At the princess’s firm words, a maid hurriedly left the reception room. Watching her, the princess gradually regained her composure.

Yes, she should have done this from the beginning. Surely, she still had a way to solve this problem.

Although the conversation with Jade Madelleine had broken down.

“…Everyone in the empire knows how much that lowly creature loved Oraberni.”

“Indeed, Your Highness. How much did the princess love the Crown Prince?”

At the wet nurse’s response, the princess’s lips rose enticingly.

It had been quite a while since the princess went to the ceremony. By now, she should have been able to regain the abandoned mine through persuasion, saying she would talk nicely to Oraberni.

After all, Oraberni, who loved Maria Etel, had insisted on marrying Olivia. In essence, she was playing the role of love’s messenger.

However, one of the maids who had been listening to the princess’s words in a corner of the reception room looked uneasy.

She had caught a glimpse of the princess sneaking out of the imperial palace on the day of the noble conference. Would the princess, who had left with such a happy face holding the duke’s hand, still…

…love the Crown Prince?

Of course, she couldn’t say this to the princess. If so, those beautiful nails might dig into her arm instead of the sofa.

(This is a time separator.)

In the evening, when the sunset was tinting, Tiaje Palace.

Maria Etel walked elegantly down the hallway. Despite having looked around the entire palace several times, exploring the Crown Princess’s palace was extremely satisfying.

“Change that stained glass from earlier too. Make it more glamorous and grand.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Especially when the maids of Tiaje Palace obediently followed her will.

Maria glanced behind her. She saw Lady Sophron, the Countess, and the maids following her, and joy sparkled in her blue eyes.

This was the life she wanted. A dignified Crown Princess. The most fitting noble position next to her lover, Leopold.

Maria looked out of the window. The golden sunset had already settled on the round roof of Tiaje Palace. It was time for Leopold to come. Just thinking about him made her heart pound.

“Let’s go down.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

At Lady Sophron’s answer, Maria’s eyes sharply rose.

“What did you say?”

“Pardon?”

“Did you just call me ‘Your Grace’?”

With a voice as sharp as a knife, Lady Sophron fell silent for a moment.

By etiquette, my address to Maria Etel was appropriate.

The lover of the Crown Prince who hasn’t even announced an engagement yet.

Rather, it was absurd that a mere future Countess was striding around the Crown Princess’s palace like this.

“…Never mind. Let’s drop this.”

As if realizing this, Maria Etel turned her head irritably.

It’s all because the engagement hasn’t been announced yet. If only I had, I wouldn’t have fretted over mere titles.

Everything in Tiaje Palace that had satisfied her just moments ago began to annoy her. Especially that.

“Also, get rid of that blue hydrangea placed over there.”

Maria Etel pointed sharply at the hydrangea on the table.

It’s dull and rustic. Just like that halfblooded bastard’s taste.

Now this palace is mine. It must be decorated to be bright and lovely according to my taste.

Maria Etel moved forward again, smiling confidently.
The lady of the Earl of Sophron paused momentarily to gaze at the blue hydrangeas. Another maidservant whispered just loud enough for the lady of the Earl of Sophron to hear.

“For several years, there have been blue hydrangeas on this eastern corridor’s table. Now they’re gone. I miss them.”

“If the owner has changed, we must cater to their taste.”

Still, the maidservant murmured as if she missed them. The lady of the Earl of Sophron glanced at the blue hydrangeas briefly. Just once, after the prince had said that the blue hydrangeas were pleasing to the eye, that spot had always been filled with blue hydrangeas.

“Please take good care of the Tiaje Palace in the future.”

The voice of the lady who had asked about the palace until the last moment rose. The lady of the Earl of Sophron bowed her head.

It had already happened. All she had to do as the person in charge of this place was to serve the palace’s owner. Yet, as she reassured herself, the lady of the Earl of Sophron couldn’t erase the emptiness arising somewhere in her heart.

“My lady. A maidservant from the Princess’s Palace has brought ‘work.'”

Another maidservant approached and whispered to the lady of the Earl of Sophron.

.

.

.

“……You have to prepare for the banquet, Your Grace.”

“Then, isn’t this the Princess’s duty? Why me?”

It was when Leofold had entered the Tiaje Palace as a sponsor. Maria’s exasperated voice caused Leofold to frown.

He had been troubled by official duties all day. He had thought seeing his beloved Maria would dispel his fatigue as usual, but when he entered the Tiaje Palace, he was greeted by her sharp voice.

“What’s the matter?”

“Leofold!”