The Abandoned Empress Chapter 68

Chapter 68: Chapter 68

Carsein responded in a usual tone and led to the right. While the crown prince was rather defensive in dancing with , focusing on his dance rather than leading his partner, Carsein led vigorously. I thought that he might not be good at dancing because he practiced fencing every day, but he led surprisingly and skillfully. I was a bit surprised.

“You might have wanted to ask why I danced so well, right?”

“… Yes, how do you know?”

“It’s written all over your face. Well, do you think I only spend my ti practicing fencing? As you know, I’m a duke’s son, so I’ve learned the basic skills of dancing.”

When I looked at him with incredulity, he pulled to the left and whispered, “Why, did you get a crush on again? I know you recognize I’m cool in many ways, but you shouldn’t have a crush on , okay?”

“Nope, I don’t. Don’t get wrong.”

“Don’t deny. It’s written on your face.”

“No, I don’t, Carsein.”

“Hey, are you balking at now?”

When I stared at him sharply, Carsein giggled and brought up a different topic.

I felt upset a bit, but as he kept cracking jokes, I stopped being angry and laughed with thim. Anyway he was so good at changing topics for a change.

After enjoying the dance for a while, I said that I would be back after taking a break in the lounge. I was a little tired because I hadn’t attended a party in a long ti.

The lounge was divided into a space with soft chairs for sitting and chatting, and a space with a mirror where one could adjust his or her clothes under a widely draped curtain. I went inside the draped curtain to tidy up my dress. The space where nobody was around was quiet except for the sound of music flowing from the banquet hall.

I heard several people coming in. As if they saw sothing interesting, they spoke in excited voices.

“Did you see Lady Monique a mont ago?”

I flinched when they ntioned . What did I do?

“Yeah. I could understand the crown prince because he is her fiance, but I really can’t understand the two n’s behavior. How despicable!”

“You bet. I know their families are close from her childhood, but how could they do that on an occasion like this?”

“Do you know that? I went to a garden party at the Duke Verita’s house the other day. Well, she put so sugar into the two n’s teacups. Oh my, it’s really disgusting.”

I grabbed my trembling hands tightly and clenched my fist. I was taking a deep breath, holding back the urge to get out of the place. Sobody cut them off with a firm voice.

“Stop that talking. I feel uncomfortable to hear that. ”

“But she was…”

“No matter what, she is going to be the next emperor’s wife. She is the one we have to serve in the future. So stop talking like that. You are showing disloyalty to the empire. ”

I clenched my fist more. Did he say I was going to be the next emperor’s wife no matter what? He seed to dissuade them on the surface, but when I reflected on his words, he was actually trying to ridicule like them.

“What are you talking about, lady Genoa? Didn’t you hear the rumors about lady Monique? ”

“Right. I heard she beca an apprentice knight. I hear she started to see other knights.”

“That doesn’t fit a lady! I wonder if she is really interested in becoming the queen. Maybe the crown prince is thinking about a breakup. ”

“That’s too bad. If it wasn’t for imperial law or God’s prophecy…”

I clenched my teeth. Is she Lady Genoa? Even though she was the leader of the daughters of the pro-emperor groups, she was sympathizing with them!

This ti I heard another voice with a high tone among their whispering. If my mories are correct, she was Lady Whir.

“Don’t you know that the emperor hates the Temple? As he is conscious of the people, he just respects her as the child of God’s prophecy. That’s it. If she had not been the daughter of the Monique family, the crown prince would have broken off his engagent.”

“Yea, I think so. But the thing is she is the daughter of the Monique family, the most trusted one by the imperial family.

“Stop it,” said Lady Genoa firmly.

She continued, “Even if she doesn’t beco the queen, Lady Monique has the highest status in our faction. How can we gossip about her in a situation where we are at a standoff with the anti-emperor factions? Please watch your language, so what you have just said will not be leaked.”

“Okay, Lady Genoa.”

“Sure. But I really feel sorry for you, Lady Genoa. I think you’re better than her as the crown prince’s fiancee. Even if it wasn’t her family…”

“Stop it, Lady Whir! Now, let’s go back. We stayed here longer than we thought. ”

I heard them dragging their skirts, and in no ti, silence fell in the lounge.

Even though they were gone, I stood inside the curtain for a long ti. I felt my clenched hands were trembling.

‘I think I didn’t pay any attention to the rumors circulating in social circles.”

I thought about it rationally. In order to get out of my predetermined fate as soon as possible, I had no choice but to beco a knight. That’s why I refrained from socializing with people and focused on fencing whenever I had free ti. In fact, I was sick and tired of socializing and partying in social circles before I ca back from the past.

But now I couldn’t stand still after hearing their conversation. How can an earl’s daughter dare to slander behind my back? I couldn’t believe they were eager to put down instead of being united against the anti-emperor factions.

Although I didn’t want to, I felt I needed to control these young ladies in social circles. If I continued to stay aloof from this situation, it would continue to adversely affect them, , and the imperial family as a whole. I had to fight to protect my precious friends and other things that I cherished.

I straightened up. I checked my hair and clothes once again and tried to look calm.

Looking in the mirror, I practiced making the kind of smile suitable for socializing, which I got accustod to in the past, but rarely made after coming back from the past.

It made laugh sohow when I thought of my past. In the past, I was ignored as a woman who didn’t win over my fiance’s heart, but now, I was ridiculed for trying to tempt several n. No matter how different the old was from right now, the difference was so dramatic.

I held back the urge to laugh and looked around. I heard sobody calling at a distance.

“Aristia! You are here. ”

“…Allendis. ”

While he was approaching with a bright smile, his eyes were trembling violently.

Smile quickly disappeared from his lips.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes. I don’t know what you’re talking about. ”

“Oh, how co you have such a look? Your smile is weird. What happened? Who depressed you like this?”

“… Oh, nothing.” When I shook my head, he paused for a mont and sighed.

“You look tired. You had better go back.”

“…. ”

“I am telling you because I’m worried. You have to report to work tomorrow, right? ”

“Okay, Allendis. Let go and ask for his understanding.”

“I’m going to escort you there.”

When I heard he was talking to with a worried look, I was suddenly overco by fatigue.

It was natural that I was exhausted. I had a heavy workload because of the official ceremony to commission the new knights. Besides, I was very busy yesterday and today.

When I looked around the banquet hall, I saw Carsein and his mother surrounded by many daughters standing by the window. When I approached slowly and said goodbye, Carsein, who was chatting with several ladies, asked , “Are you going back, Aristia?”

“Yes, Carsein. Congratulations once again.”

“Thank you. But can you go back alone? ”

“Oh, Carsein, don’t worry. I will escort her back ho,” said Allendis with a smile.

He added, “The crown prince asked you and to take care of her, as you know. As you’re today’s hero, you won’t be able to leave, so let escort her. ”

“… Oh yes, please. Thank you. ”

“See you next ti. Let’s go, Aristia. ”

“Thank you, Allendis. See you next ti, Carsein. ”

Because the banquet is still in full swing, it didn’t take long to prepare a wagon.

As soon as he climbed into the wagon, Allendis spoke in a very decisive tone, which was unusual.

“Now, tell , Tia. What happened?”