Chapter 6 – Part 1

When Eliana raised her head, she saw Bonita, Janice, and Maria. All three were noble ladies of her age whom she had known since childhood. They were inseparable friends who stuck together every day.

“Hello.”

Eliana greeted them lightly.

“You’re already going out?”

Bonita tilted her head curiously.

“And why not?”

Eliana replied in a calm voice.

“Are you serious?”

Janice’s eyes widened in surprise at Eliana’s response.

“Of course I’m serious. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be out. I’ve already wandered around plenty today.”

Janice exchanged a glance with Bonita at Eliana’s confident reply as if to say she was being ridiculous. It wasn’t behind her back; it was right to her face. In fact, Bonita and Janice had always acted this way, even when they were children.

‘I always let it slide, thinking it wasn’t a big deal, but… this is annoying.’

Eliana furrowed her brows slightly.

“Did Count Leiberte not stop you from going out?”

Bonita asked.

“That’s what I’m saying. There was such a scandal that shook the entire empire… I heard His Majesty the Emperor was furious with you.”

Janice quickly added.

“Bonita, Janice. Anyone listening might think I sold out the entire empire. It’s unpleasant, so could you stop?”

Eliana set down her teacup, showing her discomfort. She shot them a look that clearly said she wanted them to leave, as they were interrupting her quiet time with Mila and Russell.

Bonita was offended by Eliana’s attitude of treating them as unwelcome guests. She had always thought Eliana was easy to handle, but now, Eliana practically told her to shut up, which stung her pride.

“You must be embarrassed about being dumped. You’re trying to stop us from even talking about it.”

Bonita said, crossing her arms arrogantly.

“No, it’s not an embarrassment. It’s that your snide remarks are getting on my nerves. If you’re here to drink tea, just drink your tea and leave without picking a fight.”

Eliana replied with a cold smile on her lips.

“Eliana, this isn’t a fight. It’s advice. What will people say when they see you out and about so soon?”

“I don’t care what people say. I have no reason not to go out or to avoid social gatherings.”

“Oh my, she really thinks that, doesn’t she?”

Janice exclaimed dramatically, reacting to Eliana’s direct rebuttal of Bonita’s comment.

“Well, thinking that way makes you feel better, Eliana. If I were in your shoes, especially with Rachel…”

Bonita deliberately emphasized Rachel’s name.

“If I knew Rachel was about to become the Crown Princess, I’d probably avoid going out even more.”

She stared at Eliana as she finished speaking.

‘This should hurt, right?’

Bonita hoped to see Eliana show signs of being hurt, staring directly into her blue eyes.

The truth was, Bonita had been secretly jealous of Eliana ever since she got engaged to the Crown Prince.

‘How could someone like Eliana rise to such a high position? She’s not better than me in any way…’

Now that Eliana had been dumped by her childhood friend Rachel and lost the Crown Prince, Bonita felt things were finally going how they should. Even though she knew it was petty, she couldn’t help feeling this way.

“I’m not going to avoid anyone, Rachel or otherwise.”

“Oh, really? Well, a party will soon be hosted by the Marchioness of Madrino. You’ll come to that too, right? His Highness the Crown Prince is bringing Rachel as his partner.”

Since Eliana wasn’t reacting as expected, Bonita escalated the situation further.

“Stop it. Stop it, you two.”

Maria, who had been watching silently, tried to intervene. Unlike the others, Maria wasn’t looking at Eliana with mocking eyes. Her dark eyes were filled with concern.

“There’s no reason I can’t go to any party.”

Eliana shattered Bonita’s shallow expectations.

“You’re serious?”

Bonita asked again, seeking confirmation.

“Yes.”

What started as a battle of nerves had now turned into a challenge.

“If you don’t show up, you’re a coward who can’t even stand by your own words.”

“Exactly. You better come since you made such a bold statement.”

Bonita and Janice confirmed that Eliana intended to attend the Marchioness of Madrino’s party. Their faces showed how much they looked forward to what they thought would be quite the spectacle.

“Enough already.”

“What did I do?”

Maria pushed Bonita and Janice further away from where Eliana was sitting.

“See you at the party, Eliana.”

Bonita threw one last spiteful comment before leaving.

Once the three of them were gone, Russell glanced at Eliana, worried. The dessert he had been enjoying no longer tasted as good.

“My lady…”

Mila gently stroked the back of Eliana’s hand, concerned.

“Don’t worry about them. It’d be a shame to waste this delicious food because of people like that.”

Eliana took a bite of the almond-studded cookie. Everyone was looking at Eliana through their own lens, but that was their perspective, not hers.

‘The Marchioness of Madrino’s party, huh.’

She hadn’t known about the party, but if it was the Marchioness of Madrino, the Leiberte family would indeed receive an invitation.

‘If I’m invited, there’s no reason not to go. It’s actually a great opportunity to show how happy I am.’

* * *

Rachel suddenly stood up, clutching the newspaper containing the Crown Prince’s engagement cancellation announcement.

‘It’s finally over!’

— The Crown Prince’s engagement was annulled following a secret decision after a visit to the Great Temple…—

Rachel reread the part stating that even the Emperor had approved it. She had been anxious, fearing family ties might prevent the final separation.

‘It’s really over now…’

She was so overjoyed that she felt on the verge of tears. Cedric was now free, and he was hers. Still holding the newspaper, Rachel hurriedly knocked on the door of her father, Baron Slonian.

“Come in.”

With permission, she entered to find Baron Slonian and his wife in the room.

“Look at this, Father, Mother.”

With a flushed face, Rachel spread the newspaper in front of them.

“The article is finally out.”

Baron Slonian had already noticed that Rachel had been nervously waiting for the arrival of the newspaper.

‘So, it was because of this article.’

Not long ago, during a social gathering, Baron Slonian had heard that Crown Prince Cedric had requested to break off his engagement during a hunting competition.

‘Engagement annulled? Why all of a sudden?’

Baron Slonian was puzzled by the news. However, a close noble friend informed him that the matter involved his daughter.

“My daughter Rachel? What could that possibly mean?”

Initially, Slonian didn’t believe it. The thought of his modest daughter having any connection with Crown Prince Cedric seemed impossible. Yet, the nobleman advised him to ask his daughter directly.

“Rachel, do you indeed have something to do with the Crown Prince’s engagement annulment?”

“…Yes, Father, it’s true.”

“What do you mean it’s true?”

“His Highness will end his engagement to Eliana Leiberte because of me.”

‘…!’

Baron Slonian was deeply shocked.

“Without a word, my daughter has been involved with Cedric—who is still engaged? That’s something that should never happen.”

Baron Slonian had to confirm whether or not the relationship began after the engagement. This distinction was critical.

“Well…”

Rachel hesitated, indicating her reluctance to answer right away. Slonian’s expression darkened immediately.

Although Crown Prince Cedric and Eliana had not yet married, they were publicly recognized as a couple. If Rachel’s relationship with the Prince began after that acknowledgment, Rachel would bear a significant flaw in her reputation.

“Father, what does it matter? His Highness loves me. Isn’t that a great honor?”

“…”

“Please withdraw all the marriage proposals we’ve received so far. I won’t marry into any other family because I will be the Crown Princess. And eventually, I’ll be Empress.”

“I don’t even know what to say.”

Rachel’s green eyes gleamed with blind ambition at her father’s adverse reaction. When Slonian pressed her on how to betray her friend Eliana like this, Rachel responded coldly.

“Even if it wasn’t me, that girl would’ve been rejected anyway. She doesn’t deserve to be Crown Princess.”

Rachel had ruthlessly belittled Eliana. Slonian knew that the aristocrats would gossip relentlessly about this matter. While Eliana suffers, they also whisper about Rachel, who is never seen as innocent. Accepting that truth was difficult for Slonian.

“You don’t need to worry anymore. The engagement has been annulled, so soon, His Majesty will call me to the palace.”

Rachel, her voice filled with excitement, clutched the newspaper once more. She hoped her parents would share in her joy. They had been shocked initially, but now they should have been elated. Yet, despite the confirmed article, their expressions remained uneasy.

“Rachel,” Slonian spoke, his voice serious as he looked at her intently.

“There is something you need to keep in mind.”

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.