CHAPTER 99…………………………………………………
“How much.”
“Are you saying there isn’t just one answer, but several?”
“No. I’m asking how much you’ve refined it. Gathering detailed information about one’s lover is essential, after all.”
Ha. I hate this so much. I can’t stand it.
Chase, admiring as if he’d learned something. Peredil, wearing a proud expression. And Theo, now openly shaking with laughter.
Grrr.
A small rumble stirred in my stomach. Thankfully, it wasn’t loud enough for anyone to hear.
So that’s why my stomach had been hurting earlier. At least this gave me an excuse to step away. Maybe it was a good thing.
“Would it be alright if I step out to wash my hands for a moment?”
After finishing my business, I headed back to the drinking party. Part of me wanted to return straight to the mansion, but I couldn’t behave rudely toward the princess. Still, I didn’t feel like going back and cheerfully chatting either.
I should break up with Peredil. But I don’t want to see him with Chase either. My heart wavered back and forth like a reed in the wind. Do people really lose their sense when they fall in love? If only I could feel just one emotion at a time.
“Hahaha! Really?”
Reluctantly, I returned to where I was supposed to be.
Chase’s bright laughter spilled out from beyond the door. I’d never heard him laugh that heartily when I was around. When I opened the door, Theo was nowhere to be seen, and the two of them were chatting and laughing together.
“Where is His Majesty?”
“He said he had something urgent to take care of and asked for our understanding. He left me in charge and went ahead.”
Since I wasn’t there either, he probably stepped away to leave the two of them alone. I was grateful—but also irritated.
From Theo’s perspective, he’d vacated his seat to grant my request! But still, the fact that they continued drinking together in my absence… In the end, it was Theo’s actions that led to this situation, and I didn’t like it.
“By the way, when I came in, it seemed like you were having quite an enjoyable conversation. What were you talking about?”
Curious about the warm atmosphere, I pulled out a chair and sat down, asking about their topic.
I thought I’d find out easily.
But the words that struck my ears were something I could hardly believe he’d said.
“Oh, it was nothing. You don’t need to know.”
What on earth did they talk about that they had to hide it from me?
The shock hadn’t even faded, yet time kept flowing. If I pressed them, they’d probably think I was jealous, so I couldn’t bring myself to ask further. For the same reason, I couldn’t ask why they wouldn’t tell me either.
Apparently, a designated attendant must never stray far from a state guest—it’s considered a virtue or something.
According to imperial custom—knowledge I never even wanted—the assigned attendant must stay in the imperial palace for the entire duration of the state guest’s visit. That meant I couldn’t go on dates with Peredil, and aside from the meals Theo invited me to, I hadn’t seen him in quite some time.
Theo’s words—that even if he couldn’t turn Peredil’s heart away from me, he could at least turn his eyes—weren’t entirely wrong.
Still, Peredil didn’t forget to send me letters.
Even amidst his busy schedule, he treated me warmly. I suppose I should be grateful, but…
Today, I visited the art museum. When I told Her Highness the Princess about a painter who gained recognition only after his death, she was intrigued. There was a similar case in Copes, and she shared it with me—it was quite impressive. You might even shed tears if you heard it. I’ll tell you in detail next time we meet.
Today, I went to the museum. Her Highness was amazed at how thoroughly I knew the Empire’s artifacts and jokingly asked if I had any intention of coming to Copes. I told her I have reasons I cannot leave the Empire, and she said, “As expected.” I trust you know what that reason is.
Today, I attended an opera performance. The Princess couldn’t stop admiring the electrifying singing. She expressed deep praise for the cultural arts of the Coventin Empire. I wonder if she would admire your acting skills as well? Come to think of it, I’ve never seen you perform on stage. Will I ever get the chance? I hope so.
Princess, princess, princess! Every time I saw that word, my anger flared.
Hah. He probably thought I’d be curious about his day and kindly reported it, but receiving detailed accounts of his dates with another woman is not enjoyable at all!
“Oh! We’ve arrived at the shopping street.”
Luna’s voice broke through my thoughts. Right—she and I had come to the capital to have some fun.
Thanks to Chase monopolizing Peredil, I suddenly had a lot of free time, so Luna dragged me to the capital. She said we didn’t have much time left to laugh and chatter together as sisters here, so we should make memories.
Of course, I wanted to make memories with Luna, but my gloomy mood wouldn’t lift. Afraid I might ruin her outing, I forced a smile. She was pulling me along when someone suddenly blocked our path.
“Oh my, hello?”
She looked familiar… but who was she?
“Hello, my lady.”
I greeted her, but I couldn’t remember her name, so the conversation stalled. I glanced at Luna for help, but she looked equally clueless.
Finally, the young lady before me showed a hint of displeasure and spoke.
“It’s Rayleigh. Rayleigh Bastian. I helped Miss Joyce at the imperial ball—surely you don’t mean to say you don’t remember me?”
Ah! Rayleigh Bastian—the one who’s a fan of Theo! The imperial ball felt like ages ago; no wonder I couldn’t recall her.
“Haha, it’s not that. I was so shocked that day I must have subconsciously erased it from my memory… I was able to remain safe thanks to your testimony. Please accept my belated thanks.”
I bowed my head in gratitude, and she seemed pleased. Though she belonged to the noble faction, she had greeted me warmly first, so it didn’t seem like she approached me to pick a fight.
“By the way, stay strong, Miss Joyce.”
Out of nowhere, she grabbed my hand and offered comfort.
Had I ever needed consolation from Rayleigh? Luna looked just as confused. Honestly, she’s no help at all.
“Stay… strong?”
“We’re companions in heartbreak, after all.”
Companions? I haven’t even been dumped!
She had been indulging in her own sorrow, but suddenly she threw her arms around me, patting my shoulder as she continued her baffling remarks.
“You’ve had such a hard time, haven’t you?”
Thankfully, Luna stepped in and separated us. Standing protectively in front of me like a bodyguard, she asked Rayleigh,
“Are you saying Joyce has been heartbroken, Lady Rayleigh?”
“That’s right. If you think about it, Joyce’s heartbreak is even more malicious than mine. I was rejected by the Empire’s Sun—someone I could never dare to reach. But Joyce has been betrayed by her lover.”
The Empire’s Sun… that must mean Theo. Does she still like him? And what does she mean by an unavoidable heartbreak?
I shoved aside the growing questions in my head. Something else mattered more.
“Why do you think I was betrayed?”
“Because of this morning’s imperial newspaper. The image was cleverly obscured by an umbrella, but it looked like Her Highness the Princess of Copes and Duke Seymour were kissing, didn’t it?”
The newspaper?
I quickly scanned my surroundings and found a stall selling imperial newspapers. I grabbed a copy.
I didn’t even need to flip through it. On the very front page was a bold headline questioning a romantic relationship between Peredil and Chase. And of course, the image Rayleigh had described was printed alongside it.
A dating scandal splashed across the front page of the imperial newspaper. And the divine power scroll technique looked very familiar.
Seeing such a familiar method, I couldn’t help but suspect a repeat offender.
That so-called Empire’s Sun.
