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“Pardon?” Lobelia was momentarily taken aback by Cedric’s unexpected words and struggled to find a response. “We fought? Me? With Aina? What on earth are you talking about?” She looked at Cedric with a puzzled expression, and he sighed heavily before speaking in a serious tone. It was then that Lobelia realized he was referring to the incident at the Serge Opera House, but she couldn’t understand where he was going with this conversation.

“I know you’re jealous of Aina,” Cedric said bluntly.

Lobelia was taken aback by his words, and for a moment, she considered at the instant. However, she held back her impulse, knowing that he was a prince.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Lobelia replied, her voice strained.

Cedric gave her a long, hard look, and then spoke again. “I understand how you feel. It’s only natural to feel inferior to someone like Aina, especially when you come from a less privileged background.”

Lobelia was stunned into silence by Cedric’s words. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“But it’s not right to act on those feelings by living a dissolute lifestyle. Meeting a handsome man doesn’t raise your worth,” he continued, his tone condescending.

Lobelia realized that Cedric saw her as nothing more than an appendage to Aina, and it filled her with a sense of bitterness.

“Aina is very sad,” Cedric said, trying to reason with her.

Lobelia felt her temper rising at his words, but she forced herself to remain calm.

“Uh? Lobelia,” Cedric said, staring at her intently. His conviction that he was doing this for her was unwavering. It was clear to her that Cedric’s image as the “perfect male lead” in the original work was solely from Aina’s perspective. The Cedric she had met was a stubborn individual who failed to grasp the perspectives of others. Yet, as the queen’s son and her chief deputy, Lobelia knew that she would have to meet with him regularly.

“Your Highness, the Crown Prince,” Lobelia addressed Cedric, determined to clear her name. “You seem to have been misinformed. I did not fight with Miss Aina.”

“What? But Aina said…” Cedric trailed off, looking confused.

“I’m sure Your Highness would not be hasty in drawing conclusions based on only one person’s account,” Lobelia responded with poise, mentioning the virtues expected of nobles.

Cedric was visibly displeased, perhaps feeling as though Lobelia was being too forward. “I only left the Evelentia mansion when the time came, and it had nothing to do with Miss Aina. And as for a dissolute life…does that mean the Duke of Ferrado enjoys a dissolute life with me?”

At the mention of the duke’s name, Cedric visibly stiffened. The Duke of Ferrado was an influential noble that even the Crown Prince could not handle lightly.

Cedric’s expression grew stern, and he became more confrontational. “Saying things like that, I understand why Aina is upset. You’ve changed a lot. You used to be quiet just a few months ago.”

Lobelia looked at Cedric silently and with a smug grin. She had changed, no doubt about it, but it wasn’t necessarily for the better.

After Julia’s death, Lobelia had come to see the truth, and learned that Aina’s position was originally hers. But instead of explaining her anger, she humbly bowed her head.

“I spoke out of turn. I apologize for being rude. But it’s true that I didn’t fight with Miss Aina,” Lobelia stated, looking up to Cedric. “Ask Miss Aina next time what really happened.”

Cedric was left speechless, staring at Lobelia with an inscrutable expression.

***

There’s always something happening. It’s just bad luck. Lobelia sighed as she rode towards the Duke of Ferrado’s estate in the carriage, her thoughts on Cedric consuming her. Joheim didn’t inquire about what had happened at the Rose Palace, which allowed Lobelia to silently plan until they reached their destination.

“I need to go to the academy,” Lobelia said to Jade as soon as they stepped off the carriage. “The Count of Evelentia will be coming to see me soon.”

Jade smiled, a rare sight indeed. “You’ve succeeded,” he commented. Lobelia nodded in agreement. She had been pleased before, but seeing Jade’s expression made her feel even more confident in her success.

“When will the Count of Evelentia find out?” Jade questioned.

“The Queen will send a message right away, so time is of the essence,” Lobelia replied.

Although noble families had the right to select their own chamberlain, they were required to inform the Ministry of Internal Affairs of their decision. The Ministry would then investigate for any disqualifying factors and recommend that the noble family reconsider their selection if any were found.

While most noble families disregarded the Ministry’s recommendation, the process was still obligatory.

Marlon, who was determined to push his daughter Aina into the position of the queen’s deputy, had placed his men within the Ministry. If the queen reported her decision to the Ministry, it wouldn’t be long before Marlon learned of it.

“And naturally, they’ll come looking for me once they hear the news,” Lobelia said.

Whether it’s to inquire about the situation or to threaten me to give up my position as the palace representative, they’ll definitely approach me with words, Lobelia thought. Since she couldn’t expose her plan for revenge, Lobelia had to act like an immature female noble who only received bride lessons at the academy.