Chapter 52
“Why is the doctor…?”
“Are you thinking of bringing Alicia?”
Both Catherine and Calypso spoke at the same time.
Diana could see the look of disdain in Calypso’s eyes. Had the fiery love they once shared now started to cool? It seemed like a burning affection had turned into cold contempt as Calypso looked at her with scorn.
The yellow dress that Alicia had chosen was garish, with a faint neon glow to it, and the shawl she had paired it with was a garish shade of purple. It was clear that the outfit wasn’t exactly a fashion success, though Alicia had clearly put great effort into her appearance.
Alicia had no fashion sense, but Calypso’s reaction was still surprising.
“Yes, why? You don’t like it?”
Diana asked casually, pretending to be unbothered.
“You weren’t invited.”
Alicia, feeling slighted by Calypso’s words, furrowed her brow. She had put so much effort into her look and had been excited, but the moment she saw Calypso’s expression, her mood plummeted.
Had they really dismissed her? Was she really not allowed at the Duke’s party, just because she was the daughter of a lowly Baroness?
Alicia bit her bottom lip, trying to hide her hurt.
“But I don’t want to leave Alicia behind. It would be so lonely. Right, Alicia?”
“…I… I…”
Alicia’s eyes began to well with tears as the sting of rejection from her lover and daughter became clear.
Alicia mumbled, holding her dress tightly, but Diana gently grasped her hand, leading her toward the door.
“Don’t worry about his words. I have connections with the Duchess, so it’s fine. You’ll come with us, right? If you want, I can take you.”
Alicia raised her eyes and glanced at Calypso, hoping to gauge his reaction. Calypso subtly shook his head, making it clear that he didn’t want her to come.
This only made Alicia more determined. After everything she had been through, now they were going to push her away? She forced her tears back and gave Calypso a sharp glance.
Then, she smiled sweetly.
“Of course. I want to go! The Duchess is thinking of me, so I’ll go.”
“Good choice, Alicia. Let’s go.”
Diana took Alicia’s hand and they left the room.
Watching this, Calypso and Catherine exchanged a look and sighed in resignation.
They had thought Diana was a woman who knew her place, but now, watching her live so freely and with such sharp eyes, it was hard not to be frustrated.
This wasn’t the time for Alicia to be making demands. It was still too early for that.
Of course, even if they succeeded in killing Diana before Catherine’s debutante, they hadn’t planned to seat Alicia as the official mistress.
From the moment she tried to seduce him, he had known Alicia’s intentions. But the more he interacted with her, the more he realized how utterly unfit she was for the position of Duchess.
Catherine, although she had some hesitation, wasn’t an option either. After Diana was out of the way, it would be Alicia’s turn.
Calypso’s sharp gaze followed Alicia’s back as she left, unaware that she was obliviously headed to the Duke’s party with a hopeful smile on her face.
The Journey to the Party:
“Alicia, you and I will be riding together.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Catherine and Aicelle will ride in the other carriage.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Diana and Alicia, along with Calypso, boarded one carriage, while Catherine and Aicelle rode in another.
The carriage with the adults was eerily silent during the ride, but the carriage with the girls was a different story.
“Looks like the poor girl took off her rags.”
As the carriage began moving, Catherine crossed her legs and looked Aicelle up and down, from her dress to her jewels. Everything she wore looked more expensive than what Catherine had on, and the whole ensemble was much more harmonious.
It was obvious that Diana had helped Aicelle with her outfit; Catherine had no doubt she lacked the sense to choose something like this on her own.
“Rags?”
Aicelle raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed by Catherine’s words. Catherine was too dense to realize that every time she spoke like this, it made her seem even more crass.
“Yes, rags. Your true, poor self. No matter how expensive the dress, it won’t hide it.”
Catherine smugly crossed her arms, raising her lips in a mockingly triumphant smile.
But Aicelle wasn’t about to be baited by such childish taunts. Even though they were the same age, she and Catherine were completely different. Having already faced death and survived, what was there to fear? Aicelle just smirked.
“Let’s see if others at the party think the same, Catherine.”
Aicelle responded smoothly, and Catherine, turning red with embarrassment, quickly fired back.
“At the party, things won’t go your way. You don’t even know anyone, right?”
“From where I stand, I don’t think you have any real friends either. Who would put up with your vile attitude? If you know someone, could you introduce me? I’m sure they must be an angel.”
Catherine’s face flushed with shock. She couldn’t argue back. Unlike Aicelle, who had connections with young noblewomen, Catherine wasn’t particularly close with them either.
She decided to keep quiet. There was no point in wasting energy on a trivial argument. What mattered now was not her spat with Aicelle, but getting in good with Soyer and the Duchess.
“Enough. Let’s not talk anymore.”
Thus, the carriage carrying Aicelle and Catherine also fell into silence.
After passing through a magical tunnel, the carriage eventually stopped. The coachman’s voice was heard.
“We’ve arrived, Your Highness!”
Aicelle and Catherine slowly exited the carriage. The grand Aiberg family estate stood before them.
This was Aicelle’s first time visiting another noble’s estate, and her mouth dropped open in awe.
“How is it? Beautiful, right?”
“It’s different from the Marquis and Duke’s estates. It’s really impressive, Mother.”
“Let’s go inside.”
Diana, with Aicelle, Catherine, Alicia, and Calypso following behind, led the way into the grand hall.
The party space was elaborately decorated, extending from the terrace to the ballroom.
Upon entering, they were greeted by Serena.
“Your Highness the Duchess!”
“Madam. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Yes, it has. It’s been too long, Your Highness.”
Calypso gave a slight bow. Serena’s gaze shifted to Catherine and Aicelle.
“Oh, a lady I haven’t met before?”
Serena asked, looking to Diana for an explanation. Diana, as she ran her fingers through Aicelle’s hair, answered.
“This is my daughter, Serena.”
“Your daughter?”
“Yes. She’s the daughter of the Marquis of Pèreshet. She was orphaned and adopted by the Duke of Erenst. He especially dotes on her.”
Diana emphasized the last part intentionally. Serena’s eyes briefly flickered. The Pèreshet family’s influence was considerable.
It wasn’t just because of the Duke that Serena thought Catherine would be a good match for Soyer.
It was because of Diana, the only child of the late Marquis, who would inherit his title and fortune.
“I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady.”
“Hello. I’m Aicelle de Erenst.”
Aicelle curtsied, holding her dress with both hands.
“Hmm? What’s that lovely scent?”
Serena sniffed the sweet fragrance coming from Aicelle. Aicelle, her cheeks reddened like peaches, shyly responded.
“Oh, I bathed in peach-scented oil, a gift from my grandfather.”
“It seems the Marquis of Pèreshet raised you well.”
Serena smiled warmly, clearly satisfied. Aicelle turned toward Diana, confused. Diana smiled back.
The Aiberg family had long dealt in perfumes and oils. Anyone wearing a fragrance purchased from their shop would surely be well-received.
“Madam, how are you?”
As they greeted Serena, Catherine, smelling of mint, stepped forward. Serena’s brow furrowed as she caught the faint, off-putting scent.
Although it resembled mint, something felt wrong about it. Serena, experienced with oils, knew it wasn’t a perfect mint fragrance.
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at Catherine.
Why did Catherine choose a different scent from Aicelle? The mint smelled cheap compared to the rich peach scent Aicelle wore.
She realized it wasn’t a gift from the Marquis, but something Catherine had chosen for herself.
Serena’s expression grew cold as she gave Catherine a dismissive glance, but she maintained her politeness for Diana’s sake.
“Well, yes, it’s nice, Lady Catherine.”
“Yes, I specially prepared it for the party.”
“…I see. Hmm?”
Serena noticed Alicia standing behind Catherine and frowned.
Alicia, notorious in the social circles, had been seen accompanying Diana too often, causing rumors to spread that Diana was using her as a pawn.
Alicia, oblivious to the disdain in Serena’s eyes, attempted to greet her.
“I’m sorry, Madam. If I’ve caused any trouble…”
“I’m not speaking to you, Alicia.”
Serena’s cold glare cut through her words.
Alicia froze, her face turning pale as the weight of her embarrassment settled in.
