The target (1)

"Viscountess Tierney, you look paler than usual. You also break out in a cold sweat. Are you sure you okay?"

The comment from the palace maid helping Mariette made Linda act quickly. "Could you check on Princess Louisa now? Let me handle Her Ladyship from here on out."

"Oh, okay. I will be right back. Excuse me for a moment, My Lady."

As soon as the maid left, Linda immediately turned to Mariette. "My Lady," she called in a worried tone. Her hand clasped Mariette's hand. "Since this morning you have eaten very little. No. You've been eating very little lately."

"That's because I'm busy, Linda," Mariette lied. "I'm fine."

Linda looks in disbelief. "If you continue like this, I will send a letter to Mr. Emmanuele."

"Sounds like a mother threatening her child for refusing to eat."

"My Lady, this is no time for jokes," Linda sighed. She started doing Mariette's hair.

Sooner or later, the people around her would notice the change in Mariette. She just hasn't been in the mood to eat lately and it's going to be a long time. Gradually her body will definitely take care. There seemed to be no way for Mariette other than forcing herself to eat her usual portion.

I'm not sure I can do it, Mariette thought, clutching her stomach.

Linda caught the small gesture. She looked at Mariette in horror. "My Lady... You didn't come home that time, right?" she asked timidly.

"Linda, I haven't been home much lately."

"No. That time… About a month ago…"

Mariette thought hard. She's been so busy lately that she can't remember what she's been up to. "I don't remember what was up with a month ago."

"Excuse me if I am presumptuous, My Lady. I will ask clearly then," Linda said seriously. "Did you - um - spend the night with Sir Valent recently?"

Mariette seemed to know what Linda meant. "I'm not pregnant with Sir Anatole's child, Linda," she said reassuringly.

"Then… why did you–"

At the same time, the previous maid came and told Mariette that Princess Louisa was almost ready. Linda forgot what she wanted to say and quickly finished her work.

The final touch to Mariette's make-up was to attach a blue sapphire brooch that Anatole had given her. A brooch whose jewel is a special hallmark of the Valent family. Wearing the brooch could be proof that Mariette was related to them.

Even today, Mariette uses a dress with shades of blue and peach. Blue for Valent and peach for Tierney. She doesn't know how people will react.

"Oh, Mariette! Your dress…!" greeted Louisa when Mariette met her. "I feel like I missed something big. You didn't tell me anything."

"Because there really isn't anything I need to tell you, Your Highness," said Mariette.

"But… You are a bit pale―"

Mariette approached Louisa and smoothed her hair a little. "You look wonderful in that dress," he cut in quickly.

Louisa smiled broadly, then twirled once in a white dress that blended with blue and gold threads. The crystals that adorn the dress look sparkling. "I really like the dress. Please convey my thanks to the designer and tailor later," she said.

"Of course, Your Highness," said Mariette. "Then let's head out now. Sir Elroy should have fetched you."

Sure enough, Elroy was waiting in the foyer of the Prince's Palace.

The maids who accompanied her, including Louisa, were stunned by Elroy's appearance that night. His white suit with gold blended perfectly with his now neatly styled blonde hair.

"Ladies, I know that my daily appearance is a mess. But please don't stare at me like that," Elroy pleaded in an embarrassed tone.

And instead of obeying, they started teasing Elroy. They enjoyed how embarrassed his reaction was. Not to mention his flushed face. Elroy suddenly became very handsome and adorable at the same time.

What was I thinking just now? thought Mariette, then looked away as she met Elroy's eyes.

"Then I leave Princess Louisa with you, Sir Elroy," said Mariette. She tapped Louisa on the shoulder. "This afternoon I heard that someone wanted to cause trouble. But their target wasn't Princess Louisa. Even so, I want you to protect it well."

"What? Who?" she demanded.

"You don't need to worry about it, Your Highness. The target was me," Mariette replied.

"Then―" Elroy immediately covered his mouth.

Mariette glanced at him. "I will be fine. No madman would dare to mess around in the Palace. I've already said this to the Imperial Knights anyway. They must have done something."

"Even so, be careful, Mariette," said Louisa worriedly.

"Sorry for making you anxious at your debutante ball, Princess Louisa. Just enjoy the party tonight. This day was made especially for you, so have fun." Mariette tried to smile. "I'll go first then. Congratulations on your debut, Princess Louisa. Hopefully you can be a good woman for this kingdom."

Louisa suddenly hugged Mariette. "Thank you, Mariette. This is all thanks to your teachings and hard work."

***

"Mariette."

A strong and firm hand wrapped around Mariette's waist. He turned and found Anatole already beside him.

"My, my. What's with that nickname?" asked Louie. "It seems I've missed something big."

Exactly what Louisa said earlier, Mariette thought. "Nothing happened, Your Highness. Sir Anatole has always been my companion," he said calmly.

"I'm sorry I just arrived, Prince Louie," Anatole greeted. He turned to Mariette. "You look pale."

"Right? Count Lavaud thought so too," Louie said.

"I'm fine. I just didn't have time to eat," Mariette lied.

"Oh, I feel so sorry for you, Mariette," Louie said guiltily. "Then eat a lot tonight. What would you like to eat? Sir Anatole, if you are indeed her companion, take a closer look at Mariette."

Anatole let out a long breath. He and Mariette exchanged glances. "Come on, let's find a seat first."

They both said goodbye to Louie.

"I'm fine," said Mariette.

"But you're really pale. You're also breaking out in a cold sweat like this." Anatole rubbed Mariette's forehead. That small gesture seemed to attract the attention of several people around them. "How about you rest after Princess Louisa enters?"

"I can't. I have to watch over the banquet until it's over."

"Then, want me to get some food?"

Mariette furrowed her brows. She could already imagine how the food would taste in her mouth. "No, thank you."

Anatole looked alert at once. "What's wrong with you? Are you sick?" he whispered.

"Well, let's say so… Sir Anatole?"

Anatole was now really close to Mariette. His expression was serious. "Something happened to your body, right?" his whisper sounded quieter. "You don't…"

"No," Mariette said. "You gave the same expression as Linda earlier, Sir Anatole. I'm not pregnant," she said.

"So what?"

At a time like this, no one would help him. So Mariette decided to say it.

"It seems… my sense of taste has completely disappeared."