B-ronken-R-ing 159...

Inés shuddered as though she had witnessed something horrifying, and the hatred deep in her eyes suddenly disappeared, as though she had taken off a mask.

"As the source of that unfounded rumor, you must be well aware of its falsehood. You are His Majesty's daughter, Dolores. What could you possibly lack? What compels you to treat others this way?"

"What do I lack? I am denied a surname. Even lowly merchants carry a family name, yet I, despite being the emperor's daughter, have none. I am beneath a mere lumberjack's daughter. You have always looked down on me for this, Inés Valeztena."

"In truth, I have never paid you any mind. Not until you sullied my reputation."

"You odious Perez wench!" Dolores had gritted out.

Dolores had never been granted the surnames of Valenza and Ortega, nor the surname of her birth mother's husband, Count Fernandez. Her mother's family had also refused to grant her their name, so she couldn't even use her mother's maiden name. There was only one surname allowed to such children born of nobility but rejected by all at birth.

"You do have a surname," Inés had told her.

"What?"

"Dolores Signorelli."

Dolores had glared at her, her lips quivering with indignation.

"The name that signifies those whose existence was not granted by God," Inés added.

"How dare you suggest that foul name given to orphans on the street-"

"That is how you are always referred to in documents you cannot see. Most of the noble houses that rejected you claimed that they couldn't possibly place such a lowly name on their registers, while others made the excuse that they dare not accept the great honor of granting their name to a child so cherished by the empress, asserting you are far too precious for the likes of them. But if Her Majesty's love for you was as profound as everyone claims, why would she have subjected you to the shame of being a Signorelli?"

Inés had said the last part more out of a desire to retaliate against the empress rather than out of spite toward Dolores.

Empress Cayetana's numerous attempts to alienate her from both her family and her husband had distressed her. Inés had wished to avenge herself and drive a wedge between the empress and the daughter she cherished by sowing seeds of doubt and discord.

Inés recalled hearing that Dolores had gone straight to the empress afterward, crying her eyes out before fainting on the spot. Was I twenty-four or twenty-five at that point? Inés turned her gaze away from Dolores, who was now laughing brightly before her brother. Oscar's intense gaze toward Inés kept intruding into her thoughts, tainting even her good memories.

Inés was unaware of how the deep conflict between mother and daughter that had started that day had concluded, or how things had played out after her own death. How long had Cayetana, after being profoundly disappointed by Oscar, endured Dolores, her only joy in life? As the empress had raised her foster daughter to be just like herself, Dolores would not have been an easy obstacle to remove. Inés decided to keep that delightful thought of the empress's misfortune in the back of her mind, regardless of what had ultimately happened.

Soon, after two elegant dances, Inés spied Dolores leaving Oscar behind and approaching their table.

Inés looked up at her and smiled softly.

"Inés Valeztena! How long has it been?"

"It's been a while, Dolores."

Dolores was evidently interested in how Alicia was sitting beside Inés. Unlike Alicia's innocent act, Dolores's demeanor exuded a refined politeness and affection that made her kind, pretty face light up. She acted as though she had reunited with an old friend, just as she had often done during their childhood in this life.

Though Inés had quickly been labeled the Crow of House Valeztena and had been the source of terror and anxiety among the other young noble ladies, Dolores, who was three years younger than her, had always treated her differently. She seemed oblivious to Inés's unfriendly attitude or hostile gaze, always approaching her with the same bright smile on her angelic face.

To consider this a mere pretense to appear to be kindhearted would be to underestimate the girl. That pretty little head of hers had always calculated every single angle, after all. Dolores had bolstered her own image by showing the world that she would not be intimidated by the daughter of House Valeztena. Moreover, she had known her charitable grace as the princess would stand out next to Inés, whose noble status as a Valeztena was marred her unsociable demeanor. Dolores was well aware that extending a small act of feigned kindness to Inés would make herself shine all the brighter and enhance her reputation further.

Dolores's adeptness at maintaining appearances likely stemmed from her desire to be emulate the empress. Inés often wondered whether Dolores would have tried so hard if she had been the empress's legitimate daughter.

Dolores covered her lips with the tips of her fingers, emitting a soft gasp. "Oh, I nearly forgot. It's Escalante now."

"Yes, it is."

"Inés Escalante. Goodness, it sounds so strange!" Dolores exclaimed, her smile radiant as she tilted her head to the side.

Dolores's childhood and adulthood in this life mirrored those of her past life. The crown prince's sister had a knack for bringing her targets to ruin by subtly manipulating public sentiment without ever soiling her hands, even as a child. As an adult, she had fanned the flames of Alicia's jealous fury while pretending ignorance and waited for Inés Valeztena, the crown princess, to fall deeper into despair as she smiled on the sidelines. The Dolores of this life was indeed no different, except that she had yet to taste despair herself.

Inés had to admit that if anything, Dolores was consistent in her nature. The young woman before her now was veiled under layers of meticulously crafted masks, but her true desires were simple and her resolve relentless.

"I don't know, I've grown accustomed to it now," Inés commented.

"That's not all that has changed. How did you become so beautiful?"

"Is it necessary for someone of your noble standing to flatter others?"

"Flatter? Oh no, Inés, you truly are stunning. You are practically glowing! How did you conceal such beauty in the past?"

"I should inform you that I cannot offer you anything, regardless of your intent behind this flattery," said Inés curtly.

"I am being sincere. This dinner party is held by my dear brother in honor of my return to Mendoza, and yet all eyes are fixed on Inés Escalante, as though this occasion were all about you. Even my brother is captivated by you. I am almost jealous!" Dolores let out an exaggerated sigh and sat down across from Inés, blatantly ignoring Alicia's presence.

Inés shrugged lightly. "You must be mistaken. Lady Alicia is right beside me, after all. Perhaps you thought he was glancing at me when he was truly looking at her."

"I can tell, Inés. He was so busy stealing glances at you while we danced that he didn't even notice me stepping all over his feet."

Out of the corner of her eye, Inés saw Alicia clenching the skirt of her dress. It was impossible for Dolores not to have noticed the nearly palpable gloom at Inés's right side, quite contrary to the mellow atmosphere of the party, but she entirely ignored it.

"In other words, my brother has made you look even better. Everyone knows how disinterested he is in women. Your beauty has drawn even his virtuous gaze... What happened to you in Calztela, hmm?"

"It's a beautiful place. And I fared well there," Inés replied simply.

"Her Majesty expressed to me that it was not a suitable place for young ladies of noble birth. It was quite startling to witness your beauty at your nuptial mass, but I didn't expect it to last. Was it Cárcel Escalante who gave you that smile as a marriage gift?" Dolores raised a wine glass to her lips, adding in a quiet mumble, "I expected you to only ever smile derisively your whole life."

Inés gave her a cold smile. "I suppose the Crow has learned to soften its heart."

"You cannot possibly call yourself a crow when you are as lovely as a summer blossom."

It was Dolores who had first likened her to a crow. Inés rested her chin against her hand, releasing a small huff of wry laughter.

"Let us put such unpleasant talk behind us, Inés. I am overjoyed that you have married into House Escalante. That makes us family now."

"I suppose so."

"Since you are married to my cousin, it makes us cousins as well, does it not?" Dolores said brightly.

"No, you are simply my husband's cousin." And technically not even that, Inés added internally as she met Dolores's gaze.

Dolores smiled kindly, whispering, "Don't be so distant."

"Who's being distant?" a voice interrupted.

Alicia, who had remained silent like she were invisible, hurriedly rose to her feet and politely greeted Oscar, who was still a few steps away. "Your Highness."

Inés took a moment longer to stand and acknowledge him, acting as though she hadn't noticed him approach, then quickly resumed her seat, treating him as nothing more than another young nobleman. Oscar smiled and called for an attendant to bring more food and drink to the table.

"So, who is the one being distant?" he asked again.

"Inés of House Escalante, of course. Who else?" Dolores responded teasingly.

"Please be kind to my sister, Inés. She still has much to learn, and she is currently in a phase where she has a nasty attitude."

"Brother!" Dolores exclaimed in a playful outrage.

"Do you deny it, Dolores? It seems to be the reason you are prying and pestering everyone."

"You held this party in my honor, did you not?" she retorted with a pout.

"I am seated between Your Highness's sister to my left and your betrothed to my right. I do not believe I am in a position to treat anyone here with nothing less than kindness," said Inés in a serious tone, cutting off the affectionate banter between the siblings and taking a quick glance at Alicia. Inés pretended not to notice how Oscar's gaze lingered on her face alone. "Oh, and Lady Alicia has endured quite a bit of boredom. I am grateful for her company, but I felt terrible for failing to entertain her."

"No, not at all, Lady Escalante. I-"

"She declined every young nobleman's request to dance out of loyalty to Your Highness, and endured such a long wait. Why not indulge Lady Alicia with a dance next?" Inés suggested.

Oscar's eyes finally followed Inés's to land on Alicia. There was an obvious lack of interest and even annoyance in his gaze as he regarded his betrothed.

Then he donned an incredibly kind smile. "Alicia, you are allowed to dance with other gentlemen."

"No, I... very few have asked, Your Highness. Lady Escalante was simply trying to be gracious, and-"

"There is no reason for you to make me look so narrow-minded as to forbid my betrothed from dancing at an evening party."

"I-I did not... I was feeling indisposed, you see. I had no intention of tarnishing your reputation, Your Highness..." Alicia responded timidly.

"My betrothed claims to be unwell," said Oscar with a shrug. "I was looking forward to it, but it seems I have lost my next dance partner, Inés. Would you honor me with a dance in her stead?"

"What a shame. I too have been sitting here all this time due to my own indisposition," Inés replied dryly.

"Lady Escalante, unless you are feeling too indisposed to move at all... would you dance with His Highness in my stead?" Alicia asked.

Inés regarded her blankly, doubting what she had just heard. The Alicia she knew had jealousy flowing through her veins, not blood. Had she reached such a desperate state that she was willing to push another woman at Oscar voluntarily to gain his favor? Inés felt the urge to bark out a caustic laugh.

The fact that Alicia Barca was accepting this humiliating situation without a fight and practically steering her life into a cesspool of her own accord was none of her concern.

But how dare she offer me up as a sacrifice? For nothing but a scheming smile from that despicable hound? Just to get his measly approval? How dare she push me toward him for something so vile.

Inés suppressed her fury before speaking. "Both of your suggestions are indeed a great honor, but my indisposition is far worse than Lady Alicia's, seeing that she has been able to walk around quite well.

Hence, I must decline."

"But Lady Escalante, you cannot so rudely turn down His Highness when he wishes to-"

"Inés is ill, Alicia. We should not distress her further."

That was the moment Alicia's expression crumbled completely.

The moment Inés dared to reject Oscar, despite him having rejected Alicia herself moments earlier, and the moment Oscar brushed off Inés's insolence as if he had expected it. Alicia entirely forgot to maintain her mask of innocence, her expression contorting into one of unadulterated fury, as though Inés had gravely offended her and as though she couldn't believe that Oscar was overlooking her rude behavior. She didn't even seem to realize that Inés was staring straight at her.

"How about you retire and rest now, Inés? You'd better get some rest before tomorrow's Formente competition," Oscar suggested.

"Regrettably, I won't be able to attend. I am sure it will become a happy memory for Lady Alicia before her marriage," Inés responded curtly.

"Yes, I am looking forward to it. It would bring me even greater joy if you were to come with me, Lady Escalante," Alicia put in.

"Listen to her, Inés. As Cárcel is unfortunately not present, I shall dedicate a flower wreath to you in my dear cousin's stead. Alicia won't mind."

"Indeed, I won't, Lady Escalante."

"And if you were to both wear flower wreaths from the crown prince, it would be even more marvelous."

That would certainly be the case. With just a few exaggerated rumors, this would turn Inés Escalante into a lover of the crown prince even his fiancée approves of. Whether the purpose was to insult Cárcel Escalante, who was supposedly madly in love with his wife, or simply to satisfy his disgusting interest in her, it would indeed be marvelous for the crown prince.

Inés turned away from Alicia's pale face. Oscar smiled sweetly as their eyes met, as though he had just proposed something quite romantic. A rude and ice-cold rejection was on the tip of her tongue. She couldn't suppress it, so it reminded her of having to throw up. She was so nauseated that her head began to spin.

And through the grating noise of the party, a voice called out her name. The moment felt entirely unreal.

"Inés."

That single call was enough to erase all of her thoughts from her mind, like waves receding from a beach at tide. Inés got to her feet and slowly turned toward the voice that had called out to her a few steps away.

Cárcel stood under a tree, smiling, with his arms wide open. Inés's cold demeanor melted away as she beamed and ran toward him.