Please Don’t Let Go Of That Leash - Chapter 4 - Royal Banquet (Part 5)
Chapter 4 – Royal Banquet (Part 5)
Sighing inwardly again, Ria opened her fan to cover her mouth. Smiling insincerely wasn’t difficult since it was often necessary in Korea too, but she decided it was better to cover her face just in case she couldn’t maintain the smile or if they misinterpreted her expressions.
She didn’t want any trouble affecting the three men.
“You ladies seem to already know the answer. Isn’t that why you’re surrounding me like this?”
There was no response, which seemed to confirm her suspicion. Thinking this was enough, Ria gently smiled with her eyes and took a step. But as soon as she did, her path was blocked again.
Ria instinctively stiffened her lips and thought it was a good thing she had covered her mouth with the fan. She looked at the girl blocking her path, the same one who had apologized on behalf of the group.
“We just want to befriend you, Lady.”
The cheeky remark was almost laughable.
‘People don’t usually surround someone with a group to befriend them.’
She was now sure she wasn’t being oversensitive and also realized that they wouldn’t back down easily. Ria decided to hear them out.
“What do you all think you’re doing?”
At that moment, someone’s voice interrupted from behind her. Turning her head towards the voice, Ria saw Katrina, who was dressed just as extravagantly as when she had seen her in the dessert shop.
Ria almost expected Katrina to be part of this group. Considering Katrina’s previous hostility and rudeness towards her, it was a natural assumption.
“Oh my, Lady Peune. I thought you had returned to your estate since you hadn’t been seen in the social circles for a while, but I see you still have a place here.”
“It was just a brief absence; my place hasn’t vanished. It’s not something anyone can just take over.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Well, no special meaning. I just wanted to say that my place is quite solid, so you needn’t worry.”
But the ensuing sharp exchange was completely unexpected. They weren’t on the same side; the conversation was anything but amicable.
“Do you really think so?”
The girl who had gripped her fan tightly smiled again as she spoke.
“There isn’t anyone here who doesn’t know the easiest way to gain attention in the social world. Lady Peunem I know you are well aware, I assume.”
“…”
“And from what I see, someone who was lucky is about to be easily dethroned.”
Ria understood from their glances that they were referring to her.
‘Means to an end.’
She felt a bit sad that Rune’s words were spot on.
‘What did they think each time they realized everyone approaching them had an agenda? How did they feel? Were they lonely?’
“Well, unlike some people, it doesn’t seem to apply to those who firmly establish their place through their abilities.”
“…”
“That concern is for those who idly dream foolish dreams without making any effort and quickly sink.”
As Katrina maintained her unyielding stance, the surrounding girls began to unfold their fans to cover their mouths. Behind those fans, their lips were probably being bitten.
“Oh my, surely there aren’t still people like that?”
Katrina’s final sarcastic remark, delivered with a broad smile, seemed to seal her victory. The girl who had blocked Ria’s path turned and walked away, biting her lip, and the other girls gradually dispersed, leaving Katrina as the victor.
Once they were alone, Ria closed her fan and looked at Katrina intently.
“Did you help me?”
There was no immediate response. Ria continued.
“Considering what happened before, I thought you disliked me. But.”
“…”
“If you helped me, am I being too naive?”
Still, there was no response. Katrina seemed to be contemplating how to respond. Ria waited a little longer, then turned to leave.
“If you helped me, then thank you. But I could have handled it myself. There are people like that everywhere.”
“…”
“If you have nothing more to say, I’ll be going. I have an appointment.”
As Ria started to walk away, Katrina bit her lip and then spoke up.
“Lady Leviar!”
When Ria stopped and turned back, Katrina closed the distance between them.
“I… well…”
Unlike her earlier confidence, Katrina fidgeted with her hands and hesitated. Seeing Ria wait patiently seemed to give her the courage to take a deep breath and speak.
“I want to apologize for what happened before.”
It was an unexpected statement. She hadn’t thought Katrina would apologize.
“You might have heard from the Dukes that most noble ladies want to be at the center of the social circles, and the easiest way is through the Dukes’ companionship.”
“…”
“That’s how I started too. As the girl said earlier, I was lucky there wasn’t another lady after me, so I got the opportunity.”
That’s why she was agitated at the thought of a new competitor.
“Like you said, I was anxious, fearing my position was threatened. I forgot about the efforts I made to seize that opportunity and to be at the center of the social world.”
Katrina’s honesty showed she no longer harbored ill intentions toward Ria.
“I struggled to protect my place from those who dismissed my efforts as mere luck. Reflecting on your words made me realize that.”
“…”
“But that’s my situation, so it’s an excuse. That’s why I wanted to apologize for treating you dismissively, for my rude intrusion, and for speaking of someone’s past so carelessly. And also… to thank you.”
Katrina’s apology and gratitude were sincere. Feeling this, Ria blinked a few times, then smiled.
“Lady Peune, I think you’re an amazing person.”
“What?”
“Everyone gets opportunities. Whether they seize them or not depends on their efforts. You seized yours with hard work.”
“…”
“And it’s not easy to admit one’s mistakes and apologize. I understand now why you’re at the center of the social circles. I hope everyone realizes the effort behind your position.”
‘I’ll accept both your apology and gratitude.’
Katrina felt a lump in her throat at Ria’s words. No one had ever acknowledged her efforts so genuinely. Even her kind parents didn’t fully understand the extent of her efforts.
All she could tell her parents in their distant estate was that she was doing well and not to worry. Even when they visited the capital for royal events, their time together was brief.
She understood this in her head, but sometimes she felt a bit lonely.
Moreover, her only brother…
“Katrina.”
At that moment, a familiar voice made her face harden. She didn’t expect him to show up at such a perfect time.
“What’s the matter? I was looking for you while I went to get our drinks.”
She saw his annoying face with a smarmy smile. He held two glasses of champagne.
“And who might this be?”
Feigning ignorance despite having heard her introduction when the Dukes entered, his behavior was utterly ridiculous.
“You heard her introduction when she entered.”
“…Ah, right. I am Omur Peune, Katrina’s only brother. It’s an honor to meet such a beautiful lady.”
At Katrina’s sharp response, Omur’s face briefly froze before he managed to put on his smarmy smile again and reached out to kiss Ria’s hand. But Ria quickly hid her hand behind her back.
“Ah.”
Feeling uncomfortable under his gaze, Ria instinctively reacted. Even she was a bit taken aback by her own reaction and hesitated as Omur withdrew his hand.
“I apologize. I was startled…”
“No problem. It happens. Would you at least accept this drink? I’d hate to lose face.”
Even though she was reluctant, Ria couldn’t keep refusing, so she accepted the glass for now. Omur, who confirmed this with a meaningful glance, handed another glass to Katrina.
“Katrina, you take one too.”
“What are you thinking?”
“I just came to give you some champagne.”
Katrina gripped her fan tightly. She didn’t believe Omur’s words. Ever since she became the center of society, there had been too many scandals to take the words of this dirty man who used her for his schemes at face value.
‘He must have some dirty scheme this time too.’
Standing in front to shield Ria, she warned him in a low voice only he could hear.
“If you don’t want to ruin the family for real, don’t even think about doing anything stupid. This is the woman of two Dukes. You’re not someone who can touch them.”
“Well, the whims of Dukes are quite famous.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Don’t interfere with what your heavenly brother is trying to do. The only thing you’re good for is that position.”
Roughly pushing Katrina aside, Omur glanced at Ria with eyes full of sinister desire, then smiled as if nothing had happened. Ria felt chills run down her spine.
“You seem to be getting along with my sister.”
“Oh, yes.”
“I’m so glad to hear that such a lady has become friends with my sister.”
Omur took champagne from a passing servant and raised his glass. Ria, caught off guard, clinked glasses with him, and Katrina watched with anxious eyes.