TCBUP 59

Chapter 59

Return to high society

Yes, of course—it had to be her.

In the past, she was the one I had bullied, the one whose engagement was broken off because of me—yet also the very first person to greet me kindly afterward.
And now, she was the woman rumored to be having an affair with Duke Ortiz.

The looks in people’s eyes quickly lit up with curiosity.

“What a surprise to see you here. Brings back memories, doesn’t it?”

“It does, indeed.”

Yes, it does. Especially meeting again from such different positions.

But the way she inched closer—pretending indifference yet clearly trying to eavesdrop and pick up whatever scraps she could—was exactly the same as before.

“Isn’t it strange being at a party again after so long?”

“Mm, I suppose so.”

“I understand we can’t be close. But I thought at least a greeting wouldn’t hurt.”

“Yes, of course.”

Lily was beautiful.

Graceful and pure, she stood out even more among the glamorous, peacock-like young ladies of the nobility.

Her innocent, wide eyes, softly curving lips, and gentle smile—who could possibly imagine that such a woman might have ulterior motives?

“Can you believe her nerve? Showing her face in society again?”

“They say she’s Prince Aiden’s fiancée.”

“There’s been no official announcement, though.”

A burst of girlish laughter overlapped.

Lily must have heard it too; her cheeks flushed pink.

“They’re being too much. Saying things like that loud enough for us to hear.”

“Well, that’s the kind of fun they enjoy.”

“Doesn’t it bother you, Lady Sienna?”

“What can I do? People are free to talk.”

I shrugged, smiling with practiced nonchalance.

If you let yourself get provoked, you just make yourself an easier target.

After countless such experiences in the past, I’d learned that much well enough.

“The Duke didn’t come with you?”

“No. He’s been very busy lately. But he promised he’d accompany me next time.”

“I see.”

At that, Damian’s earlier warning came to mind, and Lily’s innocent smile seemed just the slightest bit off.

Since the start of the “Sienna Hagrives” storyline, the male lead’s affection toward Lily had become unreadable, but at the very least, Damian’s route seemed to be progressing sluggishly.

“Aren’t you upset that Prince Aiden couldn’t accompany you?”

“I knew what I was signing up for when I accepted the engagement. By the way, are you sure it’s fine for you to be with me this much?”

“Pardon?”

Instead of answering, I gestured toward the other young ladies nearby.

“Lily really does have a strong stomach. Going out of her way to greet her, of all people.”

“Sienna’s just as shameless. Even if she doesn’t want to be alone, talking so casually with Lily after how she treated her? Hah. I wonder if she’s even apologized.”

Even whispered, every word hit my ears like a slap.

I was sure Lily heard them too.

“If you stay with me, you might end up hearing unpleasant things too.”

“Ah…”

Lily’s eyes darted nervously.

She had approached me first, expressing concern, but now that she’d overheard gossip, she looked embarrassed to leave right away.

“I’m just grateful to have you with me. Better than being alone in this situation, don’t you think?”

“Ah, yes…”

As she fumbled for a reply, I naturally hooked my arm through hers, adding a sweet smile for good measure.

“Thank you, Lily. You really are kind. How about we get a drink? Let’s wash away our dark past with champagne.”

“Sh-should we?”

She let herself be pulled along reluctantly.

Her eyes kept darting toward the other young ladies, and her arm twitched uncomfortably under mine, but she didn’t shake me off—probably because we were in front of others.

Lily had always maintained her image as a good, kind woman.

It was that persona that had let her approach Damian and win his favor while keeping a good reputation.

Which meant that even if she was different in private, she would never openly act against her image in public.

Unlike me, she had a lot to lose.

Well, then. I’ll just make the most of that kindness.

Pulling her along, I led her out to the patio connected to the reception room through folding glass doors.

There was an array of finger foods, bite-sized desserts, champagne, and wine.

“What would you like, Lily? Oh, and should we drop the formalities?”

“Ah, yes. Let’s.”

“Alright, then. Lily—champagne?”

I handed her a slender, chilled glass of bubbly champagne.

Then I took another and gently clinked it against hers.

Ching! The light, pleasant sound rang out as I smiled brightly.

“Actually, now that I think about it, your suggestion wasn’t so bad.”

“What suggestion?”

“Being friends in society.”

“From what I saw today, life in high society won’t be easy for me. Well, I brought it on myself, so I can’t complain.”

“Ah, I see…”

“So, what do you think? Want to be friends?”

“O-of course.”

She smiled, but the corners of her mouth trembled faintly.

She had probably intended to look good in front of other noblewomen by pretending to take care of me, hoping that if I lost my temper, she could gain sympathy.

But I had no intention whatsoever of playing along with her plan.

“So, when are you getting engaged to Duke Ortiz?”

“Pardon? Ah… soon, I suppose.”

“I know it’s not my place to say this, but you should hurry, Lily. It’ll make things easier for both of us.”

“Ah… I’ll discuss it with the Duke.”

“What are you ladies chatting about so happily?”

A tall, slender woman with a refined face and an elegant updo adorned with purple flowers—matching the décor of the patio—approached us.

Her smile was graceful, yet something about it was sharp and tense.

“Ah, Countess Cherat. Hello. What a lovely party.”

“Thank you, Lady Lily.”

The two exchanged words while I was left standing aside.

The hostess greeting Lily first instead of me—the prince’s fiancée—was already poor manners.

But doing it so naturally only showed how low she considered Aiden’s and my status to be.

So, she thinks she can openly be rude without consequence.

I had heard that Countess Cherat wasn’t directly connected to the Empress, but she was related to Lady Madeleine, the Empress’s most trusted lady-in-waiting.

Choosing her estate for my first party as the prince’s fiancée was probably no coincidence.

“Pleased to meet you, Lady Sienna Hagrives. Thank you for accepting the invitation.”

“Not at all. I was looking forward to this—an outdoor garden party with a special dress code.”

“I do hope it lives up to your expectations.”

“I’m sure it will more than enough, Countess.”

The Countess’s gaze flicked to my neck.

At first there was admiration—then, fleetingly, disdain.

“What a beautiful necklace.”

“Ah, thank you.”

“Fitting for a Hagrives daughter—top quality. I’ve never seen such a deep shade of red.”

“Oh, it’s not actually red—”

“Yes, that’s right. Lady Lily, could I borrow you for a moment?”

“But…”

Cutting me off, the Countess addressed Lily, who glanced at me awkwardly.

But the Countess didn’t seem to care and gestured toward the inside.

“If you go through the reception room and turn left, you’ll find the lounge. While I borrow Lady Lily, would you wait there, Lady Sienna?”

“…Very well.”

So she was determined to take Lily away from me.

Not that I saw any reason to resist.

I was already tired enough from enduring the stares.

I set down my champagne glass and tilted my head with a polite smile.

“By the way, Countess Cherat, what is this flower? I’ve never seen it before.”

“Cloud Chrysanthemum. It only blooms in high mountains, so it was difficult to obtain. Even the Hagrives fortune would have trouble acquiring it.”

It was unnecessary to mention my family’s nouveau riche status, yet she kept slipping in such barbed remarks—about my necklace, now about the flowers.

Clearly, she didn’t like me and had no interest in being on friendly terms.

Not that anyone here did.

“I see. Well, please enjoy your conversation. I’ll excuse myself.”

A “sack of barley left standing in the corner” would have been the perfect phrase to describe me now.

It had been an hour since I’d come to the lounge, and no one had come to fetch me.

Not even Lily.

Spending precious, irreplaceable time—time that should be used to win over the male lead—just lounging on a sofa felt like such a waste it made my teeth ache.

“Maybe I should just leave.”

I doubted anyone would even notice if I did.

I was just thinking that and starting to rise when—

The door flew open.

“Sienna Hagrives. You are under arrest for the murder of Countess Cherat.”

…What?