Chapter 63
In truth, most of the rumors Grizelle had picked up were baseless nonsense.
Especially the one about the First Prince falling for Sylaria’s ‘innocence’. That was utter nonsense.
Yes, Sylaria possessed a pure and delicate beauty. That much was true.
But there had been far more calculation behind the First Prince’s engagement to her than mere attraction.
Yet Grizelle, blinded by her infatuation with Arendtert and the luxury she imagined she could extract from him, didn’t consider any of that.
There were plenty of other things Grizelle overlooked.
That, compared to the truly beautiful Sylaria, she herself was no more than a clumsy country girl.
That, even with every effort spent to dress herself up, her looks only barely reached a level comparable to Sylaria’s.
And, above all, that in her current state she held no charm for Arendtert whatsoever.
“What on earth… do you think you’re trying to pull?”
Arendtert stared at Grizelle in disbelief. As the woman approached him while slipping off her clothes, he shot up to his feet, utterly stunned.
“Stop that!”
“Your Highness. Please… hold me.”
Clad now in nothing but her undergarments, Grizelle put on her most pitiful expression. But Arendtert only looked at her in disgust.
“Lady, are you sure Sylaria really sent you here?”
“Sylaria thinks I’ve gone back to Gideon already. Cold-hearted as she is, she just told me to hurry up and pack.”
“I think the same. Get out and pack right now!”
Arendtert blurted out, flustered. He hadn’t expected to find himself agreeing with Sylaria, but for once, he was entirely on her side.
“If you don’t get out this instant, I’ll have you dragged out.”
“If you do that, I’ll go straight to Sylaria and tell her you tried to assault me.”
“What kind of nonsense—!”
Just as Arendtert started to snap back, Grizelle seized the hem of her own undergarments and ripped them apart in one harsh pull. The thin muslin shredded to rags, leaving her nearly naked.
“When she sees me like this, Sylaria will believe me.”
“You madwoman…!”
Arendtert was appalled. If Sylaria’s friend walked out of the Second Prince’s quarters half-naked, of course it would look as though he had tried to violate her.
And unfortunately for him, Arendtert had a history of exactly that kind of offense, one he had only just barely smoothed over by offering his shoulder. If Sylaria found out he had tried to lay hands on her friend as well, she would not let it go.
“What do you want from me?”
“I don’t ask for much. Just… let me purify you, Your Highness.”
With feigned modesty, Grizelle raised an arm to cover her chest and spoke in a pitiful tone. Then she threw herself toward the pale-faced Arendtert.
* * *
After sending Grizelle away, Sylaria looked around the room. She glanced at Cora and the other ladies-in-waiting, her brow faintly furrowed.
“Was I too harsh with her?”
Cora and the ladies-in-waiting hesitated, unsure how to answer, and exchanged wary looks. Sylaria smiled faintly at them.
They didn’t know the history between her and Grizelle. To their eyes, she must have seemed cold, sending off a long-time friend so unfeelingly.
“The truth is… last time, when Grizelle was with me, something happened to Ellie. That’s why. I don’t think it’s safe to keep Grizelle here in the palace.”
“Ah…”
“I see…”
“I understand.”
“I would have done the same, Milady.”
One by one, the maids began to speak, sympathy softening their voices.
Not long ago, while spending time with Grizelle, Elenia had been hit by Arendtert.
Worse still, he had forced to pull out purification from her, straining her heart.
Since then, Elenia had avoided going out almost entirely. The physician had warned that she might have lingering trauma and advised her to avoid the rose garden, and even roses themselves.
All the ladies-in-waiting of the First Prince’s Palace knew of this incident. They may have momentarily forgotten because Grizelle had been looking after Elenia so carefully since then, but Sylaria had not forgotten for a single moment.
“I know it’s not really Grizelle’s fault. I do know that, but… the heart doesn’t always follow reason.”
As Sylaria let her voice trail off, Marin stepped forward. She hesitated for just a moment, then spoke with quiet resolve.
“Milady… the truth is, that day I saw Lady Willoughby following after His Highness the Second Prince.”
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