Chapter 52: In the Hall of Verdure part 1

The grand return of Lady Klein, who had gone missing at a young age, and her escort by the Crown Prince.

Up to this point, everything was perfect. No matter how extravagantly the young ladies who debuted alongside Dott adorned themselves with dazzling dresses, jewels, and flowers, it all paled in comparison to this flawless narrative.

But then, they had to throw in the return of Lady Lâtel?

Dott  could already predict whose name would be on everyone’s lips from tomorrow onward.

Lady Klein, long presumed dead, now stepping back into the limelight.

Lady Lâtel, once betrothed to the Crown Prince, who abruptly broke off the engagement and went into seclusion, now reappearing after years in hiding.

Among the two, the latter made for the more sensational topic.

And that made Dott ’s fury all the more unbearable. On a day like today, how could they erase her as if she didn’t exist?

Screech—

“What the hell?!”

Overwhelmed by her emotions, Dott let out an enraged shout. Realizing her mistake too late, she quickly clamped her lips shut. But the person peeking through the door was neither a lady’s maid nor any other servant. It was Morgana.

You again?

“Hello, Dott .”

“…”

In response, she received only a murderous glare. Dott’s bloodshot eyes, filled with rage, made it clear just how furious she was. Taking that as her cue, Fay stepped inside without waiting for a response and gently closed the door behind her.

Dott scrutinized the brazen Morgana with her reddened eyes. Her long, elegant hair cascaded down, and she wore a dress without extravagant jewels, simple white fabric accentuated only by a black ribbon.

Though Dott’s expensive gown was much closer to the pure white of a swan, Morgana showed no sign of being intimidated.

No pride, no sense. How dare you!

With a bright smile, Morgana spoke.

“How have you been? It’s nice to see you again.”

Had Morgana been the only surprise today, Dott’s sharp suspicions would have flared immediately.

Does she know something?

But with the unexpected return of Lady Lâtel, Dott was too shocked to even entertain such thoughts.

With a voice that sounded like it was boiling in her throat, she asked, “Oh? You seem to be in a good mood. How bold of you to attend a royal ball without fear.”

“Of course! I don’t get to see you often, since you’re a lady of high status, but at least in the palace, I can see you from time to time. I heard rumors that you’d be attending the ball tonight, so I just had to come.”

A sarcastic retort followed immediately.

“Oh, I see. So you saw me enter this room and decided to tail me inside?”

“Yep. Dott, are you doing well? I spend most of my time in the Magic Tower, but I come to the palace occasionally. Oh, recently, I read something that really resonated with me. Want to hear it?”

“…”

“They say, ‘Those who sleep on their rights will not be protected.’ Reading that made me reflect a little. From now on, no matter where I am, I’ll do my best. What do you think? Am I doing well?”

Dott stared at Morgana, the person she so desperately wanted to crush.

Not a trace of hesitation before the real noble lady in her pure white gown. No real flaw to pick at, yet wearing an unfitting dress and spewing useless words.

You were like this before, too, weren’t you? Bringing silly books from the monastery library, reading me a passage a day as if it were some grand gesture. Clinging to old habits like that, no wonder you have no friends. Then or now.

Dott, whose mind was preoccupied with her battle against Lady Lâtel, found dealing with Morgana utterly tiresome.

Drakan rider? Water mage? Look at this, everyone.

This girl is still a fool, utterly insignificant. Dress her in a laughable, modest gown and make her a subordinate of the Crown Prince. It changes nothing.

Count Quessa, I promise you. Before your son comes of age, I will deliver Morgana’s severed head to you.

Dott squared her shoulders and spoke with all the authority she could muster.

“You, do you even know who I am?”

“Of course! We’re friends, aren’t we?”

She expected Morgana to call her ‘Lady,’ but instead, Dott found herself even more irritated. She gritted her teeth and spoke sharply.

“I am Tiana Marietta Klein. The only daughter of the Empire’s two grandest duchies. Do you understand?”

“I know your name.”

Morgana’s deliberate provocation made Dott’s lip twitch in anger.

“The name I used at the monastery; that was just an alias. Forget it. Addressing me properly as ‘Lady’ is the basic etiquette due to someone of my status. Just because you don’t call me Dottricia doesn’t mean you can casually call me Tiana!”

The title of ‘Honorary Lady Manuela’ meant nothing to Dott. In this empire, only she could be a true lady. Only she could stand beside the Crown Prince.

Morgana tilted her head, her soft pink hair fluttering.

“Oh, I see. So you have to live as a proper lady from now on?”

“Yes. At least you have enough sense to understand that.”

Dott’s gaze turned even more condescending.

“Alright. Then from now on, I’ll regard and treat you as Lady Morgana.”

“What?”

Dott, who had aimed to establish her superiority, was caught off guard.

“Well, isn’t it the same? You became a lady after living in the Klein Duchy as an Eina. And I, after serving the Crown Prince in the palace and the Magic Tower, have become Lady Morgana.”

“Do you even realize what you’re saying?”

“Of course. From today onward, Dott and Morgana’s story ends here. Isn’t that right, Lady Klein?”

Her words carried a strange nuance. As if she were drawing a final, irreversible line between them.

‘You… surely not?’

Fay’s expression remained unchanged, but a slight smirk played at the corner of her lips.

……

T/N: It’s funny how Dott thinks that she has the upper hand lol