MMLP 34

chapter 34

The Duke of Grimroar’s mansion had been grand, but the Imperial Palace was on an entirely different level. Completely overwhelmed by the golden splendor of the First Prince’s palace, Amaryllis gaped in awe.

“Wow. It really looks like gold.”

At her unsophisticated reaction, the maids giggled behind their hands. Since they had been assigned to the First Princess Consort by the Empress herself, laughing at Amaryllis was no breach of duty to Lady Ivemaria.

But Amaryllis, utterly lacking in social grace and too oblivious to recognize the obvious, flushed red with embarrassment and fidgeted under their snickers.

“T-to think you live in a place like this… I-Iv, you really are amazing.”

“Thanks, sister. But could you try to fix that stuttering habit?”

“H-huh…?”

“I guess it’s hard for you to fix.”

Ivemaria’s pointed remark drew another wave of laughter from the audience. The maids muffled their chuckles again.

As the laughter swelled, Amaryllis’s head sank lower and lower.

Since Ivemaria had awakened as a mage, her attitude toward Amaryllis had changed. She still treated her as an older sister and often spoke kindly, so it was hard to call it outright coldness.

Yet, there was always the subtle undertone of looking down on her.

Perhaps it was only natural.

While Ivemaria had risen all the way to the seat of First Princess Consort, Amaryllis had become nothing more than a talentless, useless human.

She should have been grateful that Ivemaria even still called her “sister.” And yet, that patronizing tone grated on her nerves.

“Don’t trust everything people here tell you. All they’re thinking about is how to trick you.”

That was the advice Levieta had given her after Amaryllis was adopted into House Grimroar.

At the time, she’d dismissed it as slander and grown angry. But every so often, those words resurfaced in her mind. Like now.

“You know how House Grimroar has that heirloom passed down for generations? Caulen swapped it with a fake and hid the real one away. Its activation conditions are extremely tricky—but if met, it can perform miracles. One of those conditions is that the users must be siblings. Now, doesn’t that ring a bell for you?”

Before, she would have had no guesses. But now she did.

The fact that Ivemaria awakened as a mage at the exact same time Amaryllis’s own talent vanished—was that really just coincidence? Suspicion began to sprout.

“Iv will be busy now, receiving lessons from Aunt Himena. Why don’t you head home, sister? There’s really nothing for you to do here.”

“O-okay, I unde… Iv?”

Suddenly, Ivemaria threw herself into her arms. Amaryllis could only embrace the girl’s small back.

“I’m so glad you’re here, sister.”

Nestled in her arms, Ivemaria looked up with an innocent grin.

‘…There’s no way such a lovely child could do something bad.’

Faced with that angelic smile, Amaryllis forgot her budding doubts and once again gave her heart over to Ivemaria.

✦ ✦ ✦

Day One of Instruction.

The first lesson took place in the Etiquette Hall within the inner palace.

This was where imperial attendants, stewards, and maids were trained and where the education of the royal family’s culture and manners was conducted. The atmosphere was unrelentingly strict.

On the crimson carpet hung portraits of imperial ancestors.

Ceremonial implements of unclear purpose stood arrayed about, pressing down with their sheer air of authority.

From beneath golden hair, Himena’s crimson eyes slid toward me, as though checking to see if I was intimidated.

‘Even after regression, I’ll never forget that venomous gaze. Disgusting as ever, Himena Grimroar.’

I drew a deep breath and recalled our bitter history.

“I cannot stand the sight of a lowborn stuffing her face.”
“Lace the corset tighter. Without my leave, she shouldn’t even be able to breathe.”
“If you want to become a lady, you must learn to swallow that kind of pain gracefully.”

Every memory was a nightmare.

Exhaling slowly, I steadied my mind and faced her.

But her gaze had already shifted away, dismissing me.

“Let me demonstrate.”

With flawless elegance, Himena bent into a courtly curtsey before the emperor’s statue.

“Relax the shoulders, bow the head, but do not let the eyes shift.”

After the brief explanation, Himena turned her warm gaze toward the princess consort. At the focus of that gentle look stood little Ivemaria, hair tied up neatly.

“Would you like to try first?”

“Yes! I can do it.”

In front of the watching maids, Ivemaria confidently stepped forward and mimicked Himena’s movements.

She tried her best to imitate—but the result was clumsy at best.

‘She looks like a waddling duck.’

Anyone with eyes could see that. Yet instead of scolding, Himena applauded with an expression of deep admiration.

“Well done.”

Following her lead, the surrounding maids clapped as well. Blushing with embarrassment, Ivemaria giggled shyly.

Fortunately, Zerodines at least muttered a biting remark from the side, or else I might have choked on the absurdity.

—I can’t watch this nonsense. I’ll be meditating. Only call me if it’s urgent.

His translucent form dissolved like smoke.

If I slapped or pinched the sealing sigil on my left hand, he would reappear—but that wouldn’t be necessary.

After all, a great mage wasn’t needed for etiquette lessons.

“Then I’ll try next.”

“Let’s see, then.”

As I stepped forward, Himena’s sharp eyes pinned me, eager to pounce on any flaw. She was clearly intent on nitpicking—but things wouldn’t go her way.

Because I had already undergone Himena’s “education” once before.

“Ah!”

“Such perfect form…!”

Gasps of admiration escaped from the maids before they could stop themselves. Only after Himena shot them a glare did they bow their heads and fall silent.

With a dissatisfied voice, Himena asked:

“Have you studied etiquette before?”

If I said no, she’d sneer “as expected from lowborn trash.” If I said yes, she’d belittle it as mere practice.

Better to choose the latter. Because…

“Yes. I had the opportunity.”

“As I thought. Anyone can mimic if they’ve studied a little. Don’t get conceited. Looking closer, your posture is flawed. Clearly, you had a poor teacher.”

Pfft—!

Himena had no idea that she herself had been that very teacher.

Suppressing laughter, I nodded with a humble expression.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Let’s move on to the next step.”

Walking, posture, polite conversation, even courtly dance. She tested me on many things, but found nothing to criticize.

Meanwhile, Ivemaria fumbled constantly, and whenever she tripped over formality, she covered it with a silly laugh. At first, the maids responded kindly, but their patience soon cooled.

“Hehe, my legs got tangled.”

“…Sigh.”

Even Himena’s blatant favoritism couldn’t smooth things over forever.

Yet, bound by the Empress’s orders, Himena had to find a way to belittle me. So, forcing it, she pushed through.

“Since it’s the first day, we’ll end the lesson here. Princess Consort Ivemaria, you may return to your palace.”

After Ivemaria left, Himena stepped up close to me, looking down with imperious scorn.

“Princess Consort Levieta.”

She bent forward suddenly, whispering into my ear.

“Now that I’ve addressed you like that, do you actually believe you’re a real royal? Do you think if you stay by Prince Rossinante’s side, working hard, you might become Empress someday?”

She scoffed.

“Wake up. Rising in rank is impossible. Stay flat on your belly where you belong, and serve as Ivemaria’s stepping stone. You insolent wretch.”

Straightening again, Himena fixed me with a commanding glare.

“You understand what I mean, don’t you?”

It was a warning to know my place.

I smiled as I replied.

“Yes, of course. Perfectly understood.”