The Story Is Not Over Yet - Chapter 158
Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi
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Chapter 158
“Not only that.”
“What?”
Livia carefully examined the surroundings as if she was talking about a much more secret thing than before. The next moment, she moved closer to Azela and whispered softly as she took her position as if in her arms.
“The Emperor has found out Duke Ferial’s identity.”
“….!”
“This is also the fact that Crown Prince Chises told me.”
“…No way.”
“Before I could even speak, he was talking about Duke Ferial being a ‘devil’.”
Azela frowned hard.
‘…How on earth did he know?’
Even if she thought hard about it, nothing caught on. He couldn’t have known that Zagnac was a devil.
As Azela frowned at the reply, Livia comforted her again as though telling her not to worry about this as well.
“Don’t worry. If he tries to do something suspicious, I’ll take care of it.”
With her assertiveness, Azela hid her frown and nodded and smiled. While it didn’t make her feel relieved, it was because she was grateful to Livia for trying to help her somehow.
As Livia greeted her again before leaving, the party continued.
“There is something I want to tell everyone.”
When the party was ripe, Zagnac stepped up and rang the bell lightly. Everyone was focused on him with curious eyes.
In an instant, the buzzing party hall became quiet.
“It seems that a lot of people are curious about the story behind the Emperor’s last announcement. So I would like to tell you the story behind it.”
He glanced at everyone and smiled.
“I’m announcing my marriage right here and now.”
At his words, people nodded their heads with satisfied smiles. Some looked at Livia and gave silent applause.
Zagnac continued his words, pointing politely at Livia with the palm of his hand.
“I agreed to remain friends with Princess Livia over there.”
“….!”
Those who gave silent applause at the sudden story and those who were waiting with champagne to say congratulations looked at the two with puzzled faces. What was the announcement, if not an announcement of his marriage to Livia?!
Meanwhile, the ladies, who were nestled near Livia, turned to her imperceptibly and posing a whispered question, ‘Is that true?’ Livia nodded her head lightly.
“The woman I will marry.”
Descending the staircase, he proceeded forward, drawing the attention of everyone present. With each step, the gaze of the onlookers followed his movement until he came to a stop. A collective hush fell over the room as all eyes fixated on Azela, who stood before him.
The party hall filled with the sound of held breaths, amplifying the tension in the air. Zagnac then cautiously extended his hand towards Azela, his touch a delicate invitation.
“Azela.”
Softly, he called out her name.
Observing his outstretched hand, Azela’s lips curved into a smile as she reached out and accepted his hand. The room’s attention shifted to the two figures intertwined as their hands joined together.
Zagnac, his arm encircling her waist fluidly, scanned the surroundings before speaking.
“This is the woman I will marry, and the woman who will become Duchess Ferial.”
A sudden stillness descended upon the party hall, leaving those who had prepared to offer congratulations in a state of uncertainty. Their gazes darted between one another, unsure of how to proceed upon realizing that Azela was Zagnac’s chosen companion for the evening.
After all, Crown Prince Chises, who harbored a deep desire for Azela, was also present at this very gathering.
“…Azela.”
Alongside Chises, Daniel, whom he had discreetly brought, stood by his side. His gaze shifted between Zagnac’s proclamation and the radiant Azela standing beside him, a genuine smile gracing her features.
In a voice filled with desperation, as he called out her name, the attention of the onlookers shifted from Zagnac and Azela to Chises and Daniel, creating a tense atmosphere.
“Congratulations.”
It was Livia that broke the silence. She raised her powerful voice to congratulate and applaud.
“Con, congratulations.”
As her solitary applause reverberated through the party hall, those observing gradually joined in, clapping their hands one by one. The ladies approached Azela, forming a line and respectfully bowing before her as she now held the title of Duchess. The men feigned congratulations towards Zagnac on his wedding day, seizing the opportunity to engage in business conversations.
Soon, the once-quiet party hall regained its liveliness.
“Duke Ferial.”
In an instant, Chises moved his steps. As he began calling out to Zagnac, the nobles who had been jovially conversing by his side abruptly broke into fits of coughing and hastily dispersed.
“Are you here to congratulate me? Thank you in advance.”
“Hahaha, congratulations.”
With a contented nod, Chises joined in the applause, clapping a few times.
There was no hint of fear evident in his demeanor, instead, he appeared remarkably spirited, as if he had uncovered a vulnerability. Zagnac, with a slightly narrowed gaze, pondered his intentions, wondering once again what his plan might be.
As Chises drew nearer, the air between them grew charged with anticipation.
“Duke Ferial… No, I shouldn’t call you Duke.”
He shrugged and laughed. Touching his forehead and shaking his head, he sneered at Zagnac and whispered in his ear.
“After all, the Duke is not a human being.”
“….!”
“Should I call you the devil?”
Azela, amidst the company of flattering young ladies, raised her champagne glass with a smile, only to turn her head and catch sight of Zagnac engrossed in conversation with Chises. Instantly, her expression hardened.
The sight of Chises being aware of Zagnac’s true identity was a troubling sign.
“What…”
Azela’s eyes trembled.
For a moment, Livia’s words lingered in her ears.
“The Emperor has found out Duke Ferial’s identity. This is also the fact that Crown Prince Chises told me.”
Azela knew all too well that Chises, armed with that knowledge, wouldn’t simply let it slide. She knew him well.
While Livia claimed to be using Crown Prince Chises, he was far from an easy person to manipulate. Out of all his siblings, it was no mere coincidence that he was designated as the Emperor’s heir. He possessed a deserving strength.
Azela couldn’t place her trust in Chises.
“…Zagnac.”
Determined to approach Zagnac, she pushed through the circle of ladies surrounding her.
But just as she was about to make her move, someone seized her wrist, halting her in her tracks. Startled, she turned around to find Daniel, his eyes glistening with tears, his reddened nose indicating he had already been weeping.
“Daniel.”
“…That’s a lie, right?”
“Let go.”
“Yes, that can’t be.”
Daniel gave an awkward smile, even grotesquely pulling the corner of his mouth forcibly. Clasping Azela’s wrist tightly, he spoke in a voice that hoped it was lies.
“There’s, there’s no way you’ll abandon me… right?”
Refusing to acknowledge the truth, it seemed that this person continued to live in denial.
Azela furrowed her brow and forcefully shook her hand away from Daniel’s grip. Sensing the tension between them, the young ladies who had been lined up in anticipation of her becoming the Duchess discreetly retreated, recognizing the brewing conflict between them.
“You are confident.”
Azela’s brows furrowed even deeper as she ran her fingers roughly through her neatly combed hair, giving Daniel a firm shove on the shoulder. As a result, his grasp on her wrist loosened and his hand fell away.
With a casual glance, Azela flicked her wrist dismissively, meeting Daniel’s gaze with an indifferent stare.
“Open your eyes, Daniel.”
“…Azela?”
“How long has passed since I left you, and you are still doing this.”
Azela looked up at Daniel with a cold gaze.
“You are still pathetic.”
“….!”
“Daniel, listen.”
“…Azela.”
“I have no intention of going back to you, and I have no regrets at all.”
“But, but we were good. You, me—”
“I loved you.”
When Azela’s response was resolute, devoid of any trace of regret, Daniel shook his head, his hands trembling.
‘…Is Azela really leaving me? Really?’
It couldn’t be. Azela wouldn’t abandon him… She couldn’t just discard him.
His gaze dropped, and memories of their pleasant past together flooded Daniel’s mind. Gripping his trembling hands tightly, he lifted his head.
“…You’re lying.”
“Ha.”
“That’s enough, Azela. If you’re just trying to get my attention, that’s enough.”
“You’re disgusting, Daniel.”
—
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