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TL: Sorry this one came late, was busy with college. Anyways, enjoy reading!
The children competed enthusiastically to take the seat next to Charlize.
The Empress, who was watching that unfold, suddenly shot a question at Charlize with a sullen expression.
“Can I say something, Charlize?”
“Yes?”
“You told me that you helped organize the tea party hosted by Viscountess Antes.”
Her tone sounded quite sharp.
“I suppose that means you’ve become rather close with Viscountess Antes.”
Wait, don’t tell me the Empress is jealous of Sienna?
Charlize widened her eyes.
The Empress continued, turning her head coyly.
“It’s great that you’re close with Viscountess Antes, but don’t forget about me.”
Oh, she is jealous.
Charlize then had an epiphany.
Fortunately for her, throughout her years of experience as a maid in the Empress’s palace, she knew exactly how to respond when the Empress behaved like this.
“Ah, what are you saying?”
Charlize closed her eyes and smiled.
“To me, Her Majesty is the best.”
“…really?”
“Of course!”
Charlize answered in an exaggerated voice.
Even with that answer, the Empress still did not look at Charlize.
However, the corners of her lips were slightly raised.
The nobles took notice of the affectionate exchange between the Empress and Charlize.
“Just as I thought, Lady Charlize chose the seat right next to Her Majesty.”
“The Empress seems to care a great deal about Lady Charlize.”
“Isn’t that wonderful?”
The whispering made Lady Bennet upset.
That position was supposed to be hers, rightfully reserved for the relative of the Empress.
‘Just what on earth is this! Her Majesty, the Empress only picks Charlize?!’
Anger rose up all the way to her throat.
But what upset her the most was that no one cared whether she was mad or not.
‘How could they do this to me!’
Lady Bennet’s eyes were sharp as daggers.
Then the puppet show began.
“So the fairy told the carpenter the secret place where the treasure was hidden. Kids, where do you think the secret place is?”
“Um, yes!” exclaimed one child.
“Me, me! I think I know! A cave!” exclaimed another.
“No, it would have buried them deep in the ground in the forest!” shouted a child excitedly.
The children were completely immersed in the puppet show.
Above all, the puppet master skillfully interacted with the children.
‘He’s really good.’
Charlize looked at the puppet with interest.
I thought it was just a puppet show for children but before I knew it, it had my undivided attention.
“And so the fairy and the carpenter lived happily ever after!”
The puppeteer, who kept the children entertained with his puppets for a long time, finally finished the show.
“Wow!”
“Clap clap clap!!
The children clapped till their hands were pinkish red.
Some of the children even shed tears because they were so moved.
Charlize watched the children with a giddy expression as if she would pass out from all childrens’ cuteness.
‘Huh?’
Charlize couldn’t conceal her sullen expression when she noticed a smoldering stare.
‘Was that Lady Bennet again?’
That woman doesn’t seem to tire, right now she looks like she wants to punch a hole through my face.
Charlize shook her head inwardly.
But then, the Empress Dowager opened her mouth with a slightly fatigued expression.
“It’s been a long time since the tea party started, it’s natural I’m a little tired.”
“Ah, I feel a bit drained too.”
The Empress also had a slightly wearied look.
Well, that’s understandable.
No matter how mild the weather is in spring, they’ve been sitting in sunlight for too long.
“Let me accompany you to the resting room…” said Sienna.
Charlize tried to stand up but the Empress shook her head.
“Viscountess Antes, you’re the host of this tea party. A host must not be absent.”
“Then…”
“Just call a maid. We can go by ourselves.”
At those words, Sienna quickly called for a maid.
“Do your best until the tea party is over.”
“Ah, yes!” responded Sienna.
The Empress and the Empress Dowager waved tenderly as they followed the maid to the resting room.
Charlize stared at them as they left, feeling their affection.
‘Now that I think of it…the two of them have always had a good relationship.’
It was probably because they endured the difficult life in the imperial palace by relying on each other.
Then.
“I present this flower in hopes that the fairy’s blessing will be upon you!”
The puppeteer sprinkled paper flowers all over the children.
“Wow, it’s flowers!”
“Me too, I want one too!”
The cheering children each bent down to pick up flowers.
‘Absolutely adorable.’
Just when Charlize looked down at her children with a satisfied smile.
“Could you pick up that flower over there?”
Lady Bennet spoke to Charlize, her eyes glowing sinisterly.
Although it was phrased in the form of a request, her tone clearly meant it as an order.
Instead of answering, Charlize glanced down at her feet.
A paper flower had fallen right before her.
“I want you to pick up that flower.”
Can you believe this?
Charlize nearly laughed at that ignorant attempt.
It was obvious that Lady Bennet was trying to get her to bow before her.
Lady Bennet insisted in an impatient voice.
“Come on. I can’t quite reach it.”
The atmosphere had calmed down.
No matter how ignorant a lady can be, Charlize couldn’t afford to be ignorant of Lady Bennett’s obscure ulterior motives.
In the serene atmosphere, the only one straining her shoulders was Lady Bennett.
But then.
A paper flower was suddenly thrown in front of her.
The puppeteer who threw the flower earlier, came, picked it up, and handed it to her.
“What, what?!”
What else is this? I must see that Charlize bow!
Lady Bennett became agitated and struck the puppeteer’s hand.
“How rude of you, you lowly puppeteer!”
“Didn’t you ask for the flower to be picked up?”
In contrast to Lady Bennet’s voice, which was full of rage, the puppeteer’s voice was tranquil throughout.
“What, was I not humble enough when I picked up the flower?”
“You…”
“In my eyes, Lady Bennet, judging people based on whether they’re inferior or not inferior…”
The tips of the puppeteer’s lips, revealed under the colorful mask, slanted upward.
“You’re more inferior.”
“What the hell is this nonsense!”
Lady Bennet exclaimed bitterly.
Meanwhile, Charlize was somewhat taken aback.
‘No, is this person aware of what he’s doing?’
No matter what, Lady Bennet has the backing of her aristocratic family while that puppeteer is a commoner with no one to support him.
If Lady Bennet decides to take revenge in private over what the puppeteer said…
“Please stop it. There’s no need to make a fuss over this.”
Charlize tried to quickly end the argument.
Suddenly.
“Then, if you don’t want to accept a humble puppeteer’s flower…”
The puppeteer removed the mask from his face.
A wild smile was revealed underneath the cute mask worn for the puppet show.
“Would you like to receive a Crown Prince’s flower?”
…no, why is Damian here?!
Charlize couldn’t hide her embarrassed expression.
“Oh my God, the puppeteer is His Highness, the Crown Prince!”
“Did Lady Bennet say His Highness, the Crown Prince, is inferior?” said an attendee.
“Oh, my!” said another attendee.
People gasped in surprise.
Lady Bennet’s face had all of a sudden lost its color.
“I, Your Highness!”
Lady Bennet called out to Damian in a strained voice.
But Damian’s words weren’t over yet.
“How is it? Knowing you had the Crown Prince bow before you, Lady Bennet.”
“I, I…er…”
“Today’s hostess of the banquet, Viscountess Antes, is a friend of my fiancee.”
Cutting off Lady Bennet’s stuttering voice, Damian continued.
“Since I have no desire to cause a commotion at her banquet, I won’t take fault with you, Lady Bennet for the disrespect shown toward me today.”
The scarlet eyes peering right at Lady Bennet, shone brightly.
Gulp.
Lady Bennet cowered in place.
“Just be quiet and step off. Do you understand?”
It was a clear warning.
Lady Bennet’s face, which had turned bone white, was now going back and forth between red and purple.
Around that time, Damian turned to Charlize.
A radiant smile crept across his face.
“Charlize.”
“Ah, no, Your Highness.”
Charlize, who had been staring blankly at Damian, soon came to her senses.
“Wait a minute, come here.”
Charlize dragged Damian by the wrist and hurried away with him from the crowd.
“It seems as though those two are really close!”
“Very close, aren’t they?” A contented voice said in the growing distance.
Hey, that’s not it!
Charlize was just embarrassed.
Standing in a corner and out of sight, she lowered her voice and whispered.
“How? When you told me you were somehow going to attend the spring tea party, this is what you meant?”
“Well, only women can attend the spring tea party, right?”
Damian replied confidently.
Be that as it may, I never thought he would go to the extent of learning puppetry!
Where’s his dignity as Crown Prince?