‘Why is she looking at me like that?’
It wasn’t just that the others didn’t like me; this was different.
The hand holding the knife was trembling with anger, and the gaze directed at me was full of resentment.
Yet, even that expression seemed beautiful.
Her face, like a flower—brilliant and striking—seemed to glow, and I found myself captivated by the subtle allure it held, despite the underlying tension.
‘But I’m not sure what’s in that drink, so I should just pretend to drink it.’
Even if she were the one who had put me in danger, it would be hard for her to strike at my life with so many people around. But it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.
I gently touched my lips to the cup and set it down again. At that moment, the Duchess’s voice was heard.
“I was curious about who it is that has captured His Majesty’s heart.”
“…Pardon?”
“At first, I heard you were an assassin targeting His Majesty… How did you become so close to him? May I ask?”
Her curious eyes were fixed on me.
The ladies around her added their comments, intrigued.
“…I’ve been wondering the same thing.”
“Did you use some sort of trickery, the kind practiced by beastkin? If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be too difficult to understand how His Majesty’s heart could have been moved.”
I had expected this kind of question.
Thanks to my training with Sir Samuel, I wasn’t taken aback by it.
Instead, I smiled calmly, not showing any sign of discomfort.
“I can’t go into detail, but… His Majesty misunderstood me as an assassin, which led to my capture in Hamilton. However, while I was briefly in prison, I was attacked by the real assassins who were after me.”
I watched the Duchess’s reaction as I continued explaining.
“They were truly ruthless and terrifying people, trying to kill me without mercy. While I was fleeing for my life, His Majesty, like a prince, came to my rescue. I think… that’s when it all began.”
It was a lie wrapped in truth, but I could sense it wasn’t the truth at all.
No matter how I tried to remember, our relationship hadn’t been as romantic as it sounded.
We were too busy insulting each other back then.
“So in the end, you chose to escape the prison to survive. I don’t see how that’s any different from a prisoner escaping.”
“Then what were the prison guards doing when those people were threatening my life?”
From somewhere in the distance, someone responded.
“I never expected His Majesty to have such qualities. It’s surprising.”
There were murmurs of agreement from others.
At that moment, Lady Enullin, who had been holding a knife, let it fall to the floor with a loud clatter.
It seemed too deliberate to be a mistake, as she had clearly dropped it while glaring at me.
With a twisted smile, she arrogantly commanded me.
“Oh my, my hand slipped… Could you pass that to me?”
“Usually, when a knife is dropped, a servant will come to bring a new one,” but this time, by directly asking me to pick it up, Lady Enullin was clearly treating me as inferior.
However, I had been prepared for this kind of situation, thanks to Sir Samuel’s wise teachings.
“Lady Mayhen, remember this: although your image wasn’t great at first, you are now a woman favored by His Majesty. So, in a situation like tea time, no matter how others act, don’t let it shake you. This moment is when you should wield the power you have in your hands with confidence!”
Recalling his words, I tried to suppress my laughter and, with an expression that showed my efforts, mimicked the most dignified and benevolent voice I could muster.
“Lady Enullin, at times like this, you should call for a servant.”
Perhaps thinking I would panic, she grinned wickedly, showing her teeth.
Of course, even as I spoke, my heart was pounding like it might explode out of my chest.
“…You are very kind, Lady.”
Soon after, a servant brought a new knife to Lady Enullin.
The attacks continued, but I smoothly deflected them as if it were nothing.
The onlookers, who had been watching eagerly, soon showed signs of boredom.
It wasn’t the spectacle they had expected, and disappointment was evident on their faces.
Before long, the conversation naturally shifted to another topic.
“Speaking of which, the hunting competition will be held soon.”
“I wonder which noble family’s heir will catch the best prey this time.”
As I quietly listened, the Duchess suddenly turned her gaze toward me.
“Will you be attending the hunting competition, Lady?”
It was an unexpected question, but not one that was difficult to answer.
I smiled and replied to her.
“Ah… Yes, I’m going with His Majesty.”
At those words, the Duchess’s face lit up with a beaming smile.
She seemed genuinely happy.
“How wonderful! There will be many other noble heirs attending, so it would be a great opportunity to network.”
Her comment was brief, but it quickly led to further praise from the other guests toward the Duchess.
“The tea you prepared, Duchess, is so relaxing that before I know it, I’ve fallen asleep, and the morning comes. Now, we can’t sleep without it.”
“It’s no trouble at all. I brought back some famous tea from the desert across the sea as a gift. If it suits your taste, I’ll be sure to send more when you leave.”
“We are always receiving so much. You are truly kind. If you ever need help, Duchess, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We’ll do anything we can to assist.”
For a while, their conversation flowed in various directions.
They discussed nutritious supplements that could wash away fatigue simply by eating them, cosmetics that made skin firm and rejuvenated youth, and even legendary elixirs that granted immortality.
The Duchess seemed to know a lot about foreign lands, but her knowledge of medicines seemed especially vast.
‘How does she know so much?’
Eager not to miss any useful information, I listened intently when, unexpectedly, an elderly lady, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke.
“By the way, I heard Lady Mayhen went with Sir Kerif to the secretive Western Tower, a place where few travel. Is that true?”
At the sudden mention of Sir Kerif, I couldn’t help but be startled.
I had no idea why this was being brought up now.
“Yes, that’s true, but I was also accompanied by the girl named Perry who’s behind me, and there was nothing inappropriate about it.”
I responded quickly, feeling the need to clarify.
“But isn’t the girl behind you one of your servants, Lady?”
The elderly lady continued with a reproachful tone.
“If a servant is truly loyal to her mistress, she should be able to turn a blind eye to things, even if she sees them. What’s important here is not whether there was anything suspicious or not.”
“…Then, what is it?”
“The problem is that a man and woman of marriageable age spent time alone together in a place where no one else was around. Oh, is it because there are so many immoral people in the countries where beastkin gather that such things are treated as nothing?”
A victorious smile spread across her face, as though she had forced the other person to kneel before her.
I made an effort to stop the conversation from spiraling further.
“That’s not it. Truly, Sir Kerif was just concerned about me being alone in a foreign country…”
Lady Enullin, who had been quietly holding back her frustration, once again interjected.
“Why was Sir Kerif concerned, I wonder? If I recall correctly, he is kind-hearted, but he has never spent such a special time with another woman like this.”
Her eyes, as lovely as cherry blossoms, sparkled with amusement.
She then widened her eyes in mock surprise.
“Don’t tell me… are you weighing who would be better between His Majesty and Sir Kerif?”
The noblewomen nearby also chimed in.
“Well, His Majesty is fickle, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider other options.”
“But to think the other option would be Sir Kerif… I’m worried this could repeat the tragedy of the previous reign.”
“Surely His Majesty won’t make the same mistake as the late Emperor, right? After that incident, the palace was in such turmoil.”
I didn’t know what the previous reign’s tragedy was, but I could no longer just listen.
Just as I was about to speak up, I heard footsteps approaching.
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder in response.
‘Why is the atmosphere suddenly like this?’
I turned around in confusion to find the Emperor entering the reception room.
The Duchess’s face, which had been calm until now, was now tightly stiffened.
“What brings such a distinguished guest to such a humble place?”
“I heard the Duchess was hosting a tea party, so I couldn’t just pass by.”
At that moment, the Duchess’s gaze shifted toward me.
She glanced at me once and then turned back to the Emperor, smiling.
“I see, you’re here because of the concerns over the young lady. I was curious about the rumors circulating, and it seems they were true. But Your Majesty…”
The Duchess’s voice suddenly dropped in pitch.
A cold, biting tone escaped her lips, like a gust of winter wind.
“This is a tea party for women only. You should also consider my position as the head of the Duke’s household.”
At her words, the Emperor’s lips curled into a smirk.
Unfazed, he casually sat down and responded in an even more brazen tone.
“I heard that, unbeknownst to me, my nickname in town has become ‘the eunuch.’ So, I don’t see why I wouldn’t meet the requirements written on the invitation.”
At his unexpected remark, some people gasped in surprise, while others sprayed their tea from their mouths.
“Pfft…!”