Chapter 61

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 61

Chapter Title: Chapter 8. To Push an Enemy Off the Log Bridge

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Three days later, on the night of the ball at Artanus Hall.

As planned, Lady Quinibel enjoyed the honor of hosting a ball within the Empress's Palace under Her Majesty's protection.

Lady Quinibel's ball was bustling, just as everyone had expected.

It was packed with central noblewomen and ladies who didn't want to fall out of favor with the Empress, along with their partners and families, creating a lively atmosphere.

"My, congratulations, Marchioness. It's been ages since we last saw such a splendid ball."

"I can only be grateful to Her Imperial Majesty for granting me this honor."

"It's all thanks to your unwavering loyalty to the Empress, isn't it?"

And then, some bold soul took a direct jab at the other ball happening that night.

"With this place so crowded, the other one must be completely empty. It's a huge hall to begin with, after all."

The speaker was none other than Viscountess Filern.

The noblewomen who had witnessed her being chased out of the Empress's Palace wore puzzled expressions.

But when Marchioness Quinibel—the Empress's close confidante and the evening's hostess—echoed Viscountess Filern's words, everyone quickly pieced it together.

"Exactly, Viscountess Filern. It's all thanks to your help in preparing the ball."

Silent exchanges passed between the noblewomen through knowing glances.

'Looks like there was a reason Viscountess Filern got chased out.'

'Maybe it was even on orders from the Empress or Lady Evangeline...'

'Whatever the case, she's clearly been forgiven now.'

The sharp-eyed noblewomen swiftly showered Viscountess Filern with praise.

"Your eye for detail is as impeccable as ever, Viscountess Filern."

"Indeed, it's downright impressive."

"Oh, you're too kind. I merely followed what I'd learned from Her Majesty and Lady Evangeline."

With that, most of the noblewomen caught on.

About a month ago, Viscountess Filern's humiliation and expulsion had all been an act—along with her subsequent lurking around the Crown Prince's Palace.

They exchanged meaningful looks.

'Duchess Delphin will be seething when she finds out.'

'What can she do? She brought it on herself by being such a fool.'

They were already primed to mock the loser.

Soon enough, Viscountess Filern basked in the luxury of being recognized as the event's second-in-command.

'Perfect. Enduring that humiliation and spending a whole month cleaning up after that idiot was worth it.'

She savored a thrilling rush of pleasure.

And overlooking the ballroom arrogantly from the second-floor balcony was one person.

Evangeline Ruth.

She swept her gaze over the crowd below as if they were lowly paper dolls, peering down like a goddess upon mortals.

In truth, her inner thoughts weren't far off.

To her, everyone in this world was like flat, paper puppets.

'I'm the only real human here.'

So it was only natural that the world revolved around her.

Evangeline smiled sweetly.

The ballroom was teeming with people.

Gathered here were mostly the noblewomen she saw frequently in society.

Not every high noble was present, but those absent were the ones who avoided social circles altogether.

'That massive Artanus Hall must be utterly deserted.'

Evangeline felt an immense surge of satisfaction, only to be seized by a sudden impulse.

'Shall I go see for myself? Mock that woman standing alone in the empty hall.'

A malicious smile crept across Evangeline's face.

Evangeline descended to the ballroom and struck up a concerned tone with the noblewomen and ladies who always trailed her like maids.

She didn't forget to veil her sneer with an angelic smile.

"Still, she was a friend once. I'm worried about her. It breaks my heart thinking of her standing guard over an empty hall after all her efforts."

"Lady Evangeline, you're too kind for your own good."

"Exactly. After everything she put you through."

"And she didn't even apologize!"

"I'm fine, really."

The group around her comforted the pitifully smiling Evangeline in unison.

It was just another day in the capital's social scene.

And naturally, Viscountess Filern was part of the entourage.

Viscountess Filern brimmed with malicious anticipation.

'After all the trouble I went through buttering up that fool for Evangeline's sake, I have to see the results with my own eyes.'

Right now, Evangeline was radiant as a single blooming rose.

Even Viscountess Filern, who harbored resentment from enduring Evangeline's torments, had to admit her beauty was undeniable.

The turquoise dress that accentuated her honey-blonde hair and green eyes was nothing short of fantastical.

The beads draped densely across the gown sparkled like stars.

'Placed side by side, the comparison would be devastating.'

Viscountess Filern already knew.

Hilia would be wearing a shoddy knockoff of that dress tonight.

'Oblivious to how ill-suited it is for her.'

At this point, Viscountess Filern's pent-up stress from dealing with Evangeline felt entirely Hilia's fault, fueling her malice.

'I need to witness her humiliation firsthand and laugh in her face to feel recompensed for the past month.'

She recalled the words of that foolish Hilia three days ago, her eyebrows drooping pitifully.

"You absolutely must come, Viscountess Filern?"

"Oh, don't worry. Do you think I'd miss it? You're His Highness's only friend."

"Still, I'm anxious. I've been having nightmares lately. Dreams where no one shows up, and I'm standing alone in an empty hall..."

"Goodness, you must be under so much stress."

"And Evangeline comes and mocks me... It was so humiliating, so degrading."

Hilia's words and trembling expression, fraught with anxiety and fear, flashed vividly in her mind.

'Saying that just makes me want to turn her nightmare into reality.'

Viscountess Filern made her suggestion to Evangeline.

"If you're so worried, why not go comfort her in person, Lady Evangeline?"

"In person?"

"Yes. Seeing your compassion and grace would surely delight her. She might even offer a belated apology out of gratitude."

"I don't really want an apology."

Evangeline fluttered her long lashes with feigned reluctance.

But she didn't miss the bait Viscountess Filern had dangled.

This was precisely what she had hoped for.

Before descending to the ballroom, she had summoned Viscountess Filern to the second floor and given her orders.

"Later, broach the idea of going to Artanus Hall."

"Pardon? You'll go there yourself?"

"I'm curious. How pathetic she'll look. And... it might be fun to compare ourselves right in front of her."

"How perfectly in sync we are! I was just about to suggest the same."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, she seemed terrified above all of you showing up to mock her."

"Hm. If she's expecting it that much, I can't disappoint her."

Evangeline hid her wicked smile behind her fan.

'Hilia's humiliation tonight is a foregone conclusion anyway.'

And if Evangeline went in person, it would be all the more insulting and comparative.

Anyone could see that Hilia had tried and failed to imitate Evangeline's outfit.

Anticipation swelled in Evangeline's heart.

'Crown Prince Arpad will have to acknowledge it once he sees. Who’s more beautiful, more suited to him.'

And once her prepared 'plan' succeeded later, it would all be over.

Arpad wouldn't keep a woman who betrayed him by his side forever.

Evangeline fanned away her sinister smile.

Thus, those desperately wishing for someone's failure and eager to mock it gathered like storm clouds and headed to one place.

Artanus Hall.

Artanus Hall was the grandest in the palace, befitting a venue for coronations.

It occupied the largest building under the palace's massive dome.

The surrounding gardens and the white marble colonnade leading to the hall were renowned for their beauty.

A white roof sheltered it from rain or snow, ensuring smooth passage.

Yet the sides were open, allowing views of the exquisite landscaping and the hall's exterior.

When they arrived at the colonnade leading to Artanus Hall, the silence was unbelievable for a venue supposedly hosting a ball.

As they walked the colonnade, they began chattering, unable to contain their excitement.

"No doubt no one's come. If there was a proper ball, people would be swarming from here."

"Right, just like at Lady Quinibel's."

"Seeing the entrance this empty tells us everything without even going in."

Sneers and mockery poured out.

But one thing felt off.

'Isn't it too empty?'

'There should at least be attendants from the Crown Prince's Palace waiting here for the ball.'

Viscountess Filern had frequented the palace over the past month and seen firsthand how busy the staff were with preparations.

During a ball, not just the hall but the entrances and surroundings would be staffed thickly.

It couldn't possibly be this deserted.

'Did they cancel and withdraw because no one showed?'

That would complicate things.

Their plan to mock Hilia right to her face would fall apart.

As the group stood baffled, one of them spotted something on the second-floor terrace of Artanus Hall and pointed.

"Look there!"

It was too far for details, but a woman was clearly standing there.

The hem of her blue-violet dress rippled like waves.

Fluttering above the waving fabric was unmistakably pale pink curly hair.

No one else had such distinctive coloring.

Evangeline muttered blankly.

"...Hilia?"

But that couldn't be.

The woman wasn't wearing the color she'd expected at all.

According to Viscountess Filern—and the dress shop Evangeline had bribed—it was supposed to be a drab green gown.

Similar to what Evangeline wore now, but far inferior and ill-suited to Hilia.

Even from afar, it was clear Hilia's dress wasn't a shoddy imitation of Evangeline's.

Realizing this, Viscountess Filern's face drained of color.

"No, no, that can't be...!"

At that moment.

Hilia, at the terrace's edge, extended her hand.

Toward the empty air.

As if beckoning someone or signaling.

And with that, an impossible sight unfolded before their eyes.

"!"