IWPU 51

Chapter 51

The Countess of Rustin harbored ill feelings toward the First Empress.
It wasn’t so obvious that it could be noticed at a glance, but for those who knew the nature of their relationship, it was easy to sense the deep rift between them.

True to her cautious nature, the Countess did not act recklessly, but her resentment toward the First Empress ran deep. The reason was that her younger brother had once been engaged to the First Empress, only to be cast aside.

The fiancé abandoned by the First Empress could not overcome the shock and chose to end his own life. A foolish choice, yes, but the aftermath was devastating. The Countess’s family lost their only heir, and eventually their house fell into the hands of a distant branch, leaving them virtually powerless.

To the Countess of Rustin, the First Empress was no different from a mortal enemy. Though she had not expressed it outwardly, she had been sharpening her blade against her for years. And when I became Empress, she finally drew that blade.

When an emperor passed away, it was customary for not only the new emperor’s brothers but also the former emperor’s concubines to leave the palace. Yet by convention, those who held the title of bi (consort) were permitted to remain.

Thus, even after the emperor’s death, the First Empress did not leave the palace. No one dared to oppose her continued presence. But then the Countess of Rustin stepped forward.

She cited ancient texts and law books as evidence to demand the expulsion of the First Empress. Even scholars lent their support. With such logical arguments and clear evidence, not even the First Empress could withstand the pressure. In the end, she had no choice but to leave the imperial palace.

There is a saying: “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” My confrontation with the First Empress was already an open declaration of enmity. And so, I extended my hand first to the Countess of Rustin.

It didn’t matter what she thought of me, nor did it matter much to her what sort of person I was. What was important was that we shared the same enemy.

As long as we had a common foe, we could form a bond. And as long as that bond existed, I was prepared to make full use of everything she had to offer.

I was confident she would take my hand—and I was right. The corners of her lips curved upward in a smile.

“As Lady Ellient says, when conversing in a gathering of many, it is basic etiquette to address your counterpart clearly.”

Her gaze left me and swept toward the noisy group of women. At her glance, their chatter instantly died down.

“There are, of course, those who fail to uphold even basic decorum, which leads to serious mistakes. How very unfortunate.”

The Countess’s eyes returned to me, soft wrinkles forming at their corners as she tilted her head ever so slightly, a gesture meant only for me to see. I also bowed my head in acknowledgment. Between us, a silent pact had just been sealed.

“To think that a young lady could understand etiquette so precisely, when even those well-versed in society often neglect it—I am impressed.”
“Indeed. Truly befitting a daughter of a noble house.”
“No wonder His Majesty the Emperor covets her as a daughter-in-law.”

The ladies seated near the Countess chimed in, their words aligning with hers. The once chilly atmosphere quickly warmed into one of favor.

“Thank you,” I said, placing a hand on my chest and inclining my head lightly toward the Countess and the noblewomen around her.

“My, what an impeccable bow!”
“It seems the young lady has been tutored by a very refined lady indeed.”

There was genuine admiration in the Countess’s eyes. She seemed truly surprised by my manners. Smiling faintly, I answered her praise:

“You flatter me. Compared to the Countess, I still fall short.”

I gave her a gentle smile. Her gaze grew more intrigued. Of course it did—every one of my actions had been modeled after hers.

She may have been seeing me for the first time today, but I had long known her. When I had just become Crown Princess, the Emperor had appointed the Countess of Rustin to instruct me in etiquette. Though the Emperor was always indulgent toward me, he was uncompromising when it came to basic refinement and manners.

I had no choice but to attend the Countess’s lessons for as long as the Emperor decreed. It was more than enough time to understand her conduct and character.

That was why I had been certain she would take my hand.

“Goodness, Lady Ellient is not only polite but also humble.”

Someone exclaimed. I couldn’t recall the exact house, but she belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction. Her words seemed to spark others, and soon those aligned with the Crown Prince were all singing my praises.

While their side grew lively, the nobles’ faction, including Bin, grew stiff-faced. Bin in particular glared at me, her expression twisted with venom.

Our eyes met. I lifted my fan to my lips as though idly covering them, then curled my lips upward where only she could see. It was an unmistakable sneer.

Bin’s glare grew darker, but I turned away and smiled sweetly at those praising me.

“I’ve merely learned the basics, nothing more. Yet you all praise me so—it makes me blush.”
“Basics are what matter most. Especially in matters of etiquette.”
“Indeed. To lack even basic refinement is hardly befitting of a noble.”

It seemed Bin had more enemies than I expected. Once the dam had cracked, words rushed out like a flood. Even some within the nobles’ faction subtly joined in.

Though no one mentioned her name, everyone knew perfectly well who was being referred to as lacking in basic refinement.

Bin’s face flushed bright red, burning with humiliation. Yet if she lashed out here, it would only prove the accusations true. She wasn’t so foolish as to do that—so she could only glare daggers at me in silence.

With the nobles’ faction silenced, the Crown Prince’s faction and the neutrals carried on a lively conversation. The advantage had already shifted to our side, and not even the First Empress could easily seize it back.

Though the atmosphere grew more amicable, most of the voices belonged to older noblewomen. The young ladies, newly come of age and still uncertain of proper manners, hesitated to join in, afraid of committing some breach of etiquette.

At present, the older women held sway over society. But with time, the silent young ladies watching anxiously from the sidelines would take their place. It was important to win their favor now.

“The Asteia family is based in the North, is it not?”

“Eh? Y-yes,” replied Revina, startled by my sudden question. Meeting her eyes, I spoke gently.

“I’ve heard the North is famed for its silks and embroidery. A friend of mine could not stop praising a silk she purchased from there. Why, even this gown I’m wearing was made from northern silk.”

I lifted my skirt just slightly, as if to show the fabric. But discreetly, I also revealed a glimpse of the embroidery within—visible only to her.

Every product from Luiacha bore a hidden clover motif. The gown I wore was no exception. A single delicate clover blossom, accompanied by initials, lay embroidered at the unseen hem of the skirt.

Revina’s eyes flickered as she caught sight of it. She stammered hesitantly:

“Um… excuse me…”

Her voice was barely a whisper, but I heard it clearly. Smiling kindly, I encouraged her, and perhaps reassured by my expression, she spoke a little louder than before:

“Is the dress you’re wearing… perhaps from Luiacha?”

Lately, Luiacha’s creations had taken the younger ladies by storm. Boldly flattering designs, dazzling colors, and a wide range of luxurious goods—all of it captured their fancy. Revina, it seemed, was no exception, her face flushed with excitement as she looked at me.

“Yes, it is the work of Madame Miela.”

Madame Miela was Luiacha’s head designer, responsible for dresses, shoes, accessories—the brand’s entire aesthetic.

Before joining Luiacha, she already had some reputation among noble ladies, but financial struggles had stifled her talent. It was Anasha who had drawn her into Luiacha, freeing her from those constraints. Unfettered, Miela’s creativity now blazed like never before.

“Wasn’t Madame Miela once a designer for Shangri-La?”

A noblewoman in her mid-twenties joined our conversation. In fact, not just she—nearly all the women nearby were watching us intently.

Truly, luxuries like dresses were a topic irresistible to women of any age.

“She now works with Luiacha. My coming-of-age gown was her creation as well.”

“Oh my! Now that you mention it, the gown and accessories Lady Ellient wore at her ceremony were all from Luiacha, weren’t they?”

A young lady exclaimed excitedly. Though she looked younger than I remembered, I knew her face. She belonged to the Crown Prince’s faction, a girl deeply interested in dresses and jewelry. Back when I was Crown Princess, she often lingered at my side, feeding her own desires by urging on my extravagance.