Extra-Changing Fate

Chapter 29 ==A Hint?==

"Happy Birthday, Lady Amelia! A beautiful flower like you is destined to bloom beautifully."

I nearly gagged in disgust as I heard Catherine's sickeningly sweet words to my sister. I didn't know if Amelia had noticed, but I clearly saw Catherine smirk as she lowered her head. Only a minute ago, Catherine had been right beside me, yet the moment my sister appeared, she rushed to Amelia's side, showering her with these nauseating compliments.

"You're too kind, Lady Nizel. Are you enjoying your stay here in the capital? I heard you spent your entire life in the countryside!" Amelia asked her, and Catherine simply smiled warmly.

"I'm very happy, My Lady, and please, call me Catherine. I insist!"

I raised my right eyebrow, observing the two of them. 'Both of them are idiots,' I thought, shaking my head in disappointment.
I turned slightly to glance towards the main entrance. 'Won't His Highness the Prince be arriving?' I wondered, taking a sip from my glass of wine as I continued to watch the two "idiots" interact – a scene I certainly wouldn't find in the original story.

"Alyssa!!!"

I turned slightly to see Marchioness Chloe striding towards me. I caught a glimpse of Ellie's figure slowly disappearing through the door Chloe had just entered.

"Alyssa! Finally, I've found you! I'm excited to see what drama unfolds tonight, with you by my side, of course," she told me, and I raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Pardon?"

"The new girl... she looks like the main character of a novel – a naive young lady who knows nothing about high society but possesses an innate charm that bewitches every man around her," Chloe explained. My eyes roamed around the ballroom, noticing that most of the young lords were indeed staring in Catherine's direction, their cheeks flushed.

"Yes, I can certainly see what you mean, Marchioness," I played along, subtly glancing into her eyes, hoping to find some clue, but there was nothing unusual about her.

Catherine, as I'd mentioned, possessed what I called the 'heroine's buff' – a charm that captivated everyone. I still couldn't understand why I was immune to it. Perhaps this world treated me like a ghost?

"By the way, Lady Alyssa, I thought the Young Prince of the West was sticking with you all night. Where is he?" she asked, probably recalling how Marcus had been clinging to me like a child earlier.

"Ah, Cousin was called away by Grandfather. I presume you've already paid your respects to Grandfather this evening?" I asked, thinking she should have met him.

"Ah! I already met your grandfather this morning, so I see no reason to meet him again now, do I? Since we've already seen each other?" she replied, and my right eyebrow rose in confusion.

Morning? Did all of Grandfather's trusted associates gather every morning? Or was it just her?

"Only you? Did Miss Sylvia and Ellie also come?" I pressed.

She smiled. "Correct! You're quite good at guessing, my lady."

"I suppose I am. I probably take after my grandfather, don't you think?" As I said those words, she paused for a moment before offering a faint smile.

"Your grandfather? Hmm... there are a few characteristics, but if I were to say, you take after your grandmother. You are an exact replica of her," she whispered the last sentence, and my eyes widened.

"You mean I—"

"Shh... it's best not to have this kind of conversation where everyone is listening, isn't that right, Lady Alyssa?" She cut me off, her light smile unchanging, as she led me towards the balcony and swiftly locked the doors behind us.

"I won't tell you anything more, but like your grandfather said, find Virgo," she told me, and I furrowed my brows.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked her. I knew she wouldn't do this without something in return. Was she betraying Grandfather?

"Ah, this? Your Grandfather instructed me. He said you're taking too long, and he doesn't have much time left," she explained, and my eyes widened in shock.

"What? Grandfather is dying?"

"Yes, Elias is already old, and he doesn't want his family to know about his illness, except for you, of course. Elias must truly care for you," she said, and I sighed deeply.

"Then, give me a clue about Virgo," I pleaded, and she smiled lightly.

"I know you're smart, Lady Alyssa, so no need to think too hard... just think of a person who's mysterious and always around you," she offered. I pondered for a second.

"That's the clearest hint I can give you. And let me tell you something that will happen in the future," she continued, her gaze fixed on mine.

"A great tragedy will happen. Be ready for that," she said before she suddenly vanished from the balcony, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts.

I was jolted out of my reflections when I felt a finger poking my cheek.

"What the heck are you doing?" I snapped, turning to see Kian sitting casually on the stone railing.

"What are you thinking so hard about? Do you have another man aside from me?!" he exclaimed, and I nearly choked on my own saliva.

What on earth was he talking about?!

"A man? Tsk... I don't have time for a man, you know," I told him, but he gave me a look that clearly said, 'I don't believe you.'

"I swear! I'm busy finding Virgo! I don't have time for romance," I insisted, and he pouted.

"Even for me?"

I paused for a moment, then turned my head towards him, only to flinch as I found his face inches from mine, so close our lips were almost touching.

"What the hell? Why are you so close—" I was cut off as he suddenly spoke.

"Alyssa, you know that I—"

"What are you doing to my sister?!"

We both froze, our heads slowly turning to look at the door. Standing there was my brother Francis, glaring daggers at Kian, who returned his stare as if ready to murder him.

__________

Additional Casts

Prince Marcus Dratican

Marchioness Chloe Viridian

Sorry For The Late Introduction of the two additional important Casts, but here ya go,

Prince Marcus and Marchioness Chloe