HTEVD 08

Chapter 8 …

‘My fascination with bloodlines started because of Ruby… She really did have something extraordinary about her.’

I suddenly wondered whether Ruby had managed to adapt to palace life safely in my first life.

I slowly examined my reflection in the mirror. I was wearing a Charlotte dress that matched the color of my eyes, with no accessories, and my black hair was neatly braided and left to fall down my back. It wasn’t bad at all. Thanks to eating rich food and using fine oils, both my skin and hair had a healthy shine to them.

“This will do.”

I bared my teeth in a bright smile. Having stood at the pinnacle of high society before, I knew well that a radiant expression was the best accessory one could wear.

◇ ◆ ◇

The late Marquis of Periang had been widely praised as a handsome man with black hair and red eyes. His wife had been so beautiful that even the prince of Tapaya had fallen hopelessly in love with her.

‘She must take after her parents.’

As Evelyn entered the garden, Princess Theresia thought this to herself. Though still young, Evelyn’s sharp nose and delicately carved, harmonious features were strikingly beautiful. Her elegant stride as she followed her maid, who held up a parasol, and her composed downward gaze were both impeccable.

Perhaps because of this, she seemed more mature than her age. But up close, Evelyn was still just a small, delicate child, no different from others her age.

“Blessings of Abel upon you. Evelyn of Periang greets the Light of the Empire. I’m delighted to meet such beautiful ladies.”

She wore the same dress as on the day she entered the palace, with no jewelry, giving her a simple appearance. The princess smiled warmly.

“I’ve wanted to meet you, Lady Periang.”

The young noble ladies exchanged quick, meaningful glances. They all understood what it meant that the princess was not showing hostility toward Evelyn Periang, who might one day become the Crown Princess. Christine Wales, sitting beside the princess, nervously bit her lip.

Sixteen-year-old Christine, with violet eyes like violets and shining silver hair, was indeed worthy of being called the most beautiful girl in the empire. Her delicate, willowy figure looked like it might snap with the slightest touch, and her large, moist, deer-like eyes gave her an air of pure innocence.

If Evelyn was a brilliant rose, Christine was a pure white lily. Thanks to her angelic beauty, even her coarse and arrogant remarks seemed merely mischievous and charming.

“I was thinking of going for a boat ride…”

Was it my imagination, or did Evelyn’s shoulders flinch ever so slightly?

“Lady Periang, have you ever been boating before?”

Christine tilted her chin arrogantly as she asked. Evelyn blushed faintly and answered shyly.

“No, I haven’t.”

Snickers rippled through the group around Christine. But Evelyn simply smiled brightly, as if she hadn’t heard.

“I’m happy that for my first boat ride, I’ll be accompanied by the beautiful Princess and such kind young ladies.”

Her words could have sounded servile, but her demeanor was anything but timid—pure and unassuming instead. The snickering turned into awkward coughs.

“Good. I’ve prepared some Tapayan delicacies. I hope they suit your taste.”

The garden that King Henry II had built for Princess Theresia spanned over 10,000 yards. On its western side lay the empire’s largest artificial lake, surrounded by seasonal flowers that bloomed along its banks. Originally, the tea party was to be held indoors, but because the weather was unusually warm, the location had been changed.

“Due to the crowd, personal maids are not allowed aboard.”

The princess’s maid blocked Vanessa from boarding. Evelyn and the other young ladies boarded alone, followed by four maids tasked with serving tea.

The young ladies gasped in admiration as they stepped onto the boat.

On deck, a lavish table was laid out with desserts, and purple statice flowers decorated the tea tables. Statice, grown in the Seymour family’s greenhouses, could only be found there until late spring, making it a rare and precious decoration.

“Did Lady Seymour send flowers to Her Highness?”

At Isabel Morton’s mischievous question, Marilyn Seymour sighed. Her expression, which seemed to say “I’m so tired of this,” made the other young ladies laugh.

“Seymour flowers are always beautiful.”

Princess Theresia turned to Marilyn with a smile. Aaron Seymour, the second son of the Seymour family, had been ardently courting the princess.

“Your Highness, how long are you planning to keep Young Master Seymour waiting?”

“Lady Morton! As if that man is even worthy of Her Highness!”

“Lady Seymour, you’re rather cold toward your brother.”

As fragrant tea was poured into delicate cups, the lively conversation naturally centered around Princess Theresia.

“I’m always grateful to Young Master Seymour,” Theresia said with a gentle smile, hiding her mouth behind a fan. Her demeanor was the very image of a virtuous noblewoman—but behind the fan, her lips twisted in disdain.

‘Aaron Seymour… who won’t even inherit a title.’

If she married Aaron Seymour, Theresia would become merely a “noblewoman.” For her, marriage was essentially a death sentence to her exalted status. Even marrying a duke, marquis, foreign crown prince, or king’s son would not change the fact: no woman ranked higher than the imperial empress or princess. Though she understood this reality intellectually, every time she thought of it, rage simmered in her chest.

Theresia changed the topic.

“Does the tea suit your taste, Lady Periang?”

“Yes, it’s wonderful,” Evelyn answered, though her face had paled a little. Was she seasick? Theresia was just about to ask with concern when Christine spoke in a shrill, exaggerated tone.

“Oh my, you haven’t even touched it, have you?”

Evelyn, her complexion white, managed a faint smile.

“Yes… It’s such precious tea from Your Highness. I’m terribly sorry.”

“You don’t like this rare hibiscus tea? Then what kind of tea do you like?” Christine mocked.

Since Evelyn had grown up as a commoner—and an orphan at that—it was clear she wouldn’t be accustomed to fine tea. This was Christine’s way of humiliating her as a country bumpkin who didn’t even know how to enjoy a simple tea party.

Contrary to expectations that she’d shrink back, Evelyn smiled sweetly.

“I like chamomile. It grows abundantly on the hills behind the village where I used to live. It’s an inexpensive tea that even commoners can enjoy.”

“Oh my, how thrifty of you! Is that why you came dressed like a governess to a tea party? And your hands are so rough—have you been doing hard labor?”

When Evelyn responded without the slightest change in expression, Christine dropped her pretense and bared her thorns outright.

“As you know… I grew up as a commoner, so I’m not used to dressing like a lady. This dress is the only one I own—it was a gift from Count Elsa,” Evelyn replied softly, her cat-like features softened as she lowered the corners of her eyes. She was the picture of innocence.

“I’ll work hard to become someone worthy of the title of Periang’s Little Marquis. Please, everyone, guide me well.”

The moment Evelyn mentioned ‘Little Marquis of Periang’ with a bright smile, the occasional snickers around her came to an abrupt halt.

Pfft!

Theresia barely held back a laugh. No matter how much Christine clawed, she couldn’t lay a finger on Evelyn.

How could a ‘lady,’ who was essentially sold off in marriage for her family’s gain, stand on the same level as a ‘little marquis’ who held her own title? Especially when Periang, known as the “Empire’s Sword,” was the only marquisate in Caledonia. Whatever she wore didn’t matter in the slightest. In fact, Count Elsa herself often attended court and banquets in male attire.

“Little Marquis Periang, you’re so beautiful that this dress suits you perfectly,” Marilyn Seymour said with a playful grin. A few others glanced at each other and quickly chimed in.

“Of course! And isn’t that the famous Charlotte dress? I’d have worn it twice, too, if it were mine!”

“If you find it difficult to choose dresses, I’d be happy to help. I’m from Lennon…”

“Even without a single accessory, I can only imagine how dazzling you’ll be at your debutante.”

The young ladies, who had been calling her “Lady Periang” moments ago, now addressed her respectfully as “Little Marquis Periang,” showering her with compliments.

Christine trembled with humiliation. Evelyn had reminded everyone of her status, and with just a single word from Marilyn Seymour—whose family ranked just below the Wales— the balance of power had completely tipped in Evelyn’s favor. Even if Christine burst into tears now, no one would comfort her.

‘But… how did she know?’

Theresia fell deep into thought. There was no way a child who had become the heir of a noble house overnight would understand the weight of that title. That’s why even the invitations had referred to her as “Lady,” not “Little Marquis.” Christine had looked down on Evelyn for the same reason—she assumed the country girl wouldn’t even know her proper place.