Living as a woman in this world and era was truly inconvenient in many ways. Especially this long, cumbersome dress was the worst.

It might be aesthetically pleasing, but in terms of practicality, it was a total fail. With every step I took, someone had to stick close and arrange the skirt for me so that I wouldn’t trip over. It had zero practicality to that extent.

Perhaps noticing how heavy my steps looked as I dragged the dress along, Hannah started adding various remarks.

“…Actually, when Emperor Alexander passed away, there were opinions that Grand Duke Albrecht should ascend the throne since His Majesty the current Emperor, who was the Crown Prince at the time, was too young. Of course, those talks quickly disappeared since His Highness the Crown Prince was alive and well.”

According to her, now that the position of Emperor had suddenly become vacant, Carl had the highest probability of inheriting the throne.

Since the 14-year-old young Emperor couldn’t possibly have children yet, excluding him, the throne would go to the person highest in the line of succession.

Considering that, Grand Duke Albrecht, who was the late Emperor’s cousin and the legitimate grandson of the previous Emperor, was said to be the most likely candidate for the next Emperor.

She added that although he had not yet inherited the throne, Carl was temporarily acting as the Emperor and handling state affairs. He must be so busy every moment with just his main duties as the head of the Imperial Investigation Unit, and now with the added role of acting Emperor on top of that.

Hearing from her third younger sister who worked in the palace, Hannah said it was a big problem that Carl was so busy he couldn’t even sleep or eat properly.

She seemed to be exaggerating her concern for his well-being, probably worried that I might feel disappointed in Carl for leaving without even acknowledging me.

“Well, they say that position makes the person. It’s true that the higher you climb, the harder it is to find personal time.”

I wasn’t very disappointed. Since disappointment usually stems from unmet expectations, I think it was my mistake to expect him to acknowledge me in the first place.

Even if I was disappointed, “I” had no reason to feel that way. Maybe for the original Celeste, but not me.

“Oh my, who is that?”

We were on our way out under Hannah’s guidance, trying to avoid running into people for no good reason. In a quiet corridor, there were several women in black dresses huddled together in a circle.

“Isn’t that the woman from earlier? The one talking about Tecla or Pickle or something.”

Indeed, villain 1, the woman who had needlessly picked a fight with me, was standing tall among the dresses with her back straight.

Looking closely, the women in dresses were not just huddling together, but surrounding someone in the middle.

Even at a glance, the atmosphere didn’t seem very bright. Just as I was contemplating turning back the way I came, I spotted something grabbing my ankle.

“They’re ganging up on her 10 to 1, how cowardly.”

“Pardon? What did you say, Viscountess?”

“No, look over there. They’re bullying one person with ten of them.”

“Ah…”

The target of the attack by the women lined up in a circle, as if playing a game, was the female protagonist whose beautiful appearance had captivated my gaze throughout the funeral.

Her hair, shimmering in the sunlight streaming through the corridor windows, exuded an incredible presence. So that’s what they call platinum blonde hair. She looks like an elf.

“Viscountess, let’s not get involved and just go.”

Hannah grabbed my arm and pulled. She had a tone that said it would be tiresome if sparks flew from loitering nearby.

Considering how she had come to pick a fight with me earlier, it seemed these women would just pounce on any prey that appeared before them.

“I’m telling you this because you came dressed inappropriately for the occasion.”

Something about postpartum care, looking haggard – it was the same tone she had used when picking a fight with me. Of all things, my legs abruptly stopped at that irritating, unpleasant voice.

Tecla. What an unpleasant way of speaking.

The saying about fatal beauty existed for a reason. According to the description in the original work, the female lead had many enemies, especially the daughters of noble families – the noble ladies were her main foes.

The reason these noble ladies hated and slandered her was simple. She was way too beautiful. Why did that part have to come to mind now of all times?

With a sigh, I turned around and approached the group. Hannah put her hand to her forehead and shook her head from side to side.

“What are you all doing?”

In an instant, twenty eyes turned back to face me.

Half of the ten stepped back in surprise upon seeing my face, while three of the remaining five stood there, startled, rolling their eyes. The last one and Tecla frowned and glared at me.

“Why is Viscountess Louisette here…?”

Perhaps not wanting to be caught off guard, Tecla quickly took out a fan from her sleeve and covered her mouth.

“I saw people gathered here on my way and thought there might be something interesting going on, so I came to check.”

“Something interesting? We have a matter to discuss among ourselves, so please leave.”

“What interesting story were you telling that made you all gather like this? Please include me too.”

This woman, why is she doing this? Tecla’s eyes seemed to say that. She looked like she couldn’t understand why I was suddenly interfering and bothering her.

“Alright then…”

Tecla took a step to the side. Then, hidden even by her small frame, a woman with a delicate build finally revealed herself. Layla Wessex. The historic moment of facing the original female protagonist.

“Viscountess, could you please teach Miss Wessex some imperial etiquette?”

What is she talking about? My brow furrowed.

“Miss Wessex came dressed inappropriately for the solemn occasion of mourning His Majesty the Emperor.”

Following Tecla’s words, I slowly looked over Layla from head to toe.

Because of her dazzling appearance, I thought she might have dressed extravagantly, but upon closer examination, Layla had braided her long curly hair to one side without even a single flower adorning it – a plain attire.

Nevertheless, what made her stunning was not any adornment, but her brilliantly beautiful features that could not be concealed by mere black fabric.

“So Viscountess, please teach her proper etiquette.”

Tecla waved her fan lightly. Ah, now I remember. Villains 1, 2, 3 who bullied the original female protagonist. Villains 1 and 2 were undoubtedly Franz and Celeste.

Villain 3 didn’t have much presence, so I couldn’t recall her name, but there was a part where some noble lady with a name that sounded similar to Pickle was so jealous of Layla that she voluntarily became Celeste’s subordinate, took her side, and harassed Layla. I only now remembered that.

“Ah, that Tecla?”

“Pardon?”

“Ah, no. Miss Tecla. So you’re saying that since Miss Wessex came dressed improperly, I should scold her, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Our eyes met with Layla’s. Brown eyes brimming with moisture as if she would burst into tears at any moment. It felt like looking at an injured baby squirrel…

“But from what I see… Miss Wessex seems to be dressed quite properly in accordance with formality. Where exactly do you find her attire inappropriate?”

“She’s not wearing mourning attire suitable for a funeral, can’t you see even though you’re looking?”

She had an absurd expression. I was even more dumbfounded.

“It’s a plain dress without a single lace decoration. It appears to be intentionally made of a non-glossy black fabric… In my view, Miss Wessex’s outfit seems far more modest than the dress you’re wearing, Miss Tecla. Don’t you think?”

“What?”

“Since it came up, let me say – the one dressed inappropriately seems to be you, Miss Tecla. That’s not at all proper mourning attire. What’s the point of wearing a black mourning dress if you adorn it with such jewelry and accessories?”

“Wh-what did you say?”

“I understand feeling upset that despite being all dressed up, you don’t shine as much as plainly-attired Miss Wessex… But openly displaying jealousy is not a good look.”

Tecla’s face was painted with dismay. Although half-covered by her fan, the exposed half was already flushed bright red.

And another resurfacing memory. Villain 3 had voluntarily acted as Villain 2’s sidekick. In other words, Tecla originally stuck close behind Celeste, calling herself her lady-in-waiting while harassing Layla.

Layla was undoubtedly a noblewoman but lived a life no different from a commoner.

If you ask how she could be so powerless despite being the niece of Lady Pulcheria, currently the highest-ranking elder in the Imperial Family – the reason lay in the fact that she was Lady Pulcheria’s “in-law” niece, not blood-related.

I heard that Lady Pulcheria had disliked arranged marriages in the past, saying they were too dreary. So she followed romance and love to get married. Faced with the stubborn insistence of his only cherished daughter, the previous Emperor had reluctantly allowed the marriage.

Princess Pulcheria’s marriage partner was the eldest son of the Wessex family. Although not extremely wealthy, the Wessex family was still a household with a long history.

However, the problem arose when the eldest son monopolized the title and all the family’s assets.