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Chapter 64.
The Emperor really used his head this time.
He knew that if he pressured my father officially, he would resist—so he secretly made a personal request instead.
My father is the textbook example of someone who’s strong to the weak and weak to the strong.
“It’s not as if I’m trying to make you the Crown Princess. You’ll be eliminated midway. So don’t worry about becoming the Crown Princess.”
He was trying to touch my father’s heart while making it look like the Levian family was volunteering to participate—boosting the Imperial Family’s prestige at the same time.
“I understand His Majesty’s dilemma. But Father, the other party is His Highness the Crown Prince.”
But I had no intention whatsoever of being caught in that scheme.
“I still can’t forget how His Highness publicly humiliated me at the party held at the Duchy’s embassy.”
The best thing to do with the Crown Prince is not to get involved with him at all. Especially now that Merina has been placed under probation—he’s probably even angrier at me.
“Oh, I remember that too. But didn’t he end up apologizing to you?”
“Only after Duke Lisiansius demanded that he do so. And I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to worry you, but during the hunting competition, His Highness actually shot an arrow at me.”
“What…?”
“You can check with Carl; he was there. Even now, whenever I recall that incident, I get so shaken up I can’t even think about it.”
When I lowered my gaze and shook my head, Father’s expression turned grim.
“Just seeing His Highness makes me tremble… but if it’s for the family, I’ll participate, Father.”
I lowered my head deeply, pretending to be a pitiful, helpless daughter.
“I thought I’d have to yield a little for the sake of the Imperial Family’s dignity, but…”
His hand on the table clenched into a fist.
“I’ve been too harsh on my daughter without realizing these things.”
“No, Father. It’s my fault for being so lacking that His Highness dislikes me. I’m sorry for causing you pain.”
“Oh, Roa, my dear daughter.”
Father shook his head with moist eyes.
“How could that be your fault? It’s all because His Highness the Crown Prince’s temperament is—ah, well.”
He took my hand and apologized.
“Forgive me. I was short-sighted and hurt your feelings. I promise you’ll never again hear any proposal that involves His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Thank you for understanding, Father.”
When I smiled bravely, Father’s eyes welled up with tears.
“It’s my own uselessness. Thank you for forgiving such a father.”
Mother, who came in carrying tea, looked puzzled at Father’s teary face. When she heard the story, the corners of her eyes lifted sharply.
“Dear, have you already forgotten how that Crown Prince was rude to our Roa when he visited her during her illness?”
“Ah, right! There was that too!”
“How could you forget something like that?”
Mother scolded him sharply, but instead of getting angry, Father just looked guilty—and I had to comfort him.
Now, even if the Emperor tries to coax him again, Father won’t give in so easily.
They say submitting the application transfers authority over the candidate to the Imperial Family. They could simply “forget” to eliminate me and push me to the final round.
Would the Emperor really miss such a golden opportunity? Of course not. He’s been trying to make me Crown Princess for forty-eight rounds straight.
A few days later, when Father asked Carl about the hunting competition, his fury only deepened. He declared that the House of Levian would never take part in the Crown Princess selection.
Apparently, Father was so firm that the Emperor even sent someone personally to apologize.
It was Count Sharon, the Vice Minister of the Imperial Household.
We met in the main drawing room.
“I had intended to keep this secret all my life, but I feel nothing but guilt for causing trouble to His Majesty the Emperor.”
I hid my distaste for the Emperor’s continued attempts to drag me into the selection and responded politely.
“His Majesty said that if his apology has reached you, he hopes you’ll still participate in the Crown Princess selection.”
Clang!
I deliberately dropped the teacup I was holding.
A maid waiting outside came in, cleaned up the shards, and dabbed at the tea that had spilled on my dress.
“I—I’m so sorry.”
Pressing my chest as if I were startled, I took a deep breath.
“Forgive me, but I tremble just remembering what happened between me and His Highness.”
“No need to apologize, my lady. It’s understandable.”
“As much as I wish to follow His Majesty’s kind suggestion, I’m afraid I’m too unworthy. It would be difficult.”
“In any case, Marquis Levian has officially declared that his house will not apply. So you needn’t worry about that.”
Count Sharon seemed to understand, as though he’d heard what the Crown Prince had done. He didn’t look pleased about having to deliver the Emperor’s message.
“Thank you for your kind words, Count.”
“Think nothing of it.”
He seemed to find me rather likable.
“Well, I must return to the palace now.”
“I’ve kept such a busy man far too long.”
Although he protested, I insisted on seeing him off.
“I heard you’ll be attending my second son’s engagement ceremony.”
“Yes. I happen to be acquainted with Lady Clen, his fiancée, so I plan to attend.”
I didn’t know how far Arthur Sharon had gone with Merina, but poor Violet would surely have a hard time.
“According to Lady Violet, it was thanks to Lady Levian that the couple met.”
“Oh, I merely suggested that Lady Clen accompany me to a party at the Ichel family’s estate. The rest was fate between them.”
An engagement rushed to cover up a scandal. But anyone who mattered already knew what had happened between those couples. I had no intention of being dragged into that mess.
“Ha-ha, I see. In any case, I hope to see you at the engagement.”
Count Sharon didn’t seem angry or suspicious—rather, satisfied.
The Sharon family had long produced high-ranking officials but owned little in the way of private wealth. In contrast, the Clen family had substantial land and money.
I heard that when Arthur Sharon married Violet Clen, the Clen family paid the Sharon family a generous sum. No wonder the Count seemed content.
“Of course. Please return safely, Count.”
After delivering my refusal through Count Sharon, the Emperor made no further moves until the application deadline passed.
For the first time in a while, I was able to relax—and I attended Violet’s engagement party with peace of mind.
“Thank you so much for coming, Lady Rosia.”
“Think nothing of it. You look absolutely stunning, Lady Violet.”
“Hoho, you flatter me.”
In her pale yellow dress, she looked brighter and lovelier than ever.
Though this was her first engagement, I would still need her in the future—so I handed her a gift I’d prepared.
“A small token of my feelings for you, Lady Violet.”
“Oh my, to prepare something like this in such a short time—thank you so much.”
When she opened the velvet box, Violet’s jaw dropped.
“Is this… blue diamond?”
“Yes. I was worried the workmanship might not meet your standards since it was done in a rush.”
“Oh my goodness, Lady Rosia!”
A set of earrings with pinky-nail-sized diamonds, and a necklace with a thumb-sized gem.
Although blue diamonds were supposedly rare, our mines had near-limitless deposits—their scarcity was purely artificial, to control price.
It’s no wonder everything always went so easily for Merina, the story’s “heroine”—she’d owned these before. But since I hadn’t sold them to her this time, they still belonged to my family.
The pieces were small enough that it wasn’t a big loss for me—but for the recipient, it would be a dream gift, one nearly impossible to obtain due to the waiting list.
“I only wish I’d had more time to prepare properly. I’m sorry.”
“Not at all—this is more than enough. Such a precious gift, oh my…”
Violet was speechless with joy. Her reservation for such gems had been far down the list.
“If others who reserved earlier find out, things could get awkward. Please keep the source secret.”
“Of course. I would never cause trouble for you, Lady Rosia.”
Soon, the engagement ceremony began.
After making their vows, Violet and Arthur went around greeting the guests.
Arthur Sharon’s expression was better than I expected.
“Ah, Lady Levian—the one who brought us together, I hear.”
He even smiled as he greeted me. So Violet must truly please him.
It confirmed that Sharon hadn’t gone too far with Merina—and yet, it left me wondering:
Had Merina’s power over men begun to weaken?
