Rachel’s face turned pale, and Victoria held her breath.

Ariana repeated the same action as if she didn’t know what was wrong.

Helena spoke with a frown.

“What tea are you drinking like that?”

Victoria wanted to shut Helena’s mouth.

Does that foolish sister have no sense?

Victoria desperately hoped that Ariana would blush and fluster as usual. Ariana’s behavior so far had only been a fluke, and from now on, she prayed that she would act as usual.

But Ariana opened her eyes wide and spoke in a clear voice.

“Miss Victoria taught me to drink like this.”

“When did I!”

In the end, Victoria could not maintain her composure and shouted sharply.

Ariana seemed to shrink in fear, but did not close her mouth.

“You called me to your room yesterday and told me. That if I don’t drink like this, I’ll be embarrassed…… Did I make a mistake again? Please forgive me, Miss.”

“Sister, why are you like this? Why are you suddenly calling me Miss? Are you doing this on purpose?”

“I’m sorry, Miss. I’m sorry.”

Ariana did not make excuses.

Everyone could not hide their sympathy and anger at the pitiful appearance of the second princess, who cowered and only sought forgiveness.

Even if Ariana’s body had no bruises, people would have been divided into those who believed her and those who did not.

But the old bruises and newly formed bruises on her emaciated body clearly identified the perpetrator of the situation.

The fainthearted ladies blushed to their eyelids.

Duchess Julianana Robenta spoke.

“I heard that Duchess Bronthe cherishes the second princess and does not show her to anyone, but it seems she truly values her now.”

At the biting words, Rachel’s face turned red.

“You misunderstand, Duchess Robenta. That child is originally playful…….”

“You mean she bruises herself playing? There are bruises in places she couldn’t possibly have hit herself. I wonder if the Emperor knows that the second princess has been starving like this.”

Rachel’s face turned pale as the Emperor’s name was mentioned.

Rachel clenched her skirt tightly and said.

“The child’s manners are my responsibility to teach, Duchess Robenta. It seems you are crossing the line. Is it common for the nobles of the capital to show interest in others’ family affairs?”

Rachel had given up on winning Julianana’s heart.

It wasn’t only the capital’s social circle that revolved around Julianana, so although it was a pity, she had no intention of acting servile.

Julianana smiled and replied.

“The nobles of the capital do not expose their family affairs like this.”

Rachel had no words.

She did not want to be humiliated in front of Julianana, but she could not reveal her anger and fight either.

Seeing her mother confused for the first time, Helena opened her mouth, restless.

“Duchess Robenta, please calm your anger. It’s my fault for not teaching Ariana properly as her sister. My mother is not at fault.”

“Is that so? Then did you, Miss Helena, cause the bruises on the second princess’s body?”

“What? No, I didn’t hit Ariana.”

“Then who beat the second princess like that?”

“That’s…….”

Helena blinked her eyes and looked back at Victoria.

To Helena, it was a look for help, but to others, it seemed as if Victoria had beaten her.

Victoria suppressed her desire to slap Helena’s cheek and opened her mouth.

“Ariana, my sister, was careless and fell down the stairs earlier, as my mother said.”

“Yes. Ariana is a bit like that.”

Helena quickly backed up Victoria’s words, but the cold expressions of the ladies did not soften.

Rachel and Victoria realized that no excuse would change the atmosphere in this situation.
Even if Ariana were to say, “No one has tormented me,” in the eyes of the ladies, poor Ariana would have seemed only to be trying to protect her family.

Juliana, who had been coldly staring at the three daughters, spoke.

“When we go back, the second princess will have more bruises.”

Rachel spoke icily.

“You are harsh, Duchess Lorisha. I don’t know what you’re misunderstanding, but no one is beating Ariana.”

“Well, we’ll see about that. Ah, by the way, the second princess is also of age to have her debut.”

Rachel frowned, realizing what Juliana was getting at. Juliana ignored Rachel’s gaze and continued to speak, staring at Ariana intently.

“I’ll wait for you in the capital during this social season, Miss Ariana. Stop by the Lorisha mansion as soon as you get to the capital.”

+++

The party ended with a dreadful atmosphere.

As soon as the nobles left with dark expressions, Rachel flew into a rage at Ariana. After beating, kicking, pinching, and cursing her, she warned her not to think of coming out alive and locked her in the underground tower.

Ariana knew she would not die in the underground dungeon.

Duchess Juliana Lorisha had been much more amicable than expected.

Since she had personally invited her to visit this social season, Rachel would have no choice but to take Ariana to the imperial capital.