Chapter 28: I took away Yeju's first love.
Lela slapped Raymond with all her might.
For a moment, it seemed as if she had forgotten that he was destined to become a great tower master.
Taken aback by the sudden turn of events, Raymond rubbed his cheek with a bewildered look on his face.
I quickly stepped between Lela and Raymond.
"Are you feeling better now?"
Lela's lips were tightly pressed together, and her hands were trembling.
Her beloved family had nearly died, and she had lost the place they had built together in an instant; a single slap could not possibly make her feel better.
"If that's the case, what do you think?"
Seeing Raymond flinch, I couldn't hide my sneer.
I leaned down and brought my lips close to Raymond's ear, still crouching on the floor.
"Is your feeling for Tatiana only this much?"
"W-What are you talking about?"
Pierced to the core, Raymond stepped back.
"If she hadn't asked you, you wouldn't have done this, right?"
"Do you really have to twist it like that? I just wanted to be forgiven for my mistake."
His shameless apology, combined with his acting skills, was revolting.
What did he hope to gain by apologizing to me like this? Raymond wasn't a simple fool who thought he could regain trust with just such an apology.
'Even if I ask, he won't tell me.'
Regardless of his intentions, it was a good opportunity to turn Tatiana's world upside down.
"Or are you worried that you won't receive an invitation this time?"
Of course, since Tatiana married Andrew, I hadn't invited them to any parties.
It wasn't that I disliked Tatiana, but seeing Andrew with her was painful.
But this ball was different.
"Tell Tatiana that she doesn't need to worry."
Raymond narrowed his eyes, trying to gauge my sincerity.
"So don't come here and pretend to apologize just to torment me."
With nothing more to say to him, I returned to the workshop with Lela.
Nivea was curled up on the bed, fast asleep.
Lela watched her mother with a somber expression. I gestured for Lela to come outside the bedroom.
"I'll send a doctor tomorrow. He's quite skilled, so she'll get better soon."
Lela said this while touching the hand she had used to slap Raymond.
"Will you say anything about this later?"
"Of course not. I'll say I did it."
"Don't worry about me. The person who looks after me is in a much higher position than the man who came earlier."
Although I haven't used him before, I have enough status and power, and Lela's expression relaxed.
"Thank you for your concern. I will repay this favor."
She clenched her fist and said resolutely.
Her declaration was cute, but I could tell how serious she was.
"Don't try to repay me. Just become more famous and take revenge for me."
"I'll do both. Watch me, Lady."
If she had the talent Nivea believed in, she would probably make a name for herself without my help.
But since she was so proactive, I decided to play along a bit.
"I'll be looking forward to it."
I smiled at Lela and stood up.
I had a good feeling that this would succeed.
I had sent out all the invitations, and the hall decorations were complete. There was still some time before the ball.
"Miss, are you really going to send an invitation to the Duke's residence?"
Lily, who was putting a hat on my head and tying the ribbon tightly, grumbled.
It seemed she didn't like the idea of inviting Tatiana.
"Are you not looking forward to it?"
I smiled at her, finding her cute for speaking her mind even while reading my mood.
One reason I kept Lily by my side, despite her sometimes arrogant attitude, was her willingness to speak up when necessary.
Coming from a world where everyone was equal, the class system was unfamiliar to me, and Lily's actions helped me breathe easier.
I had invited her to see her suffer, knowing she would be distressed to see what she wanted taken by someone else.
Moreover, if even her close friends praised this event, her greedy nature might show.
No, it would definitely show.
It was a large party, so there would be many eyes, and the world that had been kind to her had changed, so rumors might spread.
"I'm curious to see what will happen."
Lily looked at me with wide eyes at my muttered words.
I shook my head and picked up the remaining invitations.
I had kept them for special guests and planned to deliver them personally.
"The carriage is ready outside, Miss."
At the butler's words, I put the invitations in my small handbag and left the mansion.
The carriage headed quickly to the palace in the center of the city.
The guards at the main gate, having confirmed our family crest, cleared the way.
It seemed Aster had given instructions in advance. It took quite a while to reach the palace where the emperor resided, even in the carriage.
There were many checkpoints along the way.
'He's been emperor for quite a while now.'
Even after ascending the throne, Aster continued to face threats to his position.
He had survived several assassination attempts and quelled rebellions, punishing the rebels cruelly.
As a result, he successfully suppressed the noble faction, but his reputation among the people worsened.
This led to endless assassination attempts, even though they were bound to fail.
'It's all the late emperor's fault.'
If he hadn't ignored Aster while making him the crown prince and deliberately shared power with him, he wouldn't have to suffer like this.
I developed negative feelings toward the late emperor, whom I had never met.
Snapped out of my thoughts by the driver's announcement, I opened the door and stepped out.
A butler I had met a few times was waiting.
The butler bowed with a gentle smile.
I accepted his greeting and passed the gift I had brought to a maid.
"I brought some cake that His Majesty enjoyed when he visited the mansion. Could you serve it during tea time?"
"Of course. Please follow me this way."
The butler smiled brightly and glanced at the beautifully wrapped box.
We walked through a plush carpeted corridor after passing through the castle gates.
When we reached the door with the royal crest carved in relief, the butler turned around and said,
"I'll announce you to His Majesty. Please wait a moment, Lady."
The butler went inside, and I looked around, having nothing to do. The castle, mainly used for official business, was sparsely decorated and clean.
The bright summer sunlight sparkled on the monochrome walls.
The peaceful midday summer scene made me feel good.
I was glad I had come to see Aster today.
However, my mood quickly soured.
A voice I hadn't expected to hear.
I slowly turned around, feeling a sense of déjà vu in his violet eyes. He blinked, as if trying to confirm it was really me.
As I spoke, the man's face regained its composure.
"It's been a while. What brings you to the palace...?"
"Aren't we on terms to share personal matters?"
I didn't want to talk to him.
Showing my hostility openly, he bit his lip.
As if I had done something wrong.
"Lady, His Majesty requests you to come inside."
Fortunately, the butler's return saved me from having to deal with him further.
If I had looked at him any longer, I might have lashed out.
"I have prior commitments."
I gave a light bow and turned to leave, feeling his lingering gaze on my back.
When the door closed and Andrew's gaze disappeared, I let out a sigh.
Aster approached with a bright smile. Seeing his face, my mood improved.
"Was your journey here uncomfortable?"
"No, but the checkpoints were a bit bothersome."
"Oh, I'm sorry about that."
Despite not being sorry, he made a pitiful face, and I couldn't help but laugh.
Aster, with a playful smile, led me inside.
The lounge set up in a corner of the office was decorated like a greenhouse.
The fresh scent of plants in the pots made it feel cozy.
In the center of the table was the cake I had brought, along with a teapot and cups.
"I'm sorry for always calling you to such a boring place."
"On the contrary, I prefer it this way."
Seeing his private space meant we were close, so I didn't mind.
Although I didn't come often, it was a bit uncomfortable to keep running into Andrew.
He smiled silently, as if relieved, and guided me to a seat.
The unpleasant encounter was long forgotten.