DYBAR - Chapter 16 < I Thought It Was A Perfect Day >

DYBAR - Chapter 16 < I Thought It Was A Perfect Day >

Do Your Best And Regret It

"But what did the guest behind us visit for?"

Madame greeted the Grand Duke with a business smile. The Grand Duke did not answer. Seeing the suspicious robe and the lack of response, Madame's hand went down the display case. I spoke hurriedly as she seemed to be about to ring the guard call bell.

"This is someone I know."

The quick-witted madam blinked. The Princess who received the oath that caused an uproar last night came forward for the first time, saying she was choosing a gift from a man other than her family and the Crown Prince. And if she happened to know someone who showed up.

Madame, who understood at once, smiled inexplicably at me, And she politely bowed to the Grand Duke.

"...... Yes. Then I will bring you some new refreshments. Everyone will be outside, so ring the bell if you need to."

Madame left without a word to me, who was taken aback by the sight of her clearly misunderstanding something. He took off his robe as if the Grand Duke had been waiting for me. His speechless gorgeous face smiled playfully at me.

"What if I like receiving help like this? Do I really have to keep getting into trouble?"

"What is that!"

I, who had been refuting without realizing it, made a mistake. I held the hem of my dress and did my best.

"Olivia Madeleine, meet Your Highness the Grand Duke." 

"I think it would be better to stop saying that greeting."

"It's etiquette." 

"I would like to give privileges above the etiquette to the Young Lady who gave the oath. How are you?"

I blinked slowly, an informal greeting was a privilege that proved a close relationship. It also meant respecting each other regardless of social status. I bit my lip at the words I had never heard, not even from Leopold, whom I had seen since I was nine years old. The

Grand Duke, who watched the scene keenly, naturally changed the subject.

"Didn't you have something to say to me?"

Oops. 

Only then did I realize what I was trying to say and narrowed my eyes.

"What did you mean by what you said earlier?"

"What are you talking about?"

"That ring. It's a wedding proposal ring, but why me!" 

I couldn't even finish my sentence. The Grand Duke asked me as if I was rather curious.

"That's right. How do I know and exactly what you like?"

Is it a joke or is it serious? At his sly words, I, as was her habit, looked at the Grand Duke's expression. The Grand Duke averted my gaze. The tips of his ears, which  I caught a glimpse of through his jet-black hair, were red. 

Like sincerely,  I was startled by the sudden thought and shook my head. I  heard the Grand Duke laughing, but I did not feel any embarrassment. It was a ridiculous assumption. The opponent was a Grand Duke. I may be overreacting to his jokes for no reason. I tried hard to suppress my blush. I responded more playfully, ignoring the pounding of my heartbeat.

"If you play pranks like that, you'll end up in the ceremony hall."

Not only was he the only Grand Duke in the Empire, he was wealthy and even had a reputation as a war hero. It was only yesterday that the Emperor also presented the Princess with the appearance of the best groom. 

I smiled proudly, hoping that my sincerity would come across as a compliment. But the Grand Duke's face when he looked at me again was somehow strange. I pondered my words as his searching red eyes looked at me. It's clearly a compliment, but maybe it was conveyed incorrectly. 

Just when I was secretly worried, the Grand Duke smiled sweetly.

"... That's what I'm hoping for."

"To me?"

"Yes. To the lady."

My heart swelled in front of the clear answer. I felt like I had to say something, but as soon as the Grand Duke met my eyes, I was silenced. 

Why does that man look at me like that? A gaze so tickling that I felt embarrassed to receive it. Those eyes contained everything I had hoped for. 

Sweet affection. 

He was a man who was kind to me from the beginning. Was all of this a signal or something? Or did it start at some point? There were countless things I wanted to ask. But I actually said one thing.

"I am the fiancée of His Majesty the Crown Prince."

The Grand Duke's eyes drooped as if he didn't like the answer. With his sullen puppy-like face, I felt like I had done something wrong.

"I know, right. But don't you like that ring too?"

"Of course, I like the ring, but......."

I, who had been answering without thinking, realized the implications and glared at the Grand Duke. The Grand Duke quickly raised his palm.

"All right. But what brings you here?"

"I'm trying to choose a gift for Your Highness."

"Were you picking out my gift?"

The Grand Duke loved it like a child. I

feel a little sorry, told the truth.

"The jewelry pin I gave you yesterday was actually a gift from my younger sister. Because it's something I really cherish."

"You sure don't mean to say you're taking back the gift you gave me, right?"

"I was going to say exactly that. I'll give you another gift instead."

The Grand Duke pursed his lips. In an attitude full of disappointment, I uncharacteristically added my own excuse.

"Of course, I wish I had given you something else from the beginning. But as you know, the situation was urgent."

"... There is one way to get your jewels back."

"Which one do you like?"

I quickly checked the display case. Of course, excluding the Grand Duke's ring. For cufflinks, I guess obsidian or diamond would be good. At that time, the Grand Duke pointed to one side of the display stand.

"How about that one?"

What the Grand Duke pointed to was an emerald necklace. A dark but bright color like green summer greenery. The necklace, with emeralds shining between the tightly woven platinum chains, was fascinating.

I looked back and forth between the necklace and the Grand Duke.

"Uh... Hmm. Are you going to wear it yourself?"

"It's yours."

The Grand Duke spoke sternly, looking at my confused eyes.

"Instead of me giving back the jewelry pin, please accept it as a gift. Otherwise, I won't give it to you." 

"I should have given it to you, but are you asking me to accept it again?"

"They said they would do anything."

The Grand Duke came out shamelessly. I was about to retort by saying I never said anything like that. I was going to listen to whatever the Grand Duke had to say anyway. But that color...

I shook my head.

"You don't like it? Then how about the pink diamond next to it?" 

"It's not that I don't like it."

I trailed off and glanced at the Grand Duke. His languidly smiling face looked like he would wait forever. It was difficult to open up about my weaknesses in the social world, but if it was that guy.

I said lightly as if it was no big deal.

"I don't go well with bright colors."

"What is that?"

The Grand Duke frowned without realizing it. I shrugged my shoulders with a silent expression on my face.

"I know. I know it doesn't suit me, so can I choose a dark color?"

While I was looking at the display case, the Grand Duke looked at me closely.

My gray dress was of good quality but simple and my earrings and necklace were missing. He must have thought I liked dressing casually. 

He had a bitter mouth. The Grand Duke spoke lightly while swallowing his bitter feelings.

"As I said yesterday, it seems like the people around you don't even have a sense of aesthetics."

"Yes?"

I looked back at the Grand Duke. He got even more angry because my face said she didn't know what she was talking about. He became angrier because the direction his anger was aimed at was obvious. A foolish child of the royal family who can't even recognize precious things and even precious people. 

The Grand Duke gritted his teeth and muttered lowly

.."I guess I'll have to call an expert for a moment."

The Grand Duke lightly rang the bell. As if waiting, the door opened and Madame came in. Madame's eyes wavered for a  moment as she faced the Grand Duke taking off his robe.

"I meet the great hero, His Highness the Grand Duke."

"Since you are quick to notice, I believe you will also have a big mouth."

"Thank you. Do you need anything?"

"Bring out all the brightly colored necklaces that would suit the Princess."

"I'm not suited for that kind of thing?"

I spoke, but the Grand Duke didn't even seem to listen. The same was true for Madame, who seemed excited and took out jewelry. 

"Oh my God. I thought it would be suitable for the Princess!"

Madame, who brought a transparent sparkling pink diamond, gave a compliment. The brighter the jewelry, the duller she will look. My mouth went dry. 

My hands fidgeted uneasily, having lost sight of my destination. When the Grand Duke said nothing, I lowered my head further. 

Madame asked in an excited voice.

"How are you feeling, Your Highness?"

"Better than I expected."

I closed my eyes tightly at the deep voice. Leopold's sarcasm could be heard beyond the pitch-black field of vision.

"Didn't I tell you? Bright colors really don't suit you."

"I'm surprised it suits you better."

A strong voice was overlaid on top of Leopold's voice. I opened my eyes slowly. The Grand Duke, leaning against the display stand, nodded slightly.

"It suits you really well. What you're wearing right now is both dark and bright shades."

I was tickled from my toes to my head. It was my first time feeling this strange. I glanced cautiously in the mirror. I said I obviously didn't like Leopold. Even Ethella's pink necklace didn't suit me, I said.

When I glanced at myself in the mirror, my appearance wasn't bad. No, it seemed like maybe it was a little bit okay.

The Grand Duke shrugged his shoulders as if wondering if what he said was correct. The madam behind me kept bringing jewelry.

The Grand Duke spoke seriously as clear garnets, rubles, and sapphires continued to decorate my neck.

"One. I said it wrong. Can't I give them all as gifts?"

"Thank you for just one thing,  Your Highness."

The Grand Duke became sullen at my sharp words.

Oh. Madame suppressed her screams. The look in the Grand Duke's eyes when he looked at the Princess was unusual. 

*** 

The Grand Duke volunteered to be an escort on the way. Sally, smiling happily, left first, and I, who got into the carriage, played with my pink diamond necklace.

"As promised, I will bring you the jewelry pin by today."

The Grand Duke rolled his eyes gracefully. It was obvious that he was in a good mood.

I, who was laughing, stopped. Suddenly, what the Grand Duke said earlier came to mind. He said he wanted to give me a ring to propose. It was true that the Grand Duke was kind and that he was willing to be affectionate, but if he was being nice to me for the purpose of proposing marriage, I had to stop now. Because I have to become the Crown Princess. If I stand proudly next to Leopold, my family will look at me. 

The hand that was touching the necklace became stiff. A part of my heart sank heavily. I didn't know that I would feel so sad about not having to see the Grand Duke anymore.

"Your Highness, I have something to tell you."

 "What is it?"

"It's because of the ring you mentioned earlier."

"Have you finally felt like having it?"

The Grand Duke, who had been sitting reclining, straightened his posture. The loose red eyes shone sweetly.

"It's really late, but the Lady said you want it, so I'll think about it again."

Despite his arrogant tone, his movements were quick. I said hurriedly as I watched the Grand Duke taking the ring case out of his arms.

"It's not because of that, it's because you are nice to me."

My voice became quiet due to the staring eyes.

"If it's because of a marriage proposal, you don't have to be nice to me."

The Grand Duke's expression became subtle. He pressed his lips together as if trying to say something. How wrong my actions were right now. Surely the Grand Duke would be dumbfounded. I did such a good job. My dejected shoulders slumped.

 At the same time, a calm voice was heard.

"Am I being nice to you?"

The man was asking sincerely. I nodded my head.

"Yes. You've been so good to me."

I had never tasted such generous affection. Even unfamiliar compliments, Kind eyes too. Also a gesture of consideration, Also kind words. He even gave me a gift. I was truly grateful. 

The Grand Duke's face momentarily distorted as he met my grateful eyes, and then his smiled back to normal. I felt that somehow she felt the Grand Duke had been hurt.

"Then I plan to treat you better." 

"Why?"

"I was suppressing my desire to do better and approaching in a non-threatening manner as much as possible."

These words were as sweet as the spring sunshine. I can't believe I dare to taste that kind of kindness. 

The Grand Duke chuckled.

"So don't just tell me not to be nice to you,  Okay?"

My mouth was dry. After a while, I nodded my head. The Grand Duke smiled slightly.

Before I knew it, the carriage had arrived in front of the gate. The Grand Duke got out of the carriage and glanced next to me. I don't know when I left it, but there was another new jewelry box.

Before the surprised me could speak, the Grand Duke spoke first.

"That's for your younger sister. I also want to look good to your precious younger sister."

The Grand Duke smiled and started the carriage. The gate opened and my carriage crossed the garden. I looked out the window at the Grand Duke. I could clearly see the Grand Duke's smiling face as he walked away.

 ***

 Entering the mansion, I opened the box the Grand Duke had left behind. Pink diamond necklace. It was the same thing I was betting on. For some reason, I felt excited. It really felt like a perfect day, I received flowers and gifts from the children.

"Sally."

I called Sally, whom I had sent to the mansion first. But I couldn't see Sally anywhere. 

There were a lot of my maids gathered on one side of me. I was in front of Ethella's room. The maids who were standing there with worried faces also spotted me.

"Lady Esela is looking for you."

“Is Ethella back?”

There are still three days left to come, so what happened? I had a bad feeling about something bad, but I shook my head. What could be bad?

 Her mother's family, the Marquis Haelquin, must have been playing happily. 

I was a little surprised when I entered Ethella's room. Even though it was evening, the room was dark with no lights on. Through the spreading sunset light, I saw Ethella sitting on the bed. She must have sensed a presence and Ethella turned toward the door. 

I couldn't see her face hidden by her hair. I, who was about to call Ethella, stopped short due to her uneasy sense of déjà vu. This was how she felt when I first entered my father's living room.

"Sister."

When a screeching voice was heard, I put the box she was carrying on the table and approached Ethella.

"What's the matter."

That was a crying voice. A very exhausted voice. I clenched my fists. Who would dare make the angelic Ethella cry? It was something that could never have happened.

"Say it. What happened,"

"Because of you, I really... ... ."

Ethella slowly turned her head. At that moment I stopped in my tracks. Ethella's eyes, which were always smiling with happiness, sank.

"Is my mother dead?"

A trembling voice was directed at me. My heart sank.

Previous            Next

Support Novellate!