Sister I am the Queen in This Life [Novel] Chapter 130

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 130
Chapter Title: Bitter Medicine and Sweet Comfort
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Ariadne did not let her guard down. She did not take Cesare’s outstretched hand, retorting instead.

“Count Cesare, where is your own partner that you are doing this here?”

Ariadne hadn’t heard anything about Cesare finding another partner, but she didn’t think he would have come alone. Just like in her past life, he would have brought any woman he desired, regardless of whether she was married or not. But Cesare had a perfect alibi. He smiled and gestured with his chin toward the VIP seats.

“I was being a filial son today. My partner is seated over there.”

In the distant VIP seats, Countess Rubina, extravagantly dressed, was triumphantly sipping her wine.

“My mother had the luxury of entering with the most handsome man in San Carlo today.”

It was true that he had entered with a married woman, but not the kind Ariadne had imagined. She let out a short, incredulous laugh. At that, Cesare added another remark.

“Not only handsome, but quite a bit younger, too.”

Ariadne burst out laughing at the absurd comment. She felt as if she had lost somehow. Cesare laughed with her, extending his hand to take hers, her guard now considerably lowered, and led her toward the floor.

“Now, don’t refuse.”

Ariadne did not pull her hand away from Cesare’s. After all, wasn’t Alfonso on that very floor with Grand Duchess Lariesa? Cesare naturally took Ariadne’s left hand in his right and glided smoothly toward the center of the floor as they danced. Ariadne felt burdened by the thought of approaching Alfonso and Grand Duchess Lariesa, so her steps slowed slightly. Noticing this, Cesare leaned toward her and asked in a low voice.

“Why, do you dislike the center?”

Startled, Ariadne asked back.

“Pardon? I mean, what?”

“You keep tensing up. If you’re scared, we won’t go.”

He stepped gracefully, creating space for Ariadne to turn. There was ample room to move away from the center. However, a sense of defiance welled up in Ariadne, and she refused Cesare’s offer.

“No. What is there to be scared of?”

She added after a light turn.

“Let’s go. To the center.”

A slow smile playing on his lips, Cesare led Ariadne to the very center of the dance floor. This was where Count Cesare was in his element, like a fish in water. As he took her hand and stepped onto the floor, the nobles’ gazes fell upon them in twos and threes. The dancing nobles whispered into their partners’ ears, and those seated watching the dance floor began to whisper to their companions.

- “Count Cesare, even after being rejected, he’s still dragging her onto the floor.”

- “They say Count Cesare fancies that young lady. It must be for real this time. He’s being so reckless.”

- “What sincerity could a man like that have? He’s just putting in the effort until she surrenders.”

Cesare, unfazed by the stares of others, elegantly led Ariadne. In fact, he rather enjoyed being the center of attention. Basking in their gazes, he tossed a comment to his dance partner.

“Is that Valdesal fellow you chose over me any good?”

Ariadne replied with a hint of a smile.

“Any good?”

“If you picked him over me, he ought to be better looking, more entertaining, or more impressive to have on your arm, shouldn’t he?”

He gestured with his chin toward the silver-haired Raphael, who was dancing with Giulia in the distance.

“In what of those three is that whelp better than me? Don’t tell me you have a thing for the pretty-boy type?”

Cesare was subtly bothered by Ottavio’s sharp remark. Ariadne burst into laughter.

“Count Cesare, are you feeling threatened by the Young Margrave de Valdesal?”

He brazenly returned her words.

“Of course not. That Valdesal fellow is no match for me. But isn’t it possible your judgment is flawed?”

“You’re barking up the wrong tree, Count Cesare. The Young Margrave de Valdesal and I are not like that at all.”

“My, my, my lady. So naive. All men are wolves.”

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and whispered in her ear.

“Especially a sinister one like Raphael de Valdesal, hiding under the fleece of a white lamb.”

Ariadne broke from Cesare’s grasp, turning to the outer edge of the floor. She was about to say that the Young Margrave de Valdesal intended to devote himself to the church and become a priest, so he had little interest in women, but she stopped herself. She had promised Raphael she would keep his secret. Still, thinking he was being terribly misunderstood, she couldn’t help but add a word.

“Aren’t you seeing the world too much through your own eyes? The Young Margrave de Valdesal doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”

Cesare snorted loudly and, with a flick of his arm, spun Ariadne in a wide circle.

“An honest man like me simply doesn’t lie. I just seem bad because I openly state what I desire.”

“So you’re aware you seem bad.”

He didn’t answer, merely shrugging his shoulders.

“The most dangerous ones are those who pretend to be devout, kind, and noble. They hide their desires away because they’re too base to even speak of.”

“Hypocrisy?”

“You catch on quick! Truly my lady. That’s right. It’s all hypocrisy.”

Ariadne took Cesare’s hand and executed a grand turn. A deep smile graced her lips as she retorted.

“Even so, I would choose hypocrisy over blatant villainy any day. Hypocrisy, in the end, still results in good.”

A fiery war of words was unfolding to the elegant melody of the waltz. But the atmosphere was light, and Cesare was enjoying the situation in his own way. A ball where he could exchange barbs while dancing with a blue-draped lady with long, deer-like limbs, all under the watchful eyes of the entire room—it was a rare and delectable feast. And the person whose gaze he most wanted to savor was dancing in the very center of the floor.

‘…!’

Seeing Cesare waltzing with Ariadne in his arms, a mere ten paces away, Alfonso felt as if his stomach would turn inside out and come up his throat. Without realizing it, Alfonso found himself staring intently at Ariadne and Cesare. For a moment, Ariadne was sure her eyes had met Alfonso’s, but she quickly turned her head and surrendered her body to the melody of the waltz. Realizing that he was not focused on her, Grand Duchess Lariesa whined with uncanny timing.

“Prince Alfonso…!”

“…Grand Duchess Lariesa.”

Alfonso sighed and turned his gaze to Lariesa. He finally realized that he could not take the next step until he dealt with this matter first.

“I do not love you.”

Lariesa looked up at Alfonso, her expression shocked. Whether from waning stamina or from the despair of his words, her dancing feet faltered. Alfonso discreetly guided her to prevent her from falling, then continued with the rest of his words.

“And I do not believe I ever will.”

Alfonso honestly wanted to tell Lariesa that he loved another woman. But considering her temperament, it was obvious the Grand Duchess would try to harm Ariadne. Gritting his teeth, Alfonso chose his words carefully to convey his feelings without any misunderstanding.

“If you were to come to my side, you would become deeply unhappy.”

A woman who never won her husband’s heart, clinging to the empty shell of their marriage. Alfonso knew that woman, his mother, was not happy. But Grand Duchess Lariesa did not concede easily.

“Your Highness, marital affection grows over time! I can do well until then!”

“Can you be satisfied with mere affection?”

At Alfonso’s question, Lariesa was at a loss for words.

“Can you live your entire life happily with only the respect due to a queen and marital affection, without burning passion and deep love?”

Even Lariesa knew that she wanted to possess Alfonso’s body, his heart, and even his every fleeting glance. Alfonso delivered the final, decisive blow.

“I intend to formally inform His Majesty soon. To have the royal marriage called off.”

At the prince’s definitive declaration, tears welled up in Lariesa’s eyes, and her breathing grew a little rough. Her breathlessness might have been due to her poor stamina after waltzing for two consecutive songs.

“I am sorry. For being unable to return your feelings.”

As Prince Alfonso made his proclamation, the second song came to an end.

***

After finishing her waltz with Cesare, Ariadne returned to her spot and leaned against a side table, waiting for Raphael and Giulia to come back. Palace servants were circulating, offering guests sparkling wine and small finger foods from their trays.

“Signora, would you care for a glass?”

A servant approached and offered her sparkling wine. But something was off. The servants at a ball usually moved about like shadows carrying trays; they never initiated conversation or offered anything directly. Feeling a slight sense of unease, Ariadne declined the servant’s offer.

“I’m fine. Thank you.”

As Ariadne refused, the servant took a small, folded note from his pocket and pressed it into her hand.

“Then, have a good evening.”

Watching the palace servant bow and walk away, Ariadne unfolded the note she had received. A terrible scrawl in blue ink was scribbled across it.

「The Daffodil Garden, now. I’ll be waiting at the central arch. -A.」

The atrocious handwriting was unmistakably Prince Alfonso’s. Unable to hide the smile tugging at her lips, despite her pout, Ariadne grumbled, feeling flustered.

“Oh, honestly.”

The Daffodil Garden was a beautiful outdoor garden connected to the balcony of the ‘Lily Room,’ where today’s ball was being held. In spring, it was a spectacular sight with daffodils of every color in full bloom. It was already dark outside, which was a little frightening, but Alfonso was just a short distance away. Ariadne excused herself to Baron Caseri, Giulia's partner, who was also at the side table.

“Excuse me, I’m just going to the powder room for a moment.”

“Shall I escort you?”

“No, it’s right over there. If the Young Margrave de Valdesal returns, please let him know.”

“Don’t you worry, Lady de Mare.”

With light steps, she hurried out of the ballroom and down the small staircase leading to the Daffodil Garden. She would see Alfonso soon