CHAPTER 30
Start with Internal Discipline
In high society, stealing attendees from a rival’s ball is a long-standing tradition.
This time, though, it was happening on a much grander scale.
Now, the noble ladies of the capital’s social circles were faced with a choice:
“Will you attend my party, even if it means falling out of favor with the Empress, the mistress of the inner palace, and Evangeline, already reigning as the flower of high society?”
Or:
“Will you ignore me—someone not yet officially recognized as Crown Princess—and side with the Empress and Evangeline, who already hold the power?”
Most of them would probably deliberate a bit…
But the conclusion was practically predetermined.
“Of course they’ll side with the Empress and Evangeline.”
Maybe it would’ve been different if I’d already built a position for myself in society.
But I’d been holed up in Delphinger all this time.
Aside from securing Artanus Hall from the Emperor, I hadn’t shown any proof of my capabilities.
So who in their right mind would take a risk on me?
‘…Or rather, I need them to think that way.’
Convincing them was easy enough.
“…So I don’t know what to do. I don’t have any close friends, and I can’t exactly ask the Empress for help either…”
I let out a sigh full of anxiety and fear. In response, Viscountess Philaine grabbed my hand with a sympathetic look.
“Oh, my! How pitiful, Your Highness. You didn’t even get to have a proper wedding… You must succeed with this banquet!”
She pretended to support me with a concerned tone.
“I’ll try to encourage the people around me to attend. If you give me some invitations, I’ll hand them out as best I can!”
“Oh my, thank you! You’re a true friend, Viscountess!”
I suppressed the urge to gag and squeezed her hand in return.
Honestly, this was little more than a veiled mockery.
This was the crown prince and crown princess’s wedding banquet, held in the prestigious Artanus Hall where the coronation ceremony takes place.
If a low-ranked noble like Viscountess Philaine had to go around begging others to attend, what would people think?
‘Obviously, it would lower the prestige of the banquet. It would also advertise that I have no attendees lined up.’
That was exactly why Viscountess Philaine offered to help.
To damage the event’s prestige, to spread the idea that no one wanted to attend.
And of course, this news would reach the ears of the Empress and Evangeline.
‘Even better.’
I asked a maid to bring me invitations bearing the Crown Princess’s seal.
“Please distribute them to as many people as possible.”
Viscountess Philaine took the invitation with a bright smile but then lowered her voice and asked:
“But… did His Majesty the Emperor authorize you to use the Crown Princess’s seal?”
I shook my head.
“No. But His Highness the Crown Prince gave me permission to use it.”
I even blushed slightly, acting the part of the new bride delighted by her husband’s affection.
I could see that Viscountess Philaine was eagerly swallowing the bait.
Then I tossed out the real lure.
“Oh, and I came up with a clever little trick—would you be willing to hear it and give me your thoughts?”
Her eyes sparkled.
“What kind of trick?”
That very day, Viscountess Philaine secretly changed clothes and went to see Evangeline.
She eagerly spilled every piece of information she’d gathered.
Holding the invitation with the Crown Princess’s seal, Evangeline scoffed.
“She really dared to use the Crown Princess’s seal without authorization. That alone could be a major issue.”
“She doesn’t seem to know that. Well, she claims the Crown Prince gave her permission…”
Evangeline’s face twisted in annoyance.
“So what? Only the Emperor can grant permission to use the royal seal!”
“Exactly! That foolish girl doesn’t even know that!”
Trying to match Evangeline’s mood, Viscountess Philaine leaned in and whispered her juiciest tidbit.
“She’s terrified there won’t be enough attendees a month from now, so she’s planning a desperate move.”
“A desperate move? What kind?”
Evangeline’s green eyes sparkled with intrigue.
“Well… She’s planning to spread a rumor that His Majesty the Emperor will attend the banquet.”
“What?”
Evangeline’s eyes widened.
That was certainly a bombshell.
“Are you serious? That idiot actually said she’d spread a false rumor involving the Emperor?”
“Yes. You know how crucial this banquet is—if it fails, she won’t be acknowledged as Crown Princess. So she’s trying to force people to come.”
“She’s not wrong about that.”
And Evangeline and the Empress had already made it publicly known:
Anyone attending that banquet would be exiled from the social world.
No noble lady would dare attend a banquet at Artanus Hall under those conditions.
And a banquet without noblewomen? Naturally, no men would show either.
Everyone knew the social scene revolved around the ladies. That’s why salons were hosted by hostesses.
“To think she’d stoop so low… using a lie about the Emperor to lure people in?”
“She said since His Majesty personally granted her use of Artanus Hall, people would believe the rumor easily.”
It wasn’t exactly wrong.
It was highly unusual for the Emperor to offer Artanus Hall.
“She’s trying to be clever, I’ll give her that.”
But still, Evangeline smirked wickedly.
She held up the invitation and tore it to shreds.
“Not that it’ll matter. This is how things will end up anyway.”
Still, to be cautious, Evangeline checked with her mother.
Would the Emperor actually show up to the banquet?
The Empress had already asked—and His Majesty had clearly stated he would not attend.
“He said whether or not that girl is acknowledged as Crown Princess will be decided by the success of the banquet.”
In other words, the outcome was already set.
Soon after, two opposing rumors began circulating in society.
“I heard His Majesty the Emperor is going to attend the banquet at Artanus Hall in a few days to formally acknowledge the royal couple!”
“No way. I heard Delphin’s daughter is spreading lies just to get people to come.”
“Would she really lie about the Emperor?”
“She’s desperate. No one’s acknowledging her.”
“And imagine the shame if Artanus Hall is completely empty!”
Claiming the Emperor would attend for the sake of his abducted daughter-in-law sounded far less believable.
Everyone in high society knew how cold the Emperor was.
And besides, the latter version of the story was far more salacious and entertaining.
Some people even started betting on it.
“Will His Majesty really show up at Artanus Hall? I’m betting my new prized horse that he won’t!”
“I’ll put my custom-made gown on it—he’s not coming!”
“Hey, then it’s not a real bet. No one’s betting for him to come!”
Mocking conversations popped up all over society.
And in the midst of this atmosphere—where it already felt like Hilia had lost—came one more devastating blow.
“Marchioness Quinivel just announced she’ll be holding a ball on the same day?”
Hilia heard the news from none other than Viscountess Philaine.
“Yes, Your Highness! Marchioness Quinivel is one of the Empress’s closest friends. And apparently, she’s been granted the second-largest hall in the Empress’s palace for the event!”
Hilia’s face turned pale.
This was as good as the Empress publicly declaring she intended to sabotage Hilia’s banquet by backing Quinivel’s instead.
“No way! If the banquet ends up being outshined by Marchioness Quinivel of all people…”
Then no one would ever acknowledge Hilia as the true Crown Princess.
Not even the Emperor.
I watched Viscountess Philaine cross the garden from behind the window and burst into giggles.
“Ah, she’s moving even more energetically than I expected.”
Thanks to her, the stage just got even bigger.
Which only worked in my favor.
“I can’t wait.”
I was steadily preparing everything I needed.
And Viscountess Philaine?
She was playing her part beautifully.
Emperor ..you are a complete waste of dragon blood