For My Birthday, I Was Gifted Five Husbands - Chapter 78
Before the black sunglasses covered her face, the expression that had briefly shown through was filled with a blend of languor and indifference, exuding a captivating charm. The pink dress, gleaming under the summer sun, beautifully accentuated her stunning curves.
‘To have five men with that body…’
One reporter, barely holding back his nosebleed, shouted out with effort.
“Ahem, some people call you the most obscene woman in Hermeland’s history. How do you feel about such a reputation?”
In fact, the reporter had tried to phrase it nicely, but they had been spreading all sorts of vulgar insults about Eugenie under the covert approval of the Empress. However, what they hadn’t expected was that Eugenie didn’t read the entertainment gossip sections of the newspapers.
Even if she did, she would have felt nothing, thinking, “It’s true, so what?”
“Heh. Well, it’s true, isn’t it? You journalists are so precise, always sticking to the facts.”
“W-what?!”
Eugenie answered confidently, raising her chin higher.
“With five husbands, is my s-x life supposed to be ordinary? In terms of both quality and quantity, I’m the strongest femme fatale in all of Hermeland.”
At this point, they would be eager to tear her down the moment she stepped into the palace anyway. So instead of pretending to be modest, she found it easier to give them something to criticize openly.
And to make sure the five husbands walked in sync for the cameras, she deliberately paused in a few places so the shot would look just right. Although the five of them hadn’t completely stopped sizing each other up, today, they adhered strictly to the ‘let’s look like a harmonious family in public’ rule.
They looked good together. As if there wasn’t a single gap between them.
‘Just like Mom warned, no cracks should show.’
Above all, she needed to make sure the madman, the star of the event, wouldn’t do anything weird…
‘I can’t let anyone fall behind, except during a bathroom break.’
Whether it was from Empress Silvea or some bizarre, mysterious tree branch, it was clear that handling things alone would be exhausting.
If only she could use magic…
‘I definitely feel power building up inside me, but I have no idea how to use it yet.’
She had tried several times to mimic summoning items with Cassius…
‘It’s strange. Why can’t someone who’s studying in grad school do this?’
‘Why do you and Napier keep picking on my grad school? Grad students aren’t omnipotent, you know?’
She had only embarrassed herself in front of her younger husband, failing miserably at anything.
What Eugenie hoped for was something as simple as summoning a blanket from across the room or keeping her hair from getting caught in the umbrella spokes, but she couldn’t even manage that!
What exactly is she supposed to do with all the accumulating magic?
‘Sigh, it looks like I need a breakthrough.’
Her attempts to research magic and wizards through books had already hit a limit long ago. Besides, even Cassius, who knew a bit, wasn’t an expert. It would be nice if there was still someone out there who truly understood magic…
‘Let’s just hold on until after tonight’s birthday celebration.’
This event would include a lunch, a banquet dinner, and a hunting competition the following day. Anyone with half a brain would know that there was no way they could outdo the Crown Prince in hunting, so the outcome was already decided.
But as Eugenie was about to leave the bathroom, a mocking voice caught her attention.
“Looks like you’re having fun, huh? Eugenie.”
“Oh, it’s been a while. Apollin.”
Eugenie smiled as she saw her stepsister, who was dressed immaculately as usual. Today, however, it was clear that she had put much more effort into her appearance than usual.
‘She must be in a huge rush inside.’
As an unmarried daughter, Apollin wouldn’t inherit Peregrine Norton’s fortune. The inheritance would be returned to society, and so she needed to find a husband quickly.
“Have you found your missing fiance? Shouldn’t you be looking for someone new by now?”
“You…!”
Apollin’s face reddened at Eugenie’s mockery, but she forced a smile, swallowing her anger.
“I believe poor Peter will be found by the Lamburg family. But love is a fluid thing, you know.”
“Ah, really? I hope your fluidity bears fruit today, then.”
Eugenie’s calm and biting sarcasm made Apollin’s jaw tighten.
Normally, she would’ve brushed it off, knowing that the girl was like that. But seeing her stepsister looking so perfect, as if she thought she was better than everyone else, made Apollin feel a surge of disgust.
She wanted to make Eugenie Norton’s composure crack. She wanted to see that indifferent face twist in discomfort.
“By the way, you’re here at the Crown Prince’s birthday celebration…”
Apollin also remembered Eugenie from her debutante ball clearly.
“Your friend, May Chester… Wasn’t it the first time you came here after that happened?”
“…?”
“You’re still an idiot, aren’t you?”
And just as Apollin had hoped, Eugenie’s face twisted in anger.
