Estelle Will Not Forgive a Second Time: The Condemned Noble Lady Returns in Elegance to Dance with the Incompetent Prince - Chapter 3

“Estelle, it’s been so long. I’m so happy we can talk like this again.”

As I gazed at her beaming smile, a flicker of memory from the past surged within me.

In my previous life, Clarissa had been my dearest friend.

I truly believed she was someone I could confide in about anything—someone precious.

But reality had been cruel.

In the final moments of that life, she had betrayed me, feeding all my secrets to Victor and acting as one of his pawns.

“Estelle was always favored by the prince, and I hated her for it.”
“Ha! Look at you, pathetic. I never liked you. I never once thought of you as a friend.”

—Her harsh words had pierced my ears clearly as I knelt in disgrace at the execution platform.

And yet now, Clarissa stood before me with that same unchanged smile, acting as though she were genuinely happy to see me again.

I steadied my breath and returned her greeting with poise.

“Clarissa… yes, it has been a while. I’m glad as well—to be able to speak with you again.”

Of course, I felt no such thing.

I knew her true nature.

But I kept my expression serene.

This was the Spring Ball—for now, playing the part of an old friend was in my best interest.

Clarissa took my hand, her face drawing close as if we had been inseparable all along.

“Truly… Shall we have a little chat? There’s a table over there with fewer people.”

“Yes, let’s. It’s quite crowded here, after all.”

I nodded, allowing her to lead me toward a table near the balcony.
Her gown fluttered elegantly as she walked, the very picture of a bright, innocent noble lady.

But I could see it—the faint darkness lurking in her eyes.

Why had she betrayed me, even while acting so cheerful?

Was it because she was infatuated with Victor’s looks?

Was she jealous that I was engaged to him, destined to marry him?

…That no longer mattered.

What mattered now was that I would not repeat the same mistake—
This time, I would use her.

“Estelle, I’ve heard you’ve been helping your father lately. It’s become quite the topic, you know. I never imagined you working with financial documents!”

“Is that so? I simply wanted to be of help to my father. It’s nothing impressive.”

I shrugged lightly, and Clarissa’s smile deepened.

Her honey-colored eyes narrowed, like a predator observing its prey—
I was certain it wasn’t just my imagination.

“But paperwork can be so difficult, can’t it? I remember you didn’t seem too keen on it before. Everyone’s wondering—what prompted the sudden change?”

“Oh, my father seemed troubled, so I offered to help. Reading documents is good practice, and… I thought it wouldn’t hurt to become a little wiser, especially if I’m to survive in society.”

I responded smoothly.

Clarissa studied me intently.

She was probably thinking, “Why the sudden display of competence?” trying to probe me.

I maintained my smile.

In the past, I would have trusted her implicitly—
I would have told her everything without hesitation.

But not anymore.

“I see… But it’s true that the Grandier family’s reputation is rising. People are saying you’ve changed, especially…”

“I’m not sure I understand, but if people think that, I’m grateful.”

“I suppose…”

Her lips never lost that pleasant curve, but her eyes remained cold.

She was obviously trying to extract information.

—To report to Victor, no doubt.

Even in my past life, she exaggerated my every word and action, delivering them straight to him.

No matter how small, any comment I made might end up in Victor’s hands.

I had no intention of giving her anything useful.

“Clarissa, it’s been a while since we last met, but you seem well. I heard you’ve been active in the palace recently—particularly near Prince Victor?”

“Oh my, those rumors are exaggerated. I’ve only been assisting with some court events. His Highness is truly an extraordinary man. I simply want to support him however I can.”

As she said “extraordinary man” with such reverence, I felt a bitter taste rise in my throat.

—Did she truly believe that? From the heart?

Or was it mutual exploitation?

Either way, she clearly had a reason to keep feeding Victor information.

“So… it sounds like you’re keeping quite busy. The Spring Ball is just getting started, and it’ll only grow more lively from here.”

“Indeed. By the way, Estelle…”

Clarissa leaned in slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper.
It was clear she didn’t want anyone overhearing.

Maintaining the demeanor of an old friend, I brought a glass of wine to my lips, sipping gracefully.

“You’ve been quite active lately, haven’t you? Not just with dresses and balls, but handling documents, making arrangements on your father’s behalf… Do you have some sort of goal in mind?”

“A goal? That’s a bit dramatic. As the daughter of the Grandier family, I’m simply doing what I can. I want to be of use—before Prince Victor feels the need to tell me so.”

“Before he tells you to…?”

“Yes. If an engagement were to be discussed, I wouldn’t want to be seen as a helpless young lady. I want to show I have value.”

A mix of truth and falsehood—just enough to hide my true intentions.

Clarissa nodded, a faint smile curving her lips.

In my past life, expectations of an engagement had indeed surrounded me.
Of course, Clarissa would latch onto that detail.

“You’ve certainly changed… You used to be a little more, shall we say… easygoing.”

“I had a sudden realization. If I’m going to change, it has to be now.”

“Hehe, is that so…? Well, if you’re serious, I support you. After all, we’ve been the closest of friends since forever, haven’t we?”

Closest friends? What a joke.

I smiled in return, masking the venom in my thoughts.

She was clearly posing as my friend to extract information.

Letting this conversation drag on any longer wouldn’t benefit me.

I placed my glass gently back on the table.

“Thank you, Clarissa. It means a lot, coming from you… But I’m afraid I need to make a few more greetings. Could we continue this later?”

“Oh, what a shame. Of course—we’ll talk again soon. There’s still so much I want to tell you.”

“I look forward to it.”

On the surface, I sounded eager—but inside, I was already weary.

Clarissa would no doubt report everything to Victor, down to the smallest detail.

That was fine. Let her think I was merely the overeager daughter trying to prove herself for a possible engagement.

With a deep bow, I slipped into the crowd.

To think I once believed in such an innocent friendship… the memory alone makes my skin crawl.

But that’s all right. This time, I’m the one pulling the strings.

Suddenly, the mood of the hall shifted. A quiet stir of interest spread through the air.

From near the ballroom entrance, people’s gazes began to gather in one direction.

I turned my head slightly and saw someone entering.

Amidst all the lavish attire, a man appeared, dressed in notably muted colors.

Tall, yet lacking the regal aura of someone like Victor.

But the flurry of attendants rushing to greet him made it clear—he wasn’t just any noble.

“That’s… Prince Leonhardt…”

I murmured softly to myself.

In contrast to Victor’s dazzling golden hair, Leonhardt had a far more reserved presence.

I had heard the rumors—he was called the “Incompetent Prince.”

—And yet, in his gaze, I saw something sharp. Calculated.

He was the one I had been searching for tonight.

Leonhardt—this man might just be the key to unraveling Victor’s schemes.