Chapter 40
Surely, Lady Anerta must have prepared a lot for this banquet as well. All for Iris.
But those preparations were only necessary when Iris was alone, and in a situation like this, they were utterly useless.
“This doesn’t taste good.”
“Tch, what can you do if something expensive doesn’t suit your palate?”
Having spent a long time conversing over their meetings, the Empress and Iris now spoke in an atmosphere that appeared quite relaxed, even to outsiders.
When Iris said something a bit whimsical, the Empress, trying to hold back, would let out a chuckle, making their relationship seem quite amicable.
“Has Her Majesty the Empress acknowledged Lady Iris?”
“It’s not quite acknowledgment, is it? Perhaps she was asked by His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“I heard their relationship isn’t that great.”
People whispered among themselves, trying to gauge the dynamic between the two.
But since no one could know exactly what had transpired between them, no one could say anything with certainty.
‘This won’t do.’
Lady Anerta, Velvet, bit her lower lip as she watched Iris being introduced one by one to the Empress’s close associates.
Her goal for today’s banquet was to somehow humiliate and drive Iris out, but she couldn’t see a way to do it.
‘Let’s think a bit more.’
If Iris was this close to Her Majesty the Empress, a trivial scheme wouldn’t easily humiliate her. And considering how she subtly made Velvet indebted to her, Iris didn’t seem as dim-witted as the rumors suggested.
‘Is the only option a scandal with another man?’
Lady Iris. A woman who had been married four times and was on the verge of her fifth engagement, carrying the empire’s scandals wherever she went.
For such a woman, no one would find it strange if she were to seduce another man while involved with the Crown Prince.
”After all, there were people who blamed her even when her husbands cheated.’
The empire was a rigid, old-fashioned country. A place where some loudly proclaimed that a husband’s infidelity was partly the wife’s fault.
Velvet despised such people with a passion, but in cases like this, it was best to exploit them to the fullest.
She had thought Iris was an easy target, only to realize she was scheming in every direction.
‘Her partner today won’t do.’
He was the Crown Prince’s trusted knight, so even a clumsy attempt to entangle him wouldn’t draw anyone’s attention. Velvet stepped away from the Empress’s side for a moment and returned to her followers.
They were eagerly chattering to lift the spirits of the clearly displeased lady, and one of them said something somewhat useful.
“Speaking of which, that man is here too, isn’t he?”
“That man?”
“Yes, over there. Do you see the man with brown hair?”
One of her followers, Lady Ariel, a count’s daughter, pointed to a man standing far off. He had a neat appearance and a tall, slender build, standing rigidly against the wall, staring persistently at one spot.
“…Iris?”
Following his gaze, it led to Iris, who was laughing and conversing with the Empress.
“Who is that man?”
“He’s the heir of the Ferdenti Count family, with whom our family frequently interacts. It’s quietly known that he’s been infatuated with Iris for a long time.”
“…Is that so?”
“Yes. He said he’d muster the courage this time after her divorce, but with His Highness the Crown Prince… Oh!”
“No, that’s fine.”
Ariel, about to mention the Crown Prince, quickly covered her mouth, and Velvet waved her hand dismissively.
It occurred to her that this man could be useful if handled well.
“Ariel.”
“Yes, my lady.”
As Velvet whispered softly, Ariel leaned in closely. After hearing Velvet’s words, Ariel nodded with a determined look and left the group.
“Will Ariel be able to pull it off?”
“It’s not a difficult task.”
Some time later, a single rose, a glass of champagne, and a message were delivered to Kevin, the heir of the Ferdenti Count family.
<I’ve long heard of your feelings. Would you come to the seventh terrace of the banquet hall?>
Anyone could imagine how much the young man’s heart swelled upon receiving that message.
“She knew about my feelings…”
No, sorry, she doesn’t know at all. But unaware of this fact, the young man, with a pounding heart, headed to the seventh terrace as instructed.
* * *
Around that time, a message also arrived for Iris.
<My dear, would you come to the seventh terrace of the banquet hall? I’ve prepared a gift for you.>
It didn’t say who sent it, but given the context, it was presumably from the Crown Prince. Iris flipped the message back and forth, thinking.
‘Quite an effort.’
Having spoken often with the Crown Prince, she knew his manner of speech well. This was probably the work of the lady.
‘What’s waiting at the seventh terrace?’
Since a terrace often led to a secretive meeting, it was likely an attempt to stir up a scandal with another man.
Iris, deeming it a scheme typical of a young noblewoman, tore the message to pieces and handed it to a passing servant to discard.
‘Why should I play along with that?’
Too obvious, my lady.
With that thought, Iris sipped her champagne. The surrounding crowd was gradually getting drunk, their voices growing louder. The Empress seemed to be preparing to leave as well.
‘Perfect. Once Her Majesty leaves, I can head back too.’
She had expected to be stuck here late, but it seemed she could leave earlier than anticipated.
Early dismissal was always a delight, and thanks to it, she could smile even more brightly.
“Phew… I should head back now.”
“I’ll escort you, Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty, I’ll return with you as well.”
The Emperor rose first, and the Empress also expressed her intent to leave. Iris planned to see them off and return to the estate.
“Iris.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At that moment, the Empress called out to Iris.
“You handled yourself quite well, not trembling in front of high-ranking people.”
“Oh, thank you.”
“Brazen or well-mannered, I wonder.”
“Haha. Could you think of it as the latter?”
“That’s enough. Be careful on your way back tonight.”
“Yes, Your Majesties, have a good night as well.”
Iris offered her farewells, and the two Majesties left the banquet hall. Looking around, she saw Sir Gaston enjoying the rare occasion of a banquet, so she decided to return quietly on her own.
”Always stuck guarding the Crown Prince, how fun must it be for him to attend a banquet like this?’
She’d have to tell the Crown Prince he was well escorted until the end.
As she was about to leave, she noticed a familiar woman heading toward the terrace.
‘Huh?’
More precisely, she was being dragged. Wait, what did I just see?
Because the one being dragged was Lady Anerta.
‘Same hair color.’
From her face, she looked like one of the older siblings, but the hand pulling her was quite rough. Iris furrowed her brow.
‘Isn’t she the precious youngest daughter? Even if someone’s angry, is that how you drag a woman in a dress?’
Where were all her followers who were always around? Looking for someone who could help, she saw they were all too drunk to even recognize their own parents.
This is the reality of noble banquets, commoners.
Iris scratched her head for a moment. It was someone else’s family matter, and getting involved would likely do her no good.
‘Yeah, I don’t even know the situation. No need to meddle…’
Click, click.
As she walked toward where the carriage was prepared,
‘Ugh, damn it!’
She turned back in frustration.
‘Let’s just take a quick look!’
She hurriedly headed to the terrace. Most people were too drunk and caught up in their own chatter to notice their surroundings.
‘Come to think of it, didn’t she go to that terrace? Then I’ll go to the one next to it…’
Unbeknownst to Iris, the place she entered, thinking this, was the seventh terrace.
Truly.
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