Episode 10
Eliano stood quietly at the edge of the ballroom, sipping her champagne. She had come to the Duke of Sanders’ banquet with her father. No one was openly whispering, but she could feel everyone glancing at her and talking behind their fans. Even though she had purposely chosen to stand by the wall instead of in the centre, their stares followed her.
She wanted to leave the hall right away. She missed the younger version of herself who didn’t care what others thought.
“Lia, why are you standing here like a wallflower?”
The Duke of Sanders’ daughter approached gracefully, dressed in a purple gown and followed by a group of young ladies. Lilliana Sanders was one of the few women who didn’t need to bow her head to Eliano. Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“My uncle is with Duke Rosana right now.”
“I see,” Eliano replied calmly.
Lilliana was momentarily surprised by how composed Eliano sounded. She shook off the strange feeling and smiled.
“Looks like they’re having a private talk.”
She gave Eliano a playful wink and naturally took her arm. In her past life, Lilliana had been Eliano’s closest and dearest friend. Their fathers had arranged their friendship when they were young.
Whenever Eliano cried or was in trouble, Lilliana was the first to defend her. Eliano had always adored her like an older sister.
“It feels like the gods stole you away from me, Lia. You don’t even come to my tea parties anymore since you started going to the temple.”
Eliano replied softly.
“Don’t be upset. The temple is always open.”
She was saying, If you want to spend time with me, come to the temple. But Lilliana shook her head.
“Oh, I can’t stand those boring meetings. Visiting once in a while is enough for me.”
It looked like she had something to say. The group of young ladies behind her had curious eyes that sparkled with excitement. Eliano had experienced this kind of thing often in Zacador’s social circles—people bringing a crowd just to ask something publicly. It was childish, but nobles of all ages used that tactic.
“Lia, I heard you had a fight with Lady Hyren.”
So she was talking about the incident at Marchioness Persetin’s tea party—the one where Lady Hyren insulted her and got kicked out.
Eliano replied calmly.
“I wouldn’t call it a fight. It was over too quickly for that.”
The girls whispered behind their fans, clearly fascinated. Eliano had to admit it—what she did that day was very different from the gentle image everyone had of her.
Lilliana asked, “Lia… is it true?”
“What is?”
“That you kicked Lady Hyren out of the tea party?”
“Kicked her out? That’s too harsh.”
Eliano looked hurt, her expression full of sorrow. In her past life, she had mastered this kind of social acting in Zacador. Only the most experienced noblewomen might have noticed it was fake.
“Lady Hyren said she felt uncomfortable, and Lady Persetin kindly helped her leave. That’s all.”
When she saw Lilliana’s face change completely, Eliano gave a faint smile. Lilliana was probably very surprised—Eliano had never used indirect or roundabout speech with her before.
“Oh, Lia… You don’t have to speak like that with me. We’re friends. If you’re just being careful because of the other girls here, we can go somewhere private…”
“No.”
Eliano interrupted her gently.
“That’s not necessary, Lilli.”
Her green eyes calmly scanned the girls behind Lilliana—girls who never even greeted her. Eliano made a mental note to remember their faces.
She gave a sad smile.
“Lilliana, I know you said you were tired of playing the babysitter for me.”
Those words had left a scar on Eliano’s heart in her past life. She had once cried in her nanny’s arms after hearing about it. The nanny told her it was just jealousy and that Eliano should forgive Lilliana.
— “Lady Lia, you’re kind. You must forgive Lady Lilliana’s small heart. One day, she’ll realize you’re her only true friend.”
Eliano had truly believed Lilliana was her closest friend. But behind her back, Lilliana insulted her—calling her foolish, using her to raise her own social value. When Eliano found out, the pain had been deep.
Still, in her past life, she couldn’t cut Lilliana off—not because of her nanny, but because she loved her friend too much.
“No, Lia. I never said that. There must be some misunderstanding.”
If it was a misunderstanding, then Lilliana’s face wouldn’t look so shocked. The girls behind her fanned themselves, probably whispering wildly behind those fans. Eliano’s voice became soft and trembling.
“I was so childish. I should’ve been the one taking care of you, not the other way around. You must’ve been tired of my constant crying. I understand why you said you were sick of babysitting me…”
It was a cruel remark Lilliana had once made at a social club—or maybe a tea party. Probably both. If it had reached Eliano’s ears, it must’ve been said many times behind her back.
“Lilliana, you were right. I’m still immature. That’s probably why I’m not married yet.”
That too had been one of Lilliana’s favourite gossips—shared across the entire social circle.
“L-Lia! Let’s talk in private. There’s a sitting room nearby, we can go there…”
Lilliana tried to pull her away, but Eliano firmly took her hand off.
“There’s no need for that, Lilliana.”
Eliano saw her clench her jaw. She leaned in and whispered rapidly to Eliano,
“Lady Hyren hates you. How can you trust some country girl’s words over mine? We’re friends, Lia! Why are you acting like this? You used to be kind and sweet…”
Lilliana assumed it was Lady Hyren who told Eliano about her gossiping. That lit something in Eliano’s mind—so it was Lady Hyren who told me. Eliano gently pushed Lilliana away. She removed her hand and raised her voice just enough for others to hear.
“Lady Hyren doesn’t hate me. But sometimes… it feels like you do.”
She was tired of this conversation. Her usual soft smile disappeared.
“You’re the one putting me in this position.”
“You’re the one being difficult, Lia! I can’t believe you’d frame your own friend like this. You’ve really disappointed me! How could you—”
“No, Lilliana.”
Eliano shook her head and said clearly,
“A simple apology would’ve been enough.”
Her green eyes shone.
“Then I could still be your kind and sweet friend.”
Lilliana suddenly understood the strange feeling she’d been having—Eliano no longer spoke like a timid girl. Her tone was firm. Her manner had changed.
Things were turning against Lilliana. She had talked behind Eliano’s back too many times. Eliano’s image as a gentle angel didn’t help either. Lilliana’s hands trembled as she clenched her dress. Eliano sighed.
“I’ll always be waiting, Lilliana. I still value our ten years of friendship.”
Her words were empty. As she turned to leave, she seemed to remember something. She smiled sweetly and added,
“Lilli. Just a friendly piece of advice—from a friend and an older sister. Spending too much time with girls who don’t know proper manners… it’s bad for your reputation.”
Then, in a cold tone, her eyes resting on Lilliana’s companions, she added,
“They didn’t even greet a noble lady.”
Eliano walked past them. But she felt no triumph. After everything she had endured in her past life, a little verbal sparring like this felt meaningless.
Eliano asked a maid to escort her to the guest sitting room. She wanted a moment of peace alone. But she was soon met with an awkward-looking servant.
“I’m sorry, my lady. There’s a bit of a problem. Could you wait a moment?”
“Any quiet room will do.”
But someone blocked the servant from taking her to a regular room.
“Oh dear, it seems I’ve taken a lady’s space.”
A man appeared—blond hair and deep blue eyes. Eliano frowned before she could stop herself. Luckily, he didn’t see her expression. She didn’t like men with that combination of gold hair and dark blue eyes—it reminded her of the Zacador royal family, especially her husband from her past life.
“Eliano of Rosana greets His Highness, the Crown Prince.”
The Crown Prince looked down at her with a lazy smile. Everything from her posture to the way she lifted her skirt and bowed was graceful.
He found her curious. She looked sweet and innocent like a child, but her elegance was effortless. Could innocence and elegance really go together? And her voice—it was more like a noblewoman than a girl.
The prince was so fascinated, he forgot to return her greeting. Eliano had to hold her bow for far too long.
“Heraith, what are you doing?”
A voice called from the guest room. Flint stepped out and saw the young lady frozen mid-greeting while his friend just stood there. He sighed. So Heraith was teasing her again.
“Your Highness,” Flint said softly.
Only then did the Crown Prince motion for Eliano to rise. She did so gracefully—and immediately, her dry, emotionless face came into view. He had thought she was just a sweet girl who would be easy to smooth over. But the look in her eyes and the chill in her voice told him otherwise.
“I apologize for disturbing Your Highness’s precious time. I’ll take my leave.”
“Wait, Lady Rosana—”
Her face, always full of gentle light, was now cold and sharp. Her green eyes glowed like a blizzard. She sounded formal, even a little sarcastic. This was not a girl who would be easily swayed. Eliano rejected the Crown Prince’s call with perfect elegance.
“I beg the Empire’s small sun. Please don’t shame the daughter of Rosana any further. I’ll retreat, trusting in your noble courtesy.”
If he stopped her now, he’d lose all his dignity as a gentleman. The prince pulled back his hand, his face stunned. Eliano walked away with flawless grace—but the air around her was icy.
“Ha…”
The prince sighed, staring at the ceiling. At least this didn’t happen in public…
He looked around for his friend, but Flint was gone. He gave a short laugh. Flint was already following the woman who had just humiliated him.
Staring at Flint’s retreating figure, the prince muttered,
“I totally lost that one.”
