I Married the Terminally Ill Emperor - Chapter 46
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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I Married a Terminally Ill Emperor
Chapter 46
She had received help again. Though it was shameless, she had no choice but to gratefully accept her kindness once more.
Laura bowed her head slightly to Dahlia. Dahlia drew a gentle eye smile.
“Your Highness. Though I may be lacking in many ways, I will do my best. Please take care of me.”
“Good. Then I’ll call you Laura from now on.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
“Monet, come here. Get along well with Laura from now on.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Hello, Maid. I’m Monet, Her Highness’s maid.”
Monet placed her hands over her stomach and greeted politely.
“Yes. Nice to meet you. I look forward to working with you too.”
Dahlia was pleased that Monet wasn’t intimidated by the position of maid that had tormented her, so she called the child closer.
“Monet. I’ll give you candy later today, so eat this snack first.”
When she handed over a madeleine from the refreshment plate, Monet smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Miss.”
Monet took the madeleine, bowed, then ran over to Cole and offered him half. She was probably grateful to Cole who had carried her around when she was sick.
Cole smiled and patted Monet’s head before taking the madeleine.
“Cole’s quite popular.”
Dahlia whispered quietly in Annie’s ear as she watched the scene intently.
“Indeed.”
“Are you jealous?”
“What are you say- saying? Of course not.”
Annie seemed flustered as she started to speak formally then quickly changed.
Dahlia giggled and observed Annie’s reddened earlobes.
When she turned her gaze, she saw the Princess and Laura, who had grown a bit closer, having a friendly conversation.
May there be only good days like today.
* * *
“That can’t be right.”
Dahlia muttered to herself while rubbing her arms that felt chilly.
“Why? Are you cold?”
“Annie, don’t you find those ladies’ expressions scary? It looks like arrows are about to shoot from everyone’s eyes.”
Annie looked around calmly.
For the tea party hosted by Marchioness Mary Sondo, dozens of round tables were arranged in the Imperial Palace’s rose garden.
Among the ladies gathered in small groups around the tables, wary glances, envious looks, and sharp observing stares flew back and forth.
It was a battle of spears without shields.
“That’s how high society always is.”
Dahlia shivered and shook her head.
She was truly fortunate to have lived secluded in the Star Palace. High society was a frightening place.
When she left the Empire, she would return to the safe Star Palace and never come out again.
“Annie, let’s greet them quickly and go to a corner.”
“Good idea.”
Dahlia and Annie approached the noblewoman sitting at the head table.
She was an elegant-looking noblewoman with white hair but skin as smooth as young ladies’, making her age impossible to guess.
“Marchioness, thank you for inviting me to such a precious occasion. I am Ria Hudran.”
“I am Annie Hudran.”
“So you’re the ladies from the Kingdom of Foevern. Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoy the tea party.”
Marchioness Sondo’s black eyes slowly examined their faces.
“Yes. Thank you.”
As both were greeting and about to step back, Marchioness Sondo added more words.
“But which of you is close with our Princess?”
Though it was a quiet voice, it immediately drew the attention of nearby ladies.
Dahlia felt piercing gazes behind her back and smiled awkwardly.
“I am the one who frequently meets with Her Highness the Princess.”
“I see. Please take good care of our Princess, Lady Hudran.”
Marchioness Sondo made eye contact with Dahlia and smiled kindly.
“Yes.”
Dahlia bowed slightly and withdrew with Annie. She could feel the ladies’ gazes persistently following them.
Not wanting to attract attention, Dahlia grabbed Annie’s arm with an anxious expression.
“Annie, let’s go quickly.”
“Alright.”
Annie also agreed and quickly moved to another spot.
* * *
In one corner of the tea party venue, ladies in splendid dresses had gathered.
“Lady Sorina, congratulations! I heard you’re becoming the Princess’s maid?”
“It’s too early for congratulations. Nothing’s been confirmed yet.”
Coerin Sorina covered her smile with a fan while pretending to be modest.
“But you received a recommendation letter, right? Then you’ll surely get it, won’t you?”
“Only the Chief Chamberlain’s permission remains.”
Coerin shyly lowered her eyes.
Though she had heard the Chief Chamberlain was strict, she trusted in the power of the person who had written her recommendation letter.
“Hmm, but I’m not sure if being close to the Princess is a good thing.”
“That’s right. After all, she doesn’t get along well with His Majesty the Emperor.”
When one lady who usually looked unfavorably upon her made a comment, another lady chimed in agreement.
Coerin looked at them with a relaxed smile.
As they said, the relationship between the Emperor and Princess was bad, but the position of a royal family member’s maid was a huge advantage in the marriage market.
Those who couldn’t even get a single recommendation letter were simply envious of her.
“Oh my, I heard Lady Brook tried hard to get a recommendation letter. I guess she couldn’t get one in the end?”
When Coerin spoke with an expression full of pity, Lady Brook pressed her lips together and glared at her.
Coerin sneered as if it were ridiculous and enjoyed that gaze. After all, she was the victor.
“Oh, isn’t that Lady Under over there?”
To lighten the awkward atmosphere continuing in the group, another lady pointed to Lady Under who was just entering the party venue.
Coerin’s head whipped around from dealing with Lady Brook.
Thinking about being humiliated because of Lady Under still made her teeth grind. It was also annoying that someone from a ruined family dared to covet the Captain of the Guard.
What shabby dress did she wear today?
“Lady Under is wearing a new dress?”
The lady who first spotted Lady Under raised her voice in surprise.
“Indeed. It looks quite luxurious.”
“Oh my, could it be!”
When another lady dramatically spoke while snapping her fan shut, everyone’s attention turned to her.
“I heard from my mother that Viscount Horeman sent a marriage proposal to Lady Under’s family.”
“Oh my! Isn’t Viscount Horeman over eighty years old?”
“That’s right. Even his third wife passed away first, and I heard he’s currently looking for a fourth wife.”
Coerin’s eyes gleamed mischievously as she quietly listened to their conversation.
So that dress is a marriage proposal gift from Viscount Horeman?
“My goodness! Such joyful news for Lady Under! I should go congratulate her right away.”
As Coerin spoke sarcastically with a voice full of superiority, the other ladies’ eyes also flashed with malice.
“Exactly.”
“It’s certainly something to congratulate.”
Mocking the downfall of a fallen lady was proof that they themselves were still standing strong.
Meanwhile, Laura, who had come early to the tea party to assess the atmosphere in advance on the Princess’s orders, inwardly sighed as she saw the ladies flocking toward her.
She wanted to turn around and flee immediately, but now she was the Princess’s maid. To protect Princess, she couldn’t be intimidated by such groups anymore.
Laura squared her shoulders and watched the approaching ladies with calm eyes.
“Lady Under, it’s been a while.”
Coerin was the first among the group to offer a cheerful greeting.
“It’s been a while, Lady Sorina.”
“The dress you’re wearing today is quite pretty.”
“…Thank you.”
Flustered by the unexpected compliment, Laura answered a beat late.
She really liked the dress since it was a gift from Princess, but she never expected her to compliment her—especially someone who always led the charge in tormenting her.
“It looks like you received it as a gift from someone?”
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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