Although our family library had countless books, there were only a handful of rare books like this one. I never thought it would be treated like this, or whether it was possible to restore it.
I carefully fished the book out of the water and asked the servants to bring it back to the library.
"Matthew, tell me what you like, and I'll find it."
Matthew glanced at me sideways, then left with a fling of his sleeves.
Witnessing the scene, everyone around began to whisper.
"Who could've thought a poor guy with no connections whatsoever could so arrogant!"
"That's right. Even the adults in my family have to watch their manners in front of Miss Simmons, yet look at his nerves! The fact that he can hold a birthday banquet in this villa is all thanks to Miss Simmons' arrangement!"
"Where's Ruby? Why didn't she come? My mother said her weak and timid look is just an act. But men usually like that!"
...
The whispers went on.
I closed my eyes in annoyance.
I was named Princess Serena when I was born. I was always the center of attention, treated like a treasure, always having my ways.
Except when it came to Matthew.
Matthew's family had no power or influence, with only his widowed mother alive.
I spotted him among the crowd when roaming about during Lantern Festival.
I was impressed with his talent in solving all the riddles.
I was in a spell, chasing after him and failing over and over again, but wouldn't give up.
What happened today had played out many times before on different occasions, just slightly different scenarios.
He never cared about me, and only had eyes for Ruby.
I shook my head, trying to put the unpleasantness behind me.
Suddenly I remembered what Ruby told me.
"Mr. Jeffreys prefers weak girls. On your way back, you can set up a robbery scene and let him play the hero. Men love their damsel in distress, he'll definitely fall for you."
There were two voices arguing in my head.
One said that this was a bad idea, that feelings couldn't be manipulated like that.
Another said, wouldn't hurt to try, if you succeeded, you'd get what you want.
For some unknown reason, I agreed with Ruby's idea.
On the way back, I checked around carefully.
I didn't know where Ruby would stage the scene.
As the sky gradually darkened, suddenly a group of masked robbers rushed out from both sides of the road.
They came straight towards me without saying a word.