Perhaps she was mistaken.

Dalia strangely felt that she was being disrespectful with her gesture. Could it be that she omits her movements to the point that it is impossible to get caught?

It wasn’t surprising.

The Empress’s lady-in-waiting was in a fairly high position, so there were many young ladies who became strangely arrogant once they got to that position.

There was even an expression that grouped such young ladies to ridicule them. (*t/n: not sure about this one)

Therefore, the Empress did not keep a lady as her lady-in-waiting for a long time, but kept on replacing them.

‘If it’s the Mars family…… I think they had something to do with the Artus family.’

Dalia recalled what she had heard from Hikan before.

Currently, the Artus family’s influence is far behind compared to the others among the four great families.

In order to prevent it somehow, they used all kinds of measures, and the typical way was taking advantage of the weaknesses of other families and obtaining an advantageous contract.

“It’s not even funny with how dirty it is. They’re doing things that even a Baron wouldn’t do.”

She remembers Hikan clicked his tongue when talking about the Mars family.

Dalia, who had thought of that, somehow felt more uncomfortable with Eridon in front of her.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen Miss Dalia at a banquet. That’s why I’m so happy to see you.”

Her words sounded strangely gentle.

She had seen a few people do this to Adrisha, but this was the first time this kind of thing has been done to Dalia. It was rather fresh.

Dalia smiled.

“It is such an honor.”

“It’s been a while since you’ve come out, so you can’t get used to it, right? Why don’t you go buy dresses and accessories with me next time?”

This was, of course, a roundabout way to say that Dalia’s dress is out of style.

Dalia felt unfair.

Before the fabric was attached on her back, this was an unconventional dress that could turn her into a goddess of beauty.

But someone had attached fabric on this dress…….

“Mother, it’s true that discipline at the Imperial Palace is terrible these days. I think you should keep that in mind.”

The person in question immediately stepped up to rectify the situation.

The Empress also immediately noticed from her long experience that Eridon was trying to fight Dalia.

She gently stopped Eridon.

“Miss Eridon, what are you doing?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. But I am concerned that Miss Dalia might have been deceived.”

“……What does that mean?”

Eridon lowered her voice.

However, it was apparent that everyone would listen to it.

“Did you know that the capital city was turned upside down recently when it was discovered that Pesidra Jeweler had sold fake goods? I heard that Miss Dalia was a customer there…….”

That was true.

However, before that, the butler had heard the rumor and changed the vendor, so Dalia did not suffer any damage.

Eridon said as if she had no interest in Dalia’s situation.

“Because such a big necklace like that is likely to be an imitation.”

“…… Does that look like an imitation?”

“How dare I say that with my own mouth?”

The Empress’s expression turned pale.

Eridon had no idea that Dalia’s necklace was a slight alteration of the Empress’s necklace.

In fact, no matter who looked at it, Dalia’s necklace was very beautiful and looked like a real diamond.

However, she was ordered by a high-ranking person to publicly insult Dalia Pesteros, and told her about the Pesidra Jeweler as an excuse to attack the necklace as a fake.

Attacking the young lady of the Pesteros.

She was scared inside. However, the Mars family owed something to that high-ranking person, so they had no choice but to cry and do a favor.

Of course, the story that person told Eridon was quite a valid guess.

So Eridon could muster up the courage to speak. But just because it was reasonable, it wasn’t always true.

The Empress stumbled as if it was a bigger shock than expected to hear that her necklace looked like an imitation.

Cedric hurriedly supported her.

But he was pale too. He promised to make her shine the most, but he let her hear that kind of thing.

Eridon, who unintentionally shamed both the Empress and the Prince, was unaware of anything and just looked challengingly at Dalia.

Dalia felt very uncomfortable.

“……It was lent by Her Majesty the Empress as a personal favor to Miss Dalia. It’s an invaluable gift from the Emperor on a special occasion. I’m sorry that it looked like a fake.”

Cedric spoke instead of the Empress, who couldn’t bear to speak.

Maybe because he was shocked too or maybe because his expression wasn’t good, but he seemed like he could kill Eridon with his eyes.

Eridon’s expression stiffened.

“……What?”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I need to go.”

The Empress put her hand on her forehead as if she could not overcome the shock.

She cherished the necklace as it was a special gift from the Emperor.

“……I’d rather hear you criticizing me.”

The Empress spoke softly and staggered away.

Eridon was still standing there blankly as if she had heard something she shouldn’t.

Dalia poked the hesitant Cedric on the side and pushed him to the Empress.

She’s already upset since he’s taking care of Dalia, so shouldn’t he stay next to her at times like this?

‘Just act cute and set her mind at ease.’

Dalia said so with her eyes.

She doesn’t know if Cedric understands, but he kissed the back of Dalia’s hand for a long time, full of regret, and followed the Empress.

Now only Eridon and Dalia left.

Eridon’s face was worth seeing. Her face turned very white, then blue, then quickly flushed with shame.

‘So why would you pick a fight with an innocent person?’

Dalia sighed deeply.

“Well, Miss Eridon.”

“Yes, please say it.”

“Did I do something against you, Miss Eridon?”

Dalia asked calmly.

In her own way, Dalia was giving her a chance to set things right. However, it rather seemed to stimulate the agitated Eridon completely.

The Empress has left too.

Eridon let out a shriek and trembled in agitation,thinking that she would only be a fool if she backed out of here.

“Oh my God, what are you talking about? I’m really worried about Miss Dalia, so I suggested it as a favor thinking that you might have lost money because you were too innocent! Why on earth would you say that?”

Eridon was making quite a fuss and soon drew attention.

Dalia wanted to touch her forehead.

She could see Adrisha approaching in the distance. Dalia stopped her with a gesture.

There was no need for that.

“You must think I said that because I hated Miss Dalia, but it was a mistake. Really, really a mistake……!”

“What are you doing now? Why are you harassing Miss Dalia Pesteros?”

However, unexpectedly, the helping hand came from a strange person. From someone that she didn’t really want to be involved with.

An unfamiliar voice interrupted the agitated Eridon.

Dalia turned her head. A handsome young man she had never seen before blatantly blocked between her and Eridon.

‘I didn’t even ask for help then why?’

Moreover, the attitude of the young man was overly theatrical.

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

What’s even more bizarre was Eridon’s reaction.

Just now she was being extremely upset.

But as soon as she saw the young man, her face turned white again, and in an instant she shrank like a deflated balloon.

For some reason, it feels like someone had something on her.

‘Suspicious, it’s suspicious.’

Dalia, who had seen Viscount Arthur Pendleton and Mary the decoy, has developed more skills in figuring out the situation.

She narrowed her eyes further and looked at the man who turned around with a wonderful expression on his face.

He kissed the back of Dalia’s hand without permission and smiled.

“Hello, Miss Dalia Pesteros. Have you lost your partner?”

It was also a minus point for not introducing himself first.

She smiled and turned around.

“Thank you for your help, unknown gentleman.”

“Ah, I didn’t introduce myself.”

“…….”

“I’m Felix Artus. The eldest son of the Duke of Artus.”

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