My Will Did Not Mean This

“Oh, look at my mind. I was harsh with someone who was desperate. I’m sorry, Celia.”

“…”

“But I didn’t mean anything bad. You understand, right? It’s because I feel so sad to see Celia clinging to her hopeless tasks and repeating her disappointments.”

The Marchioness’s expression, which used to smile no matter what she heard, became serious. She was trying hard to pretend that she was okay, but anyone could see that she looked hurt.

As the mood calmed down, people started making excuses and she added things like this and that.

“Celia, please understand. I’m usually a bit blunt, right?”

“That’s right. She said the wrong thing because she was worried about Celia, and she definitely didn’t mean anything bad.”

“Sure.”

They seemed to think that the Marchioness would of course say it was all right. Just like always. Moreover, there was a smile in her eyes. Those mocking looks somehow felt familiar to Vivian.

Even though it’s her first time seeing them today, he get an unpleasant feeling as if there were bugs crawling all over her body.

“I can’t stand it because my level is low.”

“Yes?”

“Just because I’m one of the queens of society, did you think that if I do something like this, they’ll think it’s fun and become a strong connection to me? You have such a big dream.”

Vivian looked down at her manicured fingernails and smiled.

“If you wanted to please me, you could bring in a fresher repertoire. For example, how about facing each other and slapping each other on the cheek? At least it will be better than now.”

She glanced up.

“What are you doing? I’m not doing it.”

That was when Vivian twisted the corner of her mouth awkwardly. The Baroness, who made eye contact with her, came out in a fuss.

“Princess, aren’t you being too rude now? Apologize right away!”

“My brother is Duke Eleonora and my husband-to-be is the Duke of Blackford. Well, what can I do if I’m rude?”

“If I inform the royal family about this incident, no matter how much I am a princess…!”

“Ah, are you qualified to enter the imperial palace? I met her Crown Prince a few days ago, and even if word gets through to the royal family, which one do you think will come first?”

It meant that if she changed the story to their advantage first, she would be finished.

While Vivian was pressing down on the Baroness as naturally as breathing, the others lowered their heads in unison, fearing a spark. As if it were someone else’s business.

Vivian, who discovered it, narrowed her eyes brightly.

“Why is everyone avoiding my eyes? I feel sorry for people.”

At every word she said, people all raised their heads. But their expressions showed clear fear and discomfort.

That upset her.

“You sure don’t feel bad, do you? I’m just giving advice because I’m afraid that if you start talking without knowing the topic, you might disappear without a word. Still, do you think it was a bit harsh to talk to desperate people?”

Just looking at Vivian’s sad blue eyes was enough to send shivers down her spine.

As the famous daughter of the most prestigious family in the empire, she was envious and jealous of those around her, and lived her life as if walking on a sharp blade. In addition to this, she has the reputation of being the most evil woman in society, and the extent of her minnows is overshadowed by her gaze alone.

“There is a clear difference in status, so don’t think about climbing up based on what people think.”

“…”

No one dared raise their heads. Even the Baroness, her face flushed red, couldn’t even make a sound and held her breath.

Vivian, who was dominating her audience, suddenly changed her expression as if she had never done that before.

“Okay, so now you know what to do, right?”

What she wanted seemed clear. Because she was returning the insults her Marchioness had heard earlier, with a subtle twist.

People who didn’t know the topic but were sharp at the same time stood up from their seats.

“Celia, what you said was too harsh earlier, right? Sorry.”

“Me too.”

She added her words one by one, starting with the first lady who apologized. But she wasn’t satisfied with that at all. Vivian, leisurely standing up, stood behind her Marchioness and shrugged her shoulders.

“Can you just say one word?”

“Then how…”

“Kneel.”

Vivian grinned.

“Wouldn’t that be enough to convey sincerity?”

“Princess, I don’t mind…!”

“Shh.”

Gently pressing the shoulder of the Marchioness who was startled and trying to get up, Vivian gazed at the others again.

Would she kneel, or would she pay for going against her will? There was only one path for the women to choose.

＊ ＊ ＊

Only three months have passed since the suicide note scandal shook the capital, and Vivian has once again become a hot potato in the social world. It wasn’t enough to cause a commotion in the hospital, which was supposed to be a solemn hospital, but the very next day, at a tea party held at the Marquis Bastian’s residence, a rumor spread that he had forced women older than me to kneel.

The Empress was having tea with Johannes and listening to her gossip.

“I heard the princess caused a commotion at the hospital?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“What brings you here?”

The maid who served the Empress bowed her head in response to her master’s question.

“They say she came dressed up in all sorts of fancy clothes and attracted everyone’s attention.”

“That’s the only reason?”

“Honestly, I don’t really understand either. My aunt stopped by the hospital on the same day, and she said that the princess was wearing a blue dress without any decorations.”

The maid’s aunt was Countess Ivana, known as a socialite. As she was well-known in the social world, she also had a great eye for luxury, but unfortunately, her vision has become somewhat blurred recently due to rapid aging. The dress she had made with the finest fabrics seemed nothing but a frugal dress in her eyes.

“Moreover, the person who actually caused her fuss was her escort, a man named Dylan. I heard that the princess scolded him harshly and politely apologized to Marchioness Bastian for the rudeness caused by her escort.”

“As expected.”

The Empress nodded as if she understood without even looking.

“Her princess’ off-white is as gorgeous as her roses, so no matter what she wears, she will attract attention, and as her words pass through many mouths, it is only natural that she will grow like a snowball.”

The maid, nodding her head likewise, continued her words.

“But I don’t know what happened at Marquis Bastian’s residence. If you hear the rumors, it seems true that the women were brought to their knees…”

“I can tell you that.”

Johannes, who had been quietly listening to the conversation between the two, leisurely joined in.

“Aren’t you well aware of the Marchioness’s temperament?”

Celia Bastian was almost unknown in her social circles, so not many people knew about her. But she knew that the Empress had a soft and gentle nature, and she also knew that she could easily fall prey to her miscellaneous minnows.

“And you also know the true nature of the princess that is hidden by her rumors.”

“Ah, I guess I kind of understand what’s going on.”

As a high-ranking noblewoman, the princess was someone with great pride and natural character. It was clear that he could not ignore the injustice that had been inflicted on Celia Bastian.

Johannes, who was observing the empress’s expression, spoke to her.

“The public usually only listens to what they want to hear, so I think the princess will be in a lot of trouble right now.”

“Do you mean to help the princess?”

“I know that you will take the initiative even if I don’t ask you to.”

Even though her son was already grown, it wasn’t too bad since he was as gentle as his tongue in his mouth after a long time.

The Empress smiled with satisfaction.

“Is it so? The princess saved my life twice, so she deserves some small tribute.”

When she gestured, a knight under her quickly approached and bowed down.

“The culprits who spread the rumor about her will about the princess must have been the ladies who attended the tea party in question, right?”

“How would you like to handle it?”

“They are probably worthless families anyway, so deal with them appropriately. It is a minor matter, so there is no need to report the results separately.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It was meant to cause them to fall and prevent them from even setting foot in the capital. At the Empress’ command, the knight bowed his head and left his seat. Afterwards, the Empress, who had sent away her maid, asked Johannes.

“I heard that Marquis Bastian cares deeply for his wife, but if he finds out the full story of this incident, he will definitely not remain silent.”

“Yes, I think I will do the same.”

Marquis Bastian has held the position of highest judicial officer for generations, and as a judicial officer, the Marquis also had enormous authority to intervene in the laws of the Empire of Astaroth.

However, because she is a staunch centrist, the Empress has repeatedly rejected her proposals.

“I am worried that this incident might lead the Marquis to get into the hands of a dirty demon.”

“Don’t worry mom. The marquis has the same temperament and is clear about the distinction between public and private affairs, so even if he personally thanks the princess, you will not be concerned.”

Johannes’ eyes widened as he put down his teacup.

“Besides, what if the Marquis breaks down the boundary between public and private a little in return for his gratitude? The man who will stand by the princess’s side is…”

He smiled silently, but the Empress could understand his hidden meaning.

“If things go well, I will unexpectedly gain a good ally. Tell Juan to do his best to treat the princess. His medical skills are so amazing that I believe there will be good news soon.”

“Yes, I will pay more attention.”

Everything was going as planned. Johannes nodded his head leisurely.

 

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