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Chapter 37
“Yes, Princess Luigi is holding this event to bestow her favor upon Lady Leweiz.”
The teacup that Marien had thrown flew through the air and smashed against the wall.
“This is absurd! Princess Luigi only survived the poisoning because of me! I broke the low-temperature storage myself… so how can someone like Laura get such special treatment?”
Why on earth should someone like Laura receive such preferential treatment?
Benny, who had long been Marien’s aide, knew how to carefully manage her temper.
“But a true hero does not make a fuss to boast of their achievements. Lady Leweiz, however, took credit for someone else’s efforts, so she’s an exception.”
Marien took several slow, deep breaths and finally relaxed her expression.
“Well… I suppose that’s true.”
Of course, she couldn’t admit that she was the one who ruined the banquet, but Marien muttered shamelessly.
“That’s why I’m saying, why not turn this into an opportunity?”
“An opportunity? What opportunity?”
“Honor gained by stealing someone else’s achievements never lasts. So why not show the princess at the tasting event that your skills surpass Lady Leweiz’s?”
The tasting event would mostly be attended by influential social figures.
It was clearly an ideal occasion to showcase oneself.
Intrigued, Marien rose from her bed.
“Show something…”
“Excellence can’t be hidden just because you try to cover it,” Benny said.
“True, that’s right,” Marien said with a twitch of her lips.
She still remembered how many nobles had shown interest in her at her first ball.
Though her mistakes had quickly faded that attention, many had approached her because of her appearance.
Marien assumed that the noblewomen Princess Luigi would invite would be similar—they were strangers to her.
After gathering courage, she hesitated briefly.
“But how?”
Marien knew ways to attract people’s attention.
A gift offensive.
Nobles hadn’t given her all those gifts for nothing.
“I don’t have money…”
Marien did have some funds from her home country, but matching her dresses to the level of imperial nobles quickly exhausted her money.
Of course, she could sell unused dresses to raise funds…
“Absolutely not!”
Selling luxury goods would signal a lack of money.
“Being looked down on as a princess from a minor frontier kingdom isn’t enough; if they find out I have no money, how much more contempt would I face?”
Benny whispered,
“Why not ask for help from your home country?”
“My home country? Speak to my father?”
“Yes. Write to His Majesty the King: ‘I am trying to win the heart of the Crown Prince, but lack support, so I face difficulties. Therefore, I need some more capital.’”
“What? But that’s a lie.”
“If you succeed and become the Crown Princess, then the lie will become truth, won’t it?”
“Repay it with results…” Marien muttered.
Her father was a man who strictly evaluated his children by their accomplishments. Marien had never received any kind words or recognition from him.
Though proposing anything first was daunting…
“Anyway, it’s a dead end.”
Even if she returned as things stood, she’d likely meet the same fate as the royals who were quietly discarded.
Ultimately, Marien sent a fabricated letter to the king.
“Done…!”
With the money she secured, she commissioned an expensive dress to stand out at the tasting and bought gifts for the noblewomen.
The tea tasting event was similar to a tea party in format and procedure.
The difference was that various teas were introduced in small quantities for tasting, so tea took precedence over general socializing.
From the start, the event drew the attention of many nobles.
After all, it was a chance to see retired legends of high society.
Princess Luigi designed the guest list to favor Laura’s useful connections. But when other nobles expressed interest, she expanded the event.
Several tea tables covered in lace tablecloths were set throughout the royal garden.
All tables were the same size, but the central table, where Luigi would sit, was the main focus.
However…
“Is this my seat?”
Marien was assigned a spot far from the central table, almost at the edge.
“To think they would dare do this to me, a princess of Arietta…”
Marien considered summoning a maid to complain.
But when Princess Luigi entered,
“What is it?”
“….”
She had no choice but to sit. Making a scene in front of the host would not be wise.
Of course, she made sure to glare at the maid who had guided her, not forgetting the person who had humiliated her.
Once Marien was seated, Luigi surveyed the attendees.
“Ah, everyone has come.”
Luigi smiled softly, thanking the guests.
“You must have found it tedious to be called by an old lady, but I appreciate you filling the seats.”
“Not at all.”
“We are always available when Your Highness calls.”
Young noblewomen eager to make at least one useful connection responded.
Luigi did not let their formalities drag on.
“I arranged this gathering because a precious friend and new connection has appeared.”
She gestured toward the garden entrance.
Laura, who had stayed out of sight, entered and stood next to Luigi.
Usually dazzling, Laura this time toned things down, wearing a neat updo and a high-neck dress.
With white gloves and hands folded…
“How elegant.”
“Rarely have we seen such a composed young lady.”
The elder noblewomen at the central table murmured in admiration.
The noblewomen at Marien’s table felt the same.
“Indeed. I never thought Lady Leweiz would suit such a look…”
Laura, standing with just the corners of her mouth lifted, did not seem completely submissive. Her usual sharp aura combined with her elegant appearance made her hard to approach.
She was exactly the kind of daughter-in-law older ladies admired.
Marien hurriedly examined her own outfit.
She had spent all she had to make herself stand out—a dress so magnificent it would have been extraordinary in her kingdom.
Marien was not the only one with such thoughts.
Other young ladies who had similarly invested in their appearance clenched their skirts in frustration.
Marien bit her lower lip.
Among all these lavish people, it was undeniable that Laura, in her simple attire, stood out.
Luigi placed a hand on Laura’s shoulder and introduced her to the elder noblewomen.
“This young lady, before becoming part of the royal household, revealed the truth to me and showed remarkable wisdom. I deemed it worth introducing her, so please support her in the future.”
“Of course.”
“We might even seek Your Highness’s guidance,” the elder ladies responded.
“Your Highness!”
Marien gripped her lacquered fan tightly, nearly breaking it.
“She’s only engaged! It’s not official yet!”
But no one contradicted Luigi, and Marien had to calm herself.
Some even agreed with Luigi’s words.
“Could it be… a complete defeat?”
Unable to suppress her anxiety, Marien clenched her fists under the table.
“No… it’s not.”
She muttered to herself, trying to stay composed.
Although Luigi cared for Laura more than expected, not everyone fully acknowledged her.
There were still those out of sight showing subtle disapproval.
And Marien still had gifts.
“Yes, I haven’t revealed all my cards yet.”
So, there was still a chance.
At that moment, Laura made the first move.
