Skylume11

*Content Introduction*

Would you kindly leave?

In the fierce competition for the crown prince’s favor, the princess’s maid Lorisha harshly rejects the persistent advances of Prince Rocar, the powerful supporter of the second prince.

Surely, his unhealthy temptation is a plot to make the princess doubt her loyalty.

But her refusal only fuels the obsession of the empire’s most eligible heir… Rocar suddenly takes her hand and kisses it.

His lips whispering secrets, lightly brushing her hand like a feather.

“Once the competition ends, your fate will be in my hands, just so you know.”

She fluttered her fan like a butterfly’s wings, smiling coyly.

“Try if you dare.”

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*Brief Summary*

In a world where nobility, honor, and bloodlines dictate everything, Lorisha, the illegitimate daughter of Count Roar, struggles to find her place across the delicate line between nobility and the common folk.

A fateful encounter with Duke Rocard Kaidel, a young, charming, and mysterious nobleman, marks a turning point in her life. Amidst grand balls and hidden family secrets, Lorisha faces challenges from her past and societal pressures, while discovering her true self and the real value of kinship. 

As the opportunity to enter the Royal Academy - her dream to escape her unwanted reputation and start anew - slips through her fingers, a trip to Zevron Beach with her father, Count Roar, opens up hope and opportunities for a fresh beginning.

The story is an emotional journey of Lorisha - from darkness to light, from solitude to finding acceptance and love.

Stop Coming On to Me

"If an illegitimate child were to take the top spot at the Empire's academy.... you can't imagine the humiliation the nobles' children would feel. They will hold our Roar family responsible."

"It's a matter of order. Lorisha."

Humiliation. Humiliation. Humiliation....

I felt like my head was going to explode. The shock she gave me on top of the fatigue from studying almost every night left me dizzy.

I fumbled, pulling out my last card.

"You'd better not. I want to handle this matter as quietly as possible."

"You can take the exam if you really want to. But even if you pass, you won't be able to continue at the academy. Who would want to study with the daughter of a street prostitute? You'll be expelled for some reason or another."

It was a threat to spread the rumor that my mother was a street prostitute, that I was the daughter of such a woman.

I sprang up from my seat, my fists trembling, fearful that my legs would not support me.

"My, my mother is.... not like that. You know that!"

"But the rumor will spread that way, and you'll have no way to deny it. Lorisha."

I managed to speak calmly, catching my rattling breath.

"But then, the honor of the Roar family and the Count? You know better than anyone that the Count isn't like that. He can't lie like that."

She stood up slowly and faced me. Her beauty was chilling.

"If I can prevent my daughter from getting hurt, even at the cost of my husband's, His Majesty's third lion's honor, I will do it. Think about it."

My rough breathing sounded in my ears.

"You'll be known as the daughter of a prostitute all your life. Even if you resist to the end using your cunning, no nobles will hire you as a private tutor. And if that happens, I will stop it."

My legs gave way. I sank slowly, and the Countess moved toward the door with the soft rustle of her gown.

Before she closed the door, she spoke softly.

"If I can't have my husband's love, shouldn't I have something else?"

It was strange. My life had shattered, but I didn't even cry. I just felt a bit sleepy.

An empire law notebook I had yet to memorize came to mind, but I pushed it away and went outside.

By the time I arrived in town, it was already night. The lights streaming from the shops made the commercial street appear quite enchanting as always. Suddenly, that familiar street seemed terribly strange.

I went to find the Tolman herbalist at the end of the street, wearing ordinary clothes with a cloak hood. The Tolman herbalist's grandfather didn't know I was Roar.

He was amazed that a young girl knew herbs well, and even served me tea. Then I entertained the customers as a clerk, and increased the sales, earning my tea.

He offered me a job at his shop several times.

"What's going on? You said you wouldn't come for a while."

"Ah.... I was just passing by. How's your knee?"

"It's the same every day, what's it to you?"

"Eh? Already? Why come if you're leaving so soon."

I turned awkwardly. Suddenly, I knew nothing. What to answer if someone spoke, what the grandfather's knee was, what the herbs were.

I tried to think that not getting into the academy wasn't the end of the world, but the more I tried, the more it felt like there was no end to the world for me now.

Just as my mother suddenly disappeared, the opportunity of the academy suddenly disappeared. I was afraid to go on, wondering what else was before me now.

I didn't know if I should have come to this street earlier. A halfnoble is not a noble. Having such a child attached to the earl's house, I didn't know if that's where things went wrong from the start.

Search "stop coming" at "redcatty . com" to read ahead chapters.

Chap 8