"So many terrible things have happened around you lately."
Catherine pressed a delicate hand to her chest, her expression pained.
"This aunt has been so stressed, I've nearly collapsed several times."
She looked genuinely worried—an expert performance.
"So, to ward off misfortune and celebrate your recovery, we've prepared a small banquet at Duke Claudio's estate. Just for our precious Princess."
There's no way Medea—starved for affection as she is—would refuse this.
Catherine was confident.
She'd already secured permission from the Queen Mother.
"Mother, we must show the world how much the royal family cherishes Medea. Then no one will dare treat her poorly."
Catherine had been shrewd, exploiting her mother-in-law's recent guilt.
"Did I misjudge them? Perhaps the second son's family does care for Medea after all..."
The Queen Mother had been genuinely moved by Catherine's apparent sincerity.
Their reasoning was sound. It was necessary to remind the capital of Medea's status.
"Perhaps I went too far. Maybe these children haven't harbored such wicked intentions after all."
Naturally, the Queen Mother's wariness toward her second son and his wife softened.
Catherine felt no qualms about deceiving even her strict mother-in-law.
From today, Medea will be alone again.
Count Montega will turn his back on her.
The Queen Mother's love will once again be monopolized by Birna.
She didn't even notice that her niece's gaze toward her had cooled considerably.
Catherine cheered inwardly, already savoring her victory.
"I remember this banquet very well."
Medea bit her lip bitterly.
It was a celebration that existed only as a nightmare in her past life.
Medea had worn the dress they "gifted" her and attended the banquet they'd prepared.
Her heart had swelled with joy—the sparkling chandeliers, champagne flowing like a waterfall, the diamond-dusted gown.
She'd believed it was all love and affection for her.
Then—
Someone had called her a wicked woman who drank the blood of the people.
The ridicule grew louder, spreading like wildfire.
Startled, Medea had stepped back—and someone stepped on her train.
The dress tore.
So easily. As if deliberately designed to fall apart.
Even amid the cold mockery, no one came forward to help her.
She'd been too young to handle the loneliness of being abandoned in a crowd.
Not knowing what else to do, Medea had eventually escaped the banquet hall with Catherine's belated "assistance."
She'd looked miserable—her dress half-torn, her face wet with tears.
From that day forward, Medea had completely confined herself to the palace.
She engaged in only the most minimal external activities.
Rather than endure ridicule and contempt, she'd chosen to protect what remained of her pride by refusing to meet anyone.
"And that's when Birna began acting as the de facto Princess in earnest."
Looking at her aunt's triumphant face now, Medea understood perfectly.
Catherine was plotting the exact same scheme this time.
What the Claudios didn't know was that Medea had been receiving detailed reports about the banquet's progress from Madame Pinatelli.
Medea pretended ignorance and feigned surprise.
"The banquet is tonight? How sudden. I wasn't informed of this."
"Hmph, that's because you don't like going places with lots of people. You just stay cooped up in the palace all the time."
Birna muttered.
"Birna!"
Catherine shot her daughter a sharp look.
Birna pouted but said nothing more.
"The banquet is a surprise gift from Duke Claudio—for you."
Catherine gently brushed Medea's shoulder and gestured to the waiting maids.
They brought forward several large boxes tied with silk ribbons.
"Look here. We've prepared everything so you won't be inconvenienced in the slightest."
Get ready, she thought smugly.
Medea smiled warmly.
Look at those thrilled eyes. The only people who think of her this way are her family.
Catherine felt reassured.
There was no need to worry.
The Salon
They proceeded to the salon to prepare for the banquet.
When Medea arrived, she turned to the maids who'd followed her.
"Wait. Maria will assist me today."
Medea pointed directly at Maria.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Maria bowed deeply, her voice quiet.
Birna and Catherine recognized her face immediately and exchanged glances.
They knew Medea had personally petitioned the Queen Mother to release Maria from confinement.
"How foolish can she be? Forgiving the maid who betrayed her and allowing her back into her service?"
While internally mocking Medea, they felt relieved.
The Princess's weakness in managing relationships wasn't a bad thing for them at all.
"Your Highness, we'll take our leave now to finish our own preparations. Birna will stay here to assist you with utmost care."
Catherine winked at her daughter.
"Don't forget, Birna. You must get Medea into that dress and bring her back. Understand?"
"Yes, yes, I know! My ears are getting calluses from hearing it so many times."
Birna nodded with barely concealed irritation, having heard the instructions countless times already at the estate.
After Catherine left, the salon's seamstresses helped Medea with her appearance.
"You're beautiful, Your Highness."
Under expert hands, her eyes sparkled even more brilliantly.
What she didn't realize was that her bright, natural eyes—uncovered by heavy makeup—were what made her truly radiant.
The seamstresses busied themselves preparing for the grand reveal.
"Your Royal Highness, this is the dress prepared by Duchess Claudio."
When the curtain was pulled back—
BRILLIANCE
The silver dress dusted with crushed diamonds
shone so brightly it hurt to look at.
"Oh my goodness!"
"It's so beautiful..."
"I've never seen anything like it!"
Gasps erupted throughout the room.
"It's a gift from my mother to Her Royal Highness. Please wear this to the banquet today."
Birna explained, though her expression was reluctant.
"Come now, try it on, Your Highness!"
The maids urged, unable to tear their eyes from the shimmering dress.
"It won't suit her. She'll look as tacky and ridiculous as a duck trying to wear a swan's feathers."
Birna thought smugly as she watched Medea change.
Rustle—
However, contrary to her expectations, the silver-haired girl reflected in the mirror looked as mysterious as a snow fairy descended from the heavens.
The dress fit Medea perfectly, as though tailored specifically for her.
The maids were stunned.
"It's as if you gathered all the starlight in the world and draped it over Your Highness. And the fit is absolutely perfect!"
Of course it fit perfectly.
Because this was a trap Catherine had prepared specifically for Medea's measurements.
Medea touched the rustling, flimsy material of the dress and suppressed a smile.
Instead of durability, the fabric had been generously dusted with jewel powder to create dazzling sparkle.
If someone stepped on it or applied even slight pressure, the fabric wouldn't hold—it would tear apart instantly.
"It's... really... pretty, Your Highness."
Birna forced out through gritted teeth.
"Why should such an expensive, beautiful dress be wasted on someone who's going to be humiliated anyway?"
"Why does this lowly mongrel get to enjoy such luxury?"
"Miss Birna, we've brought your dress as well. You need to prepare quickly, Miss."
Birna glanced between her azure dress and Medea's diamond gown.
If she wore that and entered beside Medea, she'd look like an insignificant maid.
"Why should I be Medea's maid? What am I lacking?"
Birna, unaware that Medea's dress was a tool in her mother's scheme, felt jealousy consume her.
She was on the verge of throwing a tantrum when—
"No. I'll wear something else today. Maria, bring that dress we looked at earlier."
When Medea signaled, Maria quickly retrieved another gown.
It was a black satin dress composed of elegant draping—no special decorations, no embellishments.
The seamstress looked anxious.
"Your Highness... please forgive us if we were somehow rude and hurt your feelings."
"It's not because of you, so please don't worry."
Medea waved her hand reassuringly.
"But you want to wear that dress instead?"
Birna interjected.
"This is a dress my mother had specially commissioned all the way from the Empire. It would be far too wasteful to just put it back."
Birna emphasized each word carefully.
Aside from her jealousy, she remembered her mother's strict instructions.
"After my fall from the horse, my physical condition hasn't been what it used to be. It's beautiful, but it's so heavy I won't be able to move around properly."
Medea shook her head.
A hint of genuine discomfort crossed her face as she frowned.
"But it's a gift from my aunt, so I can't simply ignore it..."
Medea looked troubled.
Then she turned to Birna.
"Birna... would you wear it for me?"
"...Me?"
For a moment, Birna was captivated.
The bait gleamed.
The prey hesitated.
And greed whispered sweetly.
Chapter 44 Complete
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