The Executed Saint Reincarnates as a Princess and is Loved by Her Older Brothers - Episode 48

Although the lunch meeting is over, the sun is still high in the sky.

As Angela returned to the prepared room to rest, a maid who was said to be attached to the queen came to visit.

“It is said that they would like to invite Her Highness the Princess for tea.”

“The queen?”

In Juliet’s memories of her past life, the image of Hortense as the Marquise de Turenne’s daughter is very strong.

Speaking of Hortense de Touraine, she was a young lady known as the belle of the social scene. Although she lived in a different world from the saintly Juliette and had little to do with her, I had heard rumors about her and the crown prince Nathan.

Although she has no children with Nathan, with the backing of her father, Duke de Turenne, who serves as the Prime Minister, Hortense must wield immense power as queen.

You seemed a bit off during the lunch meeting, but… do you really want to get along with me?

If Angela marries Lionel, she will become Hortense’s sister-in-law. So, is that why they are trying to deepen their friendship now?

I’m going to break off the engagement with Lil, but… I shouldn’t just ignore the invitation, right?

I won’t become sisters-in-law with Hortense, but it would be rude to refuse her kindness.

Angela, accompanied by her maids, visited the reception room where the queen awaited.

The queen was just nervous at the lunch, but deep down, she wanted to get close to me…

“Oh, Your Highness! I’m so glad you could come!”

Ah, I’m being disliked

The moment Angela stepped into the room, she sensed it.

Although Hortense’s expression was cheerful, her eyes were not smiling at all.

The meticulously styled hair of Hortense writhed like a living snake, and I could sense the simmering negative emotions of hostility and rivalry towards Angela.

Scary!

In her past life, Juliet was a saint, and in this life, Angela is a princess. Since neither of them had any female peers in their respective positions, they had never experienced rivalry with anyone.

Because Angela has no immunity to someone who openly displays their rivalry, she shrinks back nervously, like a frog staring down a snake.

“Well… you are truly a young and charming person…”

Hortense glared resentfully at Angela’s translucent, porcelain-like skin that didn’t need any powder, and her plump, rosy cheeks that didn’t need any rouge.

“I have prepared special tea leaves used by the royal family. I would like Her Highness the Princess to taste them as well.”

“Oh, thank you very much…”

When Hortense signaled with her eyes, the maid brought over the amber-colored tea.

Strawberry confiture, mousse adorned with silver-white, tart topped with cream. Savories like jewels sparkle as they are arranged alongside tea.

In the meantime, the piercing gaze from Hortense made Angela shrink back uncomfortably.

After all, you hold the highest position for women in the Kingdom of Koryu. You must find me bothersome…

From Hortense’s perspective, if Angela marries her husband Nathan, she will be ousted from her position as queen.

Although the worst-case scenario has been avoided because she is said to be marrying Prince Lionel, it is entirely possible that if a princess becomes the prince’s consort, she would be treated as superior to the queen.

In any case, Angela is a troublemaker who threatens Hortense’s position.

In Hortense’s hate-filled gaze, it is clearly written, “Decline the engagement.”

Even if I don’t say it, it will be resolved… but I can’t tell you that right now.

I intend to break off the engagement for Lionel’s happiness, but it’s still too early.

As Angela remained silent, Hortense whispered with a hint of insinuation.

“To get engaged to a man you just met, Your Highness, you must have your reasons for wanting to leave the royal family.”

“Eh…?”

“Surely, you must feel out of place in your own country. How unfortunate. You were raised by a queen who isn’t related to you by bl00d, after all. Haven’t you been suffering in silence?”

The bl00d drained from Angela’s face.

Hortense knows that Angela is not the biological child of Empress Joséphine.

Even Angela herself has just found out, but it seems like her father, Duke de Turenne, has already grasped the situation well.

“How unfortunate. Stepmothers are always harsh on their stepdaughters. You must have had a very hard time, Your Highness. It’s no wonder you long to find a suitable man and leave the empire as soon as possible.”

Angela quickly decided to get engaged to Lionel, whom she had just met, to escape her estranged stepmother. It seems that Hortense interprets it that way.

“No, my mother has never treated me harshly.”

“You don’t have to protect him. The Empress’s eyes don’t reach here. No one will blame you for speaking honestly.”

At first glance, Hortense’s words seemed to be caring for her sister-in-law, but in reality, they were filled with a sense of superiority, relishing the fact that Angela was “beneath” her.

My background is not my weakness.

My biological mother, Anna, risked her life to give birth to Angela.

Empress Joséphine took great care of Angela.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of. Thanks to the two mothers, Angela is here.

I don’t mind if you try to keep me in check, but… I don’t want to hear anything bad about my mother!

I cannot overlook the rumors that my beloved mother is a wicked empress who has oppressed her stepdaughter.

Angela straightened her posture resolutely.