Revenge Comes with Interest - Chapter 37

The day of the royal tea party had finally arrived. Lea planned to bring Pauline and Chenera with her to the palace.

No one objected to Pauline going, but bringing Chenera stirred a lot of disapproval. Still, Lea refused to change her mind.

She wanted people to see for themselves how pure and innocent Chenera’s spirit was. Sometimes, the only way to silence rumors was to show the whole truth with no lies or excuses.

If people saw Chenera, there would be fewer whispers behind her back.

Trying to hide her would only feed their suspicions and fuel false stories.

So today, all three of them dressed in a way that reflected their place in the House of Courtois.

“I wasn’t sure at first, but now that I’m dressed like this and headed to the palace, I’m excited.”

Pauline, who had been the most worried, looked at herself in the mirror and got teary-eyed.

“I’m excited too.”

Chenera didn’t really understand why they were going to the palace. She just thought it was a fun outing with her sisters.

“Pauline, Chenera.”

Lea spoke with a slightly firmer tone than usual.

“Yes, my lady?”

“You’re part of House Courtois. So don’t be nervous. Hold your head high and carry yourselves with grace.”

Lea noticed the way Pauline’s eyes shimmered with emotion. Chenera, on the other hand, was simply thrilled.

“Be proud. When we arrive, there will be ladies from noble families with their maids. Most of the Empress’s maids are nobles themselves.”

“We won’t be intimidated. We serve Lady Grace Vizak, after all.”

“That’s right.”

Lea wasn’t too concerned about Pauline. The real issue was Chenera. Bringing her could either be the best decision she made or a complete disaster.

“Chenera, at the palace, you need to be very careful with what you say and do.”

Lea didn’t feel the need to go on too long. Pauline had already explained the details. Instead, she looked Chenera in the eyes and spoke calmly but seriously.

“Don’t worry. I’ll do well too.”

“Good. By the way, you both look beautiful today.”

Lea looked at them fondly, impressed with how well they cleaned up.

“Well, we can’t compare to you, my lady.”

Today, Pauline saw another side of Grace. She now understood why Lea had said she needed to be alluring.

Lea closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. This must be what it feels like to march into battle.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The three of them stepped out of the room, fully prepared for what lay ahead.

When the three women entered, the crowd let out a collective gasp. Among them, Terran’s gaze stood out the most. His eyes were filled with surprise and something more.

This was a sight no one had expected.

Lea wore a deep purple lace cape over a tightly fitted bodice, and her full skirt fanned out below like the petals of a black tulip.

The shimmering satin fabric was layered with fine mesh, detailed with tiny gemstones that made the entire look even more elegant. Her lips looked as if they had been stained with fresh cherry juice.

“My lady, you look stunning.”

James didn’t hold back his praise.

This is… honestly surprising.

Terran could hardly believe his eyes. Grace usually reminded him of a soft freesia, pure and delicate. But today, she looked like a dark rose, mysterious and captivating.

Her naturally innocent look kept her from ever seeming gaudy, no matter how bold the outfit. The rich colors only made her beauty feel more powerful.

She’ll have no trouble standing tall even before the Empress.

Terran thought she had an exceptional understanding of her own appearance. Because of her gentle presence, people often underestimated her. But clearly, she knew that and knew how to overcome it.

“You look beautiful, Grace.”

As always, Terran kept his compliments short and reserved.

That’s it?

Lea smiled politely, but inside she felt herself harden. Her heart was tilted and off-balance. Terran offered his hand, and she gently placed hers on top of it.

Then, unexpectedly, Chenera spoke up.

“Mister, other men are trying to steal my sister.”

Again with the mister.

No matter how many times she said it, Terran still wasn’t used to it. Every time, it made the back of his neck tighten with irritation.

“Really? What kind of men?”

Terran’s temple throbbed, but he managed a smile and asked Chenera gently.

“They’re young and handsome and really tall.”

“Chenera, there’s a young, handsome, and tall man standing right in front of you.”

Terran pointed at himself and smiled, but Chenera turned away and ran straight toward Luke instead.

Terran closed his eyes in disbelief. Even after all this time, Chenera still saw him as nothing but an old man.

“Luke, am I pretty today?”

“You’re beautiful, Chenera.”

“Then will you marry me, Luke?”

“Your Grace, shall we go?”

Luke ignored what Chenera had just said, pretending not to hear her. Still, there was no denying that today, Chenera looked beautiful.

The carriage stopped precisely in front of the Empress’s Palace. As Terran stepped down, the royal attendants came out to greet the arriving guests.

“Luke and I will go meet His Majesty. Do well in there.”

“Yes.”

Lea quickly pulled her hand away from Terran’s and followed the attendants into the palace without a word.

Watching her disappear inside, Terran felt uneasy. During the entire ride to the palace, Grace had only looked out the window. She didn’t speak to him once.

To make matters worse, Chenera had spent the whole time talking nonsense that grated on his nerves.

At that moment, Luke came up beside him and spoke in a low voice.

“Some of the noble ladies seem to have brought their sons with them.”

Following Luke’s gaze, Terran saw exactly what Chenera had described earlier: a group of young, tall, handsome men standing nearby.

The noblewomen probably used this tea party as an excuse to show their sons the palace and let them greet the Empress.

The problem was, Chenera’s wild guesses often turned out to be right.

Damn it, Chenera.

“Luke, do I look like an old man to you?”

“Excuse me? Compared to those young men, you might appear slightly more mature, Your Grace.”

“What are you doing? Lead the way.”

The Duke was clearly agitated. It was ridiculous. Compared to those inexperienced boys, Terran was more impressive in every way.

He was a war hero of Lubeck, the highest-ranking noble, and possessed striking masculine charm. The only person who didn’t seem to realize that was Terran himself.

They say that when someone falls in love, they lose their sense of calm and start seeing threats everywhere. Luke was beginning to think there was some truth to that.

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Terran snapped at Luke with more irritation than usual. Everything was getting on his nerves today. Grace looked too stunning. Those boys brought by the noblewomen annoyed him. Everything did.

Meanwhile, as soon as Lea arrived at the palace, she felt a wave of nervousness wash over her. The walk to the tea party venue felt longer than it really was.

“The tea party is being held in the largest glass conservatory in the palace.”

The attendant explained as they walked, giving background information about the palace.

Chenera and Pauline listened attentively, nodding along. But Lea was preoccupied. She was trying to figure out how she would handle whatever criticisms the Empress or the other noblewomen would throw at her.

She gripped her small handbag tightly.

They finally arrived at the glass conservatory. Calling it a greenhouse felt like an understatement. It was larger than most noble estates.

“Lady Grace Vizak, daughter of Baron Vizak, has arrived.”

The attendant at the entrance announced her name loudly. Lea could already hear the voices of noblewomen chatting inside.

Am I the last to arrive?

“Please go in, my lady.”

The attendant respectfully opened the door. Lea swallowed hard and stepped inside.

A long table covered in white linen stretched through the center of the conservatory. All around, exotic flowers bloomed in full color, despite being out of season. It looked like a banquet hall made of flowers.

On either side of the table, noblewomen had already taken their seats.

Not a single one of them was wearing a dress in a color as bold as Lea’s. She quickly looked toward the head of the table.

The Empress isn’t here yet.

Lea smiled gracefully and walked to her seat, following the attendant’s lead. Even so, she couldn’t help overhearing the whispers around her.

“Oh my. Look at that lace cape.”

“It’s gorgeous. It must be a new release.”

“It may be pretty, but it was made by a crazy gypsy, wasn’t it?”

“Do they think we’re fools? No decent woman would wear the same clothes as something like that.”

“That may be, but you can’t deny she draws your eye.”

All eyes turned toward Lea. Even the young men behind their mothers couldn’t take their eyes off her.

Pauline and Chenera took the seats that had been prepared behind her.

Lea kept her composure and greeted the noblewomen seated next to her. Their responses were icy at best.

Don’t lose your nerve, Lea Hamilton.

She told herself this firmly. The women beside and across from her were from some of the most powerful families in Lubeck.

Their sharp glances felt like knives brushing her skin, but she fought to maintain her poise.

The seats were soon completely filled. The noblewomen whispered among themselves while glancing her way.

Then a voice rang out from outside the conservatory.

“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”

Every noblewoman immediately rose from her seat.

The Empress entered wearing a soft turquoise silk gown layered with golden lace. Her pale skin and light brown hair suited the color perfectly.

At the banquet, Lea hadn’t been able to see her up close, but now that she was only a few steps away, she could see it clearly. The Empress was beautiful.

So that’s Terran’s first love. No wonder he liked her.

It wasn’t just about physical beauty. The Empress had a presence that naturally commanded the room. She didn’t need fancy words. Anyone could see she was born to be a queen.

“I’m sure everyone is busy, so thank you for coming to my invitation.”

The noblewomen bowed politely in response to her greeting.

“Oh, and I see our young men have come as well.”

“We greet Your Majesty.”

The young men stepped forward and bowed to the Empress.

“Why don’t you boys head over to the main palace? Since you’re already here, you should say hello to His Majesty.”

“It would be a great honor, Your Majesty.”

The young men bowed again and left the conservatory.

“You’ve all raised fine sons.”

The Empress’s compliment made the noblewomen beam with pride.

She took her time, smiling gently as she scanned the room and studied the faces of her guests. Her gaze paused when it reached Lea.

She couldn’t take her eyes off the deep purple lace cape that Lea was wearing.

The weaving was masterfully done and perfectly consistent. More than anything, the bold color made the wearer’s beauty stand out even more.

“Lady Vizak, you are as beautiful as ever.”

The Empress studied Lea for a moment, then offered her praise.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I’m honored.”

Lea responded in a humble tone.

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