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Chapter 59
Just as Derrick had said.
Since Queen Ash’s ascension, Nesheld had been in a frenzy of parties celebrating the new queen.
The royal family, long plagued by the issue of succession, was favorable toward Ash, another child of the royal bloodline.
Naturally, since it was such a shocking turn of events, the fervor surrounding it showed no signs of dying down.
“The world really is full of surprises.”
Pasina had gone shopping for a dress to wear to the banquet, accompanied by noble ladies she was acquainted with.
Gathered in a salon, the ladies, who were all familiar faces, began chatting enthusiastically about the upcoming party.
“The Babylon family is in quite the pitiful state now. After all that running around…”
The mood, initially cheerful, began to sour as their conversation gradually turned into mocking the Babylon family.
The haughty rise of Babylon had been crushed by the emergence of Douglas and the new queen, and now the nobles, ever fond of gossiping about others, pounced on the opportunity.
Knowing full well that Pasina had some sort of relationship with Derrick Babylon, Princess Erne’s former fiancé, the ladies made subtle jabs at her.
“Of course, that seat rightfully belongs to Her Majesty the Queen. Anyone would think the Babylon family was scheming something wicked, aiming for the throne. Don’t you think so, Pasina?”
“Haha…”
“Looking back now, it really is tragic that Princess Erne passed away. She was so innocent—like a child.”
Pasina scoffed inwardly. These were the very women who had criticized Erne endlessly when Babylon held power. They hated how rustic she was even when she lived in the palace as a princess. And now, they had the audacity to mourn her?
As soon as the tides of power turned, these women treated Pasina and Babylon like rotten ropes.
‘Just you wait. When Derrick takes that seat again, and I become queen, I’ll kill every last one of them.’
With that ruthless resolve, Pasina glared at the ladies, grinding her teeth and silently swearing she’d never forget the humiliation.
She announced she was stepping out for air, and not a single person tried to stop her.
“Are you alright?”
Anna, Pasina’s personal maid, approached her.
The open air felt far better than the suffocating atmosphere inside the salon.
Pasina nodded irritably.
“Let’s see if I spare them. When I’m queen, I’ll have them all executed.”
Anna, well-acquainted with her mistress’s sharp tongue, showed no particular reaction.
Pasina eyed Anna thoughtfully, then let out a long nasal sigh.
“Is there something you need, my lady?”
Anna, uneasy under Pasina’s stare, cautiously spoke up, only for Pasina to suddenly laugh heartily.
“You’re still in touch with the Bourgeois, right?”
“Wh-why are you asking that all of a sudden…?”
Anna’s expression darkened. Pasina never brought up the Bourgeois for anything good.
“Tell him I’ll pay. Double what I gave him last time to shut him up…”
Anna looked at Pasina, tense and visibly nervous.
Laughter echoed warmly from the salon, but where they stood, it felt like a cold wind was blowing.
“This time, I want to make use of his financial power.”
“…That’s not really something I can…”
Anna fidgeted with her fingers, unable to hide her discomfort.
Even though she’d once worked under Deorant, as a maid, she had little access to him now.
Pasina’s sharp voice cut in immediately.
“Who said you have to do anything? Just pass on the message that I want to meet him. He charges twenty thousand gold for a meal, right? I’ll pay forty. Tell him I have a very tempting offer.”
Anna lowered her head fearfully.
She had no idea what Pasina was planning, but it couldn’t be anything good.
When Anna didn’t respond quickly enough, Pasina’s expression twisted with irritation.
“Didn’t you hear me?!”
“…Yes, my lady. I’ll tell him.”
Finally, Pasina was satisfied.
As if she had never been in a bad mood, she laughed with relief.
Those people who do anything for money—the Bourgeois.
And those who buy everything with money—the Bourgeois.
There was only one thing they could never obtain:
“Status.”
The status one is born into—unchangeable by nature.
“At best, they can buy the title of a fallen noble and register their name among the aristocrats. But even then, it doesn’t mean they’re truly accepted in society.”
Even if they were listed in the nobility, they would never be treated like real nobles at social events.
But Pasina, breathing in the fresh air like she’d escaped to some idyllic countryside, smiled confidently.
“Still, I can give them what they want. As long as that man helps me and Derrick.”
With Queen Ash aligning herself with Douglas, Pasina and Derrick would need matching financial backing.
Pasina intended to exploit Deorant’s wealth to go head-to-head with Douglas.
Her greed knew no bounds.
＊＊＊
“Teacher!”
Thump-thump-thump. A blur of pink hair bounced energetically in the distance.
Spotting Erne, Shuknen sprinted full-force and leaped into her arms.
The impact knocked Erne back into a sitting position, but her smile never wavered.
“Shuknen. Have you been well?”
“I missed you so much, teacher!”
It was the kind of heartwarming reunion that made onlookers smile.
Just then, a large hand came down to ruffle Shuknen’s pink hair.
“She’s not your teacher, you rascal. She’s Her Majesty. Mind your manners and greet her properly.”
Another invisible spark flew between the long-time rivals—Erne and Douglas.
It wasn’t the first time. Having spent so much time around Douglas, Erne was used to it.
She just beamed and shook her head while hugging Shuknen tightly.
“It’s alright. Shuknen is my student, after all.”
“See? She said it.”
With Erne backing him up, Shuknen puffed out his chest proudly.
Douglas clenched his fists, barely holding himself back, and turned toward Erne.
“He’s becoming more and more spoiled because you keep indulging him.”
But Douglas’s logic was flawed.
In truth, Shuknen had become more mature and gentle since meeting Erne.
Before that, the only time he acted up was when fighting with Douglas over her.
“He’s still young. It’s okay to be clingy and act like a child a little longer.”
Erne gently pinched Shuknen’s cheek as she held him close.
“Teacher, you look even more dazzling today.”
“Really?”
“You must be an angel sent from heaven!”
“Wow, what a sweet thing to say. Now I’m blushing.”
The atmosphere between Erne and Shuknen was pure pink fluff, completely ignoring Douglas.
“Did you miss me too, teacher?”
“Of course I did.”
“Hyuger said I get to be with you every day now!”
“That’s right. We can do coloring and origami like before.”
The two were chatting so happily that Douglas couldn’t find a way to interrupt.
He reminded himself not to get jealous of an eight-year-old, but the corner of his lips twitched in frustration.
“Her Majesty must be tired. Stop clinging to her.”
Douglas was trying to pry the child off, but Shuknen caught on and looked up at Erne with puppy-dog eyes.
“Teacher, am I heavy?”
Unaware that Shuknen’s innocent eyes were his third secret weapon, Erne shook her head firmly and lifted him up.
“Not at all. You should eat more.”
“Even bell peppers?”
“Of course! Our Shuknen is very clever. You need to eat everything to grow tall.”
As Erne showered him with affection, Shuknen stuck his tongue out at Douglas behind her back.
“Why you…!”
Douglas raised his fist silently in retaliation, but Hyuger, walking alongside them, spoke calmly.
“My lord. You are in front of Her Majesty.”
“…”
“And the young master is still only eight years old.”
Douglas’s trembling fist slowly fell limp.
The unspoken rebuke—Are you really jealous of an eight-year-old?—was loud and clear, making Douglas blush with shame.
He knew full well how petty and immature he was being.
“I can eat bell peppers now. Want me to show you?”
“Show me at lunch.”
“After lunch, can I visit your room, teacher?”
“Of course. I decorated the room you’ll be staying in myself. I hope you like it.”
Despite his jealousy, Douglas found himself smiling again.
Though it hurt that Erne’s attention was solely on Shuknen, he couldn’t help but feel warm watching the two of them together, their smiles never fading.
