Chapter 40
“I was originally supposed to have an arranged marriage with Prince Bui.”
“Huh?!”
Haon practically screamed. Even Princess Pireone was startled by her intense reaction.
Antene narrowed his eyes and issued a warning.
But Haon couldn’t calm down so easily. This was the first she had heard of an arranged marriage with Prince Bui.
“What do you mean? Princess, you only came to the Heosen Empire for an arranged marriage, but the partner wasn’t decided yet, wasn’t that the case?”
“Officially, yes.”
“Princess.”
Antene stepped closer, stopping Princess Pireone mid-sentence. His careful demeanor showed the loyalty of a devoted retainer.
Princess Pireone waved her hand gently.
“It’s fine. It’s not something you can’t say. After all, it’s Haon.”
Haon—just that one word was enough. She was moved, and although Antene looked displeased, he stepped back.
“Why would they leave a princess who came for an arranged marriage without a match?”
“Th-That’s…”
It was something Haon had never deeply thought about, assuming it was just part of the novel’s setup—a reverse harem plot to advance the story of finding a husband.
“It’s simple. The partner disappeared. In Heosen, it’s difficult to arrange a match again. They might see it as invalid if you were supposed to marry a deceased prince.”
Antene’s expression darkened at Princess Pireone’s blunt words.
“Czekoran wanted to get rid of me quickly, and Heosen didn’t particularly desire me either. I became useless everywhere. Since the arranged marriage had already been concluded, Czekoran wanted to send me off, and Heosen reluctantly accepted me but wasn’t sure what to do, so they gave me a villa.”
Princess Pireone spoke self-deprecatingly.
“I’m unwanted everywhere, a total burden.”
“That’s not true!”
As soon as Princess Pireone finished, Haon shouted fiercely, her voice full of indignation.
“Princess, you’re so wise, capable, and beautiful. That’s why Czekoran presented you as a bride in the name of their country, isn’t it? Heosen accepted you because you are extraordinary.”
“Flattering words.”
Princess Pireone let out a light laugh.
“But still, I am merely a pawn in a transaction to either side.”
“You’re the coveted golden card, then.”
Who would dare compare a princess to a card?
Antene’s face twisted in shock, but Princess Pireone only grew calmer.
“Moreover, in this situation, you are at the center of Heosen’s power!”
Haon shouted triumphantly.
“The next empress in name and reality! The next emperor is determined by your choice.”
Haon’s excitement even made her nostrils flare. It was an undeniable fact, and it exalted Princess Pireone above anyone else.
But Princess Pireone’s defense was not weak.
“Prince Bui was first in line for the throne. Barring any unforeseen events, it was natural for him to become emperor.”
Haon wondered why the conversation had returned to Prince Bui, but Princess Pireone continued her reasoning.
“That’s why His Majesty the Emperor gave me the next empress position without hesitation. It was naturally mine anyway.”
“Even so… His Majesty the Emperor… could he really have handed it over so thoughtlessly? Surely he valued your abilities…”
“What could His Majesty know about me? He simply happened to be seen twice in a secret meeting, and what I received was merely a bribe to silence me.”
Haon had no argument against Princess Pireone’s logic.
‘It’s true that it should have been thanks to the princess’s abilities…’
Haon felt unfairly frustrated. It was true, yet she couldn’t assert it.
This wasn’t some chaotic situation like Hong Gil-dong calling his father ‘not a father.’ It was just awkward.
Haon couldn’t let Princess Pireone remain so downcast.
“Forgotten, have you? If you can’t avoid it, enjoy it!”
Haon raised her tension and shouted.
“You’ve got the upper hand, Princess! Use everything to your advantage! Will you keep talking so weakly?”
Princess Pireone blinked at Haon, a small sparkle in her eyes.
“Hmm…”
The conversation on the rooftop. That day’s resolution had already been forgotten.
“That’s right.”
Princess Pireone smiled faintly.
“Yes, anyway, I should enjoy the current situation fully.”
“Of course! Brush away all gloomy thoughts.”
Haon clenched her fists and nodded fervently.
“Your talent for boosting morale is remarkable. I’ve picked an excellent entertainer.”
“It’s simply your excellent judgment in choosing people, Princess.”
“If only it weren’t for all the sweet words, I might consider that a flaw.”
Haon smiled awkwardly.
Then Princess Pireone retired for the night.
Haon left the room with Antene. As they were returning to their quarters, Antene pinched Haon’s inner arm.
“If you ever carelessly reveal what Princess Pireone said elsewhere, your tongue will pay for it. Remember that.”
Antene’s harsh warning ensured Haon kept silent.
He shot her one last displeased glance before striding ahead.
Haon rubbed her inner arm, frowning.
“You’ve really mastered the art of hurting without showing it.”
Perhaps a chief lady-in-waiting first learns how to punish the maids.
As she rubbed her arm on the way to her room, Haon recalled her conversation with Princess Pireone.
“What I know is only the tip of the iceberg.”
She had assumed it was a novel with intricate details. The visible situations and setups had lots of description and explanation.
Yet there were parts not revealed, parts that weren’t mentioned at all.
Selection and focus were clear.
“What kind of unfamiliar events will unfold next?”
She knew, yet didn’t know.
And events Haon didn’t know were steadily unfolding.
“Princess Pireone, a letter from Count Sis has arrived.”
A maid approached carrying a silver tray. On it lay a letter sealed with wax.
Princess Pireone took the letter and carefully broke the wax seal with a letter opener. She unfolded the finely creased invitation, releasing a subtle scent of perfume.
It was a Trillinia-style invitation, extravagant and ornate.
“Miss Trillinia is inviting me to a tea party,” Princess Pireone said, placing the invitation on her desk.
Haon looked at the invitation, quite surprised.
‘Trillinia sent an invitation to Princess Pireone? She always tried to ignore her.’
Then Haon’s eyes widened further as Princess Pireone continued.
“It’s in two days. Antene, make the preparations.”
“Princess, you’re not actually planning to attend Miss Trillinia’s tea party, are you?”
Princess Pireone tilted her head and looked at Haon.
“Why not? I was invited, so I may attend.”
Haon’s shocked reaction puzzled Princess Pireone.
“Well, yes… but…”
Haon had no retort. She still felt a natural aversion to Trillinia.
Yet currently, there seemed to be no problem between Princess Pireone and Trillinia. If anything, their relationship looked quite good.
‘Trillinia even came to give her homemade jam and invited her to that famous tea party.’
The so-called tea party was more like a social event comparable to a grand ball. Count Sis wielded immense influence in the empire, and many nobles coveted an invitation.
‘She always boasted about even being able to invite the prince.’
Haon recalled Trillinia bragging about the event while excluding Princess Pireone.
‘Wait… she said the prince would be invited?’
Haon’s expression changed. The tension and discomfort melted, her eyes sparkled, and a bright smile spread across her face.
“You’re right! Miss Trillinia’s tea party—doesn’t that sound exciting? Princess, you must attend.”
It was strange that Haon had previously hesitated without reason, and now she reacted so enthusiastically.
Princess Pireone looked at Haon intently.
“You sometimes…”
Nervous, Haon forced a smile, her lips stiff. The awkward grin was amusing.
“I can never tell what you’re thinking.”
Princess Pireone silently averted her gaze.
Haon sighed from behind.
Princess Pireone stared at the invitation on the desk, her eyes repeatedly scanning a particular line.
Two days later, the tea party arrived. Antene had barely enough time to prepare.
“It’s the princess’s first outing,” he said, more excited, directing the maids.
“Antene becomes most excited when dressing the princess,” Haon murmured from the corner, watching the chaos of maids and Antene.
At least she hadn’t been sent out of the room entirely.
“Indeed, Princess Pireone’s beauty must make dressing her enjoyable.”
Haon’s heart raced just watching the princess being prepared.
Princess Pireone sat calmly at her dressing table, selecting each dress and accessory while having her makeup applied.
“Haon.”
Princess Pireone gestured for Haon to come closer.
“Do you have instructions? Or perhaps, since you’re bored during preparations, you need background music?”
Princess Pireone shook her head. Then she said something no one in the room could have anticipated:
“Do you want to dress up too?”
