Chapter 13

She knew of the Daian Dukedom’s daughter, but it was the first time Diana had ever faced her so closely.

“…….”

However, even after meeting Diana’s gaze, Irene didn’t speak. Instead, she returned her attention to her tea. Maybe Diana had only imagined their eyes meeting. She had been ready to greet Irene if it happened, but now, feeling awkward, Diana looked away.

“Hello, Lady Amber.”

Instead, other ladies approached Diana and spoke. These were the ladies seated near Sophia.

“It’s so amazing to finally meet the lady we’ve only heard about in rumors. We wonder if you know who we are.”

“Yes, hello. Of course, I know.”

As an aide, Diana had memorized the basic details of the nobles. It was rare for her to chat so closely with other ladies, though.

The ladies here were those Sophia was close with at social gatherings. Where one sat and with whom was important, especially in such a large gathering.

“We always hear stories about you from Lady Sophia, so we’ve always been curious about you.”

“I see. I’ve always been busy with my aide work, so it’s hard to make time.”

“Of course. You must be busy assisting His Majesty. May we ask, is that rumor true?”

“I’m not sure what you mean, but probably not.”

Perhaps they were talking about Sophia’s stories of Diana as the ‘hero of victory’. Diana was ready to deny such embarrassing rumors, but the ladies’ questions were something else entirely.

“Really? Then is it not true that you and His Majesty are lovers?”

“Uh, what? Pardon?”

The completely unexpected question made Diana’s hand tremble as she held her cup.

“Me and His Majesty?”

“Yes. We heard you were close since childhood and still spend time together. That’s why we started talking about it among ourselves.”

What was happening? Diana had come to observe candidates for Empress, but now she was being seen as one herself. She shook her head.

“No, not at all.”

“So you’re saying the reason you’re still His Majesty’s aide isn’t because you’re lovers?”

“Yes. It has nothing to do with that. It’s a position I can’t just leave on a whim.”

Of course, once things settled down, she would eventually resign, but it certainly wasn’t because of any romantic relationship.

“I see. We thought so too, but we wanted to ask just in case.”

“Yes, well. It’s understandable you’d wonder.”

“Then maybe the romance is elsewhere?”

“Excuse me?”

The ladies glanced over at Sophia, who was chatting at another table. They whispered among themselves.

“Lady Sophia and His Majesty are lovers, aren’t they?”

“…What?”

An even more absurd rumor reached Diana’s ears. Those two, in love? So close they couldn’t live without each other? Diana could hardly imagine it, but the ladies’ conversation sped up.

“Whenever we tried to praise His Majesty, Lady Sophia didn’t seem to like it. Isn’t that jealousy, hearing other women praise him?”

“They’ve been close since childhood. They must know everything about each other.”

“And the Christine Marquisate must get endless marriage proposals, but Lady Sophia has never been engaged to any young lord.”

The ladies’ eyes sparkled with certainty. Diana quietly pondered.

Sophia didn’t like hearing praise for the Emperor simply because she disliked him, not out of jealousy. They were enemies, not friends. And Sophia hadn’t gotten engaged because she didn’t like any of the suitors. Diana wondered how honest she could be here. She realized just how complicated social gatherings could be.

“Isn’t that right?”

When Diana’s silence seemed like agreement, she spoke firmly.

“No, it’s not.”

“Pardon?”

“…One thing’s for sure, they’re not lovers.”

“Really? We were sure they were.”

Even after Diana’s words, the ladies didn’t seem convinced.

“It’s okay, you can be honest with us, Lady Amber.”

“…….”

“Yes, we’re very close with Lady Sophia. You can tell us. We’ll keep it secret.”

No matter how much she denied it, they wouldn’t believe her. Diana could feel their pressure for the answer they wanted. As she wondered what to do, someone spoke up first.

“This is so childish, I can’t stand it.”

The speaker was Irene. She had been quietly drinking tea, but now she spoke up, calling the conversation childish.

“Why does it matter so much who’s in love with whom? Why is everyone so obsessed with it?”

“What did you say?”

“Just from this, I can see the level of this social gathering.”

Irene’s words made the room fall silent, and all eyes turned to her. The ladies, suddenly the center of attention, blushed and glared at Irene.

“Childish? Isn’t it true you came here just because Lady Amber was coming? You’re at the gathering too, so it’s strange for you to say that.”

“That’s right. Honestly, I was curious to meet the famous aide too.”

Irene stood and looked at Diana.

“But rumors are just rumors, I guess.”

“…….”

“I didn’t feel anything special.”

As Irene stood, Sophia smiled and approached her slowly.

“Oh my, Lady Irene. Are you leaving already?”

“I don’t see any reason to stay.”

“Oh my, is something not to your liking?”

“Yes. I don’t care whether you are His Majesty’s lover or not, Lady Christine.”

With Irene’s words, the gathering fell silent. Diana quickly glanced at Sophia, who was still smiling, but gripping her fan tightly.

“…Who said such nonsense? That I’m His Majesty’s lover?”

“If you’re curious, ask the ladies near Lady Amber.”

Irene gestured toward the ladies near Diana, who quickly denied it with pale faces.

“No! We just wanted to talk with Lady Amber…!”

“Enough. Let’s discuss this later.”

At Sophia’s words, the intimidated ladies closed their mouths. Irene continued.

“I’m not interested in this anyway. Just so you know, I have no intention of becoming Empress. So go ahead and do well, Lady Amber.”

The top candidate for Empress had just announced she was dropping out. Diana could feel the dangerous energy behind Sophia’s smile.

“Oh my, is that so? Don’t worry. I’d rather not marry at all than become Empress.”

Watching the two ladies’ battle of words, Diana’s eyes lost focus. The Empire’s most prominent ladies weren’t fighting for the Empress’s spot—they were fighting not to have it. For Diana, who was supposed to be searching for an Empress candidate, it was a truly hopeless situation.

As Irene and Sophia’s standoff continued, Diana suddenly sensed commotion at the door. At the same time, a servant hurriedly approached Sophia.

“Excuse me for interrupting, but I have urgent news, My Lady.”

“What is it?”

“There’s a guest who wishes to enter the gathering, and, um…”

Before the servant could finish, the door opened. A man walked in, and Diana’s eyes widened in shock. She wasn’t the only one; the ladies, too, were startled.

“Y-Your Majesty?”