Since When Were You The Villain?

Chapter 75.  

   

Barbara, with her smeared makeup, presented her tearful face to the Empress.   

The fact that this was a royal party, hosted by the royal family, had caused her to apply heavier makeup than usual, which turned out to be a major mishap.   

Additionally, her carefully styled hair, adorned with jewels, had collapsed due to the champagne soaking.  

If someone were to walk in midway through the scene, Barbara would appear as the undeniable victim.  

“Is that really the case?” the Empress inquired of Estelle.  

“It’s true that I sprayed champagne on Barbara,” Estelle began, but before she could provide any justification, the Empress interrupted her.  

“To spray champagne on someone’s face…!”  

The Empress seemed unwilling to listen to any excuse, making it clear that such behaviour was unforgivable.  

Then Barbara, who was snuggled up next to the Empress, looked at Estelle and raised one corner of her mouth.  

Even though the people at the party had witnessed the situation, they didn’t step forward to help Estelle.   

They didn’t want to get involved in an embarrassing incident, and socially, Barbara held a higher position than Estelle.  

In a metaphorical sense, this was like a fight between a well-known large corporation and a small local business. Such fights usually have predetermined outcomes.  

“Your Majesty,” Barbara began,   

“I brought the brooch you graciously gifted me, but it got ruined by the champagne, and I’m so devastated.” 

Barbara used her handkerchief to wipe away tears, completely swaying the Empress to her side.  

‘I can’t stand to see this any longer!’ thought Sophia.  

“Your Majesty,” Sophia finally said, stepping forward in front of the Empress.  

“Oh, Lady Sophia!” Empress Beatrice greeted her with warmth, offering a compassionate smile.  

 “I can’t say Lady Estelle is not at fault, but there are reasons,” Sophia said as she stood in front of Estelle and defended her.  

“Reasons?” The Empress inquired.  

“Because Barbara poured the champagne first,” Sophia said, looking at Barbara, who was standing beside her.  

Upon hearing this, Empress Beatrice turned to Barbara with a questioning expression. “Is that true?”  

“But, Your Majesty, I didn’t directly pour it on her. I just threatened her, and Lady Estelle cursed and blamed  me. 

Barbara, who had stiffened her expression at Sophia until just now, turned to the empress with a sorrowful expression.   

Clearly, her extensive experience in high society was not to be underestimated.  

“What happened was that Barbara offended me and my family first, Your Majesty! And the champagne…” 

Estelle, who was behind her, couldn’t stand it and retorted, and Sophia turned her head to look at her.  

Estelle met Sophia’s eyes and shut her mouth in shock.  

She realized that the more she added the words, the worse the situation was. 

Even if she felt wronged, it was best to appear remorseful because she was not entirely innocent.  

Sophia turned her attention back to Barbara and continued, “The champagne didn’t hit anyone because it was Lady Barbara. Estelle avoided your champagne because of her remarkable athletic skills. The champagne she avoided ended up splashing in my direction.”  

Sophia gently lifted a part of her dress that had been touched by the champagne, revealing it as evidence.  

“Estelle simply evaded the champagne, demonstrating her agility. The champagne she avoided ricocheted and ended up splashing towards me.”  

Sophia turned to Killian, seeking his support.  

“That’s correct, Your Majesty,” Killian affirmed as he stood beside Sophia, strengthening her statement.  

Then the empress looked at Killian with curious eyes. (T/L: Don’t even dare to touch our babies.) 

It was a rare sight for Killian, who had distanced himself from social events, to step forward and offer himself as a witness in such a matter.  

Killian, who disliked getting involved in petty social conflicts, had no desire to be part of such trifling disputes.   

He believed that it was better to focus his energy on more important and serious matters than engage in such minor and pathetic arguments.  

“It’s amazing that you came forward and testified as a witness in such a matter,” Sophia commented.  

Killian remained silent for a moment before responding, “I couldn’t pretend to be oblivious in this situation.”  

Sophia thought to herself that Killian was being too dismissive when describing this bothersome situation.   

She expected more from the honourable military commander, who had a strong sense of justice.  

“If what Lady Sophia and you say is true, then Estelle cannot be solely blamed,” Empress Beatrice stated calmly as she turned to Barbara, who looked resentful.  

Barbara, stung by the comment, lowered her head and remained silent for a moment. Then she shot a sharp, angry glare at Sofia.  

“Don’t blame me. It’s your fault, isn’t it?” Sophia raised an eyebrow while looking at Barbara.  

“Regardless of the reasons, causing such an unsightly incident during the Blessing of the Nation is unacceptable,” Empress Beatrice said with gravity, making it clear that she understood both sides of the story.  

“Both Lady Barbara and Lady Estelle… their dresses are ruined,” Beatrice observed the torn part of Estelle’s dress.  

Faint scars could be seen on the pale skin beneath, giving a glimpse of the past.  

“It seems that both of them should retire for some self-reflection,” she said diplomatically, but it was akin to issuing a decree.   

It was only right to do so after both had disrupted the atmosphere of the 500th Founding Festival and neither was in a condition to continue attending the ball.  

“Lady Sophia, could you take care of Lady Estelle?” Empress Beatrice asked Sophia for a favour.  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

Perhaps because Sophia was the only one who had volunteered to help Estelle, the Empress entrusted her with this task.  

“And Kilian, could you spare some time?”  

Empress Beatrice turned her attention to Killian, who had been by Sophia’s side.  

“Yes, Your Majesty.”  

Killian nodded and exchanged a glance with Sophia.  

Sophia nodded back, and together with Estelle, they left the ballroom.  

Sophia guided Estelle to a separate lounge set aside for ladies, where they could wait until the carriage arrived.  

Since the Grand Founding Festival had only just begun, the ladies’ lounge was empty, providing a quiet place for them to wait.  

Barbara seemed to have gone to another lounge with the other noblewomen who were close to her.  

“Thank you, Lady Sophia,” Estelle said in the empty lounge, where only the two of them remained.  

Sophia was surprised by Estelle’s easy expression of gratitude.   

She had been worried that helping Estelle might lead to the kind of confrontation she had with Mikhail and Killian yesterday.  

“Don’t look at me like that. “I also know how to be grateful.” (Estelle)  

“… Oh, it’s not like that.” (Sophia)  

“I was personally a bit sensitive yesterday… ha. I made a big mistake with His Highness the Crown Prince and His Excellency the Grand Duke.”   

Estelle seemed bothered by her mistake from yesterday.  

She mentioned that since arriving in the capital, she had experienced being underestimated as a woman multiple times. 

Furthermore, even the ruffians who were leering at her seemed to dismiss her as an easy person.  

“I’m not weak, but I must appear that way. So, when His Highness and the Grand Duke helped me, I got irritated for a  moment.” 

Estelle’s voice trailed off with a hint of frustration.  

Estelle admitted that for a moment, she thought Mikhail and Killian were no different from common thugs.  

“I thought it was some kind of trick to put on a hat to cover your face. Why on earth was His Majesty the Crown Prince dressed like that?”  

‘To mislead people…’  

She chuckled, thinking about the case of mistaken identity.  

Estelle asked Sophia, who was with Mikhail yesterday, if she knew why.  

“I just happened to meet him by chance, so I don’t know the full story, but it was probably some covert operation. If you keep announcing that you’re a crown prince everywhere you go, you can’t move around freely.”  

Sophia consoled Estelle, saying that Mikhail probably wasn’t too upset about the incident.  

Then Estelle let out a deep sigh after being lost in thought for a moment.  

“Truth be told, I admit it. I have quite a bit of pride. My father told me to behave myself today and not get into any trouble, but here I am causing another incident.”  

Estelle didn’t seem to mind her torn dress as she continued speaking while washing her face.  

“I actually enjoyed it. It felt so satisfying to give Barbara a taste of her own medicine.”  

Estelle, who widened her eyes for a moment at Sophia’s words, laughed.   

“I felt that way when I first saw you, you are a truly unique person.”   

“Me, unique?”  

“Yes. I believe you might have been the first lady I’ve seen wearing a rabbit hat.”  

Estelle laughed.  

Honestly, when they first met on the festival street yesterday, she thought that there weren’t any normal people around. 

She was especially shocked by the fact that Sophia was the fiancée of Killian, who is dignified and imposing.   

“Ah, so that’s why your expression was so stiff when you saw me yesterday.” 

Sophia recalled how Estelle had looked at her with a displeased expression.  

‘Well, considering my appearance yesterday… I was wearing that shabby rabbit hat and holding a bunch of skewers as props. It’s not exactly the attire you’d expect for someone by the Duke of the North’s fiancée, is it?’ Sophia mused, realizing why Estelle might have found her unusual.  

Sophia replied, “I thought I could never be friends with you.”  

“I don’t usually go around like that. Yesterday was just my little escapade.”  

Sophia gestured with her hand, and Estelle laughed.  

“I’m sorry for the misunderstanding, Lady Sophia. You’re a wonderful person.”  

Estelle’s gentle voice made Sophia smile with relief.  

‘I’m glad! The heroine isn’t taking the villainess route!’  

It felt rewarding to stand up for Estelle.  

“But, should we fix that torn part on the back? Should I find a shawl or something for you?”  

Sophia pointed to the part of Estelle’s dress that kept opening whenever she moved.  

Estelle covered the area with her hand and sat back down, saying, “It’s fine. I’ll be leaving soon anyway. Ah, is it uncomfortable for you to look at?”  

Estelle, who had been relatively calm, suddenly asked Sophia, expressing concern about the visible scar. 

 

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