Before the invited ladies arrived for the tea party, Rachel ordered the maid to call Ariana.

She had only invited the ladies, as today’s events were not fit for young girls like Helena and Victoria to see. She had even invited a few gossipy and loudmouthed ladies, so the rumors would spread very quickly.

‘A hit to the Bronthe family name would be there, but it would be better than being accused of abusing Ariana. I don’t know what she might do in the capital.’

Rachel could no longer think of Ariana as an innocent and foolish child.

What happened at the garden party was not a coincidence. Ariana thought of every detail and led the atmosphere as she wanted.

When Rachel recalled Ariana staring at her with eyes just like the Emperor, chills ran down her arms.

She had planned to keep Ariana until she reached a marriageable age, but now that was impossible.

If Ariana harbored a knife inside her, she had to break her wings and remove her from this mansion before she could harm Helena and Victoria.

There were men who catered to women in the same way that women catered to men for money. The man who would be at the pergola by the pond this afternoon was one such man.

From what Rachel had learned, he was popular among the ladies thanks to his exceptional appearance.

While enjoying tea time with the ladies, Rachel would head to the pergola for a walk. The man and Ariana would be indulging in pleasure inside the pergola.

The ladies would witness Ariana, who was not yet married, rolling around with a man. Some lady might even be shocked to see Ariana with her lover.

‘I better faint.’

To avoid pretending to silence the ladies, it was best to pretend to faint.

Then the ladies would start spreading this news as soon as they left the Bronthe mansion.

Even if the Duchess of Bronthe came to her senses and personally went around asking not to talk about Ariana’s case, there was nothing to be done after the rumor had already spread.

The promiscuous second princess who brings a man into the mansion for pleasure. The pitiful Duchess who goes around begging to protect such a princess.

‘Ariana, no matter how much venom you harbor, you are still young.’

With today’s event, the garden party’s incident will be forgotten, and Ariana’s reputation will hit rock bottom. It might shake the name of the Bronthe family a bit, but after all, Ariana was also the daughter of Russell White, the Emperor.

A woman’s posture was a bigger problem in the world than parental abuse.

Unlike Helena and Victoria, who grew up without any problems, Ariana didn’t even try to learn, and she embarrasses her family with such lies at the garden party. If she sheds some tears then.

‘The arrows of criticism will be directed at White’s bloodline.’

+++

Rachel’s maid came to call Ariana.

“Get ready and wait in the hallway.”

Ariana sent the maid away and then took out the short sword hidden under her bed. As she removed the gorgeous scabbard, the sharp blade emitted a cold light.

A shallow wound formed as the blade barely touched her fingertip, and blood welled up.

She stared at the blood droplet on her fingertip.

‘I hope I won’t have to use this.’

Ariana hid the short sword in her dress and left the room.

Rachel rose and approached as Ariana entered. She gently pushed Ariana’s smooth hair behind her ears and said,

“You look pretty in that.”

“Thanks to your care, Mother.”

“I bought a nice powder while I was out in town yesterday. Would you like to try some makeup?”

“I don’t know how to put on makeup.”

“I’ll do it for you. Sit down here.”

Rachel had Ariana sit in front of the vanity and began to apply the makeup herself.
Ariana’s eyes were closed, and Rachel’s warm fingers brushed past her cheeks and eyes.

What Ariana from her past life, that pitiful Ariana, had wanted so badly. Though she had achieved it in this life, her heart ached because she knew that Rachel’s touch lacked sincerity.

For a mother to apply makeup to her aging daughter is a natural thing, even for commoner women. But to Ariana, this moment did not feel natural at all.

Every touch on her cheek felt like a cold and sharp blade, to the point where even the cold temperature of the North Gate seemed warmer.

Ariana slowly opened her eyes and looked at her reflection in the mirror.

She stared at her vulgar face that had changed as if she was a woman who could be bought with money.

“You look pretty. Don’t you?”

“Yes, Mother. It’s really pretty.”

“I knew it would suit you well. Later, I’ll send a maid to deliver these cosmetics.”

“Thank you, Mother. To give me such a precious thing.”

She said insincere words and waited for Rachel to quickly get to the point, but again, Rachel hesitated.

“Yesterday I went out and bought a necklace and bracelet that would suit you, take a look if you like them.”

Rachel took out a box wrapped in silk from the drawer.

Inside the violet box were dazzlingly splendid necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

“I had it made with sapphires, the same color as your eyes. Do you like it?”