Chapter 111
‘Well, this should be enough.’
After all, once the banquet ended, the people who were there would inflate the story on their own.
Pushing further here would only damage my image.
“Then, where would be a good place to talk?”
As I made it clear I had no intention of letting this slide, Nanael’s eyebrows twitched.
It was because of my subtle way of holding her accountable.
“First, I’m sorry about what my close maid did. I’ll make sure to reprimand her sternly, so don’t worry too much.”
Nanael exercised patience and responded politely.
Just moments before, Cesare had caused a scene and fled.
If Jessica ended up humiliated on top of that, it would be utterly shameful for Nanael alone.
She must have calculated that it was best to leave the scene for now.
“Your Highness…”
Jessica, completely unaware of this, looked at Nanael with a touched expression. It was only natural, since it appeared as though she was protecting her.
I issued a warning to Nanael as she tried to depart.
“How could I not worry? You didn’t say a word while the rumors spread. I was waiting, hoping Your Highness would set things straight. But look how it turned out.”
As I sorrowfully lowered the corners of my eyes, sympathetic sighs echoed from various spots.
Nanael trembled her lips at my feigned demeanor.
Knowing how much she despised those who acted fragile or innocently cheerful, my behavior hit the mark perfectly.
“When subordinates err, the superiors often bear the brunt.”
Planning to play ignorant?
At Nanael’s obvious ploy, I smiled faintly.
“Then I’ll look forward to a responsible compensation plan befitting a superior.”
With my stern declaration that I absolutely wouldn’t let it go, Nanael frowned deeply and stormed out roughly.
The repeated dopamine rushes kept the people from dispersing easily.
Seeing the whispering crowd, Alferen wrapped up the situation.
“Tonight’s banquet ends here.”
At his single statement, people scattered one by one with regretful faces.
And the next day.
The incidents involving Cesare and Jessica spread like wildfire. In a ridiculously melodramatic romantic scandal direction, at that.
* * *
Early morning.
As soon as the newspapers arrived, I headed to the drawing room humming a tune.
In the drawing room, my parents and Adrian were already seated with the tea set prepared.
Jasmine asked as she poured tea.
“You’re here?”
“Yes!”
I distributed the newspapers I’d ordered according to the number of people, grinning widely.
The front-page headline already featured a massive photo of Cesare’s secret rendezvous with the courtesan captured at the scene.
‘Whoever took it did a really good job.’
The photographer’s name was our housemaid, May.
May, who had been stationed at the site in advance, captured the exact moment Cesare panicked upon seeing me with exquisite timing.
Shall we say it was packed with a pitifulness utterly unlike his usual arrogant swagger?
Once everyone had their newspaper, Jasmine said.
“Shall we begin the reading session?”
Gentle classical music flowed, as if we were at a poetry recital.
With the background music added, it appeared like an elegant gathering at first glance, but the content was intensely sensational.
Adrian started the reading.
“Title: Two Pink-Haired Women and the Innocent Prince’s Self-Orchestrated Drama. Last night at the Ainluk estate banquet, a romantic intrigue rivaling an opera heated up the scene. Particularly, the prince’s tearful confession to the courtesan was the talk of the town. He had been maintaining meetings with his hidden mistress, the courtesan, and was caught red-handed on site.”
The newspaper reading continued slowly, like reciting poetry.
Next, Kianu Peris followed gravely.
“At the moment of discovery, the prince’s love ramblings were profoundly poignant. Especially regarding his attempt to disguise his beloved mistress as Lady Peris to protect her, witness A from the scene stated, ‘If Lady Peris hadn’t appeared, I might have been completely fooled,’ indicating how dramatically the situation unfolded.”
In contrast to his deep voice, the content was highly provocative. Then, I read the next paragraph in a lively tone.
“Particularly intriguing is the behavior of Jessica Miranda, who claimed to be the prince’s prospective fiancée. Harboring an inferiority complex toward Lady Peris all along, she solidified the rumor by assuming the pink-haired courtesan frequenting the prince’s palace was Lady Peris. Moreover, with the revelation of her past harassment of Lady Peris, it became clear that the rumor was a vicious act of revenge.”
True to a newspaper that specialized in sensational articles, the content was scathingly sharp.
Jasmine, who had been listening silently to the newspaper reading, gave a standing ovation.
“Bravo.”
Our eyes met briefly, and soon the drawing room erupted into a sea of laughter.
“Puahaha, this photo is a total hit! How did they capture the exact moment like that? He looks twice as sleazy as usual.”
Adrian was busy doubled over in laughter.
“It feels like a decade-old indigestion is finally settling.”
Father tried to maintain his composure but couldn’t control his trembling shoulders.
And as the protagonist of this entire happening, I wiped the tears from my eyes and said.
“This was the best comedy of the year so far. The on-site vibe was incredible.”
“Oh dear, I’m sorry I couldn’t witness that spectacle in person.”
Jasmine smiled elegantly and added a remark.
“Instead, I gave the empress a proper warning, so don’t worry too much.”
“You met the empress in person?”
“Yes. I warned her thoroughly so she won’t pull any more foolish tricks. She’s probably trying to persuade her son right about now.”
“I wondered where you slipped off to during the fun spectacle. If Mother showed her prowess, the empress wouldn’t have had a choice.”
Adrian nodded in understanding.
Actually, I was the one surprised.
“You used force on the empress?”
“If I were in my younger days, maybe, but rest assured. I gave her a good scolding with the evidence your boyfriend provided.”
“Ah.”
That put me at ease. I didn’t want our mom to dirty her fists because of that unpleasant empress family.
Then Kianu spoke up.
“I didn’t just sit idle either.”
With a clearing of his throat, Kianu placed something on the table.
“It’s a lawsuit. Count Miranda has probably received it by now.”
Kianu chuckled villainously. Right before the operation, I’d quietly tipped off Dad that it seemed time to pull out the affidavit.
In war, once it breaks out, you attack relentlessly without giving the opponent time to defend—that’s the rule.
At Father’s swift handling, I gave a thumbs up.
“As expected, no one beats our Dad. The best, the best!”
At his youngest’s affection, Father’s lips trembled upward.
“Hmph!”
Seeing Dad involuntarily snort made me feel good too.
“There won’t be a morning as refreshing as today.”
“Yes. As long as you’re happy, nothing else matters to us.”
Jasmine started, and Adrian chimed in.
“Family is all that matters, right?”
Followed by Dad, sniffling.
“You’ve been through so much, our daughter.”
All of it was concern for me.
“Thank you. Really.”
I performed the feat of hugging all three at once and laughed until my stomach hurt.
* * *
Meanwhile, upon checking the newspaper, Cesare stormed into the empress’s palace with a furious face.
“Mother! Shut down this newspaper immediately!”
The empress was flustered at his immediate demand to eliminate the newspaper.
“Oh, Cesare. Calm down and sit first.”
“Do I look like I can calm down? Overnight, I’ve become a fool obsessed with a courtesan? What were you doing while this kind of article came out, Mother?”
Blaming his mother for his own mess was Cesare’s long-standing pattern.
Usually, when he threw such tantrums, the empress would flounder and clean it up for him.
But the empress’s reaction was different from expected.
“I said sit down first.”
She glanced around and led him further inside.
For Cesare, whose temper was already at its peak, her lukewarm response grated on his nerves.
He twisted his face and reacted sharply.
“What is it? Are you embarrassed of me now too, Mother? You caused this mess in the first place, and now you’re trying to wash your hands of it?”
