His words came out a little awkwardly, but compared to how he spoke before, it was acceptable. For some reason, when I saw his face, I felt the uneasy feeling inside me subside.

"Sit here," I said and pointed to the seat next to me. As soon as he sat down, the members of the tea tasting party watched us with odd expressions.

'Um, why are they staring at us?' I asked myself.

At that moment, Lady Terrence spoke. "I'm glad you have a partner at least."

"I'm sorry?" I replied.

She furrowed her eyebrows and replied coldly, "What I mean is you won't be chosen to become the crown princess."

I became flustered at her words. 'I know it's just us here, but is it really okay for us to talk this openly about the crown prince?' I was thinking hard about how to react, when the other ladies chimed in.

"I agree. I honestly don't think anyone would want to become the crown princess."

Even though I sympathized with them since the rumors, as well as the original novel, described what a terrifying person he was, there was a reason why I didn't get involved in the slander. 'I heard the crown prince knows everything the people say behind his back…' This wasn't because he was an almighty character with superpowers, but it was because of an information guild he secretly ran. 'If I could, I would trample him into a fine dust.' However, as the owner of a terrible fate, I couldn't afford to speak ill of him. 'I might end up with different problems if I join in.'

Suddenly, the rumors around me started to get more intense. "I heard that even the former empress had shunned the crown prince."

"You're right. He's apparently had a horrible personality from when he was young."

My face hardened at those words. 'I don't think I should let this continue.' Until now, I had done everything I could to avoid the crown prince. It would be awfully unfair if I were put back on my route to eventual death just because some people had gossiped about him at the mansion I lived in. 'I'm trying my best to avoid the crown prince… I can't let them be.'

For this reason, I spoke carefully while remaining conscious of the crown prince's informant who might be listening somewhere nearby. "Isn't it too early to be jumping to conclusions when we haven't seen him yet? He might be more generous than we think."

When I had finished speaking, I noticed that the noblewomen were all giving me sour looks.

"Oh, I guess… that might be true."

"I-I agree!"

"You're right."

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward as everyone began to stutter. I was well aware that I had blurted out nonsense, but they were never going to know that I had just saved them from their deaths. 'Do I really have to go this far to do this? I'm already busy trying to take care of myself…' I was feeling a little distressed when someone commented.

"You're so easy-going, Lady Floyen. To have such a positive mindset… You're such a role model."

It was ambiguous whether she was being sarcastic or praising me, but it didn't matter. Either way, I was tired, so I didn't want to spend a long teatime with them. They were probably not too happy to be with me, either. 'I'll have to empty the teapot quickly so they can go home.' With this thought in mind, I diligently drank my tea. 'Ah, it's hotter than I thought it would be.' It felt like I had slightly burnt my tongue, but I acted like nothing happened. Instead, I was now rolling my rough tongue in my mouth.

"I agree," Max, who was quietly drinking his tea next to me, suddenly voiced.

'He agrees…? I guess he means that I look easy-going.' With this thought, I put down my teacup. I could see my reflection in his pretty scarlet eyes that resembled garnet gems or even pomegranates. 'He gives off such a strong impression for a side character,' I thought, when I noticed a change in his expression. The edges of his lips lifted as his mouth formed a crescent-shaped line and his eyes curved gently. Now that he was smiling, he looked completely different. When he was expressionless, he appeared cold-hearted, but now, with a smile on his face, he looked friendly. 'He's so good at acting. People might think that he really likes me,' I thought nonsensically as I held back my laughter.

"The fact that you don't believe in rumors or judge others hastily is a great mindset to have… my lady," he noted.

The laughter bubbling inside me subsided when I noticed something strange with what he had said. 'This guy… He almost spoke informally again.' It was frustrating to see him continue making the same mistake, especially since this wasn't his first time doing so. He should have gotten used to it by now.

'Be careful,' I thought as I sent Max a glare.

"I agree as well," Rose suddenly stated, sympathizing with Max. When I gave her a peculiar look, she smiled sweetly at me in return. "Come to think of it, we've realized a lot of things from what has happened recently," she said.

'Realized what?'

I was puzzled by her words, when she elaborated. "I mean about you, Lady Floyen. I actually thought you would be a scary person like the rumors said."

At her confession, I felt a prick at my conscience. 'I actually was a scary person not too long ago.'

Rose, who had no idea what I was thinking, continued. "But when I exchanged letters with you, I could tell that you were a really sweet and kind person."

I felt odd hearing the words 'sweet and kind person' being used to describe me as I had only pretended to be that way so that others wouldn't grow hostile towards me. Because of that, I started to feel a little guilty.

"I agree."

"Me, too."

The noblewomen who concurred with Rose's words were Mary Ann and Catherine. Although they were side characters in the novel, later on, they would become close friends with the princess in the future.

"Lady Floyen must have harmed Her Highness!"

"She's right. I definitely saw her hand over the glass!"

Since they were originally people who would come to antagonize me, I became dubious at the sight of them expressing their favor towards me.