Ellie, too, seemed to feel the same, unable to erase her worried expression.

“Why don’t you go see him yourself, Your Highness? If the princess comes, they’ll at least let you in.”

“I want to, but… You know I can’t spare the time right now.”

Since the rumor with Balter spread, more than just Lizaina had come looking for Odette.

Her mother, Empress Katarina, had also sought out Odette.

The Empress, with her gentle face but fierce look and blue hair, always scanned Odette as if evaluating her.

As if checking whether Odette was a threatening figure or not.

And she simply conveyed her business.

[Dash]You must know what’s going on without me having to tell you. Thanks to that, quite a few invitations have piled up for you. Liz and I are in quite a predicament.

Katarina’s way of speaking was always like this.

Conveying the situation, then indirectly telling her purpose.

So Odette quickly said what she had to.

[Dash]I’m sorry for the trouble, Your Majesty. If you sort out where to attend among the invitations, I’ll go there. That way, the current rumors will subside to some extent, so don’t worry.

Ultimately, Katarina’s request was this:

‘Go around the social circles and tell them the rumor is false.’

Of course, there would be some murmuring since Balter had acknowledged it, but it would at least save Lizaina’s face.

From Katarina’s perspective, where she couldn’t completely reject the invitations coming to Odette, this was the best choice.

In the end, Odette had to go around various social gathering places for several days to clarify the rumor.

The sudden increase in external schedule was bearable, but what really troubled Odette was the reaction of those who heard her clarification.

[Dash]It seems Duke Ertman was mistaken. I knew from the beginning it didn’t make sense. A tightrope walk between the 3rd and 4th Princesses…?

Those who ignored Odette, saying they knew it would be like that, were better.

[Dash]Perhaps you were a little hopeful when the rumor spread, Your Highness? One never knows with people.

[Dash]Oh my, what are you saying to someone who might be getting married soon?

[Dash] Is Marbo Changryong’s son a year older than His Highness? Since they’re of similar age, they can get along well.

People teased Odette by making comments that would provoke her, watching her reaction.

They delighted in seeing whether she would get angry or be hurt.

Just like throwing stones to provoke animals behind bars.

‘This is really the worst.’

Even though she did not partake in outdoor activities, the imperial palace itself was like a grand social gathering place, so Odette was quite skilled in the manners of high society.

Even so, such blatant mockery was hard for her to bear.

In just a few days, Odette’s face had become quite pale, and even Odette, who usually wore light makeup, now had to apply it somewhat heavily to conceal her pale complexion and the thick shadows under her eyes.

It was fortunate that Elli was skilled in makeup.

“Still, Your Highness, you are truly beautiful.”

“I don’t care for flattery, Elli.”

“Hey, have you seen me flatter? I’m always sincere.”

Elli said, smiling, and then brought a mirror to reflect her face.

Indeed, Odette’s face in the mirror was very beautiful.

Her already long and lush eyebrows and round eyes gave a rather plain yet pure impression, and now her slender neck to shoulder line appeared more elegant, enhancing that aspect.

Moreover, her deepened eyes and Odette’s unique serene atmosphere gave a melancholic impression, stimulating a peculiar protective instinct.

“Elli, your makeup skills seem to have improved?”

“Your Highness has become more beautiful!”

With a smile at Odette’s teasing, Elli added a thin veil to the shoulder of her dress.

It was a much more elaborate and laborious dress than what Odette usually wore.

The reason was simple.

The gathering Odette had to attend was a tea party with the Emperor.

Though all members of the royal family were obliged to attend, Odette had always avoided it, citing health reasons.

But it was impossible to skip the Emperor’s tea party while actively attending other social events.

‘At least only the royal family members sit at the main table… so I won’t be openly attacked.’

But on the other hand, would it be fortunate to see Katarina, Lizaina, and Blake all in one place?

Odette sighed and rose from her seat.

“I must go now. Elli, go see Count Clovis once more. We need an answer, even if it’s a bit forced.”

“Yes, I will. Take care, Your Highness. You haven’t slept since yesterday.”

Odette gave a slight yawn and smiled, then left the palace.

But as Elli said, her condition was not good. She had been worrying about marriage for several days, losing sleep over it.

‘I really don’t have time now.’

She had managed to avoid it so far, but meeting the Emperor today would make it impossible to dodge the engagement with Changryong.

‘And once it comes up, the marriage with Changryong will become a fait accompli.’

This very point made Odette even more distressed.

She had to prevent it somehow…

‘If the situation is unfavorable, I might even have to consider forcing a delay.’

Odette headed to the tea party with a troubled heart.

Her mind was full of thoughts about Louis until she arrived at the greenhouseturned imperial palace tea party hall.

But as soon as she arrived at the tea party hall, she could not think at all.

Because there was something waiting for her that Odette could not have imagined.