🔊 TTS Settings
[CHAPTER 102]
What did the two of them talk about?
Did they become closer?
Then I’ll have to break off the engagement with him as planned.
When should I say it?
After losing sleep over endless thoughts, the next morning, a lady-in-waiting from the Empress’s Palace named Rahel came to see me.
“Her Majesty asks that you attend the upcoming Harvest Festival.”
“I already received the invitation for the ball in two weeks. Is there something else?”
“Two days before the ball, there will be a Harvest Festival event. Her Majesty and the noble ladies will directly harvest wheat and bake bread from the flour. It’s considered the main event, actually.”
“Has it always been held?”
There was nothing like that in Amelia’s memories.
She vaguely remembered the ball, but the Harvest Festival ball was a rather formal and solemn occasion, and the duke had never allowed Amelia to attend.
She expected to be invited to the ball this time, being the crown princess-to-be, but hadn’t imagined she would also need to take part in the day event.
Rahel shook her head at my question.
“It has existed, but while Her Majesty the Empress was ill, Her Highness the Empress Consort held it only in a simplified manner. Since Her Majesty will personally preside over it this time, it’s expected to be quite grand and splendid.”
“Ah.”
The greedy Empress Consort must have simplified it because the Emperor only allowed her to do that much.
Skipping the Harvest Festival entirely would’ve been impossible, and since it was traditionally led by a royal woman, she had no choice but to keep up appearances.
The Emperor is sly, when you think about it.
He adores the Empress Consort, yet withholds full authority from her, and respects the Empress, yet never lets her fully into his heart.
I can’t quite figure out his intentions.
Maybe he’s just indecisive.
“All right. I’ll be there on time.”
“Yes, I’ll inform you of the details later.”
Rahel bowed deeply and stepped out.
It felt awkward receiving such a formal bow from someone elderly, but since it was part of palace etiquette, I accepted it calmly.
After she left, I leaned back against the chair.
“…The Harvest Festival.”
If I recalled correctly, it was an event attended by the Tower Lord.
It was the one where the Tower Lord and the Crown Prince competed for Sylvia’s attention, and Amelia felt jealous.
What will happen this time?
The image of Vincent walking beside Sylvia replayed in my mind.
It struck me that things might unfold similarly to the original story.
I shook my head furiously.
“No, that can’t happen.”
Even if it does, I mustn’t get jealous.
No, I mustn’t let it show.
Clap, clap.
I slapped both cheeks several times.
“Get a grip.”
Just then, a knock came at the door.
Through the open crack, Vincent entered—with Sylvia following behind him.
Ugh, of all times.
Can I even manage my expression right now?
I hesitated, but Vincent didn’t come in right away.
He stood by the door, quietly watching me.
“Your Highness, why aren’t you coming in…?”
“Amelia, did something happen? Why were you hitting your cheeks?”
How did he know that?
Vincent came over and led me to the mirror.
“…Ah.”
I thought I hadn’t hit that hard, but both cheeks were flushed red.
“I just… kept feeling sleepy.”
“Then you should rest.”
“If I nap now, I won’t be able to sleep tonight. It’s almost dinner time anyway.”
I fumbled out excuses in embarrassment, and Vincent gave me a gentle pat on the shoulder.
His eyes were full of concern.
“Don’t overwork yourself. Tell me right away if something’s wrong.”
“…Yes.”
Seeing those kind emerald eyes made my heart flutter again—but it sank as soon as I noticed Sylvia staring at us.
I knew, rationally, that there was nothing between Vincent and Sylvia yet, but her gaze still bothered me for some reason.
I subtly took a step back from Vincent.
“So… why did you two come to my room together?”
Sylvia stepped forward and bowed politely.
“I have a favor to ask, Lady Amelia.”
“Please, go ahead.”
“Would you take me as your maid to the Harvest Festival ball?”
The unexpected request made me glance at Vincent.
He already seemed aware of it.
Sylvia continued her explanation.
“The Tower Lord will definitely attend this Harvest Festival ball. I need to approach him, but I have no other way. Please help me, my lady.”
Sylvia had no invitation, meaning she couldn’t attend the ball officially.
However, if she went as someone’s maid, it was possible.
Although I was still only a lady and normally couldn’t bring attendants, large formal events like the ball allowed exceptions.
It made sense she’d come to me with this request.
Of course, the Crown Prince could’ve formally invited her himself, but that would’ve put her name on the guest list and drawn everyone’s attention.
“All right. But tell me what exactly you plan to do with the Tower Lord.”
“…Amelia, must you know that?”
“Of course!”
Vincent and Sylvia gave opposite answers.
I looked at Vincent.
“Is it something I shouldn’t know? If Sylvia does anything at the ball, I’ll be held responsible for it.”
Vincent sighed, admitting the point.
“You’re right.”
He agreed, though his face still showed reluctance.
It wasn’t that he didn’t trust me, but I couldn’t help feeling a little hurt.
“Then please explain, Lady Sylvia.”
When I fixed my eyes on her, Sylvia began to speak.
“The Tower Lord takes the same potion every evening. I believe he’ll take it again during the ball. Some of us suspect that potion maintains his youth and magic power.”
“I’m going to steal it.”
“And after that?”
“Once he realizes it’s missing, he’ll be humiliated for exposing his secret. Then we’ll analyze the potion’s ingredients and reveal the truth. It won’t be made from ordinary materials.”
Sylvia frowned slightly as if the last part disgusted her.
So the ingredients are awful enough to make her hesitate even to say it.
When I didn’t respond right away, Sylvia pressed on.
“Everything that’s been happening traces back to the Tower Lord. He uses the Imperial Family as his puppets to conduct illegal experiments. My lady, it’s difficult to strike him while he’s inside the Tower. This is our only chance.”
I looked to Vincent instead of answering.
He met my eyes and gave a small nod.
“I heard the plan earlier too. I think it’s a sound idea. If you’re willing, please help. Just get Sylvia into the ball. The rest we’ll handle. If we can uncover the truth about that potion, we’ll be one step closer to revealing his secret.”
I recalled the original story.
If I remembered correctly, this plan had failed.
The novel didn’t describe the ball in detail, but there had been no mention of the Tower Lord being disgraced or exposed afterward.
Still, I couldn’t refuse Sylvia’s request.
That was something only I knew.
And since the present events had already diverged from the original, maybe things could end differently this time.
“All right.”
“Oh, thank you, my lady!”
Sylvia brightened immediately, then composed herself.
“If I fail and my plan is exposed, I’ll make sure your name is never mentioned.”
“It’s fine. Since I’ve agreed, I’ll take responsibility for that much.”
Vincent looked at me quietly and shook his head.
“No. If the plan fails, I’ll take full responsibility. Don’t worry.”
The problem was, when he said “don’t worry,” he looked not at me—but at Sylvia.
Ouch. That stung a little.
Wait, no. Stop. I promised myself I wouldn’t get jealous again.
