Chapter 46: Insensitivity

 “There seem to be too many rumors going around these days.”

 “I know. Just a few days ago, there was news circulating that His Highness the Crown Prince had a secret meeting.”

 When rumors spread that Edmund had a secret meeting with some lady at a banquet, the Empire’s citizens naturally hoped the news was true.

 If it had been about someone else, they wouldn’t have cared, but the subject was the Crown Prince.

 Since the imperial family was one of the main interests of the Empire’s citizens, they were also interested in Edmund’s marriage.

 They earnestly wished that he, who would become emperor in the future, would soon take a wife and have children to continue the lineage.

 That’s why they were initially very pleased and happy with the news they heard.

 “But the other party was a lady named Clea, a wicked woman who almost committed murder?”

 “I can’t believe why our intelligent Crown Prince would have such a relationship with such a woman.”

 “According to what I’ve heard, the lady who was almost killed was Lady Hersher.”

 “My goodness, to that beautiful and kind lady? How could she do that?”

 For a long time, people’s evaluation of Clea had not been very good.

 The nobles were already disgusted with her arrogant attitude, and the common citizens of the Empire also remembered her as a wicked lady from what they had heard.

 Perhaps because of this, people didn’t greatly doubt the rumor that she had almost committed murder and accepted it as fact.

 Even though none of the parties involved had spoken up yet.

 “But graduates who attended the academy together, as well as current students, are coming forward as witnesses.”

 The decisive reason why people had to believe the rumors was at the academy.

 Clea and Aria were the same age, and since neither had repeated a year, they had graduated in the same year.

 Although their terrible relationship had actually started because of Lloyd, people only blamed Clea.

 Many criticized Clea for bullying Aria, who was like a weak and small animal.

 In that atmosphere, classmates and juniors often ignored Clea.

 It was a situation that arose simply because people liked Aria more than Clea.

 “Then will Lady Hersher soon replace that wicked lady and become the crown princess?”

 “That remains to be seen.”

 The Empire’s citizens thought that unless there was an unexpected change, Clea would absolutely never become the crown princess.

 If she really had attempted murder, and if the target was indeed Aria Hersher.

 “By the way…… have you all heard the rumor about the young grand duke?”

 * * *

 “Are you really going to meet her?”

 Oberon was slightly scared.

 His sister was waiting just beyond the door.

 He thought that if Clea said she didn’t want to meet her now, he would send Ruphia back to the mansion.

 “I already said I would meet her.”

 “Even so.”

 But Clea’s attitude remained unchanged.

 Since she had already agreed to meet earlier, she found it strange that Oberon was asking again now.

 Clea gave him a suspicious look.

 Oberon’s attitude of not wanting his sister to meet her actually stimulated her curiosity more.

 “Is there any reason I shouldn’t meet her?”

 “There isn’t.”

 “No, answer me clearly now. I hate troublesome things.”

 Clea intended to give Oberon one last chance.

 If he provided a reasonable explanation here, she was willing to follow his wishes.

 However, while Oberon didn’t want her to meet his sister, he couldn’t think of a plausible reason.

 His intuition was telling him.

 That he shouldn’t let the two meet.

 But the other person wasn’t someone who would listen with just that kind of reason.

 So Oberon could only quietly look at Clea without saying anything.

 “Unless she’s Edmund’s ex-girlfriend, I don’t see any reason why I can’t meet your sister.”

 “If she were his ex-girlfriend, I would rather dream of a reunion, not try to keep her by His Highness’s side.”

 “You actually tried to push me away from Edmund’s side.”

 “That’s because you…… Ah, never mind.”

 Oberon turned away, seemingly upset.

 Clea found it hard to understand.

 Clearly, he was the one who first said he would introduce his sister, and now suddenly he didn’t want to.

 Finally giving up, Oberon opened the door and went outside.

 Outside, Ruphia was waiting with a bored expression, wondering when the door would open.

 Seeing her appearance, which he had also faced in the morning, Oberon swallowed a sigh and warned her.

“You. You absolutely must not cause any trouble when you go in there.”

 “I know that without you telling me.”

 “I’m not just saying it, so take it to heart.”

 Ruphia found Oberon’s behavior interesting.

 Until now, he had been someone who didn’t back down even when facing dukes or grand dukes with higher titles.

 Seeing such a person now flustered over just one lady made her even more curious about the person inside.

 “Absolutely don’t ask any questions that might trouble her.”

 “I’ll try my best.”

 Oberon suppressed his desire to send her back and let her inside.

 Ruphia entered through the door Oberon opened and finally met eyes with Clea.

 “Pleased to meet you. I’m Ruphia Philip. You’re as elegant as I’ve heard.”

 “I don’t know where you heard such things, but I’m pleased to meet you too. I’m Clea.”

 Clea introduced herself without adding her family name.

 Having left her family, she had no reason to use Odoi.

 “Should I call you Her Highness the Crown Princess?”

 “Just call me Lady comfortably. What crown princess?”

 Clea answered refreshingly to Ruphia’s probing question.

 ‘It seems she’s quite aware of the situation outside.’

 Hearing Clea’s answer, Ruphia realized that she knew how things were currently unfolding outside.

“I have many questions for you, Lady.”

 “Are you talking to me, not His Highness the Crown Prince?”

 She personally poured tea into Ruphia’s cup, using the prepared tea set.

 Ruphia expressed simple gratitude to her for pouring it herself.

 Ruphia smiled as she recalled how different this treatment was from what she had received before.

 The people of Oberon’s family each served different members of the imperial family.

 Having returned to her homeland after completing her long studies abroad, she also wanted to show loyalty to the imperial family in accordance with her family’s wishes.

 That’s why Ruphia wanted to confirm whether Clea was worthy of her loyalty.

 “I wanted to confirm if you’re truly worthy of being the crown princess.”

 “Hmm, what would you do if you thought I wasn’t worthy of being the crown princess?”

 Clea showed a bland reaction to Ruphia’s words.

 She looked toward the window while drinking her tea, then put down her cup and looked at Ruphia.

 Ruphia lost her words as she met Clea’s gaze.

 If Clea had reacted sensitively, if she had shown intimidation and acted sharply as the rumors of a villainess suggested, she might not have felt this way.

 Ruphia’s question was honest and rude.

 Yet Clea seemed to find it bothersome to even react.

 “Would you like to take the position?”

 “Haha, you’re quite good at joking, Lady.”

 “I wasn’t joking.”

 Her cold expression and rigid voice.

 “I’d like to hear your answer, Lady.”

 The atmosphere in the room completely sank.

 The only warmth felt was from the teacup held in hand.

 Ruphia felt suffocated, not knowing what to say next.

 Sensing that it had become sufficiently quiet, Clea smiled at Ruphia first and said,

 “That was a joke.”

 ‘That was a poor quality joke.’

 As Clea changed the atmosphere by saying it was a joke, Ruphia felt like she could breathe again.

 Ruphia thought,

 She could have just said she had no interest in the position of crown princess and that would have been the end of it.

 But the other person already knew this fact.

 She knew Ruphia had no interest in the position, yet deliberately asked a provocative question.

 ‘She seems completely different from the rumors.’

 The Clea that Ruphia had heard about was a truly terrible lady.

 They said she easily got excited over small matters, and once excited, she acted without thinking.

 They said she had no elegance and was not noble at all.

 But the Clea that Ruphia met in person was completely different from the rumors.

 She exuded elegance, appeared more noble than anyone, and her manner of speaking overflowed with calmness.

 She was someone with the charm to overwhelm others with her presence.

 Ruphia hoped to know her better.

 “There are unfavorable rumors circulating about you lately. How will you get rid of them?”

 “Is there really a need to get rid of them?”

 “Then you won’t be able to obtain the position of crown princess.”

 As Ruphia directly mentioned the rumors, Clea looked at her with an amused expression.

 She was right.

 If Clea couldn’t get rid of these rumors here, she would ultimately fail to obtain the position of crown princess.

 ‘While I’m not obsessed with that position, it seems others want me to become the crown princess.’

 Clea still maintained a relaxed appearance.

 Ruphia liked her relaxed demeanor.

 “Then wouldn’t it be enough to take actions that overturn those rumors?”

 “Overturn the rumors…”

 Ruphia was somewhat taken aback by Clea’s proposed solution.

 It wasn’t the answer she had expected her to give.

 “Ruphia Philip, I’ll give you the opportunity to be by my side for a while. Would you like to observe me directly during that time?”

 Ruphia nodded immediately without hesitation at Clea’s proposal.

 She truly began to look forward to seeing how Clea would act.