Chapter 10
Gifts and invitations poured in for Reina almost daily.
Most were driven by curiosity.
This was due to the scarce information about Reina.
Of course, not all reactions were positive.
The number of people wary of her, who had appeared like a comet, was also growing.
Among them, the most noticeable were the followers of Princess Isabelle.
Those who had subtly looked down on Reina while living in the same princess palace were visibly displeased by her sudden rise.
Surprisingly, Isabelle, the queen bee of their group, showed no particular reaction.
Reina decided not to pay Isabelle any mind.
They weren’t exactly sisters with fond memories, and once she went to the North, they’d likely never cross paths again.
Time passed, and the day of the farewell party arrived.
Reina stared at her reflection in the mirror, feeling dazed.
The pure white dress, personally bestowed by the emperor, was as splendid as a wedding gown.
She couldn’t remember the last time she had dressed up like this.
As Reyna stood awkwardly, as if wearing someone else’s clothes, Kaiden approached her.
“Are you ready?”
“Kaiden.”
Reyna turned and caught her breath.
With his forehead exposed, his sharp features stood out even more.
The deep purple formal attire shimmered with a luster that matched his eyes, somehow making his face even more striking.
In an outfit that practically screamed “protagonist,” Reina blushed.
“You look very dashing today.”
“You’re stealing my line.”
Cayden replied lightly, kissing the back of Reyna’s hand.
Even through her lace gloves, the sensation was vivid, and she flinched slightly.
“Reina, it suits you well too.”
It was just a casual compliment, but Reina ’s face grew hot.
“Let’s go.”
Kaiden skillfully escorted the flustered Reyna.
As they entered the hall, the lively atmosphere quieted down.
Overwhelmed by the larger-than-expected crowd, Reina froze, and Kaiden whispered,
“If you’re nervous, lean on me.”
He naturally placed Reina’s hand on his arm, smiling.
His demeanor, as if accustomed to such parties, gradually eased Reyna’s tension.
“The stars of the show have finally arrived!”
The emperor, who had been conversing with nobles alongside Siegfried, led Reina and Kaiden to the front of the stage.
“As you all likely know, this farewell party is to celebrate the marriage of Princess Reina and Duke Crencia, who are heading to the North. I am deeply pleased that Mernier and Crencia, long-time allies, are once again bound by a profound connection. I hope you all enjoy the party.”
After the emperor’s speech, people flocked to Kaiden and Reina to offer their congratulations.
“I never imagined the two of you would become a couple.”
“It’s a pity you’re heading to the North so soon. If I’d known, I would’ve visited more often.”
“I have relatives in the North—could I visit you if the opportunity arises?”
Young noblewomen, some of whom she’d never met, approached her warmly and even expressed regret at her departure, leaving Reina bewildered.
She responded to each with a smile.
Was it because she was using her facial muscles so suddenly?
Her cheeks ached, and as she touched them, the duke whispered,
“If you’re tired, take a break.”
“Is that okay?”
“They say the fountain area is beautifully decorated. Shall we go together?”
“No, I’ll go alone. If we go together, those people might follow.”
Reina glanced at someone watching her and continued,
“I already know they’re not really here for me but to get in your good graces.”
Kaiden looked at her in surprise.
“And you still entertained them one by one?”
“They’re people I might cross paths with in some way. I thought there was no need to make enemies unnecessarily.”
“That’s a duchess-like mindset.”
Kaiden replied with a pleased expression, placing his jacket over her shoulders.
“The night air is chilly.”
“Thank you.”
Reina expressed her gratitude by lightly lifting her dress hem and headed toward the fountain.
It was already dark outside, so she carried a lantern.
The garden where the fountain stood was brightly lit with pre-placed lights.
As Kaiden had said, the fountain was adorned with colorful candles.
The fountain, reflecting the candlelight, sparkled like stars.
The candles, placed in glass jars to prevent fires, burned brightly.
As Reina approached the fountain, a voice called out.
“Hello, Reina?”
With a cheerful tone, Isabel and her followers surrounded Reina.
Having noticed them whispering from a distance throughout the party, Reina’s expression naturally hardened.
They had clearly waited for the moment she was separated from the duke.
Wendy, with her auburn hair, crossed her arms and asked sharply,
“You’re here alone, so it seems even the duke doesn’t care much for you. You’d think in such a romantic setting, he’d come with you. Poor Reina.”
At Wendy’s words, the group let out mock sighs of pity, followed by derisive giggles.
Their feigned concern was filled with hostility.
The old Reina might have been hurt by such words, but not now.
Reina spoke, sounding annoyed,
“I just wanted to be alone.”
So, can you leave me alone?
At her words, Wendy scoffed.
“Pfft, liar!”
“Why would I lie to you? Even if, as you say, the duke didn’t care for me, he wouldn’t have given me his coat.”
Giving a coat to a lady was a gesture of affection.
Knowing this, she hadn’t refused his kindness.
Wendy, not expecting Reina to counter logically, froze.
But thinking it was just Reina, she sneered even more.
“Oh, really? Making excuses to save face? Have you no shame, Reyna? …Well, I suppose it’s only natural for someone brazen enough to steal Isabelle’s place.”
At the mention of stealing her place, Reina let out a hollow laugh.
She had expected this ever since she learned the emperor had considered Isabelle as Kaiden’s match.
Arrogant and prideful, Isabel wouldn’t just let this slide.
Still, it was almost comical how predictably things were unfolding.
She felt pity for her past self, who had been hurt by such people.
Reina, about to brush it off, changed her mind and spoke clearly,
“I didn’t steal Isabele’s place. The duke and I have known each other for a long time.”
“Don’t lie! How could someone like you get involved with the Guardian of the North? Oh, did you crawl into his bed? Seduced him with your body, didn’t you? That’s it, right?”
“Ha, it seems your mind is full of nothing but filth. I can’t even imagine thinking that way.”
“What? Filth? Who’s the filthy one here…!”
Wendy’s face flushed red with anger, and Reina raised her voice even louder.
When dealing with someone who thinks a louder voice wins, the best response is to be even louder.
“Don’t you lot have any shame? Coming at me when I’m alone like this shows you’re scared of the duke. You couldn’t say a word in front of Kaiden, could you? Back in the day, you’d have come to mock me right away.”
“That’s…!”
“You should know that your actions are just as petty as the filthy thoughts you just spewed.”
“What did you say? Are you done talking?! Acting like a duchess already in front of us?!”
As Wendy, losing the argument, closed the distance as if ready to pounce, Isabelle, who had been silent from behind, called her name.
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By Anna 💓
