The atmosphere of the ball had ripened.

Olivia and Elaine were soon surrounded by gentlemen holding champagne glasses.

While Elaine engaged in lively conversation with them, occasionally bursting into laughter, Olivia simply listened to their stories, offering smiles occasionally.

Just as the gentlemen were about to express their curiosity about the former wife of Duke Johan Leopoldt, the background music shifted to a dance tune.

Elaine left to dance with one of the men she had been chatting with.

“Would you like to dance?”

“I think I’ve made a mistake wearing these new shoes.”

Using the excuse of sore feet to decline the flood of dance invitations, Olivia, standing awkwardly alone, decided to move towards the cocktail table. It seemed less awkward to sit at the bar and wait for Elaine.

As Olivia was passing under a large tree, bathed in the light of illuminated sculptures, a group of women approached and surrounded her.

“Do you often come to these parties? You seem new here.”

A woman with striking red hair initiated the conversation. Although she appeared sociable, her eyes were not friendly. Among the women standing a step behind her were some familiar faces.

“This is my first time,” Olivia replied, smiling softly, trying to recall if she knew this woman. She didn’t.

“I thought so. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have worn that necklace.”

Perplexed by the cryptic comment, Olivia unconsciously touched the necklace.

“Why do you say that? And may I ask who you are?”

“My goodness, how rude. This is Princess Anneblyn of Britte.”

Why would the princess of Britte…

Olivia briefly looked puzzled, then respectfully greeted the princess.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness.”

“Pleased to meet you too. I’ve only heard of you, Ms. Blanchett. I wore that necklace last year. I didn’t expect to see it again so soon.”

“Ah!”

Only then did Olivia realize the disapproving glances she received and why the foreign princess took interest in her.

“Is it a breach of etiquette?”

“It’s an unspoken rule, a matter of respect for the other party.”

The implication was that Olivia had disrespected a princess of a nation. The princess’s gaze was stern yet composed.

Realizing the complexity of aristocratic world’s etiquette, Olivia decided to acknowledge their ways.

“I didn’t know. I apologize if I caused any discomfort.”

As Olivia and the necklace had been recognized since her arrival, the crowd around them grew, including the ladies who had recognized the necklace and their partners.

“No need to apologize, Ms. Blanchett. In a world where money buys desire, what else can we expect?”

The princess spoke with graceful dignity.

“But wearing the same necklace doesn’t mean we are the same.”

Princess Anneblyn drew a clear line between her noble birth and Olivia’s illegitimate origins.

Princess Anneblyn had been attending the Lancelot Hotel’s Rose Ball annually, whether she was married or after her forced marriage to Edgar. Her first choice of a red dress at her debut had become her signature color, and since then, only she wore red at these events.

When she wore the Anne Juleber collection last year, Edgar, after reuniting, complimented her for the first time.

“It suits you well.”

Facing the ball, Anneblyn called in Madame Lauren, deciding to wear Juleber again this year.
Along with the red color, Anneblyn had planned to make the legendary jewel Anne Juleber her signature.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but someone has already reserved it.”

“Even though I want it?”

“I’m sorry, Princess.”

“Who is it?”

Madame Lauren hesitated for a while before revealing an unexpected name.

Edgar Lancelot Langaster.

He was the last person Anneblyn had thought of.

At that moment, she was certain.

It must be for me.

It couldn’t be anyone else. He had no official partner, nor was he the type to gift jewels to a scandalous acquaintance.

Anneblyn chose an elegant red dress to highlight the necklace that Edgar was supposed to adorn her with, wearing only a small pearl tiara and no other jewelry. But then…

She resented Edgar. The thick skin under her eyes spasmodically twitched.

“Did your new lover give you that necklace?”

The woman was beautiful. Her ornate jewelry was irrelevant; she was captivating without it. That made it even harder to bear.

“…What?”

Olivia was taken aback.

“It’s a very exclusive jewel to rent. Who is he, your impressive lover?”

The onlookers began to stir.

Olivia thought the princess clearly wanted to embarrass her. Before her intent, Olivia responded calmly.

“I don’t have a lover yet, Princess. I was looking forward to finding a connection at the ball tonight.”

The princess’s brows furrowed, but Olivia was unfazed.

“The necklace was Madame Lauren’s choice. She’s a designer recommended by my maid. I just respected her design philosophy.”

Olivia faced the princess with a radiant smile.

The noblewomen of Londos, including Carol, looked disgusted.