The Lady's Disgrace
If only the Drakan's wings had torn during that flight, sending both of them plummeting to their deaths—that would have been the perfect ending.
Dot sighed, her freshly cropped bangs fluttering with the force of her breath, and decided to attend the tea party at the Esolt estate.
Having spent the past few days feigning illness and dozing in bed, her face had grown pale from lack of sunlight, though her skin remained in decent condition. She was rather pleased with how slender and delicate her figure now appeared.
Fragility is an essential quality for a lady, after all.
"Pardon? You wish to attend the tea party while it is in full swing? My lady, please rest instead."
"I only need to change into a dress and have my hair lightly styled. You cannot manage that within an hour?"
Such gatherings were most intense just before the host made their entrance—a battlefield of subtle reconnaissance. Who wore what designer, the fabric and embellishments chosen, whether the ensemble adhered to the dress code, and the presence or absence of an escort—all became fodder for gossip.
Dot was, in truth, far too late to depart now.
Which meant that even if the noble Lady Klein arrived, she would draw less attention than usual from those already gathered.
Well, that is fine. I am only going to announce my recovery and make a light appearance.
"That is not the issue…"
The head maid looked flustered by the sudden demand.
Ever since the lady had fallen ill, the Duchess of Klein had forbidden any gatherings at the ducal residence. And unfortunately, both the duke and duchess were currently away on urgent business. The duchess had left for another important engagement, not the Esolt tea party. Could she truly allow the lady to attend alone?
Dot waved the invitation lightly in response to the maid's hesitation.
"Father and Mother are both occupied with official duties. As their representative, I must show my face. My illness has subsided enough for me to go."
"But…"
"Why are you hesitating again? I said I am going! Do my words mean nothing to you? Stop arguing and prepare at once…!"
When the head maid continued to waver, Dot snapped at her before trailing off awkwardly. She could not afford to lose her temper so freely. While it might be acceptable with lesser servants, lashing out at the head maid would surely reach her mother's ears.
I finally decide to go out after so long, and instead of hurrying to prepare, she hesitates!
"Ah, I understand, my lady. Please do not stay too long—simply greet everyone and return. Choose only light refreshments. Perhaps you might remain for about two hours after the party begins?"
"So you want me to go but come back quickly?"
"In truth, we received word that it was not necessary for you to attend this particular tea party. We have not yet received confirmation regarding the schedule."
Dot inwardly sneered at the head maid.
How amusing. Do they intend to keep me locked away in the mansion even after my debutante ball, turning me into their puppet? I will carve out my own position.
Dot lifted her chin haughtily and ordered the maids to prepare her. Once dressed and adorned, she departed for the Esolt estate.
Glancing at her reflection in the carriage window, she found her appearance quite satisfactory. Perhaps due to her strong adaptability, she was growing to resemble the Duchess of Klein more with each passing day—save for the faint freckles scattered across the bridge of her nose. No matter how diligently she shielded herself from sunlight with a parasol, they refused to fade, much to her annoyance.
Tch. Perhaps if I apply milk thickly enough, they will disappear?
"We are nearly at the count's estate. Um… my lady…"
"What is it?"
"Well…"
When Dot shot her a sharp glare, the accompanying maid wore a peculiar expression before falling silent.
If you have nothing to say, why start?
Dot dismissed the maid with a contemptuous glance and sank back into her thoughts.
Honestly, she disliked both the Quasar and Esolt families. Count Quasar had the audacity to suggest pairing Pay with his third son, while Count Esolt himself posed no issue—yet his daughter had once stolen her crown prince's attention by dancing with him. That, she could never forgive.
Upon entering the hall where the tea party was held, Dot's lips parted in disbelief.
What… is this…?
It was an anniversary not marked on any calendar—an event Dot had never known existed.
Today was not only a tea party but also the birthday of the former Count Esolt.
The retired former count, who had passed the title to his capable son early, sat surrounded by guests, his face beaming with contentment.
And there was Dot, who had arrived alone by carriage.
In an instant, she felt a crushing sense of inadequacy and a jealousy so sharp it clawed at her insides.
This cannot be happening!
Dot's shock stemmed from something else entirely. It was not merely that she had forgotten the former count's birthday or failed to bring a gift—such trivial mistakes meant nothing. She could always send a present later.
"Oh my, Lady Klein…"
"Shh. Welcome, my lady. Are you feeling better? There is a chair—please sit and rest. I shall have a servant inform Lord Cassel shortly. You have only just recovered from your illness. Is this not too much strain?"
The reason the guests who glimpsed her reacted with surprise lay in the identities of those who had come to celebrate the former Count Esolt, who remained in robust health.
The crown prince was present, as was Lord Cassel—the grand duke mentioned by a noble earlier—and Sir Raphael, the only visible member of the Orleans ducal family. Alongside them were Prince Astain, the crown prince's half-brother, and Pay, the Drakan rider.
Setting aside others, why had the siblings—Grand Duke Cassel and Lady Klein—arrived separately?
Had the rumor not spread that Lady Tiana had taken ill around the time the saintess arrived?
If the recovered lady had truly intended to attend, it would have been only natural for Grand Duke Cassel to escort her. Most people sided with Cassel, known for his dedication to the imperial family and the knight order. Rather than criticize him for leaving his ailing sister behind when departing from the palace, some began to suspect that the lady's sudden appearance was the true anomaly.
Whispers questioning whether she had truly been bedridden began to circulate. The Duchess of Klein's frantic search for the finest physicians and healers had only fueled the confusion. Compared to the rumors of her grave condition, the lady before them appeared far too well.
This was the very consequence the Duke of Klein had warned about when he repeatedly urged the importance of accumulating virtue.
Had Cassel openly resented his knightly duties or had the lady possessed a more affable nature, the situation might have unfolded differently.
But Cassel was an undeniably devoted knight. How many high-ranking nobles of his age would spend four years in the borderlands, shouldering such perilous responsibilities?
Dot's trembling eyes fixed on Cassel, who lingered near his sister without even knowing her true whereabouts.
How dare he claim closeness when he cannot even recognize the real one? It is infuriating!
With his towering height and striking black hair, he was the knight who should have protected her. Yet the sight of his unsettling crimson eyes filled her with rage.
If only she had been the Dotricia Caris who never pursued the crown prince so desperately—perhaps she could have dreamed of love with him instead.
I… I…
Why are you over there? You should be protecting me! Even if you have a fiancée, you should come to my side first, take my handkerchief, and claim this child as your beloved younger sister!
"Happy birthday, Olph Esolt."
The former Count Esolt bore the title Olph, meaning "respected leader" in the imperial tongue—an honor bestowed only by the imperial family.
"Hoho, I am deeply honored that such distinguished guests have gathered. Your Highness the Crown Prince, I apologize for my slow steps preventing me from offering greetings at the palace. Please convey to His Majesty that I hold him in the highest esteem."
Silas smiled faintly.
"I shall."
"Congratulations!"
"Hohoho."
"Your Highness, would you honor us with a dance with our Krisha, as you did at the spring debutante ball? I apologize for the modest accompaniment of only four violins and a cello."
The Countess of Esolt, pretending not to notice the late-arriving Lady Klein, quickly interjected.
Silas responded readily.
"Of course. It is a gentleman's duty to dance even if it means tapping his shoes in the absence of instruments."
Everyone gathered near the crown prince expressed admiration.
"Oh my!"
"As expected of His Highness the Crown Prince."
Cassel, standing behind the crown prince, watched the warm scene with a deeply pleased expression. Slightly apart from him, Morgana also smiled happily.
What are you doing here?
Why? Why is your situation so different from mine in this state?
You should have been imprisoned for committing a grave mistake while serving the saintess, unable to reclaim your true identity!
What trick did you pull to earn forgiveness and crawl into the very tea party I attended?
Jealousy, hatred, rage, anxiety, and every negative emotion surged within Dot, driving her to the brink of madness.
This is not it. This is not the life of a lady I desired. What did I do wrong to end up like this? I did everything I could.
She swallowed hard as hot saliva threatened to choke her.
Dot was truly furious.
What am I?
What am I, really?
I am Tiana Marietta Klein. I am the empire's only lady, and I alone must monopolize everyone's attention, love, and respect.
How could the crown prince of the empire personally attend just to congratulate some old man who had passed his title to his son?
Dot remained unaware, but during the past three years when Silas had not appeared in high society, he had roamed the capital extensively—an affair known only to a few tight-lipped knights and seasoned nobles.
For instance, the gatherings at the Dahlia Hotel salon.
If the Duchess of Klein had warned Dot that the crown prince disguised himself to wander the capital, perhaps she would not have entertained such thoughts. But that had not happened.
Had Dot learned of it, she would have investigated the wandering knight Gladys and incurred his wrath.
I staked everything to become Tiana once more. The only wicked villainess threatening me is Capia. Who are you to ignore me and laugh among yourselves? Look at me. Live revolving around me! Me—the true lady who bloomed like a flower under the sun!
Dot had always been skilled at concealing her cunning nature, but today was an exception.
The camaraderie she encountered upon mustering the courage to attend—a circle she could not infiltrate.
She was merely the daughter of a poor viscount family from the remote Sionel territory, forever lingering on the fringes without ever becoming a lord herself.
The inferiority she had long suppressed erupted all at once, tightening around her like a vise.
Cassel! Raphael! Astain! That cursed Morgana… and even my crown prince must not join them!
Feeling utterly insignificant, Dot stepped backward before swiftly turning and fleeing the hall.
Was there a more intriguing scene than this?
The gazes of those near the lady met in the air, lingering for a moment before someone cautiously broke the silence.
"Uh…"
"Hmm, it seems the rumor was true after all."
"What rumor?"