Chapter 32
The Day of the Banquet, Dressing Room.
It was only on the morning of the banquet that Azelina finally had a chance to try on the dress.
From Azelina’s point of view, the dress ordered by Madame Shano didn’t look much different from the one she had previously selected.
However, considering how busy she was, Azelina decided to stay silent, thinking that if she said anything, Madame Shano would likely start lecturing her.
“You look absolutely stunning, oh ho ho.”
Madame Shano, pleased, expressed her satisfaction, delighted by the idea of putting the noses of the noble ladies who had looked down on Azelina in their place.
The appearance of the Verdi Palace today was far more splendid than any banquet the other noble ladies had thrown. The effort put into preparing for the banquet, often forced by her mother’s pressures, had finally paid off.
In society, it was common to host a more extravagant banquet to subtly exact revenge if something unpleasant happened at a previous one.
However, Azelina didn’t feel any desire for revenge, even if she had been humiliated at a banquet.
While she didn’t take the humiliation lightly, what mattered more was befriending the noble ladies, as that was the only way to avoid death a year later.
“Wow…! As expected, Madame Shano’s taste is exceptional.”
When Iana expressed her admiration, Madame Shano beamed with pleasure.
Azelina stood stiffly in front of the mirror, then practiced the smile of Princess Shulria II that she had mimicked earlier. She felt that it looked far better than the awkward smile she had been trying to perfect until now.
Soon, a servant quietly entered the dressing room and informed Azelina that most of the noble ladies had already gathered.
Azelina entered the banquet hall with Madame Shano and Iana by her side.
A large number of noble ladies, who could not refuse an invitation from the Empress, were gathered, enjoying the banquet.
At first glance, they appeared to be enjoying the banquet comfortably, but upon closer inspection, Azelina could clearly sense their wariness towards her.
“Your Majesty, it’s a pleasure to meet you…!”
Romantica, upon spotting Azelina, brightened up and hurriedly came to greet her.
Before Azelina could respond, Romantica suddenly put on a sorrowful face.
“I’m truly sorry for canceling the dinner promise we made at the Count’s residence…”
Romantica, with her hands politely clasped and head lowered, seemed to genuinely regret the matter.
Azelina calmly responded, mimicking Princess Shulria II’s smile.
“It’s alright. Given the circumstances, it couldn’t be helped. It wasn’t your fault, so don’t worry.”
“Oh, really…!”
Romantica looked at Azelina with sparkling eyes, seeming somewhat touched.
Although more people around her had begun to express some fondness for Azelina lately, she still wasn’t used to such heavy stares.
After exchanging pleasantries with Romantica, Azelina casually walked around the banquet hall, greeting other noble ladies as well.
The splendid banquet hall was clearly the result of the servants’ diligent efforts.
At that moment, someone stopped in front of Azelina.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. I’m Cecil Valencia of the House of Count Valencia.”
It was Cecil Valencia, a noble lady she often saw at tea parties.
When Cecil greeted her, Azelina was about to respond, but Cecil, without waiting for her reply, immediately spoke up.
“You seem quite pleased.”
Her tone was sharp, filled with a noticeable edge.
However, Azelina didn’t flinch and maintained the role of the ‘gentle and kind Empress’ as she addressed Cecil.
“What do you mean, Lady Valencia?”
“Actually, something unpleasant happened with Your Majesty before. But looking at you now, you seem to be in a good mood, which is a relief. Well… I could call it shameless, but I do admire that aspect of yours.”
‘…Don’t be flustered, Azelina.’
Though she almost asked what that meant, Azelina’s patience allowed her to avoid making a mistake.
Still smiling, Azelina pretended not to understand and replied casually.
“Thank you for your concern.”
Cecil had often made subtle remarks about Azelina being an incompetent Empress with nothing to her name other than her family. This made their relationship rather hostile.
There was, in fact, a reason why Azelina was especially sensitive to Cecil’s remarks.
The only reason Rashid had brought her into the palace was because the House of Lartis was a family of distinguished officials, and even then, he had only made her Empress consort, a secondary position.
Thus, Azelina disliked being called an incompetent Empress, especially by someone like Cecil, who never missed an opportunity to make such comments. It was no surprise they had a strained relationship.
On the other hand, Cecil was caught off guard by Azelina’s calm words.
Though she had confidently mocked Azelina as usual, she was prepared for some kind of retaliation.
The position of a noble lady from the House of Count Valencia was not something to be disregarded.
But her counterpart, Azelina, was the daughter of a renowned Duke, who had everything she could desire, and was the Duke’s treasured jewel.
Thus, whenever Azelina responded to her jabs, Cecil could say nothing in return, and their encounters always ended in that manner—without a word of defense.
Unexpectedly, hearing the rumors that the Empress had changed, Cecil was left speechless.
“Lady Valencia, is there anything you need?”
“…What?”
“I noticed you’ve been silent.”
Finally, Cecil came to her senses and blushed, realizing she had been caught off guard.
For the past few days, she had been scheming on how to humiliate Azelina.
Yet, facing a different version of Azelina, she found herself at a loss for words.
“It’s nothing.”
Azelina, with a natural smile, said goodbye.
“Well, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening, Lady Valencia.”
“You should pray that this divine banquet remains a pleasant one, Your Majesty.”
With Cecil revealing her true nature, Iana, standing beside Azelina, couldn’t help but frown.
Cecil turned her back and walked off briskly, but then, she paused for a moment.
‘…Do I look that ridiculous?’
For a brief second, Cecil wondered but quickly shook off the thought, resolving to keep her composure.
After all, it was natural to despise the Empress who had once insulted her so openly.
After parting ways with Cecil, Annaide approached Azelina.
“You’ve really thrown an extravagant banquet.”
Annaide was dressed in a gown embroidered with garnet threads, matching the color of her cherry-red lips.
“Not at all,” Azelina replied.
“The scale of the banquet seems to indicate you’ve invited many, though I assume you’ve invited noble ladies with whom you’re on good terms, but… surely Your Majesty doesn’t mind inviting anyone without regard to personal relationships.”
Annaide spoke with a sneer, unable to hide her mockery.
Azelina stood still, dumbfounded by Annaide’s words.
Seeing Azelina’s speechless reaction, Annaide burst out laughing.
However, Azelina quickly responded, not letting the moment slip away.
“Then I suppose it would be nice if Lady Austin could befriend me.”
“…What?”
“Lady Austin is known for her kind heart, and I believe she’ll want to befriend me.”
“….”
Despite feeling slightly defeated, Annaide found Azelina’s response so poised and believable that she couldn’t even get angry or criticize her.
It wasn’t just that. Annaide found herself wondering if she had gone too far.
This was how most encounters with the noble ladies at the banquet ended, with a similar tone.
‘Fortunately, it seems the banquet is wrapping up smoothly.’
Contrary to her worries, greeting the noble ladies as the hostess wasn’t as difficult as she had imagined. No matter what they said, Azelina simply had to respond, “I see.”
With a graceful smile, Azelina nodded to Lady Austin and turned her steps away.
After finishing her greetings with the guests, Azelina walked the banquet hall with Madame Shano.
Along the way, Madame Shano casually commented on the dresses and expressions of the noble ladies, things that Azelina hadn’t particularly cared about.
It seemed like a job hazard for Madame Shano, who had introduced so many noble ladies to society.
“Lady Aer is still inexperienced in socializing, but she’s very active. Often, such enthusiasm leads to mistakes, but Lady Aer has such a good nature that it’s hard to say if she’ll make a mistake.”
“Mm, her personality does seem lively and pleasant.”
Azelina recalled Romantica, who had shyly smiled and gazed at her earlier. She was indeed a lovable noble lady.
“Lady Valencia seems harsh at first glance, but once you get to know her, you’ll find she’s very tender-hearted. That’s why Princess Shulria II takes special care of her.”
Azelina absentmindedly nodded. Despite how sharp Valencia had looked earlier, perhaps she really was a tender-hearted person.
Madame Shano’s chatter continued, and Azelina started to lose focus.
But then, Madame Shano mentioned Cleita.
“Lady Velisiv is closest to Princess Shulria II. While her family is prestigious and full of esteemed officials, she tends to treat other noble ladies as inferiors because of her closeness to the princess.”
Azelina, who had been zoning out, immediately perked up upon hearing Cleita’s name.
Cleita was the one who had tried the hardest to prove Azelina guilty of the accusations regarding Princess Shulria II’s death.
Without having time to mourn her close friend’s death, Cleita had jumped at the chance to accuse Azelina, creating false evidence.
Had Cleita not been the first to inflate the accusations against Azelina, her life might not have ended so abruptly.
“Hmm…?”
Just as her gaze met Cleita’s, Azelina flashed a smile.
Cleita, in response, raised one corner of her mouth slightly, almost as if mocking her.
