(173) Where is hell?! (3)
Victoria was busy.
There was so much to do until the social season ended in June.
The very first thing she did was visit Count Gio's house.
It was a social season where even commoners were excited and thrilled, but the Count Gio family, having lost their heir, was shrouded in darkness.
Victoria whispered to Count Gio.
“I must avenge your son, Count. The Young Count, whom Princess the East merely bewitched to give his heart to, died such a horrific death; can you really just sit by?!”
She made Count Gio, who harbored a grudge against the Northern Lord, realize that all of this originated from 'Ariana White'.
“Wouldn’t the Northern Lord have committed such an act because he was also bewitched by that woman?! This is why they say you must be wary of women. Seeing as even the most fair and just Northern Lord crossed the line.”
To Count Gio, who asked if it wouldn't be difficult to deal with the Princess of the East, even so, Victoria smiled sweetly and said.
“Revenge doesn’t necessarily have to involve killing, does it? Let me see... what would be good? Ah, right. Count, you have a deep connection with Royal Consort Aelra, don’t you?”
Victoria's eloquent scheme reached Count Gio's ears.
After confirming that Count Gio's expression had brightened, Victoria went to a secret salon located deep in an alley away from the bustling streets.
Victoria said to Martina.
“It would be best to get rid of Eastern Little Lord and Little Duke White.”
“The risk is high. If Paganus makes a move and gets caught, it will be a disaster, so I think we’ll have to hire someone.”
Victoria took a money bag out of her pocket.
It was money raised by selling a few dresses and jewelry.
"I hope it's worth the money."
Martina smiled coyly and stroked Victoria's cheek.
“Don’t worry, my lovely Victoria. The child I sent into the mansion has done their job. From now on, it will be your world.”
Averaster and Geor listened to their sister without interrupting.
They quietly listened to the relationship between the Western Lord, the Third Prince, and Paganus, and what they were after. They also heard about the things Ariana and Cyrus had done together to stop it.
Ariana did not say that she had traveled back in time. She merely stated that it was the result of Cyrus noticing the Third Prince's suspicious behavior and investigating. That would be easier to believe than saying she had died and come back to life.
“Doesn’t the Emperor care for the Northern Lord? Why didn’t the Northern Lord report all of this to the Emperor? Surely... they aren’t planning to strike the Empire when it is in danger due to a struggle for the throne, are they?”
Ariana was surprised by Averaster's sharp prediction, but she spoke calmly.
“The Emperor is very suspicious and cowardly. He is always anxious, never knowing when the monarchs of the surrounding nations might covet his throne. However, the West lacks military power, and its financial resources are also relatively insufficient compared to other vassal states.”
Therefore, the Emperor trusted the Western Lord. While it was partly because the Western Lord had cunningly exploited the Emperor's weaknesses to gain his trust, the greatest reason the Emperor cherished him was that he posed no threat.
“And this is a bit of a personal reason, but Victoria hates me a lot. She'll want to bring me down by any means necessary.”
Averaster's face contorted violently.
“Why does she hate you? Shouldn’t you be the one hating them?”
Watching Averaster get worked up as if it were his own business, Ariana thought that this was exactly why Victoria had come to hate her even more.
'She lost herself. Victoria has come to do on her own the things that used to be easy to do just by being told to do.'
Western Lord was thoroughly exploiting his granddaughter to the point where he did not prevent Victoria from performing the blood ritual. Victoria is not a fool, so she must be aware of this fact.
'So how much must she hate and despise Ariana? Naturally, Ariana should be envious of everything Victoria has, but instead, Ariana possesses even more; how much must Victoria be seething inside?'
Ariana said.
"I've heard that happens sometimes. So they're probably targeting the brothers."
"Us?"
“Yeah. Because she probably wouldn’t like seeing me smiling surrounded by handsome older brothers.”
At the mention of a wonderful older brother, Averaster and Geor's expressions crumbled. The two men, who had maintained serious expressions the entire time, twitched the corners of their mouths and could not hide their joy.
“My brothers are my wings, and Victoria will want to break them.”
At the words 'my wings,' Geor and Averaster wore expressions as if they were actually flying. They paid no attention whatsoever to the assassin Victoria might send.
My wings.
They really liked those words that came out of their younger sibling's mouth, who never shows their true feelings.
“I don’t know how strong Victoria’s power is. Since she performed a blood ritual, Paganus might target my brothers. So, I’m sorry.”
Averaster tilted his head.
“Sorry for what?”
"By making it dangerous."
“Oh no. Geor, it looks like Ariana is underestimating our skills.”
“I know. Ever since you’ve been traveling with the Northern Lord, your brothers’ skills must seem pathetic to you. Shall we go cry together, Averaster?”
"I'm not kidding, Geor."
Ariana said firmly.
“Victoria is slowly losing her reason. At some point, she’ll charge in without even knowing what she’s doing. If it’s directed at me, I’ll manage to fight back somehow, but if it’s directed at my brothers...”
“Ariana, you shouldn’t say that. If it’s aimed at you, that’s the real problem. You shouldn’t think like that. If someone points a knife at you, you have to somehow appease them and make them point it at us.”
Geor nodded as he listened to Averaster's words.
“Yeah, that’s how it should be. It’s actually easier that way.”
Ariana remained silent for a moment, staring at her two brothers. They were discussing how the assassin would attack and how relentlessly the attacks would continue.
As if all of this were no big deal.
Ariana knew that they were acting that way on purpose. The fact that the Third Prince and the Western Lord had joined hands with Paganus to seize the throne, and that Victoria had performed a blood ritual, was not something to be taken lightly.
Even though it could become a major issue that shakes the entire continent, they were trying to make Ariana forget the weight she carried, as if her comfort were their top priority.
Their thoughtfulness, which she would not have noticed in the past, filled Ariana's heart with a warm, fuzzy feeling.
However, now is not the time to be immersed in emotion.
“Brothers. If an assassin attacks, can you capture them alive without killing them?”
Capturing an assassin alive during a surprise attack was no easy task. However, Geor and Averaster immediately nodded.
"Of course."
During the social season, parties were held every day. There were even times when Victoria attended parties several times a day.
A Countess's tea party, a Viscountess's music appreciation party...
What the nobles looked forward to most was the party held at the Marchioness of Materin. A prestigious family that produced the current Crown Princess.
The party held at the Marquis Materin estate serves as a stand-in for the dignity of the Crown Princess. It was bound to be a lavish affair, and distinguished guests would undoubtedly attend.
“Victoria, there will surely be many royals from other countries attending the Marquis Materin’s party. I’ve heard rumors that the relationship between the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince is strained, so the Marquis Materin is feeling anxious. He must have prepared a party more extravagant than usual to demonstrate his authority.”
Rachel spoke cautiously next to Victoria, who was choosing a dress.
“To avoid making the same mistake as last time, a dress in a color like this that suits you well...”
Smack!
The sound of a slap on the cheek.
"Ah, it's noisy!"
Victoria's shout rang out at the same time.
Rachel, who had been slapped by her daughter, couldn't believe it and stared at Victoria with wide eyes.
“I’ll handle it myself! When did I ever make a mistake! Why is everything being blamed on me!”
Rachel got goosebumps again at the sight of Victoria screaming and raging. Victoria, who was raging so hard her eyes gleamed at such a trivial remark, did not seem like the youngest daughter she knew at all.
“Victoria...”
“If you want to babble like that, why don’t you go do it to Helena, whom you like so much? You never even had any interest in me in the first place.”
Rachel grabbed Victoria's arm.
“W-what do you mean? Why would I not be interested in you? I always treat you and Helena the same...”
"That's enough."
Victoria coldly shook off Rachel's hand.
"Get out. Don't bother me."
Victoria was in a terrible state of mind. She had no peace of mind to worry about Rachel's feelings or compose herself.
Ten days have passed since the imperial palace party.
Although she had been attending the parties consistently, everyone seemed to remember the incident at the Imperial Palace party; whenever Victoria appeared, they would gather among themselves and whisper amongst themselves. In contrast, from the moment Ariana arrived, everyone was eager to approach her and exchange a greeting.
Ariana, who displayed a radiant smile to the ladies and young ladies surrounding her, always had her eyes fixed on Victoria.
Look at this, Victoria. What are you doing there all alone?
It felt as if Ariana's voice was whispering in her ear. Even when Ariana wasn't there, blue eyes followed Victoria.
She felt like she was going to lose her mind. She couldn't bear it—she wanted to kill her, she wanted to see her face contort.
To make matters worse, the work she had asked Martina to do was not progressing properly.
Martina had already sent assassins to Geor and Averaster four times, but Geor and Averaster were still alive and breathing. The grumpy Isabelle and Wiona were also smiling sweetly by Ariana's side.
Cyrus, who occasionally appeared at parties attended by Ariana, always had his eyes fixed solely on her. He held her in his gaze entirely, as if no other woman could ever intrude upon her.
Emotions she had never felt before—such as loneliness, shame, anxiety, and fear—dominated Victoria. And at the center of those emotions was always Ariana.
“Why is nothing going right!”
In fact, there was no reason for Victoria to be anxious or nervous.
Although her reputation in society had hit rock bottom and there were no young nobles showing interest in Victoria, the plans of the Western Lord and the Third Prince continued.
If the Third Prince were to seize the throne and she sat beside him, everything that had happened so far would be as if it never happened. Regardless of Victoria's past, there is no doubt that she is the noblest woman on the continent.
Even though she knew that, she was furious.
Ariana was not an imperial Princess, but merely a Princess of the Eastern Territory, yet she seemed like the noblest woman in the empire.
Ariana, who used to be mistreated, is now showered with love from her family.
'I have nothing.'
She realized that even the Western Lord's affection for Victoria was not love. She also realized that the heart of the Third Prince, who would one day stand by her side, was not love.
Mother and father's first was always Helena.
So, she enjoyed driving Ariana, who was inferior to her, further into a corner. Seeing her like that, the fact that she wasn't her parents' firstborn didn't seem like such a big deal.
Yeah, but I'm still better than you.
It was hard to accept the situation where Ariana, who used to be like that, is now loved by everyone and the center of attention everywhere. Every time Victoria saw her like that, even though she knew she should calm down, her heart felt like it was going to burst.
'I want to kill you.'
Even right now.
'I just want to kill you.'
Victoria was busy.
There was so much to do until the social season ended in June.
The very first thing she did was visit Count Gio's house.
It was a social season where even commoners were excited and thrilled, but the Count Gio family, having lost their heir, was shrouded in darkness.
Victoria whispered to Count Gio.
“I must avenge your son, Count. The Young Count, whom Princess the East merely bewitched to give his heart to, died such a horrific death; can you really just sit by?!”
She made Count Gio, who harbored a grudge against the Northern Lord, realize that all of this originated from 'Ariana White'.
“Wouldn’t the Northern Lord have committed such an act because he was also bewitched by that woman?! This is why they say you must be wary of women. Seeing as even the most fair and just Northern Lord crossed the line.”
To Count Gio, who asked if it wouldn't be difficult to deal with the Princess of the East, even so, Victoria smiled sweetly and said.
“Revenge doesn’t necessarily have to involve killing, does it? Let me see... what would be good? Ah, right. Count, you have a deep connection with Royal Consort Aelra, don’t you?”
Victoria's eloquent scheme reached Count Gio's ears.
After confirming that Count Gio's expression had brightened, Victoria went to a secret salon located deep in an alley away from the bustling streets.
Victoria said to Martina.
“It would be best to get rid of Eastern Little Lord and Little Duke White.”
“The risk is high. If Paganus makes a move and gets caught, it will be a disaster, so I think we’ll have to hire someone.”
Victoria took a money bag out of her pocket.
It was money raised by selling a few dresses and jewelry.
"I hope it's worth the money."
Martina smiled coyly and stroked Victoria's cheek.
“Don’t worry, my lovely Victoria. The child I sent into the mansion has done their job. From now on, it will be your world.”
***
Averaster and Geor listened to their sister without interrupting.
They quietly listened to the relationship between the Western Lord, the Third Prince, and Paganus, and what they were after. They also heard about the things Ariana and Cyrus had done together to stop it.
Ariana did not say that she had traveled back in time. She merely stated that it was the result of Cyrus noticing the Third Prince's suspicious behavior and investigating. That would be easier to believe than saying she had died and come back to life.
“Doesn’t the Emperor care for the Northern Lord? Why didn’t the Northern Lord report all of this to the Emperor? Surely... they aren’t planning to strike the Empire when it is in danger due to a struggle for the throne, are they?”
Ariana was surprised by Averaster's sharp prediction, but she spoke calmly.
“The Emperor is very suspicious and cowardly. He is always anxious, never knowing when the monarchs of the surrounding nations might covet his throne. However, the West lacks military power, and its financial resources are also relatively insufficient compared to other vassal states.”
Therefore, the Emperor trusted the Western Lord. While it was partly because the Western Lord had cunningly exploited the Emperor's weaknesses to gain his trust, the greatest reason the Emperor cherished him was that he posed no threat.
“And this is a bit of a personal reason, but Victoria hates me a lot. She'll want to bring me down by any means necessary.”
Averaster's face contorted violently.
“Why does she hate you? Shouldn’t you be the one hating them?”
Watching Averaster get worked up as if it were his own business, Ariana thought that this was exactly why Victoria had come to hate her even more.
Over time, Ariana had gradually stripped Victoria of everything around her: the warmth of her family, the Bronte family’s wealth, her reputation in high society, and Ariana herself.
Western Lord was thoroughly exploiting his granddaughter to the point where he did not prevent Victoria from performing the blood ritual. Victoria is not a fool, so she must be aware of this fact.
'So how much must she hate and despise Ariana? Naturally, Ariana should be envious of everything Victoria has, but instead, Ariana possesses even more; how much must Victoria be seething inside?'
Ariana said.
"I've heard that happens sometimes. So they're probably targeting the brothers."
"Us?"
“Yeah. Because she probably wouldn’t like seeing me smiling surrounded by handsome older brothers.”
At the mention of a wonderful older brother, Averaster and Geor's expressions crumbled. The two men, who had maintained serious expressions the entire time, twitched the corners of their mouths and could not hide their joy.
“My brothers are my wings, and Victoria will want to break them.”
At the words 'my wings,' Geor and Averaster wore expressions as if they were actually flying. They paid no attention whatsoever to the assassin Victoria might send.
My wings.
They really liked those words that came out of their younger sibling's mouth, who never shows their true feelings.
“I don’t know how strong Victoria’s power is. Since she performed a blood ritual, Paganus might target my brothers. So, I’m sorry.”
Averaster tilted his head.
“Sorry for what?”
"By making it dangerous."
“Oh no. Geor, it looks like Ariana is underestimating our skills.”
“I know. Ever since you’ve been traveling with the Northern Lord, your brothers’ skills must seem pathetic to you. Shall we go cry together, Averaster?”
"I'm not kidding, Geor."
Ariana said firmly.
“Victoria is slowly losing her reason. At some point, she’ll charge in without even knowing what she’s doing. If it’s directed at me, I’ll manage to fight back somehow, but if it’s directed at my brothers...”
“Ariana, you shouldn’t say that. If it’s aimed at you, that’s the real problem. You shouldn’t think like that. If someone points a knife at you, you have to somehow appease them and make them point it at us.”
Geor nodded as he listened to Averaster's words.
“Yeah, that’s how it should be. It’s actually easier that way.”
Ariana remained silent for a moment, staring at her two brothers. They were discussing how the assassin would attack and how relentlessly the attacks would continue.
As if all of this were no big deal.
Ariana knew that they were acting that way on purpose. The fact that the Third Prince and the Western Lord had joined hands with Paganus to seize the throne, and that Victoria had performed a blood ritual, was not something to be taken lightly.
Even though it could become a major issue that shakes the entire continent, they were trying to make Ariana forget the weight she carried, as if her comfort were their top priority.
Their thoughtfulness, which she would not have noticed in the past, filled Ariana's heart with a warm, fuzzy feeling.
However, now is not the time to be immersed in emotion.
“Brothers. If an assassin attacks, can you capture them alive without killing them?”
Capturing an assassin alive during a surprise attack was no easy task. However, Geor and Averaster immediately nodded.
"Of course."
***
During the social season, parties were held every day. There were even times when Victoria attended parties several times a day.
A Countess's tea party, a Viscountess's music appreciation party...
What the nobles looked forward to most was the party held at the Marchioness of Materin. A prestigious family that produced the current Crown Princess.
The party held at the Marquis Materin estate serves as a stand-in for the dignity of the Crown Princess. It was bound to be a lavish affair, and distinguished guests would undoubtedly attend.
“Victoria, there will surely be many royals from other countries attending the Marquis Materin’s party. I’ve heard rumors that the relationship between the Crown Princess and the Crown Prince is strained, so the Marquis Materin is feeling anxious. He must have prepared a party more extravagant than usual to demonstrate his authority.”
Rachel spoke cautiously next to Victoria, who was choosing a dress.
“To avoid making the same mistake as last time, a dress in a color like this that suits you well...”
Smack!
The sound of a slap on the cheek.
"Ah, it's noisy!"
Victoria's shout rang out at the same time.
Rachel, who had been slapped by her daughter, couldn't believe it and stared at Victoria with wide eyes.
“I’ll handle it myself! When did I ever make a mistake! Why is everything being blamed on me!”
Rachel got goosebumps again at the sight of Victoria screaming and raging. Victoria, who was raging so hard her eyes gleamed at such a trivial remark, did not seem like the youngest daughter she knew at all.
“Victoria...”
“If you want to babble like that, why don’t you go do it to Helena, whom you like so much? You never even had any interest in me in the first place.”
Rachel grabbed Victoria's arm.
“W-what do you mean? Why would I not be interested in you? I always treat you and Helena the same...”
"That's enough."
Victoria coldly shook off Rachel's hand.
"Get out. Don't bother me."
Victoria was in a terrible state of mind. She had no peace of mind to worry about Rachel's feelings or compose herself.
Ten days have passed since the imperial palace party.
Although she had been attending the parties consistently, everyone seemed to remember the incident at the Imperial Palace party; whenever Victoria appeared, they would gather among themselves and whisper amongst themselves. In contrast, from the moment Ariana arrived, everyone was eager to approach her and exchange a greeting.
Ariana, who displayed a radiant smile to the ladies and young ladies surrounding her, always had her eyes fixed on Victoria.
Look at this, Victoria. What are you doing there all alone?
It felt as if Ariana's voice was whispering in her ear. Even when Ariana wasn't there, blue eyes followed Victoria.
She felt like she was going to lose her mind. She couldn't bear it—she wanted to kill her, she wanted to see her face contort.
To make matters worse, the work she had asked Martina to do was not progressing properly.
Martina had already sent assassins to Geor and Averaster four times, but Geor and Averaster were still alive and breathing. The grumpy Isabelle and Wiona were also smiling sweetly by Ariana's side.
Cyrus, who occasionally appeared at parties attended by Ariana, always had his eyes fixed solely on her. He held her in his gaze entirely, as if no other woman could ever intrude upon her.
Emotions she had never felt before—such as loneliness, shame, anxiety, and fear—dominated Victoria. And at the center of those emotions was always Ariana.
“Why is nothing going right!”
In fact, there was no reason for Victoria to be anxious or nervous.
Although her reputation in society had hit rock bottom and there were no young nobles showing interest in Victoria, the plans of the Western Lord and the Third Prince continued.
If the Third Prince were to seize the throne and she sat beside him, everything that had happened so far would be as if it never happened. Regardless of Victoria's past, there is no doubt that she is the noblest woman on the continent.
Even though she knew that, she was furious.
Ariana was not an imperial Princess, but merely a Princess of the Eastern Territory, yet she seemed like the noblest woman in the empire.
Ariana, who used to be mistreated, is now showered with love from her family.
'I have nothing.'
She realized that even the Western Lord's affection for Victoria was not love. She also realized that the heart of the Third Prince, who would one day stand by her side, was not love.
Mother and father's first was always Helena.
So, she enjoyed driving Ariana, who was inferior to her, further into a corner. Seeing her like that, the fact that she wasn't her parents' firstborn didn't seem like such a big deal.
Yeah, but I'm still better than you.
It was hard to accept the situation where Ariana, who used to be like that, is now loved by everyone and the center of attention everywhere. Every time Victoria saw her like that, even though she knew she should calm down, her heart felt like it was going to burst.
'I want to kill you.'
Even right now.
'I just want to kill you.'
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