Althea arrived at the palace and was immediately escorted to the luxurious room destined for the future Crown Princess.
A swarm of palace servants, all young women with neat and graceful appearances, instantly gathered around her.
Although they served efficiently, their whispers sounded like sharp buzzing bees.
"Heavens, look at her acne," one servant whispered while cleaning Althea's face.
"How could His Highness choose a woman like this? Is he blind?" another replied, their expressions of disgust not escaping Althea's sight.
Althea remained silent.
She had seen far worse insults at the Baron's residence or in her old world; this false noble pride didn't bother her. She was busy surveying the room's layout, looking for an exit, and analyzing everyone present.
When it was time to put on the gown, the beautiful silk dress, which should have been the standard size for the Crown Princess candidate, felt too tight, nearly bursting around Althea's full hips.
