That’s why she won’t bother coming to the debutante of an imperial princess with commoner blood. Rather, receiving an invitation to it would’ve been an insult for her.
But the Second Imperial Consort is different.
I certainly expected her to show up. She would’ve been the type of person to show up wearing a facade and perhaps came with the gift of another sword wrapped in hair.
‘Yes, I’m ready. Don’t be scared.’
In any case, we need to face this kind of situation at least once. Just do it as if you were in Madam Murphy’s etiquette class.
Kathia gently bent her knees towards the woman with gold-toned brown hair and eyes. Due to the slightly downward-slanted corners of her eyes, she exuded an image of softness and warmth.
“Greetings, Second Imperial Consort.”
“Good to see you, Imperial Princess, and Third Imperial Consort.”
Her reply was gentle. Even the glimpse of her gaze through the waving of her white fan wasn’t entirely evil as I expected.
Rather, it showed interest.
Interest. Could it possibly mean good, or bad? While busy mulling it over in her mind, the Second Consort continued.
“My goodness. I was well aware of the rumors, but I guess it was only half of it. How beautiful you are. When I see you two, I thought I was dreaming. Isn’t that right, Daniel?”
The Second Consort nudged the man next to her. Kathia was somewhat startled because she didn’t expect someone else.
Having a weak presence, his face resembled the Second Consort’s. He must be her son, the Second Imperial Prince.
As the Second Consort called Daniel once more, he shuddered with a delayed response.
“Ah, y-yes. Indeed. R-Really…”
Daniel continued to stare at her in a turbulent manner.
It felt like his fiery golden-brown stare circling Kathia’s surroundings particularly.
Then, a palace servant announced the arrival of the emperor. The Second Consort smiled lightly and willingly backed away.
Phew, a weak sigh automatically came from Kathia’s lips. Although she didn’t get much out of it, just not getting many threats was a relief; she bowed her head like everyone else at the banquet.
The emperor walked across the banquet hall slowly with the help of his cane and the Lord Chamberlain.
Why was his seat on the pedestal so high? It took forever and a day for him to sit down and open his mouth.
“Princess, this way.”
Kathia was trying not to twist her ankle with the high heels and walked up carefully.
As soon as she reached the top and kneeled, the Lord Chamberlain carried something to her immediately.
It was a tiara clustered with pristine immaculate diamonds.
The emperor placed the tiara on top of her pink rose-pinned hair with his shriveled branch-like hands.
“Congrats on your coming of age.”
“Congratulations on our Imperial Princess’s coming of age!”
A lavish dress and accessories, looking down on everyone else from this position, fawning shouts, and roaring applauds.
Kathia’s 18th birthday party was far more extravagant and resplendent than anything she would’ve imagined.
Feeling offbeat, she returned down to her place. And people were gathering around her yet again.
Unable to believe it, Kathia couldn’t fully enjoy the banquet.
People showed an absurd amount of interest towards Kathia and Hannah.
In response to the words of birthday gifts being towered inside and outside of the palace for the Imperial Princess, Kathia answered, “I highly doubt it,” with sincerity and was complimented by someone for her modesty.
Oh, how they spoke with their honeyed words. There was so much sweet-talk, Kathia almost forgot the fact they were all aristocrats ranked above Count; among them were even ones who recommended to dethrone Kathia and Hannah just a few years past.
The Second Imperial Consort, a key figure, didn’t even come close to them. Rather, she didn’t show much interest towards Kathia nor Hannah.
Kathia often felt a gaze from Daniel, trailing by her side.
She even had a few sips of champagne in celebration.
Though she couldn’t drink much because Hannah was worried, it was enough to get Kathia excited over tasting the bitter liquor’s taste for the first time in her entire second life, in fact, both lives combined.
Then an aristocrat’s son of similar age as her accidentally bumped his hand with hers, his face flushing red and rushing to back away. Kathia even broke out in laughter.
I was happy. I felt great.