(176) Take the trash with you
Cyrus eventually left, leaving Louis behind. Before leaving, he held Ariana's hand tightly and spoke.
"You only think about your own fight."
Ariana felt empty after he left, but she didn't have time to dwell on it.
If there were many things changing the future and moving things forward, Ariana had to move accordingly.
'Right, the reason Western Lord could be so at ease must be that everything was going his way. He must be anxious now that rumors of the close relationship between the Northern Lord and me have reached his ears. If the Northern and Eastern Commanderies join hands, their combined power will be impossible to ignore.'
While Ariana was busy summoning Shini to give her some instructions and sharing thoughts with Geor and Averaster, the day of the party at the Marquis Materin estate approached.
Ariana wasn't in the mood to attend the party, but she picked out a dress because there were a few things she needed to check. Isabelle's eyes widened in surprise as she saw Ariana dressed up.
“Are you really going to leave like that?”
Today, Ariana was dressed in a way that stood out, in a different sense than during the elephant parade. From head to toe, she was pitch black, like a crow.
With a black pearl hair clip, a black dress, and even black shoes, she looked as if she were wearing mourning clothes. Because of this, her translucent white skin and sky-blue hair stood out even more.
Isabelle and Wiona looked worried, but Ariana boarded the carriage with an indifferent expression. While Isabelle said, “Still, the more I look at you, the prettier you are. Then again, wouldn’t you look pretty in anything?” Ariana was lost in thought.
'Rachel will try to kill me. Because as long as I'm alive, Victoria will keep running wild.'
A smile spread across Ariana's lips.
Harold hadn't been in a very good mood recently.
He doesn't know what Count Gio had said when he visited Royal Consort Aelra a short while ago, but the Royal Consort Aelra suddenly went to see the Emperor. When asked what she had gone for, the Royal Consort Aelra smiled cunningly and said.
"They asked for an imperial decree to be issued for the marriage of the lovely Princess of the East."
When asked why, the answer was that it was to appease Count Gio. After the death of Little Count Gio, Count Gio harbored a grudge against Harold for failing to protect him.
Since the support of Count Gio's family, who possessed a gold vein in the territory, was desperately needed, it was not good for the relationship with Count Gio to sour. Although he knew what the Royal Consort Aelra was thinking, he was not at all pleased that Ariana would fall into the hands of another man.
However, his unpleasant mood also subsided as soon as he saw Victoria.
Victoria today was so incredibly beautiful and lovely that he couldn't take his eyes off her. He couldn't understand how she could be so cute; he couldn't even comprehend why he had thought she was repulsive lately.
“Vicki, you look beautiful today.”
Victoria smiled sweetly as she placed her hand over Harold's outstretched hand.
"Thank you, Harold."
Harold kissed the back of the small, delicate hand and said.
"You're going to be the star of the party today."
The reason he came to pick her up to go to the Marquis Materin's party, despite having lost all affection for Victoria lately, was because of a letter he received from Lord of the West a few days ago. Lord of the West had said, "It is time to show me that you will keep your promise; otherwise, I will not move."
He could have kissed a cockroach for the greater good. That is why he came to pick up Victoria, to publicly announce their relationship, and he did the right thing. She is such a lovely woman.
After getting into the carriage, Harold said.
“The Crown Prince is truly insane. Yesterday, he killed a lady-in-waiting because he didn’t like the massage.”
“How is the Crown Princess? Has she still not conceived?”
Even if something happened to the Crown Prince, the fact that his child was alive and well could potentially become a problem later.
“Not yet. But seeing how she throws up everything she eats these days, it looks like not only the child but the Crown Princess is going to die.”
"Right. It might be a good idea to try increasing the dosage a little."
“Let me let you know. Oh, and the Emperor will be attending the party today as well.”
Victoria, who had been looking out the window, finally turned her head and met Harold's eyes.
"The Emperor?"
“Right. Why do you think he’ll come?”
“Hmm, well.”
Victoria put her index finger to the corner of her mouth, pretended to be deep in thought, and then spoke.
"Is there perhaps a matter requiring an imperial decree?"
"As expected, you are clever."
Harold kissed Victoria on the cheek as if he could die of loveliness. Victoria snorted inwardly but showed it outwardly and asked.
"Are you okay?"
"What?"
"You were interested in Ariana, weren't you?"
“What are you talking about? You are the only woman I’m interested in.”
“It’s alright, Harold. I’m not petty enough to get angry just because a husband has a lover. In fact, it’s a good thing for you. If Ariana kills her husband after marrying him, wouldn’t she need a man to lean on as a widow?”
Victoria whispered while rubbing Harold's thigh suggestively, worried that Harold would interfere with Ariana's wedding once he came to his senses.
“By that time, even that haughty girl will be clinging to you and begging, Harold.”
Rachel, having arrived at the Marquis Materin estate early, casually mingled with a few ladies while surveying her surroundings. Soon, the person she had been waiting for came into view.
He was a butler whom Rachel had spent a large sum of money to hire. As he walked around carrying wine glasses on a silver tray, he lightly nodded his head as if to say not to worry when his eyes met Rachel's.
Just then, a servant announced that the Third Prince and Princess Victoria Bronte were entering. The nobles turned to Rachel, curious as to why the Third Prince and Victoria were entering together.
Rachel gave them an elegant smile and turned her gaze toward the door. The others followed her gaze.
"Oh."
Some people let out quiet exclamations of admiration at the sight of Victoria wearing a light green dress and linking arms with Harold.
Today, Victoria was incredibly beautiful, unlike at the palace party. She exuded such a lovely aura that even Rachel wondered, "Was she always this pretty?"
Rachel puffed out her chest, feeling proud that Victoria was getting attention.
Victoria walked inside, flashing a pretty smile at those looking at her. As Harold looked after Victoria with such care, people whispered amongst themselves.
"Were the Third Prince and Princess Bronte in that kind of relationship? I had no idea."
"Oh dear, we had our eye on the Third Prince as our prospective son-in-law."
"Princess Bronte looks truly beautiful today. Come to think of it, I once heard that Victoria Bronte was the most beautiful woman in the West."
"I don't think it was that bad at the Imperial Palace party..."
Victoria wanted to laugh loudly because she liked the way people glanced at her, but she managed to suppress that urge and maintained an elegant smile.
“Look at this, Vicky. Everyone is praising you.”
Harold spoke cheerfully and lightly kissed the back of Victoria's hand. Just by looking at Harold, who made no attempt to hide his affection, everyone present knew that the Princess of Bronte's groom had been chosen.
Shortly after, the attendant announced that the White family had arrived.
His gaze, which had been fixed on Victoria, instantly turned toward the door. Toward the door that hadn't even opened yet, she looked forward to seeing what form the Princess of the East would appear in this time.
Victoria's heart grew cold upon realizing that fact.
Ariana was the star of the show just moments ago, yet she was receiving everyone's attention even before she had made an appearance.
The audience held their breath at the sight of Ariana when she finally appeared. Rachel and Victoria did the same.
To Victoria, Ariana looked like the goddess of death who had risen from hell, and to Rachel, she looked like she was wearing mourning clothes to commemorate someone's death.
Those who felt guilty turned pale, while those who felt no hesitation simply marveled at Ariana's figure.
Although it is not polite to attend someone's party wearing a dress that looks like mourning attire, Ariana's fair skin and sky-blue hair acted as striking accessories, making her look radiant instead.
Marquis Materin and the Marchioness also approached Ariana without showing any signs of displeasure and greeted her.
With the Princess of the East attending the party, this simple gathering will shine.
Ariana observed the expressions of the Marquis and the Marchioness.
Unlike the hosts of a glamorous party, their eyes were dark and their skin rough, as if they were burdened with deep worries.
The expressions on the faces of Marquis Materin and his wife were one of the things Ariana had come to observe.
Ariana thought as she bowed slightly in return without showing any emotion.
'As expected, something is happening at the Imperial Palace.'
Cyrus eventually left, leaving Louis behind. Before leaving, he held Ariana's hand tightly and spoke.
"You only think about your own fight."
Ariana felt empty after he left, but she didn't have time to dwell on it.
If there were many things changing the future and moving things forward, Ariana had to move accordingly.
'Right, the reason Western Lord could be so at ease must be that everything was going his way. He must be anxious now that rumors of the close relationship between the Northern Lord and me have reached his ears. If the Northern and Eastern Commanderies join hands, their combined power will be impossible to ignore.'
While Ariana was busy summoning Shini to give her some instructions and sharing thoughts with Geor and Averaster, the day of the party at the Marquis Materin estate approached.
Ariana wasn't in the mood to attend the party, but she picked out a dress because there were a few things she needed to check. Isabelle's eyes widened in surprise as she saw Ariana dressed up.
“Are you really going to leave like that?”
Today, Ariana was dressed in a way that stood out, in a different sense than during the elephant parade. From head to toe, she was pitch black, like a crow.
With a black pearl hair clip, a black dress, and even black shoes, she looked as if she were wearing mourning clothes. Because of this, her translucent white skin and sky-blue hair stood out even more.
Isabelle and Wiona looked worried, but Ariana boarded the carriage with an indifferent expression. While Isabelle said, “Still, the more I look at you, the prettier you are. Then again, wouldn’t you look pretty in anything?” Ariana was lost in thought.
'Rachel will try to kill me. Because as long as I'm alive, Victoria will keep running wild.'
A smile spread across Ariana's lips.
***
Harold hadn't been in a very good mood recently.
He doesn't know what Count Gio had said when he visited Royal Consort Aelra a short while ago, but the Royal Consort Aelra suddenly went to see the Emperor. When asked what she had gone for, the Royal Consort Aelra smiled cunningly and said.
"They asked for an imperial decree to be issued for the marriage of the lovely Princess of the East."
When asked why, the answer was that it was to appease Count Gio. After the death of Little Count Gio, Count Gio harbored a grudge against Harold for failing to protect him.
Since the support of Count Gio's family, who possessed a gold vein in the territory, was desperately needed, it was not good for the relationship with Count Gio to sour. Although he knew what the Royal Consort Aelra was thinking, he was not at all pleased that Ariana would fall into the hands of another man.
However, his unpleasant mood also subsided as soon as he saw Victoria.
Victoria today was so incredibly beautiful and lovely that he couldn't take his eyes off her. He couldn't understand how she could be so cute; he couldn't even comprehend why he had thought she was repulsive lately.
“Vicki, you look beautiful today.”
Victoria smiled sweetly as she placed her hand over Harold's outstretched hand.
"Thank you, Harold."
Harold kissed the back of the small, delicate hand and said.
"You're going to be the star of the party today."
The reason he came to pick her up to go to the Marquis Materin's party, despite having lost all affection for Victoria lately, was because of a letter he received from Lord of the West a few days ago. Lord of the West had said, "It is time to show me that you will keep your promise; otherwise, I will not move."
He could have kissed a cockroach for the greater good. That is why he came to pick up Victoria, to publicly announce their relationship, and he did the right thing. She is such a lovely woman.
After getting into the carriage, Harold said.
“The Crown Prince is truly insane. Yesterday, he killed a lady-in-waiting because he didn’t like the massage.”
“How is the Crown Princess? Has she still not conceived?”
Even if something happened to the Crown Prince, the fact that his child was alive and well could potentially become a problem later.
“Not yet. But seeing how she throws up everything she eats these days, it looks like not only the child but the Crown Princess is going to die.”
"Right. It might be a good idea to try increasing the dosage a little."
“Let me let you know. Oh, and the Emperor will be attending the party today as well.”
Victoria, who had been looking out the window, finally turned her head and met Harold's eyes.
"The Emperor?"
“Right. Why do you think he’ll come?”
“Hmm, well.”
Victoria put her index finger to the corner of her mouth, pretended to be deep in thought, and then spoke.
"Is there perhaps a matter requiring an imperial decree?"
"As expected, you are clever."
Harold kissed Victoria on the cheek as if he could die of loveliness. Victoria snorted inwardly but showed it outwardly and asked.
"Are you okay?"
"What?"
"You were interested in Ariana, weren't you?"
“What are you talking about? You are the only woman I’m interested in.”
“It’s alright, Harold. I’m not petty enough to get angry just because a husband has a lover. In fact, it’s a good thing for you. If Ariana kills her husband after marrying him, wouldn’t she need a man to lean on as a widow?”
Victoria whispered while rubbing Harold's thigh suggestively, worried that Harold would interfere with Ariana's wedding once he came to his senses.
“By that time, even that haughty girl will be clinging to you and begging, Harold.”
***
Rachel, having arrived at the Marquis Materin estate early, casually mingled with a few ladies while surveying her surroundings. Soon, the person she had been waiting for came into view.
He was a butler whom Rachel had spent a large sum of money to hire. As he walked around carrying wine glasses on a silver tray, he lightly nodded his head as if to say not to worry when his eyes met Rachel's.
Just then, a servant announced that the Third Prince and Princess Victoria Bronte were entering. The nobles turned to Rachel, curious as to why the Third Prince and Victoria were entering together.
Rachel gave them an elegant smile and turned her gaze toward the door. The others followed her gaze.
"Oh."
Some people let out quiet exclamations of admiration at the sight of Victoria wearing a light green dress and linking arms with Harold.
Today, Victoria was incredibly beautiful, unlike at the palace party. She exuded such a lovely aura that even Rachel wondered, "Was she always this pretty?"
Rachel puffed out her chest, feeling proud that Victoria was getting attention.
Victoria walked inside, flashing a pretty smile at those looking at her. As Harold looked after Victoria with such care, people whispered amongst themselves.
"Were the Third Prince and Princess Bronte in that kind of relationship? I had no idea."
"Oh dear, we had our eye on the Third Prince as our prospective son-in-law."
"Princess Bronte looks truly beautiful today. Come to think of it, I once heard that Victoria Bronte was the most beautiful woman in the West."
"I don't think it was that bad at the Imperial Palace party..."
Victoria wanted to laugh loudly because she liked the way people glanced at her, but she managed to suppress that urge and maintained an elegant smile.
“Look at this, Vicky. Everyone is praising you.”
Harold spoke cheerfully and lightly kissed the back of Victoria's hand. Just by looking at Harold, who made no attempt to hide his affection, everyone present knew that the Princess of Bronte's groom had been chosen.
Shortly after, the attendant announced that the White family had arrived.
His gaze, which had been fixed on Victoria, instantly turned toward the door. Toward the door that hadn't even opened yet, she looked forward to seeing what form the Princess of the East would appear in this time.
Victoria's heart grew cold upon realizing that fact.
Ariana was the star of the show just moments ago, yet she was receiving everyone's attention even before she had made an appearance.
The audience held their breath at the sight of Ariana when she finally appeared. Rachel and Victoria did the same.
To Victoria, Ariana looked like the goddess of death who had risen from hell, and to Rachel, she looked like she was wearing mourning clothes to commemorate someone's death.
Those who felt guilty turned pale, while those who felt no hesitation simply marveled at Ariana's figure.
Although it is not polite to attend someone's party wearing a dress that looks like mourning attire, Ariana's fair skin and sky-blue hair acted as striking accessories, making her look radiant instead.
Marquis Materin and the Marchioness also approached Ariana without showing any signs of displeasure and greeted her.
With the Princess of the East attending the party, this simple gathering will shine.
Ariana observed the expressions of the Marquis and the Marchioness.
Unlike the hosts of a glamorous party, their eyes were dark and their skin rough, as if they were burdened with deep worries.
The expressions on the faces of Marquis Materin and his wife were one of the things Ariana had come to observe.
Ariana thought as she bowed slightly in return without showing any emotion.
'As expected, something is happening at the Imperial Palace.'
Under normal circumstances, the Crown Princess would have given birth safely, and the Grandson would have lived a little longer before dying at the hands of Harold and Victoria. However, since the future had changed and the Western Lord had begun to make his move, they could only surmise that something bad must have happened to the Crown Prince and his wife as well.
Ariana looked around while having a light conversation with Marquis Materin and his wife.
Harold and Victoria were seen standing close together. The sight of the two standing affectionately like lovers was another thing Ariana was trying to confirm.
'Even before, before killing the Crown Prince, they started spreading the word everywhere about the relationship between the Third Prince and Victoria.'
Western Lord would not proceed with the coup based solely on the Third Prince's words. Western Lord would only take action if the Third Prince demonstrated through his actions that he intended to take Victoria as his wife.
Ariana met Victoria's eyes. Victoria twisted her lips upward as if she were proud to be loved by Harold.
So Ariana smiled back.
'That’s good, Victoria. You can have that trash. I’ve ended up with something incomparably beautiful.'
***
Ariana wanted to quietly enjoy the party, but people wouldn't let her. It was even more so today because Geor and Averaster, who usually stand guard over her like gatekeepers, were not there.
Geor and Averaster were unable to attend the party as they were on the move to handle a task Ariana had requested. Instead, Shini was in hiding and following Ariana around.
Shini's stealth was not as perfect as that of the Northern Knights, but it was enough to blur people's vision. She was just a figure with no presence; people didn't notice she was there until their eyes occasionally met, at which point they would wonder, "How long has she been here?"
So the gentlemen who had gathered to ask for a dance did not notice Shini whispering softly behind Ariana.
“Master, that woman put a needle in your dress and left.”
Ariana looked where Shini had pointed. She saw the back of a brown-haired woman in a maid's outfit trotting away.
After telling the gentlemen that she wanted to rest for a while, Ariana walked away quietly and asked.
“What do you think? Does it look like Paganus?”
“I think we need to look into this more closely. Should we arrest her?”
"Ask Lanster for a favor. Oh, and on your way."
Ariana pulled out the needle that had been pricking her side for a while and handed it to Shini.
"Go give it back to Victoria. The area around her butt would be good."
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