Chapter 3 (Part 9)

“Marchioness Ferzen, are you alright?”

Laila also hadn’t expected Meryl to throw a vase at her. The shards had flown right in front of her.

“If Her Majesty the Empress comes, tell her that I have left first.”

“Understood.”

“It seems I, as an elder, have cornered Lady Meryl.”

“No, Marchioness Ferzen!”

“Everyone, please continue to enjoy yourselves.”

After Meryl and Laila left, the tea party turned into a noisy chaos.

*   *   *

Most of the noblewomen criticized Meryl’s actions, but they fell silent when Empress Ellermin entered.

Ellermin, too, had already been informed about what Meia had done, so her expression wasn’t good.

But she was still the Empress.

She maintained order and finished the tea party with the remaining noblewomen.

However, that wasn’t what mattered.

In social circles, the story of Meryl throwing a vase at the Empress’s tea party had already started to spread.

Marquis Ferzen personally visited Empress Ellermin and declared that unless Meryl formally apologized for her actions, he could no longer support Crown Prince Patzraelli.

“Indeed, Meryl was wrong.”

Marquis Ferzen also pressured Ellermin, saying that Meryl, who had been rude to his wife and daughter, needed to be sternly reprimanded.

“Then make her apologize to my wife and daughter. Throwing a vase? She’s not a market thug. How can a lady behave like this? Our family won’t let this go.”

“Understood.”

“Because of Lady Meryl, the factions Crown Prince Patzraelli had built are now leaning towards Prince Demian. If, by any chance, Lady Meia becomes a princess, Prince Demian’s power will grow even more.”

Ellermin was startled and asked back.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Who do you think are the fathers of the young ladies who admire and respect Lady Meia, and the husbands of the noblewomen?”

Marquis Ferzen’s words made Ellermin’s head tingle as if she had realized something.

She recalled what the Emperor had said.

<When something is familiar and comfortable, you often fail to realize its value and end up losing it, Empress.>

“I won’t say anymore. From now on, you must ensure that Lady Meryl behaves properly. Before that, make sure she apologizes to my wife and daughter. That’s all I have to say.”

Meanwhile, Meryl couldn’t understand why she had to endure such humiliation from old noblewomen when she was the Crown Prince’s fiancée.

‘This is different from what Dad said.’

Of course, she had been greedy because she didn’t want to bow her head to Meia, who would become the Empress.

But when she met the Crown Prince, she was attracted to his handsome and polite demeanor, and she liked him at first sight.

She loved his bright smile when he looked at her. The future Emperor. The woman sitting next to him would rise to the highest position in the empire. She thought she would suit the position of Empress well.

Most of all, she was happy that Meia would have to bow to her once she became the fiancée and had the royal wedding.

But… after the engagement, Crown Prince Patzraelli didn’t want to talk to her.

And the Empress, who was even harsher than Meia, made her upset.

If only she had met Earl Kurundal’s young master first…

As Meryl was crying and about to board the carriage, a familiar voice called out to her.

“Lady Meryl!”

Hearing the familiar voice, Meryl turned around and looked at the man who had called her.

“…Thomas.”

It was Thomas, the young master of Earl Kurundal.

When Meryl answered him in a tearful voice, Thomas quickly approached her.

“Lady Meryl, have you been crying? Your eyes are red.”

At Thomas’s words, Meryl hastily wiped her tears.

“C-crying? No. Thomas, why are you here at the palace?”

“I had some business and saw the Hatzbellua family crest on the carriage. I thought if I waited here, I might see you. To be honest, I was lingering here hoping to see you.”

Thomas’s warm words made Meryl start crying again.

“Sniff… Thomas.”

Seeing Meryl suddenly cry sorrowfully, Thomas took out a blue handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped her eyes, speaking with concern.

“Something must have happened. Would you like to get in the carriage?”

Meryl nodded while crying.

“I’ll tell the coachman to go ahead.”

“I’ll do it.”

Meryl nodded at Thomas’s words and boarded Earl Kurundal’s carriage.

Thomas looked around once and then followed Meryl into the carriage.

Soon, the carriage quickly departed from the palace.

“Sniff, Thomas… I’m sorry for showing you such a disgraceful sight.”

“It’s alright. What happened?”

“It’s just that… I came from the countryside and don’t know anything, but the noblewomen… sniff.”

“Oh dear… It seems you’ve had your initiation into the social circle. Those noblewomen are older, but they were too much. You did well to leave. You don’t need to be in such a place.”

“I might get scolded by Her Majesty the Empress for leaving like this.”

Thomas moved to sit next to Meryl and began to comfort her by patting her back.

“Lady Meryl, you are a Hatzbellua. Why do you worry and look for approval? No matter how high-ranking the noblewomen are, they shouldn’t treat you this way.”

Meryl cried loudly while receiving comfort from Thomas.

“Thank you, Thomas.”

“It’s nothing. Please don’t cry.”

Meryl continued to wipe her eyes with Thomas’s handkerchief and spoke.

“I didn’t take Meia’s place. I just followed my father’s words… sniff.”

Thomas gently stroked Meryl’s cheek and, with a bitter smile, continued in a sympathetic tone.

“I never thought seeing you cry would hurt this much.”

Meryl leaned slightly against Thomas’s chest and swallowed her tears.

“Everyone hates me. They all look for Meia and compare me to her… sniff.”

Thomas hugged Meryl, who was leaning on him, and stroked her head.

“Those wicked people will be punished. What can I do to cheer you up, Lady Meryl?”

Meryl stopped sniffling for a moment and looked at Thomas sitting next to her.

“Thomas, I want to go shopping.”

“I’ll buy you anything. Jewelry? Dresses? Shoes? Bags? What do you want? Just tell me.”

Thomas hugged Meryl warmly with a bright smile.

Meryl didn’t refuse his embrace and leaned in closer.

“I want to give you everything in the world, Lady Meryl.”

“Why are you so good to me?”

“Because we’re close friends…”

Thomas trailed off, looking anxious.

“Do you treat your friends this well?”

“You are special to me.”

Meryl’s heart began to race.

*   *   *

Duke Luman Hatzbellua was in a bad mood.

The reason was Prince Demian von Mavro had visited him since the morning.

Luman looked at Demian, who was sipping tea with a smiling face, with displeasure.

“Duke, are you listening to me?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I want to make Lady Meia my princess.”

Luman couldn’t easily respond to Demian’s words. He had promised his niece freedom in marriage and had it notarized at the temple.

“I intend to let my niece marry whoever she wants.”

“I’ll give you diamond mines, ruby mines, and whatever else you want. I’ll provide as much dowry as you wish.”

Luman felt bitter, thinking he had too hastily promised Meia freedom in marriage, tempted by Demian’s offer of a staggering amount of wealth.

But he also felt relieved.

“Why can’t it be done, Duke?”

Demian had consistently sent marriage proposals to the duchy, but Duke Luman had no choice but to refuse.

He hadn’t expected Demian to be so insistent on marrying Meia.

“Your Highness, no matter how many proposals you send, Meia is not here. She has left for the Mage Tower.”

“I know. But once our families exchange marriage arrangements, it will be done. Once she becomes an adult, I want to marry her, not just be engaged.”

“If my niece wishes, I will allow it.”

Demian’s dowry was very tempting. But Demian was in the opposing faction to Crown Prince Patzraelli, whom Luman supported. 

If Meia married Demian, the outcome wouldn’t be good.

He wondered what would happen to to Meryl and Patzraelli if Meia married Demian.

Luman began to worry internally, though he didn’t show it. He felt anxious but was relieved by the contract with Meia.

For the next five years, Meia had agreed not to marry any man in the Carpen Empire.

So, even if she wanted to marry Demian, it would be five years later.

By then, Meryl would have become the crown princess and secured her position.

“I have agreed to respect my niece’s wishes. I promised her.”

Demian was not someone who would easily back down or give up.

“I see. So, if Lady Meia wants me, it will be done.”

Luman felt his mouth dry up.

‘I must keep the contract details secret at all costs.’

“Then I’ll have to do my best to win over Lady Meia.”

“Your Highness… Did His Majesty and Lady Luruna really permit this?”

“Why else would I be here?”

“I don’t know when Meia will return.”

“Lady Meia’s coming-of-age ceremony is soon; she’ll surely return before then. Aren’t you too indifferent to your niece, Duke?”

Demian’s words made cold sweat run down Luman’s back.

“She has lost both her parents and was pushed out of her engagement. She must be very lonely. I plan to comfort her well. You said she went to the Mage Tower? Then I’ll go there and bring her back.”

Demian smiled and stood up.

“I understand your feelings for your niece, Duke. I’ll be leaving now… Ah, and please give this to Lady Meryl.”

Demian handed Luman an invitation.

“It’s an invitation to my mother’s tea party. She wants to invite Lady Meryl.”

“An invitation to Lady Luruna’s tea party? I’ll pass it on to Meryl.”

“Tell her it’ll be an enjoyable tea party.”