Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 45: Used And Discarded

Chapter 45: Used And Discarded

"I beg your pardon?" the man frowned looking at Olivia.

A strange pain clenched her heart. She would have felt gleeful if such an offer had been received in the past. Too bad, she had not changed herself this much and dressed so finely to get a second son of a count! Her trap was bigger!

"The song had ended, my lord." Olivia took a step back and bowed her head. The man blinked and followed her actions.

Was that a refusal? Still confused, he was compelled to leave the stage when another man offered his hand to Olivia and she took it.

One by one, she danced with seven men. And four of them showed their desire to court him in a single night.

Olivia did not know whether to be happy about it or cry over her luck.

Her eyes moved to the stage again but she frowned when she did not notice Edward sitting there anymore. The stage was empty save for the empress drowning herself in wine.

Olivia frowned and looked around when she felt a hand on her wrist.

"Are you looking for another dance partner, my lady?" Olivia stiffened when she heard his velvety voice. Her heart raced and she turned to bow to the man she had dressed up for.

"Your highness, Olivia Witherland greets you. May the blessings of the moon goddess shine upon you." she curtsied with a sweet smile on her face.

"Hmm, I saw that every gaze is set on you for tonight, my lady. And I can not complain to them. You look so different." Olivia noticed how his gaze darken when he noticed her plunged neckline. How his eyes hovered over her body from head to toe before returning to her face.

How she felt a tinge of desire in them. Has she succeeded in her first step already? A strange current flowed in her nerves and she grinned.

"I am gratified that you noticed my efforts, your highness." there was a strange undercurrent in their simple greetings.

Edward had already kissed her hands yet her lips lingered on her skin for more seconds. And he still did not let go of her hands after kissing.

Olivia’s smile was more seductive. Only then did others understand why she had accepted any proposal so far!

But was she not getting too bold and too ambitious? Second prince would never accept her as his wife. But as her new mistress! Who knew?!

"Will you not ask me for a dance, your highness?" the man raised a brow with a mysterious smile.

"No, but are you asking me for one?" Olivia’s lips curled and she held his hand which was still playing with her fingers.

"Would you agree if I ask, your highness?" the man chuckled at that. He did not pull his hands away but tightened his grip so that she realized she was playing with fire.

"Have I not fulfilled your desire to have macrons, my lady? Do you still doubt my sincerity." Edward bit his smile looking at her reddened cheeks. She might act bold but she was still weak in front of him.

"Then may I have a dance with you, your highness." she curtsied just like a man would wholeheartedly asking for a dance to a lady.

Many gasped and stared at her with horrified looks. But Olivia looked unfazed.

Gabriella stopped drinking for a second and narrowed her eyes at them when Edward accepted the dance offer and took Olivia to the stage.

"Who is she?" she asked in a cold voice. The maid followed Gabriella’s gaze and realized.

"She is the second daughter of deceased baron Witherland. She is living with her elder sister in Duke Aykron’s estate, your majesty. Recently your highness is meeting the duchess for her support." Gabriella’s eyes narrowed with an icy layer covering them.

"I hope it is only a formal exchange for support. Convey my message to my foolish son." the maid retreated silently.

"Her majesty does not like my presence, your highness." Edward paused for a second before twirling her again. She smiled in his arms as if the comment was just a naive remark.

He tilted his head to see his mother watching them with a dark face.

"She is just sour with the rumors around me." he laughed softly but the look on her face told him she was not a fool to take his words.

"I agree with her worries. An orphan daughter from a fallen family. How could she bring benefit for you when you are trying hard to secure the position of the crown prince from the first prince." Edward’s face stiffened. His eyes darkened instantly.

"My lady, I do not like smart girls." he warned her plainly but Olivia only smiled naively.

"But if I offered a proper deal perhaps, her majesty would take me seriously and so would you, your highness." his eyes grew cold and his grip on her waist tightened as a warning.

"You seem different today, my lady. I do not like changes too. That is the last warning I can offer you." the air around them changed. Olivia’s heart flipped in her rib cage. Her hands started to cover in sweat.

Edward knew that his threat worked even if she did not show it on her face. He could hear her heartbeat.

"Are you doing this to win my favor? Alas! The trick might be different but it is not attractive. How about you stick to your seduction instead?" he was giving her a chance to back out and he would treat like nothing had happened.

It was her last opportunity. A sane girl would have taken it but Olivia had lost her sanity after her rebirth.

"Alas! I know where it would lead me to. To ensure the support of Duke Aykroyd, you would accept me in the palace, your highness and announce our engagement but you would never marry me. And once your position as the crown prince strengthened, you would send me back finding faults in me and marry a much higher noble. I would be nothing but a chess pawn used and discarded."

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