The Continental Festival was a grand event that everyone, regardless of social status, participated in together.
So today, the Parthenon, where the distinguished guests are, also opened its doors wide and welcomed visitors.
That means the Claudio family was able to sneak in here under the pretext of being among the crowds.
"Oh my God, isn't that Samon Claudio? How shameless."
"His face is as thick as iron tendons. How dressed up are he?"
However, they couldn't avoid people's stares with every step they took.
The evening attire worn by the Joaquin couple was no less impressive than that worn by the Katzen guests.
Birna also wore a glossy sky-blue dress, except that she wore a lovely cape buttoned up to her neck.
At least on the surface, it looked no different from the glorious days of the Regent's reign.
People cursed the Claudio family, asking how much of Valdina's wealth they had embezzled to still be able to afford such extravagances.
But wealth and nobility ultimately come from leisure in life.
If they had looked a little closer, they would have noticed just how hard this family was working, even from the large, crude brooch on Joaquin's chest.
"A bunch of shameless, petty people!"
Even though they knew that the voices they had in their limited space and that they had no intention of reducing would be heard by the parties involved, they didn't care.
"All of Valdina's suffering is caused by those bastards. Oh, s**t! It's so dirty I can't stand to look at it any longer!"
Some people spat and left.
"..."
Catherine lifted her chin.
She tried to keep her ears closed and pretend not to hear, but the large diamond earrings hanging from her bulging ears were dangling slightly due to her clenched jaw.
They dressed up even more extravagantly to restore their shattered pride as uninvited guests.
These ostentatious ornaments, which she would have despised as vulgar when she was Duchess Claudio, now became her only shield.
"Birna, don't worry about it. Just pretend you didn't hear. Everyone is jealous of us. Do you know what I mean?"
"..."
"Once the dance is over, we must go straight to Peleus. Mom will stop the Agemas, so you hang on to Peleus. Do you remember what Mom said?"
"..."
"If crying doesn't work, you have to hold on to something. Or at least his trouser leg! That's the only way you'll have a chance. Okay?"
Only then will Peleus be able to return to the royal court under the pretext of today's recognition even after the 'accident' has occurred.
'It would be better if I could die.'
The pretext that the Emperor's last mercy was bestowed upon his entire family after his death will serve as their shield of protection.
"..."
"Birna? Are you listening to your mother? Where are you looking?"
Catherine was startled to find her daughter glaring at Medea from afar.
"Hey hey!"
She grabbed her daughter's arm roughly and shouted at her.
"Have you forgotten where you are?! I told you to hide today at all costs and not let anyone find out!"
" I haven't forgotten, so let it go."
Birna slapped her mother's hand away.
Even though it was far away, she could see it at a glance.
Silver hair that seemed to shatter in moonlight, pale skin, Medea standing on the continent today looked much more beautiful than Medea in her memories.
Unlike Borna, who had dried up like dry firewood from countless hardships and torments, that girl sparkled like a fairy.
Now, there is no bright light from a chandelier, and she is not wearing a dress strewn with diamonds.
It was my place, it was my place! How dare that lowly woman...
It was when her eyes were bloodshot that she suppressed the anger that she couldn't express.
'...Why is that guy over there!'
A man approached Medea. Birna recognized him immediately and bit her lip.
Jason.
Although the conversation between the two was not heard, Jason's longing expression towards Medea could be seen here as well.
'I threw myself at those weightlifters without hesitation, but you were so desperate for that girl Medea...'
She felt both jealousy and hatred towards Jason.
'I want to tear both of them to pieces, no. No. I have to hold back."
It was when she was trying to calm her mind while digging her nails into her hands.
"Oh my, who is this? It's Lady Birna!"
A sharp, bright voice reached Birna's ears. Her face hardened as she faced the owner of the voice.
"The Young Lady of Aspasia..."
"Ah, I shouldn't call you Young Lady anymore. Your title has been taken away. Hmm... Birna? Should I call you by your nickname?"
The Marchioness Aspasia, was a socialite competing with Catherine.
Naturally, the two daughters, Birna and Lady Aspasia, also developed a rivalry.
"..."
"By the way, how does it feel to be like those footstools you used to look down on? No matter what, His Majesty is too lenient. You let sinners who deserve to be beheaded enjoy the festival."
Of course, at the time, it was a complete victory for Birna, whose father was the regent.
Lady Aspasia still hasn't forgotten the pain she suffered from Birna when she was Princess Claudio, who said that even birds would fall.
"By the way, the dress is pretty. How did you manage to transport something like this all the way to the Strait? Are your family's skills good? Even after looking like that, you're still fine."
"Thank you for the compliment."
Birna bit her lip with effort and lowered her eyes.
"Hahaha, I guess that was taken as a compliment?"
'Huh, this doesn't even hurt?'
When Birna unexpectedly accepted it obediently, Lady Aspasia secretly pouted.
"By the way, how did you hide that ugly scar on your back? I can't see any of it? It's so amazing!"
Birna's face turned pale after being struck by a reverse scale.
Malice flashed in the eyes of Lady Aspasia, like a hunter capturing prey that had been shot with an arrow.
"The sword cut all the way from the shoulder to the waist?"
"I,I, I..."
The mocking question eventually shattered Birna's mask.
She couldn't stand the horrible feeling of being stripped naked and thrown to the floor any longer.
"Tsk, the wound is so deep that you'll have to live with that scar for the rest of your life- Hey! Where are you going!"
As Birna ran away, Lady Aspasia grumbled.
"What rudeness in a person talking? Does she still think she's a Princess? Don't you, Ma'am?"
"Of course. Since she is still immature, Lady Aspasia will understand."
'You damn bitch. I'll skin you alive as soon as I get back to Valdina.'
Catherine was also very angry, but she remembered why she came here today.
"Young Lady, where is your mother? Since we've met like this, I'd like to greet her."
'Medea keeps the Marchioness Aspasia close.'
Right now, the top priority was to somehow return to the Valdina royal family.
So she left her daughter behind, crying, and walked towards the Marchioness.
Joaquin was no different. He only frowned slightly at the commotion Birna was making, then turned around and continued his conversation.
He also seemed to have no intention of looking after his daughter.
"Birna!"
But Raju was different.
He couldn't leave Birna alone, so he quickly followed her, leaving even Catherine behind.
"Birna! Birna! Where the hell did you go..."
He turned his head anxiously, overcome with worry, but soon found Birna crying, clutching at a pillar in the temple corridor.
Raju took a step forward.
"Ugh, ugh!"
"...Birna, are you okay?"
As they got closer, the intermittent crying that he could hear in his ears began to torment Raju.
"Ugh, uhhhhhhh..."
Raju, who was about to approach Birna, hesitated.
Because he noticed a faint red mark on the back of the dress she was wearing.
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