Chapter 41
I snapped open my fan, hiding my expression of disgust.
“I don’t care what Your Highness does, but don’t use me as an excuse to go after Daphne. I’ve completely cut ties with those people now.”
“You certainly have. Honestly, I was surprised. Is that really something you can let go of so easily?”
Kayden looked genuinely curious as he asked how that was possible. Then, cautiously, he lowered his voice.
“Was it because you were rejected…?”
“I was the one who broke off the engagement! Rio’s the one who got dumped, not me. Who on earth is spreading such nonsense?”
Grinding my teeth, I snapped at him, and Kayden—who knew my temper well—hurriedly changed the subject.
“Then… is that man over there your new lover?”
He gestured toward Herace.
Instead of answering, I quietly slipped my arm through Herace’s.
I couldn’t bring myself to say the word lover aloud.
“Do I really need to say it for you to understand?”
“I tried to hold back since you seemed embarrassed, but maybe that’s why people don’t realize.”
“This could be troublesome,” Herace muttered. Then he freed his arm only to draw me closer by the shoulders.
His touch was smooth, natural.
“Should we show them properly now? Just how much we’re in love.”
“Sh-should we?”
Ah, my voice cracked.
Kayden caught that fleeting hesitation and narrowed his eyes in suspicion.
“This feels different from the Marquis of Maze, doesn’t it?”
That remark thoroughly offended Herace.
His hand on my shoulder tightened, his voice dropping low and cold.
“Your Highness doesn’t understand. She adores me. Isn’t that right, love?”
“Of course. I like you so much more than Rio could ever compare to.”
I leaned my head against Herace’s chest, almost headbutting him.
“You know, right? Rio was nothing more than a fleeting breeze.”
“I know. There’s no way you’d ever waste yourself on such a pathetic man.”
He sounded ready to snap Rio’s neck on the spot if I denied it.
“…O-of course not.”
Damn it. Why did he have to bring up comparisons?
I shot Kayden a glare loaded with the clear message: Don’t push me further.
“Well, looking at the lady, I wasn’t so sure… but with him, it’s convincing,” Kayden murmured.
Then, as if something dawned on him, he nodded.
“This man is too good for you.”
“What did you just say?”
“Anyone who can put up with your temper—no matter his looks or status—is far from wasted on you.”
“What’s wrong with my temper?”
“There’s a common saying in society, you know. If roses have thorns, Sienna Winter has her temper.”
Wait—what? This was my first time hearing that!
Seeing my startled expression, Kayden chuckled.
“I should at least thank him for taking you off our hands.”
“My pleasure,” Herace replied smoothly.
“Hey! You’re not supposed to accept that!”
I pinched his side in retaliation and muttered darkly, tilting my head at Kayden.
“Your Highness, have you ever imagined a noble lady striking the Crown Prince?”
“What? Of course not. That’s impossible.”
“Well, it might happen today. So prepare yourself.”
At my deadly warning, Kayden went speechless—before letting out a nervous laugh.
“Just as rabid as ever…”
Then he discreetly put some distance between us.
We had lingered longer in the garden than planned because of Kayden.
I hurried back into the ballroom.
Quite a bit of time must have passed, since Estella had already returned.
Exchanging a glance of greeting with her, I walked toward Noah, who was surrounded by ladies and young noblewomen.
“Brother.”
At once, the flock of women scattered like the tide pulling back.
“Sienna. You were gone so long, I was getting worried.”
“I just rested in the garden for a bit.”
Rising on tiptoe, I whispered in his ear so no one else could hear.
“The Tear of the Stars—successfully done.”
“Well done.”
Noah patted my back, then turned toward the high table.
“Shall we leave now?”
“Already? Shouldn’t we stay longer?”
“We’ve greeted everyone necessary. It’s fine to go. Staying too late will be bad for your health.”
“I won’t complain about leaving early.”
“Then let’s say goodbye to His Majesty before we depart.”
Walking side by side with Noah, I caught sight of Irene hovering nervously near Kayden.
She looked like a restless dog about to make a mess.
What is she up to?
Just then—
Crash!
“Kyaaaa!”
A glass shattered, followed by a sharp scream.
“Ugh!”
“Daphne!”
Clutching her throat, Daphne spewed blood.
She staggered and collapsed, only to be caught hastily by Rio.
More blood spilled from her lips.
“Cough, ugh!”
Guests screamed and stumbled back from her.
“Oh heavens, what’s happening?”
“Lady Daphne, are you ill? Or…”
“No way—is it poison…?”
“Poison! Someone tried to poison Lady Daphne!”
The ballroom fell into chaos in an instant.
Kayden rushed to her side and barked an order.
“Seize the servant who just brought Daphne her wine. At once!”
As knights dashed out, I bit my lip.
This feels bad. Really bad.
And sure enough, my instincts were right.
The servant dragged before Kayden trembled violently—then pointed straight at me.
“Th-the Lady! Lady Winter told me to deliver it to Lady Daphne!”
Dozens of eyes stabbed into me like needles.
“Good heavens. For the young lady to do such a thing…”
“Everyone knew she hated Daphne, but to go this far…”
“Honestly, who else but Lady Winter would dare something like this?”
Voices of agreement rose all around, while Rio glared at me as if he would tear me apart.
“Sienna Winter!”
“It wasn’t me.”
Of course I denied it. But no one believed me.
“Even after the servant names you, you still deny it?” Rio shouted.
“And where’s your proof? Do you have any proof I ordered it? Don’t you ever consider I might be the one being framed?”
“Who else would do this if not you?”
“Marquis, watch your mouth. You accuse my sister without evidence—are you prepared to face the consequences?”
“That’s not what I meant, Young Lord!”
Leaving Noah to defend me, I stepped toward the servant.
“What are you playing at, slandering me?”
“Slander? Y-you gave me this vial yourself and told me to put it in the wine!”
His hands shook as he held out a small bottle.
“Th-this is the proof!”
“Hah. Unbelievable.”
I laughed in disbelief more than outrage.
Do they really think such a shallow trick will work?
On any other occasion, it might not have.
But against Daphne—my so-called rival?
Everyone knew of my envy, my jealousy.
And she had stolen my fiancé.
With such a perfect motive, everyone leapt to conclusions.
“…How amusing. Truly amusing.”
I let out a thin laugh, and Rio, glaring at me with contempt, snapped urgently:
“Call the physician first!”
“So you only need her alive, then?”
I looked between Herace and Daphne, then nodded.
“Fine. Heal her.”
Herace stepped forward at my command, but Rio knocked his arm away.
“You’re no physician. Don’t touch her!”
“He’s far greater than any physician—he’s a mage.”
Herace swatted Rio’s hand aside, scowling, and pressed his palm against Daphne’s chest.
“She barely drank any, yet she makes such a fuss.”
He clicked his tongue, and a white light flared from his hand.
Moments later, Daphne’s eyes fluttered open.
“Ugh…”
“Daphne? Are you awake?”
Satisfied, Herace turned away without hesitation.
Then he swept his cold gaze across the murmuring crowd.
“The antidote worked. Now shut your mouths. Sienna’s body is far weaker than that girl’s.”
“What—how can you say that? The lady of Winter collapsing is one thing, but Daphne was poisoned!”
To the noble who protested, Herace smirked derisively.
“Are you dense? If Sienna had poisoned her, why would I bother curing her?”
“M-maybe… maybe the lady had you heal her to erase suspicion!”
Herace’s face darkened with rare fury, his hand twitching as if itching to draw blood.
I caught his hand before he could lash out.
Barely restraining himself, he ground out:
“Do people use their heads only as decoration? Maybe I should rip yours off.”
“Enough. Don’t waste your breath. I think I know who the real culprit is.”
I patted the back of his hand and turned my gaze.
The moment our eyes met, that person flinched and looked away in panic.
So it’s you.
I stepped toward them and called their name.
