I Thought It Was a Common Transmigration - Chapter 86

“Despite how she may appear on the outside, she is a soft lady on the inside. No, even if she isn’t, you shouldn’t be doing this to a Ludwig, should you?”

As Killian continued his stern demeanor, Catherine gritted her teeth.

But she couldn’t argue with Killian, so she kept her molars clenched and said in a very reluctant tone, “Yes, I am sorry, and I hope Miss Edith will forgive my rudeness.”

Oh dear, what a surprise, to get an apology from the Princess!

“I- I’m fine, Your Highness. I know my behavior in the past was not very wise, so you had every right to misunderstand. In fact, even Killian has been hearing all sorts of things about me, so I’m afraid he’s a bit sensitive. I am sorry,” I said as I bowed, hoping that this situation would end well.

“Are you really sorry?”

“……yes, Your Highness.”

“If you think so much of Killian, why don’t you stop your father?”

“Your Highness……!”

Killian was about to burst out again, and I tried to say something without having the constraint affect me.

“I’ve tried my best to stop him, but……”

Oh no, apparently that wasn’t enough.

At my reply, Catherine’s sarcastic expression turned to surprise.

“You really tried to stop Count Riegelhoff from joining Archduke Langston? Did I understand you correctly?”

But I couldn’t just say yes or nod my head to this question. The specificity of the question seemed to trigger the damn constraint.

But now I know how to convey my thoughts to the other party without any active behavior.

I glanced in Count Riegelhoff’s direction, then back to Catherine, and smiled wistfully.

My eyes were downcast as if I had run out of energy, and the corners of my mouth were forced up.

This time, Killian looked shocked.

“Is that why the Riegelhoffs sent that damn maid?”

I was almost proud of myself for having gotten this far without actually telling him the truth directly.

Despite my excitement, I managed to keep my face in check, dropping my eyes and letting out a small sigh.

“What does that mean?”

“Well…… there was such a thing. All I can tell you is that my wife is completely unrelated to the Riegelhoffs.”

Killian’s firmness seemed to clear up some of Catherine’s misunderstandings about me.

“R- really? Well, then, I must have misunderstood you.”

Catherine scratched the back of her head and apologized, uncharacteristically of a princess.

“Um…… sorry, I just thought Killian was living on a leash in a forced marriage, and Lizé was being bullied.”

“Ah, haha.”

That would have been the case in the original story.

And even if the original Edith were able to make it to the National Day ball, she probably wouldn’t have made it home. Catherine would have made sure of that.

But unlike the original Edith, I had no intention of helping my father or being jealous of Lizé, and the hot-tempered Catherine was quick to admit her mistake.

This cool personality of hers is probably why she was able to put herself in the position of Lizé’s friend instead of the villain.

“I’m sorry I said something hurtful. I’m sorry Killian, and I’m sorry for putting you in a bad spot, Lizé.”

Catherine apologized to me, to Killian, and to Lizé.

Lizé was just about to say, “No, Your Highness!” but Killian accepted her apology with a single nod.

“I’m glad you cleared up the misunderstanding. In fact, my wife has been wanting to go and greet you since earlier, but she was too timid to do so.”

“Eh? Really, there’s no need for that, haha!”

Catherine, who had quickly shed her hostile demeanor, smiled brightly and grabbed my hand.

“You’re Killian’s wife and Lizés sister-in-law, so you’re also my friend. In the future, don’t be afraid to come to the palace with Lizé often. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome! Haha!”

I wondered if the conflict had been resolved so abruptly, but Catherine accepted me with a cheerful expression.

I could feel the stunned gazes of the people around me as I realized that not only was the Princess holding my hand, but she was also inviting me to visit her often.

‘But it’s a bit strange…… Isn’t it Lizé who should be getting all the attention today because of her friendship with the Princess?’

Of course, the episode earlier when the Princess took Lizé and made the other young ladies bow their heads was going on perfectly, but this situation now is a bit……

‘No, let’s think of it as a good thing. There’s more and more hope for me to live!’

If all else fails, I can at least ask Catherine for help.

As I watched Catherine’s back as she walked away from Lizé again, I prayed that the world’s favors that had been bestowed upon Lizé would be bestowed upon me as well.

But I could not dwell on the matter long.

Count Riegelhoff began to speak.

Gosh, there’s a lot going on in the National Day ball episode.

“Originally, the former Emperor was very fond of his younger brother, Archduke Langston, and I’ve heard that they were very close from a young age. Hahaha!”

Count Riegelhoff, who had been praising the Emperor to those around him, suddenly raised his voice and inserted the story of Archduke Langston.

Another man chimed in from the side. “Oh my! With all the intrigue going on in the imperial court, who could be more trustworthy than the closest member of his own blood, is there not?”

The nobles around him nodded vigorously, as if realizing a great truth.

‘That must be the Archduke Langston’s faction. From the way they’re acting here, they must have the power to challenge the Emperor.’

What they were saying was clear.

They wanted to cast doubt on the current emperor’s birth and assert that Archduke Langston was the rightful heir to the throne.

‘Anyway, in order to ascend to the throne, you have to be recognized as a pureblood in the temple, so is there any meaning in doing that?’

The current emperor, who looked so different from his predecessor from a young age, was constantly questioned as to whether or not he was of imperial descent.

But here, in order to ascend to the throne, you have to have your blood tested at the temple, and the current emperor passed that test, so he’s on the throne.

So everything they said was nothing more than reproducing malicious rumors.

But the Duke of Ludwig, the current emperor’s most trusted sword, would not stand idly by. He said, “Bloodlines are the most reliable. Isn’t Archduke Langston the Emperor’s uncle and one of his most loyal subjects? Hahaha!”

“I’ve heard that Archduke Langston grew up watching imperial intrigue, so he’s very wary of fleeting greed. Truly, he is an imperial elder who sets an example for others.”

Ooh, Duke Ludwig is one step ahead.

Although the Archduke of Langston is about to embark on an imperial feud, it would be difficult for him to directly refute the praise of being a loyal subject in a situation like this.

Then, as if to change the subject, someone from Langston’s side said, “By the way, now that it’s National Day, I’m reminded of the late His Majesty the Emperor. How good it was when he reigned, and how I still miss it.”

As expected, this is a statement criticizing the current emperor’s reign.

It’s true that the past is often fondly remembered, but even if it weren’t, it would be hard to argue with the statement that the late emperor’s reign was a good one.

Now, let’s see what the counter-argument will be!

“You’re right, the late His Majesty the Emperor was indeed a great monarch, and he thoroughly trained His Highness the Crown Prince to carry on the work he left unfulfilled.”

“Yes. He was so thorough that he didn’t even allow his favorite, Archduke Langston, to attend his successor’s classes!”

“Isn’t that why it’s said that there’s no one else but the current Emperor who can carry on the teachings of the previous Emperor?!”

Wow…… this level of verbal spin, it’s almost like a language art.

With generous smiles on their faces, exchanging sharp, cryptic words, they seemed to be dueling with invisible swords.

‘The biggest drawback to this ballroom is that there’s no popcorn. It would have been much more of an experience if there was at least grilled squid with butter……’

They say the most fun is watching other people’s houses burn down and fights break out.

This would be so much fun if it weren’t related to my future!

As Killian and I watched the two factions bicker, I felt a sting in the side of my face.

‘Huh?’

I glanced over to see many of the young ladies looking our way, some of whom had turned their heads to look away, and I was surprised to see Leila Sinclair in the middle of it all.

‘Aha, everyone’s ogling Killian. I didn’t realize that even Leila Sinclair liked him.’

It’s natural to stare at the second most handsome man in the world–the first for me.

As a fellow woman, I could completely understand.

But a few moments later, a young lady walked by us and her eyes fell on me, not Killian.

It wasn’t a coincidence.

She didn’t look away when I stared back in surprise.

‘What, were you looking at me?’

What a stupid thing to do!

If it were me, I’d rather spend a little more time looking at Killian than me!

As I was silently clicking my tongue, Killian patted me on the back.