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Chapter 88
Flattery
As expected, Diana’s position hadn’t changed. The noblewomen were friendly toward her hospitality, but that was as far as it went. In truth, there was nothing particularly remarkable. She hadn’t formed close ties with any specific noble, nor had she displayed any kind of “dignity.” The shawls she gifted were gladly received by the ladies, but they didn’t produce any meaningful results.
Naturally. Diana was a foreigner, and her exact position was still ambiguous. It was as expected. It was easy to ruin a reputation, but extremely difficult to improve one.
Knowing this, Diana had lived comfortably over the past few days. However, Princess Kragel seemed different. She appeared to have expectations, but soon showed open disappointment, sighing heavily and making things difficult for Diana.
“What on earth are you doing?”
“What’s the matter?”
Princess Kragel pounded her chest in frustration and spoke sharply.
“Why haven’t you expelled that lunatic who betrayed His Majesty from behind his back?!”
“……”
“Please, tell me you have a plan, please!”
That was right. Diana hadn’t expelled Princess Levein. However, perhaps sensing Diana’s watchful gaze, Princess Levein had excused herself for a few days, claiming she was unwell. While Diana was always on edge about what Levein might do, this made things easier.
Why is she getting so angry as if it were her own matter…? Even in her previous life, she had lost a child and remained still. Now that she thought about it, why was she just standing by? Seeing this, Princess Kragel spoke in despair:
“You… have no plans, do you?”
“……”
“See? I knew it.”
“You’re mistaken, Princess Kragel. I can’t dismiss Princess Levein. She’s a maid personally selected by His Majesty.”
“Even though she deliberately tried to cause trouble, you’re saying she can’t be expelled?”
This girl had quite the sharp tongue. Somehow, she reminded Diana of the daughter of Count Selano, a friend of hers, though not nearly as blunt.
That was right. Giskar had not given her the authority to dismiss Princess Levein. Diana knew that the Levein family was the most powerful family that had helped Giskar ascend to the throne. If she expelled a princess from such a family, would Giskar stay quiet?
Diana was skeptical. Though he was gentler than in her previous life, he might not forgive her. Diana knew how cruel and harsh people could become when things didn’t go their way.
She considered whether to say this. But she wasn’t ready to fully trust this person enough to discuss the position of an unloved queen.
In fact, even her frankness could be a highly sophisticated strategy, even superior to Princess Levein’s. But it was fine. At least, she seemed nicer than Levein. Diana narrowed her eyes slightly and asked:
“Then why did you help me, Princess Kragel?”
“Huh?”
“You said you were quitting because there was no answer.”
Princess Kragel frowned, avoiding Diana’s gaze, pouting slightly, and spoke quietly.
“I thought you might do something. You seemed to have a plan, so I helped.”
“Sorry to disappoint you. I still have no plan. So, are you going to quit?”
Princess Kragel shook her head.
“Not yet.”
She looked at Diana with her sharp, piercing gaze. There was longing in her expression. Diana knew who she was thinking of.
“Honestly, I only came here because my father pressured me to take a shot at the queen’s position, but forcibly taking someone else’s place feels gross and weird.”
“……”
“I’ll just stop Princess Levein from doing nonsense, so at least raise my salary.”
“Salary? Why would a noble lady need that?”
“So I can earn a lot and run away from home.”
It was the exact answer Diana expected, and she chuckled. She still liked this girl’s direct way of speaking. Her tension eased slightly.
“True, a maid’s salary is worth it. It was useful when I tried to run away too.”
“You, even as a lethargic queen, thought about running away? I see you in a new light.”
Princess Kragel’s eyes sparkled. Diana was momentarily unsure how to respond. She realized that this princess was younger than her.
“Why? Did you dislike your family too, Your Majesty?”
Diana smiled bitterly.
“Something like that.”
“So, did your escape succeed…?”
“More importantly, Princess Kragel, do you know that I don’t have the authority to set salaries?”
Princess Kragel’s face twisted.
“What can you even do, Your Majesty?”
Princess Kragel started nagging again, and Diana smiled bitterly. The girl complained about mistakes, regrets, and an uncertain future, venting everything.
Fortunately, she seemed to lose interest in Diana’s escape. That was a relief, because it would have been hard to answer questions about it.
She had never succeeded in escaping anyway.
“Oh, a letter came.”
Princess Kragel handed her a letter on blue stationery. Diana sighed and took it. The elegant handwriting was clearly from Duke Blake.
“So, it’s true that you know Duke Blake after all.”
Princess Kragel said, surprised. Diana began reading. It wasn’t particularly important, but her expression darkened.
Since Giskar had warned her to avoid Duke Blake, Diana had minimized contact. Yet his letter was warm and caring.
“I know you’re avoiding me. I’m very disappointed, Diane.”
Seeing Adel’s gentle handwriting, Diana chuckled.
“However, I heard that you hosted the noblewomen’s tea party splendidly, so I’m a little relieved. I want to congratulate you immediately, but you must have some circumstances, right? Obviously, His Majesty the King hasn’t allowed me to see your beautiful face. That petty man.”
“Diane, something urgent has come up. I have to return to the Academy in the capital without preparation. I want to stay by your side and help, but my presence might make things difficult for you, so I can’t move.”
“Even in this age of romance, your world won’t allow it. When I return, I’ll stay longer. So please wait for me. Yours, Adel.”
Diana read Adel’s warm words. Despite avoiding Adelheit, he had never blamed her once.
‘He really pushed himself.’
He must have truly overexerted himself to leave so hastily. Diana felt a pang of guilt. Though she felt empty he was leaving, she secretly hoped he would never return.
Diane was already gone, and only Diana remained.
Just as she put down the letter, Mabel entered.
“Your Majesty, the Chancellor requests an audience.”
The Chancellor? Ribus? Princess Kragel quickly tidied her clothes.
“Prepare some tea.”
Mabel nodded. Diana nodded after finishing her preparations, and the door opened. Ribus entered, his footsteps quick and seemingly excited.
“What brings you here?”
Diana asked, and Ribus looked her in the eye. Diana couldn’t like him at all, and he seemed equally displeased. The expression on his face suggested she was a nuisance.
“Can you explain something?”
“What?”
“The budget. Why did you spend it like this?”
“What budget are you talking about?”
“The one-year budget allocated to Her Majesty the Queen. A quarter has already been spent on the tea party.”
He trembled. Diana wasn’t surprised. Winter wasn’t social season, and in the Kingdom of Rodbrooke, banquets weren’t frequent. Even though she had been toyed with by Princess Levein, Diana knew how to manage the budget here. Her eyes narrowed.
“Were you trying to flatter the noblewomen?”
Forced to smile at Ribus’s scolding, Diana thought back to her previous life. Even then, this man had openly mocked her, showing no respect, which still irritated her.
“Yes. I intended to flatter them.”
Ribus stared at her in disbelief.
