Marriage Alliance With The Lycan Monarch-Chapter 61: Eloise & The Handmaid

I waited for Dia in my garden. It’s been over an hour already, and I was beginning to think the Princess might have played me.

Great. After all the work I have put into this. I even bribed Lucan with food for just a few hours alone, and I sent Osha away, too.

I knew I shouldn’t be alone with a Lycan that might be hostile toward me, but I figured if this were to work, we needed to be alone. After all, I’m trying to convince Dia in place of the princess.

That little brat. Only the gods knew how I would be able to do such a thing.

I chewed my nails nervously. No, no. I shouldn’t give up just yet.

Suddenly, I heard approaching footsteps. I peeked to find Dia walking down the aisle. She had her inky dark hair packed in two buns, and her clothing was different. It looked identical to Lina, the princess’s other handmaid.

Dia ambled up the stairs, and I noticed some freckles at the bridge of her nose spreading over to her cheeks.

She looked so different, I could barely recognise her if I hadn’t seen her before.

Dia smirked, folding her arms like the brat she was. "This is unfortunate. Who’d have thought we would meet again, like this?"

"I never knew you were the princess’s handmaid," I conceded.

"Would you have treated me differently then, human?"

"No," I said bluntly. "That does not excuse your behavior."

She glared, sitting at the other end of the table. "You wouldn’t have known I was the princess’s handmaid."

"True."

"Since your arrival in the empire, I was instructed to find out every detail about the human bride her brother dared marry."

I froze at her words. "Are you saying you have been watching me?"

"Yes," she replied with little to no guilt. "Sometimes. When you’re out of that room, you confine yourself in like a shivering mouse." She took a cookie from the plate and bit down on it.

So that familiar gaze of someone watching me came from her?

"So this is what you really look like, then?" I asked, eyeing how different she looked.

"Yes, I used makeup to cover my freckles and wore the attire to blend in."

"Huh..." I murmured.

Dia tensed and smiled nervously. "W-What?"

"Nothing," I said, taking a sip from my tea.

For now, I’ll go with this. There was something suspicious about this handmaid that I couldn’t shake off.

"The reason why I called you here is—"

"There is no need to lie or try to trick me. I can see through your schemes," she cut me off with a smug expression.

"Oh, do you?"

"I never knew the human was a charlatan. I was listening behind closed doors during your visit with the princess. She might have slipped when you used your tricks, but I assure you, I won’t. There is a reason she sent me in her stead. I’m not simple-minded."

Here I thought she was simply a little brat, but she looked far more today. This representation must be getting to her head.

I grinned maliciously. Something Dia didn’t expect after she had stripped me of my ploy. But I was shedding the mask already.

"I don’t need to beat around the bush, then? I must say I’m glad you represent the Princess. She’s too stiff," I whispered in the last part. "I don’t mean this as offensive. You’ve served her for years, so you must know what I mean."

I noticed a hint of anger on her face, but she quickly masked it, forcing a smile on her lips. "She’s the princess and has a certain image to uphold. She must act with dignity and grace, worthy of her position." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

"I’m sure she does. I guess you know why she’s being confined?" I tested the waters, hoping I could get the truth.

"Hehe, nice try. Anything concerning the princess’s activities is confidential. Do you think I would rant to a human?"

Tsk! I tried, though.

I placed my teacup on my saucer and morphed up a serious expression. "I have come to ask something of the princess."

"Oh... that sounds intriguing," she amused, biting on another cookie. "What does this human need? It better be juicy. The princess is known for getting bored easily."

"I would like to request a share in the Princess’ court. I’m the monarch’s wife, so I think a partnership should be made. Ladies to ladies."

Dia broke into wild laugh, so hard that she clutched her lower abdomen.

"Have I said something funny?"

"Obviously," she amused, wiping a lone tear from the corner of her eye. "That request sounds like a dog hungry for a bone."

I gritted my teeth. This brat! I tried to compose myself, but it was hard to; my annoyance was plastered on my face like a storm.

"And not the only dog," she said, pouring some tea into her cup. She took a sip and sighed, appreciating the taste.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Sloane."

My blood ran cold. Sloane? She came to the princess, too? That poker face wants the princess court, doesn’t she? Was hers not enough?

"And she made an appealing offer. You came hungry for the bone. While Sloane came hungry and prepared."

I frowned. "Sloane is a shrewd person, and you of all people know that too, if you have been by the princess’s side for long."

"You’re a shrewd person as well," she countered. "Eloise, you’ve come to the princess with nothing to offer. That is unwise."

I didn’t think that far, which was a mistake on my part. But how could I have known that Sloane would beat me to the chase? Judging by the way Dia spoke, Sloane must have come to her recently.

Why? For more power?

I placed a hand beneath my chin. This could only mean that she had some plan brewing. I was right not to stay still after threatening her.

"Eloise, what do you offer?"

"I have nothing," I confessed. "Perhaps you need something from me. That is the only reason you would ask such a question from a lone human."

On cue, Dia smiled, dropping her teacup, and leaned toward me. "Get a divorce."

Huh?

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