For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 69 - Cowardly Excuses (3)

#69. Cowardly Excuses (3)

“What… what did you just say?”

The ladies accompanying Abigail were unaware that she had set her sights on Perth. Watching their confused eyes dart around, Lia scoffed.

“I didn’t realize that someone as esteemed as Prince Alfonse’s fiancée would stoop to petty revenge just because she was rejected by a man.”

Lia didn’t bother to mince her words. When she worked at the palace, she couldn’t afford to be disrespectful to guests. However, the real Lia Penelope wasn’t one to just take abuse quietly.

“What nonsense. Are you saying I ordered someone to pull out the Miracle of the Desert?”

“What are you talking about? I simply asked if you were taking revenge on me based on uncertain facts. You’re overreacting. Did you orchestrate it?”

Feigning ignorance, Lia watched as Abigail’s face turned beet red. People began to gather, drawn by the escalating confrontation.

“No, I did not!”

Abigail’s denial was surprisingly loud. Lia clicked her tongue internally, realizing Abigail wasn’t good at maintaining a poker face. Abigail glared at Lia, trembling with anger.

“Wherever you heard that from, don’t accuse people without evidence.”

“Isn’t that exactly what you did to me? Do you have any proof that I uprooted the Miracle of the Desert? Besides, when the incident happened, I was expelled not because I was accused of being the perpetrator, but because I was deemed negligent in my duties as the caretaker.”

“Regardless, isn’t it strange for someone who’s been expelled to attend this party?”

“Does being expelled mean I’m no longer Lia Penelope?”

Both women were on edge. Since no royals had entered the banquet hall yet, everyone’s attention was focused on them. As daughters of two powerful families, their clash drew even more interest. Just as a second round seemed imminent, their confrontation was interrupted by an external factor.

“Prince Alfonse Psychedelia is entering!”

The announcement of Prince Alfonse’s arrival drew everyone’s attention. As expected, Perth was by his side. The attention shifted from the two women to the entrance. Quick-witted individuals hurried over to greet Alfonse. However, he and Perth headed straight towards Lia and Abigail. From the atmosphere, they could surmise what had happened.

“You look more beautiful than ever today, my fiancée.”

Alfonse played his usual charming role, ignoring the tense atmosphere as he kissed Abigail’s hand. With his perfect appearance, the gesture looked like a scene from a painting.

“What’s going on here?”

Perth subtly whispered to Lia. Alfonse, aiming to divert attention, tried to lead Abigail away, but her eyes remained fixed on Perth, who had approached Lia.

“Shouldn’t you be by Prince Alfonse’s side?”

Lia spoke as if nothing was wrong. But it wasn’t as if Perth didn’t notice. Out of concern, he kept an eye on her.

“Did you hear something?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t hide it. The rumors will spread soon anyway.”

Even if rumors didn’t spread, Perth wouldn’t be oblivious. Lia, realizing he would find out anyway, whispered honestly.

“She asked why I am here.”

Perth glanced briefly at Abigail and then back at Lia. Although brief, Abigail could feel it. It was a look of reproach, questioning why she brought up something unnecessary. Ignoring the surrounding gazes, Perth comforted Lia.

“Don’t worry about it.”

He even smiled at Lia, a smile different from his usual business smile. Just by looking at their gazes, one could tell the nature of their relationship. It was a face Abigail had never seen. Anger welled up in her again.

“Prince Alfonse, how could someone like her enter the banquet? She should be thrown out immediately.”

Alfonse looked troubled at Abigail’s words. He already knew what Perth was planning. However, he couldn’t ignore his fiancée’s words. As if to help the troubled Alfonse, a servant announced another entrance.

“The King and Queen have arrived!”

They were the main guests of the banquet. Alfonse sighed deeply with relief, thinking he was saved. Abigail’s eyes sparkled. The person who could surely expel Lia had arrived. On the other hand, Lia and Perth’s expressions hardened. They had been waiting for this day to persuade the Queen. Abigail’s interference was a nuisance, but it was not unexpected. Everyone bowed their heads as the King and Queen appeared. Those at the center of the commotion were no exception. The Queen glanced around, noticing Lia. She frowned slightly but ignored her and headed to the dais.

“We should go too, Lady.”

Quickly, Alfonse grabbed Abigail’s hand and pulled her along. Even the arrogant Abigail couldn’t act freely before the royal couple. She joined Alfonse on the dais in her capacity as his fiancée. Even on the dais, Abigail glared at Lia. Her haughty expression seemed to say, ‘This is who I am.’ But there was one thing she hadn’t calculated. Lia had no desire to sit on the dais.

“Aren’t you going to Prince Alfonse?”

“Why are you trying to send me away? Today, I’ve been allowed to stay by your side.”

This was indeed true. When Alfonse heard about Perth’s plan, he immediately mentioned that Abigail wouldn’t like it. In response, Perth said he would stay by Lia’s side during this banquet. Alfonse agreed as well.

“Even so, what if people think you’re being neglectful, Mr. Perth?”

“It’s not entirely untrue. My priorities have changed because I’m in love.”

Even in the middle of the banquet hall, he didn’t care about the gazes of others and placed his hand on Lia’s face. As she took his hand down, a blush spread across her cheeks. Anyone could see they were a couple deeply in love. Abigail, watching them, ground her teeth unconsciously.

* * *

After the King’s congratulatory speech, a line quickly formed to offer congratulations to the Queen. The Count gestured for Lia to come before they joined the line.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

Lia brought the gift she had left at the entrance. Their plan was quite simple: a direct approach.

“It’s been a while, Count Penelope.”

When their turn came, the Queen openly greeted only the Count. However, the Count responded without missing a beat.

“Congratulations on your birthday. This is my daughter, Lia Penelope. I’m sure the Queen is well acquainted with her.”

The Queen’s lips twitched slightly at the Count’s pointed remark.

“Have you come to protest about your daughter being expelled?”

“No. I merely came to congratulate you on your birthday and to present a small gift.”

The Count offered his gift first. It was a necklace and bracelet with unique patterns.

“This is…”

“I heard that in the country where Her Majesty was born, such designs are favored. Do you like it?”

Since arriving in Psychedelia, the Queen had to adopt all the local styles of dress. She understood the necessity, but it didn’t mean she didn’t miss her original attire. The jewelry the Count offered was annoyingly appealing.

“…Thank you.”

The Queen, out of pride, couldn’t admit her delight outright, but her expression showed she liked it. It was a calculated move for the real gift from Lia.

“I have also prepared a small gift.”

Lia’s gift was small. When unwrapped, it revealed a round, transparent glass globe. Inside was a beautifully arranged potted plant.

“The Miracle of the Desert…?”

The Queen recognized it instantly due to its familiar appearance. However, unlike other ‘Miracle of the Desert’ plants she had seen before, this one was fresh and even had a small purple flower blooming. It was brought along with the previous gift. The Queen’s native desert region was very far away.

If the Count hadn’t had the abilities he did, it would have been difficult to obtain. Despite being just a plant, many knew its name because the Queen treasured it so much. Moreover, those who were involved in the incident of Lia leaving the palace couldn’t help but know its name and form. The Queen hesitated as she looked at the plant before her.

“What… is this gift you’re giving me?”

“Didn’t Your Majesty express a desire to see it fully grown?”

However, the size of the Miracle of the Desert was small. It was even small enough to fit in the palm of one’s hand. 

“Are you playing a joke on me?”

“Your Majesty, this is indeed the full size of the Miracle of the Desert. That’s why it seemed as if the abilities of plant manipulators couldn’t affect it.”

“But the Miracle of the Desert I saw was much larger.”

“It may have been a similar but different species, or it might not have been a single root.”

“Not a single root?”

“Yes, upon investigation, it was found that this plant grows from the mother plant, attaching new roots when it reproduces.”

The Queen stared at the plant in silence. While she wished for it to grow larger, she also appreciated seeing it in full bloom. None of the gardeners or greenhouse workers in the palace had been able to cultivate the Miracle of the Desert so freshly. Additionally, the small and pretty purple flower was exactly what she had wanted to see.

As the Queen seemed uncertain, Abigail grew anxious. Without realizing it, she stood up and pointed at the Miracle of the Desert.

“Do you mean to say it bloomed all by itself? And that it won’t grow any larger despite your abilities? Isn’t that just an excuse?”

Lia didn’t even glance in Abigail’s direction. Her opposition was based on ignorance about plants. However, the Queen also looked at Lia with the same doubt as Abigail. Without keeping her waiting, Lia immediately spoke up.

“Besides the ability to make plants grow, I have one more ability. Whether it’s a plant that naturally flowers or not, I can make it bloom if I wish. The result of using that ability is what you see before you.”

A vivid purple flower. That flower was proof that Lia had used her ability.

“If you wish, I can make one more bloom here.”

Seeing Lia’s confident expression, the Queen knew her words were true. There was no need to test it. Unable to quell her anger, Abigail sat back down in her seat.

“How could you grow it so fresh like this?”

The Queen’s expression softened. Her interest in plants was not just superficial; she was actively involved in growing them and was interested in their growth methods. That was why she had personally built the greenhouse.

“That’s a secret.”