“Are you really all right, Rene?”

Jade watched her, her expression full of worry.

They were discussing the duties of the groomsmen, but she would often fall into a blank daze. Her mind seemed to be elsewhere: either drifting far away or simply not thinking.

Neither her demeanor nor her tone resembled the Ariadne he knew.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Truly, I’m completely fine, Jade.”

She said it so casually that it almost sounded convincing, even though her face and eyes told a different story.

Who could believe her when she said she was fine?

Jade thought silently, watching her carefully. But Ariadne didn’t seem to have even the slightest intention of examining her own condition. She simply went through the things he’d taught her that day, checking each one mechanically.

“So, when are you getting your outfit fitted?”

“There aren’t many weeks left, so… I’ll need to visit a boutique by this weekend at the latest.”

“Really? Do you have a place in mind?”

“Father sponsors a boutique. I’m planning to go there.”

Jade thought of one among the many boutiques his father supported and answered casually.

Ariadne let out a short, faint laugh.

“Is there any field the count doesn’t support?”

“Father… well… he loves all forms of art.”

Jade shrugged, thinking of a father who insisted on calling things ‘art’ that no one else would ever consider.

“But thanks to him, when something comes up, I never have to worry about reservations or availability.”

“Don’t tell me he even sponsors artisans who make accessories or shoes?”

“Sometimes”

Ariadne let out a disbelieving laugh.

Truly—just how far did Count Derayan’s definition of ‘art’ extend?

She pictured the proud count, who was always full of confidence in his own pursuits.

“Let me know when you’re going. I’ll go with you.”

“I’m free whenever. I’ll match my time to whatever works for you, Rene.”

“Maybe something will come up for you.”

Jade suggested gently. But Ariadne could only laugh bitterly to herself.

Something in her schedule?

She did nothing but sit silently in the mansion, occupying time and space.

The idea of ‘other plans’ appearing in that empty schedule was ridiculous.

After their absurd conversation about sharing a bed, and her subsequent angry outburst, Kieron had gone back to treating her as though she didn’t exist.

No — more precisely, he acted as though she had never been part of his life. As though they didn’t live under the same roof. As though they didn’t breathe the same air.

In the early days of their marriage, he at least showed some faint semblance of concern.

When Princess Lorelei visited, when she managed the household and when she fell ill, he sent a doctor. Occasionally, through Derrick’s arrangement, they even shared a meal.

But now—

“I don’t have any other plans. I’ve been doing almost nothing these days.”

In his eyes, she had become someone who might as well not exist. There were more days when they didn’t cross paths than days when they did. Sometimes she wondered if they were even living under the same roof.

He no longer asked for her opinion. He didn’t check their schedules through the servants anymore. They simply occupied the same building, each unaware of the other’s presence.

How was this any different from being strangers?

Suppressing a bitter laugh, Ariadne replied to Jade in a deliberately neutral voice, as if nothing were wrong.

“Tell me a time that works for you. Really—anything is fine. I can match it.”

Please!

At least you haven’t forgotten me. The words surged to the tip of her tongue, but she didn’t say them. Besides, she truly wished to say them to someone else entirely.

Ariadne swallowed them, as she had swallowed so many things before. Words she suspected she would never be able to say for the rest of her life.

***

“So she’s really going to stand as the princess’s bridesmaid.”

Lorelei clenched her gown in both hands and ground her teeth.

Sylvia — that conniving girl — had done it again. Not only had she chosen Ariadne Peyton as her bridesmaid, she hadn’t even invited Lorelei.

In fact, Sylvia had gone a step further and made it clear that she hoped Lorelei wouldn’t attend the ceremony.

And she hadn’t said it discreetly, either.

She had brought it up during one of the rare meals held by the imperial family, which took place only a few times a year.

“I can’t help but worry, Your Majesty. This is my only wedding, and Princess Lorelei is my only sister. I fear that Princess Lorelei may become the target of unpleasant gossip on such a special day.”

“To be honest, Your Majesty, I’ve been concerned as well. The social atmosphere has become rather tense. I’ve heard that something unfortunate happened recently at House Ambrose. I know it sounds cruel, but perhaps it would be better for everyone if the first princess did not attend my wedding.”

It was all because she was afraid of mere gossip.

On top of that, that cunning woman had already maneuvered behind the scenes to get the Empress on her side, raising matters concerning House Ambrose as if she knew anything about them.

As if giving birth to a single son made her important enough to parade herself around.

That nasty woman.

Lorelei regretted leaving without flattening that woman’s nose herself.

She had stepped away only because she felt certain the Emperor would force her hand if she stayed any longer, so she finished the meal and withdrew quietly.

“What on earth are they plotting?”

Recalling how they had all stood united against her, Lorelei crumpled her dress in her hands.

Had things gone according to plan, Sylvia would be begging her for help with the role of bridesmaid right now.

Lorelei remembered the day she’d felt certain she had finally succeeded in frightening Ariadne. She had sent her a threatening message that could not be mistaken.

Ariadne should have been trembling and hiding away. She should have backed down instantly. Yet instead of fleeing, Ariadne had the audacity to accept the role of bridesmaid.

Why?

Had Lorelei forgotten to include a note explaining her intentions?

If she had, her identity would have been exposed. She wasn’t kind enough to reveal herself so politely. She had only sent the envelope filled with that unmistakable ‘gift’ and not a single word. But had the woman truly failed to recognize it as a threat?

Ariadne Peyton had nothing in her life except this opportunity to stand beside Sylvia. She should have been terrified into surrendering immediately.

If the plan had worked, she would have locked herself in her room or run away.

Yet for some reason, she hadn’t.

She had accepted.

Grinding her teeth, Lorelei stormed back into her chambers.

“Welcome back, Your Highness.”

Violet, her attendant, greeted her.

In title only, she was a ‘lady-in-waiting’; her status and behavior were indistinguishable from those of a common maid.

Her family had fallen apart after she started working for the nobility. She was noble only in name; she had nothing befitting a noblewoman. She was crude, lowborn and filthy. Nevertheless, Lorelei kept her around because she knew she would never betray her.

Lorelei was the one who had offered her a hand when she was at her lowest, providing her with a place to live and work. Therefore, Lorelei felt no guilt in using Violet however she pleased. It was merely repayment for the favor she had bestowed.

Thus, Violet was her attendant, her punching bag, and sometimes the puppet who bore all of Lorelei’s obligations.

“Where is Nell?”

“She should be back shortly, Your Highness.”

Noticing her mistress’s sour mood, the now-somewhat perceptive Violet quietly opened a dish of chocolates and pushed it toward her.

But Lorelei frowned as if even the gesture offended her.

“Are you telling me to take it out and eat it myself? How dare you?”

That irritated tone. Violet could never get used to it, no matter how often she heard it.

She dropped to the floor immediately, bowing low.

“I beg your forgiveness, Your Highness. It was my mistake.”

“You are a maid, Violet. A maid serves her mistress with her own hands. And you want to make your mistress move?”

Already in a bad mood, Lorelei hit the armrest of the sofa with her fist.

Even this worthless maid seemed to be disrespecting her today.

As if dealing with the insolent Sylvia wasn’t enough, now a lowly maid had dared to cross her, too.

She rose abruptly, ready to stomp Violet into the ground.

“Your Highness, it’s Nell.”

Just in time, the one person who could protect Violet arrived.

Lorelei clicked her tongue.

If she not had work to assign to Nell, she would have punished Violet immediately.

Violet sensed this and remained perfectly still, not daring to move a muscle.

One slip and she would be crushed, regardless of Nell’s arrival.

Perhaps because she found Violet’s desperate obedience somewhat pleasing, Lorelei clicked her tongue and ordered.

“Get up. Go check outside—make sure no one’s eavesdropping.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Violet quickly opened the door for Nell and slipped out of the room, trying her best not to show her relief. As soon as Nell entered, Lorelei asked in a sharp, irritated voice.

“Did you handle that matter properly last time?”

Nell, who always managed her better than anyone, nodded calmly.

“Of course, Your Highness. I reported to you that it was delivered safely.”

“Yes, I heard the report. Then why is that woman still running around insisting she’ll be a bridesmaid?”

Lorelei raged, grabbing the chocolates in the dish and hurling them in all directions. Nell’s brow twitched ever so slightly, but Lorelei—lost in her temper—did not notice.

“So the duke’s wife will be the bridesmaid this time?”

“Yes. And on top of that, Sylvia is trying to keep me from attending her own wedding.”

Lorelei seethed as she spoke, then whipped her head around to glare at Nell.

“Think! Do something—anything—to stop that woman from standing as bridemaid!”

“Even if the duke’s wife were harmed, do you believe Her Highness Sylvia would replace her with you?”

“What?”

Lorelei’s eyes widened, anger flaring at Nell’s calm objection.

Nell held back a sigh with visible effort and inhaled slowly before continuing.

“You must ask them to replace the bridesmaid with you, Your Highness. I have a way to make that happen.”