CHAPTER 80…………………………………..
Inside the glass greenhouse of the Velheim Marquis family.
A subtle tension lingered among the women gathered around the tea table.
At the center was Chloe, the daughter of the Velheim Marquis.
She had once believed, without a doubt, that she would occupy the seat next to Duke Frederick Estevan.
Chloe tilted her teacup with calm composure, saying nothing.
Only those around her were bustling with activity.
“I saw it with my own eyes. ‘That young lady’ came to the dress shop. And even with Madame Estevan!”
“Hah, two people who should never be in the Estevan household together… it’s laughable.”
On the table, sharp words circulated, seemingly aware of Chloe’s subdued gaze.
They mostly spoke of Sierra and Elaina’s lowly—or disgracefully fallen—origins.
“Can she even be called a noble anymore?”
“Exactly. Their ancestral mansion was sold long ago, and Count Kleshade can’t even play his proper role!”
“They say she even brought along a barbarian man? There are rumors he was caught with her.”
“Oh my! Really?”
For noblewomen, rumors of entanglement with someone other than an intended fiancé were fatal.
Whatever misdeeds they could conceal behind the scenes mattered little if the word got out.
“To be with a barbarian… she doesn’t even know shame. And to think she dares near Duke Estevan.”
“She probably knows she doesn’t belong there herself.”
“Ah, so she knows her place?”
“They say she’s skilled at magic—maybe that’s just wisdom in disguise.”
With words dripping in envy and contempt, they dragged ‘that young lady’ down to the lowest depths, breaking into forced laughter.
Chloe only spoke once the vulgar conversation was nearly over.
“I hear there will be a banquet at the Estevan estate this time. Everyone will be attending, of course?”
“Oh my! Of course. How long has it been?”
Amidst the excitement of the news, a voice cut through.
“Could… we perhaps see that barbarian man?”
At that single remark, the women exchanged glances, then began to chatter exaggeratedly as if rehearsed.
“Oh, how frightening. What if he attacks?”
“Nonsense. Then surely the young lady Kleshade will protect us with her body, won’t she?”
“Such a splendid idea.”
Chloe twisted her lips behind her fan, seemingly satisfied, as she observed the mocking, laughter-filled conversation.
The tea party, mixed with admiration and humiliation, continued deep into the night.
The day of the invitation.
From morning, Sierra was pulled about like a doll, dressed head-to-toe as Elaina had decided the day before, radiantly adorned.
Elaina herself appeared even more extravagant.
Every time Sierra approached her, subtle headaches pulsed from the heavy scent of her perfume.
“Shall we go now?”
Sierra clutched the hem of her dress and slowly stepped forward in her high heels.
The short path to the carriage felt unusually long.
Her gaze was drawn to the direction where Ashur was expected to be.
Still, many guards stood alert.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Elaina unexpectedly spoke first.
“Ah, Deric will be back soon. Why don’t we ask about that barbarian’s treatment then?”
Thinking of Ashur, Sierra bristled without meaning to.
“…He’s not a barbarian. His name is Ashur.”
But she quickly regretted it.
If Elaina became wary of her, it might become difficult to maneuver as she wished.
Fortunately, curiosity seemed to pique Elaina more than suspicion.
“Ashur? Sounds like a royal name.”
“…I gave it to him.”
Sierra stared at her, gauging her reaction.
“Hm, now that I think of it, that man is quite good at the common tongue. Did the young lady teach him?”
Sierra flinched at the unexpected reply.
“…You’ve met Ashur?”
“Just once. I felt sorry for him and wanted to help… but he refused.”
Elaina’s eyes slowly closed, quietly observing Sierra.
“He was surprisingly handsome, strong even. Once tamed, he’ll be yours, young lady. Just wait a bit.”
Her casual tone, treating him like nothing more than a slave, made Sierra feel disgusted.
Silently gazing out the window to calm her turbulent thoughts, the carriage arrived at the palace.
“Allow me to escort you.”
The servant waiting at the entrance guided them in.
A memory surfaced—long ago, holding her parents’ hands, she had been there only once.
The palace was still excessively extravagant.
‘This is the first time I’ve come this deep inside.’
Although the use of mana was restricted, her perception of its flow was unhindered.
Magical defenses were installed throughout the palace.
The deeper they went, the denser the surrounding mana made the suppression devices more irritating.
‘It’s suffocating…’
The servant stopped at the grand doors at the end of the hall.
Knock, knock—
“Elaina and Miss Sierra Kleshade have arrived.”
“Enter.”
As they stepped inside, the first things to catch the eye were hair that shone like molten gold and mysterious violet eyes.
A prince, with a face straight out of a fairy tale, greeted them with a soft voice.
“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Miss Kleshade.”
“Thank you for inviting me.”
Sierra could not refuse his extended hand and awkwardly allowed him to kiss the back of her hand.
Elaina, who came along, not only received the kiss naturally but also placed her hand around Alejandro’s waist.
“Your Highness, long time no see!”
“Elaina.”
Their closeness seemed very intimate.
Even though the late duke was presumably still ill, neither seemed concerned.
Sierra’s eyes widened, but she could not express her confusion.
“Miss Kleshade, I’ve heard much about you. I hear you’ve made a discovery no one else could?”
He smiled gently, fixing his gaze on Sierra while his hands repeatedly caressed Elaina’s waist.
“You flatter me.”
Even as she bowed, his hands traced the curves of her body, catching her gaze.
“It will be easier for you to end the war and marry Duke Estevan, I imagine. I have high expectations for you.”
The prince’s words took her breath away.
With Ashur currently captive, what could she possibly say?
Her mind floated with the tasks she had originally intended to do.
‘Do not violate the sanctuary; both sides would suffer greatly. Please reconsider the war… I beg you.’
A desperate feeling threatened to burst forth.
But Deric would follow royal orders, so the prince’s thoughts likely did not differ much.
She had no idea how to navigate this situation wisely.
Before the silence dragged on, Elaina interjected.
“The king is ailing, so soon the prince will ascend, right?”
“Presumably.”
“If the war ends before that, he might even become emperor?”
The prince’s lips curled in a faintly sharp smile.
His long-standing ambition to unify the continent seemed unchanged.
The conversation soon shifted topics but remained equally uncomfortable.
“A banquet for the young lady who will become Duchess of Estevan—how exciting.”
At least Elaina properly played the role of conversational partner for the prince.
Only after waiting for them to laugh and chatter for a while could Sierra step away.
On the way back, the gem-laden necklace and voluminous dress felt heavy and cumbersome.
Near the palace exit, Sierra stumbled briefly due to the unfamiliar high heels.
As she checked her aching ankle, a strange sound came from the door beside her.
‘No… lower?’
Elaina looked back at her as she hesitated.
“Miss Kleshade, is something there?”
For some reason, Elaina’s golden eyes felt sharp.
“Oh. It’s nothing.”
Had she misheard? Pushing aside the unease, Sierra followed the guide outside.
After everyone had left.
Bang—Bang!
The desperate knocking of a door echoed.
But no one was around.
Moments later, dark red blood seeped slowly from beneath the door.
The corridor fell silent once more.
