Claire had already made her debutante. But it seemed she considered this reception, where the major nobles of the capital would gather, her true debutante.
As if she wasn’t her uncle’s daughter, her ambition and desire for glory were just like her father’s.
“Riley, please? You know very well that this event is not meant for you. Know your place.”
“……Then you tell our uncle.”
“Are you insane? Should I ask father and hear his nagging?”
“You won’t even listen to my request, why would you think he’d listen to mine?”
“You and I are the same? You being scolded by father is nothing new, you’re used to it.”
Riley didn’t say a word.
To be precise, she felt no need to respond. Responding to unreasonable nagging and venting would only bring back more of the same.
“That’s why you’re like that, stupidly obedient and only doing what you’re told, not making any progress, tsk. Do you think that will earn you love? Do you think you can become part of our family? No matter how hard you struggle, that’s as far as you’ll get. It’s pointless.”
At Claire’s words, Riley lifted her head, looking straight into Claire’s eyes.
Then Claire snapped in bewilderment.
“What, what are you staring at? Did I say something wrong?”
“……No, everything you said is right.”
“……What? Ha, you finally realize your stupidity?”
“Yes, listening to you, I realize how stupidly I’ve been living.”
Facing Riley’s calm gaze, Claire retreated, taken aback. It was the first time Riley, who had always hung her head submissively and avoided eye contact, had looked at her squarely.
Unwavering, straightforward eyes. Eyes that seemed filled with determination.
These weren’t the lifeless, dull eyes she was used to, but bright, fiery eyes.
Taken aback by this sudden change, Claire quickly hid her surprise and pushed Riley harder.
“If you realize your stupidity, go to father yourself and tell him you won’t attend the reception. Make your stance clear.”
“No.”
“……What?”
“I’m going to live as I want from now on. I won’t be pushed around by others anymore.”
“…….”
“I want to go to the reception. As you know, I’ve never been allowed to participate in external activities, right? Life confined at home is stifling, I want to see the outside world now.”
“Oh my, listen to this child! Has our family imprisoned you? By your words, it sounds like we, who took in a poor orphan, are the worst villains, keeping you confined?”
“It may not be imprisonment, but it’s true that there were many restrictions. I couldn’t go out without permission, and even when I was allowed, I was followed. I had to report everywhere I went, and I couldn’t exceed one hour. I was trapped in my room all day.”
“That’s ridiculous, all that was to prevent you, who lack education, from tarnishing our family’s name, wasn’t it?”
“……Wouldn’t it be more efficient to focus on education instead of trying to control me, if you’re worried about my lack of learning?”
“Where do you keep talking back? Where is the tuition to waste on someone like you? Educating you is like pouring water into a bottomless barrel. Education for a mountain keeper’s daughter who’s been stuck in the mountains all her life? It’s just a waste of money.”
Riley bowed her head.
She couldn’t confidently respond to Claire’s words. A mountain keeper’s daughter who grew up without proper education. Until her father died, she spent all her time in the mountains. She never even learned basic education like everyone else.
On the other hand, Claire was good at everything. Ambitious for success, she was also eager for learning, and her thirst for knowledge was very strong.
She could only shrink and cower in front of her.
“……Leave, there’s nothing more to say.”
“Hey, tell them you’re not going to the reception!”
“I’m going no matter what happens.”
“You’re crazy?”
“Yes, I’m crazy.”
“Hey!”
It was then that Claire was scoffing. The door opened, and one of the servants entered.
“Miss Claire, your custommade dress is ready.”
“Really? Got it.”
Claire stifled her anger, then sneered at Riley.
“That reception at Horizon is a place where all the famous figures from politics and business gather. Do you have clothes to wear? Even if you don’t know your place, you’re still out of it. What can you do in such a place besides looking rustic? Well, think about it. I’m saying this because I’m worried about you!”
Claire flounced out, laughing. Tired, Riley slumped to the floor and laughed emptily.
“……The rustic one, whether it’s you or me, won’t be much different, Claire.”
Even if she dressed beautifully, could she shine among people where there was a difference in living standards and social authority?
She seemed to think she was high nobility. But she was merely the daughter of a small territorial lord managing a remote area.
‘……I will escape, then.’
For Riley, Horizon’s reception was the only chance to escape from the name of Eardalin.
The moment when her guardian’s control and restrictions loosened, the moment when there was no surveillance. The only moment when free movement was allowed.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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