Otherwise, there is no way the rumors spread by the imperial social circles would be believable.

Queen Isabella left after chatting with me a few times to welcome other guests.

‘It seems they invited many people to put up a formal appearance.’

As I moved around the banquet, observing other nobles, it happened when I shifted my gaze. Like a lie, the person I was looking for was right in front of me.

Miryu was adorned in a violet dress.

However, the rich violet dress made her pale face look even more corpse-like, as if dressing up for a nightmare.

“Ah, Miryu.”

I smiled and reached out to hold Miryu’s hand, frozen like a statue. Miryu awkwardly greeted me.

“Hello, Duchess Blanchette.”

“Don’t call me that so regretfully.”
Observing Miryu’s awkward reaction, I raised my eyebrows as if saddened.

“Or perhaps, you’re upset with me because of this incident?”

“…Huh?”

“Sorry. I should have strongly discouraged Johann. Did it indeed cause trouble for our marriage? Or did something happen between you and your fiancé…?”

Even though I pretended otherwise, the nobles around us were closely watching Miryu and me.

‘Quite an interesting spectacle.’

With a sidelong glance at the surrounding nobles, Miryu quickly responded.

“No, Estelle. There’s no issue with our marriage.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Hessen and I are still on good terms. The wedding will proceed as planned. It’s all thanks to you forgiving me.”

I scrutinized Miryu’s face, which tried to appear nonchalant. Despite attempting to conceal it with elaborate makeup, I could sense an unmistakable fatigue.

‘Is she afraid of what I might do?’

Now it was time to reveal what had been happening bit by bit.

I embraced Miryu as if moved, and my eyes welled up with tears, as if delighted that the misunderstanding had been cleared.

And I whispered a single word into her ear.

“Shall we explode it then?”

While whispering, I casually lifted my head.

Meeting my gaze, Miryu, with a forced smile, pretended not to have heard anything.

“What did you just say?”

“Didn’t you hear it?”

“Oh. I didn’t hear it. By the way, it seems a bit crowded here to have a private conversation.”

The nobles eavesdropping on our conversation turned away with a smirk. However, they were still attentive to our voices.

Pressing her shoulder against mine, Miryu whispered lowly, still smiling.

“What’s your motive?”

“I just want to help you. It would be troublesome if you misunderstood me like that.”

“Misunderstood? What…”

“Shall we spill everything then?”

I slightly raised my voice so that the other nobles could hear.

“As a matter of fact, Juti Viscount’s mistress—”

“Alright, let’s do it!”

Miryu clapped her hands, forcing a cheer.

“Hessen’s study is on the second floor. It seems perfect for resolving misunderstandings between the two of you. What do you think?”

Miryu’s hazel eyes trembled.

I smiled with narrowed eyes.

“I like it too.”

Hastily, Miryu took Estelle and entered Hessen’s study.

Bang!

After roughly closing the door and confirming no one was there, Miryu, as if poking, asked Estelle.

“What do you want?”

But Estelle didn’t answer immediately.

Leisurely exploring Hessen’s study with apparent impatience, she stood in front of the wine cabinet.

“It seems your fiancé likes wine.”

Hessen’s hobby was wine collecting. Therefore, Miryu often spent quiet time with Hessen, sipping wine together.

Taking out a bottle of wine from the wine cabinet, Estelle, with a fresh smile, said, “There are exactly two wine glasses, and there’s good wine too. How about a toast like this?”
“Stop talking nonsense and speak honestly. What’s the reason behind constantly threatening with such nonsense?”

“Why were you so angry?”

Estelle grinned as if she couldn’t understand Miryu’s reaction.

“Is it because I might expose your secret of being a mistress?”

“…”

“Don’t worry. If I intended to expose it, I would have done it already. Why would I have saved it until now?”

With a calm voice, Miryu finally regained her composure.

“…So, that was it.”

Miryu herself felt foolish for trying to confirm Estelle’s motive. If Estelle wanted something, there could only be one thing.

“Are you trying to revenge by seizing one of my weaknesses?”

Estelle, sitting on Hessen’s desk, looked at Miryu.

Under the office lighting, her platinum hair shone with a rosy hue, and her intricately crafted features appeared enchanting. Estelle, silently gazing at herself, was as beautiful as an exquisitely crafted doll.

At a glance, she seemed like a genuine noble.

‘I can’t stand her.’

Miryu disliked Estelle from the moment they first met.

In terms of appearance, Estelle, who looked completely convincing as an adopted child of commoners, had a more plausible appearance than Miryu, who had the pure blood of nobility.

Standing in front of Estelle, Miryu felt like she was the one being examined.

“So, does it feel refreshing now? Ridiculing others with contempt while holding onto their secrets?”