The Lady of Odor often appeared as an admirer of the Crown Prince in the main story. She wasn’t mentioned even once in the side stories about his childhood.

She was just living in vain confidence in her status.

‘More boring than I thought.’

The conversations were too predictable and boring because these young ladies were raised too preciously.

Adelia disliked such unproductive talks.

She put down her teacup with a thud.

“Don’t worry. I can get guidance from His Highness. I’ll have plenty of time in the imperial palace from now on.”

“Even so, it’s not polite to take up the time of someone so busy.”

“Do you describe it as stealing my fiancé’s time? Since he seeks me out first every day, it doesn’t seem like something you need to worry about.”

Adelia sharply concluded the conversation to finish it off.

It’s not something for someone who isn’t even imperial to worry about.

Though not incorrect, these words sharply struck the lady who had long coveted the position of the Crown Prince’s wife.

“I said it out of consideration for Miss Vita who’s from the countryside estate. Since you’re not yet familiar with the imperial palace. I’m used to the palace, so I can guide you anytime.”

“What’s the rush? I can take my time looking around. Lately, I’ve been busy with inner palace duties and spending time with Her Highness.”

“…You’re already handling inner palace duties?”

The lady grimaced. After the queen’s death, the inner palace duties had been the prince’s responsibility.

Taking on inner palace duties meant being recognized as the mistress of the imperial family, a member of the imperial blood.

Predicting her reaction, Adelia cheerfully said,

“Of course. I’m His Highness’s fiancée. Who else would do it if not me, right?”

Unlike the lady who responded with a cold face, Adelia consistently replied with a smile.

Pretending to be oblivious, her cheerful smile deeply irritated the lady.

“Aren’t you still carrying your family’s name? It seems premature to be meddling in imperial affairs already. Many engagements break off before marriage, you know.”

The lady’s blatant words made those around them fall silent.

There are lines even in the social circles’ battles. Discussing annulment and divorce to someone’s face is considered extremely rude.

If someone openly had a bad relationship or if one’s status was lower, they might subtly mock and move on.

However, mentioning annulment to the Crown Prince’s fiancée was an unforgivable rudeness, even for a ducal lady.

The lady showed no realization of her wrongdoing. Instead, she glared at the surrounding ladies who were fidgeting.

Trying to maintain a good image, Adelia quietly sipped her tea. With a small clink, she placed her teacup back on its saucer.

She dropped her previously maintained cheerful smile slightly and created a kind atmosphere by relaxing her eyes.

Speaking softer than before, she said gently,

“That’s quite rude. I don’t understand why you would mention something already permitted by His Majesty.”

Adelia poured out all she wanted to say before the lady could open her mouth,

“I’m His Highness’s fiancée, and you are completely unrelated, aren’t you? I knew you harbored feelings for His Highness but… well.”

Adelia stopped talking at a peculiar timing, igniting the already simmering atmosphere.

Unable to hold back her anger, the lady slammed her hand on the table.

The desk shook with such force that it drew everyone’s attention.

Adelia cunningly used this situation.

With a loud bang, she slightly moved her hand under the table to shake the teacup.

“Ah!”

The lady stood up abruptly with a loud voice, trembling busily.

The teacup in front of the lady spilled over her expensive dress.

The teacup fell to the floor with a noisy sound, and the red tea soaked her dress.

The timely fallen teacup obviously made it look like it was the lady’s fault.

Adelia pretended to be surprised, jerking her body and widening her eyes.

When the surrounding ladies were hesitantly moving around, she quickly approached with a handkerchief.

“Are you okay?”

Adelia dabbed at the lady’s dress, stained red with tea, with her handkerchief.

Naturally closing the distance, the confused lady didn’t know how to react to their proximity.

Adelia leaned in slightly and whispered very softly in her ear,

“That’s why you need to know your place.”

The lady felt a chill run down her spine at the voice ringing in her ear, so cold it was almost eerie.

Rolling her eyes to the side, she saw Adelia wiping up the tea with a concerned face – a stark contrast to the voice she had just heard.

“Let’s keep quiet from now on. Then, I won’t bother you.”

Adelia handed her the handkerchief tightly and smiled with her eyes curved like crescent moons.

To others, it seemed like a touching scene of comforting the lady who spilled her tea.

The lady who heard her warning alone slapped away her hand harshly.

The slap echoed through the hall, planting a negative impression among the people.

The lady’s rude remarks and actions contrasted with Adelia’s kind demeanor.

“She handled the lady’s rudeness so flexibly.”

“She’s not arrogant at all, and she even offered her handkerchief.”

“She seems nicer than the rumors, doesn’t she?”

Gradually, colors were added to Adelia’s previously blank image – hiding dark colors inside while creating an image with bright colors like yellow, sky blue, pink, and light green.

In contrast, the lady’s image darkened further. Her rudeness towards the Crown Prince’s fiancée and her rejection of her kindness overlapped, worsening her already poor reputation.

Shaking with rage under scrutinizing gazes and murmurs, the lady eventually stormed off.

No one tried to stop or follow her.

“I’ll be leaving now.”

Adelia also naturally left her seat.

Turning around, she felt the gaze of imperials watching her. Despite the distance, their exceptional senses had caught every detail of the incident.

Adelia smiled sweetly and made her way towards the terrace.

As she disappeared from view, the emperor muttered,

“I can’t figure out what goes on in that little head of hers.”

“I agree. Every action seems unpredictable.”

“Right. Nobles tremble at drawing swords; why would she choose such an annoying method? Sister must have a plan.”

For once, the three men agreed.

To the imperials, who would rather educate through force, her actions were unpredictable.

Hiding her true nature while smiling sweetly and provocatively, maintaining her reputation while stirring others.

The three men, distant from social circles, watched her moves with curiosity.

* * *

“It’s nicer than I thought?”

The terrace she entered through the window was an excellent relaxation space.

Safety rails about waist-high surrounded it on all sides, and curtains blocked the view on both sides.

The front was wide open, allowing a view of a well-maintained garden.

Adelia leaned against the railing in front of her and took in the sparkling scenery.

“It’s refreshing.”

The scenery was beautiful, and the cool night breeze was gentle.

The heat from the warm banquet hall slowly cooled down.

Adelia stretched herself out long.

While wearing high heels and maintaining a proper posture, her whole body was screaming with fatigue.

“There’s a reason everyone at the banquet sought out the terrace.”

Unlike the lounge, where people comfortably came and went, the terrace was a personal space.

Hanging a curtain over the window leading to the terrace signified someone was there. The knight, who had been waiting in advance, blocked people from entering, protecting the nobility inside the terrace.

However, families or lovers sometimes ask for permission to enter.

“I should rest a bit before going back.”

Entering the banquet hall again would surely result in people flocking to her.

There were more than a few who were desperate to make connections with the imperial family.

Sigh. Just thinking about those gazes made her head throb.

While she was taking a break, the entrance became noisy.

Turning her head sharply, silhouettes flickered beyond the curtain.

It seemed like a male and female silhouette were saying something to the knight in front.

“What’s that…”

And soon, a window that shouldn’t have opened did open.

Adelia frowned.

“I don’t remember giving permission.”

She crossed her arms and spoke coldly.

Despite her clear refusal, those crawling onto the terrace laughed it off.

“Do we need permission between us?”

“Right. We’re family after all.”

They were her detestable siblings from the Vita family.

“If this counts as family, then the whole world is already one big family.”

Adelia muttered quietly enough that they couldn’t hear her.

It was laughable how they ignored her when they wanted to be family and now fluttered around, claiming they were.

Behind those crawling in, the face of a knight looking distressed was visible.

It was clear how they were threatening the knight by flaunting their family status.

Adelia gestured as if she had no choice.

The knight bowed deeply in gratitude and closed the window.

As soon as the banquet hall and terrace were separated, those who had been grinning disgustingly quickly returned to their familiar faces.

“Acting all high and mighty when you’re not even the Crown Princess yet.”

Robelia crossed her arms and sneered.

“I may not be the Crown Princess yet, but I am indeed the fiancée.”

Adelia raised her hand. It was the engagement ring that had been formally matched a few days ago. It was a ring prepared by the Emperor since it would lower the imperial family’s dignity not to have one even without an engagement ceremony.

Though it was formally made, it was an expensive piece made from carefully selected, high-quality materials.

Robelia, who loved to adorn herself, couldn’t possibly be unaware of the ring’s value.

“Seriously. What’s that going to do when you’re still just a Countess’ daughter. We’re equals!”

“Do you really think so? You still haven’t understood what I’ve said.”

It was a kind of warning she whispered to Robelia as she left the Count’s family.

She had intended to end things on a good note if Robelia behaved, but it seemed her words had gone in one ear and out the other.

“Why should I listen to you? You’ll be kicked out of the palace soon anyway.”

“What?”

Adelia asked incredulously at her confident attitude.