However, without revealing her true feelings and with a smile, she waited for someone to start talking.

“Princess, it’s really an honor to greet you like this.”

It seemed that Wiona was the leader of this group. As Wiona spoke, other ladies also uttered words expressing their honor.
Isabel hooked her arm around Ariana’s arm.

“Well, now that we’ve greeted each other, shall we? I have something to talk to the princess about.”

“Hey, Isabel. Why in such a hurry? We also want to become friends with the princess. Are you trying to monopolize her?”

“Yeah, Wiona. That’s my plan.”

“You understand because you don’t want to miss the princess due to loneliness. But don’t you think the princess also needs a chance to make friends? She came all the way to Dongryeong, and there’s no need for her to be alone like you.”

Wiona had a worried expression, but Ariana sensed the thorn in her words.

Isabel’s face turned red.

“Hey, I have friends too, you know?”

“Oh my. Of course, I know. You must have friends. But those friends aren’t here right now.”

For some reason, it seemed that Isabel didn’t have many friends. Isabel stared at Wiona with eyes that seemed to want to strike her.

Smiling at Isabel’s threatening gaze, Wiona said to Ariana, “Princess, we have a gathering once a week. We have book discussions, sometimes listen to music while doing embroidery, and occasionally go together to watch good performances. If the princess graces us with her precious presence, we will prepare the best seat for her.”

Book discussions, music, embroidery, and good performances—clearly, these were not gatherings that Isabel would enjoy.

Ariana replied kindly to Wiona, “A dragon doesn’t enter where a lizard plays.”

The young ladies blinked their eyes without noticing the sharp blade hidden in the sweet voice.

“Indeed, can the lizardlings provide a place for the dragon to stay?”

When Ariana added that, some young ladies realized the meaning and blushed. Among them was Wiona.

Wiona’s facial muscles twitched, but she skillfully concealed her anger and asked, “Princess, what have I done wrong for you to dislike my invitation?”

“Why do you think that way?”

“Because it seems like you feel bad about my invitation.”

“I don’t feel bad, Lady. I just spoke the truth.”

To be honest, she felt bad, even worse than when she was attacked.

However, she didn’t show those emotions outwardly. Ariana’s blue eyes remained calm and kind.

Wiona bit her lower lip. But she hid her anger and asked, “Princess, what have I done wrong to you?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because it seems like you feel bad about my invitation.”

“I don’t feel bad, Lady. I just spoke the truth.”

In truth, she felt bad. More than when she was attacked.

However, she didn’t let those emotions show. Ariana’s blue eyes remained calm and kind.

Wiona bit her lower lip. Eventually, she lowered her eyebrows and said, “I heard you had a hard time. I read a newspaper article about the trial, and my heart ached so much. I wonder how much you cried…”

Tears welled up in Wiona’s eyes. Other young ladies nodded and wiped their eyes with handkerchiefs.

Ariana enjoyed watching their reactions.

“You’re a princess, yet you do laundry, clean, and even eat leftovers, right?”
“Why are you saying such things, Wiona?”

Isabel couldn’t hold back any longer and stepped forward.

Wiona wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, “It’s because I feel sorry. Even after going through such a harsh experience, you’ve become such a magnificent princess. I truly admire you, Princess.”

“That’s right.”

“Moreover, Princess, you are incredibly beautiful. Living like a servant, you must have faced unwanted advances from men. How did you endure that? If it were me, I would have preferred death to enduring unwanted men.”

Wiona’s voice was thin, but it was loud enough to reach the ladies around, who were listening intently.

A maid with a beautiful appearance was often subject to harassment by the masters or fellow servants. It was natural for people to assume that Ariana, who hadn’t received her parents’ protection, might have experienced similar things.

Isabel’s face reddened even more than when she received insults, and she shouted, “Hey, Wiona! How can you say such things…!”

As if she were truly about to strike, Isabel moved forward, but a soft voice caught Isabel’s ankle.

“Such an interesting and vulgar imagination, Lady.”

Isabel stopped her movement, and Wiona widened her eyes. Other young ladies held their breath, staring at Ariana’s lips.

“I’ve never once had such thoughts in my entire life, but it seems your ladyship’s mind is filled with such ideas. It’s truly fascinating.”

Ariana looked genuinely amazed.

“Even those wretched people who tormented me never said such things to me. I never dreamed of hearing such words since coming to Dongryeong.”

In response to Ariana’s statement that even those tormentors had never made such vulgar fantasies, the ladies who had been listening awkwardly blushed.

“Do the women of Dongryeong usually live with such imaginations, or do they receive such education?”

Wiona mumbled, grinding her lips, but eventually, she couldn’t say anything more and closed her mouth. Ariana took a step closer to Wiona.

Although Wiona was originally taller than Ariana, and with high-heeled shoes, there was a considerable height difference. However, in that moment, Wiona felt as if Ariana was looking down on her from a higher place.

A chilling aura emanated from Ariana’s blue eyes.

Ariana said with a gentle voice, “Lady, you should be careful with your words.”

Ariana’s fingertip brushed past the edge of Wiona’s lips.

“Clear your mind of those lewd fantasies and behave properly. Then, I will also treat you with respect, Lady.”