"Is that even possible? Unrealized plans often bear resemblance to one another."
The daughter of the Marquis of Liveorn rushed to the Princess's defense. Her cunning was readily apparent—implying that a princess who rarely attended social functions could hardly be expected to know better.
Encouraged by her lead, the other ladies added their voices.
"Indeed, Princess Madeleine. Once you make your debut next year, you will attend the summer banquet yourself. Do join us then."
"There is only one year remaining until the Princess's debut. You have always been absent from tea parties due to health concerns. Surely you will be well enough by then?"
"Why say such things? It is not as though the Princess chose to be unwell."
Among the ladies, hospitality and rudeness toward Ethella alternated in dizzying succession. They walked a precarious tightrope—caught between loyalty to the Princess of the Emperor's faction and deference to a daughter of House Madeleine.
But Ethella merely smiled.
Then the direction of their conversation shifted in an unexpected way.
"Have you found a chaperone to accompany you to your debut? I heard the Young Duke has already begun searching for one."
One of the ladies spoke with studied subtlety. Every pair of eyes around the table gleamed with barely concealed interest—though they pretended otherwise.
The position of Princess Madeleine's chaperone was highly coveted. It was also a chance to capture the attention of the unmarried Conrad and Jade Madeleine.
Ethella, who had been smiling with elegant composure, finally spoke.
"My brothers are searching as well. But I need only attend with my sister."
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