Although they had started a fight over the throne that neither could yield, at this moment, Rihast and Rudrich exchanged glances. The Duke had thrown the issue of Reibritton to the two princes, using the princess’s name as a front. This meant he was taking a step back in this throne dispute.

“……”

“……”

No matter what result the two princes reached regarding Reibritton, Genoa would ultimately support the prince who gave a satisfactory answer. For that, they needed to meet the Reibritton princess who was in Duke Ivanstein’s grasp.

“Of course we should.”

“We will do so.”

Behind the two princes answering in turn, the murmuring of the nobles grew louder. The nobles, with complicated expressions rolling their eyes here and there, looked as if they were sizing up prey before them. And the subjects of this evaluation were none other than the two princes.

“I thank you on behalf of the princess, Your Highnesses.”

Only Duke Ivanstein, who had drawn the two princes onto his stage, was smiling satisfactorily with a clean face devoid of any worry.

That day, the imperial social gazette, Loanz, defined the quarrel between the two princes at the Emperor’s funeral like this:

[Has The Party Prepared By Duke Ivanstein Truly Ended?]

* * *

“My ear itches.”

“I haven’t even touched your ears. I’m measuring your chest circumference now.”

Lin laughed heartily as she watched Mel twitch her ear and squint one eye. Right now, Mel was having her dress measurements taken by a tailor introduced by Genoa, who was in charge of his attire. Usually, one could just provide known measurements, but due to recent events causing significant weight loss, they had to measure again.

The tailor didn’t even make eye contact with her despite her comment about her ear itching. Lin glared at the tailor for a moment.

The tailor had rushed over upon hearing that he could gain significant attention if he handled the princess’s dress, as interest in the princess was growing daily in imperial social circles.

However, he seemed more interested in the solid Ivanstein ducal family than in the princess, who was like a sailboat with a broken string. Lin couldn’t miss the faint contempt and curiosity hidden in the subtle gaze he cast upon the princess.

Lin continued speaking, as if for the tailor to hear:

“Someone must be talking about you, Your Highness.”

“Well, since the memorial service is in full swing, I suppose my name might come up occasionally.”

“Occasionally? You’re probably the most talked-about person, even more than His Majesty the late Emperor.”

Mel nodded with a deep sigh at Lin’s words.

The Emperor’s funeral had now continued for several days as a memorial service. Although not lavish, they were maintaining respect for the imperial Emperor by extending the mourning period. During this time, nobles couldn’t even enjoy parties and had to pray for the Emperor before the Archbishop without moving.

With the social world frozen, various events that would please the nobles’ mouths and ears had also dried up. So in the end, the only manageable topic of conversation was the Reibritton princess.

“Hooh, my chest feels tight.”

The tailor glanced at Mel’s face as she muttered quietly. Then he spoke in an indifferent voice.

“It seems to be because the fabric of the dress you’re wearing is a bit thick. You should be wearing a thin slip underneath, so would you like to take off everything except that?”

“…Hmm, do I really need to?”

“It’s to take accurate measurements. Didn’t you say you felt tight, Your Highness?”

The tailor put his hand on the buttons of Mel’s dress without asking for permission. As Lin opened her mouth to point out his rudeness, Mel sharply swatted away the tailor’s hand before she could.

“Don’t touch me.”

“……!”

For the first time, a sharp voice flowed from Mel, who had shown no particular reaction to the tailor’s moderately rude attitude until now. Her eyes, looking at the tailor, clearly showed a rejection that wasn’t visible before.

“Huh. What did I do to deserve this…”

“Isn’t asking for permission the proper order?”

Mel’s words were not wrong. It was etiquette to ask for permission, even for trivial matters, when touching the body of royalty. Without the princess’s permission, subordinates could not touch her body at all. Only maids could provide minor services without explicitly asking for consent.

If it were an ill-tempered royal, one couldn’t even say it was too much if they were whipped just for brushing against them. This was such a basic etiquette that a tailor dealing with nobles couldn’t possibly not know.

Given Mel’s usual personality, she could have let it go with just a simple acknowledgment of the mistake. But the tailor, seemingly ashamed even of that, narrowed his eyes and sneered.

“I see a princess is still a princess even when her kingdom has fallen.”

“What are you saying…!”

Lin, standing nearby, was indignant and lunged at the tailor as if to knock him down. The tailor instinctively raised both arms to protect himself from her momentum.

“Lin.”

Mel called Lin’s name in a low voice, raising one hand to gently restrain her action. Lin obediently lowered her fist, though still grumbling.

“The head maid outside might hear.”

The head maid had been treating Mel with respect since having her weakness exposed once before—though Mel didn’t know what Genoa might have said to her. But that didn’t mean they could completely let their guard down.

While Genoa might treat her as an honored guest within the mansion as promised for now, his influence wouldn’t remain with Mel forever.

If Mel showed even the slightest weakness, the head maid would use it as an excuse to regain her influence. So causing a commotion over small matters was not desirable.

“…Yes.”

The quick-witted Lin nodded obediently. But her anger didn’t seem to subside easily as she bit her lip and glared at the tailor. The tailor lowered his arms hesitantly, watching her murderous gaze.

Mel let out a deep sigh and met the tailor’s eyes. As her slightly subdued eyes stared at him without a hint of wavering, the tailor unconsciously held his breath.

“Reibritton hasn’t fallen yet, and the fact that I’m a princess hasn’t changed. I don’t think you’re unaware of this basic fact.”

“Y-Yes, of course.”

“It’s better not to utter words you can’t take responsibility for. Although I may lack power, I can ensure you’ll never be seen in this mansion again. The Duke doesn’t like subordinates with loose lips, you see.”

A strange pressure emanated from the princess. Her voice was soft and pleasant in tone, but there was a feeling of a blade hidden within that softness.

“But neither of us wants to cause a commotion over this, so let’s leave it at that. Quietly take the measurements and leave.”

“Yes, yes, Your Highness.”

The tailor nodded vigorously and picked up the measuring tape again. Unlike before, his touch was extremely careful as he brought the tape to her body.

“…How nice it is when it’s quiet.”

Feeling the tailor’s now courteous touch, Mel quietly swallowed a sigh.

Playing the role of a princess seems to only increase her brazenness. But she had no choice; if she remained meekly intimidated here, it would immediately arouse suspicion.

‘It seems I’m only improving my ability to threaten with a smile because of the Duke.’

She found herself unconsciously imitating Genoa’s behavior when faced with such difficulties. After all, she had learned from Genoa that one could feel fear from a smiling face.

He was excellent at hiding a blade in his soft voice and smiling as if he would quietly cut off the opponent’s breath. This was the most effective way to keep the other person’s mouth shut without causing a big commotion.

Perhaps because of this, when Mel decided to intimidate someone, expressions, voice, and speech patterns similar to Genoa’s would automatically emerge. The quick-learning Mel had unknowingly absorbed Genoa’s mannerisms.

“I think I’ve taken enough measurements!”

The tailor quickly jotted down the measurements, then hastily gathered his belongings and left the room in an instant. The head maid’s back could be seen through the closing door gap as she followed to see him off.

Lin approached Mel, who was sighing and straightening her disheveled dress, and asked,

“Your Highness, why did you react so sharply, unlike your usual self?”

“You mean when I swatted his hand away?”

“Yes.”

“Just… I don’t like showing my body to anyone. It’s been that way since I was in the Kingdom.”

Lin pondered Mel’s words for a moment, then raised her head slightly and said,

“Come to think of it, you refused assistance when bathing too. And when changing clothes as well.”

“Isn’t that good for you, Lin, since you’re already busy?”