Chapter 5. Starting with Internal Discipline
Stealing guests from a ball hosted by a rival is a long-standing tradition in social circles.
In this case, it was happening on a much larger scale.
The noble ladies of the Imperial Capital’s social circles were now at a crossroads of choice.
‘Will I attend the party at the cost of getting on the bad side of the Empress, the master of the inner palace, and Evangeline, who already reigns as the flower of society?’
Or.
‘Will I ignore the one who hasn't even been formally recognized as the Crown Princess yet and follow the Empress and Evangeline, who hold the established power?’
They would probably agonize over it for a bit.
However, the conclusion was as good as decided.
‘Of course, they’ll side with the Empress and Evangeline.’
If I had built up some standing in social circles in the meantime, it might be different.
But I had spent my time tucked away only in the Delphin Mansion.
Aside from obtaining Artanus Hall from the Emperor, I had never shown my capabilities.
So, who would trust me enough to take such a risk?
‘...Is what I have to make those people believe!’
The method to make them believe this was simple.
“...So I don’t know what to do. I have no close friends, and I can’t exactly ask the Empress for help.”
As I let out a sigh full of worry to express my anxiety, Baroness Filern grabbed my hand firmly with a sympathetic expression.
“Oh my! How pitiful, Your Highness. You didn't even get to have a proper wedding ceremony, so the wedding banquet simply must be a success.”
She spoke as if she truly cared for me.
“I’ll try my best to encourage the people around me to attend. If you give me the invitations, I’ll work hard to distribute them!”
“Oh, thank you, Baroness! You really are my true friend.”
I suppressed my disgust and held her hand back.
In fact, this was as good as a roundabout mockery.
This was a wedding banquet for the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. Furthermore, it was being held at Artanus Hall, the most prestigious venue where coronations took place.
What would happen if a minor noble like Baroness Filern went around begging people to attend such an event?
‘Naturally, the prestige of the banquet will plummet. It’s like announcing to everyone that there aren't enough people to attend.’
That was exactly why Baroness Filern was saying she would do it.
To lower the prestige of my banquet and to advertise that no one was coming.
And this news would surely reach the ears of the Empress and Evangeline.
‘All the better.’
I ordered a maid to bring invitations stamped with the Crown Princess’s seal.
“Please distribute them to as many people as possible.”
Baroness Filern, who was delighted to receive the invitations, asked in a low voice.
“By the way, did His Majesty the Emperor permit you to use the Crown Princess’s seal?”
I shook my head.
“No. But His Highness the Crown Prince gave it to me, saying I could use it.”
I didn't forget to flush my cheeks slightly, pretending to be a new bride happy with her husband’s affection.
I could see Baroness Filern biting the bait I was throwing quite well.
And then, I scattered the most decisive lure.
“And, I’ve come up with a clever idea. Won’t you listen and tell me what you think?”
The Baroness’s eyes sparkled.
“What kind of clever idea is it?”
* * *
Having secretly changed her clothes and sought out Evangeline, Baroness Filern poured out all the information she had harvested in just one day.
Holding the invitation stamped with the Crown Princess’s seal, Evangeline snorted.
“She certainly used the Crown Princess’s seal as she pleased. This alone could become quite a problem.”
“She didn't even seem to know that. Well, she did say the Crown Prince gave her permission...”
At that, Evangeline’s expression crumpled instantly.
“What does that matter! His Majesty the Emperor is the only one who can grant the authority to use the seal of the imperial family!”
“Exactly! You’re right! That foolish woman doesn't even seem to know that!”
To cater to the mood of the suddenly furious Evangeline, the Baroness whispered the biggest piece of information she had brought.
“It seems she’s so terrified that no one will attend the banquet a month from now that she’s planning to make a reckless move.”
“A reckless move? What kind?”
Evangeline’s green eyes flashed.
“Well, she’s planning to spread a rumor that His Majesty the Emperor might attend the banquet that day!”
“What?”
Evangeline’s eyes widened.
This was certainly big news.
“Is that true? That idiot said she would spread a false rumor?”
“Yes. If the banquet at Artanus Hall fails, it’s a situation where it will be practically impossible for her to be recognized as the Crown Princess, right? So it seems she’s trying to gather people by any means necessary.”
“That’s true.”
Moreover, the Empress and Evangeline had already declared that anyone attending the banquet that day would be exiled from social circles.
Under those circumstances, no noble lady would have the guts to attend the banquet at Artanus Hall.
And a banquet without noble ladies wouldn't exactly be crawling with men, would it?
No matter what anyone said, social activities revolved around the noble ladies.
That was why salons were hosted by mistresses of the house.
“No matter how desperate she is. To try and gather people by falsely using His Majesty the Emperor’s name.”
“That woman said that since the Emperor specifically granted Artanus Hall, everyone would believe it if she spread a rumor that he would attend the banquet.”
It wasn't exactly wrong.
It was such an unprecedented event for the Emperor to grant Artanus Hall.
“She did use her head in her own way.”
Though it was all still within the palm of her hand.
A malicious smile played on Evangeline’s lips.
She muttered as she tore the invitation stamped with the Crown Princess’s seal to shreds.
“It’ll all end up like this soon anyway.”
Still, to be cautious, Evangeline confirmed it through her mother.
Whether or not the Emperor would actually set foot in Artanus Hall that day.
And the Empress said she had heard directly from the Emperor that he had no intention of attending.
“It seems he intends to decide whether to recognize that girl as the Crown Princess based on whether she makes a success of the banquet that day or not.”
If so, the result was as good as decided.
* * *
Soon, rumors of the exact opposite content began to circulate together through social circles.
“I heard His Majesty the Emperor is scheduled to attend the banquet at Artanus Hall in a few days to recognize the son and his wife?”
“I heard that’s not true. They say the Delphin Duchess spread a false rumor to gather attendees.”
“Would she really spread a false rumor involving His Majesty the Emperor?”
“She’s probably frantic because it seems she won’t be recognized by anyone.”
“I suppose so. What a massive disgrace it would be if that famous Artanus Hall were completely empty?”
The idea that it was Hilia’s lie felt more plausible than the claim that the Emperor would personally visit for a daughter-in-law who had suddenly rolled in through a predatory marriage.
There wasn't a noble lady who didn't know how cold-blooded the Emperor was.
Besides, wasn't this a much more provocative and interesting story?
Some even went as far as placing bets on this fact.
“Will His Majesty the Emperor really attend Artanus Hall that day? I’ll bet my newly purchased prize horse that he won’t!”
“I’ll bet the formal dress I just had made that he won’t come either!”
“Wait, then the bet won’t work. Since no one is betting that the Emperor will come!”
Conversations laced with mockery about this topic went back and forth in all directions.
In the midst of that, fatal news arrived for Hilia, who was already in an atmosphere as if she had lost.
“Marchioness Quinibel suddenly declared she would hold a ball that day?”
Hilia heard the news through Baroness Filern.
“Yes, Your Highness! Marchioness Quinibel is one of Her Majesty the Empress’s closest friends. Furthermore, it seems she has been granted the honor of using the second largest hall in the Empress’s palace as the banquet hall this time!”
Hilia’s face turned deathly pale.
This was essentially the Empress declaring she would ruin Hilia’s banquet by putting Marchioness Quinibel forward.
“This is nonsense! If that happens... and the banquet ends up falling behind even Marchioness Quinibel’s...”
Then no one would recognize Hilia as the true Crown Princess.
Not even the Emperor.
* * *
I giggled as I watched Baroness Filern passing across the garden through the window.
“Ah, the bait moved more diligently than expected.”
Thanks to that, the stakes had grown larger.
Of course, that was a better thing for me.
“Ah, I’m looking forward to it.”
I was moving forward with the necessary preparations step by step, and Baroness Filern was playing her role very well.
Translator: Nox