Chapter 1.4

Grinding her teeth, Katrina slowly sat back down. Though the laughter around her grew louder, there was nothing she could do. Without anyone’s support, raising her voice further would only make her look more foolish.

‘Damn the Raymores…! If not for that woman…!’

Her anger once again turned to the one person calmly sipping tea as if nothing had happened—Carnier.

Katrina spoke sharply once more.

“It seems we’ve strayed from the main point. Whether or not there’s a flaw remains to be seen. After all, it’s highly unusual for an Imperial marriage to be delayed for years without a convincing reason…!”

“Oh, that reminds me, Lady Lusein.”

But Carnier had no intention of entertaining Katrina’s final desperate attempt.

“I heard your brother will soon graduate from Asellane Academy?”

“Pardon? Oh, yes.”

“Then he must be returning home soon. Your parents must be eagerly awaiting his arrival.”

Caught off guard by the sudden mention of her brother studying abroad, the young lady of Marquis Lusein’s household nodded quickly.

“Yes. In fact, they’re planning to host a party to celebrate his return. Of course, we’ll be sending an invitation to the Duke of Raymore’s household as well. We’d be honored if you could attend.”

“Of course. It’s a joyous occasion. Will we also get to meet the future Marchioness of Lusein that day?”

Without even glancing at Katrina, who had suddenly fallen silent, Carnier asked a question. The Young Lady of Marquis Lusein’s household tilted her head in response.

“Well… I’m not sure. My brother doesn’t have a fiancée yet. He’s been studying abroad for so long… My parents will surely start searching for a match soon, but it seems a bit early to decide before his return.”

“Hmm, so the Marquis and Marchioness don’t have anyone particular in mind?”

“No, not at all. If they did, they would’ve at least hinted at it to me…”

At that moment, Katrina suddenly stood up.

Naturally, all eyes turned toward her. However, the confidence she had displayed earlier when criticizing Carnier had completely vanished, leaving her pale and shaken.

“…Lady Eseth?”

“I-I’m not feeling well… I think I’ll take my leave.”

“What?”

“Goodbye.”

Stumbling backward, Katrina quickly left the gathering, almost as if she were fleeing. The other young ladies, including the Young Lady of Marquis Lusein’s household, stared after her with bewildered expressions.

‘She was so determined to stay even while being cornered, and now she’s running off…?’

Carnier, on the other hand, clicked her tongue inwardly.

‘As expected.’

It was clear there had been talk of a marriage arrangement between the Marquis Lusein’s household and the Eseth family. That was likely the reason Katrina Eseth had been invited to this tea gathering in the first place.

However, unlike Katrina, who seemed convinced that the arrangement was a done deal, the Marquis Lusein’s household appeared to be testing the waters.

Sure enough, as soon as Katrina fled, the head maid, who had been observing from a distance, also disappeared. She had most likely gone to report what had just transpired to the lady of the house, the Marchioness of Lusein.

‘The Marchioness is quite bold.’

Though tempted by the significant dowry offered by the Eseth family, she seemed concerned about the scandal from five years ago.

The plan was probably to confirm that Carnier and Katrina weren’t on bad terms, or at least not openly hostile, before considering the marriage arrangement. The problem, however, was that Katrina’s grudge against Carnier was far from ordinary.

‘No wonder. She’s always sent me hateful looks but never dared to confront me. She must’ve thought the Lusein family was worth the gamble.’

Carnier glanced to her side and noticed that the Young Lady of Marquis Lusein’s household seemed to have caught on as well.

It appeared the Marchioness hadn’t mentioned the marriage arrangement to her daughter until a conclusion was reached. That was why the Young Lady had found Katrina’s unexpected arrival with an invitation curious and had only reluctantly allowed her to sit at the table. The Marquis’s son, the direct subject of the arrangement, likely didn’t even know about it.

“…Ahem. The tea’s gone cold. I have some rare tea leaves from the East—would you like to try them?”

“Oh my, from the East?”

“That sounds delightful!”

Sensing the mood, the Young Lady of Marquis Lusein’s household attempted to shift the atmosphere while glancing at Carnier. As the hostess, she had the responsibility to ensure the gathering ended smoothly.

Fortunately, most of the attendees were intrigued by the mention of rare tea leaves from the East, and Carnier played along appropriately. As the new tea brewed and its fragrant aroma filled the room, everyone acted as if the earlier incident had never happened.

Of course, amidst the cheerful atmosphere, who knew what thoughts were brewing beneath the surface?

‘Some of them probably pieced things together… The Marchioness will likely come to apologize soon.’

However, Carnier paid no mind to Katrina’s provocations, the rumors that would inevitably spread, or the compensation the Marchioness might offer.

• Everyone knows how devoted His Highness the Crown Prince has been to Lady Raymore, even amidst his busy schedule.

Carnier’s fingers tightened around her teacup.

‘See? I knew this would irritate me.’

The exotic tea started with a sweet aroma but left a bitter aftertaste.

* * *

The tea gathering finally ended when the sun was high in the sky.

Both the Young Lady of Marquis Lusein’s household and the Marchioness invited Carnier to stay for dinner, but she declined. She had no desire to sit through their predictable excuses over a meal.

‘I’d much rather go home, have dinner with Aisha, and listen to her book review.’

Of course, someone might not be too pleased about having his dinner with his wife interrupted, but just for today, Carnier decided to feign ignorance and act as she used to. She needed the distraction.

However, that resolve vanished the moment she stepped out of the Marquis’s estate.

“That carriage…!”

“The Imperial Family…!”

The young ladies preparing to return to their homes, as well as the Marchioness and her daughter who had come to see them off, were left speechless. Among the carriages lined up to take the guests home, one stood out—a carriage adorned with the golden lion emblem, surrounded by Imperial Knights.

“Lady Raymore.”

A man descended from the driver’s seat of the Imperial carriage and approached. Carnier recognized him immediately.

“Advisor Aleph. What brings you here without notice…?”

“The Crown Prince sent me.”

Aleph, the Crown Prince’s chief advisor, bowed respectfully.

“Though the Duke’s household has an excellent carriage, His Highness insisted that I personally escort you home to ensure your safety.”

“…”

“Oh my, how thoughtful…”

“His Highness is so considerate…”

While Carnier remained composed, the other young ladies were in an uproar. They stole glances at the Imperial carriage, its interior obscured by curtains, and exclaimed in awe. It was a carriage reserved solely for members of the Imperial Family or their esteemed guests—an object of envy.

‘Ah, so he’s alive after all.’

Carnier, however, remained unimpressed. A carriage was just a carriage. To her, this golden carriage was nothing more than a sign that the person who had been out of sight was still alive.

Of course, she couldn’t voice such indifference in front of others.

“…I’m deeply grateful for His Highness’s thoughtfulness. Please convey my thanks.”

“Of course.”

Aleph smiled warmly and escorted Carnier to the carriage.

“Take care, Lady Raymore…!”

“Lady Raymore, do attend my tea party next time…!”

With each step Carnier took, the voices of the young ladies grew fainter. None of them dared approach the carriage guarded by Imperial Knights.

“Pretend you didn’t see anything.”

“…?”

It was just as the coachman was about to open the carriage door. Aleph leaned in and whispered softly.

Before Carnier could ask what he meant, the door opened.

“…!”

And the moment she saw the man inside, her eyes widened.

Even in the dim interior, where the curtains were tightly drawn, the man’s golden hair shone brilliantly. As his closed eyes slowly opened, they revealed a gaze as cold as ice yet as fiery as rubies.

It was the very person Carnier had been grumbling about all day.

The Crown Prince, Servante.