Chapter 16
“Take care of her? What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean.”
Marianne was lost in thought again. Killing and disposing of Riv would be difficult right now.
‘It would be difficult for my maids to do it themselves. I can’t get blood on my hands either.’
Marianne considered herself too fragile to do such rough things.
Dealing with Riv through Lionel, the counterpart of the scandal, was the cleanest method.
‘I wish Lionel would kill Riv.’
Marianne had always wanted to kill Riv, so now she’s just going to move up her plans.
Getting the girl killed would really satisfy her.
While contemplating on how to deal with Riv, Marianne came up with an idea.
“The Marquis Quill is an expert.”
“Yes? Are you going to call him to take care of Riv?”
“I think it would be nice.”
“Princess, you can’t use that troublemaker.”
The handmaiden and El tried to stop Marianne, but Marianne did not listen.
A bright smile spread on the little plotter’s face.
***
The next day was Princess Marianne’s 18th birthday and her coming-of-age ceremony.
Many aristocrats with royal invitations waited in line as they entered the palace by carriage.
Disembarking from their carriages, aristocratic men as well as girls of the same age as Princess Marianne, were dressed in the latest fashionable suits and dresses.
They then entered the Ailte Palace’s banquet hall, the Hall of Roses.
The king opened the largest banquet hall in the Ailte Palace for his only daughter, Marianne, and decorated the room with roses of all colors that Marianne liked. The weather was clear and sunny so it was the perfect day for Princess Marianne’s coming-of-age ceremony.
Before late afternoon, many noble ladies and men had already gathered.
The king and queen arrived at the Hall of Roses with today’s main character, Princess Marianne.
“Princess Marianne is here.”
Today’s protagonist, Princess Marianne, was truly beautiful.
The ladies poured out praises at the princess’ fairy-like appearance.
“Princess Marianne, congratulations on your 18th birthday.”
“Oh, the princess is so lovely today.”
The king and queen looked at their dear Princess Marianne with delight. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on her. The silk dress worn by Marianne was like a work of art, decorated with delicate lace and embroidery.
Marianne looked even more mysterious in her dress.
“I’ve never seen such a beautiful princess before.”
At that time, Riv, under Princess Marianne’s orders, hid behind Marianne’s seat, behind the lowered curtains. There was a small eye hole in the curtain, so that she could watch the party.
Riv’s role was to give Princess Marianne a courteous curtsy and a proper greeting.
‘But why am I here?’
Riv was anxious. This was different from what she remembered.
Riv had never been invited to a public event.
She’d been to the banquet hall for Marianne’s coming-of-age ceremony in the past, but it was the first time she had to wait in hiding.
‘Why am I here? Why did Marianne’s behavior change?’
Before her return, Marianne’s behavior at her coming-of-age ceremony was very different from that of Marianne now after her return.
‘Back then, you enjoyed the ball so much, but why are you depressed now?’
Princess Marianne’s clothes and makeup were the same as before her return. So were the praises and the mountain of gifts that were presented to her.
Back then, Marianne said she enjoyed the envious glances from the other girls while she danced and secretly flirted with the aristocrats who came to her coming-of-age ceremony.
‘But why?’
Today’s Princess Marianne was strangely calm, she didn’t talk at all and didn’t laugh.
“Princess Marianne looks more mature today.”
“Because the princess is an adult now.”
The other maids did not put much meaning to Marianne’s actions. Marianne was at times proud and at other times foolish. She always acted under her own terms.
To celebrate the coming-of-age ceremony, she could have at least pretended to be noble and polite to Riv.
However, Marianne looked genuinely offended by her.
Riv was concerned about Marianne’s change in attitude.
There have already been many changes due to her encounter with Duke Sentoren.
If Marianne’s behavior changed, her fate, which was directly related to her, would also change.
Everything was connected.
‘Can I avoid death?’
The change in Marianne’s behavior meant that Riv’s death could be hastened.
It was impossible to predict how many more variables would come from this coming-of-age ceremony.
‘Marquis Quill won’t show up, right?’
He wasn’t supposed to attend the coming-of-age party.
‘Marianne will have a secret meeting with him on the night of her coming-of-age celebration.’
So it’s not yet the time for the Marquis to appear. There were a number of accidents wherever he went. If there was a change, it could be that Marianne was aiming for Riv.
‘Did the Duke of Sentoren attend that day?’
Riv was nervous.
‘Even if he officially greeted Marianne, they wouldn’t have danced. I never heard of the Duke of Sentoren and Marianne dancing back then.’
In fact, Riv had never met the Duke of Sentoren even before her return.
Riv continued to wonder, observing Marianne’s every move from behind the curtain.
‘Why the hell is this happening? Why is Marianne acting like this?’
Marianne’s actions in the past and present were very different from what Riv had heard. Marianne turned down all of the men’s invitations to dance. She also postponed the dance with her second brother, Prince Jour, until later.
Jour spoke to her in a low tone and said.
“Marianne, the Duke of Sentoren will be here soon. There are many eyes watching, so make sure you look friendly with him.”
“….”
Instead of answering, Marianne turned and stared at Riv behind her.
‘Something must have happened!’
After that, Riv was in an unpredictable situation. Marianne did not leave her spot.
The women who approached Marianne sneered at Riv behind the curtains.
Some made fun of Riv’s appearance by pulling the curtains open.
“That girl is Madame Katana.”
“She’s far more terrifying than the rumors and she’s huge.
“Is there a man who would be seduced by a girl like that?”
Covering their mouths with their fans, they eyed Riv with contempt then sympathy for Marianne.
They comforted Marianne.
Marianne pretended to cry and squeezed the corners of her eyes.
‘What the hell is going on, why?’
Regardless of Riv’s curiosity, time passed uneventfully.
As Princess Marianne remained quiet, the princess’ coming-of-age ceremony was also conducted smoothly.
From the entrance of the banquet hall, a loud muffled voice could be heard.
“It’s the Duke. The Duke of Sentoren.”
The Duke of Sentoren seemed to have attracted everyone’s attention.
Riv was more confused behind the curtain.
At one point, Marianne turned around and looked at Riv.
Vivid hostility and anger were reflected in her eyes.
‘Why? Why?’
What did Marianne find out? The Duke of Sentoren greeted and bowed slightly at those who welcomed him.
He went to the king and queen first, and then to Princess Marianne. Riv seemed to have made eye contact with the Duke of Sentoren from behind the curtain.
‘This must be a dream.’
Riv avoided his gaze and moved from the hole in the curtain to remain unseen. She did not want to be associated with the Duke of Sentoren. Lionel and Princess Marianne greeted each other politely. Dozens or possibly hundreds of eyes focused on Princess Marianne and Lionel.
“You have come. I didn’t know if you would accept the invitation, Lionel.”
“It’s Princess Marianne’s coming-of-age ceremony, it’s only natural that I came.”
Lionel and Marianne pretended to be good friends as usual. Marianne didn’t even look at other men.
After looking around the banquet hall lightly, Lionel made an offer to Marianne.
“Princess Marianne, would you like to dance with me?”
He spoke kindly to Marianne, it was the form of a perfect gentleman.
Marianne’s stiff shoulders relaxed.
“Lionel.”
Marianne whispered to Lionel, and everyone looked at the pair. However, the main character here was Marianne.
‘Riv Katana is not the main character today.’
Marianne was conscious of the gazes drawn upon herself and the Duke, therefore she showed a confident smile. Eyes followed on them.
“I think the Duke of Sentoren is going to dance with Princess Marianne.”
“They are such a good pair.”
Riv also stared at Marianne and the Duke of Sentoren through the small hole in the curtain. They made a better couple than Riv thought.
There was a huge difference in height, but there was no sense of incongruity as she initially expected.
On the contrary, Marianne looked weaker and more delicate. The Duke’s manliness and maturity were emphasized next to Marianne.
Riv looked at them carefully. It was funny how fondly they looked at each other when they were trying to break off their marriage.
‘Is it fate?’
Riv could not interfere with their fate.
The music played softly.
Marianne greeted Lionel and took his hand.
They were the protagonists on this stage.
Although Marianne was short compared to Lionel, the height difference was reduced by wearing high-heeled shoes.
She whispered in Lionel’s ear.
“There seems to be a scandal, Duke.”
“A scandal?”
Sneaking a glance at Lionel, Marianne took his hand and turned.
Marianne, who showed off her graceful dancing skills then twirled closer to Lionel.
Princess Marianne’s skirt flowed and rippled beautifully. Marianne opened her mouth as he held her in his arms.
“Your taste in women is terrible.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
‘No way.’
Marianne snorted. At that, their conversation ended and only their dancing continued.