Solitary Lady

Chapter 10

“What? Who?”

The voice was filled with surprise and doubt.

A silver-haired man frowned and turned his head as he was sitting on the couch, reading the letter he had received that day.

“Hillis Inoaden? That makes no sense! Why would she have the Power when there is Ricardo?”

Christian Parvenon. He was the heir of the House of Parvenon, one of the four families that had the ancient blood, just like Inoaden.

“They are trying to keep the news secret, but that is what I heard,” replied Renoch, one of Christian’s men.

Even after hearing it himself, he could not believe it. Christian’s suspicions were reasonable. Inoaden’s heir was undoubtedly the eldest son, Ricardo. His Power had not awakened yet, but his vivid red hair clearly showed that he was to be the next heir of roses.

Normally, the Power would awaken at the age of twenty, but it occurred later for some. As such, everyone had thought Ricardo would show his Power soon, but his sister had suddenly shown it instead. Hillis Inoaden was that half-wit daughter of Lord Inoaden. She had lost her place to Gabrielle, who was not even her true sister. She looked so pathetic, always standing in the shadows.

Christian threw the letter onto the table carelessly. A sneer appeared on his beautifully carved face.

“How laughable. We should have been calling Ricardo’s sister the Princess of Roses instead.”

This explained why Inoaden had been strangely quiet these days. Christian felt curiosity and irritation at the same time. He felt that all his efforts toward Gabrielle, the beloved princess of Inoaden, had been in vain, but at the same time, he was secretly amused at such a turn of events.

Christian’s gaze fell upon the letter from Gabrielle that he had been reading. As he always did when he was thinking deeply, he brushed his chin and mouth slowly with his finger.

“What about the other houses?” he asked.

“Nothing much yet. I believe we are the ones who had access to the information first.”

“Even the family of ashes?”

“Axion Vergette is apparently away at the moment,” Renoch answered.

Then he did not have to worry about losing the opportunity.

“Shall we go and find out, then?”

His heart leaned toward curiosity rather than irritation. Furthermore, if Hillis Inoaden truly was the heir of roses, there was no need for him to waste his precious time on Gabrielle anymore.

With his decision made, Christian stood up from his seat. His gleaming silver hair swayed gently as he moved smoothly and elegantly. Renoch, who had been standing by, tried to dissuade him.

“The House of Inoaden announced they would not be taking any visitors at the moment.”

“That will not be a problem.”

Christian’s ruby red eyes sparkled as he smiled, and he walked past Renoch toward the door.

“I have a lovely fiancée who will welcome me anytime.”

* * *

“Everyone is acting so strange these days,” Gabrielle muttered to herself, deep in thought.

Her cheeks were puffed up in frustration. Even while making such a face, she looked like an angel. Her gleaming golden hair, clear emerald eyes, delicate and slim figure, and fair skin made her look like a beautiful porcelain doll. But these days, her pretty face was crumpled up with a frown more often than not. It was due to all the changes in the House of Inoaden.

First of all, her father and brother were acting strangely. They had been visiting her less often these days. Even when they did visit, they would be preoccupied with their thoughts or have grave expressions on their faces.

Gabrielle, meanwhile, had been staying in bed ever since the monster’s attack in the garden. In truth, she had not been injured severely thanks to her brother’s protection. Her only real injuries were the scratch on her hand and a lightly sprained ankle from falling while avoiding the monster. Her swollen ankle had improved even before the doctor had come. Gabrielle would still pout whenever she saw the scratch remaining on her hand, thinking that Ricardo should have been more careful while pulling her away. She had already forgotten the fact that what happened in the garden that day was her fault and that someone could have died because of her.

Anyhow, Gabrielle was feigning weakness despite not having any major injuries. She could feel that everyone’s attention was focused on her stepsister Hillis ever since those roses had blossomed suddenly in the garden. Ricardo called it an awakening of the Power. Gabrielle also knew about the Power because she had lived with the Inoaden family since she was little.

But I’m certain I heard that Ricardo was the only one capable of having the Power!

Gabrielle came to the conclusion that everyone was simply mistaken. However, her father and brother seemed to think differently seeing as their attention was still focused on Hillis. Gabrielle could not understand them. However, the strangest person of all was her stepsister Hillis. She still could not believe what she had heard from her maid a few days ago.

Apparently, Hillis had jumped out of her window. It was absolute nonsense. The Hillis she knew was someone who would never do such drastic things. She recalled how her stepsister had always looked at her with eyes full of envy and resignation. Hillis was soft-spoken and never once expressed resentment, even while endlessly being treated foully by her father and brother. But Hillis jumping out the window in front of her father? And even speaking roughly to her father and brother in the dining hall? Gabrielle could not believe it.

As she thought about it, Hillis had acted strangely in the garden. She had never imagined Hillis ever talking to her brother Ricardo so coldly before. Also, if Hillis were the person she knew, she would have already come to check up on her.

Whatever she was doing, she had never once visited her stepsister who was lying in her sickbed. Gabrielle also heard from her maid that Hillis was walking around day and night in nothing but her sleeping gown. She had not witnessed it in person, as she had been staying in her room, but just hearing such news was immensely shocking.

There were also rumors that Hillis had ripped all her clothes into shreds. Gabrielle believed that was truly impossible. Whatever the case, because of Hillis’ absurd behavior these days, everyone in Inoaden was giving Gabrielle less attention than before. Ever since the day Hillis apparently jumped out the window, her father and brother seemed completely preoccupied, which left Gabrielle very displeased.

“Donna.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“Bring me the necklace from my top drawer.”

She felt like lashing out a little. Gabrielle’s angelic face puffed up again into a pout. She was going to go meet her stepsister who had stolen her father and brother’s attention away from her.