Chapter 31
However, contrary to Iana’s expectations, Princess Shulia the Second responded calmly.
“Ah, that… of course I know. The rumors only say that Lord Levant likes someone; there’s no word about whether that person likes him back.”
Fortunately, Princess Shulia the Second didn’t seem particularly concerned that Iana had no feelings for Levant.
Relieved, Iana finally lifted her head properly.
“Anyway, I’m really looking forward to the banquet Your Majesty will host at the Verdi Palace. Honestly, there haven’t been many banquets at the royal palace lately, so it’s a bit disappointing.”
“Then wouldn’t it be fine for the princess to host one herself?”
“Hmm… that may be true, but I tend to find hosting banquets bothersome. Of course, I do enjoy being invited to others’ events.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Azellina wanted to correct her gently, saying that she too dislikes the hassle, but she has no choice but to host one for your future safety from poisoning.
Suppressing the words threatening to spill from her lips, Azellina forced a smile.
“I’m really glad Your Majesty visited Aprilie Palace today.”
Princess Shulia the Second smiled radiantly.
In fact, before her reincarnation, Azellina hadn’t particularly liked Princess Shulia the Second. Rashid had been indifferent toward her, yet he was extremely kind to his two younger sisters.
Even if Iris, the First Princess, had left the palace after marriage, the recently engaged Princess Shulia the Second spent a lot of time with Rashid.
Azellina often saw them together while walking outside the palace.
Princess Shulia the Second would smile brightly and speak to Rashid, and he, though briefly, would respond gently.
Every time, Azellina felt jealousy and cursed Princess Shulia the Second silently. She felt that she, not Shulia, should have been there.
“If possible, I hope to become really close to Your Majesty in the future.”
Princess Shulia the Second added shyly.
Recalling past memories, Azellina nodded stiffly and greeted the princess as if nothing had happened.
The next day.
Azellina was exhausted from preparing for the banquet with Lady Shano again.
Meanwhile, Lady Shano was full of energy. She seemed more passionate than ever about adorning Azellina, giving her utmost attention.
“…This won’t do.”
Suddenly, Lady Shano muttered with resolve.
“Excuse me…?”
“Let’s start by choosing a new dress!”
“Ah, no… but you told me to wear the one we decided earlier…!”
Azellina was utterly shocked. Now she had to start from scratch with the dress?
Starting with a new dress meant that shoes, tiaras, and everything else would have to be reconsidered from the beginning.
“Quickly, Your Majesty. We should go to the atelier to pick a new dress.”
“Is that really necessary…? Couldn’t we just have the designer come to the palace?”
“The schedule is too tight to invite a famous designer to the palace, so we have to go to the atelier ourselves.”
Pressed by Lady Shano’s firm expression, Azellina hesitated but couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
Of course, Azellina knew nothing about this, so she would follow whatever Lady Shano suggested… but still, this was extreme.
“The Duchess asked me to speak up immediately if Your Majesty refuses…”
Yikes!
One of Azellina’s weaknesses: her mother’s nagging.
Seeing Lady Shano resort to the “final method” as if there were no other choice, Azellina broke into a cold sweat.
If even the Duchess got involved, it would be utter disaster.
“…Alright. Let’s go.”
And so, Azellina accompanied Lady Shano to the atelier of designer Briana.
Briana was a very famous designer, and her name was well-known. But this was Azellina’s first time visiting the atelier in person.
“Welcome… Oh, the Countess!”
Briana first recognized Lady Shano, a prominent figure in society, before noticing Azellina, the Empress.
After greeting Lady Shano warmly, Briana hurriedly bowed to Azellina.
“Ah… Your Majesty, the Empress.”
Azellina found Briana’s nervousness odd.
They were meeting for the first time—why was she so intimidated?
Upon reflection, Azellina realized that rumors about her might not have been entirely positive. She wasn’t known for having a good reputation anywhere.
Azellina, the cherished daughter of the ducal family, had seen countless famous designers since childhood. By now, she had grown indifferent to most dresses.
Unless a designer was truly exceptional, she would often send them away. Apparently, these stories had been exaggerated and spread around.
For example, if the Empress disliked a dress, she would allegedly slap the designer and dismiss them immediately.
“Briana must know that there will soon be a banquet at the palace, right? We’ve come to see the dress Your Majesty will wear.”
Lady Shano quickly diverted the conversation to calm Briana.
Relieved, Briana smiled at Lady Shano.
Azellina trusted Lady Shano’s taste more than her own and left all decisions to her. Besides, if Azellina stayed with her, Briana would surely be distracted.
Azellina decided to tour the atelier while the consultation proceeded.
The atelier was vast, displaying not only dresses but also brooches, headpieces, gloves, and more.
“Oh my.”
A familiar voice came from behind.
Azellina turned her head.
“I didn’t expect to see Her Majesty the Empress here.”
It was Clayta, likely here to pick a dress for the banquet after receiving an invitation from Azellina.
“…Ah! Hello.”
Don’t panic, Azellina.
She wanted to grab Clayta’s hair for being so brazen, but restrained herself.
Clayta must have known Azellina wasn’t pleased with the Lankea Count household incident…
Yet this was a famous designer’s atelier, full of witnesses. Any scandal could ruin Azellina’s carefully maintained image.
Composing herself, Azellina forced a gentle smile, reminiscent of Princess Shulia the Second’s charming expression.
“I didn’t expect to see Miss Bellisive here. Are you feeling better?”
“After a few days’ rest, I’m much better.”
“That’s really good to hear.”
Soon, Lady Shano finished her consultation with Briana and showed Azellina sketches of the dress design.
The sleeves had excessive lace, and the puff sleeves looked large, but Azellina trusted Lady Shano’s judgment and nodded.
“It might be completed a bit late, but it will still be ready by the day of the banquet, so don’t worry too much…”
Briana, even more nervous than before, tried to reassure Azellina.
This was all due to Lady Shano’s insistence on starting from scratch. The dress had to arrive before other accessories could be coordinated, and the time was tight.
Meanwhile, as Azellina and Briana went inside for measurements, Clayta revealed her true colors.
“Is she really so oblivious…?”
Or was she treating me as an enemy?
Previously, when Clayta teamed up with other young ladies to humiliate Azellina, Azellina would rage and wreak havoc during tea time.
Clayta had enjoyed provoking Azellina more than any other young lady.
Of course, as a marquis’s daughter, Clayta had the social rank to act boldly against Azellina, even before she became Empress.
But Clayta had Princess Shulia the Second as a protector.
She thought she could avoid punishment in the palace, and she was right.
Then, rumors spread that Azellina had suddenly changed.
At first, Clayta didn’t believe it. People don’t change easily.
But after meeting the transformed Azellina, Clayta was shocked.
Since that day, Clayta tried to provoke her several times but was met with calm, unexpected reactions, leaving her embarrassed.
Frustrated, she vowed to teach Azellina a lesson at the Lankea Count household—but she failed miserably.
Then, Azellina boldly invited Clayta to the palace banquet, mocking her openly.
Clayta had no idea Azellina was simply obeying her mother and sending invitations to all young ladies nearby.
‘And she even… laughs at me openly?!’
Clayta was furious at seeing that mocking face in the atelier but had to smile back gracefully.
What Clayta didn’t know was that Azellina’s smile was forced to prevent rumors from spreading.
