Chapter 136
“What nonsense is this supposed to be?”
The claim that Angelica had killed two young ladies was so absurd and shocking that my voice rose without meaning to.
“Angelica would never do such a thing. Both of them were reported to have died in accidents from the very beginning—so how could such a rumor even start?”
“They say it’s because those two ladies, together with Viscountess Huizet’s daughter, bullied Lady Werner for so long. In the end, only Lady Huizet received any real punishment. That’s why rumors spread that Lady Werner took revenge on the remaining two.”
“Yes, Angelica certainly didn’t have good feelings toward them, but hatred? I doubt it. Even if she did resent them, she would never resolve her feelings through something like that.”
“I feel the same way. But given the current situation, the person with the deepest grudge against those two was Lady Werner. People saw them clash more than once, so the story sounds more convincing to them.”
“Hmm…”
Angelica and the three young ladies—Lady Huizet, Lady Tiven, and Lady Ayle. Now that Alexandra mentioned it, I realized the four of them had been entangled far more often than I had thought.
Back at Alexandra’s very first tea party with Angelica, then again during the incident with the necklace gifted by Rayel, the engagement rumors, and even the Werner family’s product launch—those girls had inserted themselves at least once into each of those events.
Lady Huizet was the ringleader who tormented Angelica in countless ways. Lady Tiven had started the rumor about receiving a necklace from Rayel, sparking talk of an engagement. And Lady Ayle supported them both, spreading gossip and slander, and meddling in everything.
Lady Huizet was punished in full accordance with the law. The other two weren’t officially punished, but they still suffered significant blows. I can’t imagine Angelica wanted anything more than that.
Though all three young ladies were undeniably connected to Angelica through bad blood, her character was not one to harbor grudges so deep that she’d disguise revenge as an accident.
So why had this rumor suddenly spread?
The deaths of Lady Tiven and Lady Ayle weren’t, in themselves, such great scandals. That two noble ladies died in accidents in succession was unusual, yes, but nothing more.
Still, why was Angelica singled out as the supposed culprit? Why now, of all times?
Something about it felt deeply wrong. While I was lost in thought, Alexandra spoke again.
“In any case, I’m worried. If Lady Werner’s reputation suffers because of this, it could create problems for her marriage with my brother.”
Her heavy sigh made something click inside me.
“That’s it.”
“What?”
“The reason Angelica is being accused right now. Someone is trying to sabotage her marriage to His Majesty.”
“Ah…! You mean they want to ruin her reputation so she can’t marry my brother?”
“Exactly. And the timing is just too perfect.”
It hadn’t been long since her relationship with Rayel became known, and the official wedding date was about to be announced. In society, everyone already treated the marriage as a foregone conclusion. If anyone wanted to interfere, now was the only chance.
Alexandra frowned, her face grave.
“But who would do such a thing? Even among the Emperor’s faction, there hasn’t been any major opposition…”
“Alexandra, where and when did you hear this rumor? Do you know where it came from?”
The first step was to trace how, where, and through whom the rumor spread. Only then could it be solved. If anyone would know, it was her.
But she shook her head.
“I heard it at a gathering not long ago. I don’t know the exact source.”
“Then wasn’t there at least someone who first brought it up at that gathering?”
“There was. One of the young ladies from the Emperor’s faction. But she said she had heard it elsewhere. Honestly, it might have been fabricated by her. She could have been the one who spread it. The rumor spread quickly after that gathering.”
“Then that does sound likely. Do you remember who she was?”
“I’m not entirely sure since I didn’t know her well, but… I think it was the daughter of Count Cliff.”
“Count Cliff’s daughter…”
I didn’t know her either. I rarely interacted with the Emperor’s faction’s young ladies. If even Alexandra wasn’t sure, she must not have been a very active figure in society.
“Sorry, Tiana. I’ve been swamped with work lately and haven’t had the time or presence of mind to investigate further.”
“That’s fine, Alexandra. I know you’ve been busy. Still, if even you don’t know her well, she must not attend society often, right?”
“Probably. I recognize her face, but I’ve only seen her at a handful of the parties I’ve attended.”
Frowning, Alexandra seemed to be digging through her memory.
“In fact, I hadn’t even planned to attend this last gathering. But I had promised long ago that I would, so I forced myself to go. Even though I barely had time to finish my dresses.”
“I see. Well, it’s a good thing you went. Otherwise, I would’ve heard this rumor much later.”
“You would have heard it soon enough anyway. It’s spreading like wildfire. Still, I’m glad I went. Because of it, I decided to remake the dress.”
“Isn’t that a bad thing? You mentioned starting over. Don’t tell me this was the reason?”
“Yes.”
She confirmed it, her eyes narrowing in irritation.
“Because it’s infuriating! To paint Lady Werner as such a cruel, senseless woman—it has to be someone jealous of her or coveting the Empress’s seat. Maybe even more than one person.”
“Most likely.”
“I know Lady Werner well enough. She would never do such a thing. Hearing the rumor made me so angry. That’s why I’ll make her an even more beautiful dress than the one I originally designed—so she can stand prouder than ever.”
Her eyes gleamed brightly, undimmed despite the dark shadows of exhaustion beneath them.
“I’ll be cheering for you. Thank you, Alexandra. If there’s anything I can do to help, just tell me.”
“I will. Ah, should we tell my brother about this?”
“We should. Though honestly, he may already know.”
Rayel was better informed than Alexandra—his position as Emperor gave him access to every piece of political and social intelligence. It was likely the rumor had already reached his ears.
“Still, we ought to mention it. Since he plans to announce the wedding date soon, the sooner we speak to him, the better…”
I wanted to see him right away, but meeting Rayel alone made me uneasy. If Lucius had been here, I could have asked for an audience with no problem. But he had gone back earlier.
It wasn’t the best situation, but regardless, this was something that needed to be addressed in person. Still, I hesitated.
Perhaps noticing my reluctance, Alexandra suddenly jumped up.
“Let’s go, Tiana! To my brother!”
“What? R-right now?”
“Of course! These things must be dealt with immediately. He’s probably strolling in the garden he often visits.”
“But can we just go like this? I haven’t even requested an audience…”
“It’s fine. He has no meetings this afternoon, so he’ll be free. Let’s go and tell him now.”
“Hmm… alright.”
In the end, I gave in to her insistence and rose to my feet. Somehow, I was suddenly on my way to meet Rayel. Without Lucius by my side, it was my first time doing so, and I couldn’t help feeling nervous.
Before leaving, I quickly smoothed the crumpled hem of my dress and tidied my loose hair. Once ready, Alexandra smiled, took my arm, and led me out of the workshop.
We left the Princess’s Palace and walked to the Emperor’s Palace, which stood a short distance away. With Alexandra linked at my arm, we drew eyes wherever we went.
Most onlookers were just palace servants, but occasionally we passed nobles, each one staring curiously at the two of us together.
Alexandra either didn’t notice or chose to ignore them, keeping her gaze fixed straight ahead with a calm face.
After about ten minutes, the Emperor’s Palace came into view, towering at twice the size of the Princess’s Palace. As we approached the entrance, one of the guards started in surprise.
“Your Grace, Your Highness! What brings you here?”
“We have urgent business with His Majesty. Is he inside?”
Her face, which had been all smiles, instantly shifted into a mask of dignity as she addressed the guard in a voice far more formal than usual.
“Yes, he is. I’ll fetch the chamberlain at once. Please wait a moment.”
“Very well.”
The guard bowed and hurried inside, clearly flustered.
Watching Alexandra’s face relax again as soon as he was gone, I commented, “You act so differently.”
“Not at all. I’m always the same ‘dignified, graceful’ princess,” she replied with mock seriousness.
“That’s not true…”
Her usual self was lively, even playful. I shot her a look, and she only laughed, her eyes glinting.
“This is how I present myself to the servants. Please, help me maintain the illusion.”
She disentangled her arm and straightened her posture. Watching her put on such a performance before the guard returned was both amusing and a little ridiculous.
I was about to tell her “Alright, alright” when the doors suddenly opened, and someone stepped out.
“…Brother?”
