As I was cleaning the statue, I suddenly rolled up my sleeve to check the bracelet.

Seeing the purple jewel reminded me of Cal’s eyes. I gritted my teeth, recalling his detestable gaze that was clearly mocking me.

“Should I just sell it off?”

I shook my head while glaring at the bracelet. I should endure it since I don’t know how much more he would fabricate using that as an excuse.

By the way, Cal is definitely from Floria’s side, so what does it mean that the 1st Prince is related to the guild?

‘Ah!’

Right, compared to his abilities, the 1st Prince was too sloppily defeated by Floria in the end. He was exiled abroad without being able to properly explain the pouring allegations against him.

I thought it was strange while reading the original work, but if the guild acted as a double agent and betrayed the 1st Prince, it was certainly possible.

“That’s it. That’s the only explanation!”

I swallowed my admiration for my deduction that fit perfectly.

‘I should be careful with my words from now on. I might get killed without a trace if I unknowingly badmouth Floria.’

My body trembled as I recalled her frighteningly hardened expression just from a little gossip.

“But she seems kinder than I thought…”

Her touch as she untangled my hair was gentle, incomparable to the maids who deliberately brushed painfully.

I felt strangely conscious and fled the scene, so I couldn’t even think about returning to the banquet hall. Thanks to that, I got an earful from Floria.

“I didn’t expect you to leave without a word to me.”

I wonder if something happened at the banquet hall while I was gone, as Floria looked very displeased. Is it because I didn’t get drunk and cause a scene as she wanted?

‘The favorability I barely raised with the dress seems to have plummeted.’

At this rate, the pigeon ending might be just around the corner… I sighed and pulled down my sleeve.

“Reneola Violet.”

Ah, this unpleasant voice. Already feeling troubled, I turned my head with a sour expression.

Floria’s trio of maids were looking down at me with arrogant faces. Eileen, lifting her chin, spoke disapprovingly.

“Her Highness is looking for you. Hurry.”

Yes, yes. If she calls, I must go. I obediently stood up from my seat and followed them.

Walking beside Eileen, who was leading the way with a conceited attitude, Aisha looked back. There was an apologetic look in her eyes.

‘Right, at least you have a conscience.’

We were close enough to be best friends, but as soon as my family fell, she washed her hands of me. If I were the real Reneola, I would have hated Aisha more than Eileen, who openly harassed me, among those three.

“You’re here?”

Floria, who broke into a bright smile upon seeing me, ran over. I wonder how much she plans to torment me today with such a warm welcome. I looked at Floria suspiciously.

“My national marriage has been decided. I wanted to let you know first, so I summoned you.”

Floria clapped her hands together with a grin.

‘Ah, she called me to brag.’

It seems she wants me to be jealous. But since I had already shown loyalty to her as if I was influenced by her, I quickly put on a sincerely congratulatory expression.

“Congratulations, Your Highness. You’re finally having your wedding. I, too, have been waiting for this day. It will undoubtedly be a perfect wedding that will go down in the kingdom’s history. The 2nd Prince loves you so much that he won’t let a single detail be overlooked.”

Floria narrowed her eyes as I rejoiced as if it were my own wedding. It was an expression gauging if I was sincere. Then she soon broke into a smile.

“Thank you for congratulating me, Unni. I was planning to choose my wedding dress today, would you help me?”

“Yes, of course!”

Floria led me to the table. In front of the table stood people holding painting cases and thick booklets in a line.

“They’re from the Matilda Boutique. I heard rumors that they’re the most skilled place in the capital’s social circle these days. The madam will be staying at the palace for a few days to create the dress.”

“Oh my, is that so.”

The mention of the Matilda Boutique reminded me of the damned catalog, naturally making me conscious of the bracelet hidden in my sleeve.

Just then, Madam Matilda, the madam of the Matilda Boutique, signaled to her staff with her eyes. Upon receiving her signal, the employees spread catalogs on the table.

“These are the wedding dresses we have made so far. Of course, they may not satisfy Her Highness the 2nd Princess, but they will help in choosing the design and details.”

“Not at all, Madam. They are truly splendid dresses. Oh my, they’re so pretty.”

As Floria flipped through the catalogs with sparkling eyes, Madam Matilda approached with a moved expression.

“I’m honored to hear you say that. I’m truly happy that my dresses can be part of the most important moment for someone as beautiful as you. I will do my utmost to create the most beautiful dress in the world and present it to Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Madam.”

I intently examined the dresses that I had little interest in.

It was because I had to show envy as if I was dying of jealousy while congratulating Floria. It seemed my intention got through, as I saw Floria wearing a satisfied smile.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. The maids opened the door, and palace attendants holding boxes entered in a line.

“Her Majesty the Queen sent these.”

“Her Majesty did?”

The maids standing in front of the puzzled Floria opened the lids of the boxes they were holding. Inside the boxes, various accessories glittered and shone.

“Oh my!”

Not only Floria but everyone in the room covered their mouths in surprise.

It wasn’t particularly unusual for royalty to give their cherished jewels to a lady who was to become their family member, but it was rare to send so many jewels at once like this. Usually, the maiden’s family would take care of it.

“It seems Her Majesty the Queen cherishes Your Highness very much.”

“Could it be that she’s trying to assist Your Highness’s national marriage in place of your mother?”

Since there was no one who didn’t know why the mother who should have been here was absent, cold gazes naturally turned toward me.

They refrained from speaking as Floria was by my side, but contempt was evident in their eyes.

‘It seems everyone thinks the Queen brought out the jewels because she cherishes Floria.’

But my thoughts were different. Not only had I read the original work, but I had also directly witnessed how she treated Floria.

‘She’s just conscious of others’ gazes.’

Currently, there were a considerable number of people in this room who would spread the word outside the palace.

The Queen wanted rumors to spread that she comforted Floria, who had wounds regarding her family, as if she were her own mother.

That way, the favorability of Prince Eric and the Queen would soar among the people. Moreover, now that the 1st Prince had returned victorious from the war, the external image was more important than anything.

“She said it would be good to use them not only for the main ceremony but also for the wedding reception.”

“My, how considerate of her.”

“You’re fortunate to have such a caring mother, Your Highness.”

“I’m very blessed.”

Floria smiled brightly, but I saw her clutching the dress tightly.

That was because the jewels sent by the Queen were all outdated and tacky.

Not only me but everyone in the room seemed to think the same. However, it was not possible to speak the truth in front of the gift that the Queen had sent with her daughter-in-law in mind.

Since she had sent such a gift, Floria had no choice but to wear them at the main ceremony and the wedding reception.

However, not only the wedding dress but even the design of the evening dress had not been decided yet.

In this situation, instead of choosing the jewelry to match the dress, it was the opposite – she had to choose a dress that would go well with the jewelry.

‘It’s amusing for me, but the Queen too. No matter how much she values the jewels, she sends such a gift.’

As someone who had to be at Floria’s mercy every time, I couldn’t help but feel gleeful at the sight of her having no choice but to listen to the Queen.

I could already imagine how much the nobles, who were sensitive to trends, would sneer if she wore those jewels at the ceremony.

It would be enjoyable to see that, but I decided to take advantage of this situation. My position was already that of a village idiot, so even if I got scolded more here, nothing would change. Let me try acting clueless.

“But you haven’t even chosen your wedding dress yet.”

At my words, everyone’s attention turned to me.

“While we’re grateful for Her Majesty the Queen’s thoughtful gift, I think it would be best to choose the wedding dress first and then select the jewelry to match it.”

“How dare a mere maid reject Her Majesty the Queen’s gift.”

The Queen’s maids were furious, their faces turning red and blue.

“No. I’m saying the dress should come first. It’s not too late to choose the jewelry after that. Even if you can’t wear the jewelry because it doesn’t match the wedding dress, Her Majesty won’t be upset. She’s a broad-minded person. And if that happens, there will be opportunities to wear them on other important occasions, not necessarily at the wedding.”

If I say it like this, even if those maids relay my words to the Queen, she won’t be able to force it any further. I glanced at Floria’s expression. She was trying hard to hide her satisfied look.

“That’s right. Usually, the dress is chosen first, so it would be best to do that, Your Highness. The Queen will fully understand.”

Madam Matilda, whose wedding dress was about to become the subject of gossip but narrowly escaped, quickly agreed. Then, the people in the room also began to nod one by one.

“But Her Majesty the Queen took the trouble to consider it…”

Floria, who was pretending to be in a dilemma without sincerity, eventually brushed it off as if she was following everyone’s opinion. I smiled contentedly as I watched her grinning.

It seems the day I get pecked by the pigeon has been postponed a bit, don’t you think?