CHAPTER 283: CAROLYN CORNWELL

Aristia was expecting to be surrounded by the children, and not long after, they were already surrounded by a lot of children.

As the children complimented their dresses, Aristia’s eyes were drawn to a place in the banquet hall.

There were actually children who hadn’t come to meet them. They seemed to be surrounding someone...?

Right on cue, the children in front cleared and Aristia was able to get a glance at the person.

Her eyes widened.

Just who was this?

The people with her had not yet noticed the person.

While the children with her chattered on, she became distracted.

She could not help but stare at the platinum blonde a few steps in front of her. She didn’t know if it was just her imagination, but she seemed to sparkle with a glow that drew people in around her. Something that only happened to the main character of a novel.

[Is that stupid book sure I’m the female lead?] She thought, her jaws almost going slack.

At this point, she was sure she was deluding herself— or the book was deluding her.

She didn’t know why, but she already disliked the girl.

[This is definitely not jealousy.]

She rubbed her brows, watching how the innocent, naive looking girl exuding female lead aura was being flocked around already by others despite her low status.

"F*ck, I’m really in deep shit!" She whispered.

Looking back at the girl again, she couldn’t help the question from leaving her lips.

"Who’s that?" She muttered. She was sure she had never seen this girl before. If she had seen a girl in minor nobility with such features, she was sure she wouldn’t easily forget.

She was wondering whether there was someone like that mentioned in the novel before she reminded herself that the novel was not accurate.

It was a question she muttered to herself and she hadn’t been expecting an answer.

Unexpectedly, she got one.

"That’s Baron Cornwell’s long lost daughter. He found her not too long ago. She turns seven this year too."

Aristia thought. There was no mention of a Baron Cornwell in the book. She sighed and gave up on comparing the book’s information.

She suddenly realized something.

[Wait, that voice.]

She turned her attention away from the girl and to the person who answered.

"Vivian?" She asked.

"Princess Aristia." Vivian curtseyed slightly, looking at her before looking back at Baron Cornwell’s daughter.

It was actually Vivian Quentin that answered her. Somehow, Vivian had joined the group.

Aristia’s mind worked as she studied Vivian Quentin.

Vivian had unique features not common in lower nobility— mauve hair and turquoise eyes. But now there was another like Vivian— Baron Cornwell’s daughter.

Her hair was platinum, almost white, and her eyes were a serene blue.

She possessed the soft, pure and innocent beauty. It was no wonder that she was quickly gaining attention despite her clothes being almost plain, just a grade better than those worn by commoners.

[The kind of beautiful even when dressed in rags.]

"This is her first time attending any social events. Count Cornwell probably is using it as her introduction." Vivian continued.

Aristia nodded, watching the girl smile. Her smile was shy and lovely, and the boys and girls surrounding her blushed.

But Aristia couldn’t help but admire a pretty face when she saw one. [She’s so beautiful~]

Once her eyes had had enough eye candy, she was about to turn away when the girl’s eyes met hers.

Meeting those eyes made a certain feeling of uneasiness creep up in her heart.

The girl said something to the people around her, probably words to excuse herself, and left the group in Aristia’s direction, but the children still followed her.

The watchful eyes of the nobles caught sight of the Baron Cornwell’s newly found daughter heading in the third princess’s direction and their eyes sparkled with entertainment.

Finally, the girl stopped in front of Aristia, the crowd around Aristia subconsciously parting.

"Um, h-hello. I’m Carolyn Cornwell." She tucked her hair behind her ears, obviously shy. Then she asked a question that had everyone gasping. "W-What about you?"

Everyone’s gazes alternated between her and Aristia.

Aristia felt the shift in her group. Through the corner of her eyes, she saw Alaric take a step forward with a frown on his face.

But she discreetly gestured to them to stay still. [Calm down. Don’t overreact.]

She returned her attention to the girl and hid a sneer. [I knew there was something off with her. So she wants to tell me that she doesn’t know that only members of the royal family possess grey hair? Even commoner toddlers know this.] She thought, eying the girl.

[Either she’s a snake, or she’s just naturally dumb.]

When the girl heard the gasps, her eyes widened and a look of panic appeared in her eyes.

"I’m sorry, did I say something wrong? I-I’m... This is my first time here and I-I don’t know..."

The children with her nodded their heads. Yes, this was Carolyn’s first time attending a banquet. Maybe she didn’t know who was who?

But the adults sneered. Was Baron Cornwell in his right senses? Why allow the child attend a banquet hosted by the king without educating her on the identity of the royal family.

But they still watched to see how Aristia would react.

"Hello, Carolyn. But you’re supposed to curtsey when in the presence of higher nobles or in this case, royalty." Aristia’s voice wasn’t intimidating.

Her face was passive and her voice was calm and composed, even containing traces of gentleness like a benevolent philanthropist.

It was like she wasn’t scolding, but was just stating facts.

It left no room for anyone to nitpick on.

Carolyn’s eyes widened. "R-Royalty?" Then she quickly curtseyed haphazardly. "I-I apologize. I wasn’t aware. Please forg—"

"It’s alright. I know you’re new to nobility." Aristia cut her off, but somehow, it didn’t seem rude. "But you need to learn and study about our kingdom’s history and hierarchy. What if you unknowingly acted disrespectfully to their royal Majesties or their royal Highnesses?"

"T-Their Majesties and Highnesses are benevolent." Carolyn said.

Aristia nodded. "You are right about that..." She trailed off. "But. They do expect that children under nobility exhibit Grace and culture." She blabbered off about whatever.

The nobles couldn’t help nodding their heads. As nobles, they had an honor to uphold.

How demeaning would it be if their children didn’t know the things and act the way nobles should? Wouldn’t that make them no different from classless commoners?

Carolyn bowed her head, tears pooling in her eyes.

When she looked up, the sight of her watery eyes elicited pity. Her voice came out muffled.

"I’ll keep that in mind."

Aristia nodded, then she smiled brightly.

"It’s good. You show that you’re eager to improve. His majesty loves such mature behavior."

Just her friendly stance and words changed the crowds opinion that was just about to switch.

Ah, princess Aristia even praised the girl even though her earlier ignorant words were offensive.

So the rumors were true. The third princess really had turned mature.

Even Carolyn herself was stunned. The tears that had pooled in her eyes dried up and she smiled.

"You really think so? Then thank you, princess." She curtseyed again.

Aristia nodded, returned the smile and turned to her group.

"Let’s go get something to eat." She said before the girl could say more.

Together, they left there to the table in the banquet hall where food was laid out.

"Is that Carolyn or whatever serious?" Lauren scoffed.

Now that they were far away from the crowd, she finally released the bottles up complaint that wanted to spill from her lips. Even though Vivian Quentin was also here for some reason, she didn’t think there was a problem.

"Her words made me so angry." Alicia said. Her brows were furrowed.

It was unusual to see the usually quiet Alicia expressing emotion like this.

"Mm. Me too." Nova nodded with scrunched brows.

"I don’t want her to come near you again." Alaric said, frowning. These ones with them were manageable. But that girl was a big no.

Aristia shook her head. "Don’t worry. She’s just ignorant."

While she was responding to the , she was also communicating with Millie.

’Millie.’

’Hmm?’

’Can you help me pass on a message to Owen?’

Millie responded positively.

’Ask him to look into someone with the name, Carolyn Cornwell.’

There was a pause for a moment before Millie responded.

’Okay.’

Millie hadn’t gone with them to the palace and was at home.

Aristia added food to her plate and munched on it while thinking.

Since the novel wasn’t accurate, she couldn’t rely on the book’s information. The only thing she could do now was...

To be careful.

Carolyn’s actions always made people pity her and side with her. She would have to be careful when dealing with her.

Her eyes narrowed. [If she really is trouble, then she should know that it’s not easy to mess with me.]