‘If Isabella is valued more than me and my father cherishes her and wants to make her a princess… I just need to become more valuable than Isabella.’

If I build a reputation, groom my appearance, and become the most outstanding noblewoman in San Carlo, the maiden of the de Mare family who will be presented to Prince Alfonso will be not Isabella, but Ariadne.

‘I don’t even need to be the best in San Carlo. I just need to be higher than Isabella. If I can’t rise, it’s enough to damage Isabella’s value.’

“He said he doesn’t like big women. He always imagined being held by me when holding you. Your breasts sag like a cow. I am the queen.”

Isabella’s coquettish voice echoed in her ears like a hallucination. Ariadne casually touched her still flat chest. She felt no guilt in harming Isabella.

The first daughter goes to Prince Alfonso, and the second daughter to Cesare de Como.

There was no third option. There was no chance to become a trading genius overnight, set sail on the galleon of the Porto Republic, and import oriental spices, nor was there a chance to replace Ippolito, the eldest son and Lucrezia’s son, and inherit the title.

Even if Lucrezia was eventually just a concubine and we agreed not to distinguish the letters, still, even if we poisoned and killed Ippolito, who was still in line to be the eldest son, and Isabella, there were no titles to inherit in this house.

They had no hereditary noble titles and they were just a family with a highranking cleric as a father.

In the end, the only option left for her was to hitch a ride on the temporary power her father enjoyed, become someone’s wife, and enjoy his wealth and status.

If the only choices to choose from were Alfonso and Cesare, and if the chance to avoid Cesare comes to the winner, then this was a race she absolutely had to win.

Ariadne strode across the corridor on the second floor and pushed open the door to the girls’ parlor. Madam Romani, who was teaching Gallic to Isabella and Arabella, and the two girls looked at the door in unison at the late entry.

Ariadne bent her knees in perfect court etiquette and greeted.

“Good afternoon, Madam Romani.”

It was a smooth Gallic Kingdom accent that would not be believed to be that of an Etruscan speaker.

“Sorry to interrupt, shall we continue?”

Arabella opened her mouth wide and stared at Ariadne.

“Why are you so good at Gallic?”

Ariadne responded with a small smile.

“It’s nothing. I just picked it up over the shoulder.”

The always gentle Madam Romani, surprised, spoke to Ariadne.

“Your accent is perfect. Where did you learn it?”

“There was someone who could speak Galician among the people I grew up with when I was young. I only knew how to speak, but I didn’t know grammar or correct expressions. But studying with the teacher seems to catch up quickly. It’s all thanks to the teacher.”

As Ariadne was contemplating a plausible alibi in case she was questioned, she didn’t forget to subtly pass the ball to Lady Romani.

Lady Romani was amazed at her student’s rapid progress and her own teaching ability, and Arabella seemed to see Ariadne anew, adding the fact that she had shielded herself from Lucrezia’s explosion.

However, Isabella glared at Ariadne with fiery eyes.

‘I am the protagonist, why is she settling in? I can’t accept her stealing the spotlight!’

Isabella gritted her teeth and devoted herself to her studies to become Lady Romani’s most beloved student again, but she couldn’t beat Ariadne in any subject related to studying, such as Galician, Latin, history, theology, and court etiquette, because her foundation was poor.

“Perfect!”

Lady Deluca, in charge of court etiquette, was astounded.

There were over 300 pages in the court etiquette book, and even after memorizing all the points to remember, there were many things to learn about the body such as the appropriate depth of bows, the appropriate speed of moving one’s gaze, and a relaxed and beautiful posture. It was a subject that had to be actually experienced in society to improve drastically.

Even if you memorize at home a hundred times, you’re likely to stumble again the next week.

“You haven’t even made your debut yet?”

“I’ve never been out in society, except for the one time I was invited to the queen’s mass.”

Lady Deluca couldn’t help but marvel at her bright student’s learning ability.

“This is… talent!”

‘I’m sorry. It’s experience.’

Neither Isabella nor Ariadne had a particular talent for arts and physical education, so they kept toppling over each other, but the one who excelled in this field was young Arabella.

“Your lute performance is fantastic! The dynamics and rhythm are perfect!”

Music teacher Mancini praised Arabella. Even to Isabella, who was looking at triumphant Arabella with envy, kindly Mancini handed over a compliment he barely squeezed out.

“It seems like Isabella is treating the mandola very preciously.”

‘Argh!’

Isabella, who couldn’t suppress her inner scream, threw her ‘precious’ mandola, stomped her feet, and slammed the door as she left the room.

Even for such Isabella, there was an opportunity to fully show off her own talent, and that was various social events and the Grand Mass she would attend once a month.

The Grand Mass held at the largest cathedral in the capital, San Carlo, San Ercole Cathedral, was traditionally presided over by Cardinal de Mare, and unless there was a special circumstance, everyone living in the capital gathered at the San Ercole Cathedral to hear the sermon.

Only nobles could enter the cathedral, and commoners gathered in the square outside, waiting. After the sermon for the nobles was over, Cardinal de Mare said a few words to them and then dispersed.

The interior of the San Ercole Cathedral was like an exhibition of luxury, extravagance, and beauty. Isabella was undoubtedly the most eyecatching jewel there.

“Kids! Get ready! We need to leave home by carriage by 7! We absolutely can’t be late!”

The event that Ariadne knew about was to happen today.

The Trevoro Council Week was last week. The decision on that issue would have already been made, and today’s Grand Mass would be the day to open the lid of the Trevoro Council in San Carlo.

It was time to steal the attention at the Grand Mass monopolized by Isabella and the affection of her father.