Unwelcome Encounters**

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The following morning brought with it a fresh wave of determination. I had successfully avoided the meeting with Lord Arlen yesterday, but I knew that my father would not be easily deterred. He was a man of firm resolve, and avoiding his plans for me would be a challenge.

As I dressed in a modest green gown, the very image of simplicity, I reflected on the upcoming days. I needed to find a way to make my absence from social functions seem reasonable and not draw undue attention. If I could maintain a semblance of normalcy while subtly steering clear of Lord Arlen, I might have a chance at crafting a different future for myself.

Emily helped me with my hair, arranging the loose curls in a simple style that matched my modest attire. Her eyes held a mixture of curiosity and concern, and I could sense her worry. “Miss Livia, are you sure you’re feeling well enough today? Your father mentioned he’d like to see you, but perhaps you should rest a bit longer.”

“I’m quite well, Emily,” I assured her, forcing a smile. “Just a minor indisposition yesterday. I’m ready to face the day.”

Emily’s expression softened, but she still looked unsure. “Very well, Miss Livia. I’ll let your father know you’re ready.”

As I made my way downstairs, the familiar scent of freshly baked bread wafted through the air. The kitchen staff was bustling about, preparing breakfast. I greeted them with a nod, feeling a pang of nostalgia for the life I was trying to change.

My father was already seated at the dining table, poring over some papers. He looked up as I entered, his stern expression softening slightly. “Ah, Livia, there you are. I trust you’re feeling better today?”

“Yes, Father,” I replied, taking a seat across from him. “I’m ready to get back to my usual routine.”

My father nodded approvingly. “Good. I was hoping we could discuss the upcoming social events. There are several opportunities for you to make important connections, and I want to ensure you’re prepared.”

I managed to keep my expression neutral, though I felt a twinge of anxiety. The social events were where I would be most vulnerable, where I would risk encountering Lord Arlen again. “Of course, Father. I’m ready to contribute.”

“Excellent,” he said, pushing a stack of papers toward me. “Here’s a list of the upcoming events and gatherings. I expect you to attend and make the most of these opportunities. Lord Arlen is a prominent figure, and I want to see you engage with him.”

My heart sank. It was clear that my father had not given up on introducing me to Lord Arlen. Avoiding him would be even more difficult now that it was a matter of family expectations.

“I understand, Father,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’ll do my best.”

After breakfast, I retired to the sitting room to review the list of events. Each entry seemed to loom over me like a looming shadow. The more I examined the list, the more it became clear that avoiding Lord Arlen would require careful planning.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. Emily entered, her face pale and her eyes wide with concern. “Miss Livia, there’s someone here to see you. It’s—Lord Arlen.”

My heart skipped a beat. “What? How did he know I was here?”

Emily shook her head. “I’m not sure, but he’s insistent on speaking with you.”

I felt a wave of panic rise within me. This was not how I had planned to handle this situation. I needed to maintain my distance, not have an impromptu encounter with him.

“Please, Emily, tell him I’m not feeling well and that I’m unavailable,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm.

Emily hesitated but nodded and left the room to deliver the message. I paced nervously, trying to calm my racing thoughts. If Lord Arlen was here, there was no telling what he might want or how he might react to my absence.

A few moments later, Emily returned, her face still troubled. “Miss Livia, Lord Arlen insists on seeing you. He says it’s a matter of urgency and won’t leave until he speaks with you.”

I felt a sinking feeling in my stomach. There was no avoiding it. I had to face him, even though every instinct in me wanted to run.

“Very well,” I said, steeling myself. “Show him in.”

Emily nodded and stepped aside to allow Lord Arlen into the room. He entered with the same confident stride that I remembered from my previous life, his presence commanding attention. He was dressed impeccably, his dark hair neatly styled, and his eyes—those piercing eyes—seemed to search me out with a mixture of curiosity and determination.

“Lady Livia,” he said, his voice smooth and polite, though there was an underlying intensity that I couldn’t ignore. “I hope I’m not intruding.”

I forced a polite smile, standing to greet him. “Not at all, Lord Arlen. Please, have a seat.”

He settled into a chair across from me, his gaze never leaving my face. “I came to see how you’re feeling. I heard you were unwell yesterday.”

“I’m quite better now, thank you,” I replied, trying to sound as neutral as possible. “I apologize for any inconvenience my absence may have caused.”

Lord Arlen inclined his head, though his eyes remained sharp. “No inconvenience at all. I was concerned for your health. I understand that you were feeling unwell, but I wanted to make sure everything was alright.”

The conversation was polite but strained. I could sense that he was not merely making a social call. There was a purpose to his visit, something I couldn’t quite decipher.

“I appreciate your concern,” I said, forcing myself to maintain eye contact. “It’s kind of you to check on me.”

He smiled slightly, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Of course. I believe we haven’t had the chance to properly introduce ourselves. Perhaps we could arrange a time to meet in a more formal setting.”

I tried to keep my voice steady, though my heart was racing. “I’m sure that can be arranged, Lord Arlen. I’m sure my father would be delighted to coordinate a meeting.”

Lord Arlen nodded, his expression thoughtful. “I look forward to it. It’s important to me to make connections with people who are significant in society. And I believe you’re someone I would like to know better.”

I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the unease that had settled in my stomach. This was not going according to plan. Every word he spoke seemed to further entangle me in the very web I had hoped to avoid.

As the conversation continued, I struggled to keep my composure, focusing on maintaining the polite distance I had planned. But the more Lord Arlen spoke, the more it became clear that my attempts to avoid him were only making him more determined.

Finally, the visit ended, and Lord Arlen took his leave, promising to arrange a more formal meeting in the near future. As the door closed behind him, I sank into a chair, feeling the weight of the encounter settle heavily on my shoulders.

I had hoped to avoid this, to keep my distance from him and protect myself from the fate I had once known. But now, it seemed that fate was closing in on me once again.

I needed to rethink my strategy. Avoiding Lord Arlen was proving to be far more difficult than I had anticipated. And with each passing moment, it seemed like the web of destiny was drawing tighter around me, threatening to ensnare me once again.

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