Chapter 49

 

“Miss Angela really feels like an angel.”

 

Karina’s whole body trembled at Ceria’s words.

 

She felt the throbbing wound that Angela had left behind out of sight just a few hours ago.

 

But Karina couldn’t vote for it.

 

‘Because the moment I tell anyone, Angela won’t forgive me.’

 

Karina and her family, who barely survived each day, were powerless to withstand the wrath of the Marquis of Brightini.

 

‘For sure, everyone will die.’

 

Karina swallowed her outburst of fear and put the medicine into Ceria’s mouth.

 

Ceria opened her little mouth and took the medicine as calmly as a baby bird.

 

Ceria, who was mumbling, said, ah.

 

“Did the Young Princess of Windsor-Ice come to the tea party again today?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

Ceria’s eyes sparkled at Karina’s words.

 

Liriette’s story was so famous that even Ceria, who was confined to her house due to her poor health, knew about it.

 

A girl who had been living a difficult life after being abandoned by her biological mother a long time ago, found her father, the Duke of Windsor-Ice, after ten years.

 

It was a fantastic story, like a fairy tale.

 

“Last time, you said that the Young Princess brought home-made chocolate. Did she bring gifts again? What color was her dress? What’s her personality like?”

 

Just like the day Karina first met Liriette, Ceria asked many questions.

 

Karina thought of Liriette.

 

Round face. Clear eyes. A shy smile.

 

Liriette seemed infinitely good and harmless.

 

So much that she could never have imagined that she was the daughter of the Duke of Windsor-Ice who commanded the northern nobility.

 

She suddenly remembered what Liriette, whom she had met today, had said.

 

[Miss Karina’s red hair is like a rose in May. The color is pretty and lovely.]

[Your golden eyes are like the full moon floating in the night sky. They’re sparkly and bright.]

 

Since she was young, she has received numerous compliments on her appearance. Yet it was her first time receiving such pure and honest praise.

 

Her cheeks burned and her heart throbbed.

 

But even for a moment…

 

[You can’t become friends with Liriette, Karina.]

 

The moment Angela’s eerie voice came to mind, her entire body went cold.

 

She must not get close to the Young Princess of Windsor-Ice. Never.

 

Karina said in a cold voice, gathering her thoughts.

 

“I’m sorry, Ceria. I’m not interested in the Young Princess of Windsor-Ice, so I don’t remember anything about her.”

 

At her older sister’s words, the younger sister made a sad and sad face, yet she couldn’t help it.

 

***

 

Liriette always attended Angela’s tea party.

 

Each time she bumped into Karina, she only briefly said hello and didn’t have much of a conversation.

 

It wasn’t that Liriette’s mind had changed. She still liked Karina.

 

‘But Karina hates me…’

 

Being approached by someone you don’t like is a huge burden.

 

So, Liriette held back the urge to speak to Karina.

 

Angela was right next to her like that.

 

“The Young Princess of Windsor-Ice and the lady of the Marquis of Brightini are very close friends.”

 

It didn’t take long for rumors to spread.

 

Angela’s parents, Marquis Brightini and his wife, were very happy.

 

“The Young Princess really likes Angela. She comes every time Angela has a tea party, and she doesn’t go back after the tea party, to the point where she talks to Angela alone.”

 

Liriette’s grandmother, Olivia, also nodded her head.

 

“I hope that the two girls who will lead northern society in the future can share a warm friendship.”

 

The nobles were happy, saying that the noble families representing the north would become even stronger thanks to the two girls.

 

Then one day it happened.

 

Karina’s appearance at Angela’s tea party was different from usual.

 

A pale and drawn face. Blank eyes. Tangled hair.

 

The girls who saw Karina like that whispered.

 

“Hasn’t Karina gotten uglier these days?”

 

“That’s right. She used to be as pretty as a doll, so I was amazed every time I saw her, but these days, I sigh every time I see her.”

 

“My mother says that a woman’s beauty changes depending on how much care she receives. So the higher her position, the more beautiful she is.”

 

The girls’ bitter words didn’t end there.

 

“What should she do? If her family is ruined, all that’s left is her face, and if even that is ruined, she won’t be able to get married into a good place.”

 

At that moment, Angela, who had been quietly listening to the story, came forward.

 

“You don’t have to worry about that. When Karina gets older, I will help her get married to a good place.”

 

“Is that true?”

 

“Of course. Karina is my precious friend.”

 

Angela said, her eyes shining, and she clasped her hands together.

 

“Now that I think about it, Mother’s distant relative, Count Celtrak, said he was looking for a young daughter-in-law. He owns several diamond mines, but he never sees the family of the woman who will be his daughter-in-law. He just needs her to have a gentle personality. Would you like me to introduce you to him, Karina?”

 

Karina was taken aback by the sudden words. It was the same with the girls.

 

They were dumbfounded to think that Karina, who had nothing, would marry into a wealthy count family.

 

However, with Angela’s next words, the girls’ jealousy disappeared without a trace.

 

“But there’s one thing you should know. Count Celtrak’s son is an idiot. I heard it was to the point where he couldn’t even properly defecate. That’s why he wants him to get married as quickly as possible. He wishes he had a wife by his son’s side to take care of him as soon as possible.”

 

At those words, there was a moment of silence between the girls.

 

Soon the girls started laughing.

 

“For a family like that, Karina is perfect. Karina takes care of her sick younger sister with the utmost care. She will be better at nursing than any of the maids.”

 

“Angela, while we’re at it, please really talk to the Marquis and his wife. For Karina’s sake.”

 

Unlike the girls who were enjoying themselves to the fullest, it wasn’t a pleasant conversation at all for Karina. She was even ashamed.

 

Yet she couldn’t be angry.

 

For this was Angela’s tea party.

 

Angela will never forgive Karina if she ruins the mood.

 

Karina barely held back the tears that threatened to leak out, and grabbed the hem of her skirt with trembling hands.

 

It was then.

 

“What are you all talking about now?”

 

The girls stopped talking and turned their heads at the clear voice.

 

Liriette was standing in the doorway.

 

When the girls saw that Liriette’s face was unusually stiff, they thought, oops.

 

But that was only for a moment, and with a bright smile on her face, Angela walked up to Liriet’s side and linked her arm on hers.

 

“You’re here, Liriette.”

 

However, Liriette had no intention of greeting Angela, who welcomed her.

 

Because of what she heard just moments ago, before she entered the room.

 

She said with a stern expression on her face.

 

“How can you say such insulting and unpleasant words in front of someone?”

 

Liriette usually subtly took Karina’s side.

 

However, the girls were bewildered because it was her first time saying something with such a straight face.

 

A girl spoke in the suffocating silence.

 

“As we said before, Karina and we have known each other ever since we were born. Friends often play practical jokes with each other. I know that Miss Liriette isn’t used to this kind of atmosphere because you’re very kind, but I hope you don’t have any strange misunderstandings.”

 

Normally, at this point, Liriette would smile awkwardly and say she understood, so they should have moved on.

 

Yet she couldn’t do that.

 

Because Karina, who was sitting in the corner, looked like she was going to collapse at any moment.

 

However, Angela and the other girls didn’t seem to see it.

 

Liriette spoke in a calm voice.

 

“Like the Miss said, I tried hard not long after attending the tea party. I want to respect and understand what you say. But only today did I come to a clear conclusion.”

 

“…”

 

“You guys don’t think of Karina as your friend.”

 

Liriette’s eyes turned to Angela. She noticed her hidden words.

 

‘Angela, you too.’

 

Angela’s face twisted for the first time as her eyes filled with disappointment.

 

“I’m sorry for being rude by leaving as soon as I arrived. But I don’t think I’m in a situation to join the tea party today.”

 

With those words, Liriette left the tea party room.

 

Holding Karina’s hand.

 

***

 

Liriette was smaller than Karina, both her height and hands. She also had weak strength.

 

But Karina was unable to say anything due to the pressure she felt from her, and she was dragged away.

 

Karina shouted only after she left the mansion.

 

“Let go of me!”

 

Liriette said softly, quickly removing her hand.

 

“I’m sorry for taking you out without asking. Otherwise, I thought Miss Karina would keep trying to stay there.”

 

“…”

 

As if what she had just said with such vigor to Angela and the girls was a lie, Liriette had returned to her usual self.

 

The sight of an extremely gentle girl.

 

Karina frowned.

 

She knew that Liriette liked her.

 

Because every time their eyes met at the tea party, Liriette smiled brightly.

 

Every time, Karina harshly turned her head.

 

Because she doesn’t want to be misunderstood as trying to be friendly with Liriette by Angela.

 

The girls who saw her like that sarcastically said that Karina didn’t even know her place and hated the Young Princess.

 

‘So she’s supposed to know I hate her, though…’

 

Yet Liriette’s eyes were only filled with concern for Karina.

 

Karina said, her voice trembling.

 

“Is it because I look pitiful?”

 

…Or do you want to bother me too?

 

Do you, just like Angela, need a pretty doll that is easy to play with?

 

Karina couldn’t bring herself to say that and bit her lip.

 

Liriette said, looking at her Karina.

 

“I thought about it from the first time I saw you. I want to become friends with Miss Karina.”

 

“…”

 

“I like Miss Karina.”