Chapter 27 Invitation (2)
The Invitation (2)
On the day of the imperial princess's invitation.
Since there was still some time before the Este family's tea party, I decided to accept the princess's invitation. Of course, even if the dates had overlapped, I couldn't have refused her summons anyway.
At least the invitation dates were different, which was fortunate.
"They say Her Highness is truly beautiful... I wanted to see her for myself too..."
Lily let out a faint sigh, sounding disappointed. I also wished I could take her along, but it wasn't possible.
"It's an unofficial invitation. There's nothing we can do about it."
This wasn't a banquet or anything of the sort—just a genuinely personal invitation.
Considering they even provided a disguised carriage to prevent word from spreading among others, it must be something quite important.
But did that princess have any reason to send me such a significant invitation?
The only thing that came to mind was that she seemed to have some slight acquaintance with Abel.
Back when I first returned to the banquet hall, I had seen them conversing privately.
Though I happened to notice, I never mentioned it aloud. After all, Abel himself didn't seem particularly fond of her either.
"...Done! All finished!"
Lily, apparently satisfied with her handiwork, confidently showed me the mirror. Reflected in it was the image of a stunning noblewoman.
Even without makeup, her beauty was so striking it made one question if she was human—but now, with this makeup, it was beyond words.
I already knew Lily's skills were extraordinary, but every time I saw her work like this, admiration welled up naturally.
"You look beautiful. Thank you, Lily."
"Hehe. It's nothing. I merely brought out your natural radiance, Lady Adel."
She scratched her head bashfully at my words of gratitude.
"Ah, you'll be late. The carriage has already arrived."
Saying this, Lily guided me toward the carriage. Perhaps because it was the dead of night, the street where the carriage waited was eerily quiet.
I couldn't fathom why the princess had chosen this hour to summon me...
But I suppose I'll find out when I get there.
With that thought, I boarded the carriage.
§
"Your Highness. Lady Este has arrived."
A maid announced this with a bow.
"Hmm. Already? I should prepare then."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of her tilting her head slightly, looking somewhat uncomfortable.
Her face was so plainly filled with displeasure that I didn't even need to read her thoughts to know what was on her mind.
'Why someone like her...'
As always, her thoughts drifted into my ears—the sole Authority granted to me as one born into the imperial family.
Whether I wanted it or not, the thoughts of others flowed into my ears like whispers, less like a divine gift and more like a curse.
Even in high society, despite my status as a princess, I chose to isolate myself because of this power.
The stark contrast between people's faces and their innermost thoughts, viciously tearing into one another, was far too vivid to ignore.
The sight of humans wearing civilized expressions while inwardly snarling like beasts had long since filled me with disgust.
So I severed nearly all social ties. As a result, absurd rumors began circulating—calling me the "Unbreaking Flower" and other ridiculous names.
Coming from the mouths of those with human faces but bestial hearts, the gossip was filthier than one could imagine. That's why I found straightforward people—those whose thoughts were transparent in their actions—far more tolerable.
Yes, people like the maid standing before me now, for instance.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine."
"Ah... My apologies. It seems I've failed to control my expression again."
I shook my head as the maid hastily bowed, realizing her mistake.
Though I disliked the palace maids, I wasn't so cruel as to punish someone over something so trivial.
"It's fine. You may go now."
Of all the maids who had attended to me, she was the only one who never voiced her thoughts aloud.
That was why I appreciated her efforts to always stay within bounds and never cross the line.
'Maybe I should practice my expressions...'
Watching her leave the room, lost in thought and muttering to herself, I couldn't help but smile.
Even if she mastered her expressions, it wouldn't stop me from reading her mind.
Now, about Abel's fiancée, was it?
One of the rare few whose thoughts I couldn't read—and the duke plotting treason against the imperial family.
The rumors painting his fiancée as a villainess who committed nothing but evil deeds didn't bother me in the slightest.
After all, how much nutritional value could there be in the gossip circulating among the beasts of high society?
The baseless rumors about me alone were too numerous to count on both hands.
What truly intrigued me was why Abel had called her the "key" to his plans.
"I wonder how this will go."
Sipping from a cup of coffee, I perched by the window and took in the view outside.
The garden stretched before me, dull and lifeless, with rows of pristine white flowers standing stiffly like soldiers in formation.
Before long, the door opened, and the maid stepped inside. She blinked in surprise at my unchanged attire.
"Your Highness, you must change out of your sleepwear!"
"It doesn't matter. Just bring the young lady in and leave."
"But—"
"Irina von Sarte."
The moment I called her full name, she froze in place. With a subtle flick of my eyes, Irina hastily bowed and slipped out the door.
Soon after, she returned, trembling hands opening the door as she ushered in the young lady.
Black hair, ruby-like crimson eyes, and beauty that could rival my own—a sharp-featured woman came into view.
So, this is Adel von Este.
"Your Highness, I've brought Lady Este."
"Good work. You may leave."
"...Yes."
Irina bent at a perfect right angle before swiftly exiting. Adel, still seemingly disoriented, stared blankly in my direction.
As I observed her, I noticed something peculiar.
'I can't hear her thoughts.'
So, there was a reason Abel had taken a liking to her. It seemed she, too, belonged to a special category of people.
"I greet the Empire's little star."
Adel forced composure into her voice, suppressing any visible agitation as she greeted me. Her reflexes were a tad slow, but her judgment wasn't bad.
Though, if she kept standing like that, she'd probably get blisters.
"You look uncomfortable. Why not sit on the bed?"
"Ah, no. I couldn't possibly impose on Your Highness—"
"The imposition was mine first, so it's fine."
I fiddled with the hem of my negligee as I spoke, and she reluctantly shuffled forward.
Settling onto the bed in the corner of the vast room, Adel glanced around with mild curiosity.
"The room's a bit spacious, isn't it?"
"Yes, certainly..."
It was nearly the size of a small banquet hall. The Emperor had given it to me, insisting that a member of the Imperial Family should have quarters befitting their status.
Not that I particularly liked it, but well—what could I do?
"How's the contract marriage life treating you?"
"Not ba—huh?"
She reflexively began to answer before catching herself, tilting her head slightly. The faintly bewildered look on her face made me chuckle.
"So, it is a contract marriage?"
I hadn't expected her to answer so easily to a probing question. My words seemed to startle her, beads of cold sweat forming on her brow.
"That's..."
"Ahaha. Just teasing, just teasing. Abel already told me."
Not that it was really a tease.
This was, in a way, a test for Adel—to see if she truly could become the key to the plan, just as Abel had claimed.
"I see."
"Do you know why I called you here?"
"I'm not sure."
She shook her head, her tone guarded—a stark contrast to the slightly relaxed atmosphere from earlier.
"You don't know much about Abel, do you?"
"No. I've already heard plenty from him directly."
So she wouldn't let me push further. Not a pass, but not a fail either. Of course, all of this was just supplementary.
The real test I wanted to give her was something else entirely.
"Hmm... What do you think of Abel?"
"Do I really have to say?"
"Oh dear. Am I disliked?"
I laughed, but Adel's wariness didn't fade.
"Then, shall I tell you one thing about Abel?"
I hardened my expression as I spoke, and Adel subtly brushed her arm. She was trying to hide it, but my question had clearly shaken her.
As I suspected—Abel hadn't told her anything.
"Abel intends to bring down the Imperial House."
"...What? What do you mean?"
Adel's voice wavered as if questioning whether she'd misheard. Of course, if she'd only seen his public activities, she wouldn't have dreamed of such a thing.
That was just how meticulous and quiet Abel's rebellion had been.
"It's true. I, too, stand on Abel's side."
Perhaps due to the sudden shock of the revelation, Adel furrowed her brows.
Her face was a picture of confusion, as if she couldn't easily accept my words.
Not that her reaction mattered. What did matter was her answer to the question I was about to ask.
"Let me ask you one thing."
Are you truly on Abel's side?