In this Chaotic World, I Am Doing Fine - Chapter 13

There was a change in the status window.

[Checking the updated information.
Name: Acelia Hedwig (Baek Seyeon)
Title: The Princess with Faint Presence (Fame 18/100)
Age: 23…]

Her fame had increased, and her title changed from ‘The Unnoticeable Princess’ to ‘The Princess with Faint Presence.’

‘How faint is faint?’

It seemed she had drawn unnecessary attention due to Gale’s incident, but being confined to the palace, she couldn’t feel the difference.

The maids didn’t mention anything, and her daily life remained unchanged, so if she hadn’t checked the increased number, she probably wouldn’t have known.

‘It’s somewhat worrying, but there shouldn’t be any problems.’

Her goal was to solve the poisoning and find a way back to her original world.

Until then, she needed to stay quiet to avoid being discovered as not the real ‘Acelia,’ but her temperament was the problem.

‘Now, let’s not do anything, okay, me? Got it?’

[▶The Last Leaf (D-82)
—If you don’t resolve the ‘poisoning (???)’ within 82 days, you’ll contract an incurable disease and die!]

Only 82 days left. Acelia, who had been nervously biting her nails, buried her face in the blanket and let out a silent scream.

‘What should I do? What else can I do?’

She had been examined by both palace and temple doctors, replaced all the bedding and items in her room just in case, and had her nanny always check her food and drinks.

But whether it was because she was already poisoned, or there was another route of poisoning, the symptoms were gradually increasing in frequency.

No matter how much Acelia pressed, the roulette wouldn’t tell her the solution. As Acelia was shaking a teddy bear at the spot where the blue window had appeared, her nanny entered the room with a silver tray.

“Your Highness, a letter has arrived.”

The nanny paused upon seeing Acelia’s actions but, like a seasoned palace servant, she pretended not to notice and stated her business.

Acelia, now unfazed by such things, tidied her disheveled hair.

“Is it from Ensia again?”

“There’s one from Lady Monium, and another from someone else.”

“Someone else?”

“Yes. It’s from High Priest Joachim.”

Acelia furrowed her brow.

“High Priest Joachim…? Why would he send me a letter?”

The last time she saw him was at the First Prince’s birthday banquet. The day Liam collapsed, coughing blood due to the Sword Master’s power.

By the way, Liam was currently recuperating. It seemed he had safely regained consciousness after receiving treatment from the High Priest, but he was unable to leave his house, apparently trapped in delusions that someone was targeting him.

Acelia had sent a set of silver tableware as a gesture of sympathy and to wish for his quick recovery.

Anyway, they had parted on an uncomfortable note that day, so receiving a letter from him raised suspicions.

As if dealing with something ominous, she pushed Joachim’s letter aside with her index finger and opened Ensia’s first.

“The weather is this and that… Recent happenings are such and such… Hmm, she’s heard about Gale too. But why does she keep asking to be invited to the palace? Is there a honey pot hidden here?”

Is there something good in my palace that even I don’t know about?

She looked at her nanny with that meaning, but the woman just smiled kindly. Acelia shrugged.

After setting aside the persistently demanding letter to use as kindling, the problematic letter remained. Acelia grumbled.

“I don’t want to open it. Can’t I just say it got lost?”

“Do you think such an excuse would work?”

“Alright, alright. Ugh.”

Reluctantly reading the letter slowly, Acelia’s eyes widened.

“…Huh? This person also wants to come to my palace?”

It wasn’t surprising. He probably intended to question her about the previous incident.

There was no way to avoid it. He wasn’t asking for permission to come, but notifying her.

If she refused and he happened to tell others what he saw that day, it would be a disaster.

After pondering for a while, Acelia snapped her fingers.

“Oh. I can do that, huh?”

She asked her nanny to bring back Ensia’s letter. Spreading the two letters on her desk, Acelia smiled mischievously.

“Hehehe. It’s poison against poison.”

Evil must be fought with evil.

Acelia began planning how to tie these two people together and deal with them.

The scene of a snake and a scorpion facing off played in her mind.

***

A small tea party was held at the Princess’s Palace after a long time.

Acelia grumbled about why she had to hold a tea party, but her nanny was adamant.

“It’s an occasion to show Your Highness’s authority. Not only Lady Monium but other noble ladies are coming as well.”

“What authority do I have, Nanny? Still, I can’t appear weak to Ensia. Prepare everything properly. Only the best of everything.”

I might lack presence, but I’m not short on money.

Acelia wasn’t the type to indulge in luxury, and the Princess’s Palace had accumulated quite a budget over time.

Ensia didn’t come alone but brought other ladies with her. It seemed she was coming with a purpose, knowing there’s strength in numbers.

Hearing this, Acelia agreed it made sense and followed her nanny’s advice. The maids also became more spirited.

Acelia went a step further and tried to bring a giant ruby statue from Gale’s palace but was caught by the maids.

Although Gale said she could take it if needed, the stern gaze of the Third Prince’s Palace’s head maid made her give up.

‘Tch, what a shame.’

Instead, she decided to decorate the garden with flowers grown in the imperial greenhouse. Acelia, who had tried to take charge, realized she was only getting in the way and focused on management and grooming.

After days of intensive care, Acelia was sparkling enough to attend an imperial banquet right away.

A purple dress symbolizing the imperial family, deliberately chosen, with silver shoes adorned with jewels.

The purple fabric was very expensive and rare, woven using special spiders.

It was a dress left by the previous Empress to her, the only princess, which had been altered to fit.

It wasn’t an outfit meant for a mere tea party, but Acelia was that determined.

Her hair was neatly pinned up to reveal her neckline, and she applied long eyeliner for what’s commonly called a ‘tough sister’ makeup. With her lips painted red, she had a completely different impression.

‘This style suits me surprisingly well?’

She had been worried because Acelia’s features were so faint, but instead, she looked full of life. Satisfied with her reflection in the mirror, she did a final check.

“Nanny, is there anything else I should know?”

She had acquired information about the ladies attending today. Knowing oneself and the enemy ensures victory in every battle, they say.

Whatever relationship she had with them before, the person here now was different.

I’ll show them.

“Well, that…”

“What is it?”

“Nothing. I hope you won’t pay attention to whatever Lady Monium says. And please tell me immediately if you suddenly feel unwell.”

“What, how bland. Alright.”

Lightly brushing off her nanny’s hesitant response, Acelia went to the garden where the ladies had gathered.

The garden, reborn under expert hands, was beautiful enough to pause and admire.

‘I didn’t know this garden could be transformed like this.’

It had just been used as a field before, so the scenery didn’t matter much, but now it seemed important.

“Her Highness the Princess arrives.”

The head maid announced her entrance. Acelia stood before the ladies with a noble smile.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

She greeted them like that, whether it had really been a long time or not.

The ladies momentarily hesitated at her completely changed appearance from head to toe. But having rolled around in high society, they quickly changed their expressions and greeted her warmly.

Still, they couldn’t hide the questions in their eyes. Did something happen to the Princess?

“It’s been a long time, Your Highness.”

“Why did you invite us after so long? We were worried we might have greatly offended Your Highness.”

“Oh my! Your dress is so beautiful today.”

“Somehow, your aura seems different? Did something happen?”

The ladies, not yet sure exactly what had changed besides her appearance, scrutinized the Princess.

In fact, it was surprising enough that the Princess wore such a vibrant dress and heavy makeup.

The Princess always insisted on pastel-toned dresses and light makeup. As if she didn’t want to stand out.

At that moment, Ensia stepped forward. She too had put effort into her appearance.

Her glossy pink lips parted, and a soft voice flowed out.

“Thank you for inviting us to this wonderful tea party, Your Highness.”

“Thank you for coming, Ensia. Your presence brightens the occasion.”

The two women smiled at each other. But inwardly, they were thinking different thoughts.

‘Invite my ass, who was it that kept sending letters begging to be called? I thought you were misery, girl.’

‘How many times are you going to ignore my requests? Ha, you can resist all you want. In the end, you’ll have no choice but to do as I want.’

Their battle of wills had already begun.

Ensia made the first move. She pointed to someone standing behind her and covered her mouth.

“Oh, have you greeted Julia? You must be glad to see her after so long, please say hello. I don’t mind.”

“Isn’t she your maid? Do I have to greet your maid?”

“Pardon?”

“Ah…”

But the atmosphere felt strange somehow. This didn’t seem like a simple case of being snubbed.

“Your Highness…”

When the maid called Julia called out to her wistfully, suspicion turned to certainty.

‘What’s going on? Who is this woman to create such an atmosphere?’

It was then.

Ding!

[You have been given the setting <I’m a Woman Who Holds Grudges!>]

What?