Chapter 18. Arrogance

When I returned to the palace, I was on cloud nine. The kisses I shared with the grand duke were like a spell that placed me under a daze.

My mind was drunk from the memory of our intimacy. So when I came to report to Lady Camellia, she took notice of my distraction.

"Your lips are swollen." She commented while slumped on her seat as usual. "I only told you to relay a message to Kaja, not to french kiss him."

My cheeks reddened. "He's not the one I kissed!"

"Heh, so you did kiss someone." The villainess drawled with a grin. "How naughty, Isabelle."

At that point, I just wanted the ground to swallow me from shame. Fortunately, Lady Camellia didn't care too much that her maid was out there making love with god-knows-who. She just shrugged it off.

"So, how did it go with Kaja?" she inquired.

"He refused at first, but the mention of the Elven Silk seemed to make him think twice, my lady."

"Good job." The lady praised me. "For now, all we can do is wait. I am hoping for him to come right away, but it might take a few days or even weeks."

I don't know what exactly she needs from Kaja, but I dared not to ask. Lady Camellia was also a transmigrator, but she remembers the exact contents of the novel, unlike me. I trust her.

Contrary to her expectations, the blacksmith's son came to the palace the next day. Kaja was clad in a tawny shirt that looked good on his tanned skin, along with his dark trousers and working boots.

"I heard that you wanted to see me, my lady."

He's the type of man that girls with daddy issues would find attractive. A bit old, yet fine like wine.

"You came." Lady Camellia crooned in satisfaction.

The villainess gestured everyone to get out of her chambers, except for me. All the maids complied quietly and the three of us were left in the room.

"I only came out of curiosity." Kaja pointed out. "What your maid told me was interesting. Based on what she said, it seemed like you knew me."

"Yes. That's exactly why I summoned you, Kaja." The lady crossed her legs intimidatingly. "I know your secret, and I want you to make me a dress."

I blinked consecutive times. Did I hear it right?

The two of them engaged into a staring contest, not backing down from each other's provocation. When I sensed that the silence would last longer than it should, I decided to break it and spoke.

"My lady," I hesitantly raised my hand. "Why do you want a blacksmith to make you a dress?"

"She's right." Kaja said in agreement. "I only forge weapons. Sadly, I have no interest in fashion."

"Oh, my good sire. Why else would you be here if you weren't interested? Isn't it because of the Elven Silk?" Lady Camellia smirked at him.

Our guest flinched on his spot, unable to rebut.

"We both know rather than sharpening blades, you're much happier when weaving fabric." She interjected. "You came because of the Elven Silk, which dressmakers could only dream of seeing."

"Don't give me that crap!" Kaja fumed.

"Watch your mouth." Lady Camellia warned. "Do you want me tattling to your father that his son is more interested in ball gowns than swords, huh?"

The smithy's heir inhaled sharply at the villainess' threat, faltering slightly. "What do you want?"

Lady Camellia seemed pleased that she managed to blackmail the poor man. It's like she had him dancing on her palm. How cunning. Behind her calming appearance was a true master of wits.

"My request is simple. I just need you to produce two fine gowns for the upcoming selection, Kaja."

Our guest frowned. "Two? Shouldn't one suffice?"

"I'm afraid not." Lady Camellia answered. "It's supposed to be for me and another candidate."

"I'll do it." Kaja heaved out a deep sigh. "But you have to swear that you'll never bother me again, and that you'll never tell a soul about this matter."

The lady smiled. "I swear upon my family name."

After that, they talked about the lady's request in detail while I prepared some tea and pastries for them. To be honest, the blacksmith looked out of place in the elegant interior of the Sky Palace.

Still, none of the luxuries in this place have ever put a smile of satisfaction in Lady Camellia's face.

Once they have finalized the details, Kaja departed from the palace-- surprisingly, in bright spirits. I'd expected him to be more reluctant, but he seemed to have enjoyed his conversation with the lady.

"You seem confused as to why he looks elated." Lady Camellia told me, as if she read my mind.

"Yes, my lady." I confessed. "Just a few minutes ago, he's like dog ready to bite you anytime."

"Let's just say that I gave him a bit of freedom and he's happy about that." She relaxed on her seat.

I gave her a questioning look. Freedom?

"You see, he's chained by his roles as a man and a son. In the novel, Kaja was introduced as a man who loved making dresses despite being an heir to a smithy. It must have been painful for him to suppress his passion just to conform to society.

"Originally, it was Ingrid who discovered his talent, and his prominence in the empire was thanks to her wearing one of his dresses. Turns out he's a genius in dressmaking, and he became widely known later on as the designer with the hands of god." Lady Camellia explained patiently.

For someone ripped like him, I never would have guessed that he has a talent for designing clothes.

If anything, I imagined him as a man who would rip your clothes in bed, not someone who would make them. Ara, why is my mind is so dirty!

"But why did you ask him to make two dresses?"

"The other one is for Ingrid, of course. Didn't I tell you? I still need to perform my role as a villainess, while manipulating things behind the scene." The lady answered as a matter of fact, her chin raised.

I kept mum, waiting for further explanation.

"Anyway, we'll discuss my plan some other time." Lady Camellia said instead. "Princess Odette, my dear friend, summoned me so we must go now."

Before leaving her chambers, I straightened the lady's dress and retouched her hair and makeup. It would be my first time seeing the princess up close, so I was quite nervous. I hope she's nice.

---

On the way to the lady and Princess Odette's meeting place, we ran into unexpected faces.

"Ah, if it isn't Count Marchetti's daughter." Lady Camellia remarked, feigning surprise. "I believe this is the first time we've met, Lady Marchetti."

Now that I see them face to face, both of them are so pretty, yet so different. Ingrid was like an earthly beauty with pink hair and green eyes.

Lady Camellia reminds you more of the sea with her bluish white hair and cerulean pair of orbs.

"W-Who are you?" Ingrid queried anxiously then tugged on the sleeve of the man beside her, as if asking him for help. Is she serious right now?

Nobles of lower ranking should be the ones to introduce themselves to nobility of higher echelon. Lady Camellia is a duke's daughter.

How rude. She's such an airhead, seriously.

Instead of taking offense, Lady Camellia simply smiled at her ignorance. She shifted her gaze to the heroine's companion then curtsied to him.

"Greetings to Your Grace, shield of the empire."

I never thought that the heroine and the villainess would meet spontaneously like this. What's more is that the second male lead, Grand Duke Averill, was also present.

"A pleasant day to you, Lady Camellia." Alistair greeted back then eyed me. A smile appeared on his face. "Where are you headed, if I may ask?"

"The Princess invited me to join her for tea." The villainess imparted. "You two must have come back from meeting His Highness, I assume?"

"No!" All of us were startled when Ingrid raised her voice defensively. She gasped at her own mistake. "I-I mean, His Highness wouldn't meet me privately and give me special treatment!"

When I glanced over Lady Camellia, she couldn't even fake a smile this time. She must've felt irked that a mere count's daughter raised voice at her.

"The rumors that Prince Dion adores Lady Marchetti must be true." Lady Camellia commented, ignoring her outburst.

"W-What are you-!" Ingrid exclaimed once again, but this time she was interrupted by my lady.

"Seeing as how she's acting impudently without any manners, it's a mystery how she was chosen as a candidate for the crown princess position."

The heroine, being pusillanimous in nature, could only tremble amidst the villainess' tirade of insult.

"One can only surmise that His Highness begged the emperor to include such an uncouth lady."

"I apologise for the lady's rude behavior." Alistair stated in a sharp tone. "However, I must ask you to choose your words wisely, as they may cause misunderstanding to others, Lady Camellia."

"Is that so?" The villainess chuckled. "I feel envious that Lady Marchetti has such an illustrious supporter by her side."

Lady Camellia took a step forward and leaned closer to the grand duke, catching us off guard.

"If I lose the selection, would you be willing to take me as your duchess instead, Your Grace?"

Alistair blinked many times, momentarily shocked by her question. Ingrid, on the other hand, seemed bothered by the villainess' bold proposal just now.

"Lady Camellia," The grand duke cleared his throat. "While I think that you're a beautiful woman with impeccable manners, my heart totally belongs to someone else. I'm afraid I already promised myself to this lady here."

"Y-Your Grace!" For some reason, Ingrid panicked and clung onto him, blushing. "You need not to go that far for me... Your Grace should still marry!"

We all looked at her like she grew another head.

"Hm? I wasn't talking about you, though?" Alistair tilted his head innocently then pointed me. "I was referring to her. I suppose you haven't heard, but the whole palace knows my infatuation with this lovely woman right here. She's called Isabelle."

The heroine blushed in embarrassment. "Ah."

"Pfft." The villainess held back her laughter and hid her face on the other side. She's enjoying this!

"B-But she's only a maid..." Ingrid whispered.

Grand Duke Averill's face darkened. "And so?"

"Ha! Unbelievable." Even Lady Camellia spoke harshly. "That's rich coming from you. Should I remind you that you were also a commoner before the Marchetti county took you in?"

"Ah, that's not what I meant." Ingrid seemed on the verge of crying. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to..."

"Grand Duke, I'm saying this out of concern." The villainess clicked her tongue. "Tell Prince Dion to get her educated as soon as possible, if he truly wants her to be his betrothed. She's a mess."

Without waiting for his response, the lady proudly walked past by them, leaving the heroine crying.

Naturally, I followed after her.

For the last time, Alistair and I exchanged warm glances. He smiled to me then mouthed, see you.

"How arrogant." Lady Camellia shook her head in dismay. "How dare she bring up your being a maid, when she wasn't even worth anything before being the count's adopted daughter?"

Her steps were hasty. I could feel her anger.

"My lady," I smiled sentimentally. "Thank you."

"Why?" she asked without sparing me a glance.

"Because you stood up for me." I told her.

"No need to thank me. This is an investment." The villainess eyed me. "I may be walking with the future Duchess Averill of the north, after all."

My cheeks flushed. "Please don't joke like that."

"But His Grace did choose you as his woman." She smirked. "I wondered what kind of bee stung your lips for them to be so swollen. Heh, now I know."

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