EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 171

Chapter 171

 

“Do cousins really need to follow such formalities? Get up already.”

A gentle voice came from above her head.

Of course. That uneasy feeling just now must have been her imagination.

Clara lifted her head reluctantly and faced Adriana.

Seeing Adriana’s innocent expression, Clara thought she could be easily swayed.

‘First, I need to find out where and how she lived before she found her parents.’

In the Duchy of Belus, Adriana had been heavily protected and kept hidden, so there was barely any known information about her.

Even knowing that much would give Clara an advantage over others.

Of course, Clara already had a rough idea of what Adriana’s life must’ve been like.

No, truthfully, she was closer to hoping that Adriana had lived miserably—like a rat in the gutter.

If, just as she hoped, Adriana confessed to such a past, Clara would comfort her to her face while spreading the rumors behind her back, consoling Adriana as she suffered from the backlash.

Then, little by little, she’d make Adriana dependent on her, and eventually, everything Adriana had would fall into Clara’s hands. Wouldn’t that be perfect?

But now wasn’t the time to show her true intentions.

Clara put on a wistful expression and said,

“Cousins, huh. I don’t think Her Grace the Grand Duchess sees it that way…”

She subtly implied that the Grand Duchess was too harsh on her own family, painting herself as the victim.

Then Adriana, with a naive voice, corrected Clara.

“Clara, that’s a misunderstanding! Mother was just upset because of the Countess, not because of her true feelings. She’d be really sad to hear you say something like that.”

“R-Really? Actually, my mother also…”

“I’m glad that’s cleared up. Honestly, I was so sad because I thought the Countess didn’t like me.”

“…I see.”

Clara was a bit flustered, having suddenly lost control of the conversation.

And now Adriana was calling her by name and speaking informally? Clara, who had fully expected to be called ‘sister,’ had an odd expression on her face.

“But… why didn’t Aunt come? She must not want to see me…”

“Of course not! Mother’s just resting, so I didn’t tell her you were here. I’ll let her know you came! Even if… the Countess didn’t come, she’ll still be happy.”

Clara tried to shift the mood again, but it wasn’t easy.

Just as her expression almost twisted, Clara barely managed to smile with superhuman patience. Suddenly, Adriana clapped her hands as if she just remembered something.

“Oh! Why don’t you stay for dinner? Grandfather should be back soon too.”

“…Grandfather?”

“Yep!”

Looking at Adriana’s bright expression made Clara’s stomach twist.

Last night’s rumors said that the former Marquis of Diapel was utterly enamored with his granddaughter.

Clara had been skeptical, but seeing Adriana’s face now, it seemed to be true.

‘I still get nervous just making eye contact with Grandfather…’

Was the girl just oblivious, or had she become fearless after being doted on so much?

As Clara clicked her tongue inwardly in dissatisfaction…

There was a knock, and a maid from the ducal household entered the sitting room.

“Jane? What is it?”

Adriana asked, and the maid replied with an awkward expression.

“Your Highness, someone has arrived from the Imperial Palace. His Majesty the Emperor has sent you a gift.”

 

***

 

“This is a gift bestowed by the great Emperor of the Empire. Please show the proper respect.”

I sighed inwardly, slightly bent my knees, and bowed my head.

Clara, beside me, knelt with one knee fully to the ground to show her respect as well.

As a noblewoman without a title and a citizen of the Empire, that was the proper etiquette for her, but…

‘Well, that probably stung a little more than I meant it to.’

I never imagined the Emperor would send me a gift. And especially not while Clara was with me.

It was a bit of a tricky situation, but I didn’t regret allowing the meeting with Clara.

To be honest, based on Ascart’s warning and Clara’s hostile stares since I arrived in the Empire, I had a strong feeling that getting close to her would only cause trouble.

But when I recalled how Grandfather was looking for the Countess of Amber and Clara at last night’s ball, I couldn’t just pretend I didn’t know.

⟨My dear, haven’t you met your aunt or cousin here in the Empire? She’s not the type to skip such an event…⟩

Grandfather had asked while dancing with me, and I had awkwardly deflected with a smile.

Later, while I danced with Father, Grandfather didn’t even speak to me again for the rest of the ball, looking apologetic—probably because Mother had told him about me meeting the Countess and what happened at the plaza.

And judging from his poor complexion this morning, he clearly hadn’t slept a wink, which meant he was deeply bothered by the Countess.

Well, to Grandfather, the Countess was just as much a daughter as Mother was, and Clara was just as much his granddaughter as I was.

‘If their relationship isn’t good, of course it would weigh on his mind.’

That’s why I decided to give Clara another chance.

If she could set aside her hostility and keep things civil, I was willing to be generous.

Of course, that didn’t mean I planned to meet her unguarded.

‘First thing I did was keep Mother away from this meeting.’

It was fine at the plaza since the Countess was there, but in a setting like this, if Mother raised her voice even a little, it might make her seem petty or harsh.

Also, remembering how Clara always dressed so plainly and modestly, I deliberately wore a flashy dress I wouldn’t normally choose.

I wanted to provoke her just enough to gauge how hostile she really was.

The result was disappointing.

She probably thought she was doing a good job hiding it, but to me, it was obvious—her expression twisted with humiliation just from my dress.

And when I intentionally interrupted her a few times, she clearly grew annoyed when the conversation didn’t go her way.

She couldn’t even hide that she was trying to manipulate me to her liking.

Sadly, I was now completely certain… I needed to keep my distance from Clara.

Still, I had planned to have dinner together today to ease Grandfather’s mind…

“You may receive it now.”

While I had been lost in thought, the attendant who had been reciting the Emperor’s reasons for sending the gift finally finished.

It was some generic excuse about thanking me for attending the founding celebration, clearly just filler to accompany the gift.

As I straightened my knees and lifted my head, Jane, who had been standing beside me, quickly stood up and received the Emperor’s gift.

“Please, open it.”

At the attendant’s words, I gave a reluctant nod, and Jane carefully opened the box.

And when I saw what was placed on the red velvet cushion, my eyes widened.

‘I thought, at most, it’d be some expensive jewelry!’

I let out a hollow laugh as I stared at the tiara, studded with hundreds of pink diamonds slightly darker than my own hair color, sparkling like stars.

“Your Highness, the Grand Princess, there will be a grand banquet tomorrow to mark the end of the Founding Festival. Wouldn’t it be fitting to attend the banquet wearing this, in honor of His Majesty’s grace?”

At the attendant’s words, my expression hardened.

“So… the Empire is suggesting I wear a tiara?”

I asked in a stiff voice, but the attendant only nodded innocently, as if unaware of the implications.

Even a dry laugh wouldn’t come now.

‘Even if my status is high enough to wear a tiara…’

This was the Empire.

No matter how noble one’s blood, outside the royal family, no one was permitted to wear a tiara.

In other words, only imperial royalty could wear one.

‘So what the attendant just said means…’

My head went cold as everything clicked into place.

Why the Emperor had granted Nicholas the honor of the first dance, and why Nicholas had asked me to dance.

‘I really didn’t want to believe it…’

I never imagined the Emperor would want me as his daughter-in-law.

I hoped it was just a misunderstanding, but since the attendant was relaying the Emperor’s intentions, it couldn’t be.

“I am deeply grateful for His Majesty’s generous favor… but this gift is too extravagant for me. Please take it back.”

I said in a calm voice, and I heard Clara behind me sharply inhale.

She must’ve thought I would eagerly accept the tiara without hesitation.

Feeling suddenly annoyed, I glanced at Clara—but her eyes were glued to the tiara, oblivious to my gaze.

Then, as if to dissuade me from rejecting the gift, the attendant spoke calmly.

“Your Grace, I understand your discomfort in accepting such a grand favor. However, sending back a gift so abruptly could cause His Majesty to misinterpret your intentions.”

His reasoning was quite persuasive.

What was a bit amusing, though, was how utterly composed the attendant looked while saying it would be a ‘problem.’

He had clearly anticipated I might refuse.

And, as expected…

“If you feel that strongly, how about returning it to His Majesty in person tomorrow? As it happens, the morning is free on His Majesty’s schedule, and he would welcome your visit at any time. You could have lunch together, and that way, there would be no room for misunderstanding.”

He spoke as if reciting from a well-prepared script.

‘That cunning old fox of an Emperor…!’

Realizing I’d walked straight into a trap he had meticulously laid, I clenched my fists.

I couldn’t accept the tiara but I also couldn’t go to the palace to return it.

‘The Emperor would surely have Nicholas join us for lunch.’

Word of our dance last night had already spread beyond the palace. If we were to share a meal now, it would only add fuel to the scandal.

I’d been unprepared and had walked right into a carefully planned trap.

As I racked my brain for a way out…

“Um, Adriana…”

Clara, standing behind me with a visibly flushed face, spoke up.

“Shall I go with you?”

 

I am so sorry dear readers for the delay. As a compensation for your patience, I will spare you from next chapter’s cliffhanger and publish 5 chapters this time 🤍

Also, thanks to dear Djm, this novel is already fully sponsored—meaning that there will be no locked chapters at all till the end. Any ko-fis from now on are welcome, but they won’t be sponsoring chapter, just motivational (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡.