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Chapter 67
Don’t Believe What That Woman Says!
Diana looked embarrassed in front of me, but still awkwardly wiped off the seed and tried to take Bluena away.
But Bluena made a sound like a whistle and rubbed against me, as if declaring she would never part from me.
Chirp, chirp.
Honestly, I found Bluena to be extremely adorable like this. Of course, for her owner Diana, things were clearly different.
“Usually, she pecks at anyone who comes near.”
“Really?”
But she’s so affectionate and gentle right now.
Bluena tilted her head as though she had no idea what Diana meant. Diana glared at her with eyes full of betrayal.
“I’ve taken care of this bird since she was a chick, but I’ve never once seen her act so fond of people. Do you know how many times she’s pecked me? My hands ended up like this!”
Diana showed me her hand, scarred from Bluena’s pecking. It was quite bad.
“That must’ve hurt a lot.”
“Truthfully, it wasn’t much. But the problem is, I don’t know how to take her away right now…”
Every time Diana reached out, Bluena darted away from her hands and ran back near me. Since she stayed right by me, Diana couldn’t very well grab her forcefully.
Guess there’s no choice.
“How do you usually take Bluena with you?”
“Normally, I put her in a cage. But she broke the door of her cage, so I’ll have to find a new one nearby before I can return to the Royem estate…”
“If it’s not too far, I’ll escort you back to the Royem estate with Bluena. Will that solve things?”
Diana’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Would you really?”
“Is the Royem estate far?”
“Not terribly far, but not close either. About a 30-minute walk.”
Since Diana and I weren’t exactly on good terms, offering this much must’ve seemed odd. But really, all of this happened because of Mirieu.
Diana was only swayed by Mirieu.
That doesn’t erase Diana’s fault, but still.
“Thirty minutes is close enough. Besides, I wanted to spend more time with Bluena anyway. Isn’t that right, Bluena?”
Bluena nodded with a curious trilling sound.
Diana swallowed nervously and watched me.
“If you’re willing, then I’d be grateful…”
“In exchange, I’ll need to borrow a carriage from the Royem estate to reach the ducal manor. That won’t be a problem, will it?”
“Of course not!”
Diana, who had been speaking timidly, suddenly raised her voice before flinching and stiffening.
“No, what I mean is…”
“Don’t worry, I understand.”
I smiled lightly, and Diana scratched her cheek awkwardly.
The more I see her, the less bad she seems.
Honestly, though Diana once cornered me harshly, I didn’t feel much resentment toward her.
The Kingdom of Royem had already paid a massive sum in reparations for the previous incident. That included Diana’s own fief and personal assets.
She even lost the knighthood she worked so hard for.
From Diana, I felt no malice toward me. Instead, she seemed unsure of how she ought to treat me.
She’s not a bad person at heart.
Maybe that was why, despite her frequent mistakes, Diana still had many friends in high society.
It was selfish, but I calculated the situation. Maybe I could turn this coincidence into more than just helping—perhaps into building ties with Diana.
She’s Royem’s only princess. Her reputation may have fallen, but plenty still like her. Becoming friends could be useful.
I disliked vague relationships. Usually, ambiguous friendliness would twist into baseless hostility that came back to bite me.
Better to be clear enemies from the start. At least then, there are no false expectations.
Of course, even friendship didn’t guarantee someone wouldn’t come to hate me.
“You pretend to be a lady, but in the end you’re just a commoner like me! So why—”
At first they acted like they liked me, but eventually, everyone turned on me. I had begun to wonder if maybe the problem was me.
But that wasn’t what mattered.
Affection can’t be trusted. It shifts too easily. One moment it’s fondness, the next it’s hostility. But…
The scale in my heart wavered.
Now that I was out of Libertan, small things kept happening that didn’t turn into hostility.
“Then allow me to leave a note first. My maid is coming to fetch me—if I suddenly vanish, everyone will worry.”
In Diana’s amber eyes flickered a strange warmth. I hesitated, looking at them.
What will become of that affection?
Diana sneaked a glance at Estelle.
Why is she helping me so much?
For noblewomen who always traveled by carriage, a 30-minute walk was a long distance. And Estelle and she hadn’t been on good terms.
Still, I’m glad for her help…
Bluena had been an official gift from the Kingdom of Depep. If she were lost, it could cause a diplomatic issue, so Diana was indeed thankful.
“Is walking not tiring for you?”
“It’s nice to stroll and admire the scenery once in a while. And I have beautiful Bluena with me, too.”
Estelle smiled.
Bathed in warm sunlight, her platinum hair shone with a soft pink glow. With her pale, translucent skin flushed with the same color, she radiated a sweet, lovely aura.
Estelle… she’s been so hurt by the fact she was born a commoner. Everything I did as a noble must’ve pained her. I should’ve been more considerate as a friend…
That scar—it was just an accident, Diana. Don’t think too badly of Estelle.
But cherishing Mirieu, her soon-to-be family, had made Diana despise Estelle even more. Looking back, she realized she had simply trusted Mirieu’s words too blindly.
Soon, the Royem estate came into view.
Just before arriving, Diana screwed her eyes shut and finally spoke the words she’d been holding back.
“…Duchess Blanchet, I’m sorry.”
“Hm?”
“About the salon. When we first met, I was terribly rude. I didn’t even hear your side and acted recklessly.”
Estelle lowered her long lashes.
“A rather late apology.”
“I know. I didn’t have the courage until now.”
It was painful. She was afraid she’d have to face the vile truth about Mirieu, whom she had adored as her sister-in-law.
“So I wanted to keep watching, as you had told me.”
“…”
“How much do you really know about Mirieu?”
Since that day, Diana had noticed more and more strange things.
“Lady Mirieu has been on edge lately. She even strikes the maids sometimes…”
“Every time I tidy her bed, she’s unusually sensitive. It’s almost as if she’s hiding something there…”
“Honestly, I don’t know. Maybe everything I thought I knew was wrong. Then what should I even do…?”
Tears threatened to well up in Diana’s eyes.
“I know I’m speaking nonsense. But—”
“It’s okay.”
Estelle gently clasped Diana’s hand.
“These weren’t words I should’ve burdened you with. I just had nowhere else to confide, so I rambled again…”
Estelle patted her hand reassuringly, as if she truly understood. Only then did Diana realize she was crying.
When she lifted her head, Estelle said with a warm smile:
“Ah, now you’re finally looking at me.”
“So…”
“Don’t think of it as shameless. It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
Her kind smile was unbearable.
“I can’t give you answers, but if you’re hurting, it’s okay to cry. It can’t be helped if you’re in pain.”
And Diana collapsed helplessly before this endlessly gentle, lovely woman.
The wedding day drew near.
Mirieu returned to the Juti baron’s estate to spend time with friends, who congratulated her on the upcoming marriage.
Smiling radiantly like a true bride-to-be, she said:
“Thank you, everyone. I still can’t believe I’m getting married.”
Then, one friend asked cautiously:
“But Mirieu, what exactly happened that time with Duchess Blanchet?”
“Yeah, we were worried something bad had happened.”
Mirieu gripped her teacup tightly but forced a casual smile.
“It was nothing.”
“But people said the Duchess left crying. What really happened?”
She couldn’t say Estelle had staged a scene—after all, the banquet was meant as an apology to Estelle. So Mirieu lied.
“Estelle was upset because I accidentally spilled wine on her.”
“But why was the bottle shattered?”
“She dropped it… she tends to be clumsy sometimes, maybe because of her background. It was nothing to be embarrassed about.”
But people didn’t respond the way they used to. Doubt showed in their eyes.
Even Queen Isabella openly showed displeasure.
“Child, is there truly no falsehood in your words?”
“Of course, Mother.”
“Even so, you shouldn’t have acted that way. She was our honored guest. At least at that party, there should’ve been no incident…”
The queen warned Mirieu.
“No matter how much Hessen loves you, I cannot give you endless chances.”
So this had been Estelle’s plan all along, acting so kind and sweet.
You think I’ll just let this pass?
She had been flustered at first, but there was a way.
That girl pretends to be loved in Libertan too, doesn’t she? She must be desperate to hide her scars.
Then I’ll threaten her the same way. After all, she’s beneath me.
Estelle was so naïve and kind, almost stupid compared to Mirieu. If Mirieu only pretended to regain control, Estelle would be easily swayed.
But before that, she needed to seed lies in the Royem royal family.
I’ll confess she’s envied me for a long time and played cruel tricks. That the last incident was another scheme to disgrace me.
Then no one would believe Estelle, just like always.
“Everyone, I’m sorry. I think I must end today’s tea party here.”
Cutting it short, Mirieu hurried to the Royem estate, arriving before the banquet.
Perfect timing, with everyone gathered.
Just then, she saw Hessen entering with flowers in hand.
“Hessen!”
He looked surprised.
“Weren’t you staying overnight at the Juti baron’s?”
“I was, but I have something important to tell everyone.”
“Something important?”
“Yes. It may shock everyone, but I want to confess my pain before the wedding.”
She looked at him with a pitiful expression. But Hessen’s response was strange.
“Why not wait for another time?”
“What? Why…?”
“There’s a guest at tonight’s banquet.”
A chill crept down her spine.
“A guest?”
“One you’ll be very surprised to see.”
Smiling, Hessen led her in.
It can’t be…
Laughter drifted from the banquet hall. Anxiety turned her mind blank.
Inside the luxurious hall, at the center, sat Queen Isabella and Princess Diana. And—
“Oh my, Mirieu!”
Estelle.
Why is she here? And why was I left out?
Queen Isabella and Diana looked at her, but unlike usual, their faces were stiff with discomfort.
So while I was gone, she…!
Queen Isabella spoke coldly.
“Child, I’m disappointed in you.”
“What?”
“I’ve heard everything. How could you—”
Mirieu fell to her knees in panic.
“Mother, it’s all lies! Don’t believe what that woman says!”
The air grew colder. Panic rose in Mirieu’s chest.
“Estelle has always been jealous of me! This time too—she staged everything to ruin my wedding! She hates that I’m joining the Royem royal family!”
“Sister-in-law, what are you saying?”
“I’m innocent! Mother, you’ve always watched me. My birth has no stain. Don’t be deceived by her lies!”
But Diana shouted, incredulous:
“Then what lies? What nonsense are you spouting barging in like this?”
Mirieu froze.
Wait… what were they actually talking about?
“Just now, we were discussing how you failed to properly handle things at the apology banquet. The Duchess has even been defending you. And yet you come shouting about schemes and lies?”
Diana frowned, glaring at her.
“So what exactly did you do that makes you say such things? And what’s this about hating her? You always told me you were close. Were all those words lies too?”
Mirieu stared blankly at Diana’s anger, the queen’s cold face… and finally locked eyes with Estelle.
“I didn’t know you misunderstood me that much. I thought we’d resolved everything back then.”
Estelle bit her lip, looking sorrowful.
“Did you really hate me all along?”
