Cheraan tilted her head as he watched Judith and Franz whispering throughout the meal. However, she could not hear their conversation because they were far away. Sometimes, when their eyes met, Judith would look away with a smile on her face, which was a bit suspicious.
After leaving the table, Franz left a quick kiss on Judith's forehead and went straight to meet the ministers. King Jedercayer gave him more and more work. He might be happy because it was proof that he trusted his son's abilities, but Judith, who knew his condition was gradually deteriorating, was not entirely happy about the change.
“Your Highness, what on earth were you talking about with the Crown Prince?”
As soon as they left the restaurant, Cheraan asked what she had been wondering about. However, Judith, as usual, did not answer right away. She shook her head with a still vague smile.
"It is a secret."
“I thought you were looking at my chest.”
Cheraan narrowed his eyes. Then Judith immediately began to laugh as if she couldn't hold it in anymore.
“Why on earth would you think that? Why would I be badmouth Cheraan, and the Crown Prince at that?”
“I think so too, but you two were really strange today. For some reason, you kept looking at me and laughing...”
“I didn’t tell any lies. You can trust me. Have I ever lied to Cheraan?”
“Well... no, of course.”
Cheraan immediately shut her mouth tightly like a stern lady. Judith smiled again at the sight, but soon the smile faded away as if covered in clouds.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess, how are you?”
A woman who was approaching her from the middle of the hallway gave off a strong scent that was impossible to ignore.
Judith shifted her gaze slightly to look at her. The finest dress, obviously made by one of the best dress shops in the capital, the splendid jewelry, the bright platinum hair that was deliberately curled and then let down in a voluminous manner, and the rare pink eyes were impressive.
Krald's government was Libencia Montfort.
“Good morning, Miss Montfort.”
When Judith greeted her in a quiet voice, Libencia burst into laughter so loud that the surrounding maids were startled. Even though she didn’t seem to be laughing, it was clearly rude behavior. Just as Cheraan was about to say something in anger, Judith quietly stopped her with a look of caution.
“Your Highness, you are so listless for a good morning?”
“I guess it’s because it’s morning. It’s unexpected for you to come to me at this early hour. What’s going on?”
“What’s the matter? I just wanted to have a cup of tea with you and say hello.”
Greetings. Judith swallowed a bitter smile at Libencia's words.
'I know it feels like my world is my own now that Flavia is gone, but it's still too fast.'
Up until now, Libencia had never visited Judith like this. She lived in the salon and rooms that Krald had given her as if she would fill the place with earth and rocks if Flavia left the palace of Serene and never let her enter again.
Since no one in Serene Palace could restrain Libencia's actions except for Krald anyway, there was no need for her to go outside and enjoy social activities. It was no longer surprising to hear that after Libencia took over the largest salon in Serene Palace, there was a constant stream of loud parties going on all night.
Why would Libencia come to see her now?
Judith read her mind carefully without even raising an eyebrow. It could be a silent protest that Flavia was gone, so there was nothing more to be bothered by or to be concerned about. It could also be an action that came from the confident belief that she would take the position of the second Princess that suddenly became vacant.
Of course, Queen Gilsis would absolutely oppose putting Libencia in the position of the second Princess, even if it meant hanging herself in front of Krald. It was somewhat strange that the Queen, who protected anything Krald did, even if it was a crime, would not tolerate Libencia Montfort at all.
Judith slowly closed her eyes and opened them. No matter what Libencia had in mind, whether she was trying to get something from her or take it away, she had no intention of giving anything away and had no intention of being taken away. So in this situation, there was only one answer she could give.
“Okay. Would you like to come inside?”
Judith pretended not to notice Cheraan, who was standing next to her but started walking. Libencia followed behind her with a proud and sullen expression that was as arrogant as her own.
The tea was soon ready. They had both just finished their meal, but since breakfast was usually not a heavy meal, the somewhat heavy aroma of the tea was acceptable. However, as soon as Libencia picked up her teacup, she looked at Judith with an expression that clearly showed that she had made up her mind.
“I thought Your Highness the Crown Princess would only enjoy light tea, but surprisingly, you like this kind of tea too?”
Judith, who was about to take a sip of tea, glanced up. She was smiling brightly, but there was no trace of an affectionate atmosphere about her. If Queen Gilsis were twenty years younger, she would probably be similar to Libencia's current self.
“I enjoy a variety of teas. I like heavy teas and light teas. If the flavor is too strong and I don’t like it, I’ll ask for a different tea.”
“I love this kind of tea. I like anything strong. The scent, the color, the whispers of love.”
Judith, who was looking at the rising white steam, smiled slightly, wrinkling her nose. Suddenly, she remembered something from a few years ago. It was the sight of Libencia awkwardly hanging out with Crawd among the trees and bushes in the palace garden.
“I know you are a very strong-willed person, Miss Montfort.”
“Of course. Lord Krald likes people like that.”
Judith took a sip of her tea. This time she didn't laugh. She didn't want to agree with anything about Krald, nor did she want to laugh out of politeness. It was a natural reaction since Judith alone knew about the terrible things that neither Libencia nor anyone else in the room knew.
Libencia said.
“The second Princess, no, not even the Princess anymore. The woman who was the daughter of that filthy Count Bloset. She was really stupid. Even when I passed by her, I felt stuffy energy coming from her. So even His Highness Krald couldn’t help but dislike her. Well, who would like her? Don’t you think so?”
Judith listened to Libencia's words with a painted smile on her face. Libencia, who interpreted the silence as she pleased, became even more proud and talked excitedly.
“I never would have guessed that she would be walking around with her head down so gloomily, and then behind your back she would be plotting something so shameless.”
“..."
“Your Highness the Crown Princess must have been the most shocked of all, but when I heard the rumor, I almost fainted. It was beyond shameless, it gave me goosebumps. You have to look down on someone you can’t look down on. Such nonsense...”
“That story is over now, so I don’t think it’s an appropriate topic for morning tea.”
The seemingly endless chatter suddenly stopped. Judith put down her teacup and smiled softly.
“Shall we talk about something else? I heard that Miss Montfort is very sensitive to fashion. Is there anything that has caught the eye of Miss Montfort or her acquaintances recently?”
“Of course there is.”
It was a lively answer that seemed frivolous, but the conversation didn't continue any further. Judith, who was quietly drinking tea and waiting for Libencia to continue talking, glanced at her with a puzzled expression.
“I forgot that Your Highness the Crown Princess is a noble person, unlike me. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“What does that mean?”
“Flavia, that’s what’s popular these days among me and my acquaintances. Isn’t that more interesting than dresses or jewelry?”
Judith sighed quietly so that she wouldn't notice. She knew that rumors about Flavia were spreading throughout the palace, but she was trying hard not to hear those curious rumors.
It was natural that she couldn't forgive Flavia, but Judith didn't want to keep hearing things like she had a crush on Franz, even if it was Franz who had lured Flavia into the trap.
Judith wasn't the only one who noticed the sarcastic tone in the word 'noble', so the air in the room quickly became cold. Only Libencia, the one who had brought up the subject, was pretending not to notice and grinning as if it wasn't a big deal.
“I don’t know if it’s noble enough to be called that, but it seems to me that my tastes differ from Miss Montfort’s. So I think it’s time for you to make a choice. Either you and I can have a proper chat and have tea, or you can return to the Serene Palace.”
At those words spoken calmly without any sign of anger, the smile on Libencia's face disappeared without a trace in an instant.
Judith, who was watching the scene carefully, almost burst out laughing. Even though she had lived without fear as Krald's government, Judith had never thought that she would be so transparent, so she was rather shocked. She was curious whether she would immediately get up and never come back, since she had an unusual personality, or whether she would just sit there and act strangely.
The latter was what Libencia chose. If she had acted according to her nature, she would have immediately risen up and overturned the table, but there was no benefit to causing a ruckus in the Nation Palace now.
No one did not sympathize with the Crown Princess who almost died due to the evil scheme of the second Princess who had a dark heart. If rumors spread that she had gotten angry and left the tea party with the Crown Princess, who already had many enemies everywhere, it would also hinder her future plans.
“Your Highness, do you really think I would have said such a thing to Your Highness with disrespect? I simply said it as it was. If my remark could have been misunderstood, I apologize.”
“Yes. If you say so, Miss Montfort, then I will gladly accept your apology this time.”
The corners of Libencia’s mouth trembled slightly at Judith’s response. She was trying to force a smile, but it looked as if it would break at any moment.
Of course, Queen Gilsis would absolutely oppose putting Libencia in the position of the second Princess, even if it meant hanging herself in front of Krald. It was somewhat strange that the Queen, who protected anything Krald did, even if it was a crime, would not tolerate Libencia Montfort at all.
Judith slowly closed her eyes and opened them. No matter what Libencia had in mind, whether she was trying to get something from her or take it away, she had no intention of giving anything away and had no intention of being taken away. So in this situation, there was only one answer she could give.
“Okay. Would you like to come inside?”
Judith pretended not to notice Cheraan, who was standing next to her but started walking. Libencia followed behind her with a proud and sullen expression that was as arrogant as her own.
The tea was soon ready. They had both just finished their meal, but since breakfast was usually not a heavy meal, the somewhat heavy aroma of the tea was acceptable. However, as soon as Libencia picked up her teacup, she looked at Judith with an expression that clearly showed that she had made up her mind.
“I thought Your Highness the Crown Princess would only enjoy light tea, but surprisingly, you like this kind of tea too?”
Judith, who was about to take a sip of tea, glanced up. She was smiling brightly, but there was no trace of an affectionate atmosphere about her. If Queen Gilsis were twenty years younger, she would probably be similar to Libencia's current self.
“I enjoy a variety of teas. I like heavy teas and light teas. If the flavor is too strong and I don’t like it, I’ll ask for a different tea.”
“I love this kind of tea. I like anything strong. The scent, the color, the whispers of love.”
Judith, who was looking at the rising white steam, smiled slightly, wrinkling her nose. Suddenly, she remembered something from a few years ago. It was the sight of Libencia awkwardly hanging out with Crawd among the trees and bushes in the palace garden.
“I know you are a very strong-willed person, Miss Montfort.”
“Of course. Lord Krald likes people like that.”
Judith took a sip of her tea. This time she didn't laugh. She didn't want to agree with anything about Krald, nor did she want to laugh out of politeness. It was a natural reaction since Judith alone knew about the terrible things that neither Libencia nor anyone else in the room knew.
Libencia said.
“The second Princess, no, not even the Princess anymore. The woman who was the daughter of that filthy Count Bloset. She was really stupid. Even when I passed by her, I felt stuffy energy coming from her. So even His Highness Krald couldn’t help but dislike her. Well, who would like her? Don’t you think so?”
Judith listened to Libencia's words with a painted smile on her face. Libencia, who interpreted the silence as she pleased, became even more proud and talked excitedly.
“I never would have guessed that she would be walking around with her head down so gloomily, and then behind your back she would be plotting something so shameless.”
“..."
“Your Highness the Crown Princess must have been the most shocked of all, but when I heard the rumor, I almost fainted. It was beyond shameless, it gave me goosebumps. You have to look down on someone you can’t look down on. Such nonsense...”
“That story is over now, so I don’t think it’s an appropriate topic for morning tea.”
The seemingly endless chatter suddenly stopped. Judith put down her teacup and smiled softly.
“Shall we talk about something else? I heard that Miss Montfort is very sensitive to fashion. Is there anything that has caught the eye of Miss Montfort or her acquaintances recently?”
“Of course there is.”
It was a lively answer that seemed frivolous, but the conversation didn't continue any further. Judith, who was quietly drinking tea and waiting for Libencia to continue talking, glanced at her with a puzzled expression.
“I forgot that Your Highness the Crown Princess is a noble person, unlike me. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“What does that mean?”
“Flavia, that’s what’s popular these days among me and my acquaintances. Isn’t that more interesting than dresses or jewelry?”
Judith sighed quietly so that she wouldn't notice. She knew that rumors about Flavia were spreading throughout the palace, but she was trying hard not to hear those curious rumors.
It was natural that she couldn't forgive Flavia, but Judith didn't want to keep hearing things like she had a crush on Franz, even if it was Franz who had lured Flavia into the trap.
Judith wasn't the only one who noticed the sarcastic tone in the word 'noble', so the air in the room quickly became cold. Only Libencia, the one who had brought up the subject, was pretending not to notice and grinning as if it wasn't a big deal.
“I don’t know if it’s noble enough to be called that, but it seems to me that my tastes differ from Miss Montfort’s. So I think it’s time for you to make a choice. Either you and I can have a proper chat and have tea, or you can return to the Serene Palace.”
At those words spoken calmly without any sign of anger, the smile on Libencia's face disappeared without a trace in an instant.
Judith, who was watching the scene carefully, almost burst out laughing. Even though she had lived without fear as Krald's government, Judith had never thought that she would be so transparent, so she was rather shocked. She was curious whether she would immediately get up and never come back, since she had an unusual personality, or whether she would just sit there and act strangely.
The latter was what Libencia chose. If she had acted according to her nature, she would have immediately risen up and overturned the table, but there was no benefit to causing a ruckus in the Nation Palace now.
No one did not sympathize with the Crown Princess who almost died due to the evil scheme of the second Princess who had a dark heart. If rumors spread that she had gotten angry and left the tea party with the Crown Princess, who already had many enemies everywhere, it would also hinder her future plans.
“Your Highness, do you really think I would have said such a thing to Your Highness with disrespect? I simply said it as it was. If my remark could have been misunderstood, I apologize.”
“Yes. If you say so, Miss Montfort, then I will gladly accept your apology this time.”
The corners of Libencia’s mouth trembled slightly at Judith’s response. She was trying to force a smile, but it looked as if it would break at any moment.
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