I was lounging on Carlothian’s bed again today, reading a history book leisurely.
“Wow, why is this so detailed?”
The illustrations of the great empire and its founding king felt excessively intricate, almost as if painted by a fanatic.
I turned the pages one by one, intrigued by the historical account. Since it was about another world, it felt more like a fantasy novel-setting book than a history book.
“Let’s see… The empire has been around for how long? What? Ten thousand years? That’s incredibly long.”
I thought as I flipped through the pages. A civilization lasting ten thousand years—why hasn’t science advanced?
“Maybe it’s because of magic…”
Just as Ariadeline had been burdened with the sins of black magic, the empire had its own form of magic. There were magic knights in the palace and wandering wizards across the world.
“Though the most famous is the Magic Tower.”
The pinnacle of magic, where top-tier wizards gathered. Even the empire’s history book marked this Magic Tower.
‘So, the Magic Tower has also existed for nearly ten thousand years. I can’t even imagine it.’
Even after repeated regressions, the concept of ten thousand years didn’t really resonate. It just felt like an incredibly long time.
Knock, knock—
While I was reading, a knock sounded. What could it be?
I closed the book and got up. Since Carlothian was in his office, no one should be visiting.
“Come in.”
The butler opened the door and entered, holding a piece of stationery.
“Carlothian isn’t here.”
“I know. I’ve come to deliver a letter.”
“A letter?”
“Yes, a letter addressed to Miss Ariadeline.”
“To… me?”
When I asked, somewhat puzzled, the butler looked a bit flustered as well.
“Yes, Lady Dorothy Antrue of the Count of Antrue family has sent the letter…”
“Let me see it.”
I reached out and took the letter. I carefully opened the sealed stationery and looked at its contents.
“This is…”
“What does it say?”
The butler seemed curious and asked me subtly. I scratched my head, feeling a bit incredulous.
“Well, it says she wants to see me and is inviting me for tea time…”
“Yes?”
Tea time with a sinner? Is this young lady out of her mind? I handed the letter back to the butler.
“I don’t have to reply, right?”
“Well, that is true, but…”
“Then just put it away. She seems strange.”
I flopped back onto the bed, trying to focus on my book again. However, the butler stood there, seemingly with more to say.
“Is there anything else?”
“I received a message from Enarode Salon asking if it would be alright for them to visit today.”
“Already? It hasn’t been long since I had my dress fitted.”
The butler nodded. I scratched my cheek and then nodded. Since I had nothing else to do, it wouldn’t hurt to socialize for a bit.
‘But is it really okay? I am a sinner, after all.’
Receiving an invitation for tea time as a sinner and getting care from the salon—perhaps being a sinner in the empire is not so bad after all?
Lost in thought, I was led by the maids to get scrubbed clean and then put on the dress I had bought from Enarode.
A while later, the butler knocked on the drawing-room door.
Knock knock—
“Madame from Enarode has arrived.”
“Let her in.”
I responded awkwardly and welcomed the madame from Enarode. She had a strangely bright expression, and behind her, a line of dressmaking staff entered, carrying a bunch of fabrics.
“Hello, Miss Ariadeline!”
“Welcome, Madame. You look well.”
“Oh, really? Miss Ariadeline, you look beautiful as always.”
Madame greeted me with a beaming smile. She seems unusually cheerful. I smiled back at her and gestured for her to sit.
She set down her belongings and sat on the opposite sofa. The staff began to unload the fabrics they had been carrying. How many fabrics did they bring? They could probably circle the entire mansion with them.
I looked at the enormous pile of fabrics with a puzzled expression.
“Today, I brought fabrics you won’t easily find in the empire. Here, can you see this blue fabric that’s almost black? It shines a brilliant blue when exposed to light; it’s quite rare.”
“Can I really use such a precious fabric?”
“Of course!”
She smiled broadly. I nodded, unsure if I should be happy or not.
“Now, this fabric here is from the kingdom of Deparlot. It’s famous for being lighter than velvet…”
Madame continued explaining, and I began to listen calmly to her descriptions.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Madame Rosana, while explaining the fabrics, kept glancing at Ariadeline.
‘This is strange.’
She felt something was off. There should have been a message from another noble, yet she didn’t mention it.
In fact, the letter that arrived for Ariadeline from the Count’s family was thanks to Madame Rosana. Or perhaps it was because of her.
Rosana moved busily after Carlothian and Ariadeline had visited her salon. She couldn’t afford for her salon to be ruined by making a dress for a villainess.
‘You know, seeing her in person, she’s really changed.’
So, she began spreading rumors about Ariadeline. Nobles, who were easily enticed by gossip, listened intently to her words.
‘How has she changed?’
‘Her venom has completely disappeared, to the point where she is unrecognizable. She’s also become kind and gentle.’
‘Isn’t that just because she can’t act like a noble anymore?’
‘If it were just that, I wouldn’t have mentioned it.’
Rosana’s eyes sparkled. She secretly whispered the details she had gathered from her extensive sources.
‘According to the rumors, she has started to repent for her sins.’
Of course, there were also troubling rumors. Hadn’t they said she had lost her mind?
Rosana found that unsettling but tried her best to smile and present Ariadeline in a positive light. A noblewoman interrupted.
‘But still… She was the one who tried to assassinate Princess Dorothea.’
Rosana straightened her shoulders. She had anticipated such comments. So, she secretly shared another piece of information she had discreetly acquired.
‘There’s also a rumor that after seeing Ariadeline repent, Her Highness the Crown Princess forgave her.’
‘Did she really forgive her?’
‘Is that true?’
‘Absolutely.’
This information came directly from the palace. Rosana spoke again to emphasize her words.
‘And if Princess Dorothea had not forgiven her, would ‘that man’ be keeping Ariadeline around?’
‘That man?’
‘Could it be…?’
Rosana’s eyes sparkled.
‘That’s right. That man. I’m talking about Duke Carlothian!’
‘Goodness! Are you saying she’s at his mansion?’
‘I saw it with my own eyes. They even came together to get dresses fitted for her.’
‘Goodness.’
‘Then what about her marriage to the princess?’
‘Now that you mention it, there were rumors about that too. There hasn’t been any news for a while, has there?’
‘Surely he isn’t planning to marry a sinner?’
‘Certainly not. I believe the marriage with the princess is more credible.’
The nobles, intrigued by the gossip, continued to press Madame for more details.
But Madame, having only disclosed favorable information about Ariadeline, clammed up and refused to say more. The nobles grew restless over the lack of new information.
‘Will you be able to tell us more if Duke Carlothian and Ariadeline visit again?’
‘Of course. I was quite surprised at first. But when Ariadeline told me she was counting on me, I realized, ah, she has changed.’
‘She said she was counting on you? The Ariadeline?’
‘Yes. She even expressed her gratitude.’
‘It seems that going out and facing harsh treatment has changed her.’
‘Indeed. After all, she lived such a wicked life.’
The nobles covered their mouths with fans and chuckled as they mocked Ariadeline.
Rosana broke out in a cold sweat behind her back. Indeed, she couldn’t completely change Ariadeline’s image with just such rumors.
Although Ariadeline was from a noble family, she had now been stripped of her noble title and fallen to the status of a sinner, making her a perfect target for criticism.
‘I’ll be sure to tell you more if they visit again.’
‘Great. Oh, and could you also invite me on the day they have their appointment?’
‘Oh, me too. I’d like to see it in person.’
‘How lucky for those who were there that day. I should have witnessed it too.’
The noblewomen, delighted by the spectacle of Ariadeline’s fall from grace, eagerly ordered new dresses for themselves. Rosana felt that she had passed one hurdle and forced an awkward smile.
And just a little, she couldn’t help but feel that the nobles laughing in front of her were rather distasteful.
At that moment, a quiet woman spoke up.
Then, a woman who had been quietly sitting spoke up.
‘Lady?’
‘Has Ariadeline really changed…?’
Her name was Dorothy. She was the only daughter of the Count of Antrue, and she had held the highest position among her guests before engaging in business with the Duke of Denaves.
‘I need to see it for myself.’
She was also one of those who had been greatly humiliated by Ariadeline in high society.
