Me, a Princess? My Lord! - Chapter 85
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 85
Clara looked around at the ladies gathered in their seats and spoke with clear emphasis.
“Nothing has been revealed yet. There’s no solid evidence either. The Royal Palace hasn’t even issued an official statement, so what’s the point of us chattering about it among ourselves? Let’s not act rashly.”
Then Countess Moraine folded her fan and said.
“It shouldn’t be true. If it were true, what could be more terrible than that?”
The surrounding ladies nodded in agreement with her words.
“It might plant vain delusions in the maids’ heads. A princess from maid origins. How arrogant they would become?”
“How terrible.”
“What would we do if that really happened?”
The ladies stirred in agreement with Countess Moraine’s words.
Evangeline, who was sitting next to Clara, grasped her hand tightly and said.
“I also believe the rumor isn’t true, Clara. And it shouldn’t be true.”
“Evangeline, we should be on her side.”
“I know well that Princess Heidi is a good person. I like the Princess very much too. But what if this rumor turns out to be true?”
Clara’s mouth shut tight at Evangeline’s words.
“We need to prepare for the worst case scenario.”
Evangeline tapped Clara’s chair. Clara sat in her seat with a blank expression, lost in thought.
‘If the rumor is true and the Princess is really from maid origins… would I still be able to look at the Princess with the same eyes as before?’
Just then.
“Princess Anastasia Janette de Panther has arrived.”
At the sudden news of Anastasia’s arrival, all the ladies gathered rose to their feet.
“We greet Your Highness.”
Anastasia, wearing a brilliantly sparkling purple dress, slowly entered the salon. After looking around at the gathered people, Anastasia opened her lips.
“It’s been a while.”
Anastasia said with a smile.
“But why does everyone look so surprised? As if I’ve come somewhere I shouldn’t. Have you all completely forgotten that I’m the one who created this gathering?”
At Anastasia’s words, Countess Moraine rushed forward and said.
“How could that be, Princess. Everyone is just slow to react from surprise and joy.”
“It has been quite a while since we met. It seems it hasn’t been easy to see everyone’s faces.”
There was a barb in Anastasia’s words. The ladies who had attended Heidi’s tea party trembled and bowed their heads.
Anastasia, who had been examining them one by one, let out a deep sigh. She naturally took the seat of honor and opened her mouth.
“There have been many incidents recently. You all must have had a lot to think about. My head was complicated too, so how much more so for you all. I understand everything.”
Anastasia slightly raised the corners of her mouth. She continued in a softly mellowed voice.
“I also know well that you responded to Princess Heidi’s invitation. It would have been difficult to refuse a royal invitation. I’m not petty enough to be hurt by something like that.”
Sighs of relief could be heard here and there at Anastasia’s words.
“How about holding the next Florence gathering at my palace after such a long time? Those who can attend, please let me know.”
Soft gasps could be heard from various places.
Anastasia’s invitation wasn’t simply a proposal to gather and have tea together.
Accepting this invitation was close to declaring that they would leave Heidi and align with Anastasia again.
At this time when Heidi’s position was precarious due to scandalous rumors, Anastasia’s proposal came across as sweet.
Moreover, Anastasia had smoothly offered the carrot of immunity. If they returned to her now, she wouldn’t blame them anymore for having aligned with Heidi.
‘Now is the chance to align with Princess Anastasia again.’
The ladies exchanged meaningful glances with each other.
Countess Moraine placed her hand on her chest and said.
“I will gladly attend, Princess Anastasia.”
“Thank you, Tilly.”
Anastasia smiled brightly.
“Anyone else who will attend?”
Once Tilly Moraine broke the ice, following suit was all too easy. The ladies gathered in their seats flocked to Anastasia one after another.
‘Of course. How dare she touch my pets without even knowing how to handle them.’
As if they had never been distant, Anastasia inwardly burst into laughter while looking around at the ladies who were smiling and flattering her.
‘Just putting on pretty clothes and sitting in a palace doesn’t make anyone a princess. The habit of serving others for a lifetime doesn’t disappear easily.’
She would make her regret it bitterly. Rejecting the proposal to abandon Deshion and take her hand.
She would make her beat her chest, wishing she had continued living as a maid. She would clearly show what happens when one covets something beyond their station.
Anastasia ground her teeth. Her eyes glittered with venom.
* * *
“Duke Delern requests a meeting.”
“I’m sorry, but please tell him to return. Say that I’m not feeling well.”
“But…”
“Tell him. Say that it would be better to stop the lessons for a while due to the Princess’s health issues.”
At Heidi’s words, Housekeeper Emily slightly bent and straightened her knees.
“I will convey your message as instructed.”
“Thank you. And I want to be alone, so please don’t let anyone into this room.”
“Understood, Princess. Please rest comfortably and call if you need anything.”
Click.
The door closed, and Heidi pulled the blanket over her head. For several days, she had been lying there as if dead. Too many thoughts were tangled in her head, making it impossible to think about anything at all.
‘There are no eternal secrets in this world.’
No matter how thoroughly Deshion had silenced people, since there were more than a few people who knew her during her time working at the Haizen Estate, there was always a possibility of word leaking out. Rather, it was more surprising that no rumors had circulated until now.
“Please don’t worry too much. The fact that you are of the King’s bloodline doesn’t change. You are the King’s daughter and the most legitimate heir to the throne.”
Deshion had said that, but how could she not worry?
For the first time, Heidi felt a little ashamed of her past as a maid. It seemed she had already become accustomed to a life of wearing fancy clothes, eating good food, and being revered by everyone.
“There’s a rumor that the Princess used to be a maid working at the Haizen Estate. It’s really absurd! You must correct it quickly, Princess.”
Clara’s words kept circling in Heidi’s mind.
If she found out that the rumor wasn’t false, if it was revealed to the world that she really had been Deshion’s maid, what expression would Clara make then?
Just then.
There was a knock, and before Heidi could open her mouth to say anything, the door opened. Emily entered with quick steps, her face flushed.
“I’m sure I told you not to let anyone into the room. Sorry, but that includes you too, Emily.”
“I apologize, Princess. But it was urgent, so I had no choice.”
Emily said, politely folding her hands over her stomach.
“His Majesty the King summons you, Princess. He said to come to The Sun Palace immediately.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————