Chapter 52
“I didn’t expect you to remember me. You must have greeted more than a handful of people that day with the lady…”
Surprise was written all over her face. The women sitting around her also looked at me with astonished expressions. I met each of their eyes in turn and gave them a warm smile.
“You made time to attend my coming-of-age ceremony. To me, everyone who came is someone I’m grateful to, so of course I remember.”
Since the emperor himself had presided over the party, many people attended. I couldn’t recall every single guest, but those I exchanged greetings with—I remembered. Most of them were people I had already become acquainted with back in the days as crown princess.
“How remarkable!”
An exclamation of admiration slipped out from among the noble ladies seated at the high table.
“To think such depth of thought comes from a young lady who has only just held her coming-of-age ceremony.”
“The more I get to know you, the more impressed I become.”
“Thank you, Marchioness Engrail, Baroness Bizdel.”
“My goodness!”
Baroness Bizdel’s eyes widened as she looked at me. She had not expected me to know who she was.
“I’ve heard that Baroness Bizdel has great knowledge of music. If you have time, I would love to have a conversation with you about it. May I ask for that favor?”
“Of course! I would be the one honored!”
She exclaimed in delight. She was a newly married young woman, not yet established in society, and she hadn’t even been invited to my coming-of-age ceremony. The fact that I knew her astonished her.
If not for my memories from then, I would not have known her either. At that time, unlike now, she was making a name for herself in high society. Even someone as disdainful as my former self, who dismissed minor baron families, knew her name.
It wasn’t only her who was surprised. The Marchioness of Engrail, seated beside her, also looked at me in disbelief.
The Marchioness of Engrail was one of the imperial princesses who had married and left the palace. The reason a baroness without even a decent domain could attend an imperial hunting competition was thanks to her—because the two were close friends.
“I see now why the crown prince is so enamored with you.”
Instead of answering, I lowered my head slightly, feigning shyness. The marchioness laughed at the sight.
“I might fall for your charm myself.”
“I agree. The more one knows you, the more captivating you are.”
Countess Rustin joined in. Their laughter spread warmly among the ladies—until a mocking voice cut through it.
“So charming, in fact, that such rumors cling to Lady Elliant.”
The lively atmosphere instantly froze as though doused with cold water. With everyone’s attention on her, Bin’s face lit with satisfaction. A woman beside her, clearly a follower, waved her fan lazily.
“Indeed. Come to think of it, isn’t Luiasha owned by the Pison Merchant Guild?”
“Oh my, could that acquaintance you mentioned be the man from those rumors?”
A young woman sitting near Bin made a show of exaggerated surprise.
“Heavens, did you just introduce your lover as an acquaintance?”
“She’s not married yet, so technically he isn’t a lover. Apologize to Lady Elliant, Lady Melin.”
Bin cut her off with a sharp tone, but her face was full of ridicule toward me. Her behavior was nothing short of provocation.
“Oh ho, my mistake. I apologize, Lady Elliant.”
“Unlike Lady Elliant, Lady Melin is still inexperienced in society. Wouldn’t it be gracious to forgive her?”
Bin fluttered her fan, her eyes smiling though filled with murderous intent toward me. It seemed she had marked me as her enemy.
It was troublesome, but this was a good chance to step on her firmly. It was also the perfect opportunity to put an end to the malicious rumors surrounding me.
“I forgive you, Lady Melin. But you might benefit from studying vocabulary a little more.”
“Yes, as Lady Elliant says, one should study words carefully before appearing in society. For a lady who has just come of age, your conduct seems lacking.”
A noblewoman at the high table frowned at Lady Melin. Under their disapproving stares, Melin’s face flushed bright red. She and Bin had schemed this together, but she was too young to withstand the sharp gazes of so many noblewomen.
“We cannot place all blame on Lady Melin. After all, isn’t Lady Elliant also at fault, to have such rumors with another man?”
Bin spoke provocatively, and the young woman beside her supported her words.
“Indeed. If you had conducted yourself properly, such rumors would never have spread.”
“As they say, no smoke without fire. If you hadn’t acted suspiciously, would such stories exist?”
Bin seemed determined to drag this out to the bitter end. Admirable persistence—but she had chosen the wrong target.
I turned my head toward the First Empress. As I expected, her face had hardened. Meeting her eyes, I put on an expression of deep regret.
“Now I understand how Your Majesty the First Empress must have felt back then.”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
Bin shouted, startled by my words.
“Your Majesty, did you feel the same way I do now?”
“You—”
“Bin, be silent.”
Sensing danger instinctively, Bin tried to speak, but the First Empress cut her off. Her frostbitten gaze turned from Bin to me.
Once more, tension settled between the First Empress and me. Whispers about me died instantly.
“Ah… I don’t know why such rumors plague me. I can’t bare my entire heart to prove myself. It’s truly frustrating and unjust.”
I rose from my seat and bowed to all present.
“It seems the rumors surrounding me have caused distress to those gathered here. I sincerely apologize.”
“How could that be Lady Elliant’s fault? It is the fault of those who spread lies as though they were truth. Is that not so, Your Majesty the First Empress?”
Countess Rustin spoke calmly to the empress. The scandal of the First Empress was more than thirty years past. Only those of her generation knew of it.
Many of the younger ladies looked confused, but the older noblewomen who knew of that past exchanged tense glances, watching the confrontation.
If the First Empress’s scandal resurfaced, it would lead to a mudslinging match from which neither side would benefit—especially her. At last, after a long silence, the First Empress spoke.
“Countess Rustin is correct. Baseless rumors must have caused Lady Elliant much distress. It is truly regrettable. Those who spread them—Bin and her companions—must apologize and refrain from society for the time being.”
“Y-Your Majesty!”
Bin cried out, but the First Empress’s icy gaze silenced her instantly. She flinched under that stare.
“Bin, as a noble of high standing, your conduct has been disgraceful. You are henceforth banned from society for a year.”
“Your Majesty!”
Ignoring her desperate cry, the First Empress gestured to nearby attendants.
“Take Bin away. She looks rather exhausted.”
“I was wrong, Your Majesty!”
Bin was dragged out, but no one intervened. The aura of the First Empress was as sharp as a blade—no one dared to defend Bin.
Even after Bin vanished, silence reigned. Those who had sided with her trembled, paralyzed by fear. The empress’s gaze turned to them.
“You will formally apologize to Lady Elliant.”
“We are sorry, Lady Elliant.”
“Please forgive us, Lady Elliant.”
They leapt up and bowed deeply to me. The First Empress’s cold eyes then turned on me. I met them, unfolding my fan with composure.
“I forgive you. But please be careful not to fall prey to baseless rumors again.”
“We will take it to heart.”
“Thank you. We will never be deceived by such lies again!”
They bowed once more. From now on, unless solid proof appeared, no one would dare mention the rumors surrounding me.
Anyone attempting to spread them would first have to contend with the First Empress herself—whether they were crown prince’s faction, neutral, or noble faction.
Bwoo—Bwoo—
A trumpet sounded twice, loud and clear. It signaled that the emperor was returning from the hunt to the resting place.
The sun was already past its peak, tilting westward. It was time for the emperor and the hunting party to return for lunch and rest.
Servants bustled about, rushing to prepare before the emperor’s arrival. But the noble ladies seated still hesitated, wary of the First Empress’s eyes. She continued to glare at me. I, unhurried, simply enjoyed her gaze, fanning myself leisurely.
Bwooooo—
Another trumpet blast rang out. This time, unlike before, it was long and singular—the emperor was very near. The First Empress, rigid as a statue, finally snapped her fan shut with a loud crack, betraying her displeasure.
