🔊 TTS Settings
~Chapter 48~
Koerin’s face was full of disappointment.
But to Viviana, Koerin was already forgotten.
“Dahlia, I’m going to go say hello to my aunt.”
“Yes. See you soon.”
As the princess left, Laura quickly followed after her. Getting an apology from Lady Sorina was less important than being with the princess.
Some of the young ladies quietly left with them. But the ones who had received jewelry from Koerin stayed behind her, looking awkward.
“Looks like I won the bet, right?”
Dahlia’s words made Koerin glare sharply.
“Hmph. I didn’t even want to be a maid anyway. Who would want to serve the princess, knowing how she and the Emperor get along? Only a ruined noble like her would. And you, always butting in everywhere even though you’re from a little kingdom. Don’t you all agree, ladies?”
“That’s right.”
“True.”
The other young ladies chimed in.
Dahlia watched them, then smirked.
“Annie, didn’t you say the Sorina family imports crystal from our kingdom?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, an imperial baron family has to import crystal from a ‘small’ kingdom. That’s sad, isn’t it?”
Only then did Koerin remember her father’s business was deeply tied to Poevern Kingdom. But it was too late to take back her words.
She had already lost her chance at being the princess’s maid. If she took back her words now, her social standing would get even worse. She couldn’t end up like Laura Under.
She felt a rush of fear. Society was everything to her.
“Trust is the most important thing in business. Is it right to do business with someone who says one thing and does another? I don’t think so.”
“That’s already been reported. Ever since she pushed you.”
Annie’s cold eyes fixed on Koerin.
“You don’t have that much power!”
Koerin’s eyes shook.
“I don’t, but Ria does.”
Annie said confidently, and Dahlia nodded beside her.
“Hmph, as if she could do anything!”
Just then—
“Young lady!”
A maid came running to Koerin.
“What is it?”
Koerin snapped at the family maid who interrupted.
“It’s terrible news!”
The maid looked like she might cry.
“Why?”
“A servant just came. The family’s crystal business has stopped completely, and all the promissory notes bounced. The baron said to come home at once. He said it’s all your fault, and to drag you home if he has to…”
“…What?”
Koerin looked blankly at her maid. The young ladies who had stayed with her started stepping away.
“My head suddenly hurts.”
“Me too. Maybe I ate something bad.”
“Let’s go together.”
Koerin slowly turned to Dahlia with a shocked face.
Dahlia looked at her with pity.
“You should go. It sounds like your family is in trouble.”
“H-how could this…”
Koerin’s voice trembled, and the maid pulled at her arm.
“You must hurry, young lady!”
“Wait. I have something to say to that lady—”
But other maids grabbed Koerin’s arms and dragged her away.
The other young ladies at the tea party whispered as they watched Koerin’s miserable state.
Now, only Dahlia and Annie were left. Dahlia looked at Annie in surprise.
“Did you just destroy her whole family?”
“It seems someone got very angry when they heard you were pushed.”
Annie explained calmly.
So, big brother found out.
Dahlia shook her head, looking troubled.
Just then, curious eyes from the other young ladies fell on them, so Dahlia whispered to Annie.
“I was trying to stay quiet, but it’s ruined again.”
She let out a deep sigh, and then heard someone coming from behind. It was the princess’s group, returning after greeting the marchioness.
“Let’s go over there. That spot looks quiet.”
Laura pointed to a big tree away from the crowd.
“Thank you, Lady Under.”
“No, I should thank you. You’re always helping me. Really, thank you.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
Dahlia waved her hands, surprised.
Laura looked at her, amazed. Dahlia didn’t seem to be pretending to be humble—she really meant it.
Most people like to show off when they do something good. Laura’s respect for her grew even more.
“I want to be helpful to you too.”
Dahlia was about to politely refuse, but suddenly spotted another young lady and paused.
She had bright red hair like fire, and ruby-red eyes. She was the most eye-catching lady here, surrounded by others like a queen bee.
No matter how good Annie was at gathering information, Laura, who was part of imperial society, would know even more. Dahlia, who needed to find the Emperor a match, was grateful for any information.
“I don’t know much about imperial society, so I’d appreciate your help. Could you tell me about that lady?”
“Oh, that’s Lady Anastasia Yofron, daughter of the Duke.”
“What’s her relationship with His Majesty the Emperor?”
Dahlia asked her new informant, Laura.
“His Majesty isn’t close to any of the ladies.”
Laura glanced nervously at the princess.
“But she’s so pretty!”
Dahlia said with regret.
Laura tilted her head. Lady Yofron was called the flower of society, but next to Lady Herdran, Laura actually thought Dahlia was even more beautiful.
Did Dahlia not know how pretty she was?
“Dahlia, you’re prettier!”
Just then, Viviana spoke up shyly.
“Thank you, Vivi. You’re lovely too.”
Viviana blushed at Dahlia’s compliment.
“Thank you. But I don’t think I fit in here. Playing with Monet at the palace is much more fun.”
“I feel the same way.”
Dahlia agreed. If not for finding a bride for the Emperor, she wouldn’t want to stay here at all.
Laura, listening to them, made a gentle suggestion to the princess.
“If it’s too much, would you like to go back, Your Highness?”
“Can I?”
“Of course. You’ve already greeted the hostess.”
“Then I want to go back and play with Monet. Dahlia, do you want to come too?”
“I still have things to do. I’ll visit you at the palace soon.”
“Okay!”
After the princess’s group left, Dahlia and Annie hid in a quiet corner. They didn’t want any more attention.
Just then, a woman entered, and all the noise at the tables suddenly stopped.
She had long hair like silver thread, pale blue eyes as cold as ice, and wore a silver dress that shone in the sunlight. Her mysterious aura overwhelmed everyone.
“I can’t believe she came too.”
Annie pressed her temples, looking troubled.
“Who is that?”
Dahlia couldn’t take her eyes off the sparkling silver beauty.
“Princess Tiara Krezea.”
Annie whispered in a worried voice.
“Annie, you’re amazing. How did you know?”
Dahlia said excitedly, but soon things started to get noisy around the princess.
