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nThanks to Cyra for the donation! And to everyone else for being so patient~

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n“Well, I’m a little doubtful that this will lead to harsh evaluations. As we all know, a sudden visit from a very important person can easily make one nervous.”

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nIn short, it was rude to arrive without an appointment.

nBaroness Vellus’ mouth opened and closed.

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nIt was ignorant to immediately criticize the immaturity and inexperience of the young ladies present while also being a person who recklessly participated in other people’s tea parties without sending word beforehand, especially if they were not particularly important figures in the empire.

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n“Still, dropping one’s teaspoon is unrefined for educated nobility. Isn’t that so, Lady Rosaline? After all, neither of us dropped ours, right?”

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nRosaline laughed inwardly. At some point, Ella had started talking confidently, which was different from the clumsy, insecure act she put on to arouse a protective instinct.

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n“But, Lady Rosaline, you mentioned that a sudden visit from an important guest was a reasonable cause for worry, but you didn’t seem surprised at all. Don’t you think that… Baroness Vellus is distinguished?” Ella alternated her gaze between the two other women, eyebrows lowered as if in reproach.

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n‘Is she really picking another fight right now?’

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nRosaline wasn’t scared of fights, but she didn’t want to be roped in like that.

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n“Of course she’s distinguished. However, I wasn’t surprised because the baroness said, ‘See you again,’ last night. How about you, Lady Ella…? Oh! You also weren’t surprised. Then, does that mean you don’t think…!” she paused dramatically, covering her mouth with both hands as if she had received enlightenment.

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nBaroness Vellus, who was quietly listening, frowned briefly. Due to the course of the conversation, Ella had been ignoring her as well. Still, she couldn’t afford to be angry, so she bit the inside of her cheek. With Azela’s support, Ella had the highest probability of winning the selection. Although she hated that type of person the most, it was difficult to take a stand against the empress dowager.

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n“Lady Ella must have realized that I would be present. When I entered alone, we made eye contact, and thus I sat at this table because of her warm gaze,” Baroness Vellus said.

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nRosaline held her tongue. The baroness was surely smart enough to know that she was being insulted, which meant that this was her choice. She meant to keep quiet even if she was wronged.

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n‘Fine, I’m a pacifist anyway.’

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nThe sounds of laughter and conversation from the other tables permeated their space.

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nRosaline struggled to focus on the people in front of her despite knowing that not doing so was rude.

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nThe ladies next to them were talking about the common topic of a cheating fiancé.

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nShe usually wasn’t interested in such things, but in the subsequent silence at her table, it had been a ray of light.

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nAbove all, the woman leading the conversation was a skilled storyteller.

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nThe story reached its climax—when the cheating was caught.

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n“Have you seen His Majesty, Lady Ella?” the baroness asked.

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nShe sighed and pulled her attention back to where it was expected to be. Baroness Vellus was drinking tea and pretending to choose what to say as the two beautiful empress candidates looked at her.

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n“His Majesty is so busy! Instead, I met the empress dowager.” Ella bowed and blushed, but her voice was loud enough for everyone to hear.

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nEspecially when mentioning Azela.

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nLooks of defeat spread across the hall, but Rosaline couldn’t decide whether it was enviable to be favored by the dowager. She doubted anyone under Azela’s protection would be happy as Cahir’s companion.

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n‘No matter how desperate the situation, I would never hold Azela’s hand.’

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nElla knew of the strained relations between the two royals, so why would she choose to side with Azela? Was it because of Rosaline? Because their fated meetings were prevented?

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n‘If so, then I feel a little sorry.’

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n“Really? I’ve heard that Her Highness has high standards, and it seems that she likes you, Lady Ella. Don’t you think so, Lady Rosaline?”

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nRosaline wasn’t sure where the conversation was going, but she nodded for now. “I suppose. I heard that Her Highness was strict, so I’m thankful now that she has Lady Ella. Please continue what you have been doing.”

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nIn short, ‘Don’t mess around and get along with Azela for the rest of your life.’

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nAll things considered, the sarcasm in the statement wasn’t malicious at all. However, Ella seemed to think differently. The corners of her mouth trembled.

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n‘If you’re putting on an act, do it right and at least laugh properly.’

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nIt was terrifying to see a laugh that didn’t reach the eyes.

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n“Of course. I’ll be a good friend for both Her Highness and His Majesty.”

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nAgain, Ella knew that Cahir and Azela had a bad relationship. Now, she had no choice but to side with the empress dowager, but once she had the emperor’s heart, she would let go of Azela’s hand.

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nIn her last life, she hadn’t been able to do that. She had fought with Cahir many times because of Azela, so she intended to draw a line when the time came.

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n“I’m very happy to think that His Majesty will gain a good friend. I can’t even imagine it.”

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nShe could never be his friend.

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n“Why is that?” entered Baroness Vellus.

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n“His Majesty doesn’t have time to make friends. Managing an empire takes an overflowing amount of work.”

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n“Oh my… That’s too bad.”

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nIndeed, the baroness’ look of sympathy was almost believable. Rosaline almost believed that there was someone who truly recognized Cahir’s hardships.

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nHowever, she had to quickly shake off such emotions. The facade of sympathy was only to lull her into a false sense of security.

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n“But there’s something I don’t really understand, Lady Rosaline. If not having enough time is a barrier against making friends, then what about you, who had been with His Majesty for a long time as his secretary…” Ella supplied, picking up where the baroness left off.

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nRosaline was thus at a crossroads. If she talked about Cahir’s disposition, it would be like gossiping about him, and if she placed the burden on herself, the two would be able to twist it somehow and cut her off.

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nWere there other ways to handle the situation?

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nWith her spoon, she cut a corner of the dessert Hui had brought earlier and brought it to her mouth. As soon as she tasted it, she bought time by savoring the melting sweetness. As delicious as the pudding was, it was not unnatural for her to spend some time on it.

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nFortunately, an idea came to her before she had to pick up another piece, although she really wouldn’t have minded otherwise.

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nOf course, it would cause all sorts of rumors among the ladies, and while normally it would have scared her to think what Cahir would say to that, considering how he was now, it didn’t seem like a big deal.

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n“I’m ashamed to say this, but…” Rosaline tilted her head, recalling the times when he angered her.

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nHe had almost committed murder when an administrator was caught embezzling, he used to throw reports on their desks and ask them to solve things right away, and he used to make her face the nobles when he didn’t want to do it himself.

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n‘But that’s all in the past now.’

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nShe had planned to make herself turn red by thinking about how frustrating he was, but the only thing she was feeling was a sense of pride and fondness.

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n“Lady Rosaline? Your face is red, are you not feeling well?” Hui asked, resisting the urge to check if she was feverish.

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nThe two women had a close relationship, but because of the difference in their social status, they had to be careful in front of Baroness Vellus and Ella.

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n‘My face still turned red? But I’m not angry at all…’

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nRosaline steeled herself, relieved that she got the results she wanted. “His Majesty and I are… a little bit like friends,” she whispered with lowered eyes.

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nElla’s eye twitched.

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nThe phrasing was ambiguous, but the surrounding ladies picked up on it at once. There was meaning in vagueness, and Rosaline’s cheeks were so very red. Additionally, the rumors spreading through the imperial palace were very convincing.

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n“Oh dear, I guess it’s true.”

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n“Why is she talking as if she is uncertain of her position? I myself was sure that I would be a bridesmaid.”

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nEyes quickly flitted across the table.

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nElla stepped in coldly. “What do you mean by that?”

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nRosaline only smiled subtly, which turned ‘a little bit like friends’ into ‘a little bit like friends’.

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n“Well, there’s no problem with meetings between young men and women before getting married. However, I would like to say that when it comes to a married relationship… Hmmm? I’m sure you know. I don’t want to speak frivolously”

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nWas Baroness Vellus… implying something about illicit affairs? Why was there no possibility in her heart that Rosaline could be empress?

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n‘It’s making me feel competitive, even as someone who isn’t so invested. Perhaps the baroness should pay attention to how her words will affect Ella, who looks like she’s having difficulty maintaining her composure.’

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nRosaline wondered how Ella would react to talks of marriage and affairs.

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