Chapter 80: A Witch Is a Bad Woman!

Mephia didn’t seem to see through what Tia was thinking.

She asked with apparent urgency, “When will you be able to persuade Earl Harris to let go of his prejudice against me so we can be together?”

“Soon. After all, this time I was able to say goodbye to you because he allowed it.”

Her attitude actually struck Tia as a bit strange.

She still remembered when she first tried to use the honey trap on Mephia.

The woman was like an ice block, completely unmoved, and sometimes even made things awkward for her.

Now that she wasn’t using the honey trap anymore, why did it seem like Mephia was chasing after her instead?

Could it be that only after losing something does one learn to cherish it?

Hmph, if that was the case, there was no way she was going to let her have her way!

“But going to the Imperial Capital this time, I don’t know if I can get my father to agree to what’s between us. If not, I might have to get engaged to some Imperial Capital nobles.”

She deliberately emphasized the word “engaged,” hoping to make Mephia anxious.

The latter cooperated, grabbing her shoulders with considerable worry and replying, “I’ll find a way. As long as you go to the Imperial Capital and don’t let those nobles win you over, there will definitely be a way. We’ll be together!”

“Mm!”

Feeling Mephia’s anxiety, Tia let out a heavy “mm” as a response.

Then, as if deeply moved, she rubbed her reddened eyes.

‘So passionate. I almost shed a tear.’

After that, Tia chose to say goodbye.

Under Mephia’s reluctant gaze, she stepped onto the carriage and disappeared from her line of sight in a cheerful mood.

This brief encounter—she had won. She had won too much!

—

Mephia falling in love with her was an unexpected bonus.

Although she didn’t really want to interact with her anymore, occasionally toying with her feelings was something she was happy to do.

Who told her to be so cold at first?

Besides, she, Tia, was a witch!

A witch is a bad woman!

But what she didn’t see was…

After she got on the carriage and left, Mephia withdrew her gaze from her.

At the same time, the anxious expression on her face gradually calmed down.

Then, as if remembering something, the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up.

—

Three days later, Tia stood before the gates of the Imperial Capital.

Lifting her head, she looked up at the towering city gate.

The gate was over ten zhang high, built entirely of white stone blocks, covered with countless intricate magical runes.

A sense of grandeur mixed with historical weight rushed toward her.

On both sides of the gate, Imperial Capital soldiers in gleaming silver armor stood straight as pines, holding long halberds.

Their eyes stared straight ahead, ignoring the passersby.

Their innate pride was many times greater than that of the City Guard of Haila.

Passing through the gate, the scene before her made Tia pause slightly.

The wide street could accommodate eight carriages side by side.

The road was paved with smooth stone slabs, polished like mirrors by countless footsteps and wheels.

On both sides of the street, shops stood in rows, and pedestrians were densely packed.

Tia’s carriage moved slowly through the crowd.

On the street outside the window, countless eyes fell upon the Harris family crest on the carriage.

Ordinary residents looked on with curiosity, while some Imperial Capital nobles observed with condescending scrutiny.

Tia sat upright inside the carriage, her expression calm.

She knew that from the moment she set foot in the Imperial Capital, a silent battle had already begun.

The carriage stopped at a noble manor within the Imperial Capital.

Earl Harris got off with Tia.

Walking toward them was a middle-aged man in a dark formal suit—the steward in charge of receiving Earl Harris at the manor.

He wore a professional smile.

“Earl Harris, I’ve long admired you.”

His tone was polite but carried a hint of distance.

“The embassy has prepared accommodations for you. Tonight, several lords would like to welcome you…”

His eyes fell on Tia and paused slightly, a flash of amazement passing through them.

“This young lady is…”

Earl Harris chuckled.

“Allow me to introduce her. My daughter, Celestia.”

The steward’s smile grew even brighter.

“I’ve long heard that Miss Tia is peerlessly beautiful. Seeing her today, the rumors do not do her justice.”

Tia gave a slight bow, her voice soft and appropriate.

“You flatter me, my lord.”

The steward looked at her, the light in his eyes deepening further.

“Miss Tia is too modest. Tonight’s welcome banquet is bound to be quite lively.”

That evening, the manor’s main hall was brightly lit.

A long dining table covered with a snow-white cloth was set with exquisite silverware and flowers.

The light from the crystal chandelier made everything dazzling.

Tia wore a moon-white dress.

The hem was embroidered with fine silver thread patterns, giving off a faint luster under the light.

Her long hair was carefully pinned up, revealing the elegant curve of her neck and the small star-and-moon earrings on her earlobes.

The moment she appeared at the entrance of the main hall, all eyes focused on her.

Those gazes were complicated.

Especially after seeing her face, beyond the amazement, many young nobles showed the excited light of a hunter spotting prey.

A young noble couldn’t help but whisper to his companion beside him:

“Is that the daughter of Earl Harris?”

His companion nodded, never taking his eyes off Tia’s face.

“There were rumors that she was stunningly beautiful. I thought it was exaggeration… but she’s even more beautiful than the rumors.”

His voice trailed off with unconcealed admiration.

Tia moved through the crowd, always wearing that appropriate smile.

She nodded in greeting to many nobles, occasionally stopping to exchange pleasantries.

Her demeanor was elegant and composed, flawless.

But at the same time, her eyes casually swept over a few figures in the crowd.

The way they looked at her was different.

It wasn’t simple appreciation—it was a confident sense of certain conquest, even with a hint of condescension.

‘These Imperial Capital nobles still can’t let go of their pride.’

Halfway through the banquet, people began to approach her.

The first was the eldest daughter of a Marquis.

Young and beautiful, graceful in bearing, he walked up to Tia with a wine glass and a charming smile.

“Miss Tia, I’ve long admired you. I am Edmond Windsor. My father is well acquainted with the Earl.”

Tia gave a slight bow, her voice soft: “Miss Windsor, a pleasure.”

Miss Windsor’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment, her smile growing even brighter.

“Miss Tia, this is your first time in the Imperial Capital. You must be unfamiliar with the area. Would you do me the honor of letting me show you around the capital’s sights tomorrow?”

“Miss Windsor’s kindness is appreciated.”

Tia’s voice remained soft.

“But I have just arrived and need a few days to settle in. It wouldn’t be convenient to go out.”

Miss Windsor’s smile froze slightly, then returned to normal.

“No matter, no matter. When Miss Tia is settled, you can come find me anytime.”

She paused, leaned forward slightly, and lowered her voice: “I do have some influence in the Imperial Capital. If Miss Tia needs anything, feel free to speak.”

Tia nodded slightly.

“Thank you, miss.”

After Miss Windsor left, another person approached.

The second was the second daughter of another Earl.

Plain-looking, but with sharp eyes.

Her words were watertight, every sentence a probe, trying to fish something out of Tia.

Tia responded flawlessly.

The third was the niece of a certain Duke.

She came straight in, boasting about her family background and wealth, her words full of showing off.

Tia just listened quietly, occasionally nodding, always wearing that appropriate smile.

After that person left, Tia picked up her wine glass and took a light sip.

‘Imperial Capital nobles really are different from local nobles. Even when they think they’re lowering themselves, there’s still a sense of superiority in their words.’

If she really did marry into one of their families, her future married life would be a disaster.

Thinking of this, she sighed softly.

If Earl Harris really made her get engaged to some young noble, she would have to consider leaving Harris Manor and abandoning the identity of Celestia.

‘The future—completely uncertain.’

After the welcome banquet, Earl Harris returned to his quarters, holding a list.

It was the list of nobles who had approached Tia that night—a full twelve names.

He looked at the list, his brow slightly furrowed.

“Twelve people, and it’s only the first day.”

Honestly, he hadn’t expected his daughter’s charm to be so great.

Although she was known as the number one beauty in Haila City, compared to the Imperial Capital, Haila was just a small town.

There were plenty of beauties in the Imperial Capital.

He thought she wouldn’t stand out too much.

But he had underestimated her.

Margaret stood to the side, letting out a soft sigh.

“Master, this is just the beginning. In the next few days, even more people will likely come knocking.”

Earl Harris fell silent.

Margaret was right.

If this momentum continued, it might attract the attention of some high nobles in the Imperial Capital—Marquises and Dukes.

If they wanted a political marriage, it would be hard for him to refuse.

The best course of action right now was to directly assign Tia a marriage partner.

That way, even if a Duke’s son took a fancy to her, it wouldn’t be proper to steal her away openly.

But doing so would seem reckless and irresponsible toward his daughter.

Earl Harris now had a headache.

“Do you think any of these people are suitable?”

Margaret shook her head.

“We’ve only met them once. It’s hard to tell. And Miss doesn’t seem to like this kind of occasion.”

Doesn’t like it?

Hmph, of course she doesn’t like it.

Her mind is on that Inquisitor!

Earl Harris tapped his fingers on the desk, unable to come up with a good solution.

In the end, he could only take things one step at a time.

Over the next few days, Tia’s life was completely filled with matchmaking.

Every day, different nobles came to visit under the guise of “making friends,” but in reality, they came to see her.

Whether it was Miss Windsor from before or the children of other Counts and Marquises, they were all extremely attentive.

Some even tried to probe for information about the Harris family’s assets.

As she turned down more and more people, various rumors began to circulate in the Imperial Capital.

“Have you heard? The daughter of Earl Harris is as beautiful as a fairy!”

“Really? My cousin went to see her yesterday and came back completely smitten.”

“Is she really that beautiful?”

“You haven’t seen her. The skin, the eyes, the figure… tsk tsk.”

But others said sour things:

“What’s the use of being beautiful? She’s just a hick from a border town. Is she worthy of an Imperial Capital noble?”

“Exactly. What rank is Earl Harris? Does he deserve to marry into our families?”

“I heard her father came to find her a husband. Hah, a woman who’s thrown herself at us like that—what good can she be?”

The rumors spread like wildfire.

But strangely, no one who had met Tia said a bad word about her.

That made those who talked sourly even more displeased.

And as these words spread through the Imperial Capital, some Duke families also got wind of it.

Many seemed interested in the daughter of a Count, though Tia was completely unaware.

The more people she rejected, the fewer people came to court her.

It was also time for her to head to the Imperial Capital’s Witch Council stronghold and complete the task she had taken on.