CHAPTER 166……………………………………………………….
Since that day, I had deliberately avoided running into Lloyd.
I even made a point of publicly accepting Gabriel’s invitation, just to make it obvious.
If it weren’t for Lloyd, this would have been the most exciting day of the week—going to the Empress’s palace.
Leona curled up inside the carriage.
“…Honestly, what he said wasn’t wrong.”
Even though Mars probably knew her true identity, he left her alone because there wasn’t yet any proof that Leona was Minerva’s biological daughter.
Without any evidence or reason, it would be very difficult, even for the royal family, to interfere with a noblewoman—especially the daughter of a Grand Duke family where Priscilla still held influence.
But if Gabriel gradually let his guard down, there would come a time when he might speak carelessly without realizing it.
She was careful not to provoke that, but she couldn’t be certain it wouldn’t happen.
The only reason Leona could treat Gabriel comfortably right now was her assumption that he seemed favorable toward Minerva, and the sense of kinship she felt from him.
Of course, Gabriel genuinely seemed to harbor considerable goodwill toward Minerva.
Although he always smiled, his expression changed when he spoke Minerva’s name, revealing a sincerity otherwise hidden.
But if that was all an act…
“I hope it’s not an act.”
Since she became the Grand Princess, he was the first person to treat her warmly and show interest in her.
She finally had someone with whom she could share a cup of tea while thinking of the same person.
Leona buried her face in her lap and wished:
“…I hope Gabriel wasn’t involved in my mother’s death.”
Even if Gabriel had orchestrated Minerva’s confinement, she hoped he had not intended her death.
She wished it had been Mars’s plan alone that led to losing Minerva.
She hoped Gabriel had considered Minerva a friend to the end.
Since Leona already thought of Gabriel as a friend, she earnestly hoped they would never have to raise swords against each other.
“Today… maybe I’ll test the waters a little.”
She would mention the deceased princess just a little.
Pretend it had nothing to do with her.
Pretend to be merely curious about the princess who resembled her so closely.
If Gabriel said it wasn’t him, Leona would gladly believe him.
But if it was… what would she do?
Leona arrived at the Empress’s palace with a complicated heart.
Yet Gabriel, who always came to greet her, was nowhere to be seen.
Feeling both curiosity and unease, Leona slowly made her way to the rose garden.
Gabriel, standing with his back to the garden entrance, turned upon hearing footsteps and gave her a gentle smile.
“Ah, Grand Princess. You’ve arrived.”
Even though he greeted her as warmly as always, Leona frowned.
There was an unexpected guest in the garden, which had always been just the two of them.
She wasn’t the only one invited to today’s tea party.
A girl appeared behind Gabriel.
“Ah, Grand Princess.”
Silvery hair that shimmered, eyes as clear as the sky. A girl who gave a good impression at first sight.
“Nice to meet you, Grand Princess. I’m Ayla Wolfgang.”
Ayla Wolfgang approached Leona with a shy, yet lovely smile, looking both nervous and bashful.
Just Ayla’s presence at the tea party changed a lot.
And none of those changes pleased Leona.
First, the tea that usually appeared was gone.
The sweets were ordinary things like cakes, tarts, and chocolates, making Leona lose her appetite.
In contrast, Ayla seemed to have ordinary tastes and couldn’t hide her excitement, marveling at the aroma of the tea and the flavor of the treats.
“This is the most delicious cake I’ve ever had, Your Majesty. And the tea aroma… it’s the best I’ve ever experienced.”
“Oh my. Does Cassius not serve such things even when hosting a young lady? How unfair. I’ll make a note of it later.”
“Oh, no! That’s not it!”
“Hehe, just a joke. My taste is pickier than Cassius’s. Take it easy.”
While Leona pretended to sip her tea, the two of them chatted happily.
Judging by how quickly Gabriel’s teacup emptied, he didn’t seem unable to drink black tea at all.
A brief lull came in the conversation.
During that pause, both of them looked at Leona.
There were three people, yet it felt like only two had been talking all this time.
Seeing that Leona’s expression was displeased, Ayla quickly set down her cup and exclaimed.
“Grand Princess, you look unwell. Are you feeling sick?”
“Oh? Is the tea not to your liking?”
Gabriel also asked with concern, but Leona felt nothing but betrayal.
Even though he knew it wasn’t the tea.
Why did he bring her here without saying anything? This tea party had always been just Leona and Gabriel.
Today, especially, she had wanted only the two of them. She had important questions to ask.
But now, it was all ruined because of her.
Even if Gabriel looked kindly upon her, she couldn’t say everything she wanted or show how upset she was.
No matter how friendly he was, he was still the Empress.
Leona smiled lightly and shook her head.
“No, it’s nothing. I just felt a little uneasy because I forgot that Lady Wolfgang was attending today’s tea party.”
“Oh, that’s not your fault, Grand Princess. I happened to summon her while visiting Cassius. They’re of similar age and might become good friends. I’m sorry I didn’t mention it beforehand.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Gabriel furrowed his brows and took Leona’s hand.
Since the Empress had bent herself in such courtesy, there was nothing more the Grand Princess could say, so Leona quietly withdrew her hand and simply smiled.
The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.
Especially for Ayla, who seemed nervous and out of place.
Gabriel changed the subject to lighten the mood.
“By the way, you two attended the same academy and performed the debutante ball together. Had you met before?”
“Ah…”
Ayla blushed shyly and glanced at Leona before replying softly.
“Actually, I heard a lot about the Grand Princess when I transferred to the academy. It’s an honor to be in the same place with you now.”
“…I’ve also heard a lot about Lady Wolfgang.”
Ayla’s transfer to Povace Academy, her orphan background, and her becoming Cassius’s partner—there wasn’t a single topic that wasn’t noteworthy.
At first, some students had assumed Leona would dislike Ayla and belittled her.
But now, the situation had changed.
Those students had initially tried merely to curry favor with Leona, but now they acted with outright malice.
An orphaned girl alone had performed the debutante ball magnificently. Others, ignored and reduced to a shadowy presence, had their own efforts ruined.
Though Cassius’s presence prevented direct harassment, malicious rumors spread relentlessly.
Even if people outwardly treated her well, they might secretly make her life difficult.
Leona knew this but did not intervene.
At that time, she was busy being summoned to Gabriel’s tea parties, so she had no time to care.
Though Ayla must have known the rumors about her at the academy weren’t flattering, she responded with a visibly bright smile.
“Really? I’m honored!”
“….”
Leona was speechless at Ayla’s bright, unshadowed smile.
Was it infuriating, or just foolish?
