Ugh. What is this?

The number of marriage proposals flying in daily kept increasing. Since she hadn’t given her heart to anyone yet, everyone seemed to be throwing proposals first with the mindset of “nothing to lose, everything to gain.”

Because of this, Angela found herself wanting to just spend money freely and live her whole life that way rather than thinking about producing an heir.

“I’m starting to not want to get married. What should I do?”

“Heir.”

The more Angela complained, the more a single short word flowed from Mrs. Seymour’s mouth. It was a magic word that left Angela unable to move.

Among the collateral relatives, those involved with the ringleaders had gone to prison, but their children remained. So if Angela lived alone her whole life without marrying and grew old, there was a high probability her fortune would pass to them.

So she needed to marry… but what could she do when none of them appealed to her?

“You don’t need to think about it urgently.”

“That’s true, but…”

Angela attended the ballroom daily and met with various men, but still no one entered her heart.

Because of this, when Angela attended the ballroom, she spent more time sitting in the lounge talking about various things with the young ladies she had befriended rather than dancing with men.

“Did you see earlier? Young Lord Rotten was looking for an opportunity to approach Miss Huntley.”

“Oh, Miss Huntley is too good for him.”

“Then what about Young Lord Uston? His looks aren’t great, but he’s gentle and kind.”

“What good does that do? He’s so shy that he just hovers from afar and leaves every time. At that pace, it would take 10 years just to have a conversation with Miss Huntley.”

The conversation mostly revolved around Angela. Which man she would choose was their greatest interest.

“Is there still no man who appeals to Miss Huntley?”

“No, not yet.”

Angela gave a troubled smile.

“Oh my, then this isn’t the time to be sitting here. Shouldn’t you go to the ballroom and talk a bit more with those who sent proposals? Looking at how the musical piece is almost ending, you could go out before the next song starts.”

Then the young ladies nearby each gave their opinions about who was decent and who wasn’t, recommending that Angela return to the ballroom.

“I’ll listen to just one more song and then go out.”

“Will you? We’ll go dance first. See you later.”

“Yes.”

As the young ladies who had been talking together went to the ballroom, Angela found herself alone in the lounge.

Sigh. Her deep worries flowed out as a heavy sigh.

‘Oh. I’ve been sitting too long.’

While she was pondering whom to choose, the fifth song was already playing. Since she had been sitting too long, she was about to get up to leave the lounge when it happened.

“You’re Miss Huntley, right?”

Someone approached Angela with a bright smile.

When she turned her head to check who it was, she saw a young lady with brilliant red hair whom she was acquainted with enough to exchange greetings when they met.

Seeing the young ladies gathered in small groups behind her, it seemed she had come to rest briefly with her acquaintances and decided to speak to her.

“Ah… yes.”

Since they had never really talked and she didn’t even know her name, an awkward answer flowed from Angela’s mouth.

“Miss Huntley’s face shows worry and concern, so I couldn’t help but speak to you.”

But the young lady didn’t seem to pay much attention to her attitude.

“I heard rumors that you’re looking for a husband lately, so you must have many worries. With so many wonderful men around, it must be a truly happy concern.”

In some ways, it could be a happy concern, so Angela nodded and tried to leave the lounge with a brief simple greeting.

“Have you heard about the tree of fate, Miss Huntley?”

What stopped her steps was the phrase “tree of fate” coming from the red-haired woman’s mouth.

“Oh my, I know about that too. The first person of the opposite s*x you meet in front of the tree of fate becomes your destiny. There are several young ladies who met their destined partners through the tree.”

Then another young lady behind her suddenly joined their conversation.

“If you’re too worried, how about going to the tree of fate? Rumors are just rumors, but your heart might flow toward the man you meet in front of the tree.”

“Kyah, if it works out, you must tell me too.”

Even though she hadn’t answered that she would go, their eyes were full of anticipation.

“Which way is the tree of fate? Is it in the garden?”

A destined partner…

She didn’t believe the rumors, but the word “fate” stimulated Angela’s curiosity. At that moment, one person came to mind.

It won’t be him.

So while denying it wouldn’t be him, she also harbored expectations of perhaps meeting him, and Angela headed toward the place where the tree of fate was located, as the young ladies had told her.

“When I heard it briefly, I heard there was a tree of fate… was there such a thing? I’m hearing about it for the first time.”

After Angela left the lounge, one of the young ladies gathered in small groups tilted her head.

“Stories are meant to be made up. The way she shows off her money despite being a commoner is really disgusting to watch.”

“Right. It’s annoying to see her acting all high and mighty, not even knowing that men approach her for her money.”

The corners of the mouths of the young ladies who had just told Angela about the tree of fate rose high.

* * *

The cold night air stung her nose, but unlike that, Angela’s heart was beating hot and fast.

‘Who will I encounter?’

Dion’s face briefly appeared in Angela’s mind but soon disappeared like smoke. She wasn’t expecting anything, but she found herself hoping the first person she met would be him.

‘Why me? Why such a rude man? There are many other wonderful people too.’

She also denied her own thoughts.

Who would she meet indeed? The closer Angela got to the tree of fate, the more violently her heart beat.

Is that it?

It was the moment when the tree of fate the young ladies had mentioned came into view.

Along with rustling sounds, bizarre noises could be heard. And those sounds grew louder as she got closer to the tree.

Surely it’s not wild beasts?

Even though she knew there couldn’t be wild beasts inside the imperial palace, memories of being abandoned in the forest came back, and Angela began to feel frightened.

Her heart, which had been beating rapidly from anticipation just moments ago, was now pounding madly from fear.

Just as she was about to turn back the way she came, she saw two beasts intertwined under a large tree heavily shadowed.

Angela, who was so startled, almost made a sound but barely managed to cover her mouth with both hands.

H-how are there wild beasts inside the imperial palace?

She couldn’t believe it even seeing it, but to survive, she had to run away. Fortunately, the beasts’ attention wasn’t directed toward her.

She was about to move her steps as slowly as possible when it happened.

“There…”

Along with a human voice, another strange sound was heard. Huh? Angela tilted her head as a strange thought occurred to her.

“Ah, mmm.”

“Harder?”

Then she heard two people’s voices.

Could it be people?