Empress Isabel, who had been waiting expectantly for Prince Luciano to be singled out as the instigator, froze in apparent bewilderment.
Betty, never imagining she’d be pointed at, simply blinked blankly in a daze.
Everyone was that stunned by my accusation.
Children, even when ostracized, rarely confess it outright in a situation where all eyes are on them.
Snitching was something they wouldn’t even consider.
Most found the very experience of being isolated humiliating and disconcerting, so they endured it in silence.
Pride often kept their mouths shut too.
That was typical for any child.
Especially one raised as a noble—they were even less likely to speak up openly.
Empress Isabel knew this, which was why she’d pressured me with isolation in the absence of any guardian.
‘An isolated child can’t make rational judgments.’
Her intent must have been to position herself as my sole protector and manipulate me as she pleased.
What they didn’t know, however, was that I wasn’t truly nine years old, and I had no noble’s pride to uphold.
“Betty bullied me.”
That’s how boldly I could turn the situation to my advantage—a shrewd personality at work!
Prince Luciano’s inscrutable gaze pricked my cheek like a thorn.
“When did I ever bully you!”
Betty, snapping out of it belatedly, jumped to her feet and shouted.
“You ignored me earlier when I called out to you.”
“Th-that was!”
Betty glanced furtively at Empress Isabel for cues.
She seemed flustered, as if resenting being saddled with all the blame for simply following orders.
‘She’s still so young; she can’t hide her emotions at all.’
Only then did Empress Isabel seem to realize her mistake and step in.
“Perhaps it’s a misunderstanding on Espin’s part? Surely Betty wouldn’t intentionally bully Espin?”
“I think deliberately ignoring someone is a form of bullying.”
I replied with a deadpan expression to Betty’s indignant, wronged demeanor.
“Think carefully. Betty probably just didn’t hear you.”
“Yeah! I wasn’t ignoring you on purpose! I just didn’t hear!”
Betty quickly latched onto Empress Isabel’s defense.
“Seeing Betty speak so sincerely like this, it does seem like Espin is misunderstanding.”
And Empress Isabel backed her up in turn.
They were really going out of their way to cover for each other.
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Betty wouldn’t do such a thing. Espin, think it over again. Has anyone else bullied you?”
Empress Isabel still hadn’t given up on her hope that Prince Luciano was the ringleader.
“Someone else?”
“Yes. Besides Betty.”
‘Is she seriously believing that if she coaxes me gently, I’ll give her the answer she wants?’
I cast a brief glance toward Prince Luciano, and Empress Isabel’s face lit up.
Her blatant reaction, as if that were the correct answer, nearly made me burst out laughing, but I held it in.
“Come on, tell us. Who bullied Espin?”
Convinced this time she’d get the response she desired, Empress Isabel’s expression brimmed with triumph.
I nodded slowly, then pointed at someone else with my finger.
“That one! She ignored me too!”
This time, my finger was aimed at Catherine.
Catherine’s eyes widened in shock at being called out.
Empress Isabel’s excited expression gradually hardened, then turned icy.
“When did I ever!”
Catherine protested vehemently.
“You ignored me earlier.”
I replied calmly.
“No! I didn’t hear either! I had no idea you were talking to me!”
Catherine, sharper than Betty, used the exchange that had just occurred to counter.
“Hmm, is that right? Why didn’t anyone hear me? My voice isn’t that quiet.”
“Sometimes people just don’t hear!”
“So everyone’s hard of hearing, huh? That’s a problem at such a young age.”
I laced my tone with genuine-sounding concern, laced with sarcasm.
Betty and Catherine huffed in disbelief, glaring at me.
‘It’s so easy to provoke them since they’re just kids.’
“You!”
“Right now!”
As Betty and Catherine nearly shouted in unison.
“Enough!”
Empress Isabel’s sharp command cut them off.
Intimidated by her chilling aura, the two clamped their mouths shut and watched her warily.
“It seems Espin has misunderstood both of you.”
Empress Isabel resumed her mild demeanor as if she’d never been stern.
But if you listened closely, she was concluding it was all my fault.
I wanted to argue more, but persisting here would be a bad move.
‘I still can’t stand up to Empress Isabel’s power yet.’
“I’m sorry. I must have misunderstood everything.”
I quickly apologized and backed down.
“So, no one’s bullying Espin, then?”
Empress Isabel’s question followed, her persistence unyielding to the end.
“Yes, if they weren’t bullying me, then no one’s bullying me.”
“Then, how did you end up collapsing in the palace before?”
Empress Isabel sprang the question unexpectedly.
Did she know about that humiliating incident?
That’s why she’d orchestrated all this—she thought it had driven a wedge between me and Prince Luciano.
“M-me collapsing?”
Flustered, I couldn’t help but stammer.
Seizing on it like a weakness, Empress Isabel pressed sharply.
“Espin, think carefully. I’ll help you, so don’t be afraid—just tell me. How did it happen?”
Huh?
‘She knows I collapsed, but not the details of what happened that day?’
I sneaked a glance at Prince Luciano; he sat there expressionless.
Until moments ago, I’d felt hurt by his attitude.
But now, his indifference brought a strange sense of relief.
Somehow, he’d covered up the blunder I’d made.
I was grateful he’d shielded me from that worst-case scenario.
So I decided not to drag this out any longer.
I gave Empress Isabel a sheepish look.
“You must have misunderstood, Your Majesty. No one bullied me—I just got greedy with the food.”
“Food… greed?”
Empress Isabel’s voice rose as if she’d heard something absurd.
The more she reacted, the more abashed I acted.
“Yes. The muffins I brought were so delicious. I ended up eating Prince Luciano’s share too and got indigestion.”
“You collapsed from overeating?”
“Yes. I love eating a bit too much. I don’t know when to stop.”
I smiled brightly, feigning shyness, and Empress Isabel’s face twisted in utter dismay.
She seemed disappointed that things hadn’t gone as she’d imagined.
‘Who told you to assume things on your own?’
Her plan to use me to tarnish Prince Luciano’s character had fizzled out, and Empress Isabel’s mood turned foul.
“I see. I must have worried unnecessarily.”
She spat the words coldly and withdrew all her attention from me.
“Hazel, come to think of it, I heard you had good news recently?”
“Yes?”
Hazel, called out of the blue, let out a startled sound.
“I heard the Marquis of Royce praised your exceptional talent in swordsmanship.”
“Ah, yes. I was honored with such undeserved praise.”
“The Marquis of Royce is quite discerning. For him to say that, you must have remarkable talent. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. I’ll strive even harder.”
Empress Isabel carried on cheerful conversations with the others, as if I didn’t exist.
I stole a glance at Prince Luciano, but he’d averted the gaze he’d been directing at me and sat calmly.
He didn’t seem likely to pay me any more attention, so I zoned out and passed the time.
‘This is boring. I wish the tea party would end soon.’
An hour or so dragged by as I sat there blankly.
“Oh my, look at the time already? Shall we wrap up for today?”
It was the moment I’d been waiting for—I nearly cheered out loud.
“Yes, let’s end here for today.”
“It’s not like this is the only day.”
“I hope we have another good opportunity soon.”
“Thanks to you, we had a wonderful time.”
“Then, safe travels home, and next time, let’s gather with close friends.”
Empress Isabel gave a meaningful smile to a few of the children.
The faces of those who caught her eye brightened.
They seemed to think they’d been chosen.
Empress Isabel and Prince Stephen left first.
Frustrated that things hadn’t gone her way, she ignored me and Prince Luciano to the very end.
‘Ugh, adults can be so petty right up to the last moment.’
Not wanting to linger in a place I disliked, I hurriedly stood up.
Sitting still had been exhausting.
‘I need to get home and lie down soon.’
As I was about to leave, Prince Luciano, still seated, caught my eye.
Should I just go, or say goodbye?
He’d probably ignore me anyway.
The negative thoughts were stronger, but I steeled myself. Greeting wasn’t that hard.
Instead of approaching, I stayed where I was and offered it from afar.
“I’ll be heading out first. It was a pleasure seeing you again. I wish Your Highness a future filled with glory.”
I bowed politely and lifted my head, only to flinch.
I’d expected him to keep ignoring me, but Prince Luciano was looking my way.
Wondering if he had something to say, I waited, but he remained silent.
‘I really can’t figure him out.’
“I’m really leaving now.”
With that final farewell, I departed.
The prickling on my back must have been my imagination.
Still, I’d overcome a major hurdle.
I probably won’t have reason to visit the palace anymore.
Our estate is down in the southern provinces—maybe I should go there.
Rest and recover my mind and body.
In many ways, the tiring tea party had finally come to a complete end.
* * *
For a while, I lounged around idly at home.
Aside from my frequent visits to Prince Luciano’s palace, there wasn’t much else to do.
So I savored the peaceful time at the manor to my heart’s content.
But that tranquility was shattered by a single letter.
[Visit tomorrow at 2 p.m.]
The sender was none other than Prince Luciano.
Staring at the curt message—its brusqueness evident even in the handwriting—I pinched my own cheek.
‘Ow, that really hurts!’
I’d pinched too hard without realizing.
My cheek throbbed for real, and I gently rolled my palm over the plump spot, but it didn’t calm me.
The pain confirmed this was reality, yet I still couldn’t believe it.
“Nanny, I’m not dreaming, right?”
“Pardon? What dream, all of a sudden?”
“Look at this.”
Nanny came over, checked the letter, and wore a surprised expression.
“Oh my, miss! Did Prince Luciano invite you first?”
Seeing Nanny’s delighted reaction, it seemed I definitely wasn’t dreaming.
It had been over a year since I’d met Prince Luciano.
For the first time, I’d received an invitation from him.
