Episode 100: Shine Party
Olivia carefully placed the candy the girl had given her into the clutch she was holding. The surroundings became chaotically noisy, but strangely, the Princess consort remained remarkably calm.
“Are you alright?”
The knight who was attending her asked hesitantly, looking bewildered. The Princess consort tilted her head in response.
“What do you mean?”
“…Nothing.”
The Princess consort was like the eye of a storm, remaining serene even as she stirred up this massive department store.
“Oh my, she’s so beautiful.”
“Not only is she beautiful, but how can she be so kind?”
“I know, right? I didn’t think she would accept the candy the child offered earlier.”
People whispered, stealthily following the Princess consort and stealing glances at her.
“Perhaps because she’s from a commoner background, she doesn’t hesitate to accept something from a child.”
One woman’s words prompted another to nod.
“Still… that’s why I like Her Royal Highness. It makes me feel like they’re people like us.”
Those who openly followed the Princess consort were mostly commoners, and they were generally favorable towards her.
On the other hand, the noble ladies watching from afar frowned and fluttered their fans.
“Countess Timberline must be having a hard time. Marchioness Rettium, you should take care of your sister-in-law.”
Marchioness Rettium gave a troubled smile, her eyes curving into long crescents.
“If the department store offered to provide protocol, she should have accepted it. Why go through all this trouble?”
“Don’t try to understand. One’s way of thinking originates from the environment in which they grew up.”
“A wise saying. Let’s go. Just watching is making my head hurt from the noise. Why are so many commoners frequenting this place? It’s not to my taste at all.”
“I agree. It’s just big, but there’s nothing much to see.”
The noble ladies clicked their tongues and turned away.
Meanwhile, contrary to the noble ladies’ words, Countess Timberline was extremely excited. Every store they entered welcomed her, bringing out items they wouldn’t normally show, making her feel a thrill down to her nerve endings.
Especially when the crystal shop, famous for its haughtiness, brought out a glass with a cut she had never seen before, she felt like her eyes would pop out.
“This is a champagne glass that arrived yesterday, an artwork with Organ Bevel Cutting elegantly adorning it from the glass foot to the bowl. If you pour clear champagne into it, you can appreciate the three-dimensional effect of the cutting combined with the light, creating a feast of mysterious colors.”
Countess Timberline was moved by the explanation of the shop owner, who had rushed out to greet the Princess consort, and Olivia had the surreal experience of hearing her native language sound like a foreign one.
“This would be perfect, Your Royal Highness!”
Countess Timberline’s eyes gleamed as she meticulously examined the champagne glass.
“Marchioness Rettium is very fond of this brand’s glasses. I haven’t seen an Organ Bevel Cutting glass in her collection, so let’s get this one.”
The shop owner quickly added.
“So, it’s a gift. I will pay special attention to the packaging, Your Royal Highness.”
Olivia asked Countess Timberline, who was engrossed in the glass.
“Will it be satisfactory?”
“More than enough!”
“Then good. Please wrap it up.”
At the Princess consort’s choice, the owner bowed deeply, and Countess Timberline, as if nothing had happened, puffed out her chest with an arrogant expression.
“Pack it well and deliver it to Her Royal Highness’s residence. I will inform the head maid of the residence, so come and collect the payment that day.”
“Yes, I understand.”
The knights guarding the Princess consort’s expression turned cold at her behavior, as if she were the Princess consort herself.
Countess Timberline, having completed her satisfying proxy shopping, led the Princess consort out of the store. With knights in guard uniforms escorting them on both sides and everyone bowing their heads, she couldn’t have felt more thrilled.
This was why the position of a royal confidante was so popular.
Countess Timberline, determined to have the Princess consort in the palm of her hand, glanced at her watch. The appointed time was approaching.
Countess Timberline smiled warmly and turned to the Princess consort.
“Your Royal Highness, now that you’ve chosen a gift, how about visiting the café on the fifth floor of the department store? Unlike the salon, it’s a somewhat lighter atmosphere, and it’s popular among noble ladies.”
However, around that time, Olivia’s expression gradually became subtle.
As she followed Countess Timberline towards the café, Olivia felt her physical condition rapidly deteriorating with each step she took.
There was no stabbing pain, but her chest felt strangely constricted. It was beyond what could be attributed to the Corset alone.
In addition, despite wearing a fairly thick coat, she felt as if the wind was penetrating her clothes.
‘I have to attend the event tomorrow. I can’t be sick…….’
As pain assailed her and her thoughts became dull, Olivia blankly climbed the stairs. Then, just as she thought she couldn’t go on like this and was about to say she had to turn back,
“Your Royal Highness, what a coincidence!”
Startled by the excited voice, she realized that Countess Timberline was pointing somewhere and smiling brightly.
“Marchioness Rettium and other noble ladies are gathered there.”
Following her fingertip, she slowly turned her gaze and saw women adorned like flamboyant peacocks, their eyes gleaming, beyond the heavy café doors.
Everyone was looking at Olivia.
One of them bowed politely, and the others bowed in unison.
“Let’s go, Your Royal Highness.”
A surge of heat made her eyes ache, but in this situation, she couldn’t possibly turn back. Olivia straightened her shoulders, composed her expression, and slowly stepped into the café.
Leaving behind the pain that was gradually tightening her breath.
“Your Royal Highness, this is Marchioness Rettium, who is privately my sister-in-law.”
As Countess Timberline finished speaking, an elegant noble lady in a flamboyant orange dress smiled softly and opened her mouth.
“Hello, Your Royal Highness. My name is Bayla Retium. It’s an honor to meet you like this.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Marchioness Rettium.”
Countess Timberline, as chaperones usually do, arranged a seat and led Olivia into the midst of the people.
“This is Countess Seymour.”
At the word Seymour, Olivia turned her head and saw a middle-aged woman with familiar red hair standing there. Mrs. Seymour, who looked exactly like Isabel Seymour, bowed politely.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness. My name is Emma Seymour.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Countess Seymour.”
The calmly raised blue eyes were intense, as if they would pierce through Olivia.
After that, Countess Timberline bustled among the noble ladies like a fish swimming in water, introducing Olivia to everyone.
And after the introductions were somewhat over, Countess Timberline led Olivia to a lavish table. As the waiter brought out simple tea, several ladies stealthily approached the table.
“Your Royal Highness, may I have a word with Countess Timberline for a moment? I ask for your understanding.”
Countess Timberline also smiled apologetically and whispered.
“Would that be alright, Your Royal Highness?”
Olivia, finding it difficult to judge whether this situation was rude or not, could only nod.
“Please do.”
“Then, just a moment. I’ll be right back.”
The expression of Countess Timberline, who had been smiling very kindly, changed strangely as soon as she turned her back on the Princess consort. At the crookedly raised corner of her lips was a thick contempt and disregard, and an uncontainable joy permeated her gray eyes.
The noble lady who had come to fetch Countess Timberline also laughed silently and exchanged glances with those nearby.
“Thank you for inviting us to the Shine Party, Countess Timberline.”
“You’re welcome.”
The so-called ‘Shine Party.’
The name sounded beautiful and sparkling, but in reality, it was a nasty party where the target of bullying was openly mocked.
It was mainly used to trick those of high status, a classic method of isolating them by seating them as if they were the main character and then having no one approach them.
As expected, the noble ladies, having exchanged only formal greetings, didn’t even think of getting up from their respective tables. They smiled sociably at each other, but their gazes were constantly directed at the Princess consort.
“Look. She’s flustered.”
“Let’s see how long she lasts. She might soon have tears welling up in her eyes.”
“Or she might jump up and run away.”
“Herot’s Princess consort running away. There would be no greater disgrace.”
“Everyone, be careful what you say. How dare you utter such words about Her Royal Highness, the Princess consort of Herot?”
Countess Timberline cautioned the noble ladies in a soft tone, then kept a close watch on Olivia’s expression.
She was the only one who could extend a hand to her in this place. Just as young children have only their parents to turn to for help.
She intended to approach and comfort her if her expression became unbearable, and to approach and comfort her again if it became unbearable again.
Meanwhile, Olivia, left alone, felt as if she could hear the ticking of a clock in her ears. Countess Timberline, who had said she would be back in a moment, showed no sign of returning.
Murmur murmur murmur murmur.
Malicious mockery and contempt flowed into Olivia’s ears. Ominous gazes filled with dark energy flew from all directions and pierced her.
Olivia, with deeply sunken eyes, stared at Countess Timberline, who was cackling on one side. She was engrossed in conversation.
Olivia slowly thought with her head, which had become hot and dull.
She didn’t know exactly what the situation was, but it was certain that it was not favorable. Whether Countess Timberline intended it or not was a matter to be considered later.
Then, how would it be wise to escape from this place?
Should she jump up and leave?
Or should she have a waiter call Countess Timberline directly?
“……!”
A stabbing pain suddenly struck her chest. Her breaths were so hot that her lips were parched with heat.
‘It seems wise to have a waiter call Countess Timberline. I have to get up quickly.’
Olivia, having come to a conclusion, was looking around to call a waiter.
“May I be excused for a moment, Your Royal Highness?”
Mrs. Seymour, who had only been sneering at her until now, was standing by the table.
