Chapter 8

Nadia was at a loss for words for a moment. She wondered if it was a joke, but Albina’s maid smiled sincerely. Nadia bit her lip.  

“To refuse…”  

“If you refuse, His Majesty will be very disappointed.”  

Albina’s maid interrupted Nadia.  

“Countess Vellevin asked me to tell you that.”  

“…Is His Majesty there?”  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

Seeing Albina’s maid answer so gently, Nadia swallowed dryly. If the King was involved, things could get complicated.  

If she didn’t go, it could look like she was slighting him, and it would only give society more reason to gossip.  

She considered using her health as an excuse, but she’d already hosted her own tea gathering that day. Nadia looked helplessly at Olga.  

‘Why are you looking at me?’  

Olga’s eyes seemed to ask that. As the perfect bystander, Nadia bit the inside of her cheek.  

“All right, I’ll go.”

***

At the same time, the parlor in Vellevin Palace was bustling. All those invited by the Queen had gathered there.  

“I wonder how flustered the Queen must be? She probably went to the parlor full of expectation, only to find it empty.”  

“And the maids in the Queen’s palace wouldn’t tell her the truth, would they?”  

“Of course not. Only Madame Ryabova must feel sorry. To have to serve Agnesa’s daughter as master…”  

“His Majesty will surely reward her accordingly.”  

When Albina, who had been listening quietly, spoke up, everyone applauded as if it was only right.  

“But will the Queen really come? If she does, there’s no greater spectacle.”  

“She’ll come.”  

Albina said with confidence.  

“I told them to say His Majesty was here.”  

“What? Is that all right?”  

“Of course. In fact, His Majesty agreed to stop by for a while.”  

“Oh my, really?”  

Everyone laughed and enjoyed themselves. If Albina mentioned the King, there was no way the Queen wouldn’t come.  

While everyone waited in anticipation for the Queen’s arrival—  

“Countess, Her Majesty the Queen has arrived.”  

“Oh!”  

She really came. 

Everyone exchanged interested glances. Soon after, Nadia entered the parlor.  

For a moment, no one spoke. It was because Nadia looked so beautiful today.  

The Queen’s dress suited her pale skin perfectly and exuded a spring atmosphere. The color was elegant and refined, not overly bright.  

And the rose-gold tiara that matched the dress? If they didn’t dislike the Queen, they might have applauded her fashion sense.  

“We greet you, Your Majesty, the Queen.”  

Everyone stood and greeted her with perfect composure. To invite the Queen to such a humiliating event and then act polite was even more insulting.  

Albina checked Nadia’s face with a twisted smile, then frowned slightly. The Queen’s expression was as calm as theirs.  

“So you were all here.”  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

Albina replied with a smile.  

“Don’t take it too hard. At least we’re all together now, aren’t we?”  

“Did you invite these ladies to today’s event as well, Countess?”  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

Albina nodded serenely, as if nothing was wrong. The others also acted as if this was perfectly natural.  

If Nadia showed displeasure here, she’d only look strange. Albina smiled, waiting to see how Nadia would react.  

“In that case, there’s nothing for me to be upset about.”  

“Pardon?”  

“I’m sure everyone feels more comfortable with the Countess than with me. As you know, I have no experience in society.”  

At Nadia’s calm reply, Albina was stunned. Before she could respond, Nadia continued.  

“It would have been nice if you’d let me know in advance, Lady Vellevin.”  

“…Ah.”  

Albina finally collected herself and spoke, frowning.  

“For that, I apologize, Your Majesty. Please, have a seat.”  

Still, Albina remained brazen. What mattered now was confidence.  

“Bring another chair.”  

Albina gave her seat to the Queen, then placed a new chair beside Nadia and sat down.  

Sitting next to the Queen without permission was extremely rude, but no one pointed it out.  

If Nadia asserted etiquette and her authority, Albina would gladly apologize and move.  

But then people would mock the Queen for acting above her station at someone else’s tea gathering.  

This time, Nadia let out a faint sigh. Albina smiled and spoke.  

“It feels nice to sit beside you, Your Majesty. It makes me feel closer to you.”  

“But Madame, I think it would be right for you to rise.”

Nadia quietly opened her mouth.

“The seat for His Majesty….”

“His Majesty the King enters.”

At the voice that rang out then, everyone quickly rose from their seats.

A moment later, Lev appeared inside the drawing room.

He wore a fitted black uniform, and his silhouette alone was stunning.  

His pale skin and sharp features gave the room an instant sense of tension.  

As the King who seized the throne from his father and avenged his mother, he inspired awe as everyone bowed. Only one person, Albina, approached him with a bright smile.  

“Your Majesty.”  

Albina affectionately embraced the King.  

“You always arrive at the perfect moment.”  

“You only call me when you’re busy.”  

The two exchanged quiet words only they could hear.  

Albina laughed and shrugged, then quickly stepped away from him.  

“Come, please sit.”  

Albina gave her seat to Lev. As a maid went to fetch another chair, the noblewoman next to the King stood.  

“Countess Vellevin, shall I give you my seat…”  

“No, I have somewhere I’d prefer to sit.”  

Then, boldly, Albina sat on the King’s lap. The others hadn’t expected this and gasped.  

Lev looked surprised for a moment but soon regained his composure.  

“Your Majesty, may I sit here?”  

Lev looked at Albina with a tone of amusement.  

“It’ll be hard to drink tea like this.”  

“Oh, I’m just joking.”  

Albina laughed and quickly stood. In the end, she sat to the King’s right.  

“Shall we continue our conversation? Ah, Your Majesty, we were talking about…”  

The tea gathering resumed as if nothing had happened. Naturally, Albina was at the center. Lev mostly listened, occasionally responding to Albina’s stories.  

All eyes, including Lev’s, were on Albina, so anyone who didn’t know would think she was the Queen.  

Nadia was completely excluded from the conversation. No one asked her anything or even glanced her way.  

It was just like at the wedding reception. And, just as then, Nadia’s expression was composed, as if such humiliation didn’t bother her.  

“It was so enjoyable today, Countess Vellevin. Please invite me again.”  

“Thank you for coming. Let’s see each other often.”  

Even as the tea gathering ended, nothing changed. The guests said their farewells only to Lev and Albina, ignoring Nadia.  

Even if she weren’t the Queen, it couldn’t be more insulting. To be completely ignored. Yet she couldn’t just storm out, either.  

If there were no eyes watching, she might have shown her hurt and cried. Albina glanced at Nadia, feeling a thrill.  

But Nadia wore an expression Albina never expected.