Chapter 75
“Who did you say is here?”
Sipping black tea as she waited for Euclid’s return, Sylaria blinked. At her question, Cora faltered and repeated nervously.
“Lady Willoughby is here, claiming to be His Highness the Second Prince’s… consort.”
“Hm…”
Sylaria arched her brows and set her teacup down on the table. As far as she knew, Arendtert had neither a wife nor even a fiancée.
Yet now, out of nowhere, someone calling herself the prince’s consort. Something was clearly behind this. She signaled with her eyes, and Marin stepped forward.
“Can you find out what’s going on?”
“Of course, please leave it to me. I’ll be quick.”
Marin, whose face had already twisted with displeasure the moment Cora mentioned Grizelle’s arrival, answered eagerly. She would investigate with enthusiasm.
Once Marin left, Sylaria nodded at Cora. Understanding the cue, Cora hesitated a moment and then left the drawing room, looking troubled.
“Why’d you make me wait so long?”
Grizelle swept in, dressed up so extravagantly she was almost unrecognizable, chin lifted high. Sylaria regarded her calmly. Sitting on the sofa, she stared up without rising, and Grizelle’s brows knit.
“When someone of higher rank arrives, you should stand and greet them, Syllie. Do you know nothing of imperial etiquette?”
“And who’s supposed to outrank whom?”
“Obviously I, the prince’s consort, am above you.”
“I’ve heard nothing of the sort.”
Sylaria spoke evenly and lifted her teacup again. Her unhurried sip made Grizelle’s glare sharpen.
“Are you saying I’m lying?”
“I thought you’d gone back to Gideon long ago. So you’re still clinging to the palace.”
Sylaria said it coolly, eyes on her cup. Grizelle clenched her teeth.
She had come in ready to crush Sylaria’s spirit, but the plan faltered from the first exchange. Because Sylaria hadn’t risen or greeted her, Grizelle ended up standing alone while Sylaria stayed seated and composed.
The power dynamic felt reversed. Sylaria looked like the one in the superior seat.
“Why would I leave? The palace is my home now!”
Grizelle huffed and plopped herself onto the sofa with deliberate noise, raising dust. She smirked as she said,
“My honey is away at the moment, so I came alone today. He went on campaign to Lekan.”
“…I see.”
Sylaria barely suppressed a laugh as she answered. Already calling him ‘my honey’ as though she were flaunting a honeymoon sweetness after mere days. It was almost comical.
‘Marin, are you back yet?’
Sylaria lowered her gaze to her teacup and let time pass, waiting for information before responding further.
“Milady!”
Right on cue, Marin entered the drawing room with brisk, urgent steps. She leaned close and whispered into Sylaria’s ear. Sylaria’s violet eyes grew wider with each word.
‘Good heavens…’
It seemed rumors about Grizelle were running wild in the Second Prince’s palace. The brazen woman who had thrown herself at Arendtert, spread her legs, and used that to secure a place as his mistress.
Mistress. Even in her past life, Grizelle had been nothing more than a scandalous adulteress clinging to Arendtert. In this life too, she had failed to rise above the rank of concubine.
And yet here she was, parading in and claiming the title of consort. Shameless now just as she had been before.
“Thank you, Marin.”
“Of course, Milady!”
Marin retreated with a bright smile at Sylaria’s gratitude. Grizelle shot her a resentful glare for daring to whisper secrets in front of her.
“You clearly need to retrain your ladies-in-waiting, Syllie. Not even greeting the consort properly—”
“Consort? Where exactly is the consort you speak of?”
Sylaria tilted her head slightly, her tone mild but cutting. Grizelle flinched but quickly recovered, lifting her chin and smirking.
“Me, of course. I told you, I’m a prince’s consort now. You should learn to listen properly.”
“And where are your ladies-in-waiting?”
“What?”
“Even I have all these ladies-in-waiting assigned by Euclid. Where are yours, if you’re really a prince’s consort?”
Sylaria swept her gaze slowly across the room. Around six ladies-in-waiting, including Cora, stood quietly in attendance. At the pointed remark, Grizelle faltered, her lips parting in sudden embarrassment.
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