Chapter 25

Illyae entered gracefully, her smile radiant.

The unique banquet hall connected to the glass greenhouse was breathtaking to anyone who saw it.

‘Tch. So Chloe gets to live in a place like this.’

That girl should know it’s all thanks to me.

“Oh my! Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Grace the Duke, and Chloe.”

Illyae curtsied gracefully like a fluttering butterfly.

Her face flushed adorably as she smiled at Werner.

“How have you been, Your Highness?”

“And you, my lady?”

“Thanks to your concern, I’ve been well.”

Illyae replied in a softly trembling voice.

Acting like this was second nature to her.

Appearing lovable and shy to anyone watching—as if she were truly excited.

Werner also smiled warmly in response.

Illyae had really put in the effort.

All to impress Werner.

Even if she had given the position away freely, the important thing was that Chloe had become a ‘Duchess.’

Illyae couldn’t stand it.

Could she remain of lower status than Chloe?

No, no one should stand higher than Illyae.

As the only saintess in this world, Illyae believed she deserved such treatment.

“I’m glad to hear that. We were just talking about you.”

Werner smoothly continued the conversation.

“Lady Chloe said you can’t truly know someone until you’ve met them.”

Illyae’s gaze turned to Chloe.

Her bright eyes held a hint of laughter.

To Chloe, who knew Illyae well, that innocent smile was chilling.

“I agree, Your Highness. I also think the opposite is true. The Crown Prince people talk about and the Crown Prince I will get to know might be different, right? I’m looking forward to getting to know you!”

Chloe tried hard to hide her dazed expression.

Who could resist words like that?

In this aspect, Illyae was truly impressive.

“What about you, Lady Chloe?”

“Pardon?”

Chloe, who had been staring blankly at Illyae, widened her eyes.

If he was asking what she thought about Illyae, she could answer easily.

‘She’s really putting on a show.’

Not understanding the question, Chloe glanced around.

“I was asking what you think about me.”

Werner gave a sly smile.

If Dante’s smile was refreshing and cool, Werner’s smile had an indescribable charm.

Maybe it was because of the small beauty mark near his eye.

While Chloe let out a light laugh, Dante frowned.

“I’m not in a position to judge, Your Highness. You are the light of this empire, and I am just a humble subject. As long as you walk the right path, the people will simply follow.”

Chloe gave a proper and formal reply.

Dante’s expression softened.

It was a cold answer that even Illyae, who had been displeased since the attention shifted to Chloe, found satisfying.

Werner also laughed heartily.

Illyae glanced at him.

Today, she was looking for a chance to be alone with Werner.

The only reason she came so early was for one thing:

To seize an opportunity to be alone with the host of the party, Werner.

If that wasn’t possible, having a private conversation with Chloe would be good, too.

‘It seems the former is unlikely.’

Werner didn’t seem like the type to enjoy crossing lines.

So Illyae bit her lip slightly and called out to Chloe with a troubled face.

“Chloe, could you help me with something?”

Chloe looked at Illyae with eyes that asked what she was up to.

‘This girl!’

Illyae suppressed her rising anger and forced a smile.

“Oh, come on, I need your help.”

She stuck out her tongue slightly.

She looked like an innocent lady genuinely needing assistance.

Chloe sighed and nodded.

“Follow me.”

Watching Chloe turn her back coldly, Illyae pouted her lips.

They say you shouldn’t take in beasts with hair.

She had forgotten the kindness Illyae had shown her and was acting all high and mighty.

Staring discontentedly at Chloe’s back, Illyae grabbed her dress and chased after her.

As soon as she felt they were far enough from Dante and Werner, Illyae spoke.

“What happened to making me your attendant? Are you really going to be like this?”

Chloe looked at Illyae with a cold expression.

At least she seemed aware that they were in Duke Petros’ estate, so her voice was lower than usual.

“That’s for me to decide.”

It was a chilly reply.

In fact, she had considered taking Illyae as her attendant for Yggdrasil’’s sake, but seeing her act like this, she didn’t feel like giving a positive answer.

Illyae bit her lip.

“Are you going to keep acting like this? Do you think you could’ve become the Duchess of Petros without me?”

“Yes, thank you.”

At Chloe’s plain phrasing, Illyae’s eyes widened.

“Ahem, as long as you know. So then…”

“If you want to be my attendant, there’s a condition.”

“What is it?”

“Don’t call me out like this again. And I don’t want the Tyrannia family to attend the wedding”

After all, they didn’t even think of Chloe as their daughter.

It might be the only wedding in her life.

Chloe didn’t want to see them flaunting themselves even there.

If the Tyrannia family didn’t attend, rumors of discord between them and Chloe would spread.

It would be quite harmful for the Tyrannia Count family in leveraging Duke Petros’ influence.

Hearing that, Illyae twisted her lips.

“You’re something else. So now that you’re becoming a duchess, the Tyrannia Count family is nothing to you? How can you do this to Mother and Father? How can you do this to me!”

“That’s what I should say. Illyae, there’s no more negotiation. Choosing attendants is entirely my right. If I see you or the Tyrannia Count couple at the wedding, I won’t take you as my attendant.”

At Chloe’s calm words, Illyae trembled.

Grinding her teeth, Illyae nodded slightly.

“I’ll try. Is that enough?”

She still acted as if she was the one making concessions.

‘You really haven’t changed.’

Chloe let out a hollow laugh.

In a way, she was grateful.

Thanks to her, she could let go of everything without any regrets!

<b>* * *</b>

When she returned, the hall was already filled with guests.

Werner was surrounded by ladies, and Dante was standing alone against a wall.

“What are you doing?”

She stood next to him.

Seeing him like this, she thought that Dante and she weren’t so different.

Complete outsiders.

No one was interested in them.

Illyae had quickly blended into the crowd, filling the brief gap.

The lovable, smiling saintess was still popular.

Dante answered in a low voice.

“I was thinking I should send the Crown Prince away soon.”

She couldn’t help but laugh.

Was he thinking such thoughts with such a serious face?

“Aren’t you close with His Highness the Crown Prince?”

“That’s a misunderstanding.”

Dante frowned.

“We just see each other because we’re related by blood. <i>Sigh</i>.”

This was something only truly close people would say.

“If Werner’s mind was as rotten, I wouldn’t associate with him.”

Just then, Werner, the subject of their conversation, waved at them.

He was truly the ultimate social butterfly.

As far as she knew, Crown Prince Werner had dated various women before settling on Illyae.

Among those present, there must be women who had been involved with him.

But why was it so peaceful?

Shouldn’t there be at least some drama?

Maybe he was good at handling relationships.

Illyae was also skillfully hovering around Crown Prince Werner.

<i>‘If I become the Crown Princess, it’ll be good for you too, Chloe. Think carefully and stop being so difficult.’</i>

Amazingly, Illyae genuinely thought that way.

She believed she had done her best for Chloe.

It’s hard to find such a perfect person.

“What do you think, Chloe?”

“Huh? About Illyae?”

“Not her, Werner. Werner asked if you had anything you wanted to know about him.”

Dante asked expressionlessly.