Chapter 12

From early dawn, the maids’ busy movements began. In the center of them all sat Diana. Hair styling, makeup, dressing up—she was being transformed by the maids’ hands as soon as she woke up.

“Now, now, My Lady. You can’t look so tired already. Remember the expression practice we did? When you go to the social gathering, think happy thoughts and smile naturally! So, have you thought of anything?”

“I decided to imagine myself lying on my bed after the social gathering is over.”

In truth, all she wanted was to go back to bed, regardless of the preparations, but her whole body was already being adorned in dazzling fashion. Finally, Mary finished her hair and proudly led Diana to the mirror.

“How is it? Isn’t it beautiful?”

It was clear that all their hard work over the past few days had paid off. Her body felt tired, but her face was glowing.

“Yeah. Seeing myself like this after so long… It’s not bad.”

“Right, right! Exactly! My Lady, you’re so beautiful right now!”

If anything, Mary was more excited than Diana.

“At this rate, any young lord in the Empire would fall for you instantly! So at the gathering, be elegant, smile, and remember, okay?”

“Yeah, I get it, but before I go, let me eat something. I’m so hungry from getting ready since dawn that I have no energy.”

Diana spoke with a face drained of energy, but Mary shook her head with a smile.

“No, My Lady. You’ve already eaten everything you’re allowed today.”

“…You don’t mean those few pieces of fruit you put in my mouth while I was getting ready, do you?”

“Dieting is part of preparing for a social gathering. Normally, you’d have started days ago, but since you have work, we only did it for this morning.”

“Wait, wait. At least a sandwich….”

“Alright, Knights! Lady Diana’s preparations are complete! Please escort her!”

But Diana’s desperate plea reached no one. At Mary’s words, the knights entered and led her outside, with Mary following behind, cheering enthusiastically.

“My Lady! We’re all rooting for you! Have a great time at the social gathering!”

“If you want to cheer for me, give me food! That’s the best support!”

“Oh, My Lady. Don’t worry. Once you meet your destined lover and fall in love, you’ll forget all about being hungry.”

“I’d rather you share some food than love!”

Diana’s desperate cry was swallowed up in the carriage. The door closed quickly and the carriage departed, with the servants gathering outside to send her off.

“My Lady! Have a great time!”

“Hope it’s a wonderful gathering! No matter what anyone says, you’re the best!”

In this warm atmosphere, only Diana’s stomach was left out in the cold. The carriage, carrying the exhausted Diana, sped quickly through the streets.

*   *   *

The moving carriage slowed and stopped in front of the Marquis family’s grand gate. Knights checked Diana’s identity and opened the gates, allowing the carriage inside.

“Welcome, Lady Amber.”

At the gate, many servants welcomed her. Diana was quietly impressed by the size of the Marquis family every time she visited.

“You’re here?”

Sophia walked through the servants to greet her.

“It’s been ages since I’ve seen you so dressed up. It suits you. Will you come to social gatherings more often in the future?”

“…Whether it’s a gathering or whatever, I feel like I could eat the grass in the garden right now. Will there be anything to eat at the venue?”

Rather than nerves about the social gathering, hunger was her biggest concern. Maybe this was Mary’s clever strategy to distract her from her anxiety.

“Maybe later, get the servants to ‘accidentally’ pour soup instead of tea into my cup? Or seat me somewhere with lots of desserts. If you want to protect your friend’s sanity.”

“How about stew instead of soup? It’s more filling.”

“Good idea, but that would be too obvious.”

The two walked down the corridor toward the gathering’s venue. Only then did Diana start to realize where she was going.

“Wait, you’re the host—shouldn’t you be here greeting the ladies? Isn’t that your job?”

“Everyone invited is already here. You’re the last.”

“Already? They all arrived that early?”

“Usually, people come before the scheduled time.”

“I see. I didn’t know that.”

She hadn’t checked the time because she’d been so busy getting ready.

“I’m not late, am I?”

“No, you’re not. The gathering hasn’t started yet. The main guest is supposed to arrive a bit late anyway.”

“…I’m the main guest?”

“Of course. You are. All the ladies here are probably waiting for you. I told them you’d be coming.”

Sophia’s words surprised Diana even more.

“Why? Why are they so interested in me?”

“That’s obvious. You’re the Emperor’s closest aide and the hero of the Prince’s Rebellion. The ladies are really curious about you.”

“I get the closest aide part, but why am I the hero? I didn’t do anything. I just struggled to survive next to His Majesty.”

“The last person standing is always the winner, right? And you were closest to the surviving Emperor.”

So she thought she’d just quietly attend the gathering, but Diana sensed things were getting bigger than expected.

“So everyone’s waiting for me? And since I never go to these gatherings, they’re even more curious?”

“Exactly. At gatherings, your story always comes up. More than you think, these social gatherings are places where lots of stories are exchanged.”

By now, the doors were close. The servants standing on either side opened the doors as soon as they saw Sophia and Diana.

“So, welcome. To the social gathering.”

With Sophia’s words, the doors opened and countless eyes turned toward Diana. She received all those gazes head-on. Seeing all the ladies before her, Diana nervously gripped her skirt.

“Everyone, now that Lady Diana has arrived, shall we begin?”

Sophia naturally introduced Diana beside her.

“She doesn’t usually attend social gatherings, but I’m sure you all know her. Still, Lady Diana, would you introduce yourself?”

“Hello, I’m Diana Amber of the Amber Viscountcy. I currently work as His Majesty’s aide. Nice to meet you.”

Though flustered by so many eyes, Diana soon calmly introduced herself. Even after that, the stares continued, as if watching where she’d sit. Her seat was right beside Sophia.

“Since Lady Diana isn’t used to these gatherings, I’ll help her out today. Now, shall we enjoy some refreshments?”

At Sophia’s words, the waiting servants began serving tea to the ladies. Soon, Sophia whispered to Diana.

“So, do you want me to actually bring you some soup?”

“…No. I might get an upset stomach just drinking tea right now.”

Her original plan was to sit quietly in a corner and eat soup or cookies. Now, that was impossible. Seated next to Sophia, the star of the gathering, she couldn’t escape the constant attention.

As the gathering began, the ladies naturally started chatting. But none of them approached Diana yet. Maybe because she was sitting next to Sophia and drawing so much attention, no one dared speak to her first.

“…….”

But there was one lady sitting directly across from Diana, quietly sipping her tea. Seeing her, Diana instantly knew who she was. Silver hair and blue eyes, so much like Arthur’s.

Irene Daian.

The woman Diana had been most curious about was right before her eyes. At the same time, Irene and Diana’s gazes met.