Elodie was having a hard time suppressing the laughter that threatened to escape.

‘Look at that expression!’

Seeing Odette’s face pale at my words, I felt entirely gratified.

The resentment from being treated poorly by Leah and Lizaina today was completely melting away.

Yet, part of me still felt a pang of dissatisfaction.

‘Of all things, she had to take the most expensive one.’

What Odette was wearing was a point given by embroidery with special silver threads that subtly reflect light as the angle changes on the highestgrade fabric that only five pieces came into the capital.

At a glance, it might look modest, but it exudes a noble vibe and subtly flaunts wealth, making it the perfect dress.

‘I had saved it to wear last.’

And Odette dared to wear it so nonchalantly!

‘She must have done it on purpose.’

Being a princess, she would have known what was expensive.

To Elodie, Odette was a typical owner of a ‘seemingly nice but weakwilled personality.’

Just seeing her enjoy my things while I was absent is infuriating.

And yet, Odette looked shocked.

“……I didn’t know. That it was Elodie’s dress.”

“Oh, is that so? Well, even if you knew, wearing it would be theft. I don’t think Your Highness would stoop so low… but that doesn’t mean my dress is coming back, does it?”

Since the dress was altered to fit Odette, taking it back would be awkward for me to wear.

Especially since the fabric used is hard to find, making alterations difficult.

Not to mention, without Ertman’s influence, buying a new dress of this high price is out of reach.

So, from the beginning, Elodie wasn’t approaching this with the intention of getting the dress back.

“I hope Your Highness will compensate me as an apology. You can do that much, can’t you?”

“I can give you money.”

“No, not that.”

Money? With Ertman’s influence, any amount can be compensated.

“I’m in a bit of a tight spot because of you, Your Highness. I hope you can speak well to the Duke on my behalf. If the Duke accepts me again, I will consider the dress paid for.”

“What are you talking……”

Suddenly, Odette’s brows furrowed in confusion.

“What are you talking about? Tell our lord this, you say?”

Suddenly, someone popped out from behind Elodie.

Halfclosed eyes looking weary and unique sullen expression.

It was a face familiar to Elodie, if not to Odette.

“Lo, Lord Russel?”

“Yes. I heard the 4th Princess was here, so I came to escort her… Why are you here, Elodie? What was that you just said?”

Russel, who already had an aversion to Elodie, looked even more unfriendly than usual.

It’s best to leave now.

Elodie quickly made her decision and flashed an awkward smile.

“I came to get my stuff. I can come to get my things, can’t I?”

“I was planning to send your things when you got settled. Did you get permission from His Highness? This place, the Ertman Duke’s, is not where outsiders can easily enter.”

“……Outsider, you say? Wasn’t Elodie staying here?”

Russel shook his head slightly at Odette’s question.

“She was, but not anymore. His Highness sent Elodie away last night. Well, you know, after what happened.”

Russel’s words were vague, but the meaning of ‘what happened’ was clear.

Odette finally realized what Elodie’s request for her to speak to the Duke meant.

‘She was driven out because of a lie.’

And she asked me to cover that up for her? Has she already forgotten that I nearly suffered because of her?

That was the moment when Odette’s shock turned into something else.
Odette’s mind was filled with shock and horror.

But Elodie was rather blushing with shame and giggling.

“How dare you talk about me like that in front of others, that’s really too much!”

“Huh? I was not talking about Miss Elodie’s story, but about Duke Ertman’s situation.”

“You’ve insulted me by saying I was kicked out!”

Elodie cried out, even tears in her voice, as if she was wronged.

It had an effect that looked so pitiful that even a fellow woman would want to wipe away her tears.

“But being kicked out is true, isn’t it?”

Unfortunately, Russell was not a person who would be moved by such things.

He scratched his cheek with his thumb, and opened his mouth in a bored tone.

“What were you just talking about? You clearly told me to convey your message to His Majesty… weren’t you?”

Despite his nonchalant voice, his gaze towards Elodie was sharp.

“Depending on the situation, we may need to take measures. What was it, Your Highness?”

“Th, that is…”

“It’s not for Miss Elodie to answer.”

“……!”

Around the time when Elodie’s complexion turned pale due to the unexpected situation,

Odette, sighing softly, opened her mouth.

“It was nothing special, Lord Russell. There was some mistake with the dress that was prepared from Duke Ertman, but it was Miss Elodie’s.”

“The dress? Are you talking about what you are wearing now?”

“Yes. So we were discussing how to compensate for that.”

Odette’s gaze turned towards the thoughtful Elodie.

Elodie seemed nervous, in case Odette would reveal what she had asked for.