章 62: A PLAYFUL BANTER

"It's such a surprise to see you here, Marquis. What made you visit there?" Rachelle asked as she looked at Liam who was now in front of her, riding the same carriage that she had taken back in her state.

Somehow, he wanted to join her in her carriage ride so she let him in. It's also her repayment for helping her earlier with that scum.

"Hm, I was about to purchase some pastries but since I saw you, I decided to stop by and talk to you. But then someone started to slander you, so I couldn't help but step and butting into your conversation." He answered, smiling at her.

But that of course is a lie. If it was not for his assistant telling him that he saw Felicia entering a café shop, he would've not gone here instead. But luck is on his side, therefore it's a bonus that he saw her.

"Oh... I see, for a moment there I thought you were stalking me." She joked, chuckling on her own while Liam just let out a nervous chuckle, averting his eyes. Well, it's not stalking but still.

"Are you going home after this? Or do you want to visit the manor? It's been so long since you visited. At least pay a visit to your friend, my brother Alexander." She asked.

The Goddess knows how beautiful she looks right now and Liam is having his crisis building up inside him. The way her red hair resembles the sun whenever it sets on the west, how her green eyes sparkle when talking, and the way her mood becomes so festive just makes her more and more beautiful in his eyes.

"Huh? Oh, I'm actually on my way home." He suddenly said as he was caught up in staring intently at her. Shit, if it's not feeling interested in her, then what is it?

"Oh, I could ask the carriage to drop you on your way home. It's not that late anyway." She expressed, her eyes squinting in joy, making Liam clasp his chest. It kept on acting weird whenever she was around.

"Ah, I won't decline your offer. If it's for a free ride, then who am I to decline?" He answered in a playful manner, smirking at Rachelle who then laughed at him for being silly.

'Oh God, her laughter is contagious.' He thought to himself, letting out another subtle laugh. "Reminds me, so how did you end up in that position?" He asked, changing the subject while feeling awkward with himself.

"My Nanny asked for my money which I gradually let her lend it. She left me with her son, hoping he and I would click together." She answered honestly, fidgeting with her fingers.

Just being reminded about it, makes her want to puke so bad. That disgusting thing tries so hard to seduce her but fails abysmally. He doesn't even know how to write a good story for her to feel impressed at the least.

How he constructed his lies were all empty and flat. There's nothing impressive about that man at all. So why did the Academy decide to let that bastard apply? He lacks the knowledge in her opinion.

"Oh... I thought you were going on a date with that guy." He replied, blinking twice in disbelief and surprise. Rachelle's face distorted into disgust, making Liam laugh at how her expression turned ugly.

"Me? Oh no! I'm not some kind of a lady whose standards are far below the ground! Who do you think I am, letting someone who's way below my expectations become my man?" She asked, scoffing while Liam just laughed at her, having fun with her blasting Lowell off.

"I'm sorry—it's just that I couldn't help thinking about it. Of course, you're a proud woman who wouldn't want just a man without something to prove. After all, you deserve men who are much more on par with your standards." He answered, still giggling about it.

"Right. I deserve far better than the Crown Prince. Someone whose intellect is far-fetched and wide, much wealthier, and powerful. Someone who's like the Duke in terms of what he could give. And someone whose emotional intelligence is higher and on balance with his morals." She confidently said, bobbing her head up and down.

"Are you describing me?"

"I'm sorry, what?" Felicia asked, her eyebrow raised as Liam leaned in, his hand resting on his knee, his head on her hand while he was throwing a snarky smirk at her, it's as if he was teasing her.

"You're describing me, yes? I fit with your description. Seems like your standards fit me, my Lady. Don't you think so?" He teases her, his lips stretched into a dog-like grin. It's just so fun teasing her.

"Come now young Marquis, you are free to delude yourself from your delusions. It's okay to dream about it, alright?" She responded with a sweet smile plastered on her lips, retaliating with him.

"Or could it be that you have a crush on me therefore you think you suit these characteristics that I told you about?" She added, making Liam stir for a bit then letting out a chortle, brimming with amusement.

"If so, what will you do?" He responded, his eyebrows raised twice while the corner of his lips curved upward and the other corner downward, displaying a smile that resembled a prideful appearance yet remaining playful towards her.

"Reject you. I have no time to idle myself with the things relating to feeling in love. So whatever you are feeling right now, Liam. It's better to stop." She answered him in a frank manner, talking seriously.

"Relax, Felicia. We're playing here and I am not into you. You are already engaged to the Crown Prince. Why would I choose to love someone who's already engaged?" He stated, feeling uncomfortable but still had to smile despite how uncomfortable his heart had become.

"I'm just playing with you too. Anyway, I really am thankful for your help earlier. That bastard really deserves all the hatred I could give to him." She said, giving him a warm smile to show her appreciation.

She really is thankful but at the same time still couldn't help but feel lost at how fast he acted right there, even mocking him. "Don't be, it's nothing actually." He replied, his ears blushing while averting his eyes away.

She chuckled, looking at him right now, he really somewhat looks like Alexander. Whenever he would be flustered, his ears would turn red and his eyes avert away whenever he was flushed.

Ah, what a lovely day it is. Who knows what will happen tonight? She'll just send Noctua to become her eyes once again, to keep the Baroness and her family in check, hoping they would end up in jail.

"Oh how great this day would turn out to be, I can't help looking forward to it." She mumbled on her own, making Liam look at her with a small smirk. Could it be that she's implying what she's about to do with the Baroness?

—

After helping Liam to go back to his estate, the carriage then took its turn and reached the Duke's estate before the sun could even set. Walking out of the carriage, she couldn't contain the smile on her lips as she walked away.

"Olivia, prepare my dinner on my table, if they ask questions about why I am staying over my room, tell them that I am not feeling quite well and wish to be alone for the rest of the night," Rachelle commanded as she took up the stairs.

She just needs to tell Noctua to become her eyes once again. Since she won't be able to grasp it tonight, then it would be better to send the bird rather than to have Olivia walking out alone in the night.

She's not a horrible person.

"As you wish, Mistress," Olivia responded and went the opposite way, must be dealing with her request. The mansion was quiet, except for the servants greeting her or either cleaning the halls, apart from them, it was silent.

Maybe from this day onward, the only place that everyone would meet is the dining room, where they would only meet every mealtime.

As she reached her room, she opened the door and closed it before walking towards her bed. Somehow, she felt tired despite not doing anything. There were no drugs being taken earlier or the drinks being spiked with some pills to make her feel tired.

Maybe it's because of having long days ahead for several days that her body decided to request more rest.

"Noctua." She called her beloved bird. As the bird heard her callings, he immediately flew out of the corner, landing on her lap while tilting his head, curious as to why Rachelle suddenly called him.

"I want you to become my eyes once again. I'm sure that they will take the money and fly away from the scene tonight. I had already contacted the guild and asked them to help me once again to place an eye on them, in case they get away from inspection." She asked for another favor towards Noctua who glared at her.

"Woman, you always treat me like I'm some sort of your servant." He sighed, shaking his head in disbelief. "Alright, since you always offer good meals for me, I shall." He answered, accepting her request.

When it involves food, he won't decline then.

"There's only one port here in the capital and that is owned by the Hughes. Their security is tight therefore with the money being counterfeit they will immediately be placed under the law." She added, smirking sinisterly.

Just by thinking about it, her heart couldn't stop from leaping in joy.

"Alright. I'll see what I can do. But you better have my meal late at night!" He demanded, shaking his whole body as he prepared for another long flight. Seriously, she needs to stop treating him like a servant.

"Of course, pets. Of course." She answered, laughing at his reaction. Noctua just rolled its eyes dramatically, and started to float as he flapped his wings and flew out of the open door that led towards the open balcony.

"Now then, I'll just wait for the good news to occur." She mumbled to herself, looking outside with a refreshed expression. That will teach that old woman to know her place and not mess with her.