Chapter 10 Part 3

Moreover, the information the maid had brought was more useful than expected, leaving Daisy in a generous mood. She called for Roland, who had just returned.

“Roland, bring the jewelry box.”

Without a trace of hesitation, Roland left to carry out the order. This obedience had been instilled by fear, etched deep by Daisy’s terrifying authority. As Roland hurried along, she couldn’t help but recall the demonic face of her mistress wielding a whip.

“Hah, huff, I-I brought it…”

Panting heavily, Roland handed the jewelry box to Daisy. Daisy opened it and rummaged through it, falling into thought.

Daisy had two jewelry boxes. The one she was currently looking through was the second, where she stored trinkets that didn’t suit her taste or were made from cheaper gems. Born as a noblewoman who had never held a single gold coin herself, the only rewards she could offer were jewels, so she had prepared this box when leaving the duke’s estate.

“Ah, this will do nicely.”

“……”

“The emerald earrings sent by the Knight family’s trading company to their customers.”

They had been tossed into the jewelry box and never taken out, simply because they came from that Rose Knight’s family. Moreover, since they were sent to all customers who spent above a certain amount, the designs were too similar and unremarkable. She had never worn them since receiving them, but who would have thought they’d be used like this?

A maid who betrayed the Knight family receiving a gift from the Knight family as a reward—it’s quite an amusing sight, isn’t it?”

Locus, the robed figure standing nearby, thought to himself that such an idea was very much like Daisy Queenie. However, he refrained from voicing the thought aloud, knowing full well that his mistress wouldn’t appreciate it.

“Give this as the reward, Roland. Then make sure she’s escorted back by carriage.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“Roland quickly left to carry out Daisy’s orders. She was undoubtedly on her way to escort Taryn to the carriage as instructed. While Locus wore a conflicted expression as he processed the situation, Daisy, wearing a satisfied smile, turned her head.

“You had something to report?”

“I’ve prepared more of the “Enchantment Perfume” you requested. I’ll place it in the left drawer of your vanity.”

“Good. You may go now.”

At Daisy Queenie’s command to leave, Locus bowed his head deeply one last time before vanishing in a shimmering blur of light. Daisy’s face lit up with exhilaration as she gazed at the now-empty space where he had stood.

She had secured information that could bring Rose Knight down and tighten her grasp on Prince Endeavor. It felt as if everything was already beneath her feet. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow’s party.

***

“‘Crown Prince Blase Rohan and Lady Daisy Queenie are entering!’”

The booming voice of the attendant echoed throughout the hall, drawing all eyes to one spot. There, the Crown Prince and Daisy, dressed in matching hues, were making their entrance.

As the two descended the stairs and entered the ballroom, those nearby began to bow one by one. By the time I followed suit, the only ones still holding their heads high were the Crown Prince and Ten.

Noticing this, the Crown Prince made his way toward Ten. Ten, unfazed, met his gaze head-on.

“It’s been a while, Prince Harten.”

“Crown Prince Blase.”

As the Crown Prince greeted him first, Ten responded with a relaxed smile. Their conversation began to ripple through the hall, prompting the nobles to gradually lift their heads. After waiting for an appropriate moment, I also raised mine.

“Lady Knight, it’s been quite some time, hasn’t it?”

Daisy, standing at the Crown Prince’s side, was the first to address me. Her gentle smile and the sweet facade of a kind noblewoman were impeccable. I returned her greeting while meeting her gaze.

“It has been a long time since we last exchanged pleasantries, hasn’t it?”

Her cheeks were flushed just enough to appear endearing, and her whisper was soft and sweet. Even the angle at which she tilted her head was suspiciously perfect.

“Since the Crown Prince and Prince Harten are engaged in conversation, shall the two of us share a few words as well?”

It was a sudden proposal, one that immediately made me suspicious of her motives. The wariness I had been trying to suppress quickly grew, erecting an invisible wall between her and me.

I scrutinized her expression openly, but her face, like a perfectly crafted mask, revealed no emotion, not even the smallest crack.

“…Very well.”

In the end, unable to find a reason to decline, I had no choice but to accept her suggestion. There were too many nobles watching us from the sidelines, and the situation was clearly in her favor. Reluctantly, I followed her lead and stepped onto the nearby terrace.

“All the way here, I felt eyes glaring at me,” she said.

“…?”

I paused halfway through closing the terrace door as Daisy Queenie spoke. Her words were cryptic, and I instinctively turned my gaze to her.

“I’m talking about Prince Endeavor. About the insult he dared to show me. Has the prince of a nation never been taught proper manners?”

Though I couldn’t understand her intentions, Daisy Queenie’s blatant insults toward Ten made me furrow my brow. Yet, she continued speaking with a calm, mocking smile.

“…Perhaps he hasn’t forgotten his days as Clover.”

“…!”

It felt as though someone had struck me hard on the back of my head. My neck stiffened, and my mind froze over like ice. I bit down on the inside of my cheek, desperately hiding my expression so as not to reveal my turmoil. By the time I regained my composure, Daisy Queenie was already standing uncomfortably close.

“You’re trying hard, aren’t you? But no matter how much you try to hide it, you know you can’t conceal the truth when that’s what it is.”

“……”

“Which do you think is easier: turning a lie into truth or leaving the truth as it is?”

Her voice, which had been soft and sweet moments ago, now dripped with venom as it stabbed at my ears. Daisy Queenie, her hatred unveiled, loomed over me like a venomous snake, baring its fangs.

“…I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t think about denying it. I already know everything. …Or what, should I grab any random servant from the Knight household and torture them? Would that work?”

“……!”

I didn’t know what to say and remained silent. Torture—my family-like companions being tortured? The very thought made my body tremble.

“Do you want me to keep my mouth shut?”

“…….”

“If so, you’d better disappear from my sight while I’m still speaking civilly. Go back to running away in fear of people, like you used to. Every time I see you, you irritate me to no end.”

Her sharp malice poured out alongside her venomous words. Meeting her glaring gaze, I asked her directly:

“What did I do to you to deserve such hatred?”

For a moment, it seemed as though Daisy Queenie was about to answer, but she fell silent. The sharp hostility from moments before vanished as her unfocused eyes lingered on my face. After a long pause, she finally spoke:

“…Your existence.”

“…….”

“Your very existence made me unhappy.”

Discarding the earlier haze in her gaze, Daisy Queenie’s hostility resurfaced, as though her sole purpose was that singular, twisted goal.

“…So, you’re tormenting me because of that?”

“Hah, of course. Why else would I have taken an interest in your fiancé?”

“…….”

“Even without keeping Halo Cart by my side, I could still become the Crown Princess and have you grovel beneath my feet.”

Though it was another shocking revelation, the impact was less severe this time. The earlier shock had been so overwhelming that I found myself relatively composed. Besides, the old memories tied to Halo Cart no longer held any relevance to me.

But the voice that followed made my body stagger in surprise.

“So, you were using me, Lady Daisy Queenie.”