“Blanchett, Miss?”

“Yes. She’s not an ordinary commoner. She’s been recognized by Viscount Ransloth and Madame Lauren.”

“Could there be some circumstances we don’t know?”

The Olivia Catherine knew wasn’t that kind of woman. Although they had met only a few times, she was certainly not the type of woman who would make a fuss in the newspapers.

So, she didn’t believe it.

Living a life where everyday occurrences became gossip, she knew how exaggerated it could be.

“What circumstances? Did you read the newspaper today? It’s really hypocritical, I can’t help but laugh at it.”

The maids made disgruntled expressions as they looked at Olivia Blanchett’s featured article in the morning newspaper.

“An angel. It’s ridiculous.”

It was hard to distinguish between children and adults in the background of the orphanage, where they were playing, making it difficult to tell who was who.
It looked exactly like a typical iron-willed woman.

“It seems she’s determined to participate in the competition. If I were her, I wouldn’t even step out of the house due to embarrassment. In some ways, she’s truly an extraordinary woman.”

Catherine felt uncomfortable with this topic. She was concerned whether Irene, who was engaged to Johan, would be bothered.

“Princess Krantz, you should be careful too.”

Irene, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, raised her half-lowered eyelids and faced the maid.

“My husband told me yesterday that the carriage carrying the Duke was heading in the opposite direction of the hotel.”

“To your residence, I assume. Unbelievable.”

Another person applauded.

“It wasn’t even Winston House.”

“Then, really?”

“He mentioned having an important meeting with a business associate.”

Irene, who had been silently sipping her tea, dispelled suspicions with a single remark.

The attitude of the ladies, who were whispering disdainfully and shamelessly discussing among themselves, was extremely rude and unpleasant.

“Oh, have you decided on a dress?”

Catherine asked Annblin. Glancing at Irene’s expression, she skillfully changed the subject.

“Not yet.”

“Not yet?”

Surprised by Annblin’s answer, Catherine asked exaggeratedly.

“The grand opening party is tomorrow, and you still haven’t?”

“I’ve selected about three dresses. I like them all. Catherine, will you help me?”

“Leave it to me.”

Catherine clapped her hands, smiling like a young girl. Choosing dresses for ladies was as exciting as encountering first love.

“Will that woman come too?”

“Are you crazy? She’ll embarrass herself at my ex-husband’s hotel opening party. And with the princess present.”

A lady retorted disdainfully.

The topic that had been laboriously redirected now turned back to Olivia Blanchett.

Catherine sighed briefly. It seemed like Johan’s ex-wife was the primary focus of Ritten.

“I don’t know. Maybe she’ll boldly show up with Viscount Lansloth by her side. You know, for display. She’s also a woman who likes to flaunt.”

“Now that you mention it, it seems so. She seems to want attention. It’s more certain than volunteering at an orphanage.”

While putting down her glass, Annblin, who had been wiping the moisture off her fingers with a handkerchief, stopped her movements.

Annblin’s pumpkin-colored pupils gradually sank into deep darkness.

“She won’t come. A woman without such status wouldn’t dare.”

Catherine said patiently.

At that moment, a camera flash erupted in Annblin’s mind.

If she doesn’t come…

I’ll make her come.

Annblin held back a quiet smile.

The noon sunlight, gently shimmering in the breeze, turned Annblin’s hair into a radiant red as it slid down the white parasol.

She elegantly swept back the hair tied high with graceful movements.

It was the day that Ritten’s social circle and the media were focusing on.

There couldn’t be a more certain disgrace than this.

After fulfilling the official lunch schedule with the King of Britte, Johan informed him separately.

The king welcomed Johan warmly.

Formal and somewhat sarcastic compliments about Johan’s contribution to Britte’s economic development were exchanged.

Then, as they delved into the main topic, small disputes occasionally leaked out, but soon the conversation naturally flowed. Johan, satisfied, left the meeting room with a content expression after reaching an agreement on tariff reductions conditioned on establishing factories within his country.

Maurice, as if waiting, presented a letter sealed with a red sealing wax, saying, “It’s from Princess Krantz.”

「There’s a message for you.」

The elegant and neat handwriting was politely asking for a brief visit before returning.

While heading to the royal palace, Johan encountered Irene, who was strolling through the garden.

“Do you have a moment?”

It seemed more like waiting for him than a chance encounter. Johan slightly tilted his head and checked his watch.

“It’s fine.”

“Then let’s walk for a while.”

Irene extended her hand to a maid who handed her a parasol. It was a signal for the maid not to follow.

The two walked silently along a secluded path. The late afternoon’s golden sunlight bathed their feet.

Only the echoing sound of footsteps on the cobblestones resonated in the silence.

What is she hesitating to say?

The woman’s silence touched Johan’s lethargic nerves.

As they approached a grand fountain about to burst, Irene finally slowly parted her lips.