“So, is it true that Lady ripped the pearls?”
“Then why did she say she couldn’t even touch it…….”
The voices of the noble ladies gradually turned more accusatory toward Yeffa.
Yeffa, who didn’t like how the situation was going, started making excuses, biting her lower lip.
“Your Highness, please don’t misunderstand. How could I dare to covet something that belongs to you?”
“Then why did you rip it apart?”
“I really don’t know why it was ripped apart. Please believe me, your highness!”
Yeffa clutched the hem of my dress, making a desperate plea. Her face, like that of an innocent girl, was now painted with a mournful expression as tears streamed down. If someone didn’t know the circumstances, it might genuinely seem unfair.
‘Well, it’s already too late.’
I removed Yeffa’s hand.
“Yeffa, do you mean to say the pearls fell off on their own? Or are you saying I ripped it myself?”
“That’s……!”
Yeffa’s eyes filled with resentment as she looked up at me. She must be on the verge of madness. I’ve been feeling that way all my life.
Although it was my intention, I was also human and sometimes felt like crying from the accumulated unfairness.
In the end, Yeffa’s eyelids trembled. She lowered her head in deep frustration.
“I’m sorry… I was trying to touch it, but I accidentally touched it too hard… I guess it fell off.”
“What are you talking about, Yeffa? You grabbed it forcefully, then suddenly it fell.”
“That’s because your higness pushed me!”
“Yeffa, are you hurt anywhere? I’m worried because you don’t even remember what just happened. Maybe you should see a doctor.”
Yeffa tightly sealed her lips.
If she wanted to prove that her memory wasn’t failing her, she’d have to admit that she coveted the pearls and even admit that she fell on purpose.
Or just pretend to be sick.
She was in a situation where she couldn’t do anything.
Yeffa’s hand, clutching her dress hem, trembled as if forming a fist.
“Thank you for your concern, your highness.”
In the end, Yeffa chose to pretend to be sick.
‘Well, most people probably noticed anyway.’
The onlookers were not just one or two people. I deliberately dragged out the time to be seen by as many people as possible.
For all I know, most of the women who attended the boat party were probably watching this scene.
“Lady Yeffa. She looks a bit strange compared to before.”
“I thought she was cute and lively, but…”
“She’s not really sick, is she?”
“Well, I don’t know. Anyway, it’s good to see her again.”
As expected, there were a lot more voices than before.
I lowered my head and slightly bent my waist toward Yeffa.
“Yeah, if you’re sick, what can we do? I understand. I can examine you myself, so let me know anytime.”
“…….”
“For now, I want you to get up. Your beautifully adorned clothes will get dirty.”
I smiled like the nicest big sister in the world and held out my hand to Yeffa.
She looked at my hand for a moment, then bit her lip and took my hand to stand up.
At that moment, our eyes met.
Visible only to her, I subtly raised one corner of my mouth. Then, slowly, I moved my mouth so that only she could see it.
‘Thank you.’
For digging your own grave, so I don’t have to.
Reading my mouth shape, Yeffa’s face crumpled without further words.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
‘What on earth is going on?’
By the time Erka arrived at the Emerald Palace, Yeffa was trembling uncontrollably.
At first, she thought Rohiriel had trampled on her sister again, as rumors suggested. However, all the other noble ladies were looking at Yeffa and clicking their tongues.
She wanted to ask someone, but as she rarely engaged in social activities, there was no one she could easily talk to.
She was guessing based on the fragments of conversation she overheard, but the situation ended abruptly.
“For now, I want you to get up. Your beautifully adorned clothes will get dirty.”
Rohiriel’s voice, extending her hand toward Yeffa, sounded truly kind and understanding, like that of a considerate elder sister.
Only her back was visible, so it was unclear what expression she was wearing, but at a glance, she seemed like a benevolent person, forgiving the mistakes of those beneath her.
‘Disgusting.’
Liliana was just like that.
A kind expression, a compassionate smile, friendly actions…
Underneath that mask, what had become of her brother, Harkiel? Erka still shuddered at the thought of her.
While she was lost in thought, the situation cleared up, and Rohiriel turned to face the gathered noble ladies.
“We unintentionally showed an unpleasant sight.”
Rohiriel frowned with a bitter expression on her face.
The noble ladies shook their heads and praised Rohiriel.
“No, Your Highness, it’s an honor to meet you.”
“I am honored as well; I saw you treating a maid at the spring banquet. I’ve been wanting to meet you.”
“Your Highness, actually, Natya is my cousin. Thank you so much.”
Erka did not join in the conversation; instead, she observed Rohiriel and Yeffa. Yeffa had already retreated into the corner, avoiding attention.
After exchanging a few words with the noble ladies, Rohiriel clapped her hands lightly.
“Well then, shall we go to the lake? I’m sure the Empress is waiting for us.”
Thus, they arrived at the lakeside.
Having completed all preparations and awaiting the arrival of guests, the Empress was taken aback as a large group appeared all at once, widening her eyes in surprise.
“Your Majesty, the palace is so beautiful that I couldn’t help but be amazed. We got a bit delayed while admiring it.”
“That’s okay. I, too, am often astonished by the beauty every time I come here. If there was a princess, this palace might have been better known. What a pity.”
The emerald green reflected in the Empress’s golden eyes vanished, and the greetings of the arriving noble ladies followed.
“I am Erka Rivolain. Thank you for the invitation, Your Majesty.”
“Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress. I am Karen, the wife of Count Haines.”
“Cherry of Ielga sends her greetings to the Moon of the Empire, your Majesty the Empress.”
“Laviette of Thetman sends her greetings.”
Erka, who was exchanging greetings along with the others, was observing the Empress’s complexion.
She was surprised to see a complete change from the spring banquet. Her face seemed to become more vibrant with each passing day.
The Empress returned the greeting with a satisfied smile.
“I am grateful that you responded to my invitation. I hope it will be an enjoyable time. Now, let’s set off.”
With that simple gesture, the Empress motioned to those waiting around her to untie the rope that had been holding the boat.
Though not a large boat, it had enough space for dozens to comfortably board.
The Empress was the first to board the boat, which was filled with flower petals that had been blown here and there.
“I prepared this boat especially for this trip. Crown Princess, come this way.”
The Empress summoned Rohiriel to the seat beside her, followed by the noble ladies.
“Let’s go.”
With the Empress’s command, the boat slowly created ripples in the water, making its way to the center of the lake.
As the gentle swaying subsided, the prepared refreshments started to be arranged in the middle of the boat.
“Oh my, is this not the chocolate mint tea produced exclusively in the Hua Empire?”
“That’s right. A rich chocolate aroma with a subtle hint of mint. I’ve only heard of it; this is my first time trying it.”
Erka, pretending to be interested in the tea, sneakily glanced at Rohiriel.
She was smiling softly while giving orders to the maids. Suddenly, a maid appeared, carrying a tray from somewhere.
“I, too, have prepared something in anticipation of this voyage.”
At first glance, it looked like a fluffy white cookie.
Before Erka could identify what it was, one of the ladies recognized it and exclaimed, covering her mouth with a fan.
“Oh my, isn’t this the fluffy cookie available only at Lotry Riley Confectionery?”
“Really? That cookie you can’t even buy with money?”
“I’ve never tasted it before. Does it really melt in your mouth the moment you eat it?”
Erka had never heard of them.
‘How can they get so excited over snacks? What’s so special about them?’
Soon, Erka’s attention shifted elsewhere. Glancing around, she noticed Yeffa standing at the edge of the boat.
‘What is she doing over there?’
While everyone gathered, enjoying tea and conversing, Yeffa seemed to be alone, engaged in some activity.
