Chapter 29

As the Grand Duchess stepped down from her carriage on the arm of the Count Ervinzel, she smiled faintly upon seeing the princess.

“It’s been too long, Your Highness.”

Without hesitation, the princess stepped forward and kissed the Grand Duchess on the cheek. The older woman embraced her lightly and let go, before turning her attention to Dianne—standing near Countess Ornin—still with little Erin clinging to her side.

Erin peeked shyly at the unfamiliar faces around him, but the moment he spotted Dianne, he darted forward and buried himself in the folds of her gown.

“Miss Dianne!”

Dianne, caught between delight and flustered surprise, gently tried to peel him off, but she couldn’t bring herself to scold him.

“Young master, you must mind your manners.”

“I missed you, Miss Dianne.”

And in the end, Dianne could only smile.

“I missed you too.”

The Grand Duchess, after exchanging the proper greetings with Countess Ornin, extended a hand toward Dianne. She took it with grace and curtsied.

“Life at the Imperial Palace must be treating you well, Miss Dianne. You look healthy.”

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“Has our princess been keeping up with her lessons well?”

Over the Grand Duchess’s shoulder, Dianne’s eyes met the princess’s, only for the princess to scowl slightly and turn away without a word.

‘I might just tell her the plain, unvarnished truth,’ Dianne muttered inwardly, but on the outside, she smiled brightly.

“Of course. Her Highness is an exceptional student.”

Grand Duchess Ervinzel offered a pointed smile. It was clear she hadn’t believed a word. Still, Dianne kept up her cheerful mask, pretending not to notice.

The last to greet her was Count Demion of Ervinzel. He approached with polished grace and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand.

“You look well, Miss Ortenza. I’m glad.”

“Thank you, my lord. I’ve been faring well, thanks to your concern.”

“Will you be attending the Founding Day Ball?”

Dianne gave a faint, awkward smile.

If she truly wanted to attend, she could probably obtain an invitation without much difficulty. But she had neither a gown worthy of such an event nor a partner to escort her.

“I wouldn’t presume to show my face at such a banquet.”

“Is that so? That’s a pity. In the meantime, I’ll be counting on you to look after Erin during our stay at Oakhall Palace.”

Count Demion, the Grand Duchess’s husband, had been born the second son of a marquis whose house had already begun to decline. Though his name carried prestige, there had been little of substance left for him to inherit. His countship had come solely through his marriage to Ellaris, the former princess.

It was a position that might have wounded the pride of most men, but not Demion. He honored his wife openly, was devoted to his family, and carried himself with quiet strength. Among the nobility of Catalos—steeped in rigid patriarchal customs—such character was rare.

‘That must be why Her Grace chose him as her husband,’ Dianne thought.

If she ever married, she wanted something like what the Grand Duchess of Ervinzel had with the count. Even if it felt like nothing more than a dream.

Once everyone had finished exchanging greetings, the Grand Duchess turned to the princess.

“You’ll be attending the Founding Day Ball, of course?”

“…”

“If not, His Majesty will have to escort me into the banquet hall, and poor Demion will be left without a partner.”

Dianne quietly enjoyed watching the Grand Duchess back the princess into a corner with elegant precision.

Frowning, the princess gave a reluctant reply.

“…I’ll attend.”

Grand Duchess Ervinzel offered her a serene smile, then flicked a sly wink in Dianne’s direction.

Dianne could’ve thrown her hands in the air and cheered right then and there. Just the fact that the princess was willing to show herself again had been more than enough, but to appear at a public function? That was a triumph beyond imagining.

The problem was that just as Dianne was secretly rejoicing, the princess turned on her with a predatory glint in her eye.

“Of course, my governess will be attending as well, won’t she?”

The Grand Duchess of Ervinzel turned to Dianne with a look of mild surprise. Dianne, face draining of color, immediately shook her head.

“No, I—”

But the princess was faster. She smiled, a smile brimming with malicious intent.

“It’s been so long since I’ve attended an official event. I think I’ll feel much more at ease with my e~ti~quette tu~tor by my side.”

“…”

“What if I forget myself and accidentally step on the Arathos ambassador’s foot? That would be a disaster, wouldn’t it?”

Dianne rushed to protest.

“Your Highness is of age. There’s no need for a governess to escort you to a banquet. You’ll have the Grand Duchess and Lady Ornin with you. You hardly require a chaperone!”

“Oh? So what you’re saying is, since you have nothing left to teach me, I may do as I please?”

“No, that’s not—!”

“Is throwing wine in the Arathos ambassador’s face considered a breach of etiquette? I’m afraid I’ve forgotten.”

The princess shot her a look, eyes gleaming with sharp amusement and mockery.

“I suppose I’ll feel more secure if my e~ti~quette tu~tor is beside me, gently correcting me as I go.”

Dianne’s gaze darted around. She looked to the Grand Duchess, to Lady Ornin, hoping and praying someone would come to her rescue.

But both women turned their eyes away. It was clear they had no intention of interfering. After all, the princess had finally agreed to attend a public event. No one wanted to risk upsetting her and undoing that progress.

‘I’m doomed.’

This wasn’t a fight. It was a hunt. And Dianne had been completely surrounded.