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Chapter 13
“My dear daughter, Iva, do well at the Imperial Palace. I’m so proud that Prince Claude himself has personally requested you.”
“You’re a child who can handle anything well, so you’ll be fine. Don’t be too nervous.”
“…That’s truly encouraging, Mother, Father.”
It was the first day she was being forced to work as the manager of the welcoming banquet for the Fene delegation.
As if afraid she might run away, the palace even sent a carriage to her estate.
And not just any carriage—it was an enormous, lavish one that would make the entire Empire aware she was heading to the palace.
She felt so embarrassed; it was as if the whole city would gossip about it.
In her heart, she wanted to flop on the floor and declare she wasn’t going, party or not—but how could she pull such a face in front of her parents who were sending her off?
“I’ll be back. Don’t worry.”
Forcing a smile, Iva climbed into the carriage.
“We’ll depart now,” came the coachman’s voice.
As soon as they left the estate, she banged her head against the wall.
“I thought I’d live more easily in this life, but why is it getting tangled again!”
She had thought all she had to do was avoid the male lead, Lai. But to get involved with the second male lead, Claude?
In her previous life, she hadn’t even spoken properly to him, so she had been careless about his presence.
“One guy suddenly proposes, another threatens me with a proposal. Just leave me alone already.”
Though she had managed to reject both proposals, if she managed this banquet she would end up meeting Julian as well.
“If this keeps up, it’ll unfold exactly like my previous life. I can’t let that happen. I have to avoid Claude at all costs.”
Claude Elihu Begen—he was the original novel’s second male lead.
He had fallen for Julian, who perfectly embodied the typical heroine: enduring hardships patiently, always thinking of others first, kind to the point of never blaming anyone even when betrayed—strong, dignified, and noble.
But when Julian loved Lai, Claude chose love over friendship.
To break them apart, Claude went so far as to send Lai off to war.
Lai, dispatched to the battlefield, ceased to be loyal to Claude and vowed his love to Julian.
Claude had thought that separating them would cool their feelings, but it only made them grow fonder—and his obsession with Julian deepened.
When he tried to force marriage upon her, Julian chose instead to serve in the war out of duty.
“Lai is dead.”
Claude lied to keep her from leaving him.
The shock of losing her beloved caused Julian to collapse, and though she miraculously recovered, life without Lai felt meaningless.
Claude even tried to use her grief to keep her at his side, but Julian only wanted to follow Lai in death.
Only then did Claude realize it wasn’t love—it was an obsession that bound her. He brought Lai back.
After that, he never interfered with their love again.
“He may be called the second male lead, but he’s practically the main villain.”
In the later story, with Claude stepping aside, it was Iva—the villainess—who tried to get rid of Julian directly. But things went awry, and Claude ended up drinking poison.
He had Iva executed and apologized to the two lovers in her stead.
“Why would you apologize by killing me! And I never even saw that poison!”
It was the most unfair event across all three of her lives.
In the first life, she had harbored ill will toward Julian and acquired poison.
Sure, she got the poison—but that was it!
In the original story, Iva put it directly into Julian’s tea, but she hadn’t been able to bring herself to do it, afraid Julian might actually die.
It had been the one moment she lived by her own will instead of following the script—she’d disposed of the poison right away.
So how did it end up in Claude’s teacup? She could never understand.
“Iva Blanche, executed for the attempted assassination of a royal by poison.”
Even just thinking of Claude brought back the memory of her execution, sending a chill down her neck.
“I can’t be afraid already. I need to steel my heart if I want to survive.”
Iva shook off her unease and hardened her resolve again.
“We’ve arrived.”
“I already want to go home, and I’ve just arrived.”
When they reached the palace, the coachman politely opened the door. She stepped down slowly, only to find someone standing there.
“Wow, congratulations on your first day.”
Chase greeted her with an infuriating grin.
Seeing him in his navy aide’s uniform made the reality of being at the palace sink in.
She glanced around quickly—was Claude nearby?
“His Highness has a lot of other work today, so he couldn’t come,” Chase answered before she could ask.
“See? If you’d agreed when I asked, this would’ve been easier.”
“I’d rather run away to the countryside right now, so if you don’t want to be buried there too, be quiet.”
Her tone was so sincere that Chase didn’t tease further.
“By the way… did you really propose to His Highness?”
“I didn’t.”
“Then to the village youth leader?”
“…That one, yes.”
“You’re crazy.”
“I am. Next time I drink, stop me.”
“I’ll stick to you like glue and make sure of it.”
Chase led her toward the western wing of the palace. A bit further behind it was a small hall—about half the size of the Great Hall.
“The delegation will arrive in two weeks. They’re not a major power, but not small either—this is a good chance to make ties early.”
“That’s a tight schedule.”
“There was more time, but someone kept refusing the job.”
“Ahem.”
Avoiding his gaze, Iva surveyed the hall.
“Don’t tell me you’ve just been sitting on this without a plan?”
“Of course not. The previous manager prepared a little.”
“And yet, they want me to do it.”
“It used to be handled by a baron, but he retired due to age. His daughter took over, but since it’s her first time, His Highness was worried. Ah, here she comes.”
Iva turned to where Chase gestured.
A young girl with soft brown hair tied in two pigtails and large round glasses was hurrying toward them with her arms full of papers.
“Pel! Over here!”
When Chase called, she smiled brightly—cute as could be.
“Good day, Aide Chase.”
“Pel, meet Lady Iva Blanche of House Blanche, who will be in charge of the banquet.”
“Oh! It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Pel Inette.”
Iva knew the Inette family—a long-standing noble house that served in the palace.
“Nice to meet you. Let’s work well together.”
“Yes! I was so anxious doing this alone, so I’m really glad!”
“Can you show me the plan so far?”
“Of course. I’ve decided on the garden landscaping and the hall’s color scheme.”
Pel handed over the papers she’d been carrying.
As Iva quickly scanned them, she asked Chase,
“How many are in the delegation?”
“Seven. But the most important is their leader, Brigitte Taylor—she has the final say.”
Brigitte Taylor’s name was highlighted in the documents.
“Fene only has winter weather, right?”
“Yes. It’s snowy year-round.”
“Then we should show them our summer—something they can’t see there.”
Pel, who had been listening quietly, hurriedly took out paper to jot notes.
“A fountain in the center of the garden would be good. Flowing water gives a fresh, cool feeling.”
“I’ll bring it up.”
“The food should also include cold dishes, with an overall refreshing atmosphere.”
“I’ll tell the chef.”
Chase left the hall to pass the instructions on immediately.
Left alone, Iva and Pel inspected the hall’s interior.
It was clean, but the dark wallpaper didn’t suit a party.
“We should redo the wallpaper too.”
“Shouldn’t it be a light color?”
“No. If the wallpaper’s light and the lighting is bright, it’ll hurt the eyes.”
“Ah, I see!”
“Something with a subtle pearl sheen would be better—it’s gentler on the eyes.”
“You’re amazing! How do you know so much?”
“Experience, I guess.”
Banquets, buffets, weddings, part-time work at events—you name it. She’d done it all for money, so she was confident in party planning.
“How many people are on the prep team?”
“About fifteen. If we need more, the knights’ order has offered to help.”
“The knights? Is the duke… coming?”
“The duke…? Oh! Commander Castro? He’ll probably only attend on the day of the banquet. He’s never come before.”
“Do the others know I’m taking over as manager?”
“No, I only just found out myself.”
Good—at least no one else knew yet.
“Don’t tell them until I say so.”
“Oh? Is it a secret? I think they’d be happy.”
“I just want to tell them myself.”
“I understand! I’ll keep quiet.”
Avoiding Lai and Claude in the palace and finishing the banquet without incident was her top priority. She absolutely would not get dragged into the fate that killed her before.
“Pel, good work today. See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow!”
In just a short time, they’d grown close. Iva felt like she’d gained an adorable little sister.
“How can someone be that cute?”
Happily heading home, she hurried toward the west gate to return to her estate.
“Huh? Was it this far?”
But no matter how far she walked, the west gate didn’t appear.
When Chase had led her, it hadn’t seemed this far. If someone were around, she could ask directions—but there was no one.
As the sun sank lower, she realized—
“Oh no. I’m lost.”
The vast palace was full of similar-looking paths, and she was completely turned around.
“I should’ve asked Pel to take me back.”
Her calves were cramping in her heels, and her feet were aching when she heard faint voices in the distance.
“People! That’s definitely people!”
Dragging her heavy legs, she followed the voices.
“One, two!”
“One, two!”
“Three, four!”
The voices belonged to knights practicing sword drills in an outdoor training ground.
The thought of asking for directions vanished instantly when she saw them.
“Oh my… my goodness.”
Dozens of burly men were training shirtless. Not one or two—dozens.
What is this—have I walked into heaven? If this is paradise, I’ll live here forever!
Even in her confusion, her eyes were darting around at lightning speed when—
“Lady Iva?”
A deep voice came from behind her.
Startled, she spun around—only for her nose to slam hard into something.
Mother, Father! I think I’m being punished for peeking!
