I Would Rather Marry The Black Beast Than Become an Empress

“Episode 8”

“That’s true. But can it compare to the gardens of the Leon Palace?”

Princess’s fate was to be drawn into conversations even when she didn’t want to.

“Huh? It would cost a fortune to decorate a garden better than this, wouldn’t it?”

Aris grinned mischievously.

“Well, the gardens of the Leon Palace are quite modest.”

“Oh, you’re being modest…”

“Well, even if there are just weeds, it doesn’t matter. With such a beautiful princess like you, the victory of the Kingdom of Leon is assured from the start, isn’t it?”

Regardless of the answer, the topic was aimed at Aris.

“Yes, indeed. No one can rival the elegance of whoever comes out.”

“Oh, isn’t the selection of the Empress soon? Am I the only one who feels like it’s already decided?”

“It’s a coincidence, isn’t it? Me too.”

The eyes of the ladies-in-waiting, fanned by curiosity and desire, sparkled. They seemed to have forgotten who the subject of this tea party was, already assuming Aris would be the next Empress.

“How did you come here without even preparing for the selection?”

Their expressions seemed to suggest Aris arrogantly assumed she would be chosen. But, if anything was amiss, they were strange ladies.

“I was staying at the Parell Marquisate to meet the Queen Dowager.”

Despite the ladies’ pointed remarks, Aris responded calmly. Veronika, who was standing by her side, was astonished at how composed and mature Aris had become.

“Rather, I heard there’s a leading role in this tea party. They said the daughter of the Northern Duke is the protagonist, but I didn’t even see her.”

“I had no exchanges with the North before. Well, only nominally.”

The viscountess spoke gracefully.

“Instead, it’s lucky to meet the princess here. Perhaps we’ll see you next time at the palace?”

“Oh my, everyone will meet again from the palace gardens to the tea party!”

Aris wanted to leave immediately, but all eyes and ears were on her. No, they were eyes filled with anticipation for the next Empress.

“I heard that the Duke of Chelren is sending two sisters to the selection.”

“Isn’t that too ridiculous? With such a beautiful princess here, how can those twenty-year-olds stand a chance?”

“Well, I heard that from the Viscount of Jefrun, who is lavishly dressing up his illegitimate daughter. It’s pitiful to watch… But what can we do? The foundation has to be beautiful for the effort to be worthwhile.”

The ladies spoke with a tone of sympathy, their eyes smiling as if they were enjoying themselves. They pretended to empathize, ridiculing them, but also flattering Aris, who was chosen as the next Empress.

“That’s true. No matter how good the makeup and perfume are, the foundation has to be beautiful…”

A sharp voice interrupted the conversation.

“Oh, did I suddenly interrupt? Please continue what you were saying.”

The confident manner of the newcomer, who tossed her black hair, was unusual. She sat down as she pleased and then looked around at the ladies with a serious face before bursting into a loud laugh. Even though her inner thoughts were dubious, all the ladies-in-waiting were taken aback by her behavior and froze.

“Oh, this is hilarious. It’s been a long time since something this funny happened…”

The black-haired girl laughed heartily, clapping her hands.

For a noble lady, her laughter was unusually boisterous, and Aris felt a refreshing feeling in her ears, despite the tension.

The Duchess rose from her seat and looked at Aris.

“Hello, Princess. Instead of boring gossip, would you like to have a cup of tea with me?”

“But we’re already at a tea party…”

“A tea shared with people of unworthy character doesn’t taste good.”

With an honest tone and attitude, she stood out among the ladies’ pretense.

“You poured perfume here, so I can’t even smell the scent of roses. How about it? You and I are the only ones who didn’t spray perfume for roses here.”

And she was the only one who didn’t gossip or sympathize with others. Aris somehow liked her straightforwardness and rose from her seat. She wanted to leave this dull gathering anyway, and there was nothing to gain from the ladies’ chatter.

“Ugh, that smell…”

The Duchess’s honesty, even as she left the room, was remarkable. The customs in the North were indeed different. And she certainly looked like she was from there.

“I apologize for my late greeting.”

As they reached a place where the ladies couldn’t see them, the black-haired Duchess elegantly bowed.

“I am Roxanne Albertus, the Duchess of the Northern Albertus Duchy. Greetings to the Princess of the Kingdom of Leon.”

As Aris nodded, Roxanne smiled brightly. There was no specific reason, but Aris felt like she would get along well with Roxanne.

“I am, as you know, Princess Aris of the Kingdom of Leon. I heard I was the star of the tea party.”

“They decided that on their own. And they invited us to enjoy the rose garden, but then the scent of this perfume… Well, it’s probably more fragrant than their intentions.”

This time, Aris couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

She felt like a fool for being so harshly judged by them before. She wished she could have spoken as confidently as Roxanne, but that was the only regret.

“Oh, I’m sorry. It’s our first meeting, and I’m speaking so informally…”

Roxanne also knew about etiquette. It was just a matter of not applying it.

“Please, keep it a secret from my attendants later. I’m partly an accomplice…”

With that statement, Roxanne’s expression brightened. A hearty laugh followed her words. Aris felt like she had met someone remarkable.