Chapter 71
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 71
Chapter Title: Uninvited at the Tea Party
Another gift arrived at Viscount Manon's estate today. Various families had sent them in hopes of forging ties with the Manons, who might produce the new empress.
They were luxury items that would have once made her eyes pop, but Rozanne didn't even glance at them.
Viscount Manon lavished money on her like water to keep his daughter pleased.
Her brothers teased her playfully, asking what she'd do for them once she became empress. Even the way the household addressed her had changed to "Our Empress."
Rozanne now held her head high even in front of Lady Sacha Muriel.
Her father, who had once groveled before Duke Muriel, now spoke boldly and without fear.
Everything was delightful. They were at the peak of happiness.
That day, Rozanne received an invitation to a gathering at Marquis Odelli's estate and headed there.
The luxury carriage she had purchased just yesterday proudly raced down the road.
Rozanne smiled contentedly. Now even gatherings at a marquis's estate were clamoring to invite her.
The events hosted by Canny Odelli, the well-connected social butterfly of high society, drew crowds of young nobles.
They were all heirs from fine families, making it the perfect place to build connections.
Upon Rozanne's arrival at the venue, the other guests whispered among themselves.
"That's the lady, huh."
"Does she really have that much charm to captivate His Majesty?"
"Look at her draped in all those expensive things."
"I heard they were gifts from His Majesty."
"Either way, a country noble snagged quite the prize."
Rozanne ostentatiously fanned herself with her silk fan.
The delicate butterfly embroidery, stitched meticulously by a master artisan, was so lifelike it made the fan— a mere accessory— seem priceless.
Canny Odelli greeted her.
"Good day, Lady Manon. First time attending, I take it? How do you like the atmosphere here?"
"Yes. I've finally found a gathering befitting my station."
Canny let out a subtle chuckle, then brightened as someone entered through the door.
"Nassar, you rascal! Long time no see!"
As always, Nassar Averyden arrived to a chorus of admiring gasps.
He resembled a beautiful angel statue— one carved by an artist who had poured their soul into it.
Rozanne caught herself before her mind could wander.
I've already got someone. No point in looking elsewhere.
Still, he remained as tantalizing as ever.
The empire's top bachelor. The very man she had originally set her sights on.
Seeing him stirred a sudden regret in Rozanne.
The emperor was attractive enough and the most exalted figure alive, but he had a daughter her age— and was nearly twice her own age. That was the flaw.
What if she had met Nassar first instead of the emperor? Things might have turned out differently.
Canny clapped Nassar on the shoulder familiarly.
"You've been haunting Angelium lately, and now you show up here."
"Yeah. I've wrapped up my business there."
Rozanne stiffened at the mention of Angelium.
Memories flooded back of slapping Philomel there. She suddenly worried Nassar might know.
It's fine. Just because he went to Angelium doesn't mean he knows about that!
Rozanne composed herself, waiting eagerly for Canny to introduce her.
"You know her, right? The famous Lady Rozanne Manon."
"Ah, yes. Of course."
Nassar's crimson eyes gleamed coldly as they fixed on her.
"Young Duke Averyden, a pleasure to meet you."
Rozanne extended her hand, palm up, inviting a kiss.
Nassar took it with a smile and eyed the fan in her grasp.
"A Terbeya fan, is it?"
"Oh! You know it?"
"Yes. It was all the rage in society once."
Rozanne chattered excitedly.
"It's Terbeya's latest, a step beyond the trendy style. They don't sell to just anyone, but when I visited, they said the fan had found its owner."
"I must have misspoke. I meant it's similar to a Terbeya fan."
"Pardon?"
"Terbeya never embroiders the same motif twice. They already made a butterfly fan for my mother."
In other words...
Nassar drove the nail home, still smiling.
"This is just an imitation trying to mimic Terbeya."
Stifled snickers erupted from all around.
Rozanne's face flushed tomato-red.
Nassar scanned her from head to toe— a blatant look of disdain.
"Looks like the fan found its true owner after all."
Rozanne fled Marquis Odelli's estate before the gathering even began.
"Aaaargh!"
The moment she boarded her carriage, she screamed and hurled the fan to the floor. Angel? Nassar Averyden was a venomous snake!
A vile, cunning bastard!
"You dare insult the future empress? I'll make sure His Majesty hears of this— you won't get away with it!"
Gnashing her teeth, Rozanne yelled at the coachman hovering uncertainly by the door.
"To the boutique district at once! And this time, only shops with authentic goods!"
Arriving at the capital's premier boutique street, Rozanne swept through store after store, buying up every luxurious item in sight. Anything fit for an empress!
Even shops that never offered credit recognized her and promised to deliver straight to the estate.
She charged it all to Viscount Manon's account. Her father might grab her by the scruff, but it didn't matter. He'd bend over backward to lift her spirits, no matter the cost.
Deep down, she wanted to bill the imperial palace, but she lacked the authority until she was officially empress.
As she emerged from the final shop, the coachman asked,
"Miss, where to next?"
Rozanne answered without hesitation.
"The imperial palace."
The carriage set off. She had planned to wait patiently for their summons, but her patience had run dry.
And at the palace was that woman. Philomel, who had dared slap her cheek.
It was infuriating that the wretch was freeloading in the palace that would soon be Rozanne's.
I'll have her thrown out.
Upon reaching the palace, Rozanne halted at the sight of something. A group of ladies streaming inside.
A forgotten detail resurfaced.
Today was Princess Ellensia's first tea party.
She had seethed when influential ladies received invitations while she was snubbed.
"Oh ho."
Rozanne's eyes gleamed.
Her visit today might be divine providence.
I can't let a tea party that insults me slide.
She vividly recalled the princess looking down on her coldly on the first night of the ball.
She had been speechless then, but things were different now. Once Rozanne became empress, the princess would be her stepdaughter anyway.
Better to crush her spirit now.
Rozanne redirected her destination from the emperor's palace to the Western Palace, where the princess resided.
Western Palace garden.
Princess Ellensia's outdoor tea party was just getting underway.
The tea and treats were exquisite, the weather perfect. The floral centerpieces on the tables were lavish. The other ladies chatted amiably with the princess.
Lady Melinda Rusan felt queasy with discomfort.
The princess sat right beside her and asked kindly,
"Is the tea not to your taste?"
"No, not at all! The flavor and aroma are both superb!"
"I'm relieved. I'm not used to such refined things, so I worried I might inconvenience you all."
Several ladies rushed to reassure her.
"Not at all, Your Highness. It's a splendid tea party."
"Exactly. The best I've ever attended."
That was precisely what made Melinda uneasy about the atmosphere.
Just recently, they had said much the same at Princess Philomel's tea parties. Now they subtly trashed her behind her back.
"Lady Philomel was always too frugal, really. She said garden flowers were plenty."
"True. She hardly hosted any tea parties."
While savvy opportunism was noble basics, it struck Melinda as utterly disloyal.
True, she wasn't the princess anymore, but Melinda still preferred Philomel.
And Princess Ellensia...
"Please, don't say that. Philomel is a good person."
She pretended to chide them but showed no displeasure.
In truth, her attitude only fanned the ladies' covert gossip.
Melinda had thought her modest and kind at first sight, but now...
She wasn't so sure.
A few others seemed to share her unease; their expressions were awkward, save for a handful.
They couldn't show discomfort before the princess, so they just smiled diligently.
The delicate tension didn't last.
"Hello, everyone!"
An uninvited guest had barged in.
These days, she was even more the talk of the town than the new princess: Rozanne Manon.
"Lady! No invitation means you can't enter!"
"Please leave at once!"
The maids tried dragging her out but hesitated to touch her boldly. They lacked a senior maid with the guts to take charge.
"R-Rozanne!"
Sacha Muriel paled upon seeing her.
"Have you lost your mind? Why are you here?"
Rozanne tilted her chin up.
"What, did I crash somewhere I'm not allowed? More importantly, did you just call me mad?"
"N-No, that's not—"
"Watch your mouth if you value the future. Even family ties have limits."
The ladies frowned.
"How can she be so rude...!"
"Lady Manon, this is before Her Highness. Mind your manners!"
But they held back harsher words. All feared Rozanne, who might become empress.
Princess Ellensia remained unruffled, lifting her teacup.
"Lady Manon. My judgment may be lacking, but attending a gathering uninvited is rude, no?"
Rozanne slammed her elbow onto the table with a thud.
"We'll be seeing plenty of each other from now on, so overlook this little discourtesy as charm, Your Highness."
Their gazes clashed in the air.
"I'm afraid I don't follow. I have no desire to see you often, Lady."
"Oh dear! And here I was looking forward to frequent visits with Your Highness."
Rozanne enunciated each syllable deliberately.
"Like one family."
The princess's smile faltered.
Melinda, seated right beside her, caught it. Ripples spread in Ellensia's teacup.
More precisely, Ellensia's hand trembled as she held it.