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chapter 25
Completely unaware of what kind of conversation had taken place between Asha and Rio, Celestine wandered around the inside of the banquet hall alone.
“Would you like some champagne? If you don’t drink alcohol, I can bring you some tea instead.”
“Oh, no tea, thank you. This is fine.”
Holding the glass handed to her by a maid, Celestine took a sip of champagne, wearing a satisfied expression for the first time that day.
‘They’re probably talking well, right?’
Well, the process might have changed a little, but as long as the result was the same, it didn’t really matter.
Besides, in the original story, Rio had fallen in love with Asha at first sight, and Asha had also developed feelings for him because of how kind he was.
She felt a little guilty recalling how Asha had clung to her arm like a child, but if it was for the sake of following the original plot, it couldn’t be helped.
‘Right. Either way, the obstacle has to disappear.’
Still, just in case, she planned to kill a little time and then head back.
“Anyway… this isn’t so bad.”
Thinking about it, this was her first time properly attending a party like this. Sure, she had gone to the birthday banquet for Dvaltin before, but she had been too busy dealing with some annoying extra to enjoy it.
Feeling like a princess from a fairy tale, Celestine grinned to herself like a weirdo.
‘Now this feels like a proper noble lady’s life.’
Once she reached the ending safely and that damn warning window disappeared, she could enjoy days like this to her heart’s content.
With that hopeful thought, she drained the rest of her champagne.
And then—
“Considering even Lady Yeriel passed away within half a day like that, it might have all been planned from the start.”
A conversation she knew all too well reached her ears.
“But I heard that Lady Herina, the mother of the Sixth Prince, was also heavily involved in this matter.”
“Of course she was. Until Lady Yeriel died, that is.”
Turning her head, she saw a small group of noble ladies chatting together.
There were about four or five of them, all extravagantly dressed. Judging by both their appearance and how well-informed they were about palace affairs, they were likely from influential families within Yeshua.
‘Hmm…’
Should she just pass by? It didn’t really concern her anyway. If she interfered, she might just look suspicious.
‘Right. Stop doing pointless things and just go back to Asha and Rio.’
But the very next sentence rooted her in place.
“…Because of this incident, the nobles who have been eyeing power are becoming more active. Like the Winsel Count family, for example.”
…Huh?
My family?
“But the current head of the Winsel family isn’t exactly favorable toward that person, is he?”
My dad?
That crazy old man?
Celestine froze, ears practically perking up like a rabbit.
‘No way. He’s the one drooling over Dvaltin, trying to become the queen’s family.’
Wait…
Suddenly, something came to mind.
That night—when she returned after spending a day in jail with Greg, and the conversation between Vien and him.
‘Right. Back then too… they were hiding something from me. Could there be something I don’t know?’
“That was in the past. With things changing so rapidly, it wouldn’t be strange for nobles to shift their stance.”
“I agree. And within a few years at most, a new emperor will ascend… everyone knows what that means, don’t they?”
“…That the empress seat will be vacant.”
The ladies whispered among themselves.
“We need to stay sharp. You never know which family will gain power.”
No matter how much they worried or tried to outmaneuver each other, the position of empress already had a destined owner.
‘Forget that—can you just tell me more about Greg…?’ Celestine thought.
“Have you heard? His Highness the Crown Prince apparently helped the Winsel father and daughter.”
What?!
Startled, Celestine quickly pulled her mask down further.
“I don’t understand it at all. Why were they even involved in this incident, and why would His Highness personally release them from prison?”
“…Could it be that the Winsel family had already made their move? Eyeing the position of future empress?”
No!!
That’s absolutely not it!!
“I think it’s entirely possible. Everyone in the empire knows what that young lady is like…”
They didn’t finish the sentence—but everyone seemed to understand.
Celestine was dumbfounded.
‘What if this rumor spreads and gets twisted?’
One thing was certain.
She was screwed.
Dvaltin wouldn’t be affected much by rumors—but Celestine would. Greg would definitely stir up trouble, and Hella…
‘No, this is bad.’
Panicking, Celestine carefully approached the group.
“…Who are you?”
The ladies looked surprised at the sudden intrusion, but Celestine forced a smile.
“I just happened to overhear, and it sounded like an interesting conversation. Would it be alright if I joined you?”
She could feel both suspicion and hostility in their gazes.
In any other setting, they would have demanded her name and family—but since this was a masquerade ball, they hesitated.
And then—
‘Right. My hair color!’
“Actually, I’m a distant relative of the Winsel family.”
“…What?”
That clearly caught them off guard.
“I came to the capital recently and have been staying with them. So I’ve heard quite a bit from that young lady.”
“….”
“But as you all know… she’s not exactly the easiest person to get along with, right?”
“…That’s true.”
Wow. I can’t believe I’m insulting myself like this. Well… technically, that Celestine isn’t me, but still…
What a ridiculous situation.
“So, do you know the details of what happened?” one of them asked.
“Oh, of course! I don’t know everything, but it seems Lady Yeriel misunderstood something.”
“Hmm…”
“So she was imprisoned, and then His Highness released her.”
“See? That proves the Winsel family—”
“No! That’s not all!”
Celestine hurriedly cut in.
“The reason he helped her was because she’s serving as a companion to the princess.”
“….”
“That’s the only reason. And apparently, she was so nervous afterward that it was embarrassing. Also… he really dislikes Count Winsel.”
The ladies exchanged glances.
“Then how did she become the princess’s companion?”
“I heard that too. At the debutante, the princess was in trouble, and she helped her.”
“Or maybe she calculated all of that from the beginning. You’re all being too naive.”
Ugh. Veins bulged on Celestine’s forehead beneath her mask.
“What’s certain is that she has absolutely no interest in becoming empress. She just wants to live comfortably off her father’s wealth—that’s what I heard directly!”
She rattled off the words at lightning speed.
“And besides… let’s be honest! Unless His Highness has gone mad, there’s no way he’d be interested in someone like her, right?”
“…That’s not entirely wrong.”
At this point, she almost wondered what kind of life the original Celestine had lived.
Anyway—time to finish this and get back to Asha.
“I even heard her describe her ideal type—and it’s nothing like His Highness.”
“Oh? Really?”
“Yes! This is a bit improper to say… but you’ll keep it a secret, right?”
“Of course. Go on.”
“She said the type she hates most is someone like the Crown Prince. If she didn’t have to be around the princess, she wouldn’t even want to see him.”
“….”
“She likes someone cute, kind, gentle… you know. Cold and scary men are the worst, apparently. They give her chills.”
“That might be a bit presumptuous, but… everyone has their preferences.”
“Exactly.”
Perfect. Celestine smiled.
“Anyway, I don’t know what nonsense rumors are going around, but they’re all baseless—”
Suddenly, she froze mid-sentence.
Standing in front of her—
arms crossed, staring straight at her—
was a man wearing a cat mask.
And behind that mask—
those unmistakable violet eyes, filled with sheer disbelief.
“Miss? What’s wrong?”
“Are you feeling unwell?”
She couldn’t hear them anymore.
Only one thought filled her mind.
‘Why… are you here?’
And just like that—
Celestine came face-to-face with Dvaltin,
her expression as if she had just been struck in the back of the head.
