TSKSML 82

Chapter 82

From the very beginning, Hailey disliked Liriana.

The position of the lady-in-waiting chief to the duke’s daughter—judging by both family status and wealth—should have belonged to her.

Just as Marisol had always said, it was utterly disgraceful the way Liriana strutted around, relying on Grand Duke Zighardt.

Not only with the chief lady-in-waiting position—this time too, it was clear Liriana must have used some trick.

From the start, it was strange that she even knew Lady Angelina’s dress color.

Hailey was closer to Lady Angelina than anyone, yet she herself had known nothing.

Thanks to that, Angelina had been able to stand out at her debut ball, the only one wearing a red dress.

Liriana must surely be jealous of me!

Yes, jealous of her beauty—second only to Angelina’s—and trying to ruin her.

Hailey was convinced all of this was Liriana’s scheme.

Her anger boiled so hotly that her hands trembled.

“…Lady Hailey, shall we go over and ask the Imperial painter to sketch us together?”

Angelina, who had been watching her, called gently.

Since Marisol’s departure, Hailey had become Angelina’s closest attendant.

The Imperial painter was quickly sketching the affectionate scene of Angelina and Hailey.

“Lady Hailey, is something wrong?”

“Th-that’s… well…”

Hailey glanced around first.

She had suspicion but no proof, so she needed to be careful with her words.

Luckily, no one nearby was close enough to overhear.

“…I think Lady Liriana leaked my dress color.”

“Oh my, truly?”

“Lady Liriana found out that you, Lady Angelina, would be wearing a red dress. She also learned the colors of the other young ladies’ dresses.”

So that’s how she came to know about their dress colors…

At last Angelina understood how Liriana had gotten hold of that information.

But how did she know I’d be wearing red?

They had even signed strict contracts with the Imperial designer, forbidding leaks. The only people who knew besides herself were Marisol and Bella, the maids she had brought from Herbiant.

Somehow, Liriana had found out. Using Angelina’s dress color as bait, she had grown closer with the young ladies.

Angelina’s urge to drag Liriana over and interrogate her was strong, but she herself had been the one asking Liriana to learn other girls’ colors.

And what if, however slim the chance, it was Marisol who had spoken?

Since people had begun forgetting Marisol, it was better not to stir that up again.

In the distance, Liriana was happily chatting with the other young ladies.

Angelina began to sense why Hailey had brought this up.

Among the girls around Liriana, Lady Cecilia wore a cobalt-blue gown—close in color to Hailey’s.

“…Perhaps Lady Liriana used the dress colors as an excuse to win people’s hearts?”

“Ah, so you think so too, Lady Angelina!”

“Liriana comes from a fallen count’s family. Naturally, she would crave recognition as the chief lady-in-waiting.”

“I think so as well!”

With Angelina agreeing, Hailey became even less able to control her feelings.

“Liriana must have been desperate for attention.”

“I always knew she was that sort of person!”

“…She’s truly a pitiful woman.”

“Yes! I agree with you completely, Lady Angelina!”

Angelina’s agreement only reinforced Hailey’s conviction that she was right.

But Angelina was starting to feel irritated by Hailey’s response.

Every sentence ended with “Lady Angelina,” as if it were Angelina’s opinion instead of Hailey’s own gossip.

It was Hailey who was slandering Liriana, yet Angelina would appear complicit.

But “Angelina the angel” never spoke ill of anyone. That was her iron rule.

So with a serene smile, she said,

“…Still, let’s not think too badly of her.”

“How can we not? Could you, Lady Angelina, endure such a thing?”

“Even so… what matters isn’t the color of the dress, but me—the one wearing it.”

Hailey blinked in surprise. Angelina had stoked the fire, then suddenly pulled back.

She was always like this: subtly revealing others’ weaknesses, tossing out bait, then stepping back once others began to tear at it.

That way, Angelina alone remained the angel.

Of course, no one could dare reproach a duke’s daughter.

Hailey’s anger now burned even hotter toward Liriana.

She ruined my once-in-a-lifetime debut, just to steal people’s attention?

That thought hardened into certainty.

Unable to endure it any longer, Hailey strode toward Liriana.

“Lady Liriana.”

“Oh, Lady Hailey. Forgive my late greeting. That blue gown suits you wonderfully!”

Liriana smiled as Hailey approached.

This wicked little viper dares to act friendly?!

Hailey barely restrained herself from shoving the girl who so shamelessly complimented her.

“Yes, it would indeed look more beautiful—if only you hadn’t leaked my dress color.”

“…Pardon? What do you mean…?”

Liriana stared blankly at her, not understanding.

“Don’t pretend. Lady Angelina already told me everything!”

In truth, Angelina had merely agreed with Hailey’s suspicions. But by invoking her name, Hailey could justify her accusation.

“What are you talking about? I—I never told anyone about the young ladies’ dresses, aside from Lady Angelina’s…”

Finally realizing the situation, Liriana hurried to explain.

But things were already spiraling.

The other young ladies who overheard began to gather.

“Lady Liriana leaked our dress colors? Is that true?”

“No—how could you!”

The voices of those wearing similar colors grew louder.

They hadn’t spoken of it, but having another in the same color had already annoyed them.

Now, Liriana—beautiful beyond anyone tonight—made the perfect target.

“Did you leak my dress color too?”

“Speak, Lady Liriana!”

To Liriana, it felt like the nobles from the temple days had reappeared—the ones who’d tried to drive her out.

If she provoked them, things would turn even uglier.

She had no idea what to do.

“N-no, that’s not it…”

“You used Lady Angelina’s dress color as bait to gain our attention, didn’t you?”

“N-no! It’s true I approached you saying I’d share her dress color, but only so your dresses wouldn’t clash with hers! I swear, I never told anyone else about it!”

Liriana pleaded desperately.

But the young ladies’ anger didn’t fade. They only glared at her more coldly.

“…Lady Liriana, after this, I don’t think I can smile and greet you anymore.”

Hailey revealed her trump card.

Ever since the Grand Duchess had taken charge of Imperial society events, a new custom had been introduced at the debutante ball.

Before the opening, the young ladies would line up and greet each other face-to-face.

The Grand Duchess had hoped such a ritual would foster bonds of camaraderie among those debuting together.

In society, if one wasn’t careful, they’d be eaten alive. She had at least wanted their first step to be alongside “companions.”

But of course, the custom had once been abused.

A certain marchioness’s daughter—known for stealing others’ fiancés—had been utterly shamed when no one greeted her.

Despite the Grand Duchess’s decree against such cruelty, here Hailey was, all but threatening to do the same.

“You really have gone too far!”

At last, Lady Cecilia could no longer stand it and stepped forward.