Chapter 14
“Hmm, is that really cute? That rumor actually started among my siblings.”
By “my siblings,” I meant the imperial family—so noble and aloof that they rarely stepped outside the Imperial Palace.
At the mention of their connection, every young lady at the tea party turned their attention to me.
“Several years ago, there was a time when no tart desserts were ever served in the Imperial Palace. And do you know why?”
I deliberately lowered my voice to a whisper.
“It was said that a certain young lady, who was excessively infatuated with His Highness the Crown Prince, tried to do something to his tart.”
“Oh my! What did she do?”
“There was such a rumor? I had no idea!”
Watching the shocked expressions on their faces, I pressed my index finger to my lips.
“Shh.”
At my gesture, the young ladies instinctively stopped their fussing.
Handling them with ease, I smiled sweetly.
“More importantly… around that very time, the Crown Prince’s palace pâtissier was replaced. So…”
At that moment, unable to hold back, Hidia suddenly cut in.
“Your Highness! As a member of the imperial family, you shouldn’t speak so carelessly about unconfirmed rumors! You must maintain your dignity!”
“Oh my? I merely repeated an old rumor that once circulated.”
I blinked innocently, as if unsure what the problem was.
“The pink diamond and the missing tart incident that you’ve all been gossiping about all day—how are they any different? A rumor is just a rumor, isn’t it?”
I simply did what you all were doing.
Is that wrong?
As I tilted my head slightly, implying as much, Hidia’s face flushed bright red.
However, perhaps realizing that arguing further would only make her look guilty, she bit her lip and fell silent.
I beamed at her.
You shouldn’t scheme if you’re going to get caught.
Unlike Abe, who coveted the power of becoming Crown Princess, that woman had been the type who simply harbored romantic feelings for Gobard.
Naturally, she must have wanted to become his fiancée by any means possible.
But when she realized she might lose in the battle of dowries, she had resorted to her last measure—using an aphrodisiac.
She had bribed a maid in the Crown Prince’s palace and mixed the substance into the dessert Gobard was meant to eat.
Of course, an aphrodisiac would never work on the imperial family of Lornord, who were immune to all poisons.
Gobard had swiftly identified those responsible, and as a result, the Minister of Finance had nearly suffered a devastating setback.
At the time, the matter hadn’t been escalated further in exchange for handing over one of the iron mines the Minister owned.
Hidia had been pushed out of the position of Crown Princess candidate in a single stroke.
The reason I knew about an incident that Gobard himself had quietly buried was simple.
[Wow! That’s information I told you! Right, Master?!]
Flutter—
Modwei appeared in midair and perched on my shoulder.
Yes, good job, Modwei.
At my praise, the little wind spirit wiggled its tiny hips.
As a wind spirit, Modwei could roam freely like the wind, swiftly gathering information about various incidents occurring across wide areas.
And among those incidents had been the tart aphrodisiac affair.
After watching Modwei’s antics for a moment, I turned my gaze to the other young ladies.
Those who had been watching from the sidelines stiffened slightly when our eyes met.
They were mostly the ones who had used tricks on Gobard, just like Hidia.
“Oh! Speaking of the missing tart incident, I’m suddenly reminded of other rumors that were going around back then!”
Several of them, clearly feeling guilty, quickly avoided my gaze.
Meeting their eyes without making it obvious, I continued,
“But… among all those rumors, how much of it do you think was actually true?”
At my question, the young ladies who had been siding with Hidia hurried to agree.
“Indeed! Rumors aren’t to be trusted.”
“They’re usually just nonsense made up by people with too much time on their hands.”
“Hoho, exactly! Pure nonsense!”
Watching them change their tune in an instant, I nodded.
“Which is why I’m certain the rumors about the pink diamond are nonsense as well. I trust Brillint’s character—she has served as my maid for a long time.”
To most people, I am always bright and cheerful.
Unfortunately, there have always been those who mistake that for weakness and try to overstep their bounds.
My specialty is silencing such people with an innocent smile.
“It pains me deeply that someone of mine would be caught up in such dishonorable rumors. I sincerely hope none of you will so easily believe such talk.”
At my words, the young ladies concealed their earlier sharpness and replied meekly.
“It seems we spoke too carelessly.”
“How embarrassing of us to have been so rude.”
“We’ll be more careful in the future.”
I had no way of knowing what they truly thought inside, but none of them dared bare their teeth in front of me anymore.
Satisfied, I rose from my seat first.
That should be enough.
“Well then, it’s about time for me to return. I’ll take my leave!”
As I led Agasa and my other maids toward the carriage, someone hurried after me.
“Princess Neroli!”
Turning around, I saw Hidia Eoghal approaching in haste.
Once she reached me, she hesitated before carefully speaking.
“About what I said earlier… I did not intend to insult you or Lady Sanderlin. I simply let my emotions get the better of me.”
Her unexpected words made me meet her gaze directly. She flinched slightly, and her cheeks gradually turned red.
“I—I mean… so…”
Her once firm voice began to tremble.
Those without immunity to my face often grew flustered if they held my gaze too long.
So I deliberately grinned.
“Oh! So you came to apologize?”
At my lively tone, Hidia seemed to regain her senses and nodded.
“Y-Yes. I wished to offer my apology once more.”
“I’ve already accepted it, so it’s fine! I know you’re not a bad person.”
“Thank you for saying that. And if you could also forget the tart incident…”
“Hmm? I only mentioned it in passing.”
Of course, I already knew everything that had resulted from that incident.
For instance, what had later been discovered in the iron mine that Gobard obtained from the Minister of Finance.
And how that discovery had shaken the relationship between Gobard and the Minister.
I wasn’t sure whether Hidia knew any of that.
Right now, she merely seemed desperate to bury her own past as quickly as possible.
“Perhaps, my lady…”
As I narrowed my eyes slightly, Hidia stiffened, as if she had said too much.
I studied her for a moment, then flashed a fresh, cheerful smile.
“Hehe, all right! I’ll keep my lips sealed!”
Hearing what she wanted, her expression brightened.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
“It’s nothing! See you next time!”
“Have a safe journey.”
As she said that, her gaze briefly shifted to Agasa standing behind me.
For a fleeting moment, her eyes gleamed sharply.
Not missing it, I sneered inwardly.
So she noticed Agasa’s eye color.
Well, that was why I had brought the girl along.
It was about time for the direction of the rumors to change.
I wonder how much longer Agasa will be able to endure.
Calculating the time in my head, I continued walking.
Today, for the first time in a while, I did not go out beyond the palace grounds. Instead, I tended to the plants in the greenhouse.
There was no better place to be alone with Agasa.
Originally, I entered the greenhouse alone most of the time, using the excuse that there were delicate plants inside.
But bringing Agasa as a maid to help care for the flowers was justification enough.
With practiced hands, I changed the soil and watered the plants, glancing sideways.
Agasa, holding a flowerpot, looked terribly pale.
Well, it was understandable.
After telling her such a cruel truth about reality, how could she possibly be fine?
I deliberately cleared my throat before speaking.
“Ahem, Agasa.”
“Yes, Your Highness?”
“Is something troubling you lately?”
“Pardon?”
Agasa’s eyes widened.
Speaking in a concerned tone, I continued,
“Ever since you came to my palace, you’ve looked unwell. When we first met, you were crying your eyes out.”
“It—it’s nothing. I’m truly fine. I’m sorry for causing Your Highness concern.”
Agasa hurriedly lowered her head.
I stepped closer.
“I wasn’t asking for an apology. Um… if something is troubling you, would you like to tell me?”
“How could I possibly burden Your Highness with such things? I am truly fine.”
She retreated exactly as much as I advanced, lowering her gaze even further.
Since she hadn’t been with me long, her guard was still up.
In that case…
I set down the watering can and strode over to her.
Then I looped my arm through hers.
“Agasa! Come over here!”
“Y-Your Highness?!”
“Come on!”
“W-Wait a moment, Your Highness!”
Startled, she couldn’t move freely because she was still holding the flowerpot.
We stepped outside together, where bright sunlight and a cool breeze greeted us.
Even then, Agasa didn’t know what to do.
“H-How can Your Highness link arms with someone like me…!”
“Oh, don’t be silly!”
I led her to a large tree behind the greenhouse.
It had stood in the Princess’s Palace since long ago—so massive and thick that four grown men stretching out their arms could barely encircle it.
Rustle—
The leaves shimmered in the spring breeze.
