Though she had emphasized before that she was my closest friend, it was only in our private space, in extremely personal settings. Had Elene ever pushed our relationship this far in front of others? Not so far. There was no mention in the original novel of her making such childish remarks about securing friendship with me.

Then why now? While racking my brain to find a suitable reason, my thoughts settled on a fact that suddenly occurred to me. It was such a ridiculous thought that I wanted to sneer, but this was the only way to explain it.

First, Elene is the legitimate princess of this Lamuah Empire and royalty.

One scholar said that in this world, the originally most greedy and arrogant species were royalty. Like the emperors of all generations and their siblings and children. Elene, who inherited the blood of Lamuah royalty thickly, absolutely never thought—no, couldn’t think—that she could be pushed back in the priorities of someone she considered hers.

That’s why in the original story, she becomes angry and acts more fanatically when the grand duke doesn’t favor her. The moment she becomes aware that she might be pushed behind someone else, she shows stronger obsession toward the other person.

Well, to put it a bit cheaply and simply, it just means royalty are a tribe that responds well to push-and-pull tactics. In terms of morning dramas, it’s like the psychology of a chaebol male lead who says ‘Hmph, you’re the first woman who doesn’t even consider me’ while chasing after a female lead who shows disgust.

In that case, Elene is now the chaebol third-generation male protagonist, and I’m the female protagonist who kicks away the chaebol male protagonist’s flirting and is busy with some unknown sub-male? I could only laugh hollowly at the unintended situation. I want to believe it’s not true. Though I thought it, it’s a leap. But if not this, the cold atmosphere in this reception room can’t be explained. A silence so cold that a glass of water would freeze solid if placed here flowed.

“Then Your Highness the Princess, you’ve known Alix for twelve years?”

It was Mélisande who carefully broke the silence. Elene answered haughtily.

“To be precise, it would be thirteen years. We first met when I was six.”

“Oh my, what a truly long friendship.”

“Indeed. Probably incomparably longer than the brief time since you first saw Alix this year.”

At the childishly territorial words like a neighborhood gang leader, Mélisande cast her eyes down sadly. I see. Her eyelids trembled delicately like a lily touched by dew.

“Though it may be presumptuous, I envy Your Highness the Princess. To have been able to see Alix’s childhood.”

Why is the story flowing in that direction? Leaving me bewildered, Mélisande continued.

“Surely Alix was elegant and beautiful from childhood. Or was she lovely and cute?”

“Lovely and—she was rather bold. Though you wouldn’t have seen that.”

Oh my. At Mélisande’s exclamation, Elene boastfully poured out memory stories like the bright yellow dress I wore on the day we first met, the emerald pin in my red-gold hair, each other’s coat of arms exchanged as eighth birthday gifts, my first salon debut, etc.

The more Mélisande listened with sparkling eyes, the more triumphant Elene became. What’s happening? In the suddenly reversed atmosphere, I was the only one unable to adapt, just blinking.

“I also have the portrait we drew together on my tenth birthday. It’s the last painting that Sir Brooke, the artist who has now returned to Andrette, painted in the Lamuah Empire. Alix had her hair braided down and wore a green velvet dress that suited her eyes well.”

“What a truly lovely sight that must have been! Someday, if I ever get the chance, I’d love to see that painting.”

“Hmm. Since you say this much, I’ll show it to you today.”

“Oh, really?”

“It’s to commemorate the solid friendship between Alix and me—absolutely not because I like you!”

The two, who had somehow hit it off, exchanged words and left the room. I hurriedly approached the doorway and watched as the two disappeared toward the corridor with the royalty-exclusive gallery. At a glance, they looked quite harmonious.

What happened? In a dumbfounded state, I returned to the room and sat down on a stool when a maid who had returned at some point quickly poured cold water and handed it to me. I received the glass beaded with water droplets on its surface and pressed it to my forehead to cool my heated head. It was like a typhoon had swept through. What was that just now?

***

“Mélisande, are you okay?”

Mélisande, who returned after quite a commotion the previous day, looked better than expected. But anyway, hadn’t she been mentally attacked by exalted royalty, and direct imperial family at that? I examined her face worriedly.

“I’m fine. Anyway, Her Highness the Princess is Alix’s closest friend. How could I covet that position?”

No, that’s not what I was asking about. Mélisande continued speaking.

“But the sister bound as family by sacred marriage vows is me, so it’s okay.”

Hmm…… Somehow Mélisande’s answers have been oddly off-point lately. Anyway, she seems fine. I felt slightly uneasy but soon let it go. There are hundreds of other things to think about besides that. First, approaching today’s social gathering host to greet them.

“Mademoiselle Levizet! It feels like it’s been a long time.”

“Duchess, I’m delighted to meet you again.”

The place we came to today was Duchess Chenonceaux’s salon. Duchess Chenonceaux, the emperor’s elder sister and a wealthy widow, was a major patron in the supporter world who had nurtured numerous artists with her ample finances. Naturally, her salon overflowed with famous veteran artists and talented newcomers.

Having established her own solid territory, she was one of the few court figures who didn’t need to mind the empress or my mother, so her social gathering was the most suitable event for Mélisande, who hadn’t yet formed her own allies, to expand her territory. Duchess Chenonceaux smiled kindly.

“I heard there was a happy occasion at Levizet recently.”

“Yes, by God’s blessing we welcomed a new family member. May I introduce my new sister to you, Duchess?”

When the duchess permitted, Mélisande gracefully curtsied.

“It’s my first time meeting you. I am Mélisande Silvia of the Levizet family.”

Perhaps satisfied with her flawless etiquette and appearance even by demanding aesthetic standards, Duchess Chenonceaux smiled.

“Nice to meet you, Marchioness Levizet. I hope you have a wonderful time today.”

“I’ve long heard about the duchess’s refined salon, and I consider it an honor to be able to attend.”

At the courteous but not servile greeting, the duchess smiled with satisfaction. I had thought that Duchess Chenonceaux, who sponsors talented artists regardless of status, wouldn’t care about something like Mélisande’s humble family background, and my prediction was correct.

After exchanging warm greetings with Duchess Chenonceaux, I turned around with Mélisande. I needed to find helpful people among the guests scattered here and there. I quickly scanned the surroundings and whispered in Mélisande’s ear.

“To the right, the lady standing in front of the lion sculpture.”

Mélisande nodded slightly and gracefully headed toward the lion sculpture. As if she intended to view the sculpture without any purpose. I approached beside Mélisande, who was pretending to appreciate the sculpture leisurely, as if knowing nothing, then deliberately opened my eyes wide as if surprised by an unexpected encounter.

“Mademoiselle Sophie! Meeting you here! How long has it been?”

The woman with caramel-colored hair braided down maiden-like smiled warmly.

“Mademoiselle Levizet? Oh my, I thought you went to your territory for family business. You came back early?”

“God helped so the work finished early. Ah, this is my new sister, Mélisande. May I introduce my new sister to Mademoiselle Sophie?”

Through such disguised coincidental encounters and naturally flowing introductions, before even making one round of the salon, Mélisande had gained several quite helpful connections.

Sophie Lambize, the youngest daughter of the naval vice admiral, Viscount Ganfire, who was considered a likely close associate of the crown prince in the future, Countess Noailles, who had been the previous empress’s head maid, etc. Though not extremely glamorous connections, they were people who, once she became familiar with them, would prevent her from being completely isolated in court as in the original work.

Most of them seemed to have taken a liking to Mélisande’s quite elegant and cultured appearance, contrary to the rumors of her being a vulgar woman who had secured the position of marchioness based on looks alone. Sophie, the daughter of Admiral Lambize, even invited both Mélisande and me to her tea party, so it was quite a good harvest. Just as I was considering whether to return after achieving our modest goal.

“Marchioness Levizet, and Alix.”

I reflexively turned my head at the familiar but unwelcome voice. Mélisande covered her mouth with her fan, looking momentarily surprised.

“Oh my, Baron Julard. I didn’t expect to meet you here!”

Damn, why are you appearing here again. I put on a mask over my uncomfortable feelings and added a bright smile.

“It’s been a while, Caleb.”

“Nice to see you, Alix. And, Marchioness.”

He kissed the backs of the hands that Mélisande and I extended. And I caught the moment when Caleb’s lips touched Mélisande’s hand, his gaze lingering on the wedding ring that was only for show. A flash of murderous intent passed over his seemingly kind hazel eyes. A brief glimpse that even Mélisande, the person involved, failed to notice. It was probably a momentary spark that I wouldn’t have noticed either if I hadn’t had memories of my previous life, especially memories of reading the original work.

Mélisande was just smiling brightly. Well, to Mélisande, Caleb was just her husband’s friend who had even served as a groomsman at their wedding. So she wouldn’t know that Caleb was behind those trying to torment her. It was still a fact that only I knew. Who would know that Baron Caleb Julard was Marchioness Levizet’s rival? Unaware of my tense inner thoughts, Mélisande spoke warmly.

“This seems to be the first time we’re meeting at court. It would be nice if we could share a meal together sometime.”