Chapter 37
“In families with the blood of the imperial family, one shouldn’t even pick up a fork with magic without permission.”
“I know the laws are strict. But evidence for something that trivial would be hard to obtain, wouldn’t it?”
The problem was that it wasn’t just about picking up a fork. Adeline blinked rapidly.
“I haven’t handled mana litigation cases yet, but I will help.”
“It’s okay! Really, it’s okay!”
It was an automatic loss. She had used spatial teleportation magic and had recklessly channeled cold energy into Winstor’s body. With Winstor’s single statement, it seemed this life might end even worse than before.
‘Why did I do such a crazy thing!’
Adeline went right next to Ian and closed the book.
“We can just go to the banquet and promote our atelier while we’re there.”
“Didn’t you hate doing that sort of thing?”
“It’s bothersome and I dislike it.”
“Then why are you insisting on doing that bothersome thing you dislike?”
It was incomprehensible. Ian met Adeline’s gaze directly with a look that said as much.
“By any chance, do you have ulterior motives?”
“Ulterior motives? What are you talking about! What else can I do? It’s a place where the most esteemed, wealthiest people will gather.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“It’s an imperial banquet, so Princess Julia will of course be attending.”
“Princess Julia is the object of admiration for all the empire’s young ladies, isn’t she?”
“Right. Just imagine that beautiful princess becoming our regular customer.”
“If that’s the goal, then it might be okay with me too.”
Ian finally looked somewhat convinced.
“Shall I prepare the dress for this occasion as well?”
“You’d do that for me?”
“Yes, since you’ll be busy, I’ll take care of such things.”
“Nothing too flashy or eye-catching like red.”
As she recalled the red dress she wore to the last alumni reunion, the memory of Winstor’s impatient hands and breath filled her mind tightly. The man’s gestures as he peeled off what was covering her body, his warmth that completely enveloped her.
‘All of this is because of that red dress.’
They say if you do something you don’t normally do, it leads to ruin. So she thought the problem was daring to try a dress style she never wore before.
“It was a dress that suited you so well, Director. That’s a shame.”
“This time, please make it as modest a style as possible.”
“I always think you should stand out incomparably, Director, no matter the time or place.”
“For this banquet, standing out too much on my own wouldn’t be good either.”
“Hmm.”
Frowning, Ian stroked his chin.
“Come to think of it, a modest dress might be better for me this time too.”
“Right, there’s no need to look bad in Princess Julia’s eyes for no reason.”
“There are constant rumors about her gentle nature. Would she care about such things?”
“It doesn’t hurt to be careful.”
“Though, it is good manners to let a future regular customer shine.”
A gentle smile spread across Ian’s face. Unable to guess what he was thinking, Adeline simply smiled along.
***
The imperial palace of the Odsensian Empire is a place where the word ‘beautiful’ falls short. Among them, the most prominent palace is Rose Palace, where Princess Julia resides.
Violet, invited here, looked at Julia’s lips with a very tense face. Violet tried hard to act nonchalant and smiled, hiding her trembling hands.
“Miss Violet.”
“Yes, Your Highness, Princess Julia.”
“Thank you so much for this gift.”
“Oh, no, not at all. It’s just… a gift I naturally wanted to give you.”
“I’ve heard Blueciel Atelier products are incredibly popular these days.”
Julia fiddled with the bluish bracelet inside the large box. She also tapped the earrings and necklace with her fingertips.
At the small sounds, the thick tension pricked at the skin of everyone present.
“As you all well know.”
“…….”
“I am far, far removed from extravagance.”
“That’s right!”
“Of course, Your Highness.”
All the ladies gathered in Rose Palace were of one mind, their eyes shining. Satisfied with their gazes, Julia smiled shyly.
“Living distanced from extravagance, I didn’t know much about these things, but they’re better than I thought. The fan is pretty too.”
“Th-thank you. Your Highness, Prin-Princess Julia.”
“I’d like to gift some of these presents I received to High Priest Theodorus. Would you mind if I did? Please be honest.”
“N-no, I don’t mind! It would be an honor!”
Julia had always paid little attention to her. Now, the princess’s attention was directed at her. Violet’s face flushed shyly.
“These days, the most popular place in the capital is Blueciel Atelier, right?”
“Yes, though it might be a bit crude for esteemed people, the location is good and the interior is clean, so that’s probably why.”
“The coffee and macarons are delicious.”
“I’ve heard people even come specially from provincial territories.”
As Julia asked, the surrounding ladies, each seeming eager to show off what they knew, began to speak up. Listening to their words while fiddling with the bracelet, Julia looked at Violet with a completely puzzled expression.
“That’s so strange.”
“Pardon? What do you find strange?”
“I heard the shop owner is a very young and capable woman.”
“Yes.”
“But….”
The ladies nodded, then tilted their heads.
“Why hasn’t she come to pay her respects to me?”
The ladies glanced at each other, searching for a suitable answer. While it was true Blueciel Atelier operated in the capital, there was no law saying they absolutely had to pay respects to the princess. However, no one there could voice such a thought.
As they all hesitated to answer, one lady timidly raised her hand and answered in a trembling voice, slowly.
“It must be…”
“……?”
“…that a mere merchant finds it difficult to meet such a noble princess?”
“That’s right! How could a lowly merchant dare imagine meeting the precious princess!”
They all vied to praise Julia. But Julia, looking completely unsatisfied, let out a sigh.
“You all know it well. I am a person who is always kind and warm to the empire’s citizens.”
“We know!”
“Of course, everyone knows!”
Julia puffed out her cheeks as if she were utterly frustrated.
How hard had she worked to cultivate the image of an approachable princess? Going to the slums where vulgar people gathered to volunteer diligently and show benevolence. Giving away unworn clothes, providing good food, publishing books full of warmth.
All these efforts were to elevate Julia’s reputation as the empire’s most noble and benevolent lady.
“I’m so, so disappointed.”
“……?”
“She runs the most popular shop for women in the capital, right? Then shouldn’t she be able to come pay her respects to a benevolent princess at least once?”
At Julia’s questioning voice, the ladies quickly began offering answers on her behalf.
“Y-yes, of course she should have.”
“She must be too lowly to dare look up to such a noble person.”
“I’ve heard rumors the owner there lacks tact. I’m getting worried myself.”
The words from the ladies at the table went on and on endlessly. By the time the last lady finished speaking, Julia’s eyes had grown round.
“Oh my? Really? Are there rumors the shop owner lacks tact?”
“Miss Violet said so.”
As the words ended, everyone focused on Violet. Receiving attention for the first time at a princess’s gathering, Violet’s ears turned red.
“Miss Violet.”
“Yes, Your Highness, Princess!”
Her voice, tight with tension, carried a breathy sound. A *pfft* sound was heard from the surroundings. Violet, who had lowered her hands below her knees, clenched her fists tightly.
‘Don’t make a mistake. This is my chance to rise.’
“Is it true that shop owner really lacks tact?”
“Yes, she’s very tactless and selfish.”
“Is that a fact?”
“Yes, she speaks without any regard for tact… How should I put it. She’s a bit fierce, so it might be a bit dangerous for Your Highness to get close to her.”
“If she really is that tactless, it must be quite concerning. It’s a pity, isn’t it?”
At Violet’s words, Julia looked at her with sympathetic eyes. In her gaze, the bracelets worn by the other ladies came into view.
“But why is everyone wearing the same blue bracelet? It looks like there’s no individuality at all.”
“The Grand Duke of Blackwoo…, ack!”
Just as Violet was about to answer, the lady right next to her stepped hard on her foot. Julia stroked her cheek gently with her left hand and smiled.
“Miss Violet, you can continue. As you know, I’m neither tactless nor petty.”
“W-well, it’s… Grand Duke Blackwood wore this bracelet on the day of the victory parade. So now all the women in the empire are obsessed with this bracelet.”
“Ah.”
Julia uttered a short exclamation and picked up her teacup. After savoring the elegant aroma, she spoke leisurely.
“So our Winstor has been wearing such bracelets lately.”
“Yes.”
“But why is it that I didn’t know about such a rumor?”
