DYBAR - Chapter 10 < My Father's Living Room, Which I Wanted To Enter So Much >

DYBAR - Chapter 10 < My Father's Living Room, Which I Wanted To Enter So Much >

Do Your Best And Regret It

"Of course, even if something unfortunate happens, the Duke's other daughter can come. Isn't this a really strong bond?"

The Empress spoke sonorously. Leopold's mate would unconditionally be a daughter of the imperial faction. The most honorable position, but at the same time, the position to dry out and die trapped in the Empress's coil. 

The heartless father who offered up his daughter in a place where everyone else was hiding her was the Duke. An icy man hides his precious youngest daughter and reveals his illegitimate daughter, who turned the Empire upside down.

 So the Duke will move as I wish, like a piece on a chessboard.

"I'll go."

Everyone knew that the consent had been omitted before the Duke's words. The Empress laughed and said something to the Duke's back.

"Bye, Duke. No matter what others say, we are on the same side."

A loud laugh spread from the living room behind. Duke Giovanni Madeleine gritted his teeth. Olivia. What on earth is that girl doing that makes the Empress even bring up Ethella? He had to go to the mansion. Before she messes up anymore...

 As soon as the Duke left, Countess Chase fell down on the floor. 

"Your Majesty, I really didn't. Please believe me."

"I want to believe it's not you, too."

The moment she heard the pitiful voice, Countess Chase lifted her head as if she had found a glimmer of hope.

"But what can I do?"

"Your Majesty?"

"There are so many compliments for you, but there is no need for me to embrace you and quarrel with Madeleine. Isn't that right?"

"..."

"You must be tired after coming up to the island for so long, so let's cool down and go back down to your estate."

Everything was neatly organized. The Empress lightly waved her hand at Countess Chase, who was being pushed out. When the door closed, the Empress smiled like a girl again.

"It was fun. She threatened the chamberlain. That vulgarity is quite common."

The corners of the Empress's eyes narrowed. She's only half, but is she Madeleine too? Well, it's only half the story. In the end, it cannot be mixed anywhere.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Your Majesty."

The Marchioness of Offem, the closest maid among the ladies, smiled and applied perfume to the Empress's hands. She said as if she had now remembered the Marquis Offem, as she checked the Empress's loose eyes.

"By the way, Lady Ethel is not normal either. How dare she impersonate His Highness the Crown Prince? This time was a bit dangerous. Really, if His Majesty hadn't shown this favor, that lovely face would have been crumpled. But, Your Majesty is truly amazing. How did you know she was so good that you sent the maid away like that?"

The Empress smiled generously and thought of Maria Ethel. The Prince's lover with a lovely appearance. It was quite a shame that she could not be crowned Queen as she belonged to the same noble family, but I had no idea that she would come up with something interesting on her own like this.

"Lady Maria Ethel asked for a card."

I remembered what the maid who planted it in the Prince's palace had said. Now that she had covered it so big once, it was only a matter of time before Maria Ethel got her say. 

The Empress hummed her tune and looked down at her fingernails. It was time to redo her nails. A little longer and sharper.

*** 

Through the window, I saw the chamberlain bowing his head. The carriage started slowly. It is said that the Countess of Chase retired from the palace. In a few days, she will return to the estate. Just like the way the Empress always used it.

Normally she would have pretended not to notice me either. But, she even touched Madeleine. I had to tell my father about this. I don't know if it's just my job. It seemed like my father would also be angry if it happened to Madelaine, whom he loved with his life. Maybe, really maybe.

Wouldn't he be a little angry for me too? I chuckled. Sure enough, I had more intentions to do it, but I couldn't help but feel excited. Whatever it was, it gave me a reason to talk a little bit with my father.

I was surprised as she looked out the window, my face brightening. I then knocked on the coach window.

"Please stop over there for a moment."

"Miss!"

When the carriage slowed down and came to a complete stop, Sally got into the carriage, loudly calling out to me. 

"How did you get here? How do you know I'm here?"

"Miss, that's not important right now."

Sally let out a shaky breath. I felt something unusual when she saw Sally's extremely nervous face.

"What's going on?"

"His Excellency is looking for Lady!"

My heart was pounding loudly. It was the first time I had heard that my father was looking for me since I came to Madeleine's. 

***

In front of the dark oak door, I caught my breath. 

Father's drawing room. A place that was forbidden to me for 14 years. I raised my shaking fist and knocked on the door.

"It's Olivia."

The door that seemed impossible to open, opened. The Duke was standing in front of a large window filled with the sunset. The Duke's face could not be seen because the sunset was so strong. 

I couldn't tell what kind of expression he was making, so I clenched and unclenched my fist for no reason. 

The drawing room was quiet. I took a step further, pressing my hand against my pounding heart. How much did my father hear? Did he even hear how I reacted?

 I didn't know where to start, so I hesitated for a moment before parting my lips.

"Ah, father."

"Princess."

 My waist was cut off, and a cold voice fell. The Duke looked straight down at me. His face against the glow was as cold as ice.

"I asked for only one thing: to become the Crown Princess."

 Once a sharply forged voice, and once again a gaze devoid of any trace of affection, stabbed me.

"You can't even protect that one thing, so you're causing such a scandal and arrogantly trying to upset the Crown Prince's palace?"

"That's not it."

It was clear that there was some misunderstanding.

"I heard that the Empress sent a gift to comfort you, who is always alone. But you threaten the Chamberlain just by looking at the card there? Still, do you really think you are qualified to be the Crown Princess?"

A heavy voice attacked me sharply, but I felt relieved. Now my father was misunderstanding me.

"It wasn't just a card. He mocked me by impersonating His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and was an insult to Madeleine."

 "Why did you insult Madeleine?" 

"Yes?"

"Didn't you hear? I asked why you made fun of me and why you insulted Madeleine."

The beautiful purple eyes were emotionless as if they were looking at someone else. His cold cutting words made me gasp as if they had stabbed me deep in my lungs. 

It was my father I hadn't seen in a really, really long time. He frowned when he saw my face every morning, and he never called me to the living room, but that was because my efforts had not yet reached my father. 

My father brought me here even though I was alone. He let me stay with a wonderful Duchess for a little while, let me meet my brothers and sisters, let me wear pretty silk dresses, eat delicious food, and....... Oh, that's right.

He made me sit next to Leopold, which was the most precious seat. 

My father knew that I liked Leopold. He said it was a rare seat, one I wouldn't have been able to sit in if I hadn't been Princess Madeleine.

The more I counted, the more reasons there were.

"Me too."

My voice shook for some reason and I clenched my fists.

"Me too, I'm Madeleine too."

The voice that burst out at the Duke trembled. The moment the Duke looked at me impassively, I realized.

"If you want to claim to be a Madeleine, act like a Madeleine." 

That there is still a line between my father and me.

"Behave properly. Don't drag Madeleine into such dirty rumors again."

Cold eyes, words of hate towards me as if everything was my fault. All of these things are the same as when I was a child, with my arms being held and I couldn't say anything. 

Then and now, there was only one thing I could say. I muttered softly as I squeezed.

"I didn't do anything."

"You don't do anything, but those rumors surround you?"

"... Yes."

"Then, what did you do in the Prince's Palace?"

"That's just it."

It was my effort to protect Madeleine. Even if I am ignored, Madeleine is not a place where that should be done. I thought that if I protected Madeleine together, I would become a little closer to my father. 

The Duke looked down at me in reproach. What I wanted was just one span, but it was ten spans away.

"... Get out."

The Duke glared at me as if he was bored. I turned and looked blankly into the drawing room. 

Every time I looked at the oak door, I wondered what was there. The portrait hanging above the fireplace was just as it was painted 14 years ago before I came in. The Duchess smiling brightly, the affectionate father, and Conrad and Jade laughing like mischievous. There was a fairy-like Ethella.

As if time had passed by, this place is still the same as it was 14 years ago. It's just because they're full of hate for me. 

I took a breath consciously. I felt like I couldn't breathe... 

I don't know how I got up to my room. Lying on the bed in my dress, I looked at the ceiling. I had a gliding silk canopy full of gorgeous lace, and it was expensive to look at here and there. 

My stomach felt empty. Did I skip dinner? I, who was thinking deeply, shook my head and buried my face in my bed again. The soft blanket covered my cheeks coldly. 

All sound seemed to have disappeared, and she thought to herself, "I just want something very small." 

Even if I don't have the affection to risk anything like a chamberlain, I did a good job. Or well done. I expected to hear something like that. At least I thought my best efforts at hiding my trembling hands were worth it.

I raised my hand. And then I suddenly thought. I was glad I kept wearing the gloves I got from the man.

At least her father wouldn't see her hand shaking. You must have seen the brilliantly shiny gloves first. 

Then I pouted and laughed. If you think about it, there's no way my father could see my hands shaking. The thought of that made me laugh. I laughed out loud. 

When my loud laughter died down, my face distorted ever slightly and then was completely covered by the collar of my blanket.

My back trembled slightly, without a single sound escaping. 

*** 

A victory banquet hall filled with hands clasped as if in pairs. Olivia Madeleine was alone again today. 

"What do you think about being alone like that, dressed like your partner?"

"That's right. I'd rather not wear those clothes. I'm not advertising that the Crown Prince was taken away by Lady Ethel."

It was just as the nobles said. Leopold, wearing a red uniform, was next to Maria Ethel, who was wearing a pink dress. Not next to Olivia in the red dress, matching his red uniform and partner's uniform. I made eye contact with Leopold who was far away. One corner of Leopold's mouth rose.

A wonderful eye smile and a crooked yet charming attitude. Leopold knows me too well. So it seemed like this job was easy. 

Everything about being with Maria Ethel and what happened in the Prince's Palace.

I looked ahead as if nothing was happening. If I thought nothing was wrong, it really was nothing. Otherwise, I felt like my hidden self would be consumed by shame and humiliation. 

I saw my father and Conrad at a reasonable distance away. I was sure they could hear what was being said, but they didn't even pretend to turn towards me. 

Seeing it in such a large banquet hall, I really felt like a stranger. As my gaze went down, lace gloves caught my eye. Although I wore jewelry and a dress sent by the imperial palace, I wore gloves given to me by a man. 

I lazily lifted my gloved hand. He was a man I felt strangely at ease with when I was with him. It was then. The heavy sound of the horn overwhelmed the banquet hall.

"Your Majesty the Emperor, the Empress, and the Princess."

The servant shouted loudly. Everyone spoke politely towards the Emperor, Empress, and Princess. Behind the richly decorated Emperor and Empress, Princess Reina was seen wearing a pure white dress. Her dress was uncharacteristic of a Princess who always liked flashy things.

"Hail to the sun and moon of the Empire. I see your Majesty the Emperor and the Empress."

"Haha. It's a happy day, everyone, so get up quickly."

As if to brighten the mood, the Emperor smiled brightly and raised his glass. Then, he looked around the banquet hall and said loudly.

"However. Where are today's heroes?"

"Well, that is."

The chamberlain of the Emperor's palace, who was closest to him, whispered to the Emperor as if he were embarrassed. When the Emperor heard those words, he frowned.

"What? Aren't they here yet?"

Everyone in the banquet hall became quiet. Even though it was a victory banquet, it was impossible for it to come later than the Emperor and Empress. It was a time when the Emperor was about to lose his temper.

"His Royal Highness Grand Duke Edwin Lowell Vikander, the Imperial Palace Knights, and the Vikander Knights enter!"

With the servant's voice echoing through the banquet hall, knights in livery came in majestically from the wide open door.

I also looked at the procession of knights and looked for Jade. It would have been easy to find if he had silver hair, but because there were so many people, it was hard to see him. 

For a moment, the people watching the procession became quiet. I also turned my head to people's reactions. My eyes were wide and irritated. And without realizing it, my eyes blinked. 

That man in black livery at the front of the parade of knights. He's tall and has hair so black that it reflects even the darkness. Ruby-colored eyes with a red tint. A beautiful face that makes you swallow your admiration.

 That man is definitely the man I saw in Laheirn who I remembered a while ago.

Previous                Next

Support Novellate!