Chapter 11 Part 5

“Rosie.”

“Yes? What’s the matter?”

I shifted my gaze from the drifting clouds to my father. It was rare for him to come all the way here in person, so I couldn’t help but feel curious. With a hint of confusion, I guided him to the sofa. Garnet, as perceptive as always, went off to prepare tea.

“I saw the report you submitted, but there’s a part I don’t quite understand.”

“The one I just sent up? I don’t think there was anything unclear in it.”

The report I submitted today was a straightforward progress update. It was mostly about the merchant guild we were planning to establish in Endeavor, and it contained no new information. Surely, there shouldn’t have been anything in it that my father didn’t already know.

“The guild you’re setting up in Endeavor—is it still proceeding as planned?”

“Why are you asking all of a sudden, Father? The discussions with Lord Gray have been going smoothly, and we’ve already finalized the plan. There’s no reason to call it off now.”

Despite my firm response, my father still seemed uneasy. Everything was progressing as expected, so I couldn’t understand what was causing his concern. The atmosphere grew awkward, and even Garnet, standing quietly by the door, began to glance around nervously. Finally, my father broke the silence again.

“Did you… have a fight with His Highness the Prince?”

“…No, not exactly.”

“Then why is it that he…”

Raising an eyebrow, I looked at my father intently. “Did something happen to Ten?” My silent question must have been clear, as he avoided my gaze with an awkward cough.

“Ahem, well… You know how it is with lovers’ quarrels. When you look back on it later, you often can’t even remember what the fight was about. It’s like trying to cut water with a knife—it’s just not possible.”**

I inhaled briefly at my father’s words. Clearly, something had changed with Ten. But I couldn’t quite understand why my father had chosen to bring it up like this.

If those words had come from someone else, I might have taken them to heart. But the person before me was my father—the same father who threw a tantrum every week over what he claimed was a lack of attention from my mother. Their so-called ‘lovers’ quarrels’ always began with his whining, so his advice just now lost its credibility in an instant. As I stared at him with cold, expressionless eyes, he quickly waved his hands in the air.

“Ah, no, I mean, I’m on your side, Rosie! Haha! My daughter is always right, of course!”

“……”

“I just meant… maybe try to understand your father’s perspective a little…”

“Dad.”

His face melted in an instant. The ‘Dad’ card—reserved for urgent requests or special occasions—worked like magic once again.

“I don’t plan on meeting His Highness the Prince for a while. So please, Dad, try to understand.”

I emphasized the word ‘Dad’ just slightly. At 23 years old, using this tactic was embarrassing beyond belief, but nothing else was more effective. It worked just as well on my two older brothers too.

“Y-yes, of course. If that’s what Rosie wants, then so be it.”

By lunchtime, a single letter had turned the entire household upside down. Its elegant envelope hinted at its royal origin, adorned with the imperial crest exclusive to the royal family. Adding to the spectacle, the courier delivering the letter was of no small stature either. My parents, enjoying a moment of relaxation, sprang to the entrance hall as if struck by lightning.

Since the letter was addressed to me, I also ended up joining the commotion as I made my way to the study after a late breakfast.

The letter that had gathered everyone’s attention was an invitation to the Crown Princess Selection. It announced, in the most refined manner, that the Crown Prince was of age to marry and that eligible young ladies were to be summoned for a selection process.

While I had already pieced together the situation thanks to Lady Rowena’s remarks and my memories from the original story, my parents were utterly stunned. They read and re-read the letter two or three times in disbelief.

“How could such an important matter only come to our attention now? Were you sleeping or daydreaming during the council meetings?” my mother accused.

“No, no, my dear, I swear I wasn’t! This wasn’t mentioned in any meeting!”my father stammered in defense.

Though I pitied my poor father’s predicament, I knew there was no need for me to intervene. By dinner, the two of them would undoubtedly be back to their usual lovey-dovey selves. Leaving them to their quarrel, I grabbed the shell-shocked Garnet by the arm and dragged her to my room.

“A-agh, my lady! You knew about this, didn’t you?! How could you be so calm?”

I simply shrugged in response. If I were to confess that I also knew how it would all end, Garnet’s nerves might completely unravel. To save what little was left of her composure, I decided to toss her a distraction instead.

“What kind of dress should I wear? It is a royal event, after all.’”

“Ah, you’re right! If we’re starting now, we’ll barely make it in time. Especially since other young ladies will be attending as well…”

As expected, Garnet’s attention shifted quickly to dresses, saving her already frazzled nerves. Feeling the exhaustion creeping in already, I shook my head.

“Didn’t we have a dress from last time that I still haven’t worn?”

“Hmm, if it’s still in fashion, we could have it altered. But if it’s out of date.”

Garnet firmly shook her head. Of course, I didn’t care about this so-called fashion. However, since Garnet had never once taken my opinions about dresses seriously, my suggestion was swiftly ignored.

“…Fine, do whatever you want.”

“Of course! Just leave it to me, my lady!”

I knew Garnet’s aesthetic sense was exceptional, but her enthusiasm was daunting for someone like me who had to endure her efforts. I silently prayed that this time, it would be limited to just ten dresses or so.

***

The familiar faces greeted me warmly.

“Nice to see you, both of you.”

“Long time no see, Roxy.”

“Have you been well, Lady Roxana?”

As usual, we found ourselves meeting in the corner of the banquet hall. Thanks to the pretext of the Crown Princess Selection, the attendance of young noblemen was absent, reducing the number of people present. However, the young ladies, adorned more lavishly than usual, crowded the central area of the hall with their overly inflated dresses, leaving no space to set foot. Inevitably, we were pushed out to the edges.

We watched the display of wit and biting remarks exchanged by the young ladies with a sense of weariness, their conversations resembling a game of one-upmanship in elegance. It seemed their frustrations were amplified by the Crown Prince’s absence, turning their subtle competition into an openly hostile display.

“…At this rate, even peacocks would fold their tails and flee.”

“What was that, Lady Rose?”

Lady Rowena caught my muttered words, but I laughed it off, saying it was nothing. Roxana, looking thoroughly bored, suggested we make a bet on who would catch the Crown Prince’s attention.

“At the very least, it won’t be one of those young ladies crowding the center.”

“Do you think they even realize their words verge on treason against the Crown?”

“The royal attendants must be despairing right now. That’s definitely not what those invitations were for.”

Their dry banter was unexpectedly amusing, and I found myself chuckling softly. They weren’t wrong—none of those central figures included Daisy Queenie. She was seated in the innermost part of the hall, surrounded by a carefully arranged group of lackluster attendants who served only to accentuate her presence. Her stiff smile betrayed the tension she felt.

“What shall we drink? There’s champagne over there.”

“I’m fine, Lady Rowena.”

“Come with me, then. Will you wait here, Rosie?”

Lady Rowena and Roxy left to fetch champagne. I stayed behind, pondering how many glasses they might return with. Just then, the announcement of the Crown Prince’s entrance resounded through the hall.

“His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived!”

A spectacular sight unfolded as everyone bowed in unison. The extravagant dresses, which could chase away even peacocks, sparkled with jewels, reflecting the chandelier’s light so brightly that it seemed impossible to keep one’s eyes open if viewed from above.

“Raise your heads.”

“……”

“I imagine the suddenness of this gathering may have surprised many of you. Please think of this not so much as a selection for the Crown Princess but rather as an opportunity to strengthen camaraderie among you.”

The Crown Prince’s tone was calm as he stood on the platform. It was clear that, already having a predetermined choice, he viewed this event as little more than a formality. My gaze, however, found its way back to Daisy Queenie

Though the paths of Halo Cart and Ten had diverged from the original story, others seemed to follow their destined routes. Daisy Queenie would undoubtedly receive the Crown Prince’s proposal and become the Crown Princess. Regardless of how she schemed to control my life, her path would remain strewn with roses.

The thought was utterly infuriating. How could it be fair that, while she ruins the lives of others, her own future remains predestined for a happy ending?

Until now, I had believed that staying quiet and still was the best course of action. After all, this world was designed for her—a story where five men, created solely for her, grovel at her feet for love.

Apart from bringing Ten to my side, this world wasn’t much different from the original narrative. Halo Cart succumbed to Daisy Queenie’s seduction, and now she was poised to accept Crown Prince Blase Rohan’s proposal. Soon enough, the Tower Master, Carib, would emerge in the empire for her sake, and even the knight commander, Beloff Kerlan, would join her entourage.

Amidst all this, my existence was as insignificant as could be. I had brought Ten over under the guise of seeking revenge against Daisy Queenie, yet every time I considered how I had altered Ten’s fate, I felt unable to utter a word. A conscience I thought I lacked persistently poked at me, and Ten’s kindness only deepened my guilt.

In the end, I abandoned my quest for vengeance and chose to ignore Daisy Queenie, consciously suppressing myself in the process. Had Daisy Queenie not crossed that final line, I might have continued enduring in silence. Had her unprovoked hostility not endangered Ten, I might not have been so consumed by anger.

But I had no intention of enduring any longer. The more I shrank back, the more she strutted around unchecked. I had learned that much by now. This time, I wouldn’t settle for hollow words of vengeance; I would execute true retribution. I would deliver a reckoning for the past two years—a revenge that was perfect and complete.