Ginger’s face instantly brightened. Turning her head to look down the stairs, Floria was covering her mouth with a surprised expression.

“Oh my.”

Floria, who hurriedly climbed the stairs, looked me over from side to side.

“How did this happen… What happened, elder sister?”

The face full of worry looking at me overlapped with that vicious expression I saw in the garden. Even knowing, it was truly remarkable acting.

“It’s nothing…”

“I apologize for causing a disturbance, Lady Bi. I accidentally spilled water…”

Ginger, who had quickly come down the stairs, knelt at Floria’s feet.

‘What’s going on here?’

Ginger sniffled with tears welling up in her eyes.

“I understand Reneola being angry, but I absolutely did not spill it on purpose.”

I inwardly shook my head as I watched Ginger forcibly squeeze out tears.

‘Hey, you’re an amateur compared to Floria.’

Though I wasn’t irritated by the baseless slander, it seemed I was the only one who thought so. Even while sobbing, Ginger spoke so clearly and loudly that people who had rushed over to the commotion were already surrounding us.

“I’m sorry, Reneola. It really was a mistake. No matter how bad our relationship is, I wouldn’t do something like this. Please believe me.”

The maids filling the hall whispered as they watched Ginger pleading with me. Though they all knew her nasty personality, the one with the worst reputation among them right now was me.

The things I had done to the court ladies had spread rumors throughout the castle, and I had shown an unflinching attitude even in the silent dining hall.

‘Would it be better to accept her apology here, or to refute it?’

Refuting would probably be what Floria wants from me. That’s why Ginger was making such a commotion. If so.

“Don’t lie. I saw you spill it on purpose!”

After shouting at Ginger, I turned to Floria with an aggrieved expression and poured out my grievances.

“Please believe me, Your Highness. She clearly saw me and spilled it!”

“Reneola, it’s truly a misunderstanding! I really didn’t do it on purpose!”

Ginger shook her head roughly. I glared at her viciously and tattled to Floria.

“She’s been bullying me every day. Last time, she put pebbles in my bread and I nearly broke all my teeth.”

Of course, thanks to noticing and swapping it back, it wasn’t my teeth that broke but Ginger’s. I cut off Ginger as she opened her mouth with a dumbfounded expression and continued speaking.

“If we let this slide, next time she’ll surely pour hot tea on me instead of water!”

Intentionally shouting more exaggeratedly, I looked at Floria with drooping eyebrows as if asking for sympathy.

“Although I’m working as a maid now, I’m still a noble lady from a count’s family and Lady Bi’s family. This child hasn’t shown even a bit of courtesy towards nobility. Insulting me is no different from looking down on Lady Bi.”

“Wh-what… Absolutely not, Lady Bi!”

Floria, who would never dirty her own hands, probably wouldn’t have directly urged Ginger. Surely Shana had coaxed her in various ways, saying it was for Floria’s sake. That’s why she was now desperately shaking her head, afraid of any misunderstanding.

‘This should be enough to look like I’m trusting Floria and acting out, right?’

Whether my intentions had worked properly or not, the gazes of the maids looking at me grew even fiercer. If there was no room for rebuttal it would be one thing, but currently I was a noble in name only, with a bad reputation to boot.

Moreover, working in the same position as them while unhesitatingly showing dismissive behavior would make them even angrier.

As I glanced at the cold gazes directed at me, I saw Silvia among the maids, wringing her hands anxiously. Not knowing what to do, she moved to step forward when our eyes met, her lips trembling.

I sent her a look to stay put. Fortunately, the quick-witted Silvia stopped in her tracks, though looking puzzled.

‘It should be about time for her to step in.’

Sure enough, Floria draped the shawl she had been wearing over my shoulders and spoke.

“Calm down. I understand you’re angry, but it seems there’s been a misunderstanding on both sides. Since this child is apologizing like this, why don’t you forgive her?”

“But…”

Floria silenced me with a smile and gently raised Ginger up.

“Be more careful next time so this doesn’t happen again.”

“Lady Bi!”

As I shouted as if displeased with forgiving Ginger, Floria took my hand.

“Elder sister. Of course, you are my precious family. But the people who work for me are also very precious to me.”

It was a cliché nice answer, but it was enough to move the palace people. They all looked up at Floria with touched expressions.

“For now, it would be best to dry off, elder sister. Come with me.”

Floria linked arms with me and soothed me.

“Lady Bi, there are many eyes watching.”

The court ladies standing behind her tried to dissuade Floria. They seemed worried that if anyone saw the crown princess walking arm-in-arm with a maid, it might be seen as a flaw.

Floria smiled gently as if such things didn’t matter at all. At that sight, I could feel the palace people, including the three court ladies, revering her even more.

And I was marveling at my own perfect acting skills. Because the corners of Floria’s mouth were twisted in satisfaction. Today’s events would make me even more disliked by the palace people, but my lifeline had probably grown a little longer.

‘Well done.’

That I was this useful a person. So please, won’t you give up on the idea of marrying me off to that crazy Palong?

Floria, who had brought me to her room, gladly lent me her clothes. As I changed into the light dress that Eileen had handed over with a displeased expression, I looked around the dressing room to see if my heart might be there, but of course it wasn’t.

‘Well, they wouldn’t just leave something so important lying around in a place like this.’

I’m not sure if I should take comfort in the fact that my heart is hidden somewhere safe.

“Would you like a warm cup of tea?”

As I came out to the reception room after changing clothes, Floria asked with a bright smile. I deliberately put on a sulky expression.

“Are you still not feeling better?”

“How could you forgive that impudent child so easily? I thought Lady Bi would take my side.”

When I voiced my disappointment, Floria took my hand and sat me down at the table.

“If I had punished that child there, you would have been resented by everyone. I’ll quietly reprimand her later, so please let go of your anger now.”

I should stop here, as continuing to be stubborn could only provoke her further. When I nodded obediently, Floria gave Shana a look.

The silence that had settled in the reception room for a while was broken by Floria setting down her teacup.

“Elder sister, I hear that the First Prince will be returning in a few days.”

I opened my eyes wide at Floria’s words. I had been wondering how to bring it up naturally. I nodded without showing any reaction.

“Thanks to that, the castle has become quite noisy lately.”

“It seems everyone is excited since it’s his return after several years.”

“But I’m not pleased.”

When I frowned and expressed my discontent, Floria tilted her head.

“Why is that?”

“Because of that, Lady Bi’s royal marriage was postponed. I wanted to see Lady Bi’s wedding parade more than the First Prince’s return procession.”

Wow, that was a perfect bit of flattery slipped in. I inwardly applauded myself.

“Oh my… I didn’t know you were looking forward to my wedding so much, elder sister.”

Floria would probably be pleased knowing that I was flattering her to get on her good side. It would remind her of our respective positions.

“On the day the First Prince returns, there will be a victory banquet. Would you perhaps like to attend as well, elder sister?”

No, not at all.

I was currently one of the most talked-about people in the kingdom. Of course, in a bad way. If I went to such a gathering of people, I would receive all sorts of attention, and perhaps the First Prince’s gaze would be among those watching me.

I, who was already overwhelmed just with Floria, didn’t want to be entangled with the First Prince at all.

‘But the real Reneola Violet wouldn’t refuse here.’

She was crazy about parties, after all. Damn it.

“I’m curious, but how could someone like me attend a banquet?”

I hoped Floria would also think it inappropriate for a mere maid by implying it was beyond my station. But it seems she had intended to have me attend that party from the start.

“Why do you say that? You are a count’s daughter and my family. You are more than qualified to attend. You’ve always liked parties, haven’t you? It will surely be a very splendid and fun banquet, as it’s a victory celebration after several years.”

Floria smiled with that pure and kind smile of hers.

“…Is it really alright for me to go?”

“Of course!”

Damn, at this rate I’ll have no choice but to attend the banquet.

Floria’s reason for wanting to take me to the banquet was obvious. I could clearly envision the nobles who would take turns insulting me in the center. I would have to put on another brilliant display of villainy there.

“Don’t worry about the dress. I’ll prepare it for you.”

“Thank you, Lady Bi. A banquet, I’m already looking forward to it!”

When I made my eyes sparkle like the real Reneola Violet, Floria’s lips stretched in satisfaction. As I watched Floria, who already seemed to be enjoying the thought of me being humiliated in front of people, I cautiously brought up the topic.

“By the way, have you chosen the dress you’ll wear, Lady Bi?”

“Yes, I’ve decided to match with the royal ladies.”

“Pardon?”

I pretended to be surprised, opening my eyes wide. Floria tilted her head at my expression.

“What’s the matter?”