The Villainous Lady Doesn't Speak Chapter 117

The Wind Blows from the Imperial Country 9

The exhibition was held in the largest garden located on the northern side of the royal palace, the very garden that could be seen from the grand hall where yesterday's ceremony took place. The garden, designed with a symmetrical layout, was filled with vibrant flowers in full bloom, providing a visual treat just by strolling through it. From the grand hall, one could enjoy the splendid view of the garden extending into the forest beyond. However, walking within the garden itself offered a chance to appreciate the meticulously crafted statues depicting famous legends and secret flower gardens that seemed perfect for romantic rendezvous.

The venue for the exhibition was set up on the palace side of this garden. Under the clear blue sky, tables were arranged, displaying various specialties brought from different regions. Participants could freely visit the different booths, enjoying wine, smelling perfumes, and voting for their favorite items.

Naturally, Riley, being a member of the royal family, and Prince Roland and Princess Edith of the Yunatian Empire could not mingle with the other participants as they wandered through the garden. Instead, a special guest seating area was prepared in one corner of the garden, where they were to judge the top specialties selected by the general participants.

"I'm glad the weather is nice today, Sasha."

"Yes, indeed."

Riley smiled cheerfully as he spoke to Liliana, who was walking beside him. Although she wondered why she was there, Liliana convinced herself that it was necessary to make it clear to everyone that she was almost certainly Riley's fiancée.

While the general participants were casting their votes, Riley and Liliana guided Prince Roland and Princess Edith around the garden. The flora native to the western regions of the Yunatian Empire were not much different from those found in the Kingdom of Slibegrad, but since the imperial capital, Tutelary, was located in the eastern region, there were some unfamiliar flowers.

"Lord Riley, this garden is simply beautiful. Do you have a favorite spot?"

Princess Edith, who had been happily walking with Prince Roland, suddenly turned to Riley and asked. No matter how many times she was corrected, she never stopped addressing Riley by his familiar name. Riley seemed to have finally given up, though he still stubbornly addressed her as "Princess Edith."

"The gardeners have put their hearts into crafting this place, so I’m sure they would be delighted to hear your praise. Every corner is beautiful, and I can't possibly choose a favorite spot. I hope there's a place here that pleases you as well, Princess Edith."

"Oh, I’ve told you to call me Edith."

Princess Edith pouted her cheeks in a cute manner, a gesture meant to charm others. However, for Riley, who was only a year older than Liliana, it had the opposite effect, causing his heart to distance itself. As someone who had been thoroughly educated that royal and imperial family members must behave in a manner befitting their station, Riley was drawn to Liliana’s thoughtfulness but found Princess Edith’s free-spirited nature exhausting.

Riley let out a small sigh, audible only to Liliana, and shifted his gaze to her.

"You seem a bit tired."

Liliana expressed her concern through the bracelet they shared. Riley quietly responded, "A little, yes."

"My circle of acquaintances is rather limited, isn’t it? Ever since I was young, I’ve only been allowed to associate with those whom my guardians approved of. When I was small, I thought it was just normal, but now, looking back—everyone I knew had been taught the same values and received the same education."

"That is true."

Liliana easily accepted his reasoning, as it made perfect sense.

Riley's oldest acquaintance was Austin, who had also undergone rigorous upper-class education. The way they spoke, their manners, their thoughts, and their words were all cultivated to be “befitting their station.” From the time they could barely speak, they were taught to address their father as “Father” and their mother as “Mother.” Riley’s “friends,” though not to the same extent, had all been educated in a similar manner. And because Riley was the Crown Prince, none of them dared to defy his wishes. Austin was the most assertive among Riley’s friends, but even he respected Riley’s boundaries.

Of course, as the Crown Prince, Riley understood that he had to interact skillfully with any type of person. He was aware of this and had practiced to some extent, but even so, dealing with someone like Princess Edith, who wouldn’t listen no matter how many times he told her, was mentally exhausting. Compared to lower-ranked nobles and commoners, Princess Edith spoke more politely for her age, but even then, her childish tone and mannerisms were a source of discomfort for Riley, who was used to interacting with more composed individuals.

"My apologies for keeping you waiting. The general participants' votes have been tallied, so I will now escort you to the guest seating area."

Count Mellars, who was overseeing the exhibition, approached them at the right moment. With Prince Roland leading the way, the four of them headed to the guest seating area, where the top-ranked specialties, as chosen by the general participants, were beautifully arranged. Although they were referred to as general participants, they were all nobles with refined tastes, so only the finest selections remained.

"Oh, how adorable!”

When Princess Edith spotted the perfume bottle, she exclaimed in delight. The beautifully crafted glass bottle, created using the finest craftsmanship and magic, was incredibly expensive and not widely available to the public. It was a luxury reserved exclusively for a select few among royalty and nobility, not only in the Kingdom of Slibegrad but also in the Yunatian Empire of Unity. Normally, perfume wouldn’t be stored in such bottles, so it was likely a special item made exclusively for this showcase.

Being featured in this showcase meant that the product would gain significant exposure across the Kingdom of Slibegrad, and it could also fetch high prices when sold to nobles from other nations. This was why the lords and producers from various regions were so fiercely determined to compete on this particular day.

Without a word, Liliana followed Riley's lead and took a seat beside him. None of them had listened to the explanations of the showcased products. Only the ones that had passed the general participants' votes would be presented and explained to them. The first product introduced was wine. The lord of a region in the southern part of the Kingdom of Slibegrad passionately described the climate of his domain, the meticulous care taken in grape cultivation, and the unique methods of preservation that set his wine apart. While Princess Edith seemed rather uninterested, both Riley and Liliana were deeply engrossed in the presentation.

Liliana glanced at Prince Roland, who was seated next to Riley, and blinked in surprise.

(Oh, how unexpected...)

She silently noted that initial impressions could be deceiving. Despite rumors of his dullness, the prince’s languid demeanor was betrayed by the sharp focus in his eyes.

“That concludes my presentation. Is there anything I may have missed in my explanation?” 

The viscount, who rarely had the chance to meet royalty, nervously wiped the sweat from his brow after finishing his explanation. Riley gave him a gentle smile.

"Your explanation was very clear. Thank you. Prince Roland, Princess Edith, do you have any questions?"

Riley turned to the two royals with his customary polite smile. Princess Edith shook her head silently, while Prince Roland stroked his chin thoughtfully.

“Wine tends to have a short shelf life. How do you address that?”

"Ah, well, yes. We make sure to keep the wine barrels full at all times. Additionally, we mix in dried, boiled grape seeds and ash from the burnt remnants of white wine mash. This helps preserve the wine for longer."

Liliana blinked again, this time in genuine surprise, and stole a glance at Prince Roland, seated on the other side of Riley. It seemed the rumors were indeed just that—rumors. As the prince pointed out, wine did have a short shelf life. While temperature control could be managed if a mage were employed, not every estate could afford to hire one. Moreover, the concept of sterilization didn’t exist in this world. As a result, only the aristocracy close to the production areas could enjoy the finest wines, while nobles living further away—and certainly the commoners—had no access to the best vintages.

Prince Roland nodded thoughtfully in response to the viscount’s explanation, though it didn’t seem to particularly intrigue him. It was likely that the Yunatian Empire of Unity employed similar methods.

(But if glass bottles are already available, using cork stoppers would be enough. The only issue is that blown glass isn’t suitable for mass production...)

The short shelf life of wine was primarily due to inadequate storage methods. Specifically, the lack of airtight sealing was the problem. Since glass bottles were costly, wine was stored in barrels. If not barrels, then ceramic or leather containers were used, all of which allowed for oxidation and bacterial growth. Though mass-producing glass bottles might not be feasible, if it became possible, simply using cork stoppers would significantly improve the preservation of wine.

(Even with magic, the current technology and knowledge wouldn't support mass production of glass bottles...)

Liliana quickly set aside her thoughts. Next to her, Riley was also asking the viscount several questions. The viscount, still sweating, answered them one by one, and when Riley finally thanked him with a smile, the viscount visibly relaxed and returned to the seat reserved for the presenters.

After the wine presentations were complete, it was time for the actual tasting, where they would select the finest wine. Prince Roland, being sixteen, tasted the wine directly, while the others sipped only a diluted version.

(It's difficult to discern much difference when it's diluted...)

Liliana thought to herself as she placed her glass down. Even so, it was clear that the participants had put their hearts and souls into this showcase, so she carefully assessed the color, aroma, and taste before selecting just one.

After the wine tasting came the perfumes. Among them was the bottle Princess Edith had deemed adorable. Several noblemen and women took turns explaining their creations, and when the final, confident presenter stepped forward, Liliana discreetly widened her eyes in recognition.

“Your Highnesses, it is an honor to present to you.”

Smiling sweetly, the speaker was none other than Lady Malvina Tanner, the daughter of Marquis Tanner. She was one of Riley’s potential fiancées. Although it was rumored that her training to become the crown princess wasn’t going particularly well, she seemed convinced that she was destined to be the next crown princess, often speaking ill of Liliana’s inability to speak. Even now, Lady Malvina was entirely ignoring both Liliana and Princess Edith, focusing solely on Riley and Prince Roland.

(She’s not just unfit to be crown princess—she's a failure as a marquis’s daughter.)

Inwardly, Liliana couldn't help but feel exasperated. Standing gracefully behind Malvina with a serene smile was her brother, who was fourteen years her senior. As the heir to the marquisate, he was said to be a frequent presence in high society, and unlike their father, the current head of the family, he was known to be an ambitious man. Stepping forward with a grand gesture, he bowed deeply.

"It is a supreme honor to be granted an audience today, and to present the finest perfume from the Tanner Marquisate is an unparalleled joy and privilege for our house."

Unlike his sister, his demeanor was impeccable, a reflection of his awareness of his responsibilities as the future head of the family, despite his ambitions. Prince Roland and Riley both nodded in response. Malvina, instructed by her brother to step back, reluctantly obeyed, moving aside with a displeased expression. As she did so, she shot a glare at Liliana, who was seated beside Riley. Though Liliana kept her smile intact, she quietly sighed to herself.

As the marquis's son explained the herbs and extraction methods used in the perfume, Liliana silently prayed that Malvina would refrain from making any inappropriate comments. Malvina, convinced that she was destined to be Riley's fiancée, likely resented Liliana for what she perceived as overstepping her role. Unaware of Riley's intentions to solidify his engagement with Liliana, Malvina must have been puzzled as to why Liliana, who was only a candidate, was seated beside him. If she were to voice such thoughts in front of Princess Edith, it would be problematic.

Fortunately, Malvina remained silent throughout the explanation, and the questioning session ended, moving on to the evaluation phase. Liliana sniffed the perfume, still unsure why Malvina had been present at all.

(The scent is surprisingly refreshing, considering the strong personalities of those who made it.)

The citrus notes were likely pleasant enough, even in summer. However, compared to other perfumes, the scent leaned too heavily into the citrus. Liliana couldn't help but worry about how the perfume might smell when mixed with sweat—would it remain pleasant, or would it intensify the odor?

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Malvina, who had been silent until now, muttered under her breath.

"Still, why is the Duke of Clark’s daughter here?"

Liliana twitched in response and turned her gaze to Malvina. Riley, seated beside her, exuded a faint air of exasperation. However, before Riley could stop her, Malvina continued speaking.

"You're just one of the candidates, aren't you? Shouldn't it be me sitting in that seat instead of a mute like you?"

Liliana barely resisted the urge to rub her now-throbbing temples. This was not something to be said in the presence of foreign royalty, nor could Liliana be sitting there without Riley’s permission. By claiming that she, not Liliana, should be seated next to Riley, Malvina was directly insulting the Crown Prince.

(Are you planning to disgrace our country?)

In any case, this behavior would undoubtedly remove Malvina Tanner, the marquis's daughter, from the list of fiancée candidates. Perhaps realizing this, her brother's face turned pale as he scolded her in a low voice.

"Malvina!"

"But, brother—"

"Silence! Your Highness, please forgive my sister’s rudeness—"

As her brother hastily tried to apologize, Malvina's eyes narrowed in anger. But before she could say more, a soft voice interrupted—one that didn't belong to Malvina.

"My, my."

Princess Edith, who had remained silent until now, widened her eyes in surprise and tilted her head innocently.

"So Lady Liliana is not officially engaged to Lord Riley? Then that means I could become his fiancée as well! What a wonderful prospect! Don’t you think so, brother?"

"Indeed. A marriage between my sister and the Crown Prince would certainly strengthen the bond between our nations."

Prince Roland quickly agreed with his sister. Liliana felt her hand enveloped in warmth. When she looked down, she saw that Riley was holding her hand tightly. When she met his gaze, she saw the weariness in his eyes. Though it wasn’t her fault, Liliana couldn't help but feel sorry for him. For a noblewoman to question the engagement of a crown prince was a grave insult, and for foreign royalty to interfere was tantamount to meddling in the nation's internal affairs, something that could easily lead to an official protest from the kingdom.

For Prince Roland, this was his first diplomatic visit, and for Riley, ensuring the success of this visit was crucial for his future accomplishments. But with so many difficult personalities in the mix, the situation had become more troublesome than anticipated.

'Will…’

Feeling sympathy for him, Liliana softly called his name, and Riley responded with a faint smile.

"I apologize, but I am considering Lady Liliana as my fiancée. While it is not official yet, you may regard it as nearly certain. So, I will graciously accept your feelings, Princess Edith. However, Prince Roland, I would prefer if our nations' friendship could be eternalized through means other than marriage."

He deliberately made no mention of Malvina. Perhaps realizing this, Malvina's cheeks flushed with anger. She opened her mouth to speak, but her brother restrained her before she could throw a tantrum. Meanwhile, Princess Edith widened her eyes in surprise but then smiled innocently.

"Oh my. But if Lord Riley gets to know me better, I’m sure he will come to like me. So please, do call me Edy from now on."

She clearly wasn’t getting the message. If they weren’t in public, Riley would probably have dropped his head in his hands by now. Prince Roland raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the situation.

Liliana, feeling the warmth of Riley’s hand in hers, found herself staring into the distance. Communicating with someone who simply doesn’t understand is utterly exhausting. And above all, this was the first time she had ever been involved in any kind of romantic entanglement, and it was far from enjoyable.

(This is neither fun nor interesting in the slightest.)

Liliana thought bitterly. She had never understood courtly literature or romantic poetry. And now, experiencing romance in real life felt even more troublesome. She sincerely hoped to avoid such matters in the future. But at that moment, a question arose in her mind.

(Didn’t I enjoy playing otome games in my previous life? Those were games centered on romance. I wonder if the former me actually enjoyed that kind of simulated love.)

She could remember the content of the games, but not the emotions she had while playing them. In any case, the current Liliana, who couldn’t enjoy courtly literature or romantic poetry, would probably have found no pleasure in otome games set in this world either. She might even have dismissed it as a waste of time.

But thinking about it now served no purpose. Liliana quickly cast aside the question that had popped into her mind.

—

ToC

Chapter 118