Chapter 67: Mind Games

“I don’t wish for victory.”

Though Caelan had mentioned winning, Bliss didn’t want that. Even if Caelan lost to a knight sent by Duke Blast, it wouldn’t matter. It would be troublesome, but they could hand over the dagger and then find ways to get it back later.

“I think it’s enough if he doesn’t get hurt and has no regrets.”

“My, what a textbook answer.”

At Azel’s words, Bliss looked at her embroidery frame. Though she wondered if that’s how she came across, it was sincere. If he got hurt, she would feel guilty, thinking it was because of her.

“And…”

Bliss threaded her needle while looking at the design she had drawn.

“It’s fine since he’s already won before.”

She thought she could comfort him with that if he happened to be eliminated midway and felt disappointed. No, even if he had never won before, she would tell him it was fine. Such things weren’t important at all.

“You know that last comment was quite irritating, right?”

Though Countess Azel said this while asking how she could make such remarks so casually, she seemed amused. As she was about to continue her conversation with Bliss, Princess Jenesha’s laughter interrupted.

“Princess Jenesha.”

Princess Jenesha, who had been fiddling with fabric no different from what Princess Jasmin had brought yesterday, muttered mockingly.

“Following her husband’s title, she even brags about his achievements as if they were her own.”

Everyone held their breath at her barbed words. In the sudden silence, Jenesha raised her eyes to stare directly at Bliss.

“It seems when you marry a distinguished husband, it doesn’t matter how you lived before or which family you came from. Well, since your surname changed from Bonita to Adrian, I suppose you’d feel like all of Caelan’s achievements are yours.”

Princess Jenesha chose Duchess Blast as the person to respond to her words.

“What do you think, Duchess?”

“I share Your Highness’s opinion.”

“I thought so. Indeed, one must marry well. Even with terrible embroidery and ridiculous displays of humility, it all somehow seems acceptable.”

Princess Jenesha openly attacked Bliss. She figured she wouldn’t have gone this far if Bliss hadn’t become Princess Jasmin’s lady-in-waiting, but she felt it couldn’t be helped.

Countess Azel anxiously watched both Bliss and Princess Jenesha’s expressions. Duchess Blast had openly sided with Princess Jenesha, making one side disproportionately powerful. Princess Jasmin only had Bliss. They didn’t even consider Latte, who belonged to neither side, as she had no influence.

Worried that Princess Jasmin might intervene and escalate the situation, Countess Azel decided to step in and diffuse it.

“Princess Jenesha…”

“Perhaps you’re right.”

Countess Azel turned to look at Bliss. Bliss had half-stuck her needle in the embroidery frame and temporarily removed her hands.

“Since marrying Caelan, I’ve decided to change.”

Bliss met Princess Jenesha’s gaze with firm eyes.

“Having married such a distinguished husband, I’m trying to live diligently instead of becoming complacent. I was starting to get a bit lazy lately, so thank you for pointing that out.”

Truth be told, she had wanted to avoid these gatherings because they were draining and unpleasant. It was a weak thought, wanting to stay comfortable when avoidance wasn’t the answer. Taking it as a warning not to do so, Bliss waited for Princess Jenesha’s response.

Whatever words were exchanged and whatever meanings were implied in between, it ended with an expression of gratitude. This prevented Princess Jenesha from attacking further. Earlier she had picked at Bliss’s words, but now any response would only appear as picking a fight.

“I don’t have the thread color I want.”

At her complaint about threads, Jerian, who had arrived last and was from the least prestigious family, hurriedly stood up. She grabbed the basket of threads and rushed out. Though she knew her hasty movement was because of Bliss, she didn’t have time to resent her.

“His Majesty has bestowed such precious fabric upon Your Highness. Oh my, it’s so beautiful.”

As Lady Resian stepped in to appease Princess Jenesha’s mood, Countess Azel breathed a sigh of relief. Though fortunately the situation didn’t escalate further, the atmosphere was still tense, and she needed to quickly change the subject.

“I’m so curious what kind of embroidery Princess Jenesha will create. Perhaps there’s someone you’d like to give it to?”

“Someone I’d like to give it to? Even if there were, shouldn’t they ask me for it first? Would such a thing happen?”

Princess Jenesha, seemingly not disliking being the center of attention, showed a different smile from before.

“Don’t say that, please tell us. Everyone is waiting for Your Highness’s answer. We’re curious about who has caught Princess Jenesha’s attention. Who is this lucky man?”

As Countess Azel led the conversation and other ladies joined in asking, Princess Jenesha hesitated briefly before dropping a hint.

“He’s someone who’s quite talked about…”

“Talked about?”

“Well, whether it’s because he’s popular or because he likes women, he’s someone who’s been involved with many women.”

“Could it be…”

Countess Azel’s eyes narrowed as if she’d figured it out, and several others seemed to have caught on as well.

“If it’s who I think it is, that’s understandable. He’s so flamboyantly handsome. I’ve never seen anyone who wears such elaborate clothes so well.”

“And he’s such an entertaining speaker, isn’t he?”

“I think I saw him near the registration area yesterday, or was I mistaken?”

Bliss, who had been half-listening to their conversation while focusing on her embroidery, reacted to Princess Jasmin’s clicking tongue. Seemingly unaware of Bliss’s gaze, Princess Jasmin looked at Princess Jenesha’s handkerchief.

Wondering if it was because they’d received the same fabric, Bliss turned back to her own embroidery. Her hands, which had been tying a knot as the thread grew short, paused briefly.

‘Surely not.’

It couldn’t be someone I know?

***

Despite the brief incident, the gathering concluded well. Perhaps because the princesses were present, everyone left together instead of departing midway like yesterday. Feeling satisfied with how much she had accomplished today, Bliss followed Princess Jasmin, planning to have tea with her.

“Marchioness.”

However, she stopped at Duchess Blast’s call, and others also paused to see what was happening.

“Shall we talk for a moment? I think we have a conversation that needs to be had…”

Duchess Blast made an offer that couldn’t be refused. As Bliss looked at her, Princess Jenesha left first with a sneer, and Princess Jasmin was the last to leave. She conveyed through her eyes that she would be waiting, telling Bliss to make sure to come. While Bliss sent back an understanding look, Duchess Blast waited with a cold expression for everyone else to leave.

‘A conversation that needs to be had…’

Recalling Duchess Blast’s words, Bliss remained silent and waited. To understand what the Duchess was thinking, she needed to listen to her words more than speak herself.

Even after the door closed, Duchess Blast remained silent and picked up a long ribbon in front of her. She had previously mentioned wanting to embroider it to attach to her sleeves.

“Why do you think I’m engaging in such pointless activities? My husband isn’t even participating in the knight tournament.”

“It sounds like it’s because of me.”

“That’s right.”

Duchess Blast didn’t speak indirectly. Unlike when everyone was present, she was different now. While she had shown her anger subtly then, now she was displaying it completely.

“Do you really think that bet was right?”

At Duchess Blast’s question, Bliss kept her mouth shut instead of answering immediately.

***

The day after registration ended, since Caelan had to enter the competition, Bliss spent time with Princess Jasmin. The dome-shaped arena could accommodate dozens of small stages without feeling cramped at all.

While Bliss and Princess Jasmin, seated comfortably in the tiered seating, were discussing collections after a long time, a man suddenly appeared, still catching his breath, and Bliss could only stare without greeting him.

“May I sit next to you?”

“Um… sure.”

Only after sending Princess Jasmin a questioning look and receiving an okay did Bliss nod. As Karhen sat down, the breeze helped cool his flushed face as he closed his eyes. Come to think of it, though it wasn’t that far from the arena entrance to here, he was quite out of breath.

Noticing Bliss’s questioning look, Karhen turned to her.

“I was just out for a walk, that’s why.”

His relaxed expression and mention of a walk seemed to match, but something felt off. With so many people gathered at the arena, from participants to spectators, where could he have walked?

Bliss tilted her head but let it go. After all, she had no reason to pay more attention to Karhen.

“Shouldn’t you be waiting in the preparation room?”

“My turn is still far off. There are so many participants that they’ve split it into preliminaries and main rounds. With such a crowd, they ended up having to divide the time. I wonder what happened this year to draw so many people.”

“Well, Count Karhen Nebula is participating too.”

“I participate every year. To keep my only friend company.”

After saying this, Karhen wiped his forehead with a handkerchief and spoke again.

“Just call me Karhen. Using my family name and title makes it feel quite distant. Just my name is enough for people to know who I am.”

He was both smooth and shameless. Yet somehow, it wasn’t unlikeable.

“I suppose so.”

Princess Jasmin, who had been just listening to the conversation, snorted. She pointed at the handkerchief Karhen was holding.

“Seeing you wipe your sweat with a woman’s embroidered handkerchief, the rumors must be true.”

“Ah… what kind of rumors are there about me?”

“That you like women. And that you’ve had many love affairs.”

Oh, so that’s what it is, Karhen nodded as if just realizing. Then he looked down at his handkerchief and spoke to Princess Jasmin again.

“Does it displease you?”

Princess Jasmin frowned.