Chapter 25
“Welcome.”
Sebastian, the butler of the Hettis Ducal House, politely greeted the three young women. In response, they smiled and returned the courtesy one by one.
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“You look as elegant as always, sir.”
“It’s been a while, Sebastian.”
Following the maids’ guidance, the noble ladies seated themselves and quickly scanned the table.
“Oh my, strawberry tarts.”
“There are vanilla cream puffs too.”
“Blueberry pastries as well. As expected of the Hettis Ducal House.”
Exclamations of admiration escaped their lips at the lavish spread that was more befitting a full luncheon than a tea gathering.
Unaware that the chef of the Hettis Ducal House had been specially instructed by Eveline, they assumed it had been prepared for their sake and filled their stomachs as much as their corsets allowed.
“Hm-hm, by the way, Lady Mute is quite late today, isn’t she?”
“Being on time is a lady’s virtue. If she’s aware of it but still breaks it, something must have happened, right?”
Just as they had barely finished eating, Natalie and Raina launched their attack with sly smiles.
It was an unexpected barrage, but Daisy did not lose her smile and answered calmly.
“The carriage got stuck in a rut, so I was delayed for a while. It wasn’t intentional, so I ask for your understanding. But if I’m not mistaken, I heard you two were quite late as well?”
“Hoho. Ten minutes late and thirty minutes late are not the same, are they?”
“That’s right. We were simply delayed while touring the vast ducal estate. Hm-hm, I suddenly feel thirsty.”
“The tea aroma is lovely. It seems the head maid paid special attention to the leaves.”
“Indeed. The fragrance is especially nice today.”
As Natalie and Raina hurriedly sipped their tea, Daisy added an appropriate response and lifted her cup as well. Inside, she clicked her tongue.
‘Tch, backing down already.’
Just a bunch of nobodies daring to provoke her.
They were already falling apart this quickly.
Daisy, wearing a dissatisfied expression, soon shifted the topic.
“By the way, I wonder when the remaining lady will arrive.”
“Indeed. It seems the event can’t begin until that rumored lady appears.”
“I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of person she is.”
As Daisy opened the conversation, Natalie and Raina looked toward one spot with reluctant expressions.
There was an empty seat at the round table.
A place bathed in warm sunlight, cooled by a gentle breeze, perfect for quietly enjoying the lush greenery.
A prime seat anyone would desire, sparkling as if waiting for its owner.
“She must be quite favored, arriving this late.”
“Exactly. I wonder if there’s no one to teach her manners.”
“Well, if she only knows how to use her body, that might be the case. We, the cultured ones, must be patient.”
Though their words were filled with jealousy and mockery, they could do nothing but remain seated.
The servants of the Hettis Ducal House kept their mouths tightly shut, all of them looking toward the entrance as if awaiting their master.
“Isn’t it too dull to just wait like this?”
“Do you have a better idea, Lady Mute?”
“How about sharing what we’re enjoying with the one who will arrive soon?”
“Hehe, that sounds fun. Alright.”
“I agree. Let’s pick a few games.”
Exchanging meaningful glances, the three began to scheme.
Just as their plot was nearing completion, a voice like a songbird rang out.
“Is this the place?”
All three women turned their heads at once.
They had intended to cast disdainful looks, but the moment they saw her, they lost their words.
‘That beauty…’
Emerald hair, like fresh greenery, flowed gently in the wind.
Eyes like the deep blue of a starry night sparkled like jewels.
Pale skin like clear morning dew, and a graceful yet well-proportioned figure reminiscent of fine porcelain, paired with a radiant outfit.
She was so perfect she could truly be called the reincarnation of the goddess of summer.
Unable to find a single flaw, they stared at Eveline in awe, mouths slightly open.
The simultaneous gazes made her seem a little awkward, and Eveline tucked her hair behind her ear, cheeks faintly reddening.
“I’m sorry I’m late.”
Even to other women, she was adorable.
The way her cheeks flushed like a peach was irresistibly charming.
Natalie and Raina, who had intended to find fault, stiffened like broken dolls.
“I-it’s fine if you’re late. W-welcome.”
“It’s o-okay. Right, Lady Daisy?”
“……”
Raina nudged Daisy’s arm for agreement, but Daisy could not respond.
She sat frozen, her lips drying out.
Staring at Eveline, she soon jolted as if seeing a ghost and covered her mouth.
‘Why are you here? Weren’t you missing?’
The reason for her reaction was that Daisy was one of those who knew of Eveline’s recent situation.
Several years ago.
Daisy, who had come to the capital for her debutante, attended the social gathering like a peacock proudly displaying herself.
She had expected to attract attention even in the capital as one of the most beautiful young ladies of the south, but things did not go as she had imagined.
“Th-that’s Lady Celeridian?”
The moment she saw Eveline from afar, Daisy was shocked.
She had heard that northern women were crude and vulgar…
“Hold my hand and step down carefully.”
“Thank you, brother.”
In reality, she was unbelievably beautiful.
Every gesture—brushing her hair back, glancing around, walking gracefully—was perfect.
“How lovely, seeing the siblings together.”
“The duke is shining as always.”
Even though her partner, the Duke of Celeridian, was strikingly handsome, Daisy’s gaze remained fixed on Eveline.
“No way… I should be the one drawing attention… How can this be?”
She bit her lip so hard that blood spread beneath her lipstick.
After wiping it with a handkerchief, she reapplied her rouge and tried to ignore Eveline.
But her eyes kept drifting back.
“So annoying…”
No amount of praise could fully describe Eveline’s beauty.
Daisy, who had never considered herself lacking in appearance, realized in that moment that she could not even compare.
In the end, overwhelmed by defeat, she left the ballroom and swore never to meet Eveline again.
‘I never thought I’d see her again after that day.’
As she recalled the past, Daisy clenched her teeth.
After her debut, she suffered from a feverish obsession—hatred and admiration twisted together—for Eveline.
She wished for Eveline’s downfall, but Eveline only rose higher.
She became the flower of high society, commanding influence like an emperor.
Then, on the day of her wedding, the princess vanished in an unexpected incident.
With her absence, ambitious noble ladies rushed to fill the vacant throne of high society.
With sharp tongues and seductive gestures, they formed alliances and rivalries, struggling in the shadows to reach the top.
Daisy was one of them.
After all, aside from her background, nothing held her back.
She had thought that becoming the duchess of Hettis would place her at the pinnacle of society.
But then Eveline appeared again.
“I’ll take this seat?”
“Yes!”
“Please sit, lady!”
Now Eveline was here.
Daisy wanted to grab her arm and demand answers.
Why here of all places? Because of you, I had the worst debutante ever!
All I had left was the position of duchess!
And now you’re going to take that too?
But before she could explode with frustration, Sebastian’s arrival made her miss her chance.
“Since everyone has gathered, I will begin the explanation. First, the rules of the competition…”
Sebastian began explaining clearly and systematically.
The ladies listened carefully.
But Daisy’s entire attention was fixed on Eveline sitting beside her.
‘According to my father, the duke’s mistress was supposed to be a commoner with brown hair and brown eyes…’
Why is Lady Celeridian here?
Fury surged within her at the sight of a noble princess instead of a lowly commoner.
‘Calm down. I have to endure.’
She wanted to scream and lose control, but she had to restrain herself.
She could not destroy the image she had built so carefully.
Just as Daisy was suppressing her anger alone, Sebastian announced a break.
“We will now take a short rest.”
