Episode 16> Episode 16 of Awakening

The sound of Lucrezia's harsh voice coming through the breach in the door slowed Ariadne's steps.

"I can't. It's too difficult."

That had to be the narrative of Ariadne. She came to a complete halt in her steps. Ariadne told her maid about her fidgets quietly.

"I'm instantly ill to my stomach." We'll have to stop by the backyard, so go tell the tutor that the second lady will be running late."

"Haona woman..."

"You will have no difficulties. You only need to go and get there."

Ariadne pulled off one of her hideous pearl earrings and stuffed it into the maid's apron pocket. It was my lone earring, but I had to wear it while I patronised.

"Be wary about telling your master about anything you've seen and heard. "Move swiftly."

The maid, who was at a loss for words, agreed and followed Ariadne's orders. Ariadne anchored herself against the pillars of her corridor and listened to the cardinal's parlour discussion through the cracks.

"No, what are you doing?" That was your idea in the first place to bring Ariadne."

"That was back then, and this is now!" How difficult it is for a girl to care for her because she is so stubborn!"

Cardinal Mare's voice was heard soothing Lucrezia despite her shock.

"What else are you going to tell Cesare Bag?" We quietly raise our fortunes every time we meet at the Big Mass."

"He's the one who requested Isabella in the first place, but would he simply walk away because he brought in a girl like Ariadne?" Create a smart strategy for figuring things out! You're quite good at it! I simply cannot live with him."

"If you can't live with him, there's an easy method to send your marriage to Cesare Bag."

- '... … !'

After hearing this far, there was a sudden gathering at the far end of the corridor. Ariadne, alarmed, dashed away from her parlor's door and feigned to pass by casually. The proprietors of the residence were maids passing through on their way to clean. The girls bowed to Ariadne and chattered among themselves as they passed by.

'phew.'

lasted for ten years Dani, who had previously married Cesare, sent shivers down her spine. Ariadne recognised that lowering herself and hiding was not going to work. If I simply surrendered to the flow, the outcome would be the same as in my past life. She is entrusted as a substitute to the man who loves her sister as if she were her life, keeps the seat next to her as if it were her old furniture, serves his convenience, and is sadly abandoned when the time comes. It couldn't have happened. It was now or never. * * * Ariadne intuitively recognised that Cardinal de Mare and Lady Lucrezia's interests were not fully matched. Isabella was Lucrezia's alter ego, a more perfect version of herself, my golden princess who must succeed, but Cardinal de Mare saw Isabella as the best 'property' he had. Cardinal de Mare appears to have had feelings for Isabella. She wished Isabella happiness and stated that she was willing to make some sacrifices for Isabella's laughter and carefree existence.

'That's all there is to it.'

Ariadne was well aware of Cardinal de Mare's icy demeanour. He shuddered once from the coldness that came over him as he remembered his actions in his past existence. The hairs on his forearm were stiff. The essence of a daughter to him was a commodity to be sold to serve the 'De Mare family' that would last forever, much as a pedigree horse is nurtured to win races and a hound can be hurt to catch game. There would be titles, lands, gold coins, and glory in the family in exchange for a beautiful and reputed daughter after being schooled, groomed, and beautified to sell well. It didn't matter what her daughter liked or despised. The only reason Cardinal de Mare would not marry Isabella to Cesare de Como was that Isabella's worth was too great to be given to someone like Cesare.

"Oh, my lovely daughter!" That is also in our family's bloodline. She is better because she is a member of my family, and she is my daughter because she is attractive."

Cardinal de Mare frequently admired Isabella's beauty, brilliant hair, and social standing. She had never commended Isabella's efforts to achieve such a result or her character, even though she had erased her memories of her past life. Cardinal De Mare admired Isabella because she was attractive. Isabella, her eldest daughter, was number one in Cardinal de Mare's estates. To be accurate, her cardinalship had to come before Isabella in importance, thus it was listed second on her estate list. Behind Isabella will be the winner of the King's Cup race and the emerald the size of a quail egg embedded in the cardinal's orb, as well as Ariadne. He desired to be rewarded for his best treasure by marrying Prince Alfonso, the only successor to the crown. That was the end of it.

'If Isabella's value is greater than mine and my father wishes to make her a princess... I simply need to raise my value above Isabella's.'

Ariadne, not Isabella, would be the de Mares maiden to Prince Alfonso if she earned a name for herself, improved her appearance, and became the most prominent maid in San Carlo.

'You are not required to be the best in San Carlo. It simply has to be taller than Isabella. If I can't go higher, Isabella's worth is diminished.'

"They claim to dislike huge ladies." He constantly imagined himself holding you while hugging me. Your breasts were sagging like cows. "I am the queen."

Isabella's oriole-like voice echoed like a hallucination in my ears. Ariadne had accidently stroked her own flat breast. She was not responsible for Isabella's injuries. Her first-class daughter married Prince Alfonso, while her second-class daughter married Cesare de Como. There was no other option. She couldn't suddenly become a commercial genius and leave to import oriental spices aboard the galleys of the Republic of Porto, or have her eldest son, Ippolito, and Lucrezia's son acquire the title in her place. Even if she made a great concession and Lucrezia was simply her concubine in the end, she opted not to differentiate between them, and even if I poisoned Ipolito and Isabella, the eldest sons, there was no title to inherit from the family itself. They had no hereditary nobility titles, and they were simply a family with a high priestly father. In the end, her only choice was to ride the wave of her father's temporary dominance and marry someone, sharing his fortune and her position. If there were only two possibilities, Alfonso or Cesare, and if coming back to the winner meant avoiding Cesare, then this was a must-win race. Ariadne strolled down the second-floor corridor and opened the door to the girls' drawing room. Mrs. Romani, the governess, and Isabella and Arabella, who were immersed in their Gallic language lessons, all gazed at the doorway as she made her late entrance. Ariadne greeted her by bending her knees, as she always did. "Good day, Madam Romani."

["Good day, Mrs. Romani."]

It was a silky accent from the Kingdom of Gallico that made it difficult to believe it belonged to an Etruscan speaker. "I apologise for interrupting; shall we continue?"

["I apologise for interrupting; please continue."]

Arabella smiled as she gazed at Ariadne.

"Why are you so excellent at it, Galico?"

With a tiny smile, Ariadne responded.

"Nothing. "I just grew accustomed having it over my shoulder."

Madame Romani, who was usually gentle, was startled and addressed Ariadne.

"The accent is excellent. "How did she find out?"

"There was someone who could speak Gallic among the people I grew up with." I only understood how to converse and had no knowledge of grammar or acceptable expressions, but after studying with the tutor, I appear to have picked it up quickly. It's all because of the teacher."

He didn't forget to slightly pass the ball to Mrs. Romani while trying to work out an alibi for the question of who Ariadne was. Madame Romani admired her student's swift accomplishments as well as her own teaching abilities, and Arabella appeared to see Ariadne all over again, including the one she had covered in Lucrezia's explosion. Isabella, on the other hand, locked her gaze on Ariadne.

'Why is the primary character me installed? 'Removing the spotlight is unacceptable!' * * * Isabella gritted her teeth and devoted herself to her studies in order to become Lady Romani's favourite student again, but because to her inadequate foundation, Ariadne did not only learn Gallic, but also Latin, history, theology, court etiquette, and any other subject linked to her studies. did not triumph

"Perfect!"

Madame Deluca, who was in charge of courtesies, clucked her tongue. Court etiquette is a parchment book with over 300 pages to memorise, and even after remembering everything, the body needs to remember many things, such as the suitable depth of the bow, the acceptable pace of moving the gaze, and the relaxed and attractive posture. was Even if I memorised it for a hundred days at home, I'd stutter again the following week.

"You haven't even had a premiere date, have you?"

"With the exception of one invitation to Her Majesty's Mass, the socialite has never ventured out."

Mrs. Deluca was in amazement of the bright disciple's ability to study once more.

"This... It's a talent!"

'sorry. It's an adventure.' Isabella, on the other hand, was not very gifted in the arts or sports. Because Ariadne lacked talent in the arts and sports, the two sparred, but it was the young Arabella who excelled in these areas.

"The lute playing is amazing!" The dynamics are well maintained, and the tempo is perfect!"

Miss Mancini, Arabella's music teacher, commended her. Miss Mancini handed the complement she had laboured to wring out like a dry towel to Isabella, who stared at the proud young Arabella.

"I believe Isabella takes great care of the mandola."

'Aagh!'

Isabella, unable to control her scream, flung down her 'precious' mandola and slammed the door! The fact that it was closed was a plus. Isabella, too, had the opportunity to showcase her talent, and it was through numerous social occasions and the great mass she attended once a month. It was normal for Cardinal de Mare to preside over the high mass at the Cathedral of San Ercole, the greatest church in San Carlo, the capital, and unless there were special circumstances, all residents of the capital would gather at the Cathedral of San Ercole to hear the sermon. Only the nobles were permitted to enter the Cathedral, and the commoners would wait in the plaza outside until the sermon to the nobles was finished, at which point Cardinal de Mare would say a few words to them before dispersing. The interior of San Ercole Cathedral was like a luxury, luxury, and beauty exhibition hall. Isabella was by far the most visible jewel in the room.

"Guys! Prepare yourself! You must leave the house in the carriage by 7 a.m.! We must never, ever be late!"

The event that Ariadne had predicted would occur today. Last week was Trevero Council Week. The situation has already been resolved, and today's High Mass will serve as the first day of the Trevero Council in San Carlo. It was time to divert Isabella's focus away from her special High Mass and the favour of her father.