Chapter 51: Really Can’t Stand It! part 1
“Who wouldn’t feel the same? Hoho. But more importantly, how much favor will the newly accepted Lady Morgana receive? Considering that His Highness personally bestowed the title of ‘Lady’ upon her, wouldn’t it be reasonable to expect her ennoblement in two years?”
“Well, that does seem likely.”
The sole Drakan Rider of the Arkan Empire was a subject both personally and publicly interesting to discuss.
Dott was seething with anger, barely holding herself back from shoving to the ground those around her who dared to utter such words.
How dare they! Talking about such nonsense in my presence, the only imperial princess of the empire! Do they even think before they speak? If anyone so much as mentions that she and I came from the same monastery…! I’ll tell Mother and make sure they regret it!
“I hear she’s quite skilled in magic.”
“Indeed. Apparently, there’s no one her age who can match her talent in water magic.”
“Could she be of a mage lineage?”
‘Yes… that’s more like it.’
A genuine smile spread across Dott ’s face.
Mages were an odd bunch, gathering en masse in the Mage Tower. While the imperial court outwardly honored them, both nobles and commoners alike feared and kept their distance from them.
Even if that girl went around flaunting her undeserved title of ‘Lady,’ there was a clear limit to how far she could climb in high society. How delightful.
Dott chuckled inwardly.
“Well, we can’t say for certain, but Lady Morgana is young and has a promising future. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Haha, my youngest son is three years younger than her. I hope he grows up quickly and gets closer to Lady Morgana. Right now, he’s just too much of a child.”
“Oh, you! But that’s not a bad idea. The older sons are all married, after all. Well, let’s think about it when the time comes.”
What? Who dares to spout such nonsense?
Dott pretended to adjust her glass, subtly turning her head to identify the speaker.
It wasn’t just any insignificant noble family. Count Quessa himself was laughing heartily while seeking his wife’s approval. What was even more infuriating was that the countess didn’t seem particularly opposed to the idea.
Normally, the third son of a noble family wouldn’t be much of a prospect, but the situation was slightly different with House Quessa. The first two sons were born to a deceased former wife, while the third son was the current wife’s child, meaning he was legally entitled to inherit her wealth.
‘D**n it! Just ignore them! Don’t even give them a second thought!’
Even Prince Astein was out of reach, and now even the third son of a count’s family?
Just hearing this made her stomach churn. Pretending not to notice such talk was pure agony.
Fortunately, the conversation soon shifted to other topics. Complaints disguised as boasts about how the newly imported tea wasn’t as good as expected or how the whaling business wasn’t yielding the expected profits.
Ugh… this is so unbearably dull and frustrating. I feel like I’m going to lose my mind. Where is the Crown Prince? I don’t even see him. Why is he leaving me all alone instead of coming to rescue me?
No matter how long she waited, Crown Prince Sillas never approached to request a second dance from the princess. When she finally glanced up, she saw him dancing with another young lady. Was it Lady Esault, the daughter of Count Esault?
I can let this slide. Just this once. But since you’ve already danced with someone else, it’s time for you to come to me now.
She waited and waited, caught between anger and impatience.
‘They say patience leads to happiness.’
However, the Crown Prince never came to escort her to the center of the hall. Instead, he remained steadfastly focused on his own affairs.
As a princess, Dott could have forced her way into his presence, but she refused to do so. Everywhere in the imperial palace, there were hundreds of eyes and ears watching and listening.
If she were to marry the Crown Prince in the future, rumors would spread endlessly – stories of how she had desperately clung to him.
He should come to me first. That would make all my struggles and suffering worthwhile.
‘Why…? Things were going so well, so why is this how it ends? This is all because of that wretched maid insisting I wear that ridiculously childish pink rosepin this morning! It brought me bad luck! I hate pink, I hate it!’
Frustrated and exhausted, Dott fueled her growing resentment by blaming others. And then, as if her dwindling patience wasn’t enough, a voice shattered what remained of her composure.
“… Presenting Lady Manuela de Lâtel!”
What?! Who?! A ‘Lady’?! There can be no other ‘Lady’ in the Arkan Empire but me!
Dott, on the verge of madness, barely held back the urge to scream. Instead, she sprang to her feet, startled by the murmuring crowd.
“No way….”
Even Duchess Klein, who had been conversing with others at a distance, looked visibly shocked upon hearing the announcement.
“Lady Lâtel?”
“She was on the guest list?”
“Ahem… well, there’s no reason she couldn’t attend.”
One person even cast a glance toward Queen Rania, seated at the upper end of the hall.
The doors, which had remained closed all evening, now opened, revealing the poised figure of Lady Lâtel.
Tiana Marietta Klein was always addressed as ‘Lady Klein’ rather than by her first name. It was both a matter of etiquette and an acknowledgment of her noble lineage. However, the same rules of etiquette took on a different significance when applied to Manuela de Lâtel. The title ‘Lady Lâtel’ reminded everyone that she was of foreign royal blood.
If nothing else, she should have had the decency to stay out of the spotlight!
Dott fumed inwardly, unable to contain her resentment. She had only ever heard of this woman, never seen her in person, yet she already despised her.
‘Why?! First, that elusive Young Lord Kassel reappears, and now this wretched ‘Lady’ shows up in my presence?! Not to mention that lowly Morgana strutting around in a dress far beyond her station!’
This is absurd. Something must have gone terribly wrong.
