This worldview, living as a woman in this era was truly uncomfortable. Especially, this cumbersome dress was the worst.
Aesthetically, it might have been fine, but in practical terms, it was a total failure. There was no practicality at all, to the point that someone had to stick close and tidy up the hem every step I took just to avoid tripping.
As I dragged my dress along, my footsteps seemed heavy, so Hannah started adding various comments.
“…When Emperor Alexander was ill, there was an opinion that if the current Crown Prince – who is now the Emperor – is too young, what if Duke Albrecht ascends to the throne. Of course, since the Crown Prince is alive and well, that talk disappeared quickly.”
According to her, now that the sudden vacancy in the Emperor’s position occurred, Karl has the highest probability of succeeding to the throne.
As the 14-year-old Emperor has no children, aside from him, the one with the highest chance of inheriting the throne will be the one in the top rank of succession.
Therefore, it was said that Duke Albrecht, the late Emperor’s cousin and the grandson of the previous Emperor’s archenemy, is the most likely candidate for the next Emperor.
Although not yet ascending to the throne, Karl is temporarily acting as the Emperor, handling state affairs. Hannah also mentioned that he must be extremely busy just with his original duties as head of the Imperial Detective Agency, let alone acting as the Emperor. She said he must be spending every moment without a moment to spare.
Hannah heard from the third younger sister who works in the palace that Karl is so busy that he can’t even sleep or eat properly, which is a big concern.
Without even pretending to be sad, he seemed to be exaggerating his concern for Karl’s well-being, afraid that I might feel a tinge of regret when he left.
“Well, well. They say power changes people. It’s true that the higher you climb, the harder it is to find personal time.”
There wasn’t much reason to feel greatly saddened. The feeling of being hurt usually stems from unmet expectations, so it seemed I had been wrong to expect him to pretend to be sad to me in the first place.
Even if I were to feel hurt, there was no reason for ‘me’ to feel such an emotion. Maybe if it were the original Celeste.
“Oh, who’s that?”
She was on her way out, guided by Hannah for the sole reason that there was nothing good about facing people. In a quiet corridor, a few women in black dresses were standing in a circle, heads close together.
“Isn’t that the woman who was arguing with you earlier? Tecla or Pickle or something.”
That’s right. The woman who came to confront me, the villainess, was standing stiffly in the midst of the dresses.
Upon closer inspection, it appeared that the women in dresses weren’t just huddled together with heads close but were encircling someone.
As the atmosphere didn’t seem so cheerful at a glance, just as I was considering turning back, I noticed something grabbing my ankle.
“They’re ganging up 10 to 1. How despicable.”
“What? I’m sorry, Your Lordship?”
“No, look over there. One person being targeted by ten others.”
“Oh…”
The target of the women lined up in a circle as if they were being attacked by a bullhorn was the heroine, who held my attention with her beauty throughout the entirety of the state ceremony.
Her sparkling hair in the sunlight coming through the corridor windows exuded a tremendous presence. They call that kind of hair platinum blonde. She looks like an elf, doesn’t she?
“Viscount, please don’t get involved for no reason.”
Hannah grabbed my arm and pulled me. She had a tone that seemed tired of hanging around and would be troublesome if any sparks flew nearby.
Thinking back to the woman who had confronted me earlier, it seemed these women would rush towards any potential prey they could feast on without hesitation.
“You shouldn’t come here looking out of place, I’m telling you.”
She sounded exactly like when she had confronted me earlier about my posture and postnatal care, looking pale and all. Unfortunately, the jingling unfortunate voice made my legs stop abruptly.
Tecla. She sure knows how to spoil the mood.
The phrase “beauty is a curse” was not without reason. According to the original work, the female lead had many enemies, especially noblewomen, who envied and slandered her beauty.
The reason noblewomen loathed and gossiped about the female lead was simple. She was just too, too stunning, and now of all times, that part of the story comes to mind.
With a sigh, I turned around and approached the group. Hannah touched her forehead with her hand and shook her head nervously.
“What are you all doing?”
In an instant, twenty eyes turned towards me. Half of them checked my face, then hesitated and took a step back, while the remaining five stared in confusion or glared at me alongside Tecla.
“Why is Viscount Louisette here…”
Trying not to reveal her embarrassment, Tecla quickly pulled out a fan from her sleeve to cover her mouth.
“There were people gathered on the way. I wondered if there was something interesting going on, so I came to see.”
“Something interesting indeed. We have a matter to discuss among ourselves, so please go on your way.”
“What interesting story are you telling that has gathered everyone here? Please let me join in a bit.”
Why is she acting like this, Tecla’s eyes seemed to say. Her face expressed her confusion as to why this woman was abruptly interrupting and bothering her.
“Alright then…”
Tecla stepped aside. As she did, a slender woman with a petite figure finally came into view, hidden by Tecla’s small stature. It was Laila Tooper. A historic moment facing the original female lead.
“Miss Tooper, would you kindly teach the Viscount the proper court etiquette?”
What is she talking about? Tecla furrowed her brow.
“You have come dressed inappropriately for a solemn occasion to mourn the emperor.”
Following Tecla’s words, she slowly scanned Laila from head to toe.
Though her dazzling appearance might suggest otherwise, upon closer inspection, Laila had her long curly hair swept to one side and wore a simple, flowerless attire.
Yet, what made her truly dazzling was not any adornment but her striking features that could not be obscured by even the blackest cloth.
“So, Viscount, please teach her the proper etiquette.”
Tecla swayed the fan gently. Ah, now she remembered. Villains 1, 2, 3 tormenting the original female lead. Villains 1 and 2 were undoubtedly Franz and Celeste.
The existence of number 3 was so negligible that she couldn’t remember the name, but now she recalled a scene where a noble lady, similar in pronunciation to Pickle, claimed to be Celeste’s subordinate out of extreme jealousy and troubled Laila.
“Oh, is that Tecla?”
“Yes?”
“Ah, no. Miss Tecla. So, are you saying that Miss Tooper is inappropriately dressed and causing a scene?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Laila met her gaze. Her brown eyes, filled with moisture, seemed ready to shed tears. It felt like looking at a wounded baby squirrel…
“But in my view… Miss Tooper seems to be dressed appropriately. Where exactly is she not in accordance with etiquette?”
“Isn’t it obvious that her attire is unsuitable for a funeral? Can’t you see it?”
A look of disbelief. I am even more bewildered.
“It’s a modest dress without any lace embellishments. It seems to be a black dress made of understated material… In my opinion, Miss Tooper’s attire seems much more dignified than Miss Tecla’s dress. Don’t you think so?”
“Excuse me?”
“When words are spoken, they speak volumes. Miss Tecla, it seems that your attire does not match the propriety. This is not a funeral attire, is it? What’s the point of wearing a black outfit when you’re adorned with so many flashy jewelry and accessories?”
“What, what are you saying?”
“Although you are dressed to the nines, your subdued attire doesn’t shine brighter than Miss Tooper’s, and while I understand your heartache over not standing out… It’s not very becoming to flaunt jealousy.”
Tecla’s face flushed with embarrassment. Half-covered by the fan, the visible half was already blushing.
And another memory resurfaced. Villain 3, behaving like a lackey to Villain 2. So, Tecla had stuck close behind Celeste, claiming to be her maid and tormenting Laila.
Laila was clearly of noble birth but lived a life no different from commoners.
Though she was the youngest descendant of Lady Pulcheria, the most respected elder in the royal family, her weakness stemmed from not being Lady Pulcheria’s direct descendant but her niece by marriage.
Lady Pulcheria, disliking arranged marriages for their lack of romance, followed her heart and love when she married. It was said that the ancient Emperor, unable to resist his only beloved daughter’s stubbornness, reluctantly allowed the marriage.
Lady Pulcheria’s daughter married the eldest son of the Tooper family, not very wealthy but still a prestigious family.
However, the problem arose when the eldest son began to monopolize titles and all the family’s wealth.
