It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 30

“What are you all talking about?”

Five pairs of eyes glared fiercely at the unexpected intruder. But soon, those eyes quickly turned to confusion.

“Ah, Lady Arne?”

At the groan-like response, I gave a slight nod.

“That’s right. You must be Lady Etio, Lady Charlotte, Lady Patricia, Lady Sisian, and Lady Mericia?”

Oh yes! A shining moment for my memory skills.

I looked each of them in the eye from left to right, reciting their names. Thanks to diligently studying Arne’s diary in preparation for social events, I could recognize them all.

No one denied it, which meant the diary’s information was accurate.

Even though I was seeing these ladies for the first time, I recognized them solely from the descriptions in the diary. I could even recite their fiancés and family traits right here and now.

Feeling proud, I smiled sweetly.

“I was curious what you were all talking about, so I came over.”

Though I’d already overheard most of it. I stepped closer to them. The five ladies’ faces instantly turned pale.

“I asked a question, and yet none of you dare answer? Was it a secret conversation?”

I emphasized the word “dare” as I repeated the question.

If they kept trembling and stayed silent, I planned to shout and drive them away.

But Lady Patricia quickly regained her composure and answered politely.

“N-no, not at all. We were simply trying to help Lady Marian, who seemed to be struggling to adjust to the banquet.”

A moment of bullying disguised as kindness.

I had only intended to separate them from Marian, but that insincere lie changed my mind.

An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

They needed to experience it themselves to understand.

“Really? What kind of help?”

Patricia swallowed hard, clearly not expecting me to ask for specifics.

She couldn’t predict my intentions, so of course she was nervous.

“We were just advising her on palace etiquette, current fashion trends, and the role of a concubine…”

Gotcha. I clapped internally and dragged out my words.

“Oh? What exactly is the role of a concubine? As a fellow concubine, I should listen carefully, don’t you think?”

Only then did Patricia realize her mistake and bite her lip. The other ladies shifted uneasily, sensing my sarcasm.

But none of them spoke. They all signaled Patricia to respond, and though her face twisted, she managed to answer.

“Lady Arne, there’s no need for you to concern yourself. We would never be so rude to you. We were merely trying to inform Lady Marian, since she’s from the Kingdom of Zaren and unfamiliar with our customs.”

“So you do understand what rudeness is.”

I replied coldly.

“As a fellow concubine, I stayed silent, yet you presume to lecture on our roles? And palace etiquette? You should revisit the etiquette books you read at age ten. If you know it’s rude and still act that way, you clearly need to relearn the basics. And as for fashion…”

I deliberately looked them up and down.

Mimicking the unpleasant gaze Rose Del once gave me.

It worked beautifully.

Their pale faces flushed with humiliation.

My dress was far more elegant and beautiful than theirs—thanks to Louis’s efforts.

Judging someone by their attire isn’t right, but for nobles like them, it was a deep insult.

I considered being even more spiteful, but seeing their burning faces didn’t bring me full satisfaction.

I quickly wrapped things up.

“Anyway, make sure you never behave so rudely again. Not to me, and not to Lady Marian.”

“Yes, understood.”

“Then go.”

With a slight nod from me, Patricia led the group away as fast as they could. They walked like they’d trained for a race.

I shot a fierce glare at the nobles who had been watching silently. Those who met my eyes flinched and turned away.

Arne’s infamous reputation was truly something.

I didn’t care how this incident would be twisted to further that reputation. I had no intention of improving my image with them.

Once the area was cleared, I approached Marian, who still had her head down, and whispered softly.

“Are you alright?”

No response.

Well, I wasn’t much different from those ladies.

Suddenly speaking kindly after ignoring her would naturally raise suspicion.

Instead of pressing further, I quickly placed a handkerchief in her hand. Our fingers brushed for a moment.

Marian flinched.

“Take the handkerchief. You should tidy up your face.”

Still no reply, but she didn’t let go of the handkerchief.

I wanted to talk more, but didn’t want to burden someone who was crying.

I decided to leave and save the conversation for another time—until someone stopped me.

“Lady Arne and Lady Marian, you’re together.”

Rose Del and Xenia were suddenly nearby. I heard murmurs that all the concubines had gathered.

When did they get so close?

I’d been keeping track of their location to avoid them, and they were definitely in the center of the hall greeting other nobles.

How did they end up here?

“Yes, you two are here as well.”

Rose Del greeted me with a radiant smile. Her acting skills were truly impressive.

If only Erich had fallen in love with Rose Del—they’d have made a perfect couple of performers…

“You look just as stunning today as you did at my birthday banquet. That black dress suits you beautifully.”

“Indeed. I hope we see you more often at banquets, Lady Arne. Your presence makes them more enjoyable for us.”

Xenia chimed in with a smile, but her words had a sharp edge.

She was mocking the previous banquet ban I’d received.

She gave me a meaningful look, then turned to Marian.

“It’s been a while, Princess Marian. It’s so nice to see you outside the Maron Palace. Oh, but… Princess, are you…?”

Xenia looked at Marian’s bowed head with concern.

Then suddenly turned to face me directly.

“Lady Arne! No matter how upset you are, you shouldn’t bully poor Lady Marian. Especially not at a celebration for Marquis Edelheit. As his sister, you should at least show some courtesy!”

Xenia’s raised voice drew the attention of many nobles.

With all the concubines gathered and a loud voice, everyone was watching.

“To make someone cry at a victory celebration… That’s just too much.”

Somehow, it was starting to look like I’d made Marian cry.

While I stood in shock, Xenia rattled off her lines like she was afraid she’d forget them.

“You must be fully recovered now. After all, you personally punished your palace servants with a whip, didn’t you? Dozens of them, all bruised—clearly you’re healthy again.”

“Oh my… That’s awful. Even if they’re servants, that’s too cruel.”

“Did you perhaps lay hands on Lady Marian too? Is that why she’s crying? She’s a princess from another kingdom, all alone here. Don’t you feel sorry for her?”

The one who bruised the servants of Arlin Palace was the emperor, and the ones who made Marian cry were Patricia and the other ladies.

Yet Xenia spoke as if I were the mastermind. Others joined in.

Even those who had witnessed Marian being bullied earlier.

This all stemmed from Arne’s past, but the current situation was clearly fabricated.

It wasn’t punishment for real wrongdoing—it was condemnation based on lies, and that was unbearable.

I felt so angry and wronged I could barely breathe.

Then it happened.

Marian, who had kept her head down, suddenly lifted her face.

Her expression was clear, without a single tear.

“L-Lady Marian? Oh—wait, you weren’t crying?”

Marian shook her head firmly.

“No. I was just sleepy and had my head down. The noise woke me up, but now I’m just really tired. So I’ll be taking my leave nowww.”

She stretched the last word and bowed deeply.

Her golden hair shimmered as she walked briskly through the crowd of nobles.

Xenia and the others stood stunned, watching her go.

So did I.

I finally saw Marian’s face properly. She looked much younger than her age, and her golden eyes sparkled.

And those golden eyes—had not a single trace of moisture.

…But something had glistened. Was it not a tear?

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