Chapter 36

Neatly lined trees, flowers swaying in the breeze, and snow-white tables set upon a freshly mown lawn. Atop them sat an array of delicious-looking cakes and fruits.

The estate’s garden was packed, overflowing with cheerful people dressed in the latest fashions.

“Ugh… I feel so out of place.”

Peering into the venue from the entrance, I felt a shiver run through my body.

Yes, the day of the party hosted by the Second Prince had finally arrived.

The venue was located halfway between the Sutrena Territory and the Royal Capital. Of all places, it was the estate of the Count’s son who had cruelly dumped me. Apparently, after that incident, he had married the young lady he had been with at the venue the entire time.

To choose such a place… the Second Prince is a demon.

I suppose it couldn’t be helped since he didn’t know this was the site of my grand rejection, though.

As I stood there frozen, Lord Nazel spoke to me.

“Are you alright, Agnes? You can rest in the carriage if you’d like.”

“No. I’m fine, Lord Nazel.”

Kelly had chosen a wonderful dress for me specifically for today.

Though we hadn’t been able to get a custom-made one in time, it was a hundred times better than my previous appearance.

I had no confidence in my own looks, but I trusted Kelly’s skills!

I had to show off a version of myself with a slightly reduced “potato-ness” to clear Lord Nazelbert’s reputation, even if only a little.

As it stood, he was being mocked for taking the ugly “Potato Lady” as his wife.

“Well then, shall we?”

“Yes, Lord Nazel. I’m ready for anything.”

After finishing the reception, we linked arms and stepped into the venue.

—Alright, let’s do this like a proper married couple!

The moment we entered, countless gazes flew toward us.

“They’re staring, aren’t they?”

We were drawing an immense amount of attention.

Everyone began to whisper amongst themselves while stealing glances at us.

Whether they weren’t trying to hide it or my hearing was just that good, I could hear every word.

“Hey, it’s Lord Nazelbert. I knew he was invited, but he actually showed up?”

“Didn’t he commit some disrespect against Her Highness the Princess and Lord Robin? Wasn’t he sent to the frontier as punishment? I heard he’s governing the Sutrena Territory now…”

“That’s a fact. Apparently, it was the Second Prince who invited them this time. This party is a gathering for the Second Prince’s faction. Perhaps they were invited because ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’?”

I squeezed Lord Nazelbert’s hand tightly as we moved toward the center of the venue.

“But still, who is that beautiful woman Lord Nazelbert is with? I don’t recognize her face.”

“The rumor was that he married that ‘Potato Lady,’ wasn’t it? I saw her once before, and she looked much more… frightening.”

“Does that mean she’s his mistress!?”

Good grief, this conversation is heading in a ridiculous direction.

Ugh… I’m right here, you know.

“I knew it! The Potato Lady just wasn’t enough for him!”

“Even so, bringing a mistress to a party hosted by the Second Prince is completely improper.”

“But she is a beauty. I’d love to be introduced and find out who she is.”

Uwaaa… what should I do? The misunderstanding is spreading in the worst possible way.

Despite the noise, Lord Nazel didn’t seem bothered at all as he led me toward the center seats.

There, we found the man of the hour: the Second Prince.

It seemed Lord Nazel and the Prince were old acquaintances, as the Prince began walking toward us.

I heard that Lord Nazel used to tutor Prince Leonard in the past.

The eighteen-year-old Second Prince—Prince Leonard—was a royal characterized by his neatly cropped blond hair and blue eyes. My impression of him was that of someone who always had a cold look in his eyes, making it difficult to tell what he was thinking.

“It’s been a while, Nazelbert.”

As Prince Leonard spoke in a detached tone, Lord Nazel offered a respectful greeting. I followed his lead.

“My sister caused you a great deal of trouble. The royal court is struggling now that they’ve lost yet another competent person. By the way, did you not bring your wife today?”

With those words, Prince Leonard stared intently at me.

The wife is right here! Also, Prince Leonard? We’ve actually met before, you know!

As I fidgeted and tried to plead with my eyes, Lord Nazel cleared his throat and spoke up.

“The woman beside me is my wife. Is there a problem?”

In an instant, a heavy silence fell over the party venue.

Then, like a spreading wave, the buzzing of the crowd grew louder and louder.

“Wait, what does he mean? She’s not his mistress?”

“But his wife is the Potato Lady… I haven’t heard anything about a divorce!?”

“Wait, now that you mention it, doesn’t that woman have the same hair color as the Potato Lady?”

“It is a rare shade. Could it be…?”

Yes, it’s that “could it be.”

Hesitantly, I spoke to Prince Leonard.

“Um, I am Agnes. I changed my makeup, so this is what I look like now.”

Screams erupted from all corners of the venue. The young noble who had cruelly dumped me and the noble ladies who used to mock me all shrieked in shock.

They really didn’t need to be that surprised…