7

Helena was slowly getting used to Louis’s cold demeanor and how he could easily snub her. She could tell he had zero interest in her, and she didn’t really know what to do about it.

Well, she was there because she had agreed to the arrangement and wanted to help with the business. Beyond that, she wanted to find the courage to do what Ingrid hated most.

It was a small satisfaction she allowed herself, knowing she could now fight back. She would let Ingrid see that her punishment would come from someone she least expected—her sister. It was an unexpected move, and the thought of striking Ingrid with it was satisfying to Helena.

She often found herself in the garden, watering the flowers and watching the butterflies flutter freely around the glass walls. She would enjoy her time sipping tea and munching on her favorite snacks, finding peace in the small pleasures that lightened her day.

Meanwhile, Louis spent his time running their empire, ruthlessly crushing competitors. He was well-known for his heartless and merciless ways of keeping Montvilles at the top. The reason many feared him was that Louis had his own methods to remain untouchable.

“The Adams are now ranked second in authority and are investing heavily to acquire the north side of Emerald Ville. They’re trying to win the emperor’s favor,” one of Louis’s advisors reported.

The term “emperor” was used for the high-ranking rulers in each region. These rulers were not to be recklessly invaded by other alphas.

The North side of Emerald Ville wasn’t the most powerful compared to the South, which Louis controlled. The South was livelier, and its land was richer than anywhere else in the town of Emerald. The North, on the other hand, was less prosperous, though it held historical significance as the site of a past battleground where buried treasure was rumored to lie.

Louis didn’t understand the Adams’ obsession with acquiring the North, knowing it wouldn’t significantly contribute to expanding their territory.

“And what is the emperor’s decision?” Louis asked nonchalantly, his eyes still on the papers he was reading.

“He hasn’t favored any of the Adams’ requests yet, Alpha Louis. The emperor doesn’t want to sell the land or allow it to be monopolized for territorial expansion.”

Louis’s attention shifted at the mention of the emperor’s decision. The land’s poor quality was well-known, and everyone in the upper echelons of society understood its disadvantages. It wasn’t considered an asset but more of a liability, which was why it had remained untouched for so long.

Yet, the Adams’ sudden interest in the North piqued Louis’s curiosity. The Adams were already a powerful clan with a large empire and significant properties. Despite not having ties to the Montvilles, they had grown to become one of the most powerful families in Emerald Ville.

His eyes drifted to the large windows, where he caught a glimpse of Helena. She was dancing in her white dress in the garden, watering the flowers, and singing while butterflies fluttered around her.

She looked like a goddess in a forest, drawing the butterflies to her as though they could sense her purity. Her beauty seemed almost otherworldly, ethereal as if nature itself adored her.

Louis couldn’t take his eyes off her. Helena was completely immersed in her own world, entertaining herself effortlessly. She didn’t seem to need anyone else.

“She’s actually very pretty, Alpha Louis. Prettier than the older sister. Is that why you chose her?” Art, his right-hand man, teased.

“Get me your sword so I can slit your throat if you don’t stop talking,” Louis warned in his usual nonchalant tone, making Art clear his throat and rub his neck in response.

“Is she… prettier than…”

“Last warning,” Louis interrupted, his tone sharp enough to silence Art.

Louis wasn’t just famous for his looks and leadership. He was notorious throughout Emerald Ville for being stone-cold and heartless, especially when it came to women. He wasn’t known for flirting or engaging with women like a typical playboy, despite being the most eligible bachelor in town.

He had never been impressed by the girls around him, and it took more than just beauty to catch his attention. Over time, he’d become skilled at discerning genuine kindness from the deceitful attempts of those trying to seduce him.

“I’m honestly surprised you agreed to your grandfather’s last wish, knowing how you’ve always disapproved of arrangements involving women,” Art commented as he approached Louis’s desk.

“It’s his last wish. I’m just doing it as his grandson,” Louis replied in his usual bored tone.

Art chuckled lightly and sat down on the edge of the desk, casually flipping through a book. “Hmm… Did you finally give up on that dream girl of yours?” he asked.

Louis didn’t reply, but the memory flashed in his mind. It had happened at night, by the rushing waters of a waterfall, and he could still vividly remember her. She was someone who haunted him, the one who got away, or perhaps just the woman of his dreams. He wasn’t sure if it had been real or a dream that felt all too perfect.

The thought of her always lingered in his mind, refusing to fade, no matter how many years had passed. He hadn’t been able to move on, as though she still held a place in his heart—one that no one could ever replace.

He frowned as he wondered how it had even happened, not wanting to think about it too deeply or make things more complicated.

In the days that followed, Helena began doing things on her own, no longer consulting Louis. She knew he was busy and didn’t care much for her anyway. Still, Louis seemed to be molding her to fit into the Montvilles, enrolling her in training that included martial arts and archery.

Though Helena wanted to decline, she knew she needed to learn self-defense. She wanted to know how to fight, not just mentally and emotionally, but physically, to avoid becoming weak like she had been in the past.

It wasn’t easy for her to handle weapons, especially since they reminded her of her dark past and how she had been murdered so helplessly. But that same past drove her to try, no matter how ignorant she felt, especially since her parents had never supported or believed in her. She had always been the one overlooked and disregarded.

Aside from her physical training, one thing that worried her was her relationship with Louis. She needed to socialize with him and make him comfortable with her. If he didn’t like her, she feared he might cast her aside.

“But I don’t know how archery works. I’ve never done it,” she shared one morning during breakfast, blurting it out of nowhere.

Helena had learned a lot about Louis through Anna, her maid, who was always there to answer her questions.

“He’s very good at archery, Miss Helena. They say he’s the ace of arrows, like the arrows understand him and always hit the target,” Anna said proudly.

“Really? What else?” Helena asked, her curiosity piqued.

“Well, there’s this woman we all believe was his first love. After her, Alpha Louis stopped associating with women,” Anna explained.

Helena was thankful to Anna for revealing bits and pieces about Louis, helping her understand the man behind his stoic facade.

“He’s also a good cook,” Anna added, with a touch of pride in her voice. Everyone agreed, and Helena couldn’t help but feel a little more curious about the man who seemed to excel at everything.