This invitation is for you, especially. A dessert I prepared.

Oh my! It’s so pretty.

It’s a shame to eat it, Your Grace.

Even so, since she was still a duke’s daughter, there were times she’d been invited to the tea parties Consort Jabiela hosted.

Oh? We’re short one serving.

How did this happen? I told you to prepare without any shortage.

I’m sorry, Your Grace. There seems to have been a mistake.

I’m sorry, Miss Camilla. What do we do?

I-It’s fine. I don’t really like sweet foods anyway...*

Really? That’s a relief.

A relief, my ass.

Damn it.

Once or twice, fine. But how could they be short by exactly one serving every time? And how was it “just a coincidence” that the food always ran out right in front of Camilla?

Petty little games with food...

Even children didn’t do that, and yet the Consort of the Empire was doing it. On the surface she laughed politely, but the eyes she used to look at Camilla were full of contempt.

Miss Camilla, how is the tea? I wonder if it suits your taste.

One day, for whatever reason, she poured Camilla the first cup herself. Camilla had thought, Well, that’s new...

It tastes wonderful, Your Grace. It fits my taste perfectly.

Does it?

As Camilla hurriedly took a sip and gave her impression, the smile on Consort Jabiela’s lips deepened.

Only then did the Consort lift her own cup and take a leisurely sip.

Ugh! Annie, why ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ does the tea taste like this?

I’m sorry, Your Grace. I think the tea leaves may have spoiled. I’ll prepare a fresh pot right away.

Oh my! Miss Camilla, I’m so sorry. What should we do? Stop drinking. That tea is spoiled.

Are you kidding me?!

Like the Imperial Family had spoiled tea leaves lying around. And not just anyone’s tea—the Consort’s tea was spoiled? Really?

Unless you tried to procure it on purpose, what lunatics would ever supply something like that to the Imperial Family? If you were going to toy with someone, you still needed to stay within the bounds of basic sense.

She drank spoiled tea and said it was delicious.

Everyone there laughed at Camilla. She even heard whispers about how “birth will out,” as if she couldn’t help what she was.

Hearing that, Camilla shrank in on herself even more, and in the end, she could only come home with her face burning, without managing to say a single word.

And Consort Jabiela enjoyed it—treated Camilla’s humiliation like a pastime.

And she invited me again?

It wasn’t like Camilla could tear up the invitation.

This is ridiculous.

After Camilla became the owner of a Mana Stone mine and started leading the Ghost Trading House, she hadn’t been invited as often as before.

It must’ve gotten uncomfortable to keep using me as a punchline.

Or maybe it just irritated her to see someone she’d ignored so thoroughly suddenly doing well.

So what was her angle now, sending an invitation like this all of a sudden?

“Why? You don’t want to go again?”

At that moment, Duke Kais Escra asked, eyes flashing.

“No. I’d love to go.”

Afraid he might show up again and cause chaos, Camilla hurriedly shook her head.

You’re the one with absurd power who can treat royals however you want. I’m just a normal nobody!

Of course...

Even a “normal nobody” has to show that if you step on them, they’ll squirm.

“I’ll write the reply accepting the invitation.”

Camilla beamed as she tucked the invitation away.

Yeah. This time, I’ll attend with a very joyful heart.

Her smile deepened.

“The guests?”

“They’ve all arrived.”

“And the young lady of Sorpel?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

At maid Annie’s answer, a short sigh slipped from Consort Jabiela’s lips.

“Why does it have to be...”

Of all people, she had to be his daughter?

“After I’ve ignored her that thoroughly.”

Of course, she didn’t regret what she’d done so far.

Even if the biological father had been revealed, her aversion toward Camilla—and toward Camilla’s biological mother—was still the same.

If anything, this incident only made her more certain.

“Vulgar.”

She’d heard Ravi Sorpel’s father wasn’t him, but someone else. Just how many men had that woman played around with?

“And now I have to deal with that woman’s child myself.”

But what could she do? This was all for her son.

She’d tried meeting Duke Kais Escra many times already, and every attempt had ended in failure.

Wasn’t he the man who’d flatly refused the Emperor of Fable’s dinner invitation as well? In the end, her only choice was Camilla.

“He’s still staying with the Sorpel family, yes?”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Hearing Annie’s answer, Consort Jabiela’s brow creased even more. If she wanted to meet him, she’d have to use Camilla.

“Let’s go.”

Letting out another short sigh, Consort Jabiela quickly erased her displeasure and headed to where Camilla and the others were waiting.

The weather wasn’t very hot today, and it was remarkably clear, so she’d had tea and sweets set up in the garden.

“Oh my! Goodness.”

“It’s really pretty.”

“I love it so much, Miss Camilla.”

As she arrived, the noblewomen’s exclamations pierced her ears first. At the constant chorus, Consort Jabiela’s steps quickened slightly.

What was going on? Even with her approaching, everyone was too busy staring at something to notice.

“Ah! Consort Jabiela, you’ve arrived?”

Only after one noblewoman cried out did everyone jolt and hurriedly bow to her.

“You all seem to be having a wonderful time.”

Consort Jabiela smiled gently.

“Please look at this, Your Grace.”

“Miss Camilla gave us such a precious gift.”

Each noblewoman held a small box in her hands.

Inside was jewelry that looked like a hair ornament, and the moment Consort Jabiela saw it, admiration slipped from her lips too.

The craftsmanship was impressive, but the design was especially beautiful. Above all, the tiny Blue Diamond set as a subtle focal point was stunning.

“I’m glad you all like it. I was worried it might be too modest.”

“Modest?!”

Camilla, who had come close at some point, smiled and bowed toward Consort Jabiela.

“I hope it pleases you as well, Your Grace.”

Of course she prepared one for me too.

A faint expectation surfaced on Consort Jabiela’s face. Camilla immediately turned and held out her hand toward Dorman, who had come with her.

“Oh no. What do we do, Miss?”

“What is it?”

“I think I miscounted by mistake.”

“What? There aren’t any more?”

“No, Miss. I’m sorry.”

“I told you to prepare without any shortage.”

After looking at Dorman as if scolding him, Camilla hurriedly bowed very politely to Consort Jabiela.

“My apologies, Your Grace. What should we do? It seems my attendant made a mistake.”

“......”

...A mistake?

Then why does this feel so familiar?

This situation didn’t feel unfamiliar at all.

“Sometimes, little mistakes like this happen.”

Camilla’s eyes curved into a prettier crescent as she looked at Consort Jabiela.

“Like when we’re short on desserts.”

At Camilla’s words, something finally clicked. Hadn’t she played this exact kind of prank on Camilla before?

This bitch.

Consort Jabiela ground her teeth inside her mouth. She dared to bring up that old incident now? To her face?

Of course, Camilla didn’t care.

What? Is it childish?

That’s how people are. Petty things make them angrier. Out loud, you go, How childish, but inside, you’re boiling.

I was going to serve you spoiled drinks the same way, but I held back.

Consort Jabiela’s face still held that benevolent smile. Camilla returned an equally bright smile.

A smile that carried one message.

Don’t you dare forget what you did to me.

Camilla knew it too. She knew exactly why Consort Jabiela called her here today.

It’s because of Duke Kais Escra.

At this point, everyone who needed to know already knew: lately, Consort Jabiela had been running all over the place trying to latch onto Duke Kais Escra.

She probably planned to use Camilla to arrange a meeting with him.

And Camilla was making it clear she had zero intention of doing that.

You did what you did, and you think I’ll grant you that kind of favor?

That was what she was saying, without saying it.

So stop inviting me to things you don’t even mean.

It’s annoying.

“Ha... hahahaha!”

“......!”

A laugh suddenly rang out.

Camilla whipped her head around. Crown Prince Edsen was shaking his head, laughing loudly.

At his sudden appearance, Consort Jabiela’s brow creased slightly—only for an instant. Camilla was the only one who caught it.

Consort Jabiela immediately put a smile on her lips and greeted him in a warm voice.

“Welcome, Crown Prince. What brings you all the way here?” 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“I was just taking a walk. If I’d known I’d get to see something this entertaining, I would’ve come earlier.”

“...Entertaining?”

Instead of answering, Edsen smiled faintly and walked up to Camilla.

Seeing him approach, Camilla’s eyes rolled around. She didn’t want to meet his gaze no matter what.

No—why?

I was going to give that woman a light warning. Just a tiny one.

I was going to show her I’d “squirm” like a normal nobody, and leave. So don’t come over here!

“You know why someone who always smiled while mocking you for having dirty, low blood suddenly called for you like this.”

...Are you insulting me to my face right now?

They say the one who “stops” it is worse than the one who hits you—no, wait, that’s not the right comparison. Either way, you’re worse!

The moment Crown Prince Edsen tossed out those words, the air around them dropped cold.

Because everyone there knew exactly who he was talking about.

Hadn’t everyone here watched—and quietly agreed with—how Consort Jabiela subtly looked down on Camilla?

“Isn’t it funny? Not long ago, she was scheming behind the scenes to ruin you, and now she’s desperate to meet him.”

It’s not funny at all. I want to cry instead!

Why are you having this conversation while looking at me?!

Camilla was afraid to turn around.

For a while now, the back of her neck had felt icy—like someone’s gaze was pressing down on her, unmistakably.