The ball was at its peak, the queen speaking with her husband about the Marquis's recently introduced daughter, and the king, already somewhat informed, elucidates how she vanished and was subsequently sought by the Baroness following the Marquis's actions. The queen was incredulous at what she heard.
"Is that why you were against Lady Rogelia as a fiancee for our son?" she inquires.
She recalls vividly how the king had disapproved of the engagement, yet she had insisted that Rogelia was the right choice.
The king had been contemplating replacing the heir due to the prince's dissolute lifestyle, but now, with Rogelia poised to become the second prince's wife, he doubts the correctness of naming him, as the girl does not seem a suitable candidate for queen. Meanwhile, the queen descends in search of Rogelia, finding her fuming because the prince did not distance himself from Shana.
"Your Majesty, it is unfair—the slight from His Highness. I've endeavored to be a good fiancee, and look how he humiliates me," she complains to the queen.
"You must realize your betrothed is the kingdom's prince. Dancing with one or two ladies is not humiliating—he is simply being polite. As his fiancee, you should understand and not cause issues," the queen states sternly.
"But Your Majesty...I..." she clenches her hands in her dress.
"If you can't handle this, it means you won't cope with future events. The prince will have to engage with more ladies in time. If this is too much for you, you are free to break the engagement."
Hearing this, Rogelia feels fear; she can't afford to end this engagement. As the ball concludes, Shana and Hugo bow, she returns to her father, and Hugo heads for the exit. Rogelia takes leave, mentioning she'll ask the prince to escort her since her parents left earlier. Catching up, she grabs his arm.
"How can you humiliate me like this? You danced with her, leaving me alone," she fumes with anger.
"Why should I dance with you? Remember, our engagement was our parents' doing, so whom I dance with is none of your business."
By now, Hugo is weary of Rogelia, always flaunting a relationship that doesn't exist and constantly pestering him to accompany her to events, as if he has nothing better to do.
"You can't speak to me like that. Whether it's our parents' arrangement or not, I will be your wife, and you should respect me."
"And I should do so simply because you say it? What makes you think I don't have lovers?" he retorts mockingly.
"That...I will not allow. If I find out who they are, they'll regret setting eyes on you."
"That won't happen because soon, I'll bring them as concubines, all five, and you must respect them. If you offend them, you offend me."
Hugo smirks and strides past Rogelia, who is left seething at his words. Although Hugo has no such intentions, the notion serves as a potential scheme to thwart Rogelia. Meanwhile, in the ballroom, Sigrid and Charlotte rest from the dance. A group of girls approaches, greeting Sigrid, and some don't hesitate to flirt.
"I am Duke Scott's daughter, Roberta Scott. It was quite a surprise to learn that Lady Leroux has a younger sister."
"It's not as if she'd talk about me, right? Despite being a legitimate daughter, they've kept me at a distance," she remarks sadly.
Sigrid, nearby, holds her hand in his.
"Don't torture yourself over it. You have me and your grandmother," he consoles.
The girls around are moved by the display, though some are envious of Charlotte having Sigrid—a desired match for many young ladies.
"It's true; you shouldn't feel down. Tonight, at your debut, you captured everyone's attention."
"Yes, you're beautiful, and your dress complements your eye color perfectly."
Soon Charlotte is showered with compliments until the girls bid farewell. Roberta extends an invitation to an upcoming tea party. After they leave, Charlotte decides to depart; if not for her grandmother's insistence, she would've never attended this foolish debut. As she prepares to leave, a maid requests she follow to meet the queen. On a balcony, facing the queen, Charlotte curtsies.
"I've heard from the king about your circumstances, Lady Leroux. I'm sorry life hasn't been easy. Understand, your existence is not widely known."
"I'm aware, Your Majesty. My mother died when I was very young, and the current Marchioness took her place. It's natural she'd favor her own children over me," she says, a tinge of sadness in her voice.
"I find it rather brazen that you've been overlooked. I hope your return is beneficial and will soon extend an invitation. Shall I send it to the Baroness's mansion?"
"No, currently I'm staying elsewhere. I don't wish to cause trouble for my grandmother and father."
"You're considerate. Tell me where to send the invitation."
"To Duke Richardson's retreat villa. The dukes were kind to lend me the residence."
The queen's lips tighten, feeling unease toward the Richardsons, whose existence threatens her children's accession.
"So, the Richardsons have been kind to you. Then, you and the young duke..."
"We're childhood acquaintances, nothing more. His company was significant to me when I was alone; while I had kind supporters, it was meaningful to have someone my age around," Charlotte says nostalgically.
"I see. As adults now, perhaps I should find you a suitable match; you are of marrying age."
"Cursed meddlesome crone," she thinks to herself.
"I don't want to trouble you; I have no interest in marriage now. If necessary, you can discuss it with my grandmother."
"Lady Charlotte, it's time we left," Sigrid intervenes. "Excuse our interruption, Your Majesty."
"No worries, another time."
They bow as the queen departs. Charlotte approaches her grandmother to announce her departure and promises a visit the next day.
In the carriage, she removes her slippers and settles in to rest.
"The absurd show is over, but I've gained something interesting," she smiles, eyeing the invitation.
Sigrid, accompanying her, remains silent. The journey is long, but they arrive at a mansion owned by Sigrid's family. The servants greet and escort them to their rooms. Charlotte won't stay with her grandmother to prevent the Marquis's bother.
In her room, after a bath and dressed in a nightgown, Charlotte steps onto the balcony, looking toward the palace, back at last. Fate has shifted—Rogelia shall now encounter Hugo's rejection, as he and Shana appeared to get along well instantly. For now, she lets them revel in their romance.
What now irks her is the queen's meddling, wanting to find her a suitor. Preposterous, but should it persist, Charlotte won't hesitate to deal with her decisively.
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