“Becoming the crown princess might bring certain happiness, but that’s not the kind of happiness I want. I’d rather continue as a model for Sharon Jewelry, date someone who feels right, and eventually marry him. I prefer living that way. Managing social events, hosting imperial ceremonies, and taking care of diplomatic tasks—those are things I wouldn’t want to do even if I were paid. You know that.”
“True… You’ve always hated working.”
Letticia was someone who enjoyed doing what she loved. That was a fact Dayna, who had worked under her in the March Blossoms Club, knew better than anyone.
“So don’t be disappointed if I don’t become the crown princess. There are always other ways, perhaps in the next generation.”
Dayna sighed while looking at Letticia, who was smiling cheekily. Although she didn’t fully empathize, she seemed to understand.
“Then, next time, you should introduce me to Sir Bright. I’m curious about the type of person you’d like.”
“He’s exactly my type—looks, personality, everything.”
“Even his personality?”
Hearing that, Dayna’s eyes sparkled with genuine curiosity instead of mere politeness.
Letticia felt good knowing her friend thought positively about the person she liked. It made her think it was time to get to the main topic.
“Well, I’ll introduce you once we start dating. By the way, did you read the letter I sent you?”
“Oh, that! We got sidetracked during our conversation!”
Dayna suddenly recalled the original topic she’d forgotten due to the discussions about visitors and the serious matter of Letticia not becoming the crown princess. Letticia, realizing she had delayed bringing it up on purpose, simply laughed it off.
“It’s fine that Lady Eskis came to apologize to you. But why is she interested in our group?”
“I’m not sure. She did say she was impressed by how the new nobles graduated with excellent results.”
“.…She didn’t call us ‘nouveau riche,’ did she?”
“If she had, I’d have grabbed her by the hair already.”
Despite Letticia’s aggressive remark, Dayna remained unfazed. Having been her closest friend for the past five years, she wasn’t surprised by this level of intensity.
“It seems she’s different from Lady Cassilis. She’s either more cunning or genuinely interested.”
“She’s not planning to join our group or anything, is she? What exactly does she want to hear that she even asked to be introduced to me?”
“Judging by how she wants to talk to the working members, she might be planning to form her own group. Anyway, I’ve made it clear to her not to act rudely toward you. If she says anything offensive, signal me, and I’ll call her out right away.”
“Do you think a Western noble would even listen to criticism?”
Despite Letticia’s description of Seraphina’s attitude in her letter, Dayna remained skeptical. It seemed her regional bias against Western nobles was hard to overcome.
“How bad is the relationship with the Western nobles for you to feel this way?”
“When I was young, my father was awarded the title of Viscount. Yet, whenever he visited the West, the merchants treated him like a commoner, giving him rooms meant for servants and speaking to him disrespectfully. It got so bad that we decided to only send representatives there.”
Seeing the usually gentle Dayna tremble with anger left Letticia at a loss for words. She couldn’t exactly say, ‘You’re too prejudiced,’ when Dayna’s father had endured such humiliation.
Instead, Letticia decided to relay Seraphina’s words directly.
“Lady Eskis said that refusing to acknowledge someone’s status just because of their lineage is narrow-minded. If she keeps her word, she won’t treat you like a commoner. Even when addressing you, she called you ‘Lady Hailey.’”
“She might just be acting that way in front of you.”
“Why would Lady Eskis go out of her way to cater to me? It’s not like I’m the Emperor or anything.”
Dayna still looked doubtful but seemed to consider Letticia’s words. There wasn’t really an option to refuse, but Letticia added something to put her at ease.
“My mother mentioned that, unless she’s putting on an act, Lady Eskis seems to be quite an open-minded person.”
“Did the Countess say that?”
Mentioning Camilla seemed to reassure Dayna further. Despite being from the Marquess of Wade’s family, Camilla had married Patrick, a nouveau riche noble, which made Dayna more favorably inclined toward her.
“Then it might be fine… Where are we meeting her?”
“I was thinking of suggesting Faymont. How about the fifth floor as usual?”
“Sounds good to me. Oh, do you think we can try the new menu they’re introducing? The line was too long, and I couldn’t even get the servants to bring it back.”
“Of course. Anything else you’d like prepared?”
“Anything from the ice cream selection would be great.”
As the conversation shifted to desserts, the atmosphere quickly became cheerful. Hoping that dessert might help ease tensions between the Southern and Western nobles, Letticia decided to pre-order plenty of desserts at Faymont.
***
After presenting her invitation and being escorted by a maid for a long walk, Letticia finally arrived at the palace’s reception room, where only the Empress and her attendants were present.
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”
Letticia greeted the Empress politely, to which the Empress smiled warmly and nodded.
“Welcome, Letticia. It’s wonderful to finally see you here.”
The Empress had wanted to invite Letticia to the palace many times since she was a child. Her gaze was more affectionate than formal, more like an aunt admiring her niece than someone at a debutante. Letticia smiled shyly and offered her gratitude.
“Back then, I worried my manners wouldn’t suffice to meet Her Majesty and ended up rudely declining your kind invitation.”
“So modest. I’ve seen your impeccable manners with my own eyes.”
At the Empress’s gesture, the head maid personally served tea and desserts. It was Letticia’s favorite flavored black tea and shortbread cookies.
Letticia stayed vigilant, just in case Matthias might show up later, but fortunately, that didn’t seem likely.
“I’ve prepared a Cream White Opera cake. I initially planned on Rose May, but Camilla mentioned you’ve been drinking a lot of rose tea lately?”
“Many of the gentlemen who visited brought roses. It seemed a shame to waste them, so I’ve been enjoying their fragrance.”
“Relax and speak comfortably. How many times have I said you’re like a niece to me because you’re Grant’s granddaughter?”
“Yes, I’ll do so.”
Encouraged by the Empress’s words, Letticia relaxed a bit and reverted to the tone she used at home. Though she wasn’t as casual as when speaking with her Aunt Irene or her Aunt Alice, her demeanor softened.
After having two shortbread cookies with her tea, the head maid refilled her cup. Once the Empress felt Letticia was at ease, she slid a newspaper across the table.
It was the Lady Lucinella, its headline elegantly reading, ‘The Best Bridal Candidates of the Season?’
“According to Lucinella, you’ve got quite the number of suitors—27, isn’t it?”
“Haha… I’m grateful so many see me in a favorable light.”
Letticia glanced at the article in Lucinella. Even though it was delivered to the imperial palace, it contained the same content as the version she’d read earlier that morning.
[The success of the social season naturally culminates in marriage. With half of the season now behind us, all eyes are on who will announce the first engagement.
This publication has compiled a list of this season’s most sought-after individuals and their suitors.
Topping the list is the first ‘Diamond of the Season,’ the ‘Rose’ herself, Lady Letticia Sharon. Over the course of two days, an astounding 27 suitors have visited the Sharon household. Notable suitors include Bernardo Carmen, heir to the Duke of Carmen; Marquess Digby, a member of the Noble Council; Count Cromwell, a distinguished judge of the High Court; the ever-popular Lucian Jarvis; and Ezkhiel Bright, the Crown Prince’s chief aide.”
Additionally, the gentlemen who brought roses to court the ‘Queen of Flowers’ were all men whose names commanded respect when it came to wealth, honor, and tradition. Even if she were to fall in love with someone other than His Highness the Crown Prince, anyone among these men would surely be deemed acceptable.]
When the number of suitors exceeds three, it becomes difficult to list all their names.
Thus, Lucinella typically selects the three most prominent suitors to represent the group. However, since most of Letticia’s visitors were high-ranking nobles or influential figures, the article mentioned five names.
Even though Ezkhiel’s name was listed last, Letticia was pleased to see it there and, for the first time, instructed her maid to preserve the copy of Lucinella carefully.
“The Queen of Flowers, the Rose. I must say, I’ve given you an excellent nickname. Lady Eskis, ranked second, doesn’t even have 20 suitors. With 27 all to yourself, everyone would agree you’re the queen of this season.”
“Considering how I’ve monopolized the attention of so many gentlemen, I feel quite sorry for the other debutantes.”
“No need to feel sorry. They came to see you because they were captivated by your charm.”
The Empress’s tone lacked any particular negativity. For someone who once hoped Letticia would become the Crown Princess, her attitude was surprisingly neutral.
“Among them, is there anyone you find appealing?”
🍓; Hello! I’m back with an update to show my appreciation for all the readers, especially since this novel made it to Today’s Popular list for a day before! ㅎㅎ I hope you’re still enjoying it and haven’t gotten bored, as the romance for the MC is super sloooow xDDD. See you in the next update!!!
Thanks for the updates! Definitely still enjoying this story, I obsessively check for updates every day 😂