Chapter 113
“Chamomile is especially good during the dry season like now.”
I lifted the teacup and inhaled deeply. The soothing aroma wafted into my nostrils.
“It helps with skin hydration and purification. Oh, and it’s good for insomnia too.”
The looks on the noblewomen’s faces as I spoke about chamomile’s benefits and my maid relayed my words perfectly said:
‘How on earth are we supposed to react to this?’
Some openly displayed their displeasure, but most at least managed a surface-level smile.
Only Nella quietly stared at her teacup with an inscrutable expression.
“I’ve gone on too long. Please, drink comfortably.”
With those words, I took the first sip with a gentle slurp. Following my lead, the hesitant noblewomen picked up their cups and began to drink.
Nella flashed a momentary look of unease before masking it and sipping her tea.
The waiting maids then brought in plates of dessert.
It was an appetizing tart with bright yellow lemon embedded in it.
“I’ve been obsessed with lemon tarts lately. They pair well with any tea.”
I carefully cut the tart placed before me with a knife, then pierced it with a fork.
Popping the tart into my mouth, a burst of tangy lemon flavor filled it.
The noblewomen likewise sampled the tart with awkward movements.
Since no one was asking me anything of substance, I took the initiative to ask a question—through my maid, of course.
“Why do you all look like that? You seem to have many questions for me.”
No one answered. I offered a gentle smile and spoke again.
“Feel free to ask anything. This isn’t a formal occasion, is it?”
My words made several of them flinch.
Meanwhile, Nella’s expression remained perfectly composed. Though her face was partially obscured by her veil, her emotions appeared to be completely under control.
I wondered who would speak first.
I set down my fork and slowly scanned the people seated at the table.
A moment passed.
“Then I’ll ask a question.”
All eyes turned to the speaker. It was Nella, her purple eyes gleaming arrogantly.
I put down my fork and spoke through my maid again.
“Anything, my lady.”
Then I smiled quietly.
Though my exact expression would not be visible, the glimpse of my jaw beneath the veil would at least reveal that I was smiling.
Hearing my response, Nella momentarily appeared thoughtful, then curled her lips into a smirk and spoke.
“Are you really the Silver Lily?”
The room fell silent. This wasn’t merely bold—it was audacious.
Amidst the tension, someone let out a hiccup.
A sharp atmosphere descended upon the hall.
I moved my lips with a visibly stiffened face.
The maid who promptly came to me and leaned in to listen eventually relayed my words.
“I’m not sure what you mean by that, my lady.”
Nella’s smile deepened. It was the smile of someone convinced I was not the Silver Lily but someone else.
Lifting her chin, Nella said:
“Then why don’t you remove your veil? If you’re lying, you’ll have insulted every noble present here.”
Her voice and smile exuded confidence.
At her words, the nobles stirred restlessly, staring fixedly at me.
Or rather, they were straining to get a better look at my face hidden behind the veil.
The maid, assuming I would speak again, leaned toward me. But I remained silent.
After several seconds, when the flustered maid straightened her posture, Nella’s emboldened face became visible.
“Why no answer? If you’re the Silver Lily, show your face and speak properly with your own voice.”
Nella even dropped honorifics. While everyone was startled and alarmed, no one contradicted her words.
Even those who were uncertain kept their mouths shut, simply observing the situation.
I let the insolent Nella be for a moment. The more silent I remained, the more she would act out.
“Hmph, so you’re not the Silver Lily after all! How could the Silver Lily, who was supposedly at death’s door last night, be walking around perfectly fine in less than half a day? And hosting a tea party, no less! This is absurd.”
Nella snorted derisively and launched into a scathing tirade. Now she was blatantly looking down on me and dismissing me, causing several people’s faces to cloud with displeasure.
Even the maid who had been relaying my words fidgeted anxiously, looking back and forth between Nella and me.
And when Nella’s nose was practically pointing to the ceiling, I finally beckoned to the maid.
The maid quickly bent down to bring her ear close to my face.
Though she couldn’t hide her anxiety, when I whispered softly, she fulfilled her duty and relayed my words.
“I’ll overlook your rudeness this time, but you would do well to restrain yourself, Your Highness.”
This was tantamount to saying, “Yes, I am suspicious.” At least, if I weren’t truly the Silver Lily.
But if I were the real Silver Lily, I would be a merciful woman who understood and overlooked the arrogant princess’s rudeness with great magnanimity.
Nella either didn’t consider the latter possibility, or she was convinced I couldn’t be the Silver Lily, because she raised her voice even more.
“This is an insult to nobility! Even if His Imperial Majesty ordered this, it’s unacceptable. Ladies, what are you doing? We all need to protest to uncover the truth!”
“B-but, Your Highness.”
“Don’t you understand yet? This woman is not the Silver Lily! What other reason could there be for hiding her face and not speaking directly?”
Most seemed to agree with Nella. The atmosphere had become too heated for those with differing opinions to easily speak up.
“Even His Majesty cannot escape responsibility for this. How could he allow us to be insulted like this? What possible reason could there be—!”
Nella suddenly stopped mid-sentence and opened her eyes wide. With genuinely surprised, trembling eyes, she scanned the noblewomen. Then, as if having realized something profound, she enunciated each word clearly.
“Goodness, so the rumors about Lady Silver Lily’s death were true!”
Gasps erupted from all around. Even the maids standing nearby exchanged shocked glances.
To guard against possible spies, I had prepared myself and arranged the tea party on my own. Since I appeared before the maids already wearing the veil, they hadn’t seen my face either.
Only this maid who relayed my words had heard my voice directly and knew who I was, but she too was considerably flustered as the atmosphere took a strange turn.
I beckoned to the maid again.
All eyes turned to me, and the maid who heard my words slowly began to speak.
“Do you truly not realize that the princess’s actions constitute treason against the imperial family and defamation? Stop this nonsensical talk now. If you do, I’ll let it go just this once.”
Despite the firmness of these words, they had no effect. By now, it seemed no one fully believed I was the Silver Lily.
That’s when it happened.
Emboldened by my words, Nella rose from her seat and approached me.
“If you won’t reveal yourself, I have no choice. I’ll uncover the truth myself!”
Everyone’s faces were painted with confusion and bewilderment, but Nella’s actions were more shocking than anyone could have imagined.
Before I could stop her, she raised her hand and reached straight for my face.
Then with a swift motion, she pulled away the veil.
A moment of silence. Then, one by one, sharp intakes of breath.
“…Gasp!”
“This… can’t be.”
As my vision suddenly brightened, I briefly closed my eyes and furrowed my brow. Then, as if dizzy, I swayed and didn’t forget to press a hand to my head.
With my eyes still narrowed, I spoke softly. In a quiet voice, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
“…Princess.”
I strained my vocal cords to produce a broken voice, and fortunately it came out as intended.
I addressed Nella, who was staring at me openmouthed, speechless at the sight of my face.
“I wonder how you plan to take responsibility for this crime.”
My voice was frail but clearly carried a cold power.
After saying this, I gazed at Nella for a moment, then made eye contact with each of the noblewomen in turn.
They were all staring at me with identical expressions of shock, and despite the heavy atmosphere, I almost burst out laughing.
“This… can’t be… How…!”
Nella finally regained her senses and stammered. Her expression as she looked down at me was like someone witnessing a dead person come back to life.
I maintained my rigid expression for a moment, then, as if resigned, let out a sigh and turned up the corners of my mouth.
“I can’t help it. I was well aware of the princess’s tomboyish personality, so I’ll understand one last time. I don’t want to ruin the tea party.”
With that, I smiled the most benevolent and loving smile in the world.
Exclamations of admiration rippled among the noblewomen, while Nella’s face crumpled like a sheet of paper.
In the end, Nella had to return to her seat without saying anything. Now that it was confirmed I was indeed the Silver Lily, Nella’s wrongdoing was crystal clear.
Since many noblewomen had doubted me, the atmosphere grew even heavier.
I sighed once more and clapped my hands.
“Bring the next tea. The chamomile has gone cold.”
This time I spoke directly. After briefly glancing at a maid who was entering with a tea tray, I addressed the noblewomen.
“I was speaking through the maid because my throat hurts, but I had no idea it would cause such a misunderstanding. It’s a bit painful… but I’ll speak directly.”
Several noblewomen hung their heads in embarrassment. Any normal person would feel extremely sorry and guilty toward me.
Soon, the second tea brought by the maid was set up. When the lustrous reddish-brown tea reached Nella, I looked directly at her and said:
“It’s Earl Grey. Freshly harvested and brought straight from the plantation.”
Nella’s expression visibly contorted.
I lightly picked up my teacup, and the other noblewomen one by one lifted their cups to their lips.
