𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐈𝐀 ╾╾ THE REMARRIED EMPRESS

IX

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"I envy Lady Rashta's alluring silver hair and dark eyes."

"Doesn't her elegance remind you of lilies of the valley?"

Ji-yoon blushed from the flattering, her cheeks flushing quickly. She covered her smile with a hand, surprised that so many nobles were talking positively about her (for once!).

'Even though they're complementing Rashta and not me, I feel really good.' The blancette thought, using her long eyelashes like elegant curtains, hiding her beautiful glazed eyes.

A few young nobles came up to her, gushing and flattering her, causing her to quietly sigh contently, letting a feeling of contentment wash over her as she mingled with the ladies.

"Lady Rashta, are you coming to the special banquet?" A lady asked.

Her eyes constricted, holding her wine glass tightly.

"Ah, she declined the invitation." Verona suddenly stated. She had already infomed Verona and Valerie that she wouldn't be able to attend the banquet.

"Right! I felt it would be better for someone who was better placed to represent us." Ji-yoon explained.

"Oh my, you are far too smart to remain a mere mistress!"

"I agree. The previous mistresses had no interest in the affairs of the state. But you are different!"

She laughed nervously. 'You can add me to that list...'

The ladies continued showering her with compliments, so many that she felt she may not have enough time to thank each lady.

"Thank you all so much. But I have to do my part to thank the emperor for taking me in."

'I'm not ignored or forgotten here at all.'

'I'm important. Nobody will dare to threaten me or any-'

She noticed a brown-haired man in the crowd, who seemed to be staring at her.

"Is everything all right, Miss Rashta?" Valerie asked worriedly, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She shook her head. "Everything's fine. I just thought I saw someone familiar." She waved her hand, signaling everyone to continue talking. 'Where have I seen him before...?'

"So, it seems like I wasn't mistaken."

Suddenly, it hit her. She attempted to turn around, but the man had already approached her and the crowd of nobles. Ji-yoon nervously faced the man, who looked so scary even with his groomed attire.

"Lady Rashta?" He repeated. "It looks like you're moving up in the world."

'No! I had a sinking feeling I shouldn't have come!'

'It's Viscount Lotteshu!'

"You have people treating you like a lady even though you're a runaway slave."

Ji-yoon clenched her hands. "I'm not a slave. I think... you're mistaking me for someone."

The viscount scoffed. "Whatever do you mean? Hiding among nobles when you're just a measly slave. Tsk, tsk." He spat out the word like it was staining his tongue. "How disgusting."

"Treating humans like dirt just because of their ancestors' mistakes is disgusting." Ji-yoon retorted, quickly covering her mouth.

Everyone watched in silence, a few people whispering. Valerie reached a hand out to stop Ji-yoon, but Verona stopped her.