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[CHAPTER 112]
The Count of Ascard stepped back with a faint smile on his lips.
His ash-gray eyes held a sly glint as he slowly bowed toward the royal family.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
As he turned with graceful movements and stepped down from the stage, people in the hall began to murmur.
They were likely sharing different opinions or guesses about the Tower Master’s behavior.
Since I also heard the name “Wentworth Lady” here and there, there must have been plenty of talk about the bouquet he gave me.
Why wouldn’t there be.
A man who already drew attention behaved like that, after all.
But their rumors mattered far less than something else.
I turned to look at Vincent.
He was quietly staring at the spot where the Tower Master had disappeared.
“Your Highness.”
Vincent silently turned his head toward me.
“It seems the Tower Master is quite interested in you. Why do you think that is?”
“Well, I’m not sure either.”
Vincent pressed his lips together, clearly displeased with my answer, and looked away.
But that was the best I could say.
I had some idea why the Tower Master was so interested in me, but it was too risky and vague to explain to Vincent.
Just then, the Empress rose again.
She lifted her hand elegantly, drawing the attention of the murmuring crowd.
“Thank you all for participating in today’s charity event. A separate charity program for the Harvest Festival will continue after this, so we ask for your interest. With this, the donation event is concluded.”
As the Empress finished speaking, the nobles applauded.
Attendants quickly began gathering the donated goods stacked around the stage.
While everything bustled around us, Viscount Oscar Corban hurried over to Crown Prince Vincent and spoke quietly.
“Your Highness, one of the envoys has requested a private audience.”
Vincent looked at Oscar with a serious expression.
“Which nation?”
“Sir Kallua of the Kingdom of Tyren. He likely wishes to discuss the recent military disturbance near the imperial border. There were casualties, it seems.”
Vincent frowned slightly, then sighed as he rose from his seat.
“Very well.”
Then he turned back to me.
“I’ll return shortly. Try not to stay alone…”
“Yes, Your Highness. Please go ahead.”
My quick reply made him frown again.
What now? Does he dislike it even when I behave myself?
He looked like he still had more to say, but he left the stage with Oscar and disappeared down the corridor leading toward the palace.
“Hmm.”
I watched the direction he had gone when the Empress approached me with graceful steps.
“Your Majesty.”
I rose and bowed my head politely.
A noblewoman with a gentle smile was approaching the stage area as well.
Ah, the Duchess of Royce.
Fortunately, Amelia’s memories included her.
Though since our families stood on opposing sides, they had never exchanged greetings.
The Empress descended the stage, gesturing for me to follow, and I stood at her side.
The Duchess of Royce lifted her skirt gracefully.
“I greet the Empress of the Empire.”
The Empress nodded once, then gestured toward me.
“Duchess, allow me to introduce her. You may already know, but this is Amelia Wentworth, Vincent’s fiancée.”
“I am Amelia Wentworth, Duchess.”
The Duchess nodded.
“I am the one managing the household of Royce. I believe this is our first formal meeting. I have only seen you from afar.”
“I always wished to greet you, but the chance never came. It’s an honor.”
As we exchanged greetings, the Empress smiled and stepped back.
“Then my work here is done. I must attend to others waiting for me.”
It seemed the Empress also had to deal with foreign envoys, just like the Crown Prince.
The Duchess and I nodded, and she departed.
Once the two of us were alone, the Duchess spoke in a softer voice.
“Now that you’ve returned my brooch, we finally meet face-to-face. I said so in the letter, but truly, thank you. It was one of my cherished belongings.”
“I’m glad you found it again.”
She smiled warmly, leaned in a little closer, and whispered quietly.
“What I wrote in the letter wasn’t an empty gesture. Whenever you need something, even once, I will grant it. As long as it’s within my power.”
I had already expected something like this, but I still put on a flustered, modest smile for courtesy.
“That’s quite all right, Duchess. I only found it by chance…”
But she shook her head.
“For something precious to return to me without any thanks would hurt my pride. And jewelry or money would hardly be meaningful for a lady of your standing.”
Honestly, I would still take them.
But she would think oddly of me, so I held it back.
“In any case, be sure to ask someday. Everyone has a moment in life when they need help.”
“…Yes, thank you, Duchess.”
She looked at me with a fresh kind of interest.
“Come to think of it, I misunderstood you because of rumors. You’re so dignified and graceful. Had I known sooner, I might have considered you for our Jaice…”
“Ah, haha… Duchess, you’re quite funny.”
“I wasn’t joking. Truly a pity.”
Jaice Royce, huh?
Not a bad option.
Honestly, living with him might have been more comfortable than with the Crown Prince.
But my taste in faces…
Jaice Royce was certainly handsome, but after seeing Vincent so often, my standards had risen in an unfortunate way.
Our pleasant talk was interrupted by a sharp, familiar voice.
“My, what an interesting pairing.”
The Duchess of Royce’s lips tightened slightly.
I turned to see the Duchess of Wentworth approaching, forcing a smile while her heels clicked loudly across the floor.
The two duchesses exchanged stiff nods, throwing each other cold looks.
Then the Duchess of Wentworth looked at me and covered her mouth with a fake smile.
“Amelia, seeing you sit on the stage today brought back memories. When did you grow so much?”
I stayed quiet, waiting for whatever she wanted to say next.
“But you’re still far from becoming true royalty. While others sat with dignity, your face showed every emotion.”
Did it?
I didn’t think I made any dramatic expressions.
“Count Ascard prepared that bouquet especially for you, but with that reaction, imagine how embarrassed he must have been.”
“Ah, I was just surprised because it happened so suddenly.”
“He is the Tower Master. Couldn’t you anticipate such a thing? Honestly, I still have much to teach you.”
Then the Duchess of Royce stepped in softly.
“From what I saw, the young lady handled herself quite well. If it were me, I might have fainted.”
The Duchess of Wentworth shot her a jealous glare and turned away sharply.
“A mother naturally wants her child to be perfect. Especially in the presence of royalty.”
“But—”
“I’ll try harder, Mother.”
I cut them off quickly before they started a pointless argument.
The Duchess of Royce looked regretful, and the Duchess of Wentworth looked dissatisfied, which was… interesting to watch.
Just then, the second dance began to play throughout Lumière Hall.
