Her soft blonde hair, those saccharine pink pearl eyes—absolutely infuriating.
Her dress matched her eyes, a pale pink adorned with flowers and ribbons that reeked of excessive sweetness.
Normally, her braids lacked even a shred of elegance, but tonight, she had styled her hair into a loose braid adorned with pearls—an effort so cloyingly meticulous it made me cringe.
She was the embodiment of everything detestable. It was as if someone had taken the very concept of “a woman’s worst enemy” and brought it to life.
“You’re not wearing your usual glasses today? For a moment, I almost didn’t recognize you.”
And without her usual absurdly oversized, thick glasses, Lady Eliza was just a sweet and delicate little girl.
Eliza’s cheeks, already tinged pink, deepened further as she shyly ducked her head behind His Highness, avoiding my gaze.
“Um, well… Ray invited me. And, uh… I’ve always stood out for some reason, so I usually wear these glasses since they’re a keepsake from my mother. But today, Yuri said I should take them off, so…”
Why are you looking up at His Highness just then?!
And why are you touching his elbow like it’s the most natural thing in the world?! Who are you to His Highness anyway?!
Wait, weren’t you invited here by Sir Raymond the knight? How did you end up glued to His Highness instead?!
And why does it feel like you’re outright mocking us noble daughters who meticulously polish our every detail?! “A keepsake from my mother”? Really?! This is not the time to mention that! If it’s so precious, shouldn’t you treasure it instead of wearing it around carelessly?! And, excuse me—don’t call His Highness by his first name, you insufferable fool!
“Well, I must agree,” I said with a pleasant smile. “Without your glasses, your lovely features are much easier to see. That dress suits you wonderfully.”
But oh, how much I swallowed to say that.
That was close—far too close.
For a moment, the part of me that remembers “my” past life almost burst out with a torrent of comedic energy. If I’d let that happen, not only would I have been ruined, but my entire household as well.
“Oh, this dress? Ray picked it out for me. I told him it wouldn’t suit me, but then, um, Yuri—”
“Well, well,” I interrupted smoothly, not letting her finish. “Saying something doesn’t suit you is an excessive modesty that only creates enemies.”
Ah yes, the classic humblebrag! Pretending to downplay yourself while sneakily boasting! I won’t let you finish that sentence, not a chance.
Forcing my grin to stay firmly in place, I clenched my teeth.
No way would I let myself flee like some spineless lady.
I am the future queen, the fiancée of the first prince.
* * *
Even the timing of the music echoed through the room as if calculated.
Smiling radiantly, I spoke with deliberate precision, ensuring that every word was both exquisitely elegant and unnervingly sharp.
“One should not casually refer to one’s superiors by affectionate nicknames. Nor should one address His Highness by his name alone. And it is highly improper to approach a man—especially one who is engaged—alone. I believe I’ve mentioned this multiple times over the past few weeks. Are my words so difficult to comprehend?”
As the next piece of music began to play, I felt every gaze in the room fall upon us.
It was only natural.
“Oh my, over there—it’s Lady Eliza and Lady Fineria.”
“Indeed, the famed Fineria who is said to wield the legendary light magic.”
“Goodness, let’s be honest—it’s the Fineria who has every gentleman entranced, isn’t it?”
“Even she seems to be struggling with this one, no?”
“They say she was once so confident in His Highness’s affection, claiming the engagement as her prize. She must find this situation intolerable.”
“My, poor Lady Eliza, to be glared at so fiercely by such a fearsome rival.”
“They say it’s been a hundred years since someone with the ability to use light magic without incantation has been found. Even the ‘Greedy Princess’ might lose this time.”
“Look at Lady Eliza tonight. How could His Highness not be charmed by her? I hear she’s been constantly at his side recently. After all, who wouldn’t prefer a sweet, charming girl’s smile to the whims of a demanding noblewoman?”
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