Not fair (1)

With hair as dark as night and eyes as blue as jewels, Odette was one of the most beautiful women in the Lamamont Kingdom of her time. Coupled with her status from a famous duke family and her magic abilities, Odette is the most wanted woman. Odette has everything.

Everything but one.

Gardet Tierney.

A man with honey-brown hair whose smile is so reassuring. He is a simple man who is kind and able to do his job quickly. Odette knew him at one of the parties held at the Palace.

"Are you feeling any better?" asked Gardet cautiously. "Want me to get you a drink?"

Odette shook her head slowly. "How can I order a gentleman like you to fetch me a glass of water?"

Gardet laughed softly. "That has nothing to do with it, right? I am quite familiar with the ins and outs of the Palace because of my father's job. After all, your current state is more important."

"Okay, if that's what you want..."

Growing up to be the most coveted woman in Lamamont, Odette was willing that Gardet would mess with her at that time. Odette was too weak at that time because she forced herself to fulfill the banquet invitation from the Palace. Then Gardet realized her situation and took her to one of the rooms in the Palace.

To be honest, Odette had thought of various resistances at that time. If she couldn't get out safely later, Odette had planned to complain about this strange man to her older brother.

But Gardet really just brought her water and called her brother. Odette was quite impressed with the man. Unfortunately, Odette's frail condition made her unable to thank him.

They meet again at the crown prince's birthday banquet. It was a meeting that Odette had been waiting for. For several months since their separation, Odette continues to imagine the man who helped her.

"My apologies for not having the chance to introduce myself then, My Lady. My name is Gardet Tierney," said Gardet.

"Lord Gardet. I'm Odette Valent." Odette flashed her best smile. "No wonder at that time you said you knew the ins and outs of the Palace. It turns out that you are the son of the palace secretary, Viscount Tierney."

Gardet chuckled. "Yes. It's better if I start learning from now. However, this Palace is extensive," he said. "But I didn't expect you to remember what I said then. Is that one of the human abilities that have magic powers?"

It's because I keep thinking about you, Odette thought. "Let's just say that."

"Wow, I'm jealous of your strength." Gardet smiled at her. "Excuse me if I am impolite, My Lady. But in my eyes, you look perfect with everything you have."

But at that moment, Gardet looked far more perfect than anything else.

Gardet was only the son of a viscount and had not achieved much compared to men his age. Gardet wasn't the type of man who made others turn heads twice either–his face was the typical type. Nothing special about Gardet.

But I know I like him. Is this what is called first love? thought Odette.

Odette, who is used to getting and having everything, wants something for the first time.

She was even willing to give up her position as crown princess if it was for Gardet's sake.

Of course, Odette couldn't do it.

"Which way are you looking, Lady Odette?" scolded Crown Prince Vallotton. His hands gripped hers roughly as they danced. "Please don't do anything as long as you're my partner."

Odette didn't expect that she would become the crown princess at the ball she attended that day. And worse, the announcement was heard directly by Gardet.

"Do you think I want to be the crown princess?" replied Odette.

"Don't think too highly of yourself, Lady Odette. I also don't want you as the crown princess."

Perhaps that was when Odette realized that she wouldn't always get everything she wanted. Regardless of her beauty and social status, it turns out that there are ordinary people out there who can get what people like Odette and the Crown Prince Vallotton don't have.

***

That reality was named Malvia. A woman of royal blood that Odette had never heard of. A village girl who has no influence or power whatsoever. All she had was her smile.

The girl the Crown Prince Vallotton somehow knew.

The girl Gardet has loved for a long time.

The girl who has the hearts of two men at once, while Odette doesn't.

"Introduce, Your Highness. She is my fiancée. All this time, it was very difficult to get him to Masoullac. Still, in the end, Malvia was able to come along," said Gardet, when he first introduced Malvia to Odette.

"I am Mavia, Your Highness. Nice to meet you on this occasion." Malvia smiled broadly. "You look absolutely stunning tonight."

Stunning? If the stunning Odette couldn't hold Gardet's attention, then what was Malvia? That woman had even caught the attention of the Crown Prince Vallotton long enough!

What? What makes it so attractive?! thought Odette aloud.

Didn't Gardet say that Odette is perfection? Hadn't Crown Prince Vallotton chosen her as Crown Princess because Odette had high qualifications? Then how could she lose to such a simple woman?

"Are you all right, Your Highness? You look pale," said Gardet worriedly. Beside him, Malvia also wore the same expression.

Even Gardet can still be nice in front of Odette...

"Wait, I'll get Crown Prince Vallotton or your brother first," said Gardet. "Malvia, please take care of Princess Odette first."

"Of course." Malvia looked at Odette intently, the way a mother looks at her child. "Would you like anything? How about we sit down first?"

When Malvia reached out her hand to help, Odette pushed it away roughly. Not only was Malvia shocked then, but Odette too.

"Sorry, I-"

"That's all right, Lady Odette," interrupted Malvia gently. "There are times when people who are sick also feel scared and confused. Now may I touch you?"

Odette looked at Malvia. Olive's eyes were bright and shiny, but able to look gently at him who had just brushed them off roughly.

This woman… Malvia…

If this woman really was such a kind person, Malvia wouldn't mind giving Gardet to Odette, would she?