Chapter 14: The Guest, Lavinia Vale (1)
After a brief silence, Geoffrey slowly set down his glass. He unfolded the invitation that had been lying on the table and read it, letting out a long sigh afterward. His expression was reluctant, but he spoke slowly.
“I’d like you to come with me to the upcoming hunting competition.”
“…!”
Once again, it seemed he had completely misjudged the situation.
Mio, embarrassed at her misunderstanding, quickly took a sip of water.
“…Hunting.”
Her lips muttered the word, and her face turned pale.
She had heard about it from Lauren, but she hadn’t expected such an invitation herself.
Mio generally didn’t have strong likes or dislikes. Her days were simple: wake up, attend online lectures, read books, go to her part-time job, and sleep. She was far too tired to even consider romance or anything else.
But ever since waking up here, something had begun to annoy me.
That something was hunting.
Without understanding why, she had repeatedly found herself embodied as a fox in the book and constantly chased by hunters—even before she had a chance to see Geoffrey’s face.
Being pierced by an arrow… I definitely didn’t like that feeling.
Especially when the hunting dogs bit her neck—she recalled the sensation faintly and shivered as she touched her own neck.
What am I supposed to do?
Missing the chance to be with him seemed foolish, but she could never go to the hunting grounds of her own free will.
“Why that face?”
Geoffrey shot her a sharp glance as he crumpled the invitation. Mio swallowed nervously and explained.
“I’m sorry, but my body isn’t up to it. I don’t think I could manage.”
“Hm, I suppose that’s true.”
Just moments ago, he had asked so earnestly, and now he backed off so easily.
What’s with him? Has he always been like this?
Mio tilted her head, realizing she knew almost nothing about him.
All I know is that he had some fatal charm that women couldn’t resist, and in the end, he went mad and killed without hesitation.
She knew nothing about why he had been deposed as crown prince or about the past he had, which Lauren claimed was very different from the man he is now. Feeling embarrassed for having refused so bluntly, Mio cleared her throat. Geoffrey gestured to a maid, and soon a steaming cup of herbal tea was placed before her.
“Herbal tea is good for coughs. Drink it often.”
Mio stared at the cup blankly, blinking.
Was Geoffrey showing me kindness?
She wondered if the sun had risen from the west today. Before she could even think about drinking, a knight appeared in the dining hall, out of breath.
“Your Grace. There’s an urgent message.”
He was covered in dust, clearly arriving from afar. Geoffrey exchanged quiet words with the messenger, then rose from his seat.
“I should go first. Carry on for me.”
“…Yes.”
As the armored messenger and Geoffrey departed, the vast dining hall was left feeling empty. Mio shook her head, sensing the emptiness.
“Still, some things just can’t be helped!”
After all, for a fox to enter a hunting ground is essentially a death sentence.
Yet, she couldn’t stop worrying about Geoffrey’s exhausted face.
Lauren probably said something ridiculous…
The middle-aged lady who had fretted over where Geoffrey would find a young lady to accompany him had clearly made an impression on her.
I really hate this feeling…
Ultimately, unable to continue eating, she rose abruptly from the table—before the warm herbal tea had even cooled.
After a quick breakfast in her room, Mio set out for a stroll in the garden.
“Maybe a walk will help clear my head.”
Since Geoffrey had left at lunchtime yesterday, she had stayed in her room all day. Her mind felt heavy, and she suspected she was a bit down.
As she descended the stairs, she smiled at how natural it felt to walk on two legs.
They say humans are creatures of adaptation, and that’s true.
Her full stomach allowed her mind to wander. The soft rustle of her yellow dress brushing against the grass sounded pleasantly crisp.
They say not seeing sunlight makes people gloomy.
Perhaps Lauren was right; her mood had lifted slightly.
As she walked slowly, the scent of lilac flowers brushed against her nose. With her health returning, it was time to properly prepare for her new life.
I need to find a young, wealthy, handsome man—someone who won’t try to kill me like Geoffrey might.
The thought of a blonde-haired, blue-eyed man brought an involuntary smile. She imagined him kneeling before her, offering a jewel-sized ring, and felt an unexpected surge of energy.
If it could be like that, what couldn’t I do?
She circled a large tree, making a wish, when unexpectedly, her eyes met someone, and she stopped mid-step.
Why is Geoffrey in the middle of the garden?
And he wasn’t alone.
“I’m sorry to intrude.”
Mio quickly apologized and twisted her body around. She couldn’t bear to face Geoffrey, who might have been watching her circle the tree, or the guest beside him.
Why are they having tea right there…?
Just as she tried to move, the rustle of her dress announced that someone had grabbed her arm tightly. Surprised, she turned, meeting the smiling face of a beautiful woman.
“Where are you going? I was hoping to meet you anyway—perfect timing.”
“I-I didn’t want to disturb the two of you.”
“The weather is perfect, and the tea is delightfully sweet. Come here.”
Despite her protests, the stranger pulled Mio firmly toward the tea table. A brief silence fell. Geoffrey, sipping his tea, glared at her as if she were a criminal.
Uncomfortable. So uncomfortable.
On top of that, the blonde-haired woman with green eyes stared at her intently. Mio lowered her head, feeling exhausted from being watched from all sides, her neck stiff.
I just wanted a little change of pace…
Why was she being attacked with their stares?
And who was this suspicious woman?
Out of nowhere, she had grabbed her hand. Irritated, Mio rubbed the hand that had been held against her thigh.
“Your Grace, the aroma of this tea is wonderful. It must be a special blend?”
The stranger’s voice broke the quiet of the garden. A nearby pigeon, resting in a tree, fluttered into the sky.
“…Hm.”
Geoffrey said nothing, staring at Mio, who sat with her neck bowed. He frowned at her, though she had done nothing wrong.
When confessing his feelings, he had been shameless—but he didn’t care about sincerity. Yet, even now, this behavior annoyed him.
Feeling her neck stiffen, Mio finally raised her head. The woman opposite her gasped dramatically.
“Oh! Finally noticing me? I’m sorry for the late introduction. I’m Lavinia Vale, a distant relative of Samuel, who works here.”
Mio was caught off guard by the grand introduction. This must be the guest Lauren mentioned. She responded a beat later.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Mio, and I’m in the care of Duke Caspian.”
She wanted to explain more, but there was nothing she could say.
I’m actually a fox beast, and I’ve been transported into a book… I can’t introduce myself like that.
After her brief introduction, Lavinia examined Mio closely.
“Your hair color is really unique. I’ve never seen this color in the Empire.”
Mio’s silver hair sparkled in the sunlight, and Lavinia smiled approvingly at her delicate frame and mysterious amber eyes.
“You’ll go well with our Samuel. Don’t you think, Duke?”
“…Perhaps.”
Geoffrey’s halfhearted reply made Mio’s gaze sharpen.
Both of them are really annoying.
Lavinia’s obvious attempt to pair her with Samuel on the first meeting, along with her constant chatter about tea and hair, made it clear she liked the Duke.
Even more irritating was Geoffrey’s attitude.
His eyes clearly conveyed that Samuel and Mio did not belong together. Samuel was a noble family’s second son, and she was hardly someone worth noting.
But you never know what the future holds!
Who could say that later Geoffrey might cling to her, and she could not live without him?
No. That’s too far-fetched.
Mio shook her head vigorously while fidgeting with her teacup. Lavinia pushed a plate of cookies toward her.
“You probably don’t get to eat cookies like these often. Try one—they’re made by our chef, and he’s excellent.”
Mio felt a wave of resistance toward Lavinia’s disguised condescension. The woman clearly looked down on her simple attire.
“Thank you.”
Unable to refuse a noble lady, Mio picked up a cookie. Lavinia then turned her gaze to Geoffrey.
“Duke, have you found someone to accompany you to the hunting competition?”
“…Not yet.”
Lavinia, clearly excited, continued.
“I suppose it will be fox hunting? I’ve only heard of it. I’ve never attended myself.”
She acted as though only the Duke and herself were present.
This is really irritating.
Mio didn’t care whether Lavinia had a crush on the Duke, but if she was really angling for a spot by his side, it was inconvenient. Placing both hands on the table, she glared at Geoffrey like a predator eyeing its prey.
Geoffrey is mine.
At least until she found a new imprint partner.
