Chapter Four
Eve's POV
He gently traced the red marks his fingers had left around my throat.
“Deal, my princess.”
Then he lowered his head and pressed his cold lips to mine.
Seven or eight stunning women of different species lived at Arthur’s estate.
The outside world saw them as proof of Prince Arthur’s debauched lifestyle.
In my previous life, Lilith had started fighting with them the moment she arrived. Day after day, she picked petty fights with them over Arthur’s attention. She exhausted herself and eventually made Arthur despise her.
I was different.
Three days after the wedding, I summoned the women to the conference room and dropped the account books and duty schedules on the table.
“I know you’re His Highness’s informants, not playthings competing for his attention.”
I sat at the head of the table and watched shock spread across their faces.
“Starting today, I won’t interfere with your assignments. I’ll provide you with cover identities and operating funds. If you need designer clothes or access to exclusive venues, bring the receipts to me and I’ll cover the cost. I have only one condition: share everything you learn and report to me on time.”
One of the informants, a succubus, gave a cold laugh.
“Those are bold words, Princess. What makes you think we’ll take orders from you?”
I switched on the projector and pulled up the details of an intelligence deal she had nearly ruined the previous month because she ran out of money.
Then, right in front of her, I transferred one million dollars into her account.
“Because I can help you complete your assignments, make it home alive, and enjoy a better life than you had before.”
I looked at her. My voice remained calm, but there was no room for argument.
“I don’t need your loyalty. I need efficiency. Work for me, and you’ll be treated far better than you ever were as His Highness’s so-called mistresses.”
Within two weeks, every one of those once-defiant informants was following my orders.
Arthur studied an intelligence report three times as detailed as anything he had received before. He looked at me with undisguised admiration.
A month later, the Roland family held its quarterly dinner.
Honestly, I had no interest in seeing any of them, but Arthur seemed curious about my family.
By the time I arrived at the Roland family estate, the courtyard was already packed with luxury cars.
The moment I entered the main hall, I saw Lilith surrounded by relatives.
It was a sweltering July, but the air-conditioning inside was running at full blast. Yet Lilith wore a heavy, high-necked dress with an oversized scarf wrapped tightly around her neck.
Her face was pale, and exhaustion showed in her eyes. Still, she forced a smile as she showed off her diamond ring to our relatives.
As soon as she saw me, she raised her voice.
“Grant couldn’t come because he’s busy with an overseas project. But before he left, he told me I could spend whatever I wanted on his black card. Honestly, being spoiled by such an attentive husband can be exhausting.”
Our relatives immediately chimed in with praise.
Mother took Lilith’s hand and spoke with obvious concern.
“Oh, sweetheart. I can finally relax knowing how well Grant treats you. Unlike certain people...”
Her gaze settled on me. Then she glanced at the empty doorway behind me and let out a deliberate sigh.
“Eve, why didn’t Prince Arthur come with you? Or does the vampire royal family simply look down on a little family like ours?”
Lilith immediately joined in with a mocking smile.
“Mom, you haven’t heard? I hear Prince Arthur is far too busy drinking and chasing women to spend any time with Eve.”
“It must be miserable sleeping alone every night, Eve. If you ever need money, just ask. Even the smallest thing Grant owns is worth more than those worthless businesses of yours.”
I didn’t answer. I felt nothing.
I knew Lilith’s current condition all too well.
In my previous life, after Grant tortured me in the basement all night, I would attend banquets the next day in the same kind of high-necked dress, forcing myself to smile so no one would notice my injuries.
At that moment, the doors to the main hall opened.
Four fully armed royal guards took their places on either side as Arthur entered in dark red formal attire.
His powerful royal aura swept across the hall.
The relatives who had been talking moments earlier immediately fell silent and lowered their heads.
Arthur walked straight to me, slipped an arm naturally around my waist, and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead.
“Sorry I’m late, darling. The Council of Elders called an unexpected meeting.”
His voice was warm and tender, but his eyes swept coldly over the room.
“Now, who was it that said my princess needed money?”
Mother went pale and waved her hands frantically.
“No, no, Your Highness. You must have misheard us...”
Lilith stared at Arthur’s arm around my waist, her eyes red with jealousy.
She couldn’t understand why the cold, heartless, womanizing prince she remembered from her previous life was treating me with such affection.
She forced a smile.
“It’s an honor to have you here, Prince Arthur. Eve has always been dull and socially awkward, though. I’m afraid she may not know how to take proper care of you, so please be patient with her.”
Arthur chuckled.
“My wife is intelligent and capable. She manages my estate flawlessly. As for you, Mrs. Taylor, I’ve heard your husband has quite a temper. You should take better care of yourself.”
Lilith’s face turned deathly pale. Her hand instinctively rose to the scarf around her neck.
I picked up a glass of wine, a faint smile touching my lips.
“It is strange, though. It’s so hot outside. Why are you wearing something so heavy?”
