Maria Ethel stumbled like a sheet of paper caught in the wind.
The Princess's nanny, Baroness Rujas, seized Maria firmly and held her upright. The way she swayed so obediently in the Baroness's grip—like a doll that could be moved at will—loosened some of the Princess's tightly coiled resentment.
"I was curious. What expression would the person who ignored my summons and placed me in such a difficult position be wearing right now?"
Maria blinked at the deceptively gentle voice. The Princess raised one corner of her mouth as she watched those wide eyes gradually come into focus.
"You still look quite pretty."
A pretty face like a porcelain doll. Brilliant golden hair. Even the tear-soaked, pitiful atmosphere.
It was all so lovely—no wonder her brother adored it. If only she had known that pretty little head was actually capable of thought, she might have loved it just as much.
Unfortunately, there seemed to be nothing of substance beneath that surface. The Princess added, her elegant features sharpening:
"...You are so occupied under my brother's protection that you cannot even find time to visit me."
Her voice cut like a blade of ice. The Princess regarded Maria with eyes harsher than frost itself.
If she possessed any sense at all, she would have thrown herself down and begged for forgiveness. If she were truly frightened, she would have wept.
But that still-pretty face only stoked the Princess's fury anew.
She struggled to maintain her smile and steady her breathing. She had sworn to herself that she would not let Maria Ethel off easily—but things had not proceeded as she wished. At least the nanny's advice had proven rather useful.
"Summon Maria Ethel immediately! This time, I truly will not let her off!"
A short while ago, the Princess had been returning to the parlor after the tea party. Consumed by rage, she had begun hurling objects across the room—until the nanny knelt at her feet and spoke soothingly.
"Please calm yourself, Your Highness. In any case, she is a lady who will assist you with your affairs for the coming year—useful as an extra limb. Why should Your Highness, the precious Princess, concern herself with a mere mistress?"
Baroness Rujas immediately covered her mouth with her hand.
"Oh my goodness..."
The nanny murmured with a mortified expression and lowered her head in disapproval.
"...Please pretend you did not hear that, Your Highness. I spoke profanely."
Mistress.
It was a word one hesitated to speak aloud. Yet in that moment, the Princess understood precisely how the ladies of society viewed Maria Ethel.
The Prince's lover, parading through social circles with a triumphant face. But ultimately—a mistress who could never be formally recognized.
Ha.
The Princess swallowed her bitter laughter and blinked, feigning ignorance.
"What was that, Nanny?"
"Thank you, Your Highness. Please grant the Lady of Ethel a chance to repent, with the same graciousness you have shown me. If you can erase the debt in her heart with but a single gesture of comfort, it will ultimately benefit Your Highness."
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