‘I have to settle this somehow. I just thought I might finally be able to start dating, and if this guy ruins it, I’ll curse him for life!’
Ezkhiel and I had only met a few times, and after much effort, I finally managed to get him to agree to court me. But at this moment, I couldn’t afford to be derailed into the Crown Princess route.
Even if I had to knock some sense into Matthias with a book or set fire to the temple to reset the world, I had to stay on Ezkhiel’s path.
“But I’ve only studied to navigate social circles. I don’t think I’m suited to handle the position of Crown Princess. It might end up being a blemish on the imperial family.”
“Most of the women in social circles are all the same anyway. No one expects you to know more than what’s taught in the liberal arts department.”
‘This jerk. Should I just bury him?’
Letticia hesitated, considering whether to challenge Matthias’s prejudice.
Valerie, for example, helped with her family’s banking business and assessed projects mentioned in the newspaper with her economic knowledge. Stella read the empire’s economy by examining the distribution of goods entering department stores. Chloe, the daughter of a trading house dealing in artworks, was well-versed in the trends of modern art. Dayna constantly considered the viewpoints of new nobility in the political and economic world and thought about how she should act in the future.
They were all people who made the most of their environments and built themselves up. It was annoying to hear him talk without knowing people like them, but Letticia didn’t want to waste time arguing, so she gathered all the patience she’d need for the next ten years and held back.
“In the end, Your Highness will have to choose a Crown Princess from among those women who come out of the liberal arts department. What qualities do you expect in a partner?”
She had to be careful since her goal was to emphasize whatever she didn’t possess.
Unaware of her thoughts, Matthias answered.
“A broad perspective that’s interested in various issues of the empire, an intellect that understands what’s happening in the world, and a personal philosophy about all those matters. A woman who possesses all three would be worthy to be my partner.”
“Your Highness, pardon me, but doesn’t every person naturally have those qualities?”
“If you’ve been in social circles, haven’t you seen plenty of nobles who lack all three?”
This time, the disdain on Matthias’s face wasn’t directed at Letticia. And as much as she didn’t want to, Letticia couldn’t disagree with him, which only irritated her.
“Well, yes, I can’t deny that.”
“Some nobles can’t see beyond their immediate surroundings, have no idea what’s happening around them, and don’t even have an opinion on events in the world. But my partner shouldn’t be like that.”
Matthias spoke with a cynical expression.
“The Crown Prince of the empire will eventually rule over the entire empire as the Emperor. He needs to constantly think about how to solve the various issues in this empire, where the solutions will lead the empire, and when to act. Therefore, his partner must also have these qualities.”
His argument made sense. If anyone else had said it, Letticia would have agreed wholeheartedly.
‘Maybe he is normal for now.’
Recalling how Ezkhiel had once praised Matthias, Letticia felt conflicted.
Right now, he seemed perfectly sane, but apparently, once he fell in love, he’d turn into an obsessive, tyrannical superior and a paranoid stalker. Maybe it would be better if he just never fell in love.
“So, let me ask you, Lady. How much interest do you have in the empire’s current issues? Do you know what bills are being discussed in the Assembly right now, the benefits the empire gains from trading with the southern kingdoms, or when the northern military exercises will take place?”
With a bright smile, Letticia responded clearly to Matthias’s question.
“Nope, I have no idea, and I don’t care!”
***
“Letty, why does His Highness look at you so coldly?”
Kenneth, alarmed by the chill Matthias exuded after escorting him away, asked Letticia.
“I purposely acted like I didn’t know anything.”
“Didn’t know anything? What exactly did you do?”
“I completely wrecking my chances of becoming the Crown Princess.”
Whether Kenneth understood or gave up on trying to imagine, he simply sighed and didn’t ask further.
‘It’s done. Now I’m free!’
Even if Matthias might consider Seraphina as a candidate for Crown Princess, he probably wouldn’t think about Letticia anymore.
The only thing that worried her was any lingering resentment from their mothers past, but that was something she’d have to consult Camilla about.
“So, shall we go back to dancing? Who was next?”
‘First, Lord Carmen, and after him, Count Cromwell…’
As Kenneth began to list names, murmurs arose from one side of the room.
Turning to see who had arrived, Letticia caught sight of Stella and, surprised, quickly approached her.
“…Apologize immediately!”
“Then, why don’t you also apologize for coming here to insult us?”
Pushing her way through the crowd to the source of the commotion, Letticia saw Stella and Lady Campbell raising their voices in argument, with Melanie Cassilis standing on the other side.
“Stella, what’s going on?”
“Letticia!”
“Oh, Lady Sharon, just in time! You see-”
Seeing that Letticia was staying silent to understand the situation, Stella noticed her presence and approached her with delight.
Just as Lady Campbell was about to speak, Melanie greeted Letticia.
“It’s been a while, Lady Sharon. You seem to have been well.”
With a smug expression and mocking tone, Melanie greeted her. Unlike at the tea party, she was dressed extravagantly, suited for the ball.
Displeased to see her again, Letticia responded in a cold tone.
“I didn’t expect to see you here, Lady Cassilis. Did the Countess accompany you?”
“No, I came with friends today. Real friends who suit my status.”
“Then why not stay with those friends? Why did you bother coming to Stella and Lady Campbell?”
“I was only checking if those people I should introduce to my friends were here—the six who insulted me.”
The mention of ‘insult’ caused a stir among those around them.
Letticia, finding this absurd, scoffed and crossed her arms.
“Insult, huh? I envy that convenient memory of yours. But if we bring that up, it’s your side that will be at a disadvantage.”
“Isn’t it Lady Sharon who’ll be at a disadvantage? If everyone finds out what you did to me, it’s your end.”
Seeing Melanie, Letticia realized that her mother and brother’s kneeling on her behalf must have had no impact on her.
In fact, it seemed to have fueled her desire for revenge for that humiliation.
‘Is she really that oblivious, or is she just desperate to pick a fight with me?’
Letticia glanced at where the champagne glasses were. It seemed that today might be the day she’d throw champagne instead of tea.
“Well, if you want a repeat of last time, I won’t stop you. But without the Countess and the Count to protect you this time, do you think you can handle it alone?”
“How dare you mention my mother and brother after what you did to them!”
Here is the full English translation of the third part of the provided Korean text:
As soon as Letticia mentioned the Countess and the Count, Melanie shouted in anger.
With her losing her temper, the murmurs around them grew louder, and another woman emerged through the crowd.
“Lady Cassilis, what is going on here?”
‘Lady Eskis!’
Melanie called out Seraphina’s name with a voice filled with relief and resentment.
It seemed that the friend Melanie had referred to earlier was Seraphina.
‘Oh, no…’
Just when Letticia thought she had dealt with Matthias, now Seraphina and Melanie appeared together. She started to wonder if she should ask Lenard for an extra allowance when she got home.
“Lady Cassilis, what’s happening here? Don’t tell me you’re being harassed again?”
“Harassed? Who’s the one that came to us and picked a fight?”
Lady Campbell scoffed at Seraphina’s words, but Seraphina ignored her and questioned Melanie again.
“Lady Cassilis, calm down and tell me what happened.”
“That lady over there—that’s Lady Sharon! The one who ruined my tea party!”
Letticia started to question Melanie’s maturity. It was like listening to a child tattling to her mother.
However, Seraphina’s expression hardened at those words, and she slowly walked over to Letticia.
Standing tall, she met Letticia’s eyes and, despite the hostility in her gaze, greeted her politely according to etiquette.
“Allow me to introduce myself first. I am Seraphina Eskis, daughter of Marquess Eskis.”
“…Eh?”
At her unexpected introduction, someone let out a low gasp, and the entire ballroom fell silent.
Letticia herself, the one being greeted, was left momentarily speechless by Seraphina’s sudden introduction.
“I’m Letticia Sharon, daughter of Count Sharon.”
“Yes, while it would be courteous to say it’s a pleasure to meet you, I can’t bring myself to say that right now.”
After finishing her introduction, Seraphina finally got to the main point.
The fact that she maintained her manners even in this situation was impressive, if not admirable.
