Chapter 9
Melance had been sitting far enough away from Riena that he assumed he could simply blend into the background.
But there was no chance Riena would overlook him.
"I am overwhelmed by Your Highness's boundless generosity. I can only thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful gathering."
It was such a perfectly polite response that it was almost hard to believe.
As expected of the Grand Duke's heir.
Riena smiled leisurely and continued.
"I'm glad to hear that. By the way, if all of you are willing, I'm thinking of holding a tea party every Harvest Festival from now on. What do you think?"
"R-really?! It would be an honor!"
"I'll be waiting eagerly for the invitation!"
"If I may be so bold, Your Highness, may I ask whether you can decide such a thing without His Majesty's permission? I worry that you might be pushing yourself too hard...."
A sharp, ringing voice.
And an arrogant tone.
It was Marilen Nellian.
"There's no need to worry. And if you're uncomfortable with it, you don't have to attend."
The smile that had been curving Riena's lips disappeared.
Her expression hardened as she looked coldly at Marilen.
She had every reason to.
How dare a half-baked princess steal Young Lord Kanter from me? I'm not the one who needs to know her place. The princess does!
Please lower your voice. What if someone hears you?
Let them hear. She's practically about to be confined anyway. What kind of princess is she supposed to be?
Please calm down. Even if you can't become a duchess, you could still become a grand duchess!
As if that arrogant Grand Duke's heir would ever agree! I underestimated Young Lord Kanter. He agreed to every favor I asked, so I thought I already had him wrapped around my finger!
Exactly. You should've given up on Young Lord Kanter long ago. He only has eyes for the princess, you know? He's just too kind to refuse people, so he agreed to everything you asked....
The maid had fallen silent under Marilen's murderous glare.
What does he even see in a blind princess? Ha. No, actually, the two of them suit each other perfectly. They're both defective halves.
Exactly! Why would you want a young lord burdened with the label of illegitimate child? Someone like you could easily become the Grand Duchess!
Fine. Let's go to the Cartes Duchy.
Pardon? Why would we suddenly go there...?
The Duke should know what his only heir has been doing, don't you think? How dare he mess with House Nellian? Ha!
That day, Riena had been barefoot like a vagrant, hiding behind a wall like a thief.
How could she ever forget the overpowering perfume that stung her nose or the words Marilen had spat out?
Riena had been blind, but her hearing and sense of smell had worked perfectly well.
Marilen had often treated her as though she wasn't even there.
And now Riena was meeting her again like this.
Riena smacked her lips lightly and looked at her.
"I'm sorry. I spoke out of turn."
Marilen lowered her head with a flustered expression.
"I know you only said it because you were worried I might upset Father. So you don't need to apologize that much."
At that, Marilen looked at Riena with a deeply moved expression.
"Thank you. Truly, thank you!"
Riena answered her smile with a sharp one of her own.
I won't be fooled twice, Marilen.
Kanter secretly watched Riena while holding his breath, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
She's like an angel....
The garden was filled with warm sunlight and the fragrance of flowers.
Nobles were busy enjoying sunbathing and tea parties.
"Her Highness accomplished something remarkable this time."
"Indeed! Hahaha! Just look at it. She's only six years old, yet she hosted a tea party herself! His Majesty and Her Majesty must be so proud of her...!"
Count Heyrun wiped the corner of his eye, overcome with emotion, and smiled brightly.
Count Shilton, however, simply cleared his throat and raised his teacup.
"Indeed. Still... on such a pleasant Harvest Festival, leaving Lady Trinia confined like this...."
The moment he heard Trinia's name, Count Heyrun's smile vanished.
"As always, we should follow His Majesty's decision."
Count Heyrun casually lifted his teacup and pretended not to care.
Count Shilton sighed.
"That's true, but isn't she still the mother of the Empire's only prince? Leaving the prince's mother like this...."
"It means little. In the end, he's still only the son of a mistress."
Count Heyrun took a sip of his strong black tea, hiding his expression behind the cup.
Count Shilton chuckled as he watched him.
"I'm only saying this because Their Majesties have been married for years and there still hasn't been any news!"
"Her Highness the Imperial Princess is here. What use is a prince?"
"Do you really not understand what I'm saying? His Majesty wants an Imperial Prince!"
Count Heyrun irritably set down his cup.
He wasn't someone who lost his temper easily.
But once angered, he was the sort of man who would pursue the matter to the ends of the Empire.
Count Shilton realized too late that he had gone too far.
But it was already too late to stop him.
"Watch your words! Even if the heavens split in two, a prince cannot become an Imperial Prince! Even if Lady Trinia somehow became an Imperial Consort, her son still could not become an Imperial Prince! You should understand that much!"
