CHAPTER 64………
“Won’t you stand over there?”
“Why? Are you going to escort me? Ah, but the Second Prince said he shudders just from touching me and hates it. So, same here.”
“You really keep insisting on this…!”
When that kid shouted, Sescil, who had been quietly observing our awkward scene, came out and awkwardly smiled as he blocked the space between Iaebel and me.
“Haha… Well, First Princess, Second Prince, how about calming down a little? The servants are all watching.”
“…Damn it.”
Realizing the servants’ gazes thanks to Sescil’s words, that kid quietly started following behind me. Apparently, the word “escort” was too embarrassing for him to say first—three deep wrinkles formed above his brow.
Eventually, we entered separately under the emperor’s sponsorship. The young ladies who arrived earlier noticed us, hurriedly stood up, and bowed deeply in unison.
“First Princess, Second Prince, it’s an honor to meet you. May the blessings of the Aeliridium goddess be upon you both. I am Emilia Grisela.”
“I’m Lara Mirsova.”
“Ragiya Wild.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Ah, welcome.”
While I warmly greeted them, Iaebel only glanced indifferently at the young ladies, maintaining her uninterested attitude toward the party.
The young ladies seemed a bit embarrassed by Iaebel’s coldness, awkwardly smiling as they quickly approached me and spoke in friendly tones.
“How have you been, Princess? It seems this is the first time since the banquet praising your recent success.”
“I’ve been well, and how about you all?”
“I, too, have enjoyed pleasant days thanks to your grace, First Princess.”
“I’ve been studying history and accumulating knowledge.”
“Oh, speaking of studying, I heard that learning Astrnoar is quite popular these days? The Astrnoar king recently declared their nation an empire.”
Did the Astrnoar Kingdom really proclaim itself an empire at this time?
Hearing this juicy piece of information, I silently sighed and spoke.
“You’re learning Astrnoar? Lady Mirsova must have a strong desire to learn.”
“Oh, I’m just copying my older brother. Princess, are you interested in Astrnoar too?”
I glanced at Iaebel. She looked utterly bored, kicking at some stones scattered on the ground while yawning heavily.
Shaking my head at the pitiful sight, I turned my gaze back to Lara.
“The Astrnoar royal family is the first among many to change their title to an empire. It’s natural to be curious.”
“Exactly. For future trade deals or fostering relations between countries, learning their language early is best.”
“Lady Mirsova, are you interested in trade? Perhaps as a royal trade officer?”
She blushed and shook her head.
“No, not really… I’ve just seen it once under my father’s and brother’s supervision.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, Princess.”
I narrowed my eyes and stared at Lara Mirsova.
‘The Count Mirsova does wield considerable influence in the royal trade sector.’
With a good relationship with this lady, perhaps ‘that matter’ could be resolved quickly in the future.
‘I must become friends with Lara Mirsova no matter what.’
Smiling brightly, I took her hand gently.
“I’m curious about your Astrnoar skills. Could you visit my palace again sometime?”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yes. After talking a bit, I think your knowledge is far greater than I thought. I’d like you to teach me.”
“I’m honored, Your Highness.”
Lara’s face flushed deeply. Soon, other young ladies began crowding around me.
“Princess, I have a talent for literature.”
“I’m recognized by high priests of the Krobel Temple who worship the Aeliridium goddess and by Professor Romanbur from the Brobennus Academy in magic and theology.”
“Princess, you know my wealth, right? Please befriend me too.”
Despite the variety of young ladies, and Emilia’s final words, I smiled warmly inside and awkwardly answered their questions.
“Of course, I’ll invite you all next time. I’ll hold a party at my palace, so please come.”
“Wow, I’m so excited! By the way, this is your first tea party in the emperor’s palace, right?”
“Amazing, Princess. Everyone envies that place. I’ve never seen the imperial garden before; it’s so beautiful.”
“The Second Princess couldn’t even do this, but the First Princess—…uh…”
One young lady suddenly stopped speaking and glanced at me. To her right stood Iaebel, yawning loudly from boredom.
Apparently catching the voice, Iaebel, who usually acted like a loafer, glared fiercely at the young lady.
Poorly, the young lady’s face turned pale yellow.
I clicked my tongue inwardly and blocked between Iaebel and the young lady, but Iaebel strode forward and said coldly,
“Hey, don’t be in the way and just get lost.”
“Calm down, Second Prince.”
“What are you saying? Are you deaf? I said get lost.”
“Sometimes you have to overlook the mistakes of those below you.”
With those words, a blue vein bulged on Iaebel’s forehead. Coming close to my ear, he glanced once at the young lady trembling behind me, then whispered softly.
“Want me to roast you both with my fireball? It’d be fun if we all died in a fire here.”
“Eek…!”
The young lady covered her mouth. I grabbed her hand tightly and said,
“Do you have to say it like that?”
“Do you expect me to stay quiet when my brother was humiliated in front of me? Don’t you know I’m holding back my urge to kill those jerks who agreed with that just now?”
The young ladies watching us paled.
‘Ah, I knew this would happen.’
I held my throbbing head and clicked my tongue.
‘This is why I didn’t want to bring Iaebel here.’
Without him, the atmosphere would’ve been much more pleasant. I gently released the young lady’s hand, stepped toward Iaebel, and said coldly,
“If you don’t like it here, return to the Second Prince’s palace.”
“What?”
“But what to do… Since this is the Empress’s presence, you can’t leave recklessly. And if your disturbance here gets known, I doubt you’ll just get a reprimand.”
Making a pitying face, Iaebel’s facial muscles twisted into a sinister expression like a demon staring at me.
The young ladies watched wide-eyed, stamping their feet nervously.
One of them ran to where the knights were stationed, and soon the imperial knights came out and began restraining Iaebel.
“Calm down, Your Highnesses.”
“If news of your fighting on such a fine day reaches Their Majesties, you won’t avoid punishment.”
“That’s right, Second Prince.”
“You damned girl…!”
“Enough. Shall I try the magic tool Brother Dmitri gave me?”
“Huh? What did you say, Princess?”
“I said I’ll show you some fireworks.”
I smiled and took out an artifact hidden in my pocket, holding it before Iaebel’s eyes.
As I slowly infused magic into it—
“Aaah—! What is this? Let me go right now!”
Chains like iron sprang out from beneath Iaebel’s feet, binding his arms and legs. Realizing he was fully restrained and couldn’t use magic, he clenched his teeth and shouted.
“Are you crazy? Do you think you’ll be safe if Mother finds out?”
“That can be dealt with later. For now, how about considering the punishment for the Second Prince who has damaged the imperial dignity?”
“What nonsense—.”
“Emperor.”
At my words, Iaebel shut his mouth tightly for a moment.
“The Second Prince was released from the interdiction today by the Empress’s order, but it was also at Her Majesty’s will.”
“….”
“But if it’s discovered that you caused a disturbance here again, won’t Her Majesty issue another interdiction on you?”
“Grrr…!”
Iaebel glared at me fiercely. I ordered the knights,
“It’ll wear off in five hours. Take the Second Prince back to the palace quickly.”
“Yes, we will obey.”
The knights hurriedly carried Iaebel away. Ignoring his sharp words, I smiled faintly and turned back to the young ladies.
“I’m sorry. You must have been startled. I hope I didn’t offend anyone at my first tea party.”
“N-no, Princess. Rather, thank you for thinking of us. Please accept our thanks, too.”
“T-thank you, Your Highness.”
“You’re welcome. But next time, don’t mention the Second Princess where the Second Prince is. As you can see, the Second Princess is not in good health and quite sensitive.”
“Yes…”
The young lady’s shoulders slumped sadly. Feeling sorry for her, I gently patted her shoulders and continued the tea party.
Without Iaebel, the party quickly regained its liveliness.
Only then did I realize.
‘Huh? Where are the royals?’
No matter how I looked around, only the young ladies invited were present. Some people were missing.
‘I distinctly remember inviting Peters Mongbed, the second son of the Mongbed family, and some other noble royals and marquises…’
They wouldn’t dare ignore the First Princess’s invitation… There was only one clue.
‘Could it be the Empress’s scheme?’
But it felt off to blame the Empress entirely.
‘Since the Emperor is hosting the party, the Empress’s influence might be limited…’
If so, only one person came to mind.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor…”
“Huh? Princess?”
“Did you say Your Majesty? Is the Emperor coming today?”
“Oh, no. That was a slip of the tongue.”
I laughed awkwardly and shook my head. The young ladies looked disappointed and said, “Oh, I see!” making me feel embarrassed.
‘Must be my imagination…’
When the party ends, I should run to Renald and ask what’s going on.
“Did you hear? The First Princess is holding her first tea party.”
“…Your Highness…?”
“What? You didn’t know? Within the nobility, there’s a big fuss about a party in the imperial palace.”
Jerome said this as Richard, who was thinking how to kick him out of his home, frowned and stared at him.
“Were you invited?”
“If I were, would I still be here? I’d be at the palace right now. Judging by your face, you weren’t invited either.”
Jerome grinned and wiggled his foot on the table.
“You acted so close, but I guess to the Princess, you’re nothing.”
“Sadly, she and I are closer than you think. Must be a mistake.”
“So why did the other young ladies get invitations? Maybe the Princess just didn’t want to invite us? Ha, sad. Whenever I try to get close, she puts up walls. Like a cat.”
“Watch your words, Minor Marquis Idrea. You could be charged with royal defamation.”
“It’d be nice to be worried about by someone like you once in a while.”
Jerome muttered nonchalantly and stared blankly out the window.
‘I’m surprised Richard wasn’t invited either.’
According to Shadren, the First Princess often makes private requests to Marquis Eliet, but when I see it, Richard seems to be the only one being used. Jerome sighed.
‘Maybe I should sneak in secretly and see what’s going on.’
Jerome smirked, but Richard glared at him with dead eyes.
“Let me warn you, don’t even think about sneaking into the imperial palace to see the First Princess.”
“Wow, did you get inside my head, Richard?”
“You think of nothing else, do you? Tch… Anyway,
what does it matter to you?”
