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~Chapter 39~
I shook off my bitter feelings and got up from my seat. If I lingered any longer, I might miss the banquet.
“Your luck seems rough today. Earlier, Lord Étienne didn’t look very happy either.”
“Étienne?”
I perked up my ears. It must be because of what happened this morning—when I said some harsh words and left, calling him petty.
“Yes, he got really angry with the steward. He said your face is to blame.”
Ah.
I imagined Simon, shrinking down with his large frame. Poor Simon. I’m sorry.
“Anyway, be careful at the party, Lady Dalia. You’ll probably run into him again. Don’t let him push you around like earlier.”
“You think I’ll meet him again later?”
I’d only tolerate him out of old ties this once. If he uses force or starts a quarrel again, I won’t hold back next time.
Am I the only crazy one? No, I’m a survival-type crazy too!
Penny brought the prepared dress. The other maids came to help with my preparation, but I didn’t really need them.
I just neatly tied up my short hair so it wouldn’t be noticeable.
The dark purple dress reaching my neck required no further adornments.
Soon, the mirror reflected a rather grim-looking woman.
“You look as if you’ve truly returned to the old days,” Penny said.
I smiled wryly at her comment.
Alright. Let’s go.
My heart was a mix of excitement, worry about whether the plan would work, discomfort from the fight with Étienne, and anger over Sophienne—altogether, I carefully collected a hundredfold of emotions.
“Finally, I get to see what a banquet hall is like.”
It felt like stepping into a scene from a fairy tale. Though I wasn’t playing the role of the princess today.
My hands trembled as I stood at the door.
Hopefully, the mark from earlier won’t show. Let’s do this right. Today, I just have to act!
The servants pulled open the large doors on either side.
Warm air, mixed with the scent of perfume and alcohol, rushed out. I stepped into the growing music.
Under the soft embrace of the orchestra, laughter and conversation murmured throughout the hall.
I must act composed and graceful, as if it’s natural. That was my determination, at least.
But despite my will, my head kept turning around foolishly.
Wow, it’s gorgeous.
Like the colorful fish in an aquarium, everyone wore clothes of dazzling colors.
Some paired up and spun in the center of the hall, dancing, while others gathered in small groups at the corners, sipping champagne with refined smiles.
It was even more extravagant than I had imagined from novels.
Looking around, I felt like I had come to a place I shouldn’t be—like a crow that wandered into a blooming flower bed in the middle of the crowd.
I had wanted to make a dramatic entrance in my pretty dress, showing my changed self.
But I had to accept it. After all, this was my plan.
It was actually fortunate that no one noticed my transformation yet.
I moved to the edge of the hall to study its layout.
There were places to sit and drink along the sides, while the center was a stage for dancing.
On the far side, farthest from me, two elaborately decorated chairs stood—the seats of the emperor and empress. Since it was the eve of the event, they were empty.
Shifting my gaze slightly left from the emperor’s seat, I shivered.
Étienne was sitting there. His eyes were fixed squarely on me.
Since when has he been watching me?
Even sitting still, he drew everyone’s attention. Anyone could see that he was the main figure in this hall—born a prince, of noble lineage, unlike a crow like me.
Last night, I could almost hear his cold voice from the floor again. The distance between Étienne and me felt as vast as this banquet hall.
No, maybe even further.
Who would believe we’re married?
The female nobles glanced at Étienne. The braver ones approached to speak.
He answered without expression. From this distance, I couldn’t know what was said, but most left with awkward expressions.
“Acting all high and mighty, huh.”
I murmured playfully, yet felt a little relieved.
Why am I relieved? I want a relief steak or something.
His gaze returned to me, sticking like glue.
His face, small from afar, disappeared and reappeared behind the dancers, but his eyes remained fixed on me.
Just making eye contact made my face flush.
Let’s not get delusional. Étienne dislikes me. He’s just… looking. Or maybe still angry… or perhaps watching me to monitor the plan.
Even thinking a little, there were plenty of reasons for him to glare at me like that.
Alright, don’t think about giving him a steak yet. Start with soup.
I reminded myself of the vow I made in the garden and deliberately looked elsewhere.
Then, I faintly heard a whisper, but the words were clear:
“Look over there, it’s Lady Dalia Demerov, the princess consort.”
“What? No way. That person?”
Indeed, there were more than a few glances subtly aimed at me.
“You don’t know high society, do you? She’s famous not just for her appearance but for her personality as well. Though it was by the emperor’s order, it was too much. How could someone like her be paired with the perfect Lord Étienne? If I were him, I wouldn’t want to spend a day with her.”
“Oh my, Prince Étienne must feel lonely. Should we console him…?”
“Consolation, yes, that’s good. That dazzling appearance should be enjoyed by someone, right?”
They laughed crudely.
My temples throbbed.
If they were just talking badly about me, I could have ignored it. After all, they meant the former version, not me.
But when Étienne’s name came from those cheap mouths, I lost all patience.
Are we your toys? Fine. This time, I’ll make you mine.
I slowly approached, catching their voices more clearly.
“Oh my, then shall we sneak into bed with him tonight? Oh hoho.”
“Yes, no matter how proud a man, he will be weak at night. And in anything, better than that lady… Huh? Where did he go? He was just there…”
She looked at the spot I had been. I silently slipped behind her like a ghost.
“Looking for someone? Maybe me?”
“Some… H-how… Your Highness, the princess consort!”
Her eyes widened in shock. The two women exchanged glances, their urgent conversation barely audible.
I stared directly at them, introducing myself with my name and family.
Both were wives of viscounts.
Talk about shitting their pants.
“I’m truly sorry, Your Highness. Perhaps the champagne we had earlier went to our heads.”
Whether in this world or another, blaming alcohol for misdeeds seems universal.
I tilted my head nonchalantly.
“Sorry for what?”
“Huh?”
“Did you say something to apologize for?”
The women glanced back and forth between me and the place I had stood.
A suitable distance. Maybe they could hear me, maybe not.
I could hear them quietly thinking.
They had to explain carefully. While they had reason to apologize, they shouldn’t show true hatred.
I waited leisurely for their response.
“Well… we meant that it was a pity such beauty is hidden under a modest dress…”
“Oh really? That’s not something to apologize for, is it?”
I smiled broadly. Their tense faces relaxed slightly.
Relaxed? Hardly.
“I just feared you might feel upset…”
“Upset? No. But, you know, that’s not all. There’s more you said.”
“Huh…?”
“You said… my personality was… what was it? Terribly bad? Or that if I weren’t the princess consort, you’d hit me? There were some words that were quite hurtful, I believe.”
Of course, they were exaggerated. None of that had really happened. They knew it, and so did I.
But the curious onlookers didn’t.
People love a juicy rumor. They’d believe the exaggerated story more.
The crowd started buzzing, subtly criticizing them.
No need for me to intervene now.
As I turned away satisfied, a cryptic voice reached me:
“A place without flowers does not attract butterflies, a place without filth does not attract pests.”
It was Sophienne. Elegant and beautiful, with none of the earlier rudeness.
Why did she appear now?
I stepped back. My cheek still stung from the earlier slap!
She wore a simple white dress, having forgone Natan’s gown.
But her pretty face transformed the simplicity into innocence and charm. Sophienne was irritatingly beautiful.
I had secretly hoped she’d wear something ridiculous…
Perhaps because of her voice, or her appearance, the attention of those around shifted from me to her.
She knew it, which was why she acted that way—with the elegant, subtle sarcasm of high society.
Tch. I endured earlier, but not this time. Think I’ll take it lying down again?
I stepped forward again, matching the distance I had previously retreated.
