Chapter 29
“Do you really think this makes sense?”
Azellina scoffed, utterly bewildered.
But Rashid still seemed convinced that his suspicion was correct.
“Even during the Foundation Day celebration, didn’t you just drag busy people along for no reason?”
“……”
Anger and frustration left her momentarily speechless.
Rashid wasn’t usually the kind to jump to misunderstandings like this, so it was puzzling why he kept acting this way ever since Azellina had changed.
Alright, I’ll hold back. I’ll hold back.
That day, Lady Chano came to visit Azellina.
Azellina found it odd that Lady Chano would visit the palace, but she assumed her proactive mother had likely given her a heads-up beforehand.
“Yes, hosting a banquet yourself isn’t a bad idea. Iana spoke very well on your behalf.”
Lady Chano was overjoyed upon hearing that Azellina would personally host the banquet at the palace.
Azellina remembered the Duchess’s advice on organizing banquets and felt completely drained just thinking about it. The Duchess had made such a fuss over it.
“Wear the dress you were going to wear at the Aer Count’s event. You’ll probably shine the brightest among the young ladies attending.”
Lady Chano smiled confidently, then let out a sly chuckle, muttering about making the banquet as grand as possible to humble the young ladies who had underestimated Azellina.
“I’m planning to hold the banquet at Verdi Palace. I’d like you to help with that part. The palace has been empty for years, so we’ll need to start with cleaning.”
“Of course. Since the request comes from the beloved Duchess, I’ll do my utmost to assist Your Majesty.”
Lady Chano nodded leisurely.
Azellina felt relieved—having Lady Chano there seemed to instantly reduce the workload.
“Oh, have you finished the invitations?”
“No, I haven’t even written one yet.”
“My goodness. Since this banquet is at the palace, invitations should be sent at least two weeks in advance. Start writing them now, and I’ll guide you.”
It seemed that Lady Chano’s efficiency rivaled that of the Duchess herself.
Though her smile was gentle, there was a sharpness in her eyes, and Azellina eventually began drafting the invitations.
Although she didn’t want to invite the young ladies she didn’t get along with, the Duchess had instructed her to invite as many as possible.
The second invitation she wrote was for Clayta.
“To the Lady Marquess Bellisive…” Azellina hesitated.
Inviting Clayta—of all people—was nerve-wracking.
“Our relationship is already strained from the last incident. Is it really okay to invite her?”
Azellina’s intent was simple: she wanted to socialize with many young ladies, and the Duchess had insisted she invite Clayta.
But Clayta might perceive it as Azellina shamelessly inviting her.
“…Well, I am the Queen. Who would dare refuse an invitation? Even out of politeness, she won’t turn it down.”
Having practiced extensively with her aunt as a child, the format for writing invitations came naturally to her hand.
Lady Chano reviewed the invitation and smiled approvingly without a word of correction.
Azellina’s wrist ached from the prolonged writing.
Though it seemed like something the maids could handle, her aunt’s teachings on banquet etiquette insisted on personal effort, so she persisted.
Meanwhile, Iana went to Verdi Palace a few days later to arrange the staff for the banquet.
“Lady Iana!”
“Ah… really…”
She had anticipated some difficulties while passing near Aprilly Palace on her way to Verdi Palace.
But hearing Lebain running from afar made her sigh involuntarily.
“So you came, after all.”
It seemed Lebain misunderstood, thinking Iana had come because of something he had said earlier.
“Whether Lady Iana looks my way or not, I will always wait for you, Lady Iana.”
Iana wanted to clarify that she was merely passing by to prepare for the banquet.
However, seeing Lebain’s expression, she knew that saying so would leave him sorrowful all day, so she held back.
“Lady Iana… are you really not willing to give me a chance?”
Iana didn’t reply and instead gave him a nonchalant look.
Lebain’s face fell, resembling a whining puppy, which made Iana unexpectedly uneasy.
“Lady Iana, it seems you still have no intention of returning my feelings. But don’t worry—I will wait by your side my whole life, believing that one day you will see me.”
If she continued not responding, the conversation would never end. It was like going in circles.
Iana finally sighed deeply and spoke softly.
“Um, sorry, but…”
“Lady Iana, there’s nothing for you to apologize for. No matter what happens, I will wait only for you.”
“…Anyway, I’m busy preparing for the banquet now, so if it’s not urgent, please tell me later.”
Thanks to Iana’s calm tone, Lebain didn’t react with the teary expression she had expected.
“Oh, so Your Majesty is holding a banquet?”
“Yes. Somehow it just came to be.”
“Then I’ll get to see Lady Iana one more time.”
Lebain said cheerfully, making Iana tilt her head in confusion.
“…Pardon?”
“Because the Second Princess is so interested in social events.”
…Ah, now that she thought about it, that made sense.
Lebain seemed to plan on being with Iana on the day of the banquet.
But for Iana, ensuring Azellina’s needs were attended to was far more important.
She resolved to avoid Lebain as much as possible.
“Anyway, I’m busy, so I’ll be off now.”
Iana bowed and hurried toward Verdi Palace.
Lebain hesitated. He wanted to see Iana a little longer but didn’t want to inconvenience her.
After pondering, he let her go but called out loudly:
“Lady Iana, if you ever need my help or want to see me, come to Aprilly Palace anytime! Or summon me! If you call, I will drop everything—even on duty—and rush to you!”
…Is this what a royal guard knight should be saying?
Iana just stared at him in disbelief. If the Second Princess Shulia had heard this, she would have been shocked.
Lebain waved cheerfully like a small puppy running under the sun.
Avoiding his intense gaze, Iana ran straight to Verdi Palace.
“…So, I think we’ll need more items to decorate the banquet hall.”
Iana said this after arriving at Verdi Palace.
Azellina was trying on dresses with Lady Chano, choosing shoes and headpieces to match.
“You’re later than expected. Did something happen?”
Azellina tilted her head in curiosity.
But Iana hesitated and said nothing.
Seeing Iana acting like she was hiding something, Azellina wondered what could have happened.
Then, a knowing smile appeared on her face.
“Could it be… you met Sir Lavant?”
“……”
“Now that I think about it, you have to pass Aprilly Palace to get to Verdi Palace.”
Iana’s reaction confirmed Azellina’s guess. She smirked subtly.
“Hoho, Sir Lavant… you mean the second son of the Lavant Count, right? I’ve heard rumors that he likes the only daughter of Marquis Rasahal. But I never thought it would be true.”
“…Rumors are already spreading…!”
Iana was shocked at Lady Chano’s words.
Well, it’s not surprising. He’s openly fond of her.
Sir Lavant, the second son of the Lavant Count and a genius swordsman, was already the center of public attention. Rumors about his affection for Iana would naturally spread quickly.
Iana sighed deeply. The palace was full of maids who loved gossip—it was a problem.
“Lady Iana, may I give you some advice?”
Lady Chano asked, and Iana reluctantly nodded.
“You should not believe a man’s words of love easily. And since you’re still young and inexperienced, you must be even more cautious. Don’t be swayed by words of love without understanding the situation.”
Azellina immediately shook her head in protest.
“That’s not true. I’ve seen it up close—Sir Lavant’s gaze was sincere.”
Lady Chano shook her head this time.
“I can assure you, I know much more about these matters than Your Majesty.”
Lady Chano was a major figure in the social world.
Azellina couldn’t argue against a woman of such experience. She fell silent, and Lady Chano smiled lightly, victorious.
“…Your Majesty?”
Iana, the subject of their chatter, felt extremely awkward as the two of them argued loudly.
Finally, Azellina turned to Iana.
“Since we’ll need more items to decorate the banquet hall, may I ask what else should be placed?”
“Hmm… yes.”
After thinking for a while, Azellina smiled subtly.
“I’ll step out of the palace briefly.”
“Out?”
Iana asked curiously.
“Yes.”
Azellina remembered Lesha Merchant Guild and decided to buy the necessary items for the banquet there.
