TFLMLD 50

Chapter 50

A Perfectly Suited Pair (feat. Birds of a Feather)

Rael’s only worry was whether Evelyn might have lost interest in Prince Macaron. But her worry turned out to be groundless—Evelyn was instantly hooked.

“Did you hear? Prince Macaron recently got married.”

Rael immediately caught the faint crack in Evelyn’s expression and sensed her true feelings.

“…Married?”

A bruise festering deep inside the heart would always react with just a little prodding. Rael rejoiced inwardly and slowly fanned the flames.

“He married my half-sister, Calypse Patouan. You remember her, don’t you? Divorced, with a child… How could His Highness have gotten tangled up with someone like that?”

“…”

“If only you had been by his side, that never would have happened. Such a shame in so many ways.”

Watching Evelyn’s fist tighten, Rael silently cheered her on. Evelyn had kept Rael close because they shared the same enemy—and Rael was fully aware of it. Coming here had been under Evelyn’s special order, and Rael knew exactly what that meant. Among all the attendants, she was chosen. It was both a crisis and an opportunity. Being Evelyn’s personal maid was like striking gold. On her way to Crayd territory, Rael was thrilled at the thought of bringing Calypse down a notch. But then…

Calypse, living in a grand mansion like this, flaunting her life…?

After entering the banquet hall, Rael stuck to Evelyn’s mission—subtly tarnishing Calypse’s reputation. Given Calypse’s already shaky reputation, it was child’s play. Rael was happily gossiping when Calypse herself appeared.

That dress… that tiara…

It didn’t take Rael long to compare Calypse’s outfit to her own. The frilled-logo dress was a top-tier item Rael had never even laid eyes on.

And that Fiesta ring…

It was so famous that even Evelyn couldn’t obtain one. Rael knew what a priceless treasure it was. What’s worse, the so-called “monster,” the second prince Macaron, was no longer the young boy who had once set Rael’s heart ablaze. He now exuded a magnificence and authority so overwhelming it was like facing a wild lion. Just imagining Calypse standing at his side made Rael’s blood boil.

Calypse? Really? What’s to like about someone like her? A divorced woman dragging another man’s child? Has Macaron lost all sense?

If I’d known, I should have made a move back at the academy. What does Calypse have that I don’t?

Rael scowled briefly, but the moment her eyes met Macaron’s, she remembered her purpose here. A smile curled at her lips, smooth as ever.

“Hello. I’m Rael, Calypse’s younger sister.”

Macaron’s gaze flicked toward her. He barely acknowledged her bow with a curt reply.

“I see.”

It bruised her pride, but she didn’t lose her smile. Then, the ladies she had been chatting with earlier quickly chimed in, fanning their fans.

“We nearly misunderstood because of the young lady just now. Of course, the Crown Princess would never do such a thing.”

“Ha-ha, not all sisters get along, but gossip isn’t good.”

“Indeed.”

“But my, you two look nothing alike despite being sisters.”

They were the ones who had asked about Calypse in the first place, and now they were stepping back? Rael’s brow twitched in annoyance. Watching them drift away, she bit her lip and turned—only to find Macaron still there, dazzling as ever. Tossing her red hair back behind her ear, she smiled alluringly.

“You must be surprised. I hear all the time how different I am from my sister.”

“There was no need to say it. It’s quite obvious.”

“Isn’t it? I get told I’m beautiful constantly.”

Rael knew better than anyone how to put Calypse down while elevating herself. It was second nature by now. But Macaron only chuckled as if mocking her.

“Your pure soul… is exactly the kind of match Ed would suit.”

Of course, all Rael really heard was pure soul. She’d been called sexy plenty of times, but pure? That was new—and pleasant.

Wait, Ed? Did he just say he’d introduce me to someone?

If Prince Macaron himself was introducing a man, how extraordinary must he be? After all, people say birds of a feather flock together. Rael’s eyes sparkled.

“Who is Ed?”

Watching her bat her lashes expectantly, Macaron nearly laughed out loud. The more ridiculous she acted, the more she reminded him of Ed.

“There’s one extremely handsome fellow. You’ll be satisfied.”

Rael looked around the hall eagerly, thinking Ed must be here.

“Then, when will I—”

“I’ll introduce you later when you leave. For now, enjoy yourself.”

Though Calypse and Macaron’s linked arms annoyed her, Rael considered this quite a victory. Whoever Ed was, he must be high-ranking and wealthy. Enough to make Evelyn’s service no longer worth her time. And if he was handsome, too?

Rael could barely keep from grinning. She had no idea Macaron was nearly doubled over with laughter the moment she turned away.

Why is he laughing so much?

I should have stopped him before he offered to introduce Rael to anyone…

He knows perfectly well what she’s like, and how she and I stand. Then why…?

Yet Macaron had been laughing so hard since, as if it were the best joke in the world. But this could ruin an innocent man’s life.

“Are you seriously going to introduce her to Ed—or Karuin, or whoever?”

“Of course. I’m sure he’ll like her too.”

“You do know exactly what Rael is like, don’t you?”

“I know very well.”

And that mysterious smile?

“Then why go through with it?”

Macaron’s expression was deadly serious—but I knew better. His curved eyes gave him away; it was the look he wore when mischief was brewing.

“Just wait and see. You’ll agree they’re a perfect match.”

He looked so delighted that I wondered if Ed was his sworn enemy in a past life.

“Who exactly is Ed that you think he suits Rael so well?”

“…A chicken.”

At first, I thought I misheard. Then a few seconds later, realization struck.

Surely not… that chicken?

I lifted my gaze to find his face deadly earnest. I remembered spotting a chicken once while strolling in the garden—strutting about like it was a swan. The caretaker had told me that bird thought itself human, refusing to mingle with other chickens.

So that chicken is Ed…?

Macaron solemnly took my hand.

“That bird loves to strut just as much. It’ll suit your sister perfectly.”

“…”

“I’d been wondering what to do with it. Now it seems to have found a friend.”

The words were absurd, but what made it funnier was Macaron’s unshakably serious expression. Then, locking eyes with me, he finally broke into a sly grin.

“…Pfft.”

I did worry Rael might throw a fit—but I couldn’t deny the satisfaction. Soon, Macaron excused himself to greet nobles from afar. Even as he left, he kept glancing back with a reluctant expression.

Once he was gone, I wandered over to the dessert trays. I had wanted to from the beginning. Every sweet was laid out exactly to my tastes, and I couldn’t decide—so I tried one of each. Dinner was later, but that was no problem. Dessert always had a separate stomach.

By the time I thought my dress might need letting out, I spotted a familiar face nearby. Madame Marie—the lady I had met recently at an auction. Delighted, I smiled automatically.

She must have been surprised to see my name on the invitation this time.

Wondering where to start, I approached slowly. But surrounded by a crowd, she hadn’t noticed me. And oddly, she didn’t look well.

As I drew closer, a brown-haired woman asked,

“Will we be seeing Lady Julia at this season’s debutante ball?”

I froze at the ominous question. Lady Julia was Madame Marie’s only daughter. I remembered hearing about her often at Moon Night. Her love for her daughter was well known.

Is Julia really at debut age already?

Even when I was still at Moon Night, Julia had been nearing debut age. If this year was her season, it was rather late. By imperial custom, girls usually debuted between ages sixteen and eighteen. Julia was eighteen now—miss this chance, and people would gossip endlessly.

“If she doesn’t debut this year, she never will. Of course she’ll attend.”

It wasn’t that the rules were strict, but pride was at stake. A debutante ball required a cavalier escort. Failing to present one was an admission she had none.

The brown-haired woman, clearly enjoying herself, kept pressing the subject despite Madame Marie’s discomfort. She was pretending concern but really twisting the knife. Looking closely, I recognized her—Mitchell Nomiya. Calypse had once mentioned her. She was none other than… my ex-husband Shubil’s sister.

Madame Marie, still elegant, waved her fan.

“You needn’t concern yourself with Julia. Excessive interest can become meddling, you know.”

It was just like her—straightforward. Mitchell’s face flushed red, and the other ladies awkwardly laughed, siding with Madame Marie. But Mitchell forced a smile and doubled down.

“Oh my, you must have misunderstood. I only meant it out of concern. You seem awfully sensitive about Lady Julia.”