"You have no idea of what Julietta's past is or where she could go?"

"Correct, Your Highness."

Lillian's words made Killian stand up, judging that he had nothing more to dig out. "It's been a long time since we met, so I'd better leave you alone. Do you mind if I send someone to ask you something next time?"

When he said he would come back if anything suspicious was found, Lillian replied freely, while her heart pounded, "Yes, Your Highness. I'll tell you everything I know."

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7. Debut

Days after returning to Dublin was Princess Kiellini's first outing. She visited the Eileen Theater to see the opera with her aunt, Marquise Raban.

The long-lost princess had announced that even after returning to Dublin, she would refuse all invitations until she made a formal debut in society. The outing of such a veiled princess of Kiellini was naturally a matter of great interest. People rushed to book a performance for the night.

Upon entering the hall of the Eileen Theater, Julietta lowered the hood of the cloak she was wearing to keep away the eyes of the crowd. Simone's orders were not to be seen as much as possible before her official debut.

Christine, who had just returned from Austern, was among those looking at Princess Kiellini, who went straight into the VIP seat under the heavy escort of some knights.

"I guess it's true that there's a nasty blot on the princess's face."

"They said it was from a disease? That's terrible."

"I heard Madame Louai has never seen the princess in person."

"It's unfortunate. She can't help but show up in society because she has to succeed the Duke."

As the lady of Count Patrick, the center of social rumors and a social b.u.t.terfly, whispered at the appearance from behind of Princess Kiellini, the ladies around her began to bring up stories they had heard from one another.

It was a time when strange rumors began to spread over the actions of the princess. She had not been seen even after returning to Dublin, even while refusing invitations from various sources.

The ladies, curious about the soon-to-be rival Princess Kiellini, rushed to the dressing room of Madame Louai, who was in charge of her wardrobe. Rumors gained weight when Madame Louai, who had prepared the princess's clothes for more than ten years, said she had never seen the princess herself.

Regina was thought to be very vain, and was rumored to have been living in hiding because of an ugly mole on her face. The whole thing started because Regina did not want to reveal her frail, lifeless appearance to the public, and confined herself in the Territory without showing herself.

"Lady Anais, aren't you a cousin of the princess? It's been a while since you've met. Shouldn't you say h.e.l.lo to her?"

The ladies who wanted to see the ugly princess's face began to urge Christine.

---

Christine had hurried away from Bertino after Killian headed straight to the Imperial Castle, returning to Austern. She thought that since she was so close to him in Bertino, she would be able to exchange greetings. But the only words delivered to her after she visited Killian's castle was a formal reply that he was not receiving visitors.

Christine, a niece of the first Queen, was denied by Prince Killian after going to the castle of Asta. The humiliation that Christine had suffered was likely to spread throughout the social world soon. Christine, her pride stung, turned around, still determined to marry Killian.

Believing that she could not let her relations.h.i.+p with the Prince, which had been thought to have grown closer, slip away again, she moved a.s.siduously to meet him as soon as she heard that Marquis Rhodius was scheduled to visit the Eileen Theater today.

As the Marquis moved with Killian, she would ask him about the Prince and learn what he had been saying about her. Also, it was necessary to show today that she was close to the Prince's close friend, the Marquis of Rhodius, to appease the rejection after going as far as Asta Castle.

After calculating about so many situations, Christine, who had been wandering the hall to look for the Marquis. ran into the young ladies who had booked the theater in a hurry to see Princess Kiellini.

---

They knew that Christine had followed Prince Killian to Bertino, so they began sneering at her. As high society's unique shattering attacks were being brought forth, Princess Kiellini entered the room alone.

Lady Patrick and other ladies realized that they would be in the spotlight if they met Princess Kiellini today. They changed their derisive att.i.tude and began to flatter their target, thinking of following Christine when she went to greet her cousin, the princess.

"That's right, Lady Anais. You must have been worried about Princess Kiellini's illness, right? It must be nice of you to meet her like this."

"Well, I'm just back in Austern, so I just want to enjoy my favorite opera quietly today. I am her cousin, as you say. We can meet at any time, so it's better to promise next time than to say h.e.l.lo in such an uncomfortable place."

Christine nodded an arrogant greeting to the young ladies who had quickly changed their att.i.tudes and turned toward her box seat.

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