Chapter 260

“Agh…!”

Anatoli, the former imperial princess, went rigid.

Her face went deathly pale, as if she’d just seen a ghost, and she didn’t seem to know what to do.

Just as the princess’s lips trembled soundlessly, Lady Paanté stepped forward.

“I greet Your Highness the Former Imperial Princess. Glory to the Imperial House.”

“Glory to the Imperial House.”

“Glory to the Imperial House.”

As Lady Paanté spread her skirt wide and led the salute, the children echoed her words.

I also dipped a light curtsey.

Smiling sweetly, Lady Paanté addressed Anatoli.

“Thank you for coming.”

“Y-Yes…”

“You’re here at the Empress Dowager’s request, aren’t you?”

Lady Paanté deliberately emphasized the Empress Dowager, her eyes sweeping the room, clearly wanting everyone to know: the Empress Dowager sent the former princess for me.

I looked at the princess.

The moment our eyes met, she flinched, shoulders curling inward, her face still ashen.

“I-I should be going now…”

Lady Paanté’s eyes went wide in shock.

“What?!”

“I’ve shown my face. That’s enough.”

“B-But…”

Lady Paanté faltered, clearly panicking.

To have finally brought an imperial guest only for her to leave after showing her face… it would make it obvious this visit was just for appearances.

For Lady Paanté, who wanted to flaunt her tight ties with the Imperial Family, this was a disaster.

Still forcing a smile, she tried again.

“Please don’t go yet. Wouldn’t it be nice to stay for a while? Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has been worried about you, since you’ve stayed secluded in the palace unlike before.”

It seemed the former princess truly was frightened.

If she’d withdrawn from society and holed up in the palace…

‘Well, then why do something so terrifying in the first place?’

A quiet scoff slipped from me.

The princess caught that and bit her lip hard.

“I said I’m leaving—”

“My mother prepared some fine wine especially for Your Highness. Lorraine! Bring the wine Her Ladyship selected for the princess—!”

“I said I’m leaving!!”

The princess suddenly shouted.

Lady Paanté went pale, and the hall fell silent.

‘Idiot.’

Rumelisa Paanté is the only daughter of the Paanté Marquisate.

Even in distant Astra, it’s well-known how doted on she is by her parents.

And yet, look at the commotion going on in this party she’s hosting.

Every child here would report today’s incident to their parents the moment the party ended.

The Paanté couple would surely grind their teeth over their daughter’s humiliation.

‘Paanté is the Empress Dowager’s natal family and a pillar of the Emperor’s faction…’

If they bore a grudge, it could get messy.

Even in Yoo Hyemin’s world, a children’s quarrel turning into an adult feud was nothing rare.

Lady Paanté looked completely lost, consumed by mortification.

No one else dared speak up.

Except me.

“Lady Paanté, are you alright?”

She flinched back to herself at my question.

“Ah… yes. I seem to have troubled Her Highness, who isn’t feeling well. Forgive me, Your Highness…”

I put an arm lightly around Lady Paanté’s shoulder and looked at Anatoli.

“It seems Your Highness is quite exhausted… even to the point of raising your voice at a children’s party.”

“……”

“Even so, you came in person despite your condition. That alone shows how much you cherish Lady Paanté.”

Which, translated plainly, meant,

It must have been hard for you to come at all in that state.

Would the former princess have shown up if it weren’t Lady Paanté’s party?

Clearly, you’re deeply favored by the Imperial Family.

Everyone present would catch the implication.

Lady Paanté’s face brightened at once.

“Y-Yes, of course!”

“Exactly.”

Beaming now, the girl turned to the princess.

“It hurts my heart to hear Your Highness isn’t well. You should return and rest quickly.”

“……”

“Seviz, escort Her Highness to her carriage, would you? As host, I can’t leave the hall.”

‘Seviz is Lady Paanté’s cousin, right?’

If she’s entrusting the escort to her cousin instead of going herself, she must still feel slighted.

“Oh, if it’s alright, may I escort Her Highness?”

“You, Lady Astra?”

“Yes. My partner is waiting just outside. He’s not from District 1, so the entry process was rather slow. I was thinking to check how long it’s taking while I step out.”

“My, your partner’s been kept waiting that long? Lorraine, bring the entry permit at once.”

A woman named Lorraine, wearing the badge of a noble child’s nanny, bowed quickly.

Lady Paanté took my hand.

“Then I’ll entrust Her Highness to you.”

“Yes.”

Lady Paanté then turned to the princess, dipping into a small curtsey.

“Glory to the Imperial House.”

“Glory to the Imperial House.”

“Glory to the Imperial House.”

Receiving the children’s farewell, the former princess all but fled through the door.

Naturally, I followed right after her.

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