Chapter 46
“How can you be so sure?”
“You know as well as anyone that a noble’s marriage must be approved by His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Of course I know. But what if His Majesty, in an effort to keep House Verdi in check, approves a marriage with the royal family?”
Archibald Verdi himself might not be interested in central power, but he was still a highly influential noble. Though the neutral faction had collapsed and its members scattered, there was always the potential for them to rally around him.
The Emperor remained vigilant against such a possibility.
If the Emperor deemed it a chance to plant a loyal servant within House Verdi, he might approve it without hesitation.
“What infuriates me even more is that of all people, she chose that bastard from Lerazier. Out of all the men she could’ve picked, why him?”
“For Calliope Verdi, that was likely the best option.”
“Excuse me?”
Lucius looked confused, and Tanesia smiled faintly.
“Do you really think a clever woman like her would truly choose the seventh prince as a husband? A man who would bring no benefit to her house and instead be a burden?”
Tanesia pulled her red-painted lips into a smirk.
“She’s probably just using the seventh prince as a temporary shield until she finds her real husband.”
Only then did color return to Lucius’s face.
“So that’s it. I knew it. You’re right, Mother. There’s no way a woman like Calliope Verdi would actually choose someone like Lerazier.”
“Exactly. She’s always been picky and has high standards, so she’ll choose carefully. And because of that…”
“We must seize the opportunity and thoroughly break her spirit.”
“My dear son, you see things quite clearly.”
Tanesia smiled in satisfaction. She and Lucius needed Calliope Verdi.
The name of House Verdi, the elite military forces under the Border Duke, and Calliope’s own magical power—there were plenty of reasons to covet her.
But just because she was valuable didn’t mean they planned to treat her well.
Pleased by Tanesia’s praise, Lucius spoke more boldly.
“Even if I treated her well, she’d probably climb on top of my head and talk back to her husband.”
That was part of the reason he hadn’t proposed to Calliope.
“Why should I, the Crown Prince, bow my head like someone desperate?”
Raised with reverence from an early age, Lucius had developed a prideful and arrogant nature. While he was cautious around the Emperor and Empress, he acted haughtily toward everyone else.
“The Crown Princess—or Empress—should be obedient and know her place. That’s what makes life easier, don’t you think?”
For a brief moment, a chill crossed Tanesia’s face.
But it was so fleeting that Lucius didn’t notice. She quickly returned to her usual composed expression.
“You’re right. Someone with an overblown sense of self would struggle to adapt to the palace. She’ll need help.”
Help to abandon useless individuality, to erase her sense of self, and become a tool for the future.
Lucius grinned in relief.
“I’m glad I talked to you, Mother. Otherwise, I might’ve lost my temper by now.”
“My poor son, you were so troubled.”
“Yes. But I feel much better now. It’s amazing how you always see right through people.”
Tanesia offered him a gentle smile.
“I’m relieved. Now, you should stop worrying and focus on preparing for the Spring Banquet.”
“Yes, Mother. I will.”
A short while after Lucius left the Empress’s palace, the smile on her face vanished completely.
“You asked me how I was so certain, my son?”
Watching him leave through the window, Tanesia murmured to herself.
A mysterious smile curved her lips.
“It’s because that girl… reminds me quite a lot of myself.”
Time passed quickly, and the New Year’s banquet arrived.
Calliope sat still, letting the maids dress her.
With each brushstroke, her already elegant face became more radiant.
“Sylvia. Someone must be talking about me. My ears are burning.”
Sylvia shrugged, as if stating the obvious.
“Of course they are. Anytime two people get together, they probably end up talking about you.”
“And half of that is probably gossip.”
“Well, you always said that jealousy and envy are the fuel of life, didn’t you?”
“Maybe that’s why I feel so good today.”
Her reflection in the mirror was deeply satisfying. Calliope smiled and stood up.
The maids hurried to help her into her dress.
The luxurious fabric clung to her tall, slender frame like it was made for her.
“But miss, isn’t this a bit too flashy for a New Year’s banquet?”
“This is a classic design. Where else would you find something like this?”
“The design’s fine, but the color… That’s the issue. Isn’t it a bit too bold for a New Year’s event?”
“What’s wrong with a purple dress?”
“It’s a color that can make you look crazy if worn wrong.”
Sylvia would bet the chocolate in her desk drawer that no other debutante in high society had ever dared something like this.
“All the more reason I should wear it. No one else could pull this off but me. If I don’t wear it, this beautiful piece will never see the light of day and be trapped in a closet forever. That’s just too sad.”
“Well, you’re not wrong.”
Sylvia nodded emphatically. It wasn’t just blind loyalty—Calliope’s confidence was always backed by substance.
‘The real finishing touch of fashion is the face.’
They say clothes make the person, but maybe that should be revised.
Some people could make even chicken feathers look like haute couture.
“Anyway, you look stunning today, miss.”
“I know.”
Calliope tucked her lush red hair behind her ear and added,
“But it still gives me a thrill every time I hear it, so keep saying it.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll say it until you get sick of it.”
As they chatted sweetly, Calliope glanced at the clock and frowned.
“Seriously, what’s taking him so long?”
Just then, the bedroom door opened and Agnes entered.
“His Highness the Seventh Prince has arrived.”
“Of course he shows up now.”
Calliope looked at the time with regret. Agnes offered sincere sympathy.
“I was hoping he’d be at least a minute late, but he showed up thirty-two seconds early.”
She snapped her pocket watch shut as she spoke. Calliope gave her a meaningful look.
“Now do you see why I can’t stand that man?”
Agnes nodded fiercely.
“Absolutely. There’s a limit to psychological torture. Even if it’s a crime to insult royalty, I can’t help but say it—His Highness is really lacking in—”
“In what, exactly?”
The moment Lerazier burst into the room and made eye contact, Agnes switched immediately.
“Lacking in nothing. Excellently virtuous.”
“Impressive pivot.”
Lerazier, answering Agnes, turned to Calliope, who was glaring at him.
“Right on time, huh? Did it pain you that much to lose your monthly stipend?”
“Of course. Do you know how much it is? Enough to drink every day for 31 days straight and still not run out.”
“If you drink every day for a month, you’ll die.”
“Felt fine to me.”
Lerazier blinked innocently. Calliope clicked her tongue.
“What on earth is your body made of?”
Anyway, Lerazier was not late, and he had successfully defended his precious stipend as promised.
Shortly after, the two boarded a carriage together. Lerazier asked,
“I heard Baron Gilbert Roman’s family is grounded and the Border Duke is away. So you’re the only one attending the banquet?”
“Yep. I’m representing House Verdi.”
“I see.”
The two of them were dressed in custom outfits from their respective boutiques.
Lerazier, stroking his chin with gloved fingers, looked different than usual.
Calliope glanced over his entire form and thought—
