Chapter 15

It was her first time attending a formal tea party.+

Essela lifted her lips from the cup of rose tea. The strong rose fragrance felt overwhelming.+

The conversations flowing over the table were just as burdensome.+

“You are, as always, stunningly beautiful, Your Highness.”+

“Look at that pink diamond necklace you’re wearing. Wasn’t it sent by your suitor, the prince of the Welton Kingdom?”+

“It suits you perfectly, Your Highness.”+

“Does it?”+

At the excessive praise, the princess smiled with satisfaction, touching her necklace. It had already been an hour of repeating the same conversation.+

Essela recalled the invitation. The letter had promised to show her sister’s banquet photos if she attended, but at this tea party she came to after much deliberation, there wasn’t a single mention of her sister. In fact, whenever she tried to bring up her sister, the conversation stopped abruptly with subtle glances.+

She had come to the tea party prepared to be scolded by her family. Instead, she felt only exhaustion. Should she leave now? As Essela pondered, someone spoke.+

“I didn’t realize it was *that* beautiful. What does Lady Madelaine think?”+

“Yes, it’s beautiful.”+

The plain response ended there. The princess, hiding her surprise, lifted her tea. The young ladies followed suit, laughing awkwardly.+

The princess glared at Essela with malicious eyes.+

They said Essela Madelaine, raised with only the duke’s love, lacked tact. Earlier, she had ruined the mood they were carefully building by criticizing Olivia’s dress.+

“You’re mistaken. My sister looks beautiful in any color, no matter what she wears.”+

That wasn’t all.+

“My sister manages not only the ducal estate’s budget but also the entire territory’s finances. On top of that, financial documents from the Crown Princess’s palace arrive at our house every day. If my sister were an official, wouldn’t she be the most honest and capable one?”+

In every conversation, Essela took the side of Olivia, that illegitimate child.+

Whenever the talk veered toward something negative about Olivia, she interrupted, and now she showed no enthusiasm to even participate in the conversation.+

Is everyone with Madelaine blood like this?+

“By the way, Your Highness.”+

Suddenly, Essela looked at Reina.+

“When can we see the banquet photos mentioned in the invitation?”+

“Banquet photos? Right, that was your purpose, wasn’t it, Lady?”+

As Reina signaled to Lady Ribeorn, Essela spoke lightly.+

“Thanks to Your Highness’s kind suggestion to come see my sister’s photos.”+

Because of that one line in the invitation’s postscript, Essela had left her maternal family, the Haelquin Marquisate, and come to the imperial palace, even preparing to face her family’s scolding.+

But she truly wanted to see her sister’s photos. The articles only talked about her sister and the grand duke who swore loyalty to her, but there were no photos to be found.+

Essela, thinking of Olivia, smiled softly. Did her sister wear the jeweled pin she had gifted her?+

Meanwhile, strange glances were exchanged across the table.+

Lady Shamin, the count’s daughter, spoke first, affectionately.+

“You must be very close with the first lady, Lady.”+

“Of course. She’s my only sister.”+

Her proud response made the young ladies gasp and laugh, their laughter tinged with something subtle. They exchanged glances, looking at Essela with pity.+

A sense of déjà vu flashed through Essela’s mind. It was like the looks the older servants gave when she played with her sister as a child. An uneasy feeling, like a warning, surged within her. As she thought she really should leave, Lady Shamin shook her head.+

“So compassionate, Lady. Do you take after your mother?”+

“…What do you mean?”+

“Well, you know.”+

Lady Shamin shrugged and looked at everyone at the table. Her eyes suddenly met the princess’s. Essela, startled by the malice in those blue eyes, looked away.+

A gentle voice struck Essela without filter.+

“How can you treat the daughter of the dancer who caused your mother’s death like a real sister? I can’t even imagine it.”+

She couldn’t understand what they were saying. It couldn’t be true. How could her sister not be her sister?+

They might be a bit distant now, but her sister had always been kind to her. She used to sneak into her room, away from their father and brothers, to read her fairy tales, put her to sleep, sing to her, and teach her to dance.+

“How can you treat the daughter of the dancer who caused your mother’s death like a real sister?”+

She remembered her sister dancing as if breaking apart in the moonlight. And those green eyes, different from the rest of the family.+

Her breath caught. Shaking her head in denial, Essela bowed her head, wishing her hair would cover her face.+

Her face, briefly glimpsed, was becoming empty. The princess smiled with satisfaction, then approached Essela, wrapping an arm around her shoulder as if genuinely sympathetic.+

“You didn’t know, Lady? Everyone in the empire knows.”+

“…”+

“The reason your mother died.”+

“…”+

“It was because of that green-eyed girl.”+

The princess’s whispering eyes gleamed wickedly. At that moment, one of the pillars of Essela’s world crumbled.+

* * *+

“Even if a chandelier fell at the Chandler Theater today, it wouldn’t steal the front-page headline from you, my lady.”+

“It’s not *that* big of a deal.”+

“Of course it’s more than that! You’re the lady to whom a war hero pledged his honor!”+

At Sally’s fervor, Olivia smiled slightly. Of course, the social circles were probably buzzing. The crown prince’s fiancée receiving a vow from another man would do that.+

“You didn’t see earlier, my lady, but the delivery boys today were lingering at the back gate, reluctant to leave. Thanks to that, I became a star this morning! Look at this—Patter, the stable boy, even gave me reporters’ business cards to pass on.”+

Sally excitedly showed a stack of cards, all from gossip tabloids. Olivia teased.+

“So, are you going to contact them?”+

“No way! I took my lady’s maid training very seriously.”+

Olivia smiled warmly at Sally’s head-shaking. The carriage entered Ruheyrn Street. Olivia mentally listed her tasks.+

She needed to send a letter to Essela and check if any letters had arrived at the postbox.+

She also needed to buy a gift for the grand duke to replace the jeweled pin.+

Thinking of the unsent reply, Olivia shook her head.+

Talking about the jeweled pin felt awkward, and mentioning the sword felt like she was really giving him something grand.+

Whatever it was, it’d be nice to ask with a gift. What should she buy to match Essela’s jeweled pin?+

As she pondered, the carriage stopped. As Olivia moved to get out, Sally quickly grabbed the door, saying with a worried look.+

“My lady, there’ll be knights around, but just in case, a lot of people might crowd you today. Don’t worry, I’ll protect you!”+

“What’s there to be so cautious about?”+

“Ugh, my lady, I’m serious.”+

Olivia brushed off Sally’s concern and stepped out. Exactly five steps from the carriage, she realized Sally was right.+

Half of the people who would normally look at her with hostility were now glancing at her with unfamiliar eyes. Swallowing her discomfort, Olivia focused ahead, thinking of other things.+

What does a man who has everything need?+

No joke, the Grand Duke Bicander had it all.+

Honor, status, and immense wealth.+

Olivia recalled the ever-increasing taxes from the Bicander territory. Despite the rising taxes from gem mining, the territory never once fell behind on payments.+

What would really suit him? As she walked, deep in thought, a voice called out.+

“Um, my lady.”+

Startled by the young voice, Olivia looked down and was surprised. A small girl, maybe five or six, was looking up at her.+

In an instant, the street fell silent, as if doused with cold water. Feeling the stillness, Olivia looked at the child.+

The brown-haired girl, holding a single pretty flower, gazed at Olivia with admiration. Before Sally could approach, the girl spoke with bright eyes.+

“You’re that lady, right?”+

“That lady?”+

“Yes! The lady as pretty as a fairy!”+

At the child’s innocent exclamation, Olivia instinctively covered her face.+

A lady as pretty as a fairy.+

Her face flushed at the unfamiliar title. What had the child heard to call her that? Amusingly, despite her embarrassment, her lips kept curling up.+

It felt as sweet as if honey had been poured into her heart. To think someone besides Essela and Sally saw her as beautiful.+

As Olivia struggled to respond, the child held out the flower. A pink wildflower, likely picked somewhere. That single flower meant so much. With slightly trembling hands, Olivia accepted it.+

“…Thank you.”+

She wanted to say more, but even that one word caught in her throat. A tense part of her heart melted warmly.+

The child smiled brightly and ran off. Other children followed, shouting with excitement. With that sound, Ruheyrn’s shopping district grew lively again.+

Olivia looked down at the flower. Strangely, holding just one flower made her feel less intimidated by the gazes. Sally grinned at Olivia.+

“Must feel nice, being called a lady as pretty as a fairy. When will I hear something like that?”+

“…It’s just something the kid said.”+

Even Sally, oblivious as she was, noticed the lady’s ears turning red.+

Olivia’s eyes curved like crescent moons. A gentle breeze made her heart tickle. The pink wildflower in her hand swayed softly.+

“…If he’s asking for a jewel, another jewel would be best, right?”+

“Huh?”+

Olivia smiled brightly and walked toward Madame Deton’s jewelry shop.+

.+

.+

.+

The brown-haired girl ran into an alley. She proudly spoke to a brown-haired man standing there.+

“I gave the flower to the lady!”+

The brown-haired man, Winstor, looked slightly surprised.+

“You didn’t even hear the description—how did you know it was her?”+

“I heard it all! You said she’s a lady as pretty as a fairy.”+

“Right!”+

The other kids chimed in like a chorus. Really? Winstor tilted his head slightly.+

The children, faces flushed with excitement, talked about Olivia.+

“She really looked like a fairy. Even her smile was pretty.”+

“I saw her too!”+

“Tch, I wanted to give her a flower too.”+

Among the disappointed kids, the girl puffed up her chest.+

“They say the brave one gets, uh, gets—anyway, everything! I kept my promise, so you keep yours, mister!”+

Mister? Before Winstor could feel deflated, five or six kids looked at him with sparkling eyes.+

“As promised, this is yours.”+

Winstor handed them a new ball. The kids smiled widely, shouting as they ran off.+

“Thank you!”+

Meanwhile, the grand duke, leaning against the wall, slowly stood up.+

“…Those kids are pretty smart, finding the lady without even knowing her hair color.”+

“Well, don’t they say kids have the best aesthetic sense?”+

Winstor, answering nonchalantly, suddenly felt a chilling aura. Even as his body instinctively flinched, he shouted in frustration.+

“What! What did I do this time?”+

He’d been delivering letters since morning, dealing with reporters around Madelaine, and even recruiting kids to deliver a flower.+

He worked himself to the bone for His Grace, and all he got was not a bonus but a death glare!+

Ignoring Winstor’s aggrieved look, the man muttered.+

“…Fine. Her standards are so high, she’ll only have eyes for me anyway.”+

Who asked you to make the lady look at me?+

They say shock leaves you speechless, and Winstor pounded his chest instead. Truly, he was the one suffering the most here.+

The man, usually so composed, changed completely when it came to Olivia Madelaine.+

Swearing he’d never help again, Winstor saw the grand duke turn back with a playful voice.+

“Not coming?”+

Ugh, whatever. He’d vent all this frustration in Bicander territory! Thinking this, Winstor ran after him.+

“I’m coming!”+

* * *+

At Madame Deton’s jewelry shop.+

“Hm, can you show me that one too?”+

Gray velvet boxes were piled on the parlor table. When Olivia pointed, Madame Deton opened a new box. Obsidian cufflinks gleamed.+

“As expected, you have excellent taste, Lady. This is the last one, imported from the Welton Kingdom.”+

Madame Deton fussed, but Olivia shook her head. Rather than a rare gem, she wanted something that reminded her of the grand duke.+

Suddenly, she thought of his eyes. Red, sparkling, and kind, like jewels.+

“Lady?”+

“Yes, yes?”+

Startled by the call, Olivia looked up. Madame Deton looked at her with concern.+

“What’s on your mind? Are you hot? Your face is red.”+

“No, it’s just… Is there anything else?”+

“This is the best of this month’s imports, but if it doesn’t catch your eye, I’ll have to scold the import manager.”+

Madame Deton playfully turned her head. Having started her business under a new name after her divorce, she was one of the few people Olivia could genuinely connect with.+

“Would you like to step out and look around?”+

Madame Deton pointed outside. After a moment’s thought, Olivia went out alone. Among the intricate, art-like displays of jewels, one caught her eye.+

A fiery red gemstone ring, blazing like fire. Seeing the gem flicker in its crystal case, she thought of the grand duke.+

As Olivia stared at it, Madame Deton hurried over.+

“Lady, do you like this one?”+

She pulled out a sapphire bracelet next to it.+

“No, the ring beside it.”+

“This ring?”+

As Olivia spoke, Madame Deton’s expression grew ambiguous.+

“How did you know this was yours?”+

A languid whisper interrupted. Olivia looked up at the familiar voice. Standing beside her was a tall man in a pitch-black robe.+

That robe was unmistakably—+

“Gra—”+

“Shh.”+

The beautiful face under the robe signaled to Madame Deton. Olivia, startled, clamped her mouth shut with wide eyes. Madame Deton tilted her head at the grand duke before cautiously saying.+

“Unfortunately, this isn’t for sale. Another customer entrusted us to hold this engagement ring.”+