𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝟐: 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐦ö𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐥𝐞
Ga-chan clung to a silver bracelet, seemingly always there with me.
From a distance, it simply looks like an extremely detailed piece of craftsmanship. Once again, it seamlessly blended into my attire.
Ga-chan was not my only companion.
Thankfully, Marchioness arranged for an acquaintance to accompany me.
Her name is Nina, she claims to be a Countess. Around forty years old, she’s a woman who emanates a gentle and soft aura.
“Regardless, you’ve arrived during a troublesome period.”
“Yes, indeed.”
ㅤ
The ‘trouble’ she’s referring to likely pertains to the recent intensification of power struggles among the queen’s and the concubine’s faction.
ㅤ
“I have been told by the Marchioness not to get involved in the conflict, but I have no idea who belongs to which faction.”
“Well, there are markers for that. Members of the queen’s faction should be wearing a white feather. Those of the concubine Karina’s faction, on the other hand, are characterized by wearing tin crafted ornaments.”
ㅤ
Nina was wearing an ornament adorned with a white feather. She must be from the queen’s faction.
ㅤ
The maid that Rachael sent me must have intentionally coordinated my attire to avoid these factional indicators. If I wasn’t aware of this, I could have been dragged into trouble.
ㅤ
“If you don’t want to affiliate with either side, it would be best to align with the neutral party centered around Prince Ghodrove.”
ㅤ
Speaking of which, Lord Montyver had also mentioned that he was neutral. As his protege Prince Ghodrove is neutral, he naturally became so as well.
ㅤ
“For years, Prince Ghodrove has been stepping between the queen and Karina, urging them to stop their disputes, but to no avail.”
ㅤ
The queen’s only child is the crown prince, Engelbert.
If her only son were to be assassinated, the right to the throne would fall to other royal members.
ㅤ
“By the way, who holds the second right to the throne?”
“That would be Prince Leonardo, Karina-sama’s son.”
ㅤ
Below Engelbert is another female royal, but her right to succeed seems to be lower than that of the younger Leonardo.
ㅤ
Speaking of the female royal, there seems to be a lot of mystery around her. She has never appeared in the social scene, and only a few people even know her name.
It is whispered that she is the daughter of a concubine who passed away ten years ago, and thus it’s a fitting treatment.
ㅤ
“So, Leonardo is second in line to the throne. I thought it would be Prince Ghodrove.”
“Prince Ghodrove is. . . . . .well. . .the child of a concubine of the former king. While he was welcomed as a member of the royal family, he was not granted the right to succession.”
“I see, that’s how it is.”
ㅤ
Perhaps because Prince Ghodrove doesn’t hold the right to succession, he is suitable to intervene and admonish the feuding parties.
ㅤ
As the carriage approaches the royal castle, I feel a surge of anxiety as if diving into a dragon’s nest.
Will I be able to return safely from the social scene, where conflicts are writhing?
I felt nothing but unease, but the pearl the Marchioness gave me seemed to offer some protection.
ㅤ
A dazzling castle of white chalk, a shining marble floor, a crystal chandelier――it all made me feel as if I had stepped into a storybook world.
Every piece of furniture was sophisticated and tasted good.
I witnessed firsthand how prosperous the country of Binemöer is.
ㅤ
The nobles of Binemöer, seeing my unfamiliar face, turned curious gazes my way, but Nina, who is very sociable, introduced me around.
Upon hearing that I was representing the Marchioness, they treated me with respectful manners.
ㅤ
I was hoping things would go smoothly, but then someone strutted over to me.
She had fiery red hair flowing behind her and was swishing a powder-blue dress as she approached.
Immediately, Nina whispered in my ear.
ㅤ
“That’s Lisa-sama, Duke Maine’s daughter.”
ㅤ
I couldn’t help but tense up at the prospect of a high-ranking lady needing something from me.
Lisa pointed her fan at me sharply, glaring as she shouted.
ㅤ
“So you’ve ingratiate yourself with Marchioness Falkenhigh, that vixen?!”
“Wha, a vixen, you say?!”
“Yes, indeed. It seems like you’re living in luxury at the Marquis’ house, taking advantage of people’s weaknesses.”
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
“Then what about that set of pearls you’re wearing?!”
ㅤ
Lisa stretched out her hand towards my neck, hooking her slender fingertips on my pearl necklace.
With a slight pull from her, the pearls would surely scatter all over.
ㅤ
I noticed Ga-chan looking up at me with a worried expression. Nina too, was turning pale, alternating her gaze between Lisa and me.
ㅤ
“Do you know? These pearls are called ‘Mermaid’s Tears’, the finest pearls. I heard that Marchioness Falkenhigh bought them before I could order them as a gift for Her Majesty the Queen.”
ㅤ
In other words, I’m the undesirable person wearing the item that Lisa wanted to buy.
Even so, I had no idea I was considered a woman taking advantage of the Marchioness’ weaknesses.
Even if I claim it’s a misunderstanding, it seems nobody would listen.
ㅤ
The gazes from those around me feel painfully piercing.
I want to have this conversation in a quieter place to avoid any further scandal.
ㅤ
“Excuse me――”
“Silence, you vixen!”
ㅤ
After any more of my explanations, it was declared that my pearl necklace would be torn up right here.
As I’m in the midst of such distress, the announcement of the king’s arrival echoes around.
The crowd erupts in cheers.
ㅤ
Because the king arrived arm in arm with Karina, appearing quite friendly.
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