I Don’t Want to Be Loved (Web Novel)
chapter-122

Chapter 122: Sincere Apology

“Hm? A mistake, you say? It did not seem to me that your daughter spoke such things on a slip of the tongue, Duke Rissel,” Rihannan said with a slight smile, pointing out that his daughter, Seraphina, had yet to apologize to the queen properly.

“Apologize sincerely to Her Majesty now!” Duke Rissel swiftly turned to Seraphina and scolded her strictly.

Hearing her father’s orders, Seraphina shut her two eyes tightly and clenched her fist. She knew the only way out of the hole she buried herself in was to offer her sincerest form of apology to the queen, and should the queen accept her apology and forgive her of her unbecoming behavior, the queen, in consideration of her dignity, will not speak to the king of her problematic way.

Meanwhile, the nobility near her and those watching her from afar with piercing eyes kept quiet and fanned themselves. 

Seraphina the noblewoman had been the one to control the rumor mills and social circles to her will and decree, but now she kneeled in front of hundreds of gazing eyes. 

This was unheard of.

“Your Majesty, I was a fool and made a terrible mistake… I hope you can grant me forgiveness…”

Rihannan’s icy blue eyes were calm and composed. She looked down at Seraphina and lifted her chin.

At the queen’s order, Seraphina stood up. The hands holding onto the hem of her skirt trembled.

“I think that it’s important for you to be more considerate of your words and actions from this point on,” the queen said with a smile on her face, “I’m sure you understand that there’s a limit to how much trouble you’re able to avoid responsibility using ignorance as a mere excuse.”

“…I will keep your warning in mind, Your Majesty,” Seraphina answered bitterly.

The father and daughter hurriedly left the scene. 

The nobility shook their heads disapprovingly while they watched the members from the House of Rissel quickly leave in haste out of embarrassment.

“The young lady had been quite haughty up till now…”

“Yes,” a voice nodded in agreement, “She acted as if she was queen in the absence of the Queen Mother. In the end, her sheer arrogance caused her trouble.”

“But she’s learned a valuable lesson, right?”

Thereafter, when the slight disturbance had been resolved, the once quiet ballroom was filled with merry laughter. Mrs. Cessley who left for a moment reappeared and stood by the queen. 

The merry conversation grew invigorated and Rihannan had a delightful chat with the nobles. 

This time, a group of gentlemen came up to her.

“Your Majesty, I apologize if we had intruded your lively talks, but would it be alright of us to join in as well?”

“Yes, of course. Do join us.” Rihannan nodded and tilted her head to the sight with a smile at Marquis Parvad’s request.

The marquis slapped his son’s shoulder.

“This is my son, Your Majesty,” then he leaned over to his son and said, “Go on, give your greetings to the Queen.”

A baby faced young man held the queen’s hand and gave a meaningful kiss on the top of her hand. 

“I am Ash Parvad, the eldest son from the House of Parvad. It is an honor to be in your presence, Your Majesty.”

Rihannan smiled. “A pleasure to meet you as well, Sir Parvad.”

As only the nobility with prestigious titles and their house were unable able to greet the king and queen at the start of the ball, there were now many nobles who wished to introduce their sons and daughters to the royalty.

As the exchange of greetings came to an end, Marquis Parvad asked, “What was the topic of the conversation?”

Rihannnan laughed brightly. “We were merely discussing trivial things like the books we’ve enjoyed reading recently.”

“Is that so? I’m quite curious as well to know what books our young ladies are reading these days,” the wife of Count Saphia answered.