The lady standing by Vivian looked at Amanda wondrously.
“The wedding dress was the most extraordinary thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Ah! My husband had diamonds embroidered on the wedding dress.”
Amanda intentionally boasted the value of the dress to the other women, even though it was her nature to be reserved. The noblewoman who had asked the question widened her eyes.
“D-diamonds? So it was all real jewels?”
“Yes, it was.”
“Oh my goodness!”
Marisa, who was listening from the side, looked at Amanda with envious eyes.
“You must truly have the love of the Crown Prince. I had heard rumors that he requested to his father that no bridal dowry be required.”
Amanda could feel their eyes on her at the mention of that rumor, and she tentatively nodded.
“Yes, it’s all true. I am very grateful to him.”
The nobles’ doubt turned into surprise.
“The Crown Prince really must be a romantic.”
“I envy you, Your Highness. You two seem like a perfect match.”
Amanda made herself smile as widely as possible, faithful to the role of a bride happy to marry her true love. In fact, she never really like to boast like this, and she wondered what it would be like to show her true self to others. Happiness wasn’t about competing with anyone. She believed that each person defined happiness differently, and that being satisfied with one’s life was the only way to live happily.
However, being the Crown Princess meant playing a different game where she had to hide her true thoughts. Oliver had to express affection towards her, and show that their financial resources were not lacking. Wealth was power, and with so many dresses and jewelry given to her by Oliver, Amanda now had a considerable amount of personal wealth as well. From now on, she had to think about how to use these assets effectively.
“Marchioness Holland has been of great support to me. In return, I would like to give you the precious fabric I received from the Freegrand kingdom. I hope you will accept it.”
Wedding gifts given by foreign countries were, in all practicalities, tribute. They were wrapped up as gifts, but it was not the same as one given by close acquaintance. The emperor could give such items to the nobles who helped with the wedding.
“How could I accept something so valuable…!”
Vivian looked shocked as if she never could have imagined this situation. However, this was the true feeling of Amanda’s heart. She had grown up in the south, and was thankful for Vivian’s friendliness. At the moment, Amanda prioritize revenge over grace, but she wanted to return her good feelings if possible.
“Please come to the palace wearing this fabric next time.”
“Thank you very much, Your Highness.”
Vivian looked around with an exuberant and dazed look, proud at the extent of her relationship with Amanda. Hopefully it would be of help to the south, and in any case, having a close relationship with the Crown Princess would be beneficial.
After speaking with Vivian sufficiently, Amanda took a step back.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Yes, yes, Your Highness!”
Amanda accepted Vivian’s bow, which was more reverent than the first, then walked away to meet the other nobles. Already, there was energetic conversation about the wedding dress she had worn earlier. Amanda looked on with a pleased expression, catching intermittent conversation from the crowd, when an unexpected figure came into view.
‘That’s—’
Layla, a beautiful young woman in a green dress. Amanda had glimpsed her sitting in the guest row at the wedding, so she was not too surprised to see her at the reception. More importantly, the Brown family was quite powerful as well.
Amanda stared at Layla for a moment, before the latter began walking vaguely in her direction, the click of her heels getting louder as she neared. Layla, who looked drunk, widened her eyes as she spotted Amanda, and her expression turned sour. Layla’s hostility was obvious, but Amanda approached her without a care.
“It’s been a long time, Lady Brown.”
Perhaps she didn’t want to be criticized, but Layla gave Amanda a respectful greeting despite her obvious reluctance.
“H-hail to the Crown Princess. Eternal glory to the Keith Empire.”
“I heard that you became the Empress’ lady-in-waiting.”
“Ah, yes. Right.”
Layla’s face was triumphant at the mention of “lady-in-waiting.” Amanda spoke in a low voice, a smile on her face.
“You should celebrate. I thought you’d never be able to show your face in society again, but this is like a lifeline.”
“…!”
“So I will warn you for the last time, hold on to that lifeline. If you try to hurt me one more time—”
Amanda stepped into Layla’s space and spoke in a voice barely above a whisper.
“—I won’t let it pass.”
Amanda was suspicious about Layla’s sudden appointment as a lady-in-waiting. Their relationship was already stormy—Layla had accused Amanda of sleeping with different men every night, and Layla was thought to be a villain who had tried to ruin Amanda’s face out of jealousy. Of course, the accusations against Amanda were false, while the ones against Layla were exaggerated.
But in the end, it was water under the bridge. As Amanda had told Oliver at the time, it wouldn’t help Oliver take the throne if Marquis Brown was involved. If Layla kept provoking Amanda, however, Amanda wouldn’t let it continue any longer. Oliver wanted to pay back his revenge after becoming emperor, but if Layla stopped now, Amanda planned to be more generous.
And so, Amanda gave her final warning.
“Don’t forget my words.”
Amanda offered a dignified smile, then turned her head and walked away.
A moment later, Hailey, who had been watching breathlessly nearby, came into sight. Hailey had been glued to Layla’s side since the tea party in the south, and Amanda recognized her face. Somehow, Hailey seemed even more detestable than Layla. She hurried to bow her head when Amanda’s gaze fell on her, and the Crown Princess uttered her own warning against her.
“You should look at the line and see which side is more profitable.”
Amanda brushed past Hailey towards the center of the hall, and Hailey stared at her back, her face stiff.
Chaeng-geulang!
Layla’s face was a furious red, and her glass had slipped from her trembling hands. Broken glass fragments scattered across the floor. People were whispering and widening their distance from her, but she didn’t notice. Layla gritted her teeth angrily.