Chapter 4
Birds were chirping in the morning.
I raised a hand to block the dazzling sunlight and sat up—then froze.
Something was sitting on the round table that had been empty last night.
Without hesitation, I got out of bed and walked straight to the table.
When I picked it up, a smile automatically spread across my lips.
Looks like things went well.
It was an exhibition ticket.
I had clearly sent mine to the Tower Master, yet here it was again in my room.
Which could only mean one thing—
he had read my proposal.
Etienne Orte.
And when I saw the name written on the ticket, I became certain there would be a reply on the back.
“…!”
As expected.
There were a few neat lines written behind it.
Excitement bubbled in my chest. I couldn’t hide the little hum of happiness escaping me as I eagerly read the message.
‘I read your proposal carefully. I must say, it’s rather tempting.If you don’t mind, how about meeting in person to talk? I’ve written the time and date below.’
The corners of my lips rose even higher.
If Selly had seen me, she would’ve said, “Oh my gosh! Someone actually fell for such a scam-like offer?”
But she wasn’t here—and what mattered most was the final line with the date and time of the appointment.
Of all things, it’s today… and he gave me plenty of time.
It hadn’t even been three days since I sent the ticket to the tower.
That could only mean one thing.
This man must really want to avoid marrying that princess from the neighboring country.
He was practically rushing to meet me.
Not that I mind.
People’s attention was always delightful.
And watching someone come begging to me was even better.
The joy of holding all the decision-making power in my hands!
But that excitement had to wait.
I have to hide this—can’t let anyone else see.
If my sister or father found out I had an appointment with him, it wouldn’t bring me anything good.
I put the ticket with the reply in the bottom drawer. I’d just take it when I went out.
Hmm-hmm.
Just thinking about the meeting made me hum again.
***
Everything afterwards happened quickly.
For the important outing in the afternoon, I went straight to preparing myself the moment I returned to my room after breakfast.
Today is too important. I can’t afford to be careless about anything.
This included putting rose petals in my bathwater.
“Is the bathwater too hot, my lady?”
“No, it’s fine. Just perfect.”
Warm water was the best.
“And do you like the scented oil?”
After the bath, Selly carefully dried my shiny hair. She had just begun brushing it when—
Knock-knock.
Someone was at the door.
No one should be coming.
I hadn’t asked for anyone.
And my father surely wouldn’t come see me—not when he was still furious.
When I didn’t reply, a voice called from outside:
“Niveia, are you asleep?”
A soft, bell-like voice.
Someone who must have thought I ate breakfast early and went back to sleep.
My sister? At this hour?
Recognizing her voice, I immediately allowed her in.
I wasn’t ready to face Father yet, but my sister was no problem.
“Good. You were awake.”
Vivian stepped inside, looking like a princess straight out of a fairy tale.
When I was younger, I really thought I became family with a real princess.
And honestly, those feelings hadn’t changed.
Her curly golden hair flowed down to her waist, and her soft violet eyes shone like gemstones.
She was like a doll crafted by a master artisan—truly one of a kind.
She walked to me gracefully, smiled, and then looked at Selly.
“You were about to brush her hair, right? Leave it to me. You may go.”
She accepted the comb with a gentle smile.
Once Selly left, only the two of us remained. Silence settled in.
The only sound was the soft shhh, shhh of the comb through my hair.
“I heard you went out yesterday.”
Vivian spoke softly while brushing my hair so it wouldn’t tangle.
“They say you sold some jewels and wore old clothes again. The rumors are everywhere.”
I had expected that—too many eyes and ears in this mansion.
“They also say you went to an exhibition, but you didn’t tell me which painting you liked. So I guess nothing caught your eye.”
Her tone was gentle.
Too gentle.
“Or maybe… you did like something, but you didn’t have money to buy it because of Father’s restrictions?”
Her words hit the truth perfectly.
After living under the same roof for decades, there was nothing about me she didn’t know.
She spoke like she had seen straight through everything.
“All done.”
She put down the comb and tapped my shoulder, telling me to look in the mirror.
My neatly brushed hair and her warm smile reflected back at me.
“My dear Nini, let your sister see your face.”
She turned me toward her.
Obediently, I followed her lead.
She cupped my cheeks with her soft hands and spoke:
“Going out is fine. Selling jewels is fine. Wearing something you’ve worn before is also fine.”
Her voice grew firmer.
“Even if you wore something outrageous and walked into the city square tomorrow, people would just assume it’s a new trend. So be confident in your choices.”
Hmm…
She must have thought I was depressed because I had no money.
That I went out feeling small and ashamed.
Half-right, half-wrong, but I didn’t correct her.
I simply listened.
“This quiet, frugal lifestyle… it isn’t like you, Niveia.”
It was only to show that I had changed for the better and to save up money—just in case I had to flee someday.
“When you act like this, it worries me.”
Seeing her look so sad pricked my conscience.
“Father has punished you enough. I don’t need to punish you too. So… I want to give you something else.”
She took her hands away and handed me a white envelope.
She told me to check inside and put a finger to her lips.
“Alright? This stays between us.”
When I peeked inside, my jaw dropped.
“Sister!”
Money!
Some of her own allowance!
In that moment, materialism won.
I practically jumped into her arms. If Selly had been there, she would’ve said I had hearts in my eyes.
“You really didn’t have to give me this…”
But truthfully, my withered heart finally felt alive again.
We hugged tightly for a long, joyful moment.
***
That afternoon.
I hummed happily as I left the bank.
I wanted to spend the money right away, but no—better to save everything while I could.
After steadying my heart, I tore another portable scroll.
The scenery shifted around me—to the most expensive district in the capital.
All the shops here opened so many branches they’re on their third, I heard.
Among them, I visited a dessert shop.
The line is long…
But luckily, I didn’t have to wait.
A man came out to greet me.
Etienne.
His honey-colored hair shone under the sunlight. His refined outfit matched his gentle smile perfectly.
How did he recognize me?
I had purposely worn a veiled hat so no one would notice me today.
But he must have recognized the exhibition ticket in my hand.
Hardly anyone else would be carrying that.
He led me to the VVIP floor—not open to the public.
It seemed he had rented the entire floor.
“I chose this seat because of the view. I hope you like it. What do you think?”
“It’s not bad.”
I nodded and sat down.
The tall buildings below and tiny people moving like ants were visible from the window.
“I’m glad.”
Then he added:
“You don’t need to worry about anyone overhearing us. I placed a soundproofing spell over the entire floor.”
Meaning no one would know what we talked about.
After listening, I gave my own warning:
“Now it’s my turn to talk. Just so you know, I hate roundabout speech the most. So I’ll get straight to the point.”
Wasting time wasn’t my style.
I smiled brightly—a charming smile before the strike.
Instead of giving a long explanation, it’s better to hit first.
But it wasn’t a love confession.
No.
It was—
“Why don’t you try marrying me?”
A proposal attack!
