CH 254

After taking a sip of her tea, Veronica sneered, “Hmm, I wonder. Where do you think I had it done?”

“Come on, tell us!”

Knitting her brow, Veronica set her teacup down rather harshly on the saucer. “Why don’t you tell me why you ladies played card games without me? To make it worse, with someone from the Nayren family?! You all know that our families bear ill relations.”

“Oh, please! We’ve already apologized for that matter several times!”

I watched the two ladies quarrel over what had happened at the banquet, then I turned to Bea who was sitting across from me. She was staring at her teacup in silence—looking quite annoyed. Perhaps Rose, who was sitting next to her, felt the same, as she asked, “Is something the matter, Your Highness?”

Bea quickly glanced at me then shook her head. “No. Nothing’s the matter.” I was about to join in the two ladies’ conversation when Catherine suddenly blamed me.

“Lady Jubelian also agreed to play card games back then! Stop criticizing only me!”

‘She must be doing that because she knows Veronica is particularly kind to me.’

Sure enough, she stiffened. “T-that’s because Lady Jubelian was probably swept away by the atmosphere. I don’t believe she would have done it intentionally!”

Actually, I had done it on purpose to avoid Max—or rather, the crown prince. Also, to play card games with Lord Elios. I stayed quiet since I had nothing to say. That was when someone spoke up, “That’s right, she was just swept away. I can vouch for that.”

‘Why is she…’ My eyes trembling, I looked at Bea. Then realizing everyone was wearing a hardened expression, I decided to change the topic to lighten the mood. “By the way, I had some questions about holding a banquet…” I began.

“Oh, I can help!”

“Me, too!”

Rose and Mary Ann perked up in unison. It was as if they had been waiting for me to ask. Glancing at the still pouty Veronica and Catherine, I continued, “My coming-of-age ceremony is less than two months away. I’m trying to plan it by myself… but it is proving more difficult than I thought.” Only then did Veronica and Catherine join in, saying they wanted to help. There was now only one person left. Looking at the unstirred Bea, I asked, “Your Highness, could you help me as well?”

Meeting my eyes, she smiled slightly. “There are only a few women in this empire as well-informed as me when it comes to banquets.”

I smiled in response to her confident tone.

***

“It is better for the curtains to be a lighter hue.”

“I agree with Lady Veronica. Dark curtains tend to ruin the atmosphere.”

Beatrice looked back and forth between Catherine and Veronica with a curious expression. ‘They were fighting just moments ago. How could they talk to each other as if nothing happened?’ She then turned to Jubelian. Despite being the one who had livened up the atmosphere, the lady was simply observing, sipping her tea.

She then began, “Thank you two for the comments about the decorations. As for the organization of the banquet, thank you Rose and Mary Ann for the advice.” The members smiled in delight once they received her gratitude. Beatrice was feeling down for not having received any comment from Jubelian when she said, “And thank you, Your Highness, for helping the most today.”

Bea felt her mood improve instantly. The lady was something else when it came to charming her. She seemed quiet, but she was magically skilled at socializing.

‘If people were quarreling in front of me, I would have threatened them,’ the princess reflected as she watched the gentle lady who sat in harmony with others. She was dazzling in Beatrice’s eyes. ‘Perhaps this is why I am so attracted to you,’ she smiled faintly.