“The aroma of the tea is really wonderful. Truly characteristic of Danaerus, renowned for its tea ceremony.”
“The desserts brought by Lord Delrua are also exceptional. It truly reflects Orma’s fame for its gourmet delights.”
As I listened to the exchange of compliments, I savored the tea brewed from Danaerus leaves and tasted Orma’s traditional dessert. Indeed, one of the perks of active international exchanges is enjoying the best each country has to offer.
“Princess Blanche, which macaron do you like the most?”
Silently, I picked a green one. I didn’t feel the need to expose my short-tongued pronunciation unless necessary.
“Have you tried the strawberry flavor? You might change your mind─”
“What about the pistachio flavor? It’s my favorite too.”
The advantage of being in a large group is that I only need to participate a little in the conversation.
I immersed myself in my own world, leaving the others to debate over the best macaron.
To absolutely dominate the characters of the Emerald Palace means leading them myself.
It implies creating a sort of faction, but I didn’t want to get too deeply entangled with them. Therefore, contrary to the Emperor’s initial request, I proved my abilities by expanding the scope of my influence.
I gathered not just hostages, but all peace envoys, and established a social circle.
It wasn’t difficult. Everyone was eager to meet me.
I simply listened to people’s hobbies and interests, grouped those with similar tastes, and arranged meetings. These small gatherings interlinked, forming a social circle.
It’s easy if you have an eye for people, and that’s something I’m confident in.
Thus, in just a month, I successfully created a new ecosystem within the imperial palace. It was a highly satisfactory social circle, formed around common hobbies and topics of conversation.
Originally, I intended to ruthlessly pursue my own gains, but to my surprise, everyone was happy with the outcome. Perhaps my old habit of caring for the welfare and happiness of the people lingered.
“Princess Blanche? What are you so deeply thinking about?”
Interrupted by these thoughts, a woman seated next to me started a conversation. Was it too obvious that I was lost in thought? Or maybe my facial muscles, not fully developed, made it too apparent.
Nonetheless, I couldn’t let it be known that I no longer cared how the social circle operated, so I quickly sacrificed my pride for damage control.
“They all taste so good, I’m full but can’t decide what else to eat.”
Over-exaggerating my blinking and lifting the corners of my mouth, I gave up trying to pronounce correctly.
My sacrifice paid off, as sounds of admiration came from all directions.
She’s adorable, charming, how can she speak so clearly? It seemed like every compliment that could be attached to a child was thrown my way.
A young body has this advantage. If I were fifteen, speaking like this would have earned me nothing but ridicule.
“Shall we share some together?”
“No, share with me!”
“Here, try this. Ah─ say ‘ah’.”
This was the dialogue that unfolded around me.
“Is it a benefit to have macarons of various flavors, each cut into bite-sized pieces, being offered from all around?”
I was so shocked that I almost exclaimed, ‘How can you behave so rudely at the table, sharing food like this! Take responsibility for your own food!’ But my speechlessness from the surprise allowed me to avoid making a scene.
“It seems you’re shy, aren’t you? It’s okay, Princess Blanche. It’s my fault for making them too big. Next time, I’ll bring them in bite-sized pieces.”
I hoped someone would point out the inappropriateness of their actions, but no one did.
Is such behavior acceptable here? Or is it tolerated because I’m a child?
Is it really okay to spoil a three-year-old like this? Kids these days!
Regardless, pondering over the manners of modern children didn’t make the macarons in front of me disappear. Rejecting them would only dampen the mood.
So, I closed my eyes and ate the macaron thrust at me.
“Th-thank you…”
Once again, sighs of admiration echoed around me.
To them, it was an act of kindness, but for me, it underscored the need to reestablish contact with the Emperor as soon as possible.
Fortunately, that moment came quickly. The Empress sent another invitation, this time to join a royal family meal.
A meal with the royal family, not just the Empress. There’s no reason for me to meet other royals, so this must be about arranging a meeting with the Grand Duke. The Emperor would come to the palace himself if he needed to speak with me, and I certainly wouldn’t be meeting the Empress Dowager.
This confirmed my suspicion that the Emperor and Empress are acting in concert.
“What did you say?” asked Tula, brushing my hair tenderly.
“They want to show me the greenhouse.”
Luckily, I had a week’s notice this time. Tula, who had been silent while tying the ribbon, spoke again after finishing my hair.
“Oh, that beautiful place?”
“Yes.”
I recalled the flower I had received there, wondering if I could get another one this time. It was a different situation from when I had to flaunt favoritism in front of others, but still, it was pretty.
“What about the dress?”
“It’s being prepared as you requested.”
“Will it be ready in five days?”
It’s always good to set a slightly shorter deadline for such matters.
“I’ll check on it.”
“Okay.”
After sending Tula away, I nibbled on the invitation, lost in thought.
The Emperor’s brother, said to be precociously sharp like a tack sprung from a pocket, what kind of child could he be?
In my mind, I pictured a boy who was quiet, spoke softly, smiled harmlessly, and never showed any spoiled behavior. A boy who could use formal language effortlessly, even with younger girls, and remain unfazed amidst hostility.
But if crossed, he would be more troublesome than anyone. Such a boy.
Somehow, Melchizedek George Pendleton, the Duke of Randolph, seemed to fit this image. The child I needed to win over.
And my instincts are rarely wrong.
I selected several strategies for dealing with a wary, seemingly impenetrable 5-year-old child.
“It’s easy.”
I might not know how to deal with children, but I certainly know how to handle someone who thinks they are smart and mature.
I optimistically predicted the situation.
Though Blanche couldn’t help but misunderstand, given the impeccable
Male lead reborn without memories — but he still falls for her.
The person he finds displeasing in this life turns out to be his cherished wife-master in previous life…
Xie Zhi and Fang Xianxing who had known each other for less than three days through a blind date sat in the same car in front of the civil affairs bureau. They had a disagreement and failed to get married.
Xie Zhi immediately took out his phone, slid through his contacts, and randomly selected the next marriage candidate.
The woman snatched his phone and hung up. Looking at his phone wallpaper, she awkwardly changed the subject: “An ancient painting, eh? It looks pretty good, it’s just that the person in the painting looks a bit like me.”
When he heard this, he sarcastically mocked her for being so delusional, completely unaware that, the person in front of him was the reincarnation of Wen Ru, the famous prime minister of Yuan Shun whom he most admired…
The female CEO who doesn’t want to get married with a divorce agreement in hand × The male archaeological researcher who will only get married if he’s sure he can get divorced
