‘What is this? This irritating situation.’
It felt like a contrived setup, the invitation arriving just like that, souring my mood.
It seemed the novel’s rules were at play again.
No matter what, I’d end up entangled with the protagonist against my will.
I’d boldly declared we’d never see each other again.
Yet here I was, facing the prospect of meeting Prince Luciano in less than a month.
Just thinking of him naturally brought back the memory of that day’s blunder.
My self-loathing shot through the sky and into space.
‘How on earth am I supposed to face him?’
Why did this meeting have to happen at all?
I still lacked the confidence to look Prince Luciano in the eye.
But could I really turn down an invitation from the Empress?
A wave of despair layered over me.
I sighed deeply, like someone who’d lived through it all.
That evening, my parents came to see me after learning I’d been invited by Empress Isabel.
“Darling, I hear you’ve received an invitation from Empress Isabel?”
“Yes.”
After reading the invitation I’d handed them, their expressions grew grave.
“I’d prefer if you didn’t go to the palace, dear.”
“Yes, Espin. What if you declined this invitation?”
I’d already been feeling stuck, and now Father was suggesting I skip it outright.
“Would that be alright?”
“You could say you’re still not fully recovered. After all, you were carried out of the palace not long ago. It shouldn’t come across as an excuse.”
If I claimed illness, they wouldn’t make a fuss about my absence.
I didn’t think it was a bad idea either.
“Yes. Then please handle the refusal for me, Father.”
“Of course, leave it to your father. I’ll take care of everything.”
They brightened at my response.
It seemed they had developed even more of a trauma about the palace than I had.
Unexpectedly, the invitation issue appeared to be resolving smoothly.
That is, if not for the letter that arrived once more.
“Miss, another letter has come.”
My nursemaid handed it over with a serious expression.
I took it casually at first, but upon seeing the seal, I couldn’t help tensing up, just like her.
“Why from the palace?”
“I’m not sure.”
“I’m not the only one feeling uneasy, right?”
“Open it quickly.”
She sighed, urging me to tear it open.
Delaying wouldn’t mean I could avoid reading it forever.
With a heavy heart, I unsealed the letter and was shocked by its contents.
[Dear Espin Samuel,
I received your reply well.
I’m deeply saddened to hear about your poor health.
I can’t help but worry just how unwell you must be to miss the tea party.
Might I know the extent of your discomfort?
And it doesn’t seem right to hold the tea party after hearing such unfortunate news.
I’ll postpone it until you’ve fully recovered, Espin.
Then we can all enjoy a pleasant time together.
Take good care of yourself until then.
P.S. Let me know when would be convenient for you for the next tea party.
I’ll reschedule accordingly.
Isabel Frederick]
No matter how I looked at it, this was her saying she’d delay the tea party to suit me.
To adjust a palace event around the schedule of a mere noble’s daughter.
I hadn’t expected such a radical decision.
I could sense her determination to meet me no matter what.
“She seems firmly resolved.”
I’d shown the letter to my nursemaid, and after reading it, that’s what she said.
It appeared Empress Isabel harbored quite a grudge from last year.
“You’re telling me.”
“So what will you do?”
It wasn’t a decision to make lightly.
“I’ll discuss it with my parents.”
“That seems wise.”
That evening, I talked it over with them.
Their faces hardened as they read the letter I’d given them.
“You received this? Just ignore it. I’ll handle it myself.”
Father spoke firmly, taking the letter away.
“What do you plan to do?”
“I’ll sort it out properly on my own.”
He moved as if to leave without a clear explanation.
Seeing his hurried gestures, I grabbed his hand.
“There’s no real way out, is there?”
Only then did his expression falter slightly.
But he quickly composed himself and spoke gently.
“Espin, don’t worry. Just wait.”
He told me not to worry, but I could sense an awkwardness in him.
Again, no clear explanation.
I’d expected as much. There was no solution.
That was the reality.
In this world, the highest authority held the most power.
It was hard for a mere noble to defy a royal’s words.
Even a roundabout request became coercion here.
I didn’t want my parents to suffer just so I could avoid my embarrassment.
In truth, up until now, nothing had happened to our family, which was surprisingly fortunate.
I’d assumed Empress Isabel would strike back after I’d declared friendship with Prince Luciano as punishment.
Yet, a year later, still nothing.
If anything, our family’s external affairs seemed to be thriving lately.
Not knowing her schemes made me anxious.
Being fine now didn’t guarantee the future.
I couldn’t blindly think positively, because Empress Isabel was someone capable of poisoning.
She might turn vicious toward my parents too.
“Don’t do that. I’ll go.”
“Espin, I can handle it.”
“I’ll just sit quietly and come back.”
“Darling, can’t you trust your father?”
They reacted immediately to my decision.
Seeing them so busy with concern for me only strengthened my resolve.
“I’ll make sure nothing happens. Can’t you two trust me instead?”
As I looked up pleadingly, they finally surrendered, with repeated warnings to be careful.
* * *
Once I’d decided to accept the invitation, the first thing I did was write a letter.
I sent one to Empress Isabel saying my health had improved and I’d attend, so no need to postpone the tea party.
Naturally, a reply came laced with sarcasm about my sudden recovery being fortunate.
And it confirmed the tea party would proceed on the originally planned date.
After that was settled, the next step was steeling my mind.
I kept hypnotizing myself.
I’m perfectly fine.
I’ve never made a mistake.
I can face Prince Luciano with a completely neutral expression.
One must learn to overcome shame.
I engaged in mind control bordering on brainwashing.
“Espin Samuel?”
“Yes.”
“Please sit over here.”
Following the servant’s guidance, I took a seat at one table.
The servant who led me soon departed.
I slowly scanned the surroundings.
This was only my second formal gathering, so I felt a bit tense and awkward.
The atmosphere was unchanged from last year.
I’d assumed they’d redecorate annually, but whether due to lack of taste or budget, it was nearly identical.
There was one difference from last year.
Aside from the servants carrying food, there were no adults in the room.
Originally, adults had attended as guardians for the children, but it had changed this year.
My parents, upon learning this, had opposed my attendance once more, but my stubbornness won out.
Sitting alone at a table slightly off-center gave me an odd feeling.
Everyone else was grouped at tables with several people, chatting among themselves.
‘I really have no friends.’
I newly realized how narrow my social circle was.
To live here as myself going forward, I felt the need to start managing connections now.
Just then, my eyes met those of a red-haired girl.
I didn’t know her name, but she seemed around my age.
“Hel—”
I raised my hand to greet her, but before I could finish, she whipped her head away.
“Come to think of it, yesterday…”
Pretending not to notice my gesture, she started talking to the person beside her, leaving me dumbfounded.
No way.
I didn’t want to believe this was what it seemed.
I looked around and spotted several children glancing at me, only to startle and avert their eyes the moment ours met.
I could guess the situation, but I still needed to confirm.
‘It probably isn’t, but if it’s my misunderstanding, that’d be sad.’
I stood up abruptly.
Some, who had been watching me while pretending not to, flinched and shrugged their shoulders.
Coincidentally, among them was someone I knew.
Not close, but Betty from the Earl of Rlang’s family, who had approached me after my bombshell declaration last year, asking what I was doing.
“Um, Betty…”
“Sharon! I have something to tell you!”
No sooner had I spoken than Betty jumped up and vanished toward a distant table.
The one suddenly called blinked blankly, then spotted me and welcomed Betty warmly.
“Perfect timing, Betty. I had something to say to you too.”
“Really? We’re on the same wavelength.”
They reacted like long-lost best friends reuniting after a decade, diving into conversation.
I was speechless.
Just in case, I tried speaking to the blonde girl sitting nearby.
“Excuse me, I wanted to ask…”
“Clara! Did you call me?”
“Huh? Oh, yes, I did. Catherine, come here.”
Clara, called from afar, reacted with surprise but then saw me and greeted Catherine enthusiastically.
Catherine, whom I’d addressed, hurried over to Clara as if afraid I’d speak again.
Then they laughed together, chatting away, leaving me deflated as I returned to my seat.
I sat back down in the spot the servant had shown me and waited a moment.
Glances came my way, but no one acknowledged me.
No one approached to talk.
At this point, I couldn’t miss it.
I was being ostracized, just like Prince Luciano.
For a moment, I was stunned into disbelief, but soon a hollow laugh bubbled up.
To act this blatantly meant there was an instigator.
Only one person could unite them all right now.
None other than Empress Isabel.
‘So that’s why she excluded the parents this time.’
Her goal must be thorough isolation.
A child suddenly alone would feel flustered.
And such a child could be manipulated at will.
For a grown adult to orchestrate this with children—how petty.
If I were truly nine-year-old Espin, this situation would have been so humiliating and heartbreaking that I’d want to run away.
But my own life hadn’t been smooth enough to be shaken by mere ostracism.
Ignoring it was downright laughable.
If I had no friends, I’d just entertain myself alone.
I was about to brush off the situation with a scoff when—
“What’s so funny?”
The emotionless voice made my heart drop.
I’d been so amused by the children’s behavior that I’d forgotten about him.
I’d assumed we’d meet, of course.
But now that the moment was here, my heart raced wildly.
I forced my creaking neck to turn.
Prince Luciano had approached my table and was looking down at me with an impassive face.
