CHAPTER 10
After that garden scene, rumors spread even faster than before.
“The First Princess rejected the Second Princess’s apology…”
“She even humiliated her in public…”
I sighed as I watched Ilia pace nervously.
“But Princess, people are twisting the story! You didn’t humiliate her—you were calm and respectful!”
“I know.”
“Then why won’t you correct the rumors?”
I took a sip of tea and glanced at the window.
“Because it wouldn’t change anything.”
In this palace, truth rarely mattered. What mattered was who controlled the story.
And Evgeni had a head start.
That evening, a familiar figure visited my palace.
“Crown Prince Evgenius has requested an audience.”
Ilia panicked.
“The Crown Prince? Why would he come here?!”
“Because he’s curious.”
“…About what?”
I stood from my seat.
“About which one of us is the better liar.”
In the Drawing Room.
The Crown Prince sat with his legs crossed, sipping tea leisurely.
“You’re calmer than I expected, sister.”
I bowed politely. “Thank you for visiting, Your Highness.”
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Evgeni cried again this morning. She thinks you hate her.”
“I don’t hate her. I simply don’t trust her.”
He chuckled.
“You’re saying that as if she’s some sort of schemer.”
“She fainted right after accusing me in public. And then apologized right in front of noble witnesses. Was that all coincidence?”
“…And if it wasn’t?”
I met his gaze.
“Then I’d say she’s improving.”
There was a flicker of surprise in his expression.
“You’re not even denying it.”
“There’s no point. You wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
He leaned forward.
“Do you know why I came here, Ririen?”
“To warn me?”
“To offer you a choice.”
Now that was interesting.
He placed his teacup down.
“I don’t dislike you. In fact, I think you’re smarter than most of the nobility combined.”
“High praise, coming from you.”
“But Evgeni is beloved. She’s soft, gentle. People want to protect her. You… don’t inspire that same warmth.”
I smiled politely.
“I wasn’t raised to be soft.”
“Exactly. That’s why you should stop opposing her.”
“Is that a command?”
“No. It’s advice.”
He stood.
“If you continue down this path, you’ll make enemies you can’t fight alone.”
“I’ve always been alone.”
He studied me for a moment, then turned away.
“…Evgeni may be delicate, but she’s not weak.”
“I know.”
“You should remember that.”
With that, he left.
Later that night.
Myulin entered quietly with a letter.
“From the North, Princess.”
I took it with mild surprise.
The seal belonged to one of the northern dukes.
Opening it, I read the elegant script—and smiled.
“Well. That’s unexpected.”
Ilia peeked over.
“What is it?”
“A proposal.”
“…Marriage?!”
“No,” I said with a small laugh. “An alliance.”
The Duke of Avelant had heard the rumors.
And he was offering support.
