“Why should I believe your words over my fiancé’s?”
A soft spring breeze swept through. Dianther smiled faintly, as though she were genuinely curious about the reason.
It was as if, in this entire situation, the one in the wrong wasn’t her—but Hazel.
Hazel let out a short, incredulous laugh.
Ha… so she won’t believe it, huh?
Even in this situation, she just couldn’t let go of her pride.
Of course.
That woman was never ordinary.
Back at the Academy, she had always put on airs—pretending to be noble, delicate, above everyone else. And now, still sitting there as though she alone remained pure and untouched by the world… just look at her.
No—perhaps it wasn’t even an act. Maybe Dianther really was living in a field of flowers. Surrounded by her father and mother’s unshakable love, growing up in an impossibly wealthy ducal household, praised as the “flower of high society” by everyone who laid eyes on her.
A perfect world crafted just for her.
So of course, accepting such an unthinkable truth would be difficult.
That her own fiancé—her fiancé—was meeting in secret with her maid.
The same maid she trusted, doted on, and was rumored to care for deeply.
Even a passing dog could tell what the truth was by now.
And yet Dianther was desperately trying to keep her composure. It was almost pitiful, Hazel thought with inward scorn.
That’s life. You never know how things will turn out.
The proud young lady of the great House of Aspania—reduced to this farce.
Her pathetic effort to cling to dignity was almost moving.
You don’t want to admit it, do you, Dianther?
But what can you do?
The fuse of this scandal has already been lit.
No matter what you try, Dianther—you can’t stop it now.
Right before the grand scandal bursts open, Hazel Luxan would stand as the voice of truth—the one brave soul who dared to speak up, even at the cost of being misunderstood.
Yes, she thought, she’d chosen the right path. A direct confrontation was the only way forward.
But it was time to bring this scene to a close. No matter how foolishly proud Dianther might be, this wasn’t her territory—it was the Princess’s. Hazel could only go so far.
She sighed dramatically, shaking her head as if disappointed, then murmured, her tone soft but deliberate.
“Truly… Lady Dianther is impossible to reason with.”
“Is that so?” Dianther replied coolly.
“Well, I’m willing to hear more of your nonsense. It’s rather entertaining, actually. Listening and believing are two very different things, you know.”
Hazel’s lips thinned.
“Let me be clear. You’re the one twisting my sincerity, Dianther. You’ll regret it later—you’ll end up apologizing to me.”
“I look forward to it,”
Dianther said, smiling ever so slightly.
“Enough, both of you,”
said Princess Lylaina firmly before things could escalate further.
She had to put an end to this now. Drawing upon the stern tone of her mother, the Queen, she spoke with regal authority.
“Lady Hazel Luxan, you should return for today. I cannot keep both of you here any longer.”
“…As you wish, Your Highness,”
Hazel said, bowing her head gracefully.
“I apologize for showing such poor manners before you. I only hope my sincerity will be understood—and forgiven.”
“I will not see you out,”
said the princess sharply.
“And Lady Rabian Chamber—you should also take your leave. I expect neither of you to speak a word of what occurred here today. That goes for you as well, Lady Hazel. If any unverified rumor spreads because of your tongue, remember—you alone will bear the consequences.”
Both women bowed their heads.
The chaos had begun with Hazel, yet the one paling like she might faint was Rabian.
Her maid quickly rose to help her stand, while Hazel’s own maid—who claimed to be the witness—stood a few paces behind her mistress.
After offering their final curtsies to the princess, the group finally departed the terrace of the royal annex. Silence fell heavy over the space, as though even the air had stopped moving.
“…Haa…”
Lylaina let out a weary sigh, lowering her head. Where had it all gone wrong?
Her gaze drifted to the now-empty table.
She’d only wanted to gather her friends, share good food, and talk about their next meeting. And now… everything was ruined.
But that wasn’t even the worst of it. What worried her most was—
“Dian, I don’t even know what to say. I’m so, so sorry. Truly… I feel terrible about all this.”
The princess’s voice trembled.
This was all her fault. It was she who had brought Hazel Luxan today.
If it had been her mother, the Queen, she would have noticed the tension between Hazel and Dianther long ago and never arranged such a meeting.
She had sensed something off at the Aspania estate that day, but she’d brushed it aside, thinking it would be nothing.
A foolish, unbefitting mistake for a princess.
Perhaps she would face no real consequence—but Dianther, who had endured this humiliation, surely would.
The guilt pressed heavily on her chest.
Dianther stood and bowed with perfect grace. Lylaina quickly moved toward her.
“Dian!”
“Your Highness,” Dianther said softly.
“You have nothing to apologize for. If anything, I am the one who must beg forgiveness for letting you witness such an unpleasant scene.”
“Dian…”
Lylaina grasped her hands tightly. Dianther, so composed moments ago before Hazel, now looked shaken—grief glimmering in her eyes. Her fingers trembled faintly in the princess’s grasp, and seeing that made tears well up in Lylaina’s own.
“Your Highness,” Dianther whispered,
“I do not believe Lady Hazel’s words. Whatever reason she has for saying such things, I trust my fiancé. Not her.”
“Of course,” said Lylaina, voice quivering.
“That’s impossible. I don’t believe her either. Besides, Lord Edward isn’t just your fiancé—he’s my brother’s dearest friend.”
Holding back tears, the princess spoke with conviction. Her heart ached so fiercely she could barely stand it. If not for her mother’s restraint echoing in her mind, she might have ordered Hazel punished on the spot.
At the mention of Edward, Dianther’s long lashes lowered. Her pale blue eyes shimmered faintly, as though tears were gathering there.
“I’m grateful that both you and His Highness trust me—and him,” she murmured.
“Of course,” said Lylaina warmly.
“I’ll always be on your side, Dian.”
“I’m honored, Your Highness. And please—don’t trouble yourself over this matter any further.”
“Don’t say that,” said the princess gently.
“As I said, if you ever need my help, you only have to ask.”
Dianther slowly shook her head. She wouldn’t—couldn’t—burden the princess with such things.
Lylaina’s concern deepened.
“Then… what will you do now, Dian?”
“I…”
Dianthe paused, her voice quiet, thoughtful.
“I’ll live as I always have, Your Highness. I won’t let this make me doubt him. I don’t want to do something so foolish.”
“Then I’ll respect your decision,” Lylaina said softly.
“This is your life, and I’ll trust your judgment. My duty is to make sure this absurd rumor goes no further.”
She squeezed Dianther’s hand gently.
“It must hurt, I know. But while you’re with me, Dian, please—don’t worry about anything. You’ve come all the way to the Heren Palace, and I won’t let you stay gloomy. Look at the sunlight—it’s too beautiful for sadness.
Today will be wonderful. And tomorrow, too! Be ready for it. I’m going to bring your happiness back, no matter what.”
Her voice rang bright and determined. Dianther finally smiled, just a little.
________✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧𓉞___________
“Arthur!”
Haah… thank goodness.
The moment I saw him, I let out a deep sigh of relief.
The park beside the marketplace was far more crowded than before, and at first, I couldn’t even find the bench we’d been sitting on earlier.
After wandering through several alleys, I finally spotted it—and there was Arthur, sitting quietly, just as before. My heart, which had been pounding with anxiety, finally calmed.
It must have been quite a while, yet he had waited there patiently. My little brother really was too good for this world.
When he saw me, Arthur hopped down from the bench.
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly.
“I took too long, didn’t I?”
“No. You didn’t,” he replied.
“But… sister, did something happen? Something did, didn’t it?”
His peridot-colored eyes—so clear and beautiful—were filled with worry. Did my face give something away? I forced a light smile.
“N-no, nothing happened.”
“…That’s a lie.”
He murmured it softly, lowering his gaze. Oh no. When Arthur acted like this, it meant he was truly upset.
“I’m serious!” I said quickly.
“I just ran into someone I know and talked for a bit, that’s all.”
“…Was it Lord Callinan?”
Callinan? Where did that come from?
I froze, staring blankly at him, unable to find an answer.
