TPOSAWB 56

The Price of Saving A Wicked Beast

Translator: Rae

“Wow. Look at those flowers over there.”

“My goodness, the roses are already in bloom. They’re absolutely beautiful.”

The ladies who entered the imperial palace in response to the invitation burst out in exclamation. Inside the Glass Garden, it felt as though the seasons themselves had been forgotten. The meticulously calculated glass walls manipulated the sunlight so that every kind of flower one might see from spring through autumn bloomed all at once, captivating all who beheld them.

From her wedding onward, and through her married life thereafter, Adelaide had remained the focus of society’s attention. The noblewomen, deeply pleased by the fact that they had been chosen by such a Crown Princess, savored the beauty of the Glass Garden to the fullest.

“Seeing her resume social activities so openly, I suppose those rumors weren’t true after all.”

A noblewoman admiring the roses whispered quietly to the woman beside her.

"I guess so, right? I thought it sounded ridiculous from the start.”

For more than a decade after the late Empress passed away, the Glass Garden had remained sealed and neglected. As a space reserved for the most noble woman of the imperial family, holding a tea party here made Adelaide’s first step into society nothing short of perfect.

If one were to exaggerate slightly, it gave the impression that the imperial family was finally stepping out of the former Emperor’s shadow and preparing for a new beginning, so it was more than enough to put an end to the questions surrounding the Crown Princess’s rumored confinement that had caused quite an uproar in the society.

All those gathered were dressed in similar colors. Though there were subtle differences in depth and lightness, the women clad in fresh greens blended seamlessly into the garden, as though they were part of the scenery itself. Some faces were familiar, others not. Among them was Katarina.

Several people had already gathered around Katarina. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the empire’s noble society was divided into two factions. Naturally, opinions within the council differed as to who should inherit the throne, and among the noblewomen present today were several who supported Fabian rather than Killian.

"I am a bit concerned. YThe Crown Princess seems somewhat lacking in political acumen. Do Count Afort or the Crown Prince not advise her privately?”

Even if inviting Katarina, the future Grand Duchess, was unavoidable, they could have selectively invited only families favorable to Killian from among the council’s officials. Yet looking closely at today’s guests, it was clear that both factions were mixed in nearly equal measure.

“Well… shh! The Crown Princess is coming.”

The noblewomen fell silent and bowed toward Adelaide.

“We greet Her Highness the Crown Princess.”

Every woman gathered in the Glass Garden paid her respects to Adelaide, and Katarina was no exception. Though it wounded her pride to bow to Adelaide, Katarina bent deeply all the same, as though it were only proper.

When Adelaide arrived at the Glass Garden, she was dressed as though it were early summer. Pale green fabric flowed softly around her body, and her lightly knotted hair gave her the air of someone leisurely enjoying tea in her own home.

Studying her expression, the noblewomen became convinced that the rumors circulating through society were false. If they had been true, the Crown Princess could never have smiled so brightly.

“Your Highness, your attire today is truly beautiful.”

“Thank you. I find Countess Veiselle’s attire quite lovely as well. It’s a splendid dress.”

A woman called the Countess of Veitzel looked at Adelaide, seemingly thrilled at her compliment.

"You remember who I am. It’s an honor for me.”

“I remember not only you, but everyone who has come here. It’s only natural.”

As if to prove her words, Adelaide named several people standing nearby. Warmth bloomed in the noblewomen’s eyes—being invited and remembered by name by the Crown Princess made them feel uniquely valued.

Katarina smiled along with them, yet inwardly she could not hide her dissatisfaction.

‘D*mn it. I didn’t expect it to be this hot inside the garden.’

She knew the Glass Garden gathered sunlight to force plants into bloom, but having grown up in the North, Katarina had never imagined just how stifling it would be insid

Dressed in a voluminous gown with thick lining meant for the still-chilly weather outside, Katarina was already forming beads of sweat along her brow and the nape of her neck.

The noblewomen took their seats at the tables prepared in the center of the Glass Garden. Name cards had already been placed at each setting, clearly marking the assigned seats.

The seat of honor belonged to Adelaide, and the place directly beside it bore Katarina’s name. Once seated, Adelaide was the first to speak to Katarina.

“Lady Brundel, you suit this garden remarkably well.”

Before Katarina could even respond, noblewomen sympathetic to the North immediately chimed in.

“They say the young lady of House Brundell is known as the rose of northern society.”

“I was truly taken aback. You’ll surely become the most beautiful bride in the world. The young Grand Duke is incredibly fortunate.”

Their exaggerated praise drew the attention of the other noblewomen at the table. Katarina lowered her head shyly, her cheeks flushing red, the faint blush lending her an innocent charm. Naturally, others began to add their own compliments.

“You flatter me. I worried myself sick that I hadn’t prepared enough.”

“What do you mean, you should have prepared more? That’s hardly…”

One of the noblewomen laughed, remarking that excessive modesty was hardly becoming. Katarina waved her hands in surprise.

“That’s not what I meant. I did take care with my attire, but the new maid I hired is still rather clumsy, so I find myself thinking of the previous girl again and again.”

As she said this, Katarina cast a sidelong glance at Adelaide. Just as she expected, Adelaide’s expression stiffened slightly. Mocking her inwardly, Katarina turned back to the noblewomen with a subdued look.

“Oh dear. A personal maid is terribly important, isn’t she? When you find one you favor, you keep her by your side for life. The former maid must have been quite skilled.”

“Yes… she was. In fact, we grew up together from childhood, so she was like a sister to me.”

Before long, the tea party’s central topic had shifted to Katarina’s maid. Just as Katarina was about to speak again, a chatty voice cut in.

“But Lady Brundell’s necklace is truly beautiful. It seems even your new maid has a fine taste.”

The young woman’s gaze settled squarely on the marquis’s daughter’s necklace. Though she was slightly displeased that the topic had shifted, making the Crown Princess bothered with talk of Marcella was easier than sipping cold soup, hence there was no need to rush.

"Yes. Isn't it beautiful?”

The necklace shone brilliantly against her neck. The green emerald was framed by small, glittering diamonds—an ornament so magnificent that even the imperial family could not easily possess its equal.

It was thanks to Fabian that she first learned about Serrem’s emeralds. When she noticed an unfamiliar ring, she pestered him until he revealed the gem’s origin.

“It’s a jewel from Serrem. The chieftain presented it to the Grand Duke’s house as a gesture of goodwill.”

Pouting that she wanted one as well, Katarina had been placated when Fabian promised that on the day he drove Killian aside and reclaimed his rightful position, he would gift her jewelry lavishly set with Selem’s emeralds.

But Katarina lacked patience. Rather than waiting for an uncertain future, she used her father instead. From him—who had dealings with Serrem’s high-ranking  nobles at the time—she obtained a ring, and under the pretense of a wedding gift that year, this necklace as well.

The Marquis advised his daughter not to wear it until the affair was safely concluded, lest drawing attention complicate matters. Though done for her sake, it was something carried out without even the Grand Duke’s knowledge, making it an undeniable burden for him.

Yet Katarina broke her promise to her father. Actually, Fabian had said nothing even after seeing the ring she wore at the Emperor’s banquet.

“It’s something I brought myself from the North, to wear at the wedding reception.”

Katarina straightened her neck and shoulders so that her necklace would be seen all the more clearly.

***

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