The Princess's Wrath
The moment their eyes met, Layla’s breath caught in her throat.
‘Why is Her Highness Princess Amelia here…?’
She had the exact same features as the Empress. If it weren’t for the golden hair and eyes, Layla might not have recognized her at all. That was how rarely the princess showed herself in public.
There had been rumors that Canna had cured the princess’s illness, but Layla never imagined she would look this flawless. More than anything, who could have guessed that Canna would invite the princess to her tea party under the pretense of friendship?
“You said you were the daughter of Count Everdin, correct?”
Amelia’s voice was icy.
“The Duchess of Valentino insisted I wear a black dress. She claimed it was the dress code set by the host of the party.”
“T-that is…”
“I thought it strange at first, but the duchess is so innocent. She said there was no way the invitation could be wrong, so I should trust it.”
Her tone had shifted to informal speech.
“But what’s this?”
Amelia smiled crookedly as she glanced around the room. Every young lady present immediately dropped her gaze.
“Everyone except us is wearing white.”
Amelia’s temperament was well known. She was the violent princess who would stand up to even the terrifying Empress without backing down.
“Are you playing a joke on me right now?”
Amelia bared her teeth in a grin. It was the same smile as the Empress’s.
“M-my maid…”
Layla barely managed to move her trembling lips. As she blamed her maid, her mind raced and melted into chaos.
‘Princess Amelia has begun participating in social activities.’
If that was the case, what would become of high society? The Empress would surely become her powerful backer. That meant the Marquis of Mercy’s household would also stand behind Amelia.
She would undoubtedly interact with countless nobles. After all, she was the full-blooded sister of Prince Crescent, the leading candidate for the throne. In that case…
‘Perhaps it would be more beneficial than staying by Princess Lilienne’s side.’
She absolutely could not afford to ruin her relationship with Amelia!
At that moment, Layla was not the only one harboring such thoughts.
‘I can hear their minds spinning from here.’
Canna leisurely fanned herself, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle.
‘This is exactly when you use your strongest pieces.’
Right now, she held three powerful chess pieces: the Empress, the princess, and Kallen Addis. Canna intended to place all three where they would bring her the most profit. There was no need for her to step forward and fight like a dog.
That was why she had brought up the matter when she went to treat Amelia.
“This is the first time I’ve been invited to a noble lady’s tea party, Your Highness. It’s a gathering to introduce close friends.”
She had whispered it with a shy smile, and Amelia had been genuinely delighted, as if it were her own achievement.
“That’s wonderful! It seems people are finally recognizing your true worth, Lady Canna.”
When Canna asked if she would accompany her, Amelia readily agreed. She had been planning to make her debut in society soon anyway.
“To be introduced as Lady Canna’s friend is an honor for me.”
Yet at her very first social event, she had been subjected to this kind of mockery. There was no way someone with Amelia’s personality would let it slide.
‘If word reaches the Empress, this will blow up even more.’
This incident would serve as proof that Canna had the protection of both Amelia and, by extension, the Empress. That was why Canna had willingly participated, even while knowing someone might try something underhanded.
It was also necessary to properly teach Lilienne and the ladies who followed her a lesson. They needed to understand that they could no longer play these petty tricks on her.
‘I’ve already lit the fire.’
Now all she had to do was step back and enjoy watching it burn.
“Immediately.”
Amelia commanded in a low voice.
“Bring that maid here at once.”
* * *
A maid’s scream echoed through the party hall.
“Aaaagh!”
Amelia looked down at the maid with cold eyes.
“Who told you to stop?”
At Amelia’s words, the sturdy maid standing beside her swung the riding crop again.
Crack! Crack!
The whipping continued without pause. Amelia punished the maid with the cold detachment of divine judgment, and the noble ladies present were too terrified to utter a single word.
How much time had passed? The maid could no longer endure it and collapsed.
But Amelia was not a woman who showed mercy.
“Wake her up.”
She ordered in a voice devoid of warmth.
“Wake her and resume the whipping. She is a criminal who dared to insult the empire’s princess!”
It resembled tyranny, yet it was not. Like Casil, she showed no mercy in her methods, but unlike him, the justification for the punishment was crystal clear.
“Y-Your Highness!”
Unable to watch any longer, Layla Everdin dropped to her knees.
What if the matter grew even larger? What if the maid confessed that Layla had ordered it? What if she fell out of favor with Amelia—and the Empress?
She would never be able to participate in society again!
‘Why isn’t Princess Lilienne protecting me?’
Layla glared at Lilienne with resentful eyes.
‘You were the one who suggested it would be fun! This is basically something you ordered, so why are you just standing there watching?’
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Lilienne stepped forward.
“Sister Amelia, please…”
“Stand back, Lilienne.”
Amelia did not even look at her.
“Do not speak unless you wish to receive a harsher punishment.”
But Lilienne continued stubbornly.
“Please calm your anger, Sister. A lowly maid’s mistake cannot even scratch your honor. If you wish, you may wear my dress instead. So please…”
“Honor? You dare speak to me about honor?”
Amelia curled her lips into a cruel smile.
“Do you truly believe your honor weighs the same as mine?”
Lilienne’s words died in her throat.
Though they were both princesses, a vast river called bloodline flowed between them. It was a barrier Lilienne could never cross with her own strength.
Layla Everdin realized that Lilienne could not save her.
What should she do? How could she survive this?
As her trembling eyes darted around, they suddenly met a pair of black eyes!
Layla clung to Canna.
“I’m sorry, Duchess of Valentino. This happened because I failed to properly manage my maid.”
Canna hesitated for a moment before making her decision. She had been growing bored anyway.
‘It’s about time I step in.’
Canna approached the furious Amelia and casually linked arms with her.
“Your Highness, please calm your anger now.”
“But Lady Canna, this is not a mistake that can be overlooked. It was a deliberate insult aimed at both me and you!”
Canna gently stroked Amelia’s arm.
“That’s why you already punished the maid. At this point, Lady Everdin will have learned her lesson.”
She gave Layla a subtle glance.
“Isn’t that right, Lady Everdin?”
“Y-yes!”
A lifeline had been thrown! Layla grabbed it desperately.
“I will never make such a mistake again! Please forgive me, Your Highness!”
“My, my.”
Canna clicked her tongue.
“She’s even crying pitifully, Your Highness. Please forgive her at this point.”
“But!”
“I’m asking you.”
“……!”
Amelia bit her lip. She huffed like an angry beast before finally slumping her shoulders.
Canna had even said she was asking. There was no way Amelia could ignore that.
“Fine. If that’s what you want, Lady Canna, I have no choice.”
In that instant, Layla nearly burst into tears of relief. She had finally been forgiven!
“As expected, you are truly merciful, Your Highness.”
Canna said this while looking around at everyone.
“Since Her Highness has graciously overlooked it this once, you must all be more careful from now on. Lady Everdin, you understand, don’t you?”
Canna smiled at the gathered ladies and spoke kindly.
“So everyone, please be cautious.”
The noble ladies stood frozen, staring at the scene. They watched as Canna handled Amelia as if taming a wild beast.