~Chapter 82~
Charlotte left out the crimes she had committed against the Grand Duke and instead turned him and Bella into legendary lovers.
She painted her parents as villains who tried to tear the couple apart, while she herself became the bridge that brought their love together. To explain her status as a maid, she claimed she had been erased from the noble registry because of her parents’ wrath.
If this story spread, the Rohiltern family’s reputation would crash. But Charlotte thought they deserved it. After all, weren’t her parents the ones who quickly sold their daughter to the Grand Duke just to survive?
“Working as a maid… was only because I had nowhere to hide. My sister offered to help, but I didn’t want to trouble her. I thought I’d just wait in the Imperial Palace until my parents calmed down.”
“Ah, I see.”
Lady Lethene didn’t look suspicious at all.
“If the Grand Duchess officially becomes part of the royal family, she might restore your status, right?”
“Yes… I suppose so?”
Just then, the door burst open.
“Why are you making noise so late at night? If you still have energy left, go clean the hall—”
The usual nagging stopped.
“…Lady, what brings you to a place like this?”
“Ah, forgive me. I was just catching up with Charlotte. We hadn’t spoken in such a long time. We met once before she became a maid, isn’t that right?”
Charlotte awkwardly added, “Yes, that’s true.”
“I didn’t mean to tire you out, Head Maid. It just feels sad to part like this. Would it be alright if I borrowed Charlotte tomorrow, just for a day?”
“….”
“Only for one day, I promise, hmm?”
Lady Lethene smiled sweetly and slipped a gold coin into the head maid’s hand.
The head maid frowned. She knew that letting nobles approach maids for palace secrets could cost her position. But since this was the daughter of a very powerful family, she also feared making an enemy if she refused too harshly.
“That…”
“It’s fine. Really. I won’t ask those kinds of questions. Charlotte wouldn’t be foolish enough to answer them anyway.”
“…Then, alright.”
Charlotte wanted to know what “those” questions were, but she forgot everything the moment Lady Lethene linked arms with her.
“Shall we meet tomorrow at the palace gates? Or maybe in the marketplace?”
“The marketplace?”
“Actually, my friends want to meet you too. But your condition… hmm. And wouldn’t you like to take off the maid’s uniform for once? Let’s wear new, beautiful dresses together. Of course, if you prefer the uniform, I won’t force you.”
Charlotte realized what she meant.
‘She wants to take me into society!’
And she knew how big of an opportunity this was.
‘Not all nobles like the Grand Duke. If I play this right, maybe I can find someone who will rescue me from being a maid.’
Still, one thing held her back.
“Um… but am I really allowed to receive a new dress?”
Since becoming a maid, she knew how expensive dresses were. The thought made her hesitate.
“Of course! Oh, and speak more comfortably. You’re a noble too, aren’t you?”
Lady Lethene smiled, her eyes curving like half-moons.
“Or are you already building walls between us, just because you’re the future Grand Duchess’s sister?”
“That—that’s not it! I always wanted to have a friend like you.”
“Really? Then I’m honored.”
Charlotte forced a smile and clasped her hand. She was so flustered that she didn’t notice Lady Lethene’s brow furrow slightly, then smooth out.
“Then, see you tomorrow.”
After following Mrs. Wellington’s advice and writing rejection replies to all the invitations, a week passed.
Even though Bella had worried about whether it was okay, her worries turned out to be meaningless—because soon, invitations piled up again.
“Now, let’s slowly make your appearance in society.”
Mrs. Wellington explained that the capital’s social world was divided into many factions, so Bella had to be careful about which gatherings she attended.
“If you’re not cautious, rumors may spread that the Grand Duchess is supporting one faction over another. Even just your attendance can make you the center of power. That’s why every step must be taken carefully.”
“Then what should I do?”
“The best way would be to host your own gathering. However, since you don’t have enough experience yet, it would be difficult. Instead, let’s carefully choose an appropriate event. I will help you.”
Mrs. Wellington gave two conditions:
-
The host must not belong to any faction.
-
Since you’ve already rejected many parties, the host must have enough influence that others would accept your decision.
From the mountain of invitations, half were cleared away.
And in the end, only two remained.
One was from the Marchioness of Matisha.
The other was from the daughter of Count Lethene.
“Both are formidable people. If they can influence society without belonging to a faction, it means they have special power of their own. However, as for the young Lady of Lethene…”
“Careful, my lady.”
Mrs. Wellington’s voice disappeared. I looked up at the man holding my hand.
It was Armians, dressed in his uniform. He had come all the way here to escort me to Lady Lethene’s tea party.
Thanks to him, I didn’t fall—but honestly, I wasn’t very thankful.
This was right in front of Lady Lethene’s mansion. The host herself, along with other young ladies, were all standing outside.
Seeing their surprised eyes made me feel so embarrassed. I knew this situation was unusual.
“Y-you really don’t need to do this. I could have come alone…”
“Mrs. Wellington said it’s best to show how close we are in public.”
Since when did he start listening to others so well?
“I just couldn’t relax after seeing you almost trip earlier. Let’s walk together until the entrance.”
Because he mentioned the truth, I couldn’t refuse.
Fortunately, the entrance wasn’t far.
“Th-there, we’ve arrived now!”
“Tsk.” Armians clicked his tongue.
“Um, now you should let go of my hand…”
“Even the way Bella feels burdened is cute.”
“What?”
“The more I look, the more I only see good things about Bella. It’s becoming a problem.”
“So please, let go of my hand—”
“I worry someone might steal Bella away. Why can’t people wear name tags? Ah, so that’s why Mrs. Wellington mentioned a ring. I hope it’s finished soon.”
Was he joking?
But when I looked at his lowered face, mumbling quietly, all I saw was serious obsession.
“Then… can I leave another kind of mark instead?”
“Huh?”
Before I could react, something soft touched my cheek and quickly pulled away.
When I saw his red lips move back, I finally realized what Armians had just done.
“!!”
“See you later.”
He let go of my hand, but I couldn’t respond at all.
I just stood there blankly, my cheeks burning red.
The people around us murmured.
“My goodness, did you see that?”
“I knew it wasn’t a political marriage, but still…”
“It’s springtime indeed.”
After Armians left, the host, Lady Lethene, approached me with a smile.
“Thank you for attending my humble party. I was truly delighted when His Highness said you would come.”
Mrs. Wellington had warned me, but her friendliness was still surprising.
I almost forgot that I should correct her by saying, “I’m not the Grand Duchess yet.”
Lady Lethene guided me to an indoor garden. Beneath a glass dome ceiling, colorful flowers bloomed everywhere.
In the center, several tables were set up, as if tea gatherings were often held there.
And at one of those tables…
“……”
“Ah, hello?”
Charlotte was there.
When I only stood still staring at Charlotte, Lady Lethene led me to the seat beside her.
“Since you two were said to have lived like real sisters, I arranged your seats together.”
“Come to think of it, Your Highness the Grand Duchess is also from the Rohiltern family, right?”
“It must feel nice to meet family again here in the capital.”
The other young ladies cheerfully added their words. They seemed overly excited, but not malicious.
This time, I looked straight at Charlotte.
I remembered hearing that she had been erased from the Rohiltern family registry. Now, seeing her dressed up more extravagantly than two years ago and pretending to be close, left me speechless.
“W-welcome. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?”
“……”
When I didn’t respond, Charlotte’s face twisted.
