Chapter 240
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 240
I smiled and reached out my hand. Corico looked at me with a terrified expression.
The ladies and young lords surrounding her exchanged glances. A few of the more hot-blooded ones flinched as if they were about to step in.
At a glance, my momentum was fierce enough that one might mistake me for having come there specifically to tear Corico to pieces.
“Corico.”
And there was Corico, her pitiful gaze doing everything to reinforce that misunderstanding.
The catastrophe at the Temple. Even after that incident, Corico and I were still perceived as rivals. At the very least, that perception was firmly rooted in the Brillant social circle.
Hey. I’m the one who’s more scared of you, you know?
It was written plain as day that she intended to kill me and take my place.
Hiding my inner thoughts, I asked Corico, “Why are you looking at me with such fear? People might get the wrong idea.”
“Ah…”
Corico spoke, appearing at a loss for what to do. “It hasn’t been long since I learned how to dance. I was just worried I might cause trouble at your coming-of-age ceremony, Sister…”
“No, why worry about something like that?”
I grabbed Corico’s hand firmly. She flinched slightly, perhaps not expecting me to take the initiative.
However, I ignored her reaction and simply kept smiling.
“You are my cousin, so Grandfather naturally expects us to dance together.”
“…!”
At those words, the momentum of the followers surrounding Corico withered away.
That’s right. We’re talking about Grand Duke Asis Frezier. The man who used to tear barbarians apart with his bare hands.
Scary, isn’t it?
Of course, Grandfather never actually told me to dance with Corico.
But what were they going to do about it? I was his biological granddaughter; who would dare go to him and verify the truth of a lie I told using his name?
And even if they did, so what?
I was the Princess of Frezier. Until Leon Frezier arrived, I was the only princess. It had been a long time since I’d lost my sense of fear and started acting this bold.
I smiled broadly and led Corico to the center of the floor.
“Corico. By the way.”
A soft melody was flowing, so our conversation from this point on wouldn’t be easily overheard by others.
“Isn’t it a bit too obvious how much you’re acting scared of me in front of others?”
“It’s not an act… I’m truly scared of you, Sister.”
“You mean you’re pretending to be scared.”
I spun around with a smile and positioned Corico in the center of the floor.
“Because that’s how you win people’s sympathy. Isn’t it?”
“…”
“You should answer. Your sister is asking, isn’t she?”
Corico’s small fists trembled.
“Sister, I think you are a truly wicked person.”
“Me? I’ve never attacked others in such an underhanded way like you do.”
To be precise, I had never harbored the desire to kill someone just to take their place.
Corico stared at me without a word.
“Are you implying that I am underhanded?”
“Is that all? I could also call you sinister. I’ve never seen a girl like you in my life.”
“…”
“Corico?”
Corico looked at me with a cold expression, but soon, tears welled up in her large eyes as she asked, “Why are you bullying me like this, Sister Tulia? You already have everything. Why are you tormenting me when I’ve only just returned to the Grand Duchy?”
Corico’s voice wasn’t loud, but it wasn’t quiet either. It was just enough to make the ears of those nearby prick up.
But an attack of this level?
How do you think I built up the White Tulip Salon?
It didn’t even make me flinch.
I immediately put on a sorrowful expression and said, “You were the one who kept stealing what was mine first, Corico…”
“…!”
The interest in this conversation peaked instantly; the gazes of several nobles who had been subtly eavesdropping turned fully toward us.
But only for a moment. Those who met my eyes turned red to the tips of their ears and hurriedly looked away.
I whispered softly to Corico.
“If you attack me, I will attack back, Corico.”
“…”
“If you thought I’d just stupidly stay on the defensive, I’m letting you know now that you made the wrong choice. You should be grateful.”
“…”
The sorrowful look in Corico’s eyes gradually turned frigid. Her gaze was as cold as a blade forged from ice.
Of course, since her gaze was directed solely at me, I was the only one who felt that glacial chill. I was likely the only one who knew of her true, sinister nature.
I shrugged my shoulders.
“So, are you not going to dance, Corico? You should congratulate me on my coming-of-age.”
“…Yes, Sister Tulia. I’d love to.”
And so, our dance began and proceeded without much trouble. Corico’s claim that she might cause trouble because she had only just learned to dance was, as expected, a mere excuse.
She danced quite excellently and didn’t resort to petty tricks like trying to trip me.
Well, considering how many eyes are on us right now.
Any slight mischief would be caught immediately. We didn’t smile at each other, but we perfectly executed the steps we were supposed to take.
Clap, clap, clap!
“A dance between the Grand Princess and the Saintess! What a feast for the eyes!”
“I feel like something good is about to happen. It’s like seeing a good omen in person.”
“Exactly!”
Amidst the applause of the nobles, Corico and I bowed politely to each other.
As she tried to pull away quickly, I grabbed her hand again. This time, I took both of her hands and gave her a very sweet smile.
“Where are you going so soon, Corico?”
Of course, it was a face that would look terrifying only to her.
“…The dance is over, Sister Tulia.”
“But I’m not finished with what I have to say to you.”
“Do you have more to say?”
“Yes.”
I smiled softly.
“It would be more accurate to call it a favor. There’s a favor I really need you to grant.”
Since the dance music had just faded, the surroundings reacted keenly to my voice. Everyone was watching us with intrigued eyes.
Corico’s expression stiffened for a moment before relaxing again.
“What kind of favor? Just say the word, Sister Tulia.”
“This is my coming-of-age ceremony. Since I have a cousin who is a Saintess… I want to receive a blessing from you.”
For a split second, Corico’s face went blank.
But in the blink of an eye, that cold expression vanished, replaced by a youthful face full of bewilderment.
“A blessing? But Sister, I would have to consult with the High Priests about that. I cannot grant blessings as I please.”
“No, it’s fine. Someone who stands above the High Priests is going to give their permission.”
Corico’s face hardened instantly.
“Sister Tulia. Do not commit impiety against the Gods.”
“Impiety? Me?”
Corico’s voice turned as cold as thin ice.
“Yes. The High Priests are the most loyal servants under the protection of the Gods. No one on this continent can claim to be higher than them.”
“Except for you?”
“…”
Corico didn’t answer, but she didn’t deny it either.
I chuckled inwardly.
The Brillant Empire, the only empire on the continent.
Even the Emperor, the monarch of that empire, could not claim to be higher than the High Priests. While the High Priests used honorifics and bowed to the Emperor, their religious standing was a different matter entirely.
So, there was no error in Corico’s words.
However, in this world—and in my life—wasn’t there one man who was like a glitch in the world’s logic?
“No, there is one person.”
Corico’s bewildered eyes filled with the realization of ‘No way.’
So you understood.
“He said he’s going to propose to me.”
“When on earth…?”
“When?”
I shifted my gaze toward the entrance of the Grand Banquet Hall and continued.
“Now.”