Ruby smiled sweetly as she spoke, but the atmosphere instantly turned cold.

It must have been what everyone at the gathering had wondered about but didn’t dare to mention.

But I wasn’t uncomfortable.

If I had harbored some curse-like intentions, that would be different, but to me it was merely an amusing statement.

How absurd would it be for me to curse myself?

I like it, Ruby. This was exactly the question I’ve been waiting for.

I gathered these people with the intention of being outrageous, but I actually had another purpose too.

Whatever is said here will spread far and wide.

Since Ainberg currently shows no intention of giving me up, I need to make him let go through external pressure.

A woman so arrogant and willful, and on top of that, one who tried to curse the unfortunate Empress.

No one would want such a person to become the Emperor’s woman.

Leonora, this is the only option left.

The rumors about the Duke Chadmon’s daughter being ill-mannered will fade with time.

So please forgive me…!

I sighed lightly and was about to open my mouth.

“Yes, so—”

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

Suddenly Avery jumped to her feet and raised her voice.

“My lady, you’ve gone too far. Leonora is absolutely not that kind of person. Absolutely not!”

Avery shouted at Ruby with a flushed face, as if she herself had been insulted.

Ruby seemed taken aback by the fierce counterattack and smiled awkwardly with trembling lips.

She looked quite flustered, but probably not as surprised as I was.

Avery, what are you doing!

To my perfect tool!

“I’m not saying I did it, just that I heard such rumors.”

Ruby composed her trembling lips and continued calmly.

“Come on, everyone, tell me. Am I the only one who heard this story?”

She then opened her fan and discreetly hid her reddened cheeks.

…When someone like Ruby says such things, I think I can guess the source.

No. But Avery, this is not the right timing!

“So what exactly—”

I hurriedly tried to salvage the situation, but Avery wouldn’t stop.

She snapped her fan open and thr*st her stomach forward in front of Ruby.

“Yes, you’ve all heard the rumors. But what’s your intention in bringing it up here? Didn’t everyone come because Leonora invited you?”

Avery put her hands on her hips and continued.

“Even if such rumors exist, none of you should behave this way.”

“No, Avery.”

“Instead of being grateful, you corner the person who invited you with ridiculous false rumors.”

Her words were touchingly kind, but this wasn’t the right moment.

“Avery, I mean, I—”

I reached out my hand, but Avery wouldn’t stop.

“And I know Leonora well. Leonora Chadmon would never do such a thing. I’ll vouch for her!”

“……”

Avery, I’m truly grateful that you think of me that way. But this isn’t the right timing.

The atmosphere became much stranger than before, and the gathered women began whispering in low voices.

Wow, this is driving me crazy.

I can’t exactly step forward now and say, “Yes, I did it. Hoho, the Empress’s position should be mine!”

As I was frantically wondering how to handle this, a familiar voice came from behind me.

“I know it’s presumptuous of me to say, but my lady would never do such a thing.”

The voice was small but firm—it was Sabine. Her eyes gleamed like those of a beast in darkness.

“Sabine?”

I opened my eyes wide and signaled her to stop, but—

“As you know, my lady’s health has not been good. That’s why I always accompany her. I’m always with her, so it’s impossible that she could have done something so… unspeakable.”

The signal wasn’t received.

Communication error.

“Besides, my lady has had a connection with Her Majesty the Empress for a long time. Even now, she prays daily for her health. She wishes for Her Majesty’s recovery more than anyone.”

By this point, I found myself involuntarily glancing at Avery.

But Avery, oblivious to my thoughts, nodded once with a determined expression.

‘Oh no. Please don’t say anything more!’

This isn’t right. It’s really driving me crazy.

I understand why Avery and Sabine are acting this way, but that’s not it.

That’s not it right now!

“A servant’s devotion is admirable, but who would believe a maid’s word…”

Someone muttered quietly.

“I stake my life on the fact that my lady did no such thing.”

Sabine spoke again with resolute determination.

“……”

I could neither cry nor laugh, only pressing my lips tightly together.

Ha, alright.

You two, thank you so much.

“With these two speaking up like this, could the rumors really be true?”

“That’s right, Leonora doesn’t seem like someone who would do that.”

Meanwhile, someone cautiously began to speak up.

“Yes. It’s Leonora we’re talking about. Wouldn’t she understand the feelings of someone in pain better than anyone?”

“Leonora herself spent a long time bedridden. So she would understand Her Majesty’s situation better than most.”

Suddenly the atmosphere began to shift in an even stranger direction.

Then Ruby folded her fan and spoke again.

“Then Leonora, I’d like you to answer this.”

Yes, Ruby.

You’re my last hope.

I waited eagerly, eyes shining, for Ruby’s lips to part.

“If Her Majesty the Empress wakes up… what do you plan to do?”

Oh, what a sharp and excellent question.

Just as I was about to speak, thinking I could shatter the image surrounding me with this one response—

“That is precisely what our lady wishes for.”

Sabine said with a confident face.

No, Sabine!

I turned away and squeezed my eyes shut, but Sabine didn’t stop.

“It’s just that His Majesty cherishes our lady so much that we’ve ended up in this unavoidable situation.”

“His Majesty does think of Leonora… quite specially. Everyone can see that.”

When Avery added her comment, even the women who had dismissed the maid’s words began to listen more attentively.

“If Her Majesty the Empress wakes up, our lady will immediately return to the mansion. In fact, that’s what she wants most.”

Ha, this was because of what I told Sabine the night before.

And knowing she was saying these things out of genuine concern for me, I couldn’t really say anything else.

This is truly maddening!

“Sabine, you don’t have to—”

I grabbed Sabine’s wrist and applied a little pressure.

I tried my best to convey with my eyes that she should please stop.

But Sabine smiled gently and made an even more determined expression, as if saying “Just trust me.”

“What can a woman favored by His Majesty do? Whether our lady wants it or not, there’s nothing she can do.”

The other young ladies slowly nodded.

“Even in such circumstances, my lady held this tea party for her friends. Because she wanted to be with all of you.”

As Sabine’s voice faded, the atmosphere began to change gradually.

“Leonora, I think we misunderstood you.”

The first to speak was the daughter of a viscount who was close to Avery.

“I’m sorry.”

What are you sorry for? Please don’t do this!

I thought Ruby was my only hope now. I narrowed my eyes and looked at her.

Ruby, you’re quite persistent, aren’t you? Don’t stop here, say something more.

You’re not going to back down like this, are you?

“Leonora, I think I misunderstood you based on what my father said. I’m sorry.”

“……”

But Ruby turned out to be unnecessarily cool and impressive.

“You arranged this gathering for us, and I behaved rudely. I apologize.”

Then once again, desperate gazes poured toward me.

“It’s alright, Ruby. There’s nothing to apologize for.”

I clenched my fist and smiled gently.

They say life doesn’t go according to plan, but this is too much even by those standards.

“What a beautiful gesture.”

Moved, Avery gracefully clapped her hands and wiped away a tear.

“I can see why His Majesty is so taken with Leonora.”

“Such a kind heart.”

I would rather be accused of placing curses or be insulted than endure this kind of praise.

“Well then… shall we go see the garden after we finish our tea?”

I raised and lowered my hand with a completely resigned expression.

“Yes, let’s get some fresh air too.”

The excited women all rose from their seats at once.

I had hoped to create a certain atmosphere before the ball.

Ha, really.

I went outside, squeezed between Avery and Silien, almost pushed along. I could hear cheerful voices, but I couldn’t smile at all.

‘They’ve ruined my perfectly cooked rice from both sides!’

Just then, the women’s voices suddenly died down all at once.

Wondering what was happening, I turned my head, and heard heavy, measured footsteps approaching.