Part 2, Chapter 32
Part 2, Chapter 32
Translation: godsn
The Continental Festival was a grand event where people of all social standings gathered together.
Which meant that even the Parthenon Temple, normally reserved for nobility, had its doors thrown wide open to welcome visitors today.
And that, in turn, meant the Claudio family could stealthily slip in among the crowds under the pretext of mingling with the common folk.
"My god, isn't that Samon Claudio? The sheer audacity."
"His face must be as thick as an oxhide strap. Just look at how overdressed he is."
Though they couldn't entirely avoid the scornful glances with every step they took.
The evening wear Joaquin and his wife had donned was no less extravagant than that of the Kazen nobility.
Virna too wore a lustrous sky-blue dress, though she kept a darling cape buttoned all the way up to her neck.
At least outwardly, they appeared no different from their glorious days during the Regency.
People cursed the Claudio family, wondering just how much they'd embezzled from Valdina's coffers to still afford such luxury.
But wealth and nobility ultimately stem from life's comforts.
Had onlookers observed more carefully, the large, gaudy brooch pinned to Joaquin's chest alone would have revealed how desperately this family was clinging to appearances.
"Shameless, vulgar wretches!"
They didn't care that their voices—loud with no intention of lowering—would carry to the very subjects of their scorn.
"All of Valdina's suffering stems from those parasites. Ugh, ptui! Too filthy to even look at!"
Some spat on the ground before storming off.
"......"
Catherine lifted her chin.
She pretended not to hear, keeping her ears firmly shut, but the large diamond earrings dangling from her flushed earlobes trembled faintly from how tightly she clenched her jaw.
To mend their shattered pride as uninvited guests, they'd adorned themselves even more lavishly.
The ostentatious jewelry she would have scorned as gauche during her days as the Duchess Claudio had now become her sole shield.
"Virna, pay them no mind. Pretend you didn't hear. They're just jealous, you understand what Mother means, don't you?"
"......"
"Once this dance ends, we must go straight to Pelleus. I'll hold off the Agema, so you must cling to Pelleus. Remember what I told you?"
"......"
"If crying won't work, grab his legs if you must. Even his coattails! That's our only chance. Understood?"
Only then, after the "accident" befell Pelleus, could they use today's acknowledgment as pretext to return to the royal palace.
'Better yet if he dies.'
The emperor's posthumous "final mercy" to the entire family would become their protective shield.
"......"
"Virna? Are you listening—what are you staring at?"
Catherine started when she noticed her daughter glaring at Medeia in the distance.
"You—!"
She roughly grabbed Virna's arm and hissed under her breath.
"Have you forgotten where we are?! I told you to hide today, no matter what—we cannot be discovered!"
"......I haven't forgotten. Let go."
Virna slapped her mother's hand away.
Even from this distance, she recognized her instantly.
Moonlight-silver hair that seemed to shimmer, porcelain skin. The Medeia who appeared at today's Continental Festival looked far more beautiful than the one in her memories.
Unlike herself—dried up like firewood from endless suffering and torment—that girl glittered like a fairy.
Even without the chandelier's dazzling lights. Even without a dress sprinkled with diamonds.
'That was my place, my place! How dare that lowborn wench...'
She was forcing down her seething, inexpressible rage when—
'...Why is he there?!'
A man approached Medeia. Virna instantly recognized him and bit her lip.
'Iason...'
Though she couldn't hear their conversation, even from here she could see the ardent expression Iason directed at Medeia.
'I could throw away those rebels without hesitation, yet for that wench Medeia, he looks so desperate......'
She felt both jealousy and hatred toward Iason.
'I want to tear both of those bastards to shreds—no. I can't. I have to endure.'
As she struggled to steady her mind, her nails dug into her palms.
"Oh my, who do we have here? If it isn't Lady Virna!"
A voice as sharp as it was bright reached Virna's ears. Her face stiffened as she faced its owner.
"Lady Aspasia..."
"Ah, I suppose I shouldn't call you 'Lady' anymore, should I? Your title was revoked, after all. Hmm. Virna? I'll just call you that casually."
The young marchioness's mother, Marchioness Aspasia, had once vied with Catherine for the title of the socialite queen.
Naturally, their daughters—Virna and the young marchioness—had also formed a rivalry.
"By the way, how does it feel to be on the same level as those 'foot-wipers' you used to look down on? Honestly, His Majesty is far too lenient. Traitors who deserve to lose their heads are allowed to openly enjoy the festivities."
Of course, back then, Virna—with the Regent as her father—had been the undisputed victor.
But the young marchioness had not forgotten the humiliation she suffered at the hands of Virna during the days of Princess Claudio.
"......"
"That said, your dress is quite lovely. How did you manage to import this all the way from the strait? Does your family still have connections? Even after all that, you're still holding up well, aren't you?"
"Thank you... for the compliment."
Virna bit her lip hard and lowered her eyes.
"Ahaha, did that actually sound like a compliment to you?"
'Hmph, so you think this won't even sting me?'
When Virna unexpectedly remained composed, the young marchioness pouted inwardly.
"Oh, and how did you cover up that hideous scar on your back? I can't see it at all! How fascinating!"
Virna's face turned deathly pale at the mention of her reverse scale.
Like a hunter spotting prey struck by an arrow, malice gleamed in the young marchioness's eyes.
"They say the sword cut clean from your shoulder all the way to your waist?"
"I—I—I..."
Under the blatantly mocking question, Virna's mask finally shattered.
The wretched feeling of being stripped bare and driven to the ground—she could endure it no longer.
"Tsk, they said the wound was so deep you'd carry that scar for life—Hey! Where do you think you're going?!"
As Virna abruptly fled, the young marchioness clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"How rude to walk away while someone's speaking. Does she still think she's a princess? Isn't that right, Mother?"
"...Of course. She's still immature, so do be understanding, my lady."
'You insolent little wretch. Just wait until I return to Valdina—I'll flay the skin from your body.'
Catherine, too, was furious, but she reminded herself of her purpose for being here today.
"My lady, where might your mother be? Since we've met like this, I'd love to greet her as well."
'Medeia is said to keep Marchioness Aspasia close.'
For now, returning to the Valdina royal family by any means necessary was the top priority.
And so, leaving behind her daughter who had stormed out of the banquet hall in tears, Catherine turned her steps toward the marchioness.
Joaquin was no different. He merely frowned slightly at the commotion Virna had caused before turning back to continue his conversation.
It seemed he had no intention of sparing even a thought for his daughter.
"...Virna!"
But Laju was different.
Unable to leave Virna alone, he rushed after her, leaving even Catherine behind.
"Virna! Virna! Damn it, where did she go...?"
His worry mounting, he anxiously scanned the area—only to soon find Virna clinging to a pillar in the temple corridor, sobbing.
Laju approached.
"Hic... Hic...!"
"...Virna, are you all right?"
The closer he got, the more her intermittent sobs tore at his heart.
"Hic... Hic... Hic..."
Laju, who had been about to reach for her, froze.
For he had caught a glimpse of red staining the back of her dress.