“This is—!”
In a verbal battle aimed at ruining the other’s mood, Ariella emerged victorious.
It was a natural outcome. Ariella knew Lizzy’s intentions and desires precisely, while Lizzy couldn’t even begin to guess.
Unable to contain her anger, Lizzy raised her right hand.
But soon, a strong grip seized her wrist. Ariella had caught her firmly.
“Ugh…!”
“Be careful, Lizzy.”
The strength that seemed impossible from Ariella’s slender body tightened around Lizzy’s wrist. Lizzy stifled a scream and let out a groan.
“We’re in front of the empress’s palace. What if someone sees this and tells your mother-in-law?”
“You…! Are you not letting go?!”
Ariella released Lizzy’s hand without hesitation. As a result, Lizzy stumbled for a moment but fortunately managed to regain her balance.
With a soft laugh, her previously pale face now burned with rage.
Lizzy wanted nothing more than to hurl insults at Ariella’s face right then and there.
However, unfortunately, the only thing Ariella had said that was true was that if she caused a commotion here, the empress would hear about it.
Unlike Ariella, whose limit was merely the position of a mistress, she would one day become the empress. Therefore, she had to be even more careful about her behavior.
Thus, Lizzy suppressed her rising anger and turned sharply. She thought associating with such a lowly woman would only bring her more harm.
“Come on, Lizzy. We’re headed to the same destination anyway, so is there any need for you to go ahead?”
It seemed that today, Ariella was determined to annoy her. She followed Lizzy closely, chattering annoyingly until the end.
As the two princesses of Bedford crossed the palace with only a few steps between them, eyes naturally followed them.
The palace servants whispered among themselves, comparing the woman who was once to be the future mistress with the one who would be.
Just as Lizzy’s patience was reaching its limit.
“Princess Bedford.”
A woman in splendid attire suddenly blocked the path of the two, who were moving forward without obstruction.
“Are you leaving without even greeting me?”
The woman who spoke in a gentle voice was someone Lizzy had never seen before.
Her honey-like golden hair and unusually dark eyebrows for a woman were distinctive features, and all the jewelry she wore looked unique yet expensive.
Her face was quite beautiful, and she seemed to be of a similar age, so it was odd that they had never crossed paths in society.
However, when Ariella, who was following behind, spoke, Lizzy understood the reason.
“Countess Anabelle, what brings you here?”
It was a name Lizzy had heard several times from Lady Geoffrey. She was a mistress who acted as if she were the empress, relying on the emperor’s favor. They said she should never get too close, but neither should she show a dismissive attitude.
“Well, I came to see the girl who will be my daughter-in-law. Perhaps due to my lack of education, she hasn’t come to greet me even after entering the palace, so I came to find her myself.”
Her words were arrogantly presumptuous, and Ariella let out a small laugh.
Glancing sideways, she could see confusion and indignation swirling on Lizzy’s face.
Having encountered two igLizzynt mothers-in-law in one day, it was understandable that she would feel upset. Just like the previous Ariella had.
However, the current Ariella felt nothing but refreshed.
“I see. Then I’ll take my leave first. As you know, I am no longer associated with the royal family. I hope you both have a good time.”
As she quickly passed the burden of Countess Anabelle onto Lizzy, Lizzy’s face twisted even more.
However, she thought to herself that there was no reason for Ariella to stay, so she could only bow politely to Countess Anabelle.
“By the way, that reminds me.”
As Ariella walked past Lizzy toward the carriage, she suddenly turned around. Then she casually asked Countess Anabelle a trivial question.
“Countess Anabelle, will you be serving that tea to Lizzy today as well? You know, the precious tea that was brought from the East.”
In an instant, Countess Anabelle’s shameless face visibly stiffened. A glimmer of wariness flickered in her blue eyes.
“…Why do you ask?”
“Oh, it’s nothing special. I just remembered that the fragrance of the tea was delightful. If I get the chance, please invite me to tea again, madam. I’ll be waiting.”
With a sweet smile, Ariella slightly bowed her head and turned to leave.
She felt the piercing gazes pouring onto the back of her head, but regardless, her steps leaving the palace were lighter than ever.
The empress, who had brought Aaron into the imperial palace, immediately began to scold him as soon as the reception room door closed.
“How dare you meet with another woman in front of the empress? Especially on the day I’m dining with the real princess! Are you even in your right mind?!”
