Revenge Costs Interest [EN]: Chapter 37

Revenge Comes with Interest 37. Distorted Heart (37/200)

Distorted Heart

2023.09.06.

The day of the tea party at the Imperial Palace arrived. Leah planned to bring Pauline and Chenelle with her.

Although many people objected to Chenelle’s presence, Leah remained firm.

She wanted to demonstrate Chenelle’s innocent nature. Sometimes, the unvarnished truth was the most effective weapon.

‘Showing Chenelle will quell the gossip.’

Conversely, concealing her would only fuel suspicion and rumors.

So, she meticulously dressed not only herself but also Pauline and Chenelle in attire befitting members of the Kurtua Duchy.

“I feel so happy to dress up like this and visit the Imperial Palace,” Pauline said.

Pauline had been the most apprehensive, but she was now teary-eyed, deeply moved by her reflection.

“Me too, I wike it,” Chenelle chimed in.

Chenelle didn’t fully grasp the significance of their visit. She simply believed she was going to play with her sisters.

“Pauline, Chenelle,” Leah said, her tone slightly solemn.

“Yes, Lady?”

“You represent the Kurtua Duchy. Therefore, hold your heads high and maintain your elegance and dignity.”

Leah noticed Pauline’s eyes sparkling with excitement. Chenelle, on the other hand, was simply bubbling with anticipation.

“Take pride in who you are. At the Imperial Palace, you’ll encounter maids brought by noble ladies. Many of the Empress’s maids are of noble birth…”

“I won’t be intimidated. We are maids of Lady Grace Bizac, the Baron’s daughter,” Pauline declared.

“Yes.”

Leah wasn’t overly concerned about Pauline.

The real gamble was Chenelle. Bringing her could be a stroke of genius or a complete disaster.

“Chenelle, you must be mindful of your words and actions at the Imperial Palace.”

Leah refrained from excessive nagging. Pauline had already covered that ground. Instead, she made direct eye contact with Chenelle and spoke with utmost seriousness.

“Ung, don’t wowwy. I’ll do well, too.”

“Yes, and both of you look exceptionally beautiful today.”

Leah complimented the two, who were impeccably dressed.

“Of course, not as much as you, Lady?”

Pauline witnessed a new facet of Grace that day, understanding the power of allure.

Leah closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled. *Is this how a soldier feels before heading into battle?*

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

The three steeled themselves and left the room.

* * *

The arrival of the three women caused a stir. Terrence’s gaze, in particular, was fixed on Grace.

It was an unexpectedly captivating sight.

Leah wore a deep purple lace cape over her bodice and a full skirt that accentuated her slender waist, resembling a black tulip.

Shiny satin was layered with high-quality mesh and adorned with subtle jewels to maximize its splendor. Her plump lips appeared to be stained with cherry juice.

“Lady, you are captivating,” James said without reservation.

*It’s almost embarrassing.*

Terrence was equally stunned. If Grace was usually like a delicate freesia, today she was a seductive black rose.

Perhaps because of her typically freesia-like appearance, even the intense colors didn’t appear vulgar. Instead, they highlighted a powerful beauty.

*She wouldn’t be overwhelmed even if she faced the Empress.*

Terrence believed Grace was acutely aware of her own image. Her youthful and fragile appearance often led to underestimation.

But she knew herself well and compensated for her weaknesses.

“Grace, beautiful,” Terrence said, his praise characteristically restrained.

*Whatever.*

Leah smiled at him, but her heart was filled with conflicting emotions. Terrence reached out to Leah, and she gently placed her hand in his.

At that moment, Chenelle surprised everyone with an unexpected outburst.

“Mister! Other men are twying to steal Unnie [older sister] away!”

*Again with the Mister?*

The word ‘mister’ seemed permanently ingrained in her vocabulary. Every time she used it, Leah felt a surge of annoyance.

“Is that so? Which men?” Terrence asked, his temples throbbing, but still managing a smile.

“Young, handsome, and tall men.”

“Chenelle, isn’t there a young, handsome, and tall man right in front of you?”

He pointed to himself and smiled at Chenelle. Chenelle then turned her gaze to Luke and ran to him.

Terrence closed his eyes tightly when Chenelle didn’t respond to his words. It remained a mystery why he was still a ‘mister’ in Chenelle’s eyes.

“Luke, am I pwetty?”

“Pretty. Chenelle.”

“Then, will Oppa [older brother] mawwy me?”

“Your Grace, shall we proceed?” Luke said, ignoring Chenelle’s question. Still, it was undeniable that Chenelle looked particularly pretty today.

* * *

The carriage halted precisely in front of the Empress’s palace. As Terrence alighted, Imperial Palace servants emerged to greet the guests.

“Luke and I will go to see His Majesty. Behave yourselves,” Terrence instructed.

“Yes.”

Leah quickly withdrew her hand from Terrence’s and followed the servants into the Empress’s Palace.

Terrence watched her leave, his feelings a mix of emotions. Throughout the journey, Grace had remained silent, gazing out the window.

Moreover, Chenelle’s incessant babbling had been irritating.

Just then, Luke, noticing Terrence’s mood, approached and spoke in a low voice.

“It appears that the noble ladies invited to the tea party have brought their sons as well.”

Terrence followed Luke’s gaze and saw the young, handsome, and tall heirs Chenelle had mentioned.

The noble ladies were undoubtedly hoping to showcase their sons at the Imperial Palace and have them greet the Empress.

But Chenelle’s comments, however childish, were not entirely inaccurate.

*Damn it, Chenelle.*

“Luke, do I look like an old man?”

“Excuse me? Well, compared to those young heirs, you do appear slightly more mature, Your Grace.”

“What are you waiting for? Lead the way!”

The Duke was undeniably acting strangely. He was far more magnificent than those callow youths.

The war hero of Lubeck, the foremost nobleman, with a masculine presence, yet he seemed oblivious to it.

It was a classic case of losing composure and becoming excessively wary when in love, a perfectly plausible explanation.

“I… understand.”

Terrence, annoyed, spoke more harshly to Luke than usual.

He was irritated by Grace’s captivating appearance and the presence of the younglings the noble ladies had brought.

Meanwhile, Leah was overwhelmed with tension upon arriving at the palace. The walk to the tea party venue, guided by a servant, felt endless.

“The tea party will be held in the largest greenhouse in the palace,” the servant explained.

Chenelle and Pauline nodded attentively. However, Leah was preoccupied with how to navigate the inevitable complaints from the Empress and noble ladies.

She gripped her handbag tightly.

Finally, they reached the greenhouse, which was larger than most mansions.

“Lady Grace Bizac has arrived!” the servant announced loudly.

She could hear the murmur of women’s voices from within.

*Am I the last to arrive?*

“Please come in, Lady,” the servant said, politely opening the door. Leah swallowed hard and stepped inside. She saw a long table covered with a white linen tablecloth.

Various out-of-season flowers bloomed in the greenhouse, creating the ambiance of a banquet hall in a flower garden. The noble ladies who had arrived earlier were seated on either side of the table.

However, Leah was the only one wearing a dark-colored dress. She quickly scanned the head of the table.

*The Empress hasn’t arrived yet.*

Leah walked to her seat, following the servant, forcing a smile. She could hear the whispers of the noble ladies.

“My goodness! Look at that lace cape.”

“It’s so pretty. Is it new?”

“What good is it if it’s pretty? It’s made by a crazy gypsy.”

“What do they think we are? We don’t wear the same clothes as lowly people.”

“That’s true, but the Bizac Lady is certainly eye-catching.”

The noble ladies all stared at Leah, and the young heirs standing behind them couldn’t take their eyes off her.

Pauline and Chenelle sat on the chairs prepared behind Leah.

Leah tried to maintain her composure and greeted the noble ladies next to her. Their reactions were, predictably, cold.

*Don’t be intimidated, Leah Hamilton.*

Leah encouraged herself. The noble ladies beside and in front of her were from prestigious families in Lubeck.

Their sharp wariness felt like daggers, cutting at her, but she tried not to falter.

The seats soon filled. The noble ladies whispered among themselves and glared at Leah. At that moment, the servant’s voice echoed loudly from outside.

“The Empress has arrived!”

All the noble ladies stood up at once.

* * *

The Empress entered, wearing a light turquoise damask dress with gold lace. Her exceptionally fair skin and light brown hair suited her perfectly.

She hadn’t seen her closely at the banquet, but up close, she was undeniably beautiful.

*Terrence’s first love. It’s understandable why he liked her.*

It wasn’t just her beauty. The Empress possessed an aura that commanded respect. Even without elaborate pronouncements, she embodied the essence of an Empress.

“Thank you all for accepting my invitation, despite your busy schedules.”

At the Empress’s words, the noble ladies bowed their heads in courtesy.

“Oh! Our young heirs have joined us as well.”

“Greetings to the Empress,” the young heirs said in unison.

“Our young heirs should proceed to the main palace. Since you are here, you should also pay your respects to His Majesty.”

“It is a great honor, Your Majesty.”

The young heirs greeted the Empress and then left the greenhouse.

“You have all raised your children well,” the Empress said.

The noble ladies couldn’t conceal their delight at the Empress’s praise.

The Empress smiled leisurely and surveyed the invited guests. Her gaze then settled on Leah.

The Empress couldn’t help but admire the purple lace cape Leah was wearing.

The intricate and uniform weave was exquisite. Above all, the bold color accentuated the wearer’s beauty.

“Lady Bizac remains as beautiful as ever,” the Empress said, looking at Leah for a long moment.

“I am honored, Your Majesty,” Leah replied humbly.