Deviating from the original plot

Chapter twenty-nine

Over the next few days, Victoria found her thoughts repeatedly drifting back to Evelyn's confession—her mysterious crush on Damien. It was hard to stay focused with such a discovery. Today was no different.

Damien was in the middle of a discussion about territorial disputes and methods of peaceful resolution, but Victoria wasn't really absorbing anything he said. She stared blankly, chin resting on her hand.

"Are you even listening?" Damien asked, brows raised.

"Huh?" Victoria blinked out of her daze. "Sorry... what were you saying?"

"He was discussing territorial conflicts," Celeste supplied matter-of-factly, sipping her tea. "And how to resolve them peacefully."

"At least someone's paying attention," Damien muttered with a frown, casting a quick glance at Victoria, who looked away sheepishly.

"You're not usually this distracted," he added, his voice softening with concern. "Is something bothering you?"

"I... I guess I just have a lot on my mind," she replied, not meeting his eyes.

"Even Lady Celeste is paying attention—and I wasn't even lecturing her," he said, half-joking.

Celeste smiled smugly. "I'll have you know, I'm an exceptional student. I excelled in rigorous academic training for years in preparation to be crown princess."

"I don't doubt your excellence, Lady Celeste," Damien said dryly. "But right now, my concern is Victoria."

Celeste huffed and turned her nose slightly upward.

Victoria sighed, tapping her pen against her notebook. "It's nothing really. Just a passing thought."

Damien studied her for a moment. "If something's bothering you, you can tell me."

"I'll be fine," Victoria said with a small smile, though her thoughts were anything but fine.

Suddenly, Celeste perked up. "If you're that distracted, why don't you take a break? Maybe a walk in the gardens would clear your head."

Damien raised an eyebrow but didn't object. Victoria nodded. "You're right. That sounds like a good idea."

"I'll wait here," Damien said, leaning back into his seat. "Honestly, I could use a break too."

With that, Victoria and Celeste left the drawing room and strolled into the garden, the breeze lightly rustling the leaves around them.

"Finally, peace and quiet," Celeste sighed dramatically, glancing around. "I was getting tired of his boring voice."

"But you were paying attention?" Victoria asked, amused.

Celeste tilted her head. "It was hard not to, I suppose."

Then, without warning, she turned to Victoria with a sharp gaze. "Now, what's been bothering you?"

"Uh... what?"

"Speak while I'm still feeling generous. And no, I won't take 'nothing' as an answer," Celeste said firmly.

Victoria hesitated for a moment, then thought, Maybe telling her will ease things. If Celeste knows Evelyn doesn't like the prince, she might finally drop the grudge against Evelyn. She took a breath.

"Alright. I was told Lady Evelyn has a crush... on Damien."

Celeste froze mid-step. "The fiancé-stealer? You've been thinking about my fiancé-stealer?"

"Well," Victoria said carefully, "she didn't actually steal him. And she's not even interested in him. She's in love with someone else."

Celeste squinted at her. "And how, pray tell, do you know that?"

"She told me herself," Victoria said. "Lady Evelyn doesn't have any romantic feelings for the prince. None."

Celeste stared at her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, unexpectedly, she smiled.

'Could it be... she was gathering information for my sake? Could she have been that worried for me?' Celeste thought. 'Such a loyal ally.'

"So, you're sure she doesn't have feelings for him?" Celeste asked one more time.

"I'm absolutely sure."

"Good," Celeste said, her tone light again. "Then I believe you. Because I trust you."

Victoria raised a brow. "Really?"

"Of course," Celeste said sweetly. "Now that I know Lady Leclair isn't actively trying to steal my fiancé... I suppose I could start treating her a little more civilly."

"I guess that's a good start," Victoria replied. "But I've also been thinking... maybe I should try getting her and Damien together."

"You want to set them up?" Celeste asked, raising a brow.

"Of course. They're both close to me, and I want to help them," Victoria said.

Celeste tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... I might have an idea on how that could work."

"You want to help me?" Victoria asked, surprised.

"I want to be involved as well. And I'm working on becoming the ultimate proper lady, remember?" Celeste said with a smug smile. "Just keep in mind—I'm doing this because you whined to me about your problems. Not for the Viscount, and definitely not for Lady Leclair. I still don't like either of them."

Victoria chuckled. "Alright, fair enough. So, what's your brilliant plan?"

"The Founding Festival," Celeste replied confidently.

Victoria blinked. "The Founding Festival? But that's... weeks away?"

"Exactly," Celeste said with a smug look. "That gives you plenty of time to prepare everything properly. Besides, a festival is the perfect backdrop for a romantic development."

Victoria considered it, slowly nodding. "You know... that actually makes a lot of sense."

"Of course it does. I'm incredibly clever," Celeste said, proudly.

Victoria smiled, amused. "Alright, Lady Celeste. What do you suggest we do during the festival?"

"Simple," Celeste said, folding her arms. "We set up some alone time. Maybe have them do something together... Or we could arrange for them to get harassed. Nothing brings two people closer than facing a bit of danger together. It always works in romance novels."

"I don't think setting them up to be harassed is the right idea," Victoria said, frowning.

Celeste sighed. "Fine. Then we'll just invite them to the festival and make sure they spend time together."

"That's better," Victoria nodded.