If You Leave Without a Word - Chapter 276

‧₊˚ ☁️⋅♡𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ☾.

Seated on either side of Agatha were two noblewomen who kept whispering among themselves.

They were Countess Kirillovna and Marchioness Vega, the same ladies with whom she’d just taken tea in the Empress’s toilette. It was no coincidence that Agatha Kristin had been seated next to them. It was as if someone wanted to brand her as one of the Empress’s people.

As the Grand Duchess entered, all eyes in the hall turned to her. She paused for a moment, scanning the room as if looking for someone.

After surveying the crowd several times, her gaze met Agatha’s, and a fleeting smile appeared on her lips before vanishing. With deliberate steps, the Grand Duchess made her way straight toward Agatha’s table, drawing a wave of attention along with her.

Finally, the Grand Duchess stopped in front of Agatha.

“It’s been a while, Marchioness Vernat.”

Anyone watching would see this for what it was a provocation. Despite Agatha’s attendance as Duke Kristin, the Grand Duchess greeted her with the lesser title of ‘Marchioness’, pointedly ignoring her new status.

It was truly petty. It was just the kind of petty power struggle one would expect from bored noblewomen who did little but adorn themselves, drink tea, and gossip about others.

Agatha wondered if this woman had ever experienced a real battle, one where her life was on the line.

She stifled a laugh that threatened to slip between her lips. The timid girl who once had to hide behind Cain Vernat to escape her abusive aunt was long gone—something the Grand Duchess seemed unaware of.

The woman before her now was no longer a frail, sheltered girl, but a Duke hardened by loss and survival. Agatha decided it was time the Grand Duchess learned this, and slowly rose to her feet.

The Grand Duchess stood her ground, clearly waiting for Agatha to pay her respects.

“Agatha of Kristin greets the Grand Duchess.”

Agatha clearly asserted her origin and standing. She made it clear she was here as the head of the Kristin family—not as anyone’s wife.

The Grand Duchess’s pupils flickered, perhaps expecting Agatha to wilt under pressure. But Agatha met her gaze squarely, showing no sign of weakness.

“Your Grace, perhaps you have not heard the news that there is a new head of Kristin.”

The Grand Duchess’s face flushed. Among the nobility, a title always took precedence over any other social designation, and in the rare case that a woman became the head of her house, her title was to be used first—not her marital status.

By not doing so, the Grand Duchess had violated a core rule of etiquette, and Agatha’s words made it clear she would not let it slide.

“What… did you say…?”

“I’d like to think you simply weren’t aware, rather than having done so intentionally. It’s not a crime to be uninformed, though it is a bit embarrassing. So, Your Grace, as the head of Kristin, I greet you once again.”

Countess Kirillovna raised a hand to her mouth in shock, and she wasn’t alone—anyone within earshot was stunned by the exchange.

Tension crackled between Agatha and the Grand Duchess. Red-faced, the Grand Duchess glanced around, seemingly searching for support.

But at the imperial Prince’s birthday banquet, there was no one of sufficient status to come to her aid. Her husband, the Grand Duke, could have tried to smooth things over, but he hadn’t come.

No one would have expected that a powerless Grand Duke—an insignificant member of the imperial family, barely clinging to life by relying on the Emperor’s mercy—would dare threaten the Crown Prince’s position.

If such a person caused any trouble at this event, the Empress would never let it slide.

“How insolent…”

The Grand Duchess muttered under her breath, biting her lower lip.

Regardless of all else, Agatha’s attitude toward the Grand Duchess was enough to be considered an offense—an insult to royalty, no less. It seemed the Grand Duchess intended to press the point, as her trembling hand rose, ready to strike Agatha in the face for her audacity.

Agatha did not flinch.

In truth, this was all part of a calculated provocation.

Become my ally.

There was a reason the Empress had summoned Agatha to this gathering and asked her to join her side.