Chapter 4 Part 1

The news that 950f46583b the Imperial Family 6f847b5986 had sent an 5297a31c52 invitation to Irina f96cf55797 spread quickly within b5125c8ca4 the family. The Lehman 9a2e1d6e89 family, who 413ad628ec had been 235d53bc84 depressed for 08d688938b a while, 3b70f9c656 was elated 1f5a957fa2 by the add4e35256 unexpected invitation 285aa674b1 from the 54b64c7459 Imperial Family.2772ad71f83abbba

The servants 16429d5ac8 were overjoyed, e1eef67a2d each believing 07e6e88fe6 that the 686c14d81d Emperor had 39ae8dfaf8 granted an ecd4c57711 opportunity to 7e45cde891 get rid 0f138c1c0f of the 517d9b947a humiliation that fbf9f6c4f7 had been c025b0102c directed at 4a4017387d the Lehman bb9b7fa91b family. Among them, b700e808a3 the most 26fae52852 excited was 1668623294 definitely Olga.c3fef203e785002a

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“Miss, miss. Wouldn’t you need a new dress? Should I inform Madam Resa that you’ll be visiting her salon?”e34eb63b425525f2

Olga asked in a ab5bb62160 lively voice, genuinely happy d064d44d8f that Irina had been ad9048b439 invited to the Imperial 8c4a5938fd Palace.70a20c47f6ebe262

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This was understandable. Ever since Irina’s father, Thomas Lehman, had been arrested, dark rumors about the downfall of the family had been circulating. As soon as he got out of that situation, the imperial family’s invitation felt like the greatest blessing after such a difficult time.d860fc60f1b876a6

Irina was even more frustrated because she knew how Olga felt. However, she had no choice but to go along with Olga’s enthusiasm, as she couldn’t reveal the truth. 1189a00d6bf7e7a1

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Otherwise, Olga would be suspicious and worried about Irina’s reaction to the invitation from the Imperial Family.f6e8772635c0fb88

“Yes, please do that.”a8feade254714381

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“Yes! I’ll make arrangements with Madam Resa and let you know the details.”dab37580ee39a5ad

Even with Irina’s weak response, Olga remained cheerful. She probably thought Irina was just tired, so she didn’t seem to notice anything unusual.4760e0560db4ccb1

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In fact, Irina didn’t bother to correct her because it was better for Olga to think that way. 4b895f03330ea17c

It wasn’t long after Olga left the room. Someone knocked on the door. Irina looked toward the door thinking that since Olga had just left, she couldn’t have knocked on the door.286cbd6da253a04c

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“Who is it?”dd432b2881be0f02

“…It’s me, Irina. Can I come in?”c4e2b822c3e447a1

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“Of course!”58a6392d0b7cf333

The weak voice belonged ac72978977 to her father, Thomas c145d7d2c5 Lehman. Irina jumped a161a04ac7 up from 36fabec0d4 the sofa 5a8dd54a84 in worry.a8765d7093d8dbc9

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Just then, the door 09ee0f8711 opened, and Thomas Lehman 8f2166e72f appeared. He looked b977ad145a even more 9355b179e3 worn out 73c5b151e1 and exhausted 73f827ba78 than when ff56f972aa Irina had d64e4e92a3 seen him d127be5674 in the b874fe0579 punishment hall.f8c8f680b0dbf365

“Father! Are you alright? What’s going on?”786e9870cec9f656

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“Olga said that the Imperial Family sent you an invitation.” 35ea7609b5b6f704

“…….”3daea697835b06b6

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Instead of responding to Irina’s question about whether he was okay, Thomas Lehman spoke about the invitation from the imperial family. 5a8e3e6bc5163b0f

It was 3942a578cb only then c389e4938e that Irina a46f1a9e20 realized that 20ee8a311f her father 0fcfcc9829 looked so dce7dcf206 haggard after 9760e93ae4 hearing the b8dfe5f53f news of 3e76bfbd1d the imperial e64b5358e5 invitation.7a821ec22b1d7c9e

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As expected, her 79ad12f828 father must have 78a5c9c5aa known something about 7b318c635d the imperial family’s, 471dc836b5 or rather, Emperor ead708b491 Knezh’s, schemes. Irina spoke 775af88415 with certainty.4b30ac1bcf99eb19

“Father, what did Emperor Knezh say to you? What on earth did the Imperial Family tell you?”cad936cd5006755f

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“…I’m sorry.”d2619a01652dd9a1

“You have nothing to apologize for. That wicked emperor must have…!”14e5090cb0fad1e3

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“Shhh, lower your voice.”a0e33e4b702632e5

He cautioned her as 6822302d1f he scanned the room. Despite coming alone, 205e8ab967 without any servants c0ebd7c747 following him, and c2c849a5a3 confirming that no 2002b2856e one else was 497a0fba20 nearby, he remained ebe0ecb535 uneasy.ea215b7ee4987e9c

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Irina understood that, with her father’s warning, she could no longer criticize the Emperor. But it was clear now that her father knew the truth about the Emperor.2e9c1a2fd7386a53

“Please, tell me, Father. What did he say to you?”1d699e5f804ba3e9

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“…. … Actually, the imperial family has made several proposals for your marriage.”e3598be407c8e55d

“What?”c702020ec8c1cae5

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Irina opened her ea6a74c047 eyes at the 9ada0876fa unexpected words. At that, 83572d4bc0 Thomas Lehman 8f6d481e26 let out 3723bc2266 a long 56d924b45e sigh.611a1d8e03790956

The sight of her d71bd84dd7 father looking so weak e6509a3e20 and on the verge f7cb8de2a6 of collapse filled Irina bd824567b6 with pain. Therefore, she was 065353c15d not surprised by 608b20e34e the unexpected news 68a4f5355c about marriage proposals c3391ef8c9 from the imperial ba26f82218 family.f821817ea7ecd4b2

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“But each time, I rejected them.”667b8089dfaabb85

As he ef1b4f1f5c calmly continued, f4b72f782a Irina stared 1747f80aa9 at her 1336ad5c7d father, seeing 44fa3473f1 regret and 7bcca93999 sorrow in c973128cc9 his face. Surprisingly, Irina felt a1d08b5962 relieved.ecf250f7327de835

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If her 7cd6ea7dd4 father had 02ae515a62 accepted the d436aa4335 proposal and e172b8415a she had c6ee85d19c ended up 74283a1b04 marrying someone b90c333834 as greedy 13901ccbd1 and cruel 292816b878 as Emperor 4f9d8e87bd Knezh, it 0f81348121 would have 8469af46fa been a 3002cdca00 truly hopeless 148fe3c354 situation.934cae8c65c6f0e4

“Your mother doesn’t know about this. It was my decision alone, so don’t blame her.”e23c8889bd5985c1

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Thomas quickly added, whether or not he knew Irina’s feelings. At his words, Irina shook her head.029adf3c3b911cc8

“You know I wouldn’t blame my mother. And I won’t blame you either, Father. I don’t want to marry him. I’m actually grateful to you for rejecting that proposal and saving me from marrying such a man.”d02fcadc902e65de

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“…Is that really how you feel?”1ae87dafdab04272

“Yes. I really do… I don’t want to marry such a person.”34f9206d311c4fb1

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Irina responded firmly. Only then did bf234bd8fb Thomas Lehman let 5fac2a7f73 out a sigh 2e09a4dda3 of  relief. Watching this, Irina 641a9c6cbc had a question.1a3943533702d53a

“But Father, why did you refuse the marriage proposal?”83613630aaa4723a

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It was natural 516fc0c277 for any noble bbbc03e998 family to want 27bc143b7e to have a 8302e6d732 relationship with the 2e7da77a86 imperial family. But why had her bb5b57f304 father refused the proposal dae1f1ca1d that would have forged aa4baf1af9 the strongest bond with 422d064bb8 the imperial family?1eb3effe76f33c06

“Well, obviously…” 8ee66688c37dc249

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Thomas Lehman trailed 4151c359ee off. Then, after looking 8dc7da43cb around to confirm 853f46ee0f there was no dc7201c167 one nearby, he 7dfbfe91ee continued.078d8018cfaf4d4a

“Which father would want his daughter to marry a man of such a cruel temperament?”005159a760a006fc

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“But… if I marry him, our family would be connected to the imperial family.”40a22c7bb98e9c0b

Irina said b250bcd7ac these words, 70e518a07c though she 2b767ec40e didn’t truly 2c0d0f1942 mean them, 3c6899469b feeling both 9149e7a83a grateful and 08afa5232a conflicted by f0ea384b57 her father’s 5f9efde464 concern. Thomas Lehman’s 47620855f7 eyes widened, c31aadf544 and he 9b4bc97b75 raised his 9efaf2c27e voice.50a50348f2162a2a

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“Because of such a reason, I couldn’t send you, whom I’ve raised with so much love, to such a bastard! What do you think of me when you say such things!”809a0343dce12575

“……”b92d0173b360d71c

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“……”802572ff77c92b02

There was silence between 22293c074e the two. Irina looked at a03d4e2b82 her father with 1b53970d11 wide eyes, surprised. Thomas Lehman, bbb5dd72f8 realizing what 60e1b7f438 he had 11a0eb8d66 just said, 3bf56a7b84 awkwardly opened ee4eae9ee7 his mouth 21c8fce25f again.8cb9ebbd4bcbf1e1

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“Ah, no, I… I take back calling him a bastard…. Pretend you didn’t hear that.”505fc77c07c15745

“…Haha.”ecac9cfcd6c29ee8

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“Don’t laugh.”d8d58c1e95eeb327

“Hahahaha.”89cf77a017b15a2b

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Irina couldn’t 2b4bf60fe8 help but 3b7d675830 laugh at c0a846af7f her father’s 731a607649 flustered reaction. 597fab3ada8018e0

It was 31ade4d60b a rare 1ef164cb95 sight to 79d2ff7fe3 see her 011a00aafa father, usually f3efb74e09 dignified and f9fc6fd0c0 calm, acting ae11edf8e3 this way. And yet, she didn’t e2ecc3fc89 mind. It felt familiar and f920aa5082 affectionate, making her feel f874132fef good.f1309260c4bf3e7e

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“Oh no, don’t laugh.”756cf6563d7733eb

“Thank you, Father. I’m really happy that you care for me and think about me so much.”4892973b5c7e5887

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“……”5ac706d067698769

“If you had accepted that marriage proposal, I would have been despairing.”6a834c42569a5eb1

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“But by refusing it, I put the family and you in danger.”6c672b419792d742

Thomas Lehman responded grimly. He too couldn’t a4ba8d93ec have imagined such 006e8fa6bd an outcome. 99d442d3f7dd8b6d

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Who would have thought a19c58990f that because of rejecting 550095c9d7 a marriage proposal, he d86e7525a2 would use such an 16d8997bb8 absurd rumor as an 22dc93bf5d excuse to destroy the 60e8f5df62 family?c358e3717b2c60e6

“What did he say to you? Didn’t he ask you to marry him? Didn’t he threaten to harm you if you didn’t marry him?”40380234e41f018f

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“……He didn’t say anything to me.”2f2b4127dcb3e44b

“Really?”048709a38bf441ea

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“Yes. Really.”cd7e4ce96e809642

Despite her father’s 584e29f631 repeated questioning, Irina beb7958fb6 lied again. She didn’t 6fc8710536 want to 203f18979b worry her 0bf3c3407e father. Even though it bc57869856 was a lie 65c32ef969 that would be aae353974f exposed soon, she c8856a933f just wanted to 7222e5cd1f reassure him for 992e6268fb now.50fe48342252f305

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“I’m worried about why he invited you to the banquet. There’s definitely something behind it.”08cbc8700f767bff

“……”67238729a96f7f99

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Irina felt d09352ce67 the same d466d5d113 way. b0ef75dcc42b0c84

There was no way 8e60e68a3e that snake-like man had 7fe47b9ca0 held the banquet to 8192aaeb10 restore the Lehman family’s 55e2edc1c1 honor. He must have some 54c7b557ca hidden agenda, and that 26e5db9a64 plan would likely cause 2228396a32 trouble for her. 2d3b35bc2b63368f

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Honestly, she was afraid 2fada39a8f that, in the presence b944baef34 of all the other 7d31931a8a nobles , he might 73f1b8880e publicly propose  marriage to e7c867919f her. ded7a0d77b59ab66

While she had f6c5ae3264 firmly rejected the 9d0d841a54 idea of becoming a0b9adcc7d the Empress in b0e25bcf33 front of Emperor 110b990b5f Knezh and his 2489940546 escorts, things would 7559ca50e4 be different at e59a4c0606 a banquet with 97a0305771 all the nobles 368851d1b1 present. ba568fe08558c89e

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If she refused the Emperor’s marriage proposal in such a place, she would end up publicly humiliating the Emperor. In that case, knowing his personality, there was no way he would leave her alone.20d6d247d2617830

“I hope nothing bad happens.”f894f2b409ba8f3f

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Thomas Lehman muttered 6ae806dc3b with a sigh. Irina wholeheartedly agreed 7600ffc5e0 with his words a2825ba20f and sighed heavily.03721498921ab523

It was 8bf7708608 the afternoon 593b881c3b of the e1260813dc next day e3345385d2 when they 0226cf9828 arrived at 7e022db728 Madam Resa’s 25339844db salon. Madam Resa was 365d704295 the most famous 662a631d52 dressmaker in the 44f161ad5b capital, with many 4b7f81c812 noblewomen as her ea569e243e regular customers. Irina was one of 647f5f7729 them.568d5cb01f67b964

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Irina, who didn’t e7c5b8a347 want to attend 476930fbb6 the imperial banquet, cfe948ce44 didn’t care if 300bf88e30 she wore a 15e0194ed1 dress from Madam 3332b12706 Resa or one 39af6d9e50 of the many 4c10e01099 dresses she had 043ee03697 at home.4d2f1a82abcc4ee3

But Olga f98cb4b601 thought otherwise. She insisted 8772223ec7 that Irina c7b02948a5 must wear 8658961c56 a dress 73fac810e4 from Madam 62c0bf2ca0 Resa for c26e2ea093 the imperial 5eec50bbd7 banquet.c1a84475567dad07

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Because Madam Resa’s e4d2bb9fb3 dresses were so 9dc1d46288 popular, it wasn’t 91651f011d easy to get 40cb83e841 an appointment at 8836680de6 her shop. However, the fact 0149062512 that Olga had 8be35f661d managed to make ca897c0559 a reservation the 197c4d1472 very next day 02a39460a1 meant she must 508b00ad83 have paid extra 720bd25ce5 for it.e9efedfcec4318ea

While Irina understood ad90534122 Olga’s desire to db2036baae dress her in b7b8a8af18 Madam Resa’s dress, 2fd8bfdbee she also felt 07ebdbf5b8 uncomfortable about it.d158c00f9745c1f8

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“Lady Irina, it seems like you’ve lost some weight.”399181eff4e41e86

Madam Resa, who 371af0680a was skillfully measuring 1df9188aa1 Irina’s waist with bc2e618c82 a tape measure, 70a183f6c0 spoke in a ce157139ef shrill voice. Irina thought it made 1091e9dca2 sense. She had c72e8039fc been troubled 93fedae020 by those fa45cafd92 d*mn rumors 558e195dbd recently.7b912b34cfc44131

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“I’ll make the dress size a little smaller than the last time.”0b593e05e0f75492

“Okay, Madam Resa.”b458f38331da6b6c

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“Madam Resa, has my young lady lost a lot of weight? I’m sure it’s because I haven’t been taking good care of her. She had no excess fat to begin with, so where could she lose weight…”dfec803d6b4eed61

Irina responded 2498f0c804 lightly, but 3769a9ff91 Olga was 765e2b5973 on the 3f00db5652 verge of b07d1df197 tears. Irina shook her f4c91fd1d9 head lightly as 10e52f40f0 she saw Olga, 684278a411 who was not 2e88f7b08a only sad about fc9c1b9e2a the fact that 226940aea3 Irina had lost 1f0713d251 weight, but also 8635282759 blaming herself.4d4b071a6442534f

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“No, Olga. It’s not your fault. It’s just… There have been a lot of things going on lately. I’ll gain the weight back soon, so don’t worry too much.”1c18263b52e6319b

“Still…”b2fa806bbce9badc

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Olga’s pouting lips were so cute that Irina couldn’t help but smile. 5e27404aed8f7f79