(153) Princess Charlotte (1)
When Isabelle entered, Ariana was looking down at the box on the table.
“The Northern Lord sent chocolate again?!”
“Yeah. Want one?!”
“I’m going to gain weight at this rate.”
Isabelle untied the neatly tied ribbon and tore the wrapping paper open. The chocolates inside the box were high-quality chocolates in various shapes, filled with white cream. As she munched on the chocolate, Isabelle studied Ariana's expression.
Ariana, as always, had a faint smile on her face. But after spending so long together, Isabelle began to be able to guess her moods a little.
'Ariana must like the Northern Lord.'
If not, there would be no reason to spend so much time in the Northern Territory, and there would be no reason for Ariana's expression to darken every time she met the Northern Lord.
'Seeing the Northern Lord sending things like this every day, it seems like he has feelings for Ariana. But why does Ariana have such an expression on her face?!'
From the side, it was clear that the two liked each other. So there was no problem.
Of course, the men of the White family would roll their eyes and try to separate the two by saying things like, 'Ariana is too young!'
'Ariana is already 20 years old. At an age where it wouldn't be strange for her to have ten lovers... As for the Northern Lord, well... she's not lacking in anything.'
She never heard of Cyrus causing trouble for women. The Princess did like him, but judging by the way she left the last party in tears, he seemed to have firmly rejected her.
The lord of the Northern Territory, a wealthy monarch comparable to that of the East. He has no trouble with women, is strong enough to protect Ariana, and is even handsome.
She doesn't think there's a man better suited to be Ariana's spouse, but she's concerned about Ariana's gloomy expression.
'You wouldn't do anything terrible to Ariana when you're alone together, would you? Say something mean to her or something?'
Isabelle, who was taking a bite of her second chocolate, asked cautiously.
“Hey, Ariana.”
"Yes?"
“There’s something I want to ask you... Do you... Dislike the Northern Lord?”
“It’s not a relationship that you can either like or dislike.”
“Aren’t you two quite close? The Northern Lord has always been there for you.”
“Yes, I did. I was greatly grateful.”
Ariana added with a sad smile.
"But that's all. The Northern Lord helped me, and what I did probably helped the Northern Lord. That's all."
“Then what about this?”
Isabelle pointed to the chocolate.
“Does it help you to send something like this every day?”
Ariana lowered her eyebrows in embarrassment.
"Yeah. I don't understand why he keeps sending them even though I told him to stop. What does he want from me?..."
Ariana really seemed oblivious to Cyrus' feelings.
If a man constantly helps a woman and sends her gifts every day, there's only one reason. Ariana, a smart woman, must know this, so why is she being so defensive?
“Isn’t it because he likes you that he's doing this?”
Ariana's eyes hardened coldly at Isabelle's blunt words.
"I guess that's what he wants to look like. Like he likes me. I don't know what he's hoping to gain by appearing like that."
“What are you trying to get out of it? If it looks like you like it, then you like it.”
“It might be like that for anyone else, but I’m not sure about the Northern Lord. He’s the kind of person who would exploit even the appearance of someone being pleased.”
Ariana frowned slightly, as if embarrassed and unsure of what to think.
“No way. Would he try to use something like that?”
Ariana's expression softened at Isabelle's mutter. Ariana smiled brightly at Isabelle.
“What, why are you laughing like that?”
“I really like that side of you, sister.”
“Uh, what kind of side? What, are you treating me like an idiot?”
“No, I really like it.”
It was true. Ariana loved the purity of the White family. She loved their unsuspecting clarity, and she wished they would never know anything.
How deep is the hatred within her, how great are the sins she has committed against them in the past?
Just as Ariana was good weather to Shini, her family was good weather to Ariana. So they hoped for a clear sky, never overshadowed by dark clouds.
“Sometimes you are like my older sister.”
"Sometimes?"
"No, often. In fact, every day! Mom told me to watch you every day and learn from you. What does she mean, learn from you? I can't live like you."
Isabelle said with a moved expression.
“You’re the only one who says that to me.”
Ariana laughed a little and then asked.
“There’s a party being held at the palace soon. Are you going too, Sister?”
"Of course! Victoria, that girl's coming. Who knows what she'll do to you? And Wiona's determined. She'll break her bones if she says a word. Come to think of it, isn't she funny? At first, she was so impatient because she couldn't get you, but as soon as she married Averaster, she started calling you Princess, Princess, and all that, and she's all slutty."
Actually, it was before Wiona married Averaster.
Perhaps because of the conversation with Geor, Wiona suddenly became polite to Ariana. But there was no need to reveal such details to Isabelle.
“Have you prepared the dress you will wear to the palace party?”
"Yeah, well. I've prepared a little. What are you going to wear? Everyone's going to be really curious about what you're going to wear."
“I will wear a red dress.”
"What?"
Isabelle's eyes widened.
"Hey, are you crazy? Who wears a red dress to a palace party? Only the Empress wears red at a palace party."
“But it’s not legally required. I’m going to wear a red dress.”
“You're going to get cursed at.”
"I'll get scolded, you know. So, sister, tell the employees that I'm going to wear a red dress."
Isabelle's eyes sank.
“Is there anyone from the Bronte family in our mansion?”
"Well, I'm not sure... but you never know. It can't hurt to be prepared."
Victoria prepared gifts for the Empress and Princess and headed to the palace. However, the Empress refused to meet Victoria.
The Empress remembered what the Brontes had done to Ariana. Previously, it had been just one of many, but now that she had grown fond of Ariana, it was different. There was no reason to degrade her dignity by meeting Victoria, who had tormented her sister under the pretext of a different father.
Although her request to meet the Empress was rejected, Victoria wasn't disappointed. She hadn't expected to meet the Empress in person anyway.
'I have the Princess.'
She heard that at the Eastern Little Lord party, the Princess was talking to Cyrus and left in tears. Afterwards, Cyrus killed the man who had tried to harm Ariana.
Rumors that the Princess had feelings for the Northern Lord had been circulating for a very long time.
'You were dumped by the Northern Lord in front of Ariana, and the Northern Lord even protected Ariana. If I were you, I wouldn't let that go.'
Could the Princess be seeking an opportunity to bring down Ariana?
'The Empress cherishes her only daughter very much, so if I can capture the Princess's heart, I'll be able to capture the Empress's heart as well.'
Fortunately, the Princess met Victoria.
Today, Victoria was fully prepared to meet Princess Charlotte. She had prepared a cute gift for the Third Prince, tailored to the Princess's tastes. She wore simple clothes and light makeup, fearing the Princess might become jealous of her beauty.
Arriving at Iris Palace, where Charlotte resided, Victoria took a deep breath and entered the drawing room.
Charlotte, once renowned as the most beautiful woman on the continent, was indeed beautiful. She had long, flowing light brown hair, green eyes, and fair, delicate skin.
Charlotte sat proudly on the sofa and watched Victoria enter.
“Greetings to Your Highness, the Princess. I'm Victoria Bronte, Princess of Duke Bronte.”
“Yes, sit down.”
Although irritated by Charlotte's arrogant tone, Victoria didn't show it and sat down on the sofa opposite her, handing her the box she had brought.
“This is a gift I personally prepared for you, Your Highness. I hope you like it.”
Charlotte opened the box with a disinterested expression.
Inside were black rabbit fur gloves shaped like cat paws. A cold smile flickered across Charlotte's lips for a moment, but Victoria didn't see it.
Victoria was a little taken aback when Charlotte pushed the box aside without even taking out the gloves.
'I heard that if something is cute, you'll go crazy.'
Third Prince Harold was quite close to Charlotte, so he knew her tastes well. So Victoria believed him, but why did the Princess look so cold?
'Are you pretending not to like it even though you're really happy about it? Well, they said you're arrogant and hate showing your disheveled side to others.'
Victoria decided to think positively.
“It is made by catching a rabbit with black fur and tanning its skin directly...”
“Enough about the gift.”
Charlotte cut Victoria off coldly.
“Why did the Princess ask to meet me?”
Charlotte's arrogant attitude made Victoria gnash her teeth.
'Just wait and see. When I get to that high place, I'll kill you first.'
Victoria suppressed her seething anger and spoke calmly.
"I just wanted to say hello to Your Highness, the Princess. I've always admired you and really wanted to meet you. I heard you're incredibly beautiful..."
"That's enough of the lip service. If that's all you have to say, I'd like you to leave this place now."
Victoria clutched her skirt tightly so Charlotte wouldn't see. Her fingertips trembled.
“I heard that the Princess is not feeling well these days.”
"Hmm."
"I heard something unpleasant happened at the Eastern Little Lord party. I was so heartbroken when I heard that... I wanted to see the Princess and offer my condolences. Of course, as someone like me, I can't fully understand the Princess's feelings..."
She glanced at Charlotte's expression, but couldn't tell what she was thinking. Victoria lowered her head, seemingly at a loss as to what to do with herself.
“Immediately after that, His Excellency the Northern Lord protected Sister Ariana... I think the Princess must have been very hurt by that. It was such an inconsiderate thing... I apologize.”
“Why would you feel sorry about that?”
"That's... I thought the Princess's feelings might have been further hurt because of my sister. But I don't think my sister did it with that kind of intention. She was probably just a little arrogant because His Excellency the Northern Lord was attending the party."
Charlotte, who had been staring at Victoria coldly, chuckled slightly. At that sound, Victoria thought to herself, "Enough!" and looked up.
But the moment she saw Charlotte's expression, her heart sank.
When Isabelle entered, Ariana was looking down at the box on the table.
“The Northern Lord sent chocolate again?!”
“Yeah. Want one?!”
“I’m going to gain weight at this rate.”
Isabelle untied the neatly tied ribbon and tore the wrapping paper open. The chocolates inside the box were high-quality chocolates in various shapes, filled with white cream. As she munched on the chocolate, Isabelle studied Ariana's expression.
Ariana, as always, had a faint smile on her face. But after spending so long together, Isabelle began to be able to guess her moods a little.
'Ariana must like the Northern Lord.'
If not, there would be no reason to spend so much time in the Northern Territory, and there would be no reason for Ariana's expression to darken every time she met the Northern Lord.
'Seeing the Northern Lord sending things like this every day, it seems like he has feelings for Ariana. But why does Ariana have such an expression on her face?!'
From the side, it was clear that the two liked each other. So there was no problem.
Of course, the men of the White family would roll their eyes and try to separate the two by saying things like, 'Ariana is too young!'
'Ariana is already 20 years old. At an age where it wouldn't be strange for her to have ten lovers... As for the Northern Lord, well... she's not lacking in anything.'
She never heard of Cyrus causing trouble for women. The Princess did like him, but judging by the way she left the last party in tears, he seemed to have firmly rejected her.
The lord of the Northern Territory, a wealthy monarch comparable to that of the East. He has no trouble with women, is strong enough to protect Ariana, and is even handsome.
She doesn't think there's a man better suited to be Ariana's spouse, but she's concerned about Ariana's gloomy expression.
'You wouldn't do anything terrible to Ariana when you're alone together, would you? Say something mean to her or something?'
Isabelle, who was taking a bite of her second chocolate, asked cautiously.
“Hey, Ariana.”
"Yes?"
“There’s something I want to ask you... Do you... Dislike the Northern Lord?”
“It’s not a relationship that you can either like or dislike.”
“Aren’t you two quite close? The Northern Lord has always been there for you.”
“Yes, I did. I was greatly grateful.”
Ariana added with a sad smile.
"But that's all. The Northern Lord helped me, and what I did probably helped the Northern Lord. That's all."
“Then what about this?”
Isabelle pointed to the chocolate.
“Does it help you to send something like this every day?”
Ariana lowered her eyebrows in embarrassment.
"Yeah. I don't understand why he keeps sending them even though I told him to stop. What does he want from me?..."
Ariana really seemed oblivious to Cyrus' feelings.
If a man constantly helps a woman and sends her gifts every day, there's only one reason. Ariana, a smart woman, must know this, so why is she being so defensive?
“Isn’t it because he likes you that he's doing this?”
Ariana's eyes hardened coldly at Isabelle's blunt words.
"I guess that's what he wants to look like. Like he likes me. I don't know what he's hoping to gain by appearing like that."
“What are you trying to get out of it? If it looks like you like it, then you like it.”
“It might be like that for anyone else, but I’m not sure about the Northern Lord. He’s the kind of person who would exploit even the appearance of someone being pleased.”
Ariana frowned slightly, as if embarrassed and unsure of what to think.
“No way. Would he try to use something like that?”
Ariana's expression softened at Isabelle's mutter. Ariana smiled brightly at Isabelle.
“What, why are you laughing like that?”
“I really like that side of you, sister.”
“Uh, what kind of side? What, are you treating me like an idiot?”
“No, I really like it.”
It was true. Ariana loved the purity of the White family. She loved their unsuspecting clarity, and she wished they would never know anything.
How deep is the hatred within her, how great are the sins she has committed against them in the past?
Just as Ariana was good weather to Shini, her family was good weather to Ariana. So they hoped for a clear sky, never overshadowed by dark clouds.
“Sometimes you are like my older sister.”
"Sometimes?"
"No, often. In fact, every day! Mom told me to watch you every day and learn from you. What does she mean, learn from you? I can't live like you."
“Yeah, I think it’s best for you to just live your own life.”
“You’re the only one who says that to me.”
Ariana laughed a little and then asked.
“There’s a party being held at the palace soon. Are you going too, Sister?”
"Of course! Victoria, that girl's coming. Who knows what she'll do to you? And Wiona's determined. She'll break her bones if she says a word. Come to think of it, isn't she funny? At first, she was so impatient because she couldn't get you, but as soon as she married Averaster, she started calling you Princess, Princess, and all that, and she's all slutty."
Actually, it was before Wiona married Averaster.
Perhaps because of the conversation with Geor, Wiona suddenly became polite to Ariana. But there was no need to reveal such details to Isabelle.
“Have you prepared the dress you will wear to the palace party?”
"Yeah, well. I've prepared a little. What are you going to wear? Everyone's going to be really curious about what you're going to wear."
“I will wear a red dress.”
"What?"
Isabelle's eyes widened.
"Hey, are you crazy? Who wears a red dress to a palace party? Only the Empress wears red at a palace party."
“But it’s not legally required. I’m going to wear a red dress.”
“You're going to get cursed at.”
"I'll get scolded, you know. So, sister, tell the employees that I'm going to wear a red dress."
Isabelle's eyes sank.
“Is there anyone from the Bronte family in our mansion?”
"Well, I'm not sure... but you never know. It can't hurt to be prepared."
***
Victoria prepared gifts for the Empress and Princess and headed to the palace. However, the Empress refused to meet Victoria.
The Empress remembered what the Brontes had done to Ariana. Previously, it had been just one of many, but now that she had grown fond of Ariana, it was different. There was no reason to degrade her dignity by meeting Victoria, who had tormented her sister under the pretext of a different father.
Although her request to meet the Empress was rejected, Victoria wasn't disappointed. She hadn't expected to meet the Empress in person anyway.
'I have the Princess.'
She heard that at the Eastern Little Lord party, the Princess was talking to Cyrus and left in tears. Afterwards, Cyrus killed the man who had tried to harm Ariana.
Rumors that the Princess had feelings for the Northern Lord had been circulating for a very long time.
'You were dumped by the Northern Lord in front of Ariana, and the Northern Lord even protected Ariana. If I were you, I wouldn't let that go.'
Could the Princess be seeking an opportunity to bring down Ariana?
'The Empress cherishes her only daughter very much, so if I can capture the Princess's heart, I'll be able to capture the Empress's heart as well.'
Fortunately, the Princess met Victoria.
Today, Victoria was fully prepared to meet Princess Charlotte. She had prepared a cute gift for the Third Prince, tailored to the Princess's tastes. She wore simple clothes and light makeup, fearing the Princess might become jealous of her beauty.
Arriving at Iris Palace, where Charlotte resided, Victoria took a deep breath and entered the drawing room.
Charlotte, once renowned as the most beautiful woman on the continent, was indeed beautiful. She had long, flowing light brown hair, green eyes, and fair, delicate skin.
Charlotte sat proudly on the sofa and watched Victoria enter.
“Greetings to Your Highness, the Princess. I'm Victoria Bronte, Princess of Duke Bronte.”
“Yes, sit down.”
Although irritated by Charlotte's arrogant tone, Victoria didn't show it and sat down on the sofa opposite her, handing her the box she had brought.
“This is a gift I personally prepared for you, Your Highness. I hope you like it.”
Charlotte opened the box with a disinterested expression.
Inside were black rabbit fur gloves shaped like cat paws. A cold smile flickered across Charlotte's lips for a moment, but Victoria didn't see it.
Victoria was a little taken aback when Charlotte pushed the box aside without even taking out the gloves.
'I heard that if something is cute, you'll go crazy.'
Third Prince Harold was quite close to Charlotte, so he knew her tastes well. So Victoria believed him, but why did the Princess look so cold?
'Are you pretending not to like it even though you're really happy about it? Well, they said you're arrogant and hate showing your disheveled side to others.'
Victoria decided to think positively.
“It is made by catching a rabbit with black fur and tanning its skin directly...”
“Enough about the gift.”
Charlotte cut Victoria off coldly.
“Why did the Princess ask to meet me?”
Charlotte's arrogant attitude made Victoria gnash her teeth.
'Just wait and see. When I get to that high place, I'll kill you first.'
Victoria suppressed her seething anger and spoke calmly.
"I just wanted to say hello to Your Highness, the Princess. I've always admired you and really wanted to meet you. I heard you're incredibly beautiful..."
"That's enough of the lip service. If that's all you have to say, I'd like you to leave this place now."
Victoria clutched her skirt tightly so Charlotte wouldn't see. Her fingertips trembled.
“I heard that the Princess is not feeling well these days.”
"Hmm."
"I heard something unpleasant happened at the Eastern Little Lord party. I was so heartbroken when I heard that... I wanted to see the Princess and offer my condolences. Of course, as someone like me, I can't fully understand the Princess's feelings..."
She glanced at Charlotte's expression, but couldn't tell what she was thinking. Victoria lowered her head, seemingly at a loss as to what to do with herself.
“Immediately after that, His Excellency the Northern Lord protected Sister Ariana... I think the Princess must have been very hurt by that. It was such an inconsiderate thing... I apologize.”
“Why would you feel sorry about that?”
"That's... I thought the Princess's feelings might have been further hurt because of my sister. But I don't think my sister did it with that kind of intention. She was probably just a little arrogant because His Excellency the Northern Lord was attending the party."
Charlotte, who had been staring at Victoria coldly, chuckled slightly. At that sound, Victoria thought to herself, "Enough!" and looked up.
But the moment she saw Charlotte's expression, her heart sank.
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