"Oh my, how dare she come here!"
A shocking sound erupted from here and there.
"Did she get an invitation?"
"No way."
"Then who dared bring that woman?"
The blatant whispering, not even trying to hide it, was directed at Elena. One of those who had been glaring at Elena with contemptuous eyes stood up.
"Miss Elena Lopez. What's going on?"
It was Madame Evelyn. Evelyn clicked her tongue as she glared at the face that was so familiar through various gossip magazines, even though it was her first time seeing it up close.
'How shameless of you to show your face here!'
How could the main culprit who ruined the relationship by having an affair with the bride's ex-fiancé be attending a gathering like this?
Despite the tragedy, Ariana was fortunate to find true love. And today was the day that love would bear fruit. She couldn't let that woman ruin such a meaningful day.
Elena lowered her head as Evelyn approached her sharply.
"I'm sorry..."
'What is this, you woman? Why are you like this?'
Evelyn furrowed her brow as she looked at Elena, who was trembling like a deer that had been shot by an arrow. Elena was a promising soprano, so Evelyn had seen her perform a few times. At that time, she didn't feel like this at all. Rather, she was a confident and fresh image.
"I, that's... Ugh, so..."
"What is it? Why can't you speak properly?"
Elena was so nervous that it seemed as if she had cried. Evelyn looked at Elena, who was trembling like a wet bird and unable to continue speaking, with displeasure. It felt like she was needlessly driving herself into a villainous position and wasting time.
The sound of grass squeaking could be heard from afar. Evelyn sighed as she saw Ariana and Dante approaching her. She had wanted to kick Elena out before Ariana found out, but she had failed.
Ariana, who came closer, briefly greeted Evelyn and then looked back at Elena.
"Hello, Elena."
Her calm voice came out without a single waver. People couldn't help but admire her composure.
'She must have been a face she absolutely didn't want to see on a day like today...'
'She must have been very surprised to see her suddenly appear, but she remained calm.'
"Ah... Sister."
Elena licked her lips. Evelyn narrowed her brows when she noticed that her lips were dyed a rosy color. Now that she looked at her, she could see that she had applied white powder to her skin to make her look gaunt, but she had also given her cheeks and eyes a little color, creating a strange atmosphere.
"Sister, today... You are really pretty. Even with His Highness the Duke..."
Elena looked back at Dante and almost bit her tongue in surprise. His gaze was devoid of warmth. Her body temperature seemed to drop by a level as she met his cold gaze as if looking at something extremely worthless.
"... You suit well."
As Elena barely finished speaking, criticism poured in from all over the place.
"Did she come here to talk about something like that?"
"That's unbelievable. Who would want to receive blessings from a woman like that?"
Elena pretended not to hear those voices and fluttered her eyelashes pitifully.
"I'm sorry for coming. I know you don't like seeing my face... but on a day like today, I really wanted to congratulate you. More than anything, I thought I wouldn't be able to see you anymore after you became a Duchess..."
"Ha, well, there's no way a concubine like that could meet the noble Duchess of Heigenberg."
"Why did she come here when she knew so well?"
Elena gripped the hem of her dress tightly at the whispering voice. She held on so tightly that the bones bulged out on the back of her white hand.
"Um, sis. Actually... there's a story you don't know."
"What did that fox say?"
Evelyn burst out laughing in shock. It was obvious that she had come all the way here pretending to be pitiful, and that she was just letting everyone hear her meaningful words.
'This won't do. I'll take the lead and drive this vixen out.'
If the priest himself stepped forward, there would be gossip. It was the moment Evelyn opened her mouth, determined that she had to step forward even if it meant damaging her image.
"Did I say that I didn't know the story?"
'Oh, Ariana...!'
Evelyn looked back at Ariana with a pitiful face. The kind and pure Ariana had taken the vixen's bait. Elena nodded as if she had been waiting.
"Yes, Sister. I didn't dare to say it until now..."
"What is that? Elena. Tell me here."
Arianna urged without a moment's hesitation. Elena rolled her eyes slightly in embarrassment, perhaps because it was a little unexpected. Laughter poured out again from those around her.
"Well, what would she have to say?"
"With her reputation at rock bottom, she must have tried to get forgiveness somehow. How shameless... "
As the criticism directed at Elena was intensifying, the man standing a few steps behind her suddenly got up and stepped forward.
"That's not it. There's a truth that you don't know about!"
"..."
The surroundings became quiet for a moment at the sudden statement. A man with a sturdy build protected Elena.
"Miss Elena is the victim!"
"What are you talking about?"
Evelyn was so shocked that she forgot about her pride for a moment and opened her mouth. In the frozen atmosphere, the man strode toward Ariana.
"Oh, that guy?"
Several people recognized the man's face and opened their eyes wide.
"Isn't that the botanist Adolf?"
He was the only son of a family famous for being rich. The nickname "botanist" was given to him for a special reason, but it was a secret shared only among a few nobles.
"That's the truth that the lady doesn't know. Miss Elena is not a mistress. She is also a victim!"
Adolf shouted firmly and bowed his head.
"I'm sorry for the late introduction. Congratulations on your wedding. I am Adolf of the Schmidt family."
"This is not a particularly pleasant congratulation. Adolf Schmidt."
Adolf's shoulders stiffened at the frosty voice.
"Today is the day when my bride should be happier than anyone else in the world."
Dante hugged Ariana's shoulder. Ariana's face hardened for a moment, but she soon leaned her cheek against his chest.
"Is this important enough to upset this person on a day like this?"
The fierce aura in her cold voice was sharp as if cutting. Adolf couldn't say anything and just glared. He felt like an insignificant insect standing before those eyes. The courage that had existed just a moment ago and the sense of duty to tell the 'truth' were now like a piece of paper drowning in water before the red gaze.
"Ah, Adolf..."
At that moment, Elena's frail voice was heard.
"I'm fine. I guess you still don't want to see my face. I think I was too hasty, so today, just... "
The voice trembled pitifully. The voice that stimulated Adolf's protective instinct reignited his courage. Adolf clenched his fists and opened his mouth.
"Excuse me, Your Highness, this is important. When Lady Ariana learns that she actually hated her innocent sister because of a devilish man, she will surely think the same way!"
"A devilish man."
"Who are you talking about?"
Adolf shouted, looking around at the people whispering.
"Of course! Of course, I mean Lucas Pedegreen!"
"..."
The surroundings froze in silence once again. Adolf began to appeal eloquently.
"He forcibly raped Miss Elena and confessed his love to her. Miss Elena was so shocked and scared, but she couldn't tell anyone! She suffered alone. She was afraid that if they found out the truth, she would hurt my sister who loved her fiancé so much...!"
The surroundings were in an uproar.
"...What? What did I just hear?"
"Does that make sense?"
"Only Marquis Pedegreen is the perpetrator, and Elena is a one-sided victim? Do you think we're going to believe that now?"
Voices sneered here and there as if to tell them to listen. Adolf, who was gritting his teeth, shouted again.
"As proof!"
Adolf grabbed Elena's hand tightly.
"Elena and I have been seeing each other all along! In fact, we were secretly engaged. If that Marquis Pedegreen hadn't committed such a terrible act, Elena would have been my wife by now!"
"... Elena Lopez and Adolf?"
A few people whispered. There were rumors that Adolf, the only son of the Schmidt family, was in love with a soprano and brought her jewels every day.
'Now that I think about it, I think that soprano was Elena...'
As Evelyn was vaguely recalling the gossip, Adolf turned to Elena and said.
"Isn't that right, Elena?"
Adolf grabbed Elena's hand tighter. Everyone's eyes turned to Elena. After a long enough delay to create a dramatic effect, it was the moment when Elena finally spoke.
"Elena."
Ariana, who had been silent for a while, moved. She approached Elena to within arm's length and slowly opened her mouth.
"I'll give you one sincere piece of advice."
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