse, was so furious that her chest nearly exploded.

Of course, that was assuming she had much of a chest to begin with.

‘Make a show of myself for this enemy? This is even more Uncomfortable than killing me!’

But at this moment, in order to escape as soon as possible from this heartless family that treated her
like a tool, Ophelia stood up resentfully.

Her voice was soft and delicate, filled with helplessness and hatred.

“Your… Your Highness…”

“Yes, turn around once and let me have a look,” Velis said teasingly.

Ophelia’s nails dug into her flesh, but she still said softly, “Yes!”

Thus, she slowly turned her body around several times, only daring to stop when Velis said she had seen enough.

“What does Your Highness think?” Rathar Lyons asked impatiently.

“Hmm, very good!” Velis evaluated her. “A slender waist and full hips, with perfect curves. She is a beauty among thousands. And she is also a Genius Mage. Such a woman truly is a treasure bestowed by the heavens!”

If Velis had said nothing, it would have been fine, but after hearing all that, Ophelia wished she could turn around and leave immediately.

“Well… Your Highness, since we’ve already talked this far, I might as well speak plainly.”

Hearing this, Velis straightened up. ‘Here it comes. Time to discuss the real matter.’

“My daughter is good, but she’s already this old and still hasn’t found a husband. This old woman’s heart is terribly anxious!”

This ridiculous excuse nearly made Velis spit out the tea in her mouth.

’16 years old is considered this old?’

‘Then wouldn’t that make me an aunt?’

Rathar Lyons continued, “In order to find her a good family, I have spent the past few days taking Ophelia around and searching…”

“Oh? Madam, have you found a suitable family for her?” Velis asked pretentiously.

“Before coming to Your Highness, I had not found one.”

Rathar Lyons was not stupid. If she said she wanted to marry Ophelia off as a concubine to the old
General Taber, this proud and ruthless Imperial Princess would probably throw them out directly.

Of course, Velis would find out if she investigated.

But on the surface, naturally, they could not expose it.

“Before coming here?” Velis continued pretending not to understand. “What do you mean by that, Madam?”

“Your Highness!” Rathar Lyons cast a reproachful glance at Velis, and the old woman’s coquettish expression nearly made Velis vomit her breakfast.

“You and I are both sensible people. There’s no need to beat around the bush, right?”

“I heard that Your Highness has no interest in men and only likes beautiful women… I have always admired Your Highness for your straightforwardness and courage in saying and doing what you please, and Ophelia has admired you for a long time…”

After a pause, Rathar Lyons finally revealed the purpose of her visit.

“So, Ophelia has brought this old woman here despite my audacity, simply to beg the Imperial Princess to take her in. Even if she can only become a concubine, she will be content.”

Although Rathar Lyons’s account was completely opposite to the truth, Ophelia did not dare contradict her at this moment.

If she somehow displeased Velis, she feared she would only create more complications for herself.

Velis did not bother with Rathar Lyons’s “only likes beautiful women” accusation and instead looked toward the uneasy Ophelia.

“Is that so, Ophelia?”

“Yes…”

“What? Speak louder. This Imperial Princess can’t hear you.”

“Yes!”

“Yes to what?”

“Velis… don’t bully people…”

Before Ophelia could finish, Rathar Lyons shouted over her. “Ophelia, mind your place!”

Having no choice, Ophelia weakly said, “It’s to become… Ophelia’s… a… a… the concubine of the Highness… whom she… she… admires…”

“Hmm, I see…” Velis smiled playfully, but then gave an unexpected answer.

“But why should I take you in?”

“This…” Rathar Lyons froze instantly.

This was completely different from what she had expected!

She immediately shot a sharp gaze at Ophelia, urging her to hurry up and beg.

But Ophelia had her dignity as well. At this moment, she was cursing Velis furiously in her heart.

How could she possibly kneel and beg her?

‘You damned Velis, you turn your back on me after getting what you want. I want you dead. I want you dead!’

Ophelia’s entire body trembled, and crystalline tears swirled in her eyes.

However, Velis suddenly changed her tone and began evaluating her.

“Look at her. She’s pretty, but her chest is so disappointing. No good!”

“Besides, she claims to admire me, yet she doesn’t even dare look at me. The way she’s gritting her teeth makes it look as though she wants to eat me alive.”

“She has none of the elegance of a Noble, she’s not ladylike enough, and the lines of her arms aren’t perfect either. She even has a mole on her back… cough, cough, I mean, her back isn’t straight enough…”

“With that hunched and timid posture, she’d only embarrass me if she went out with me!”

“Velis!”

Seeing that the other woman was going too far, Ophelia, who had been treated like merchandise and subjected to criticism from head to toe, could no longer endure it. She charged forward and began wrestling with Velis.