Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 22 ==Direct Proposal?==

"I've heard about your success in the West, Grand Duchess,"

I just listened to their chatter as I ate my dinner, stealing glances at the young king. He had become the ruler at only twenty years old because his father had died.

He was a king without a queen, and rumors whispered that he preferred men because he always had his Secretary, who was the same age as him, by his side. This Secretary was like a minor character in a story, not meant to have much attention.

"Ah yes, I was just lucky that the people in the West happily accepted my ideas," Mother replied humbly, even though she knew it was partly because she was the daughter-in-law of their beloved Prince, my Grandfather.

"Will Marcus be coming to Lady Amelia's and Young Master Francis' birthday?" His Highness asked, then turned to look at me but quickly looked away when he saw I was staring at him.

"Yes, Marcus will arrive next week. I heard that you two are good friends," Father answered, and the King just nodded.

Marcus was the second Prince and my cousin, the one who had let go of the main heroine in the original story. I was sure I had already told everyone that.

It seemed he was visiting earlier than expected because in the original story, he arrived at eleven at night, after Alyssa had already died, so she never even met him.

"It's been so long since I last visited your estates, Grand Duke. Was it ten years ago?" His Highness said, having a casual conversation with my parents and siblings.

"It has been a long time indeed. I can still clearly remember how you often used to babysit Francis," Mother said, recalling a memory from the past.

A past that I couldn't know because Alyssa's original memories were gone. The only things I knew about her were the brief descriptions in the book.

"Alyssa, I talked with Allen yesterday, and he told me he wants to marry you," Brother suddenly announced, and I could only glare at him.

"But isn't the Young Lady engaged to Prince Ben?" His Highness asked us. "Their engagement was called off a few months ago, and ever since then, the Young Marquis has been courting her and asking for her hand in marriage," Father explained, and the King nodded.

"So the Young Lady doesn't have anyone special at the moment?" His Highness' secretary, Simon, asked.

"Yup, and it won't be long before she becomes the Marchioness," Sister Amelia said elegantly and excitedly, making her feelings obvious to everyone.

I couldn't believe that no one in the family knew about Sister's feelings for His Highness.

They must have turned a blind eye to it when Alyssa died at the lake. They must have thought she was fine, not knowing that she was no longer alive and someone else had taken her place – someone everyone should fear.

"Are you even sure that Lady Alyssa will accept the Marquis' proposal, Lady Amelia?" Simon asked my sister, who looked very confident in her thoughts.

"Yes, of course. There's no other man who's suitable for my dear sister other than the Marquis," Sister Amelia said insincerely, then gave me a smile that made me want to fake being sick.

"You don't know that there's someone suitable nearby," Simon said, and as I heard his words, I choked on my own spit. I saw Simon then look at His Highness, who had a shy expression.

What in the world is going on?!

I glanced at Father, who had a suspicious look at our two guests. Did he figure something out?

I doubted that everyone in the family hadn't caught on to the meaning of the Secretary's words. Seriously... what were they thinking?

Because of Simon's words, the atmosphere in the room became uncomfortable.

Before anyone could say anything, a maid announced, "Excuse me for disturbing, but the Empress's lady-in-waiting is requesting an audience with the Grand Duchess, and Lady Alyssa, your presence is requested by your grandfather." I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing I had escaped this awkward situation.

"I see, I'll be there in a minute," Mother replied, then excused herself from everyone before walking towards the living room.

After I finished eating, I also stood up and looked at everyone. "I must also excuse myself. Grandfather requested my presence," I said, waiting for Father's approval before heading towards Grandfather's home.

I didn't know what he wanted, but I had to say he saved me from that fancy and uncomfortable room.

It was obvious that Simon's words suggested that a suitable partner for me was His Highness. Did Alyssa also have him interested in her?! I had to admit, her charms were strong.

But anyway, I would accept whatever Grandfather wanted me to do because he helped me escape that room.

I really needed to plan my escape route during Sister's birthday in the next few weeks. Because there was a high chance that the King would ask for my hand in marriage. I had to run away before that happened...

And if I managed to escape, I had to visit that strange Underworld Leader, Kian or Killian.