DYBAR - Chapter 19 How To Treat Your Most Precious Person

DYBAR - Chapter 19 How To Treat Your Most Precious Person

Do Your Best And Regret It

The Grand Duke's living room late at night.

"The Lady is asleep."

After finishing the report, Hannah left the reception room. In the sitting room alone, the Grand Duke exhaled slowly. His sharp nerves began to subside little by little. Just the fact that Olivia Madeleine is in his mansion. 

As the sun was setting, he left for the Imperial Palace and heard a report that Olivia had disappeared. Olivia disappeared alone from the heavily guarded imperial palace. The Grand Duke felt his eyes turning white. His eyes rolled back and his entire army searched for her. When she finally found out, Olivia had lost her sparkle and she looked up at him.

"Why are you here?"

Olivia's face was pale and she was clutching the hem of her robe. When her trembling voice, as if holding back her tears, resurfaced, the Grand Duke's red eyes darkened. He almost made her cry alone. Just thinking about it was a terrible thing. 

With all his might, the Grand Duke picked up the oldest letter on the table and checked the signature. Liv Green. 

The corners of the Grand Duke's mouth rose gracefully. He remembered a year and a half ago when he first encountered this neat handwriting. It was a time when he was drafted into the war against Heferti by the Emperor, who used the White Crystal Mine as a leash. 

One day, a purple letter started arriving in the dreary mail. It was the same sentence every time.

 Stay safe and don't get hurt. Liv Green Dream.

It was a letter from a sponsor sending relief goods. When the five letters were sent, the Grand Duke sent a courtesy thank her. It was only after the Grand Duke sent his reply that he learned that a letter from a benefactor was also an essential requirement for relief.

He received a letter from a sponsor who had been absent for a while. The sponsor's letter was a little longer. A carefully written letter thanking him for expressing her gratitude. Starting with that letter, letters with Liv Green began to exchange. The recipient of a strange letter is anxious and cold, but affectionate.

When letters were exchanged for about half a year, the Grand Duke referred to Liv Green like that. Every time he read the letter, his curiosity about this mysterious benefactor grew. A person who sends the best alms anonymously, unlike nobles who sponsor amounts and advertise their names. The day after Liv Green's relief supplies arrived, armor and barracks, which were always in short supply, became plentiful.

Even things like blankets. The anonymous benefactor who sent us what we actually needed did not carelessly share his story.

Instead, based on the story at first glance, he could only infer that she seemed to be living a happy life. A story of praying for the safe return of the knights along with their beloved families. Or a story about being upset because her younger brother is sick.

Things like going on a date with her fiancé and hoping that this happy moment would return to the drivers as soon as possible.

The sponsor always wrote this in the last paragraph of the letter:.

I wish you all the best. Liv Green Dream. 

It was an unfamiliar word. 'all my best.' Every time he read the letter, the Grand Duke would think over those strange words. He traveled the battlefield to retrieve the White Crystal Mine that his mother loved so much. He did his best for his family, which was exploited by the Emperor and fell to the ground. If you think about it that way, he thinks he did his best to some extent. Strangely, the emptiness was not filled. For quite some time after that, the Grand Duke thought about 'what was best. 

Then one day, he witnessed Jade Madeleine, vice-captain of the Imperial Knights sent by the Emperor, tearing up a letter with fiery anger. He was used to getting angry as a hot-tempered person, but when he saw his face in passing after he got angry, he looked strangely sad. 

It wasn't difficult to find out who the torn letter was from. The illegitimate son of the Duke of Madeleine. Half Madeleine. The Prince's fiancee.

In the stories that circulated around the barracks, the stories about Olivia Madeleine were always negative. She is an arrogant, shameless woman who covets what belongs to others. 

He thought that was it. Until one day, two letters from sponsors arrived. Sending two messages at once? At a time when he was feeling strangely happy, the Grand Duke realized that a letter had been delivered by mistake. One message was from Liv Green to him, a knight of the battlefield. The other letter was a letter from Olivia Madeleine to Jade Madeleine. Luxurious stationery with equally neat handwriting. When the identity of Liv Green, who had kept her story secret for so long, was revealed, the Grand Duke was not happy. 

Rather, he felt sick. Liv Green, who was happy even in the passing of her daily life, is Olivia Madeleine. He wished he hadn't known about Olivia's gossip. He was bothered by the fact that the Liv Green he knew and the Olivia in real life were in completely opposite situations. 

How should be reply? 

The Grand Duke, who had been pondering for a while, had to suddenly change the battlefield before finally sending the letter. He sent a letter asking what was wrong, but he never heard back from Liv Green. 

As the war ended in victory, the Grand Duke wrote one last letter to his dear patron. He said he would like to meet her on the street early. It was okay even if the letter wasn't delivered. Because he would meet them once you entered the social world. 

The Grand Duke headed to the meeting place. With very little expectations. And he unexpectedly met a Young Lady. He was a girl with beautiful green eyes that caught his eye from the first time he saw her. The moment he realized that the Young Lady was Olivia Madeleine, the Grand Duke felt a thrill. 

The idiot in the imperial palace grew up with no shortage and couldn't recognize the most precious things, but he was different. If she came to his side, he was confident that he would treat her with more respect than anyone else. 

The red pupils in the yo-yo-curved eyes became more intense.

 ***

 It was a dusky dawn. Hannah opened the door and entered, her eyes wide.

"Miss?"

"Hi."

I, who was sitting on the bed, smiled awkwardly. Hannah blinked her eyes in surprise.

"Are you awake already? You came home so late yesterday?" 

I shrugged. Waking up early was a habit. I had a lot of work to do and I only had one body, so I had no choice but to spend less time sleeping. It was my first time doing nothing in the morning like this. As was my routine, I  checked my life as a Princess by looking at my diary and looking around my house. 

I didn't do the things she used to do, so she felt weird for some reason.

"Would you like to go eat? Our chef was excited that she was here."

"What food do you like best?"

Hannah seemed to have finally found something to do and spoke energetically again. Meal. It was my first time eating breakfast that je hadn't inspected. I nodded my head slowly, then paused. When Hannah looked at me curiously, I said, my face a little red.

"Do you eat breakfast every day, Your Highness?"

I stood in the doorway of the restaurant and snooped inside. The Grand Duke was nowhere to be seen in the delicious-smelling restaurant.

"Case by case. Some days he eats it and. some days he doesn't."

Hannah's answer came to mind. Today seemed to be a 'don't eat day'. It was fortunate. I thought it would be too embarrassing to see him in such a disgraceful manner yesterday and to see him again in the morning.

"Are you looking for something?"

"Your Highness."

I, who had been answering without thinking, was startled. The Grand Duke, who was standing behind me,  smiled brightly and held out his hand to me. I placed his hand on my face. The Grand Duke pulled out my chair as if to escort me. He was as natural as flowing water.

"Were you looking for me? If you had told me, I would have come sooner." 

The Grand Duke smiled slyly as we sat across from each other. He acted as if nothing had happened yesterday. I slowly parted my lips.

"Your Highness."

"Yes?"

"Thank you for having me here yesterday."

I spoke as clearly as I could. I knew I had to look the other person in the eye when expressing gratitude, but I kept lowering my head in shame.

"I don't know to what extent, but I think I will be a bother to His Highness for a while. 

"..."

"If there is anything I can do here, please let me know. But it won't be useless."

I managed the finances of the Duke's family and the Princess's palace. There is a record of resolving the Princess's matter. So I radiated confidence that I could do anything, but the Grand Duke looked a little troubled. I felt scared for a moment. Did I do something wrong again? Then the Grand Duke's face softened.

"You really said you could do it all, right? I want three things."

"Except the illegal ones."

I a little scared, drew a line. The Grand Duke laughed lowly. My tension eased as I heard a friendly laugh that tickled my ears. A mischievous look appeared in the Grand Duke's eyes.

"First, eat regular meals. Second, sleep well. Third, Lady, do whatever you want. If possible, it would be nice if you took care of me a little."

"..."

 Can you do it?"

A sweet voice asked me. The appearance of a man who was willing to do anything for me, who was only used to calculating my profits and losses, was truly strange. Even without having to guess whether it was a joke or seriousness, I knew that those words were sincere. 

My chest tightened. Even though I clenched my fists on my knees, the bridge of my nose was sore. I thought it would look really ugly if I continued like this. I muttered softly. 

The Grand Duke listened intently to the small voices that continued. The Grand Duke's face as he was putting words together became distorted.

"Now, are you asking me to leave?"

I lifted my head in surprise. I was a little embarrassed right now and asked him to leave for a moment. That was when I was surprised by a serious mistranslation.

“Fuhahaha.”

The sound of boisterous laughter echoed through the restaurant. Surprised, I looked at the doorway. There was no sign of him, but as if he had already arrived, the servants, including the brown-haired knight, were standing there. While everyone was holding back their laughter, only the brown-haired knight was laughing out of frustration.

"It was so hard to bring him here." 

"... Winster Calter. What brings you here?"

When the Grand Duke, gritting his teeth, slowly called out to the knight, Winster, who had been sobbing, stopped laughing. And he noticed.

"Ahahaha... I came just in time to say hello to the Lady. ha ha ha."

"..... Really. In times like this, listen carefully."

The Grand Duke stroked his hair as if he was at a loss. The moment he thought his jet-black hair looked soft as it fell between his fingers, the Grand Duke faced me. The Grand Duke smiled softly.

"I told you yesterday, right? Everyone at the Grand Duke's residence is eagerly waiting for the Young Lady."

It was as he said. The Grand Duke's employees, including Hannah, were looking at me with sparkling eyes. Those stares tickled me and made me laugh.

*** 

Unlike the warm palace, the Madeleine duchy had a cold atmosphere. This was because Ethella had woken up and locked the door. Her maid, Veronica, stamped her feet at Ethella's command not to let anyone in. This was all because of the Big Princess. 

Veronica looked at Olivia's closed door with resentful eyes. All memories of Olivia's harsh words to her that night disappeared from Veronica's mind. The same was true for other residents of the mansion.

"Miss, a tailor came from Madame Pluto's shop."

A maid ran over and whispered. Veronica glared irritably at the maid.

"Can't you understand the atmosphere? Send them back quickly." 

"That is... She said that Miss Olivia had called her to tailor Miss Ethella's clothes."

The maid was embarrassed. For a moment, Veronica's eyes became sharp. Just then the tailor came up the stairs. The tailor who was carrying various patterns proudly shouted.

"Princess Olivia Madeleine ordered our Pluto for Princess Ethella Madeleine!"

Soon the atmosphere became cold. The tailor, who had always been accustomed to a welcoming atmosphere, was confused and looked at Veronica.

"Hey, what's going on?"

"...I'm sorry, but not today."

It was when Veronica touched her forehead and spoke. The tightly closed door opened and a harsh, cracked voice came out. 

"What's the matter."

Veronica was surprised. It was only two days. Ethella, who had not opened the door even though the Duke pleaded with her, came out two days later with a gaunt and gaunt face. Before Veronica, who looked like she was about to burst into tears, could speak, the tailor answered.

“Greetings to Princess Ethella Madeleine. Princess Olivia Madeleine sent us as a gift!"

Ethella's face darkened. Veronica said as if she quickly got angry. 

"Is she trying to come in like this after leaving?" 

The maids noticed Veronica's words and mocked Olivia one by one. 

"I can't believe she is using this kind of material offensive to cover up a mistake!"

"I'm sure she made a reservation yesterday with the intention of coming back as soon as she left."

"I think there was some mistake."

The tailor said, holding up the statement with a puzzled look on his face. 

"This is an order scheduled for last Wednesday. We were supposed to come last week, but the schedule didn't work out, so we told her we would come today."

Everyone flinched at the tailor's words for a moment. If it was last Wednesday. It was as if Olivia had made a reservation for the busy Madame Pluto even before this happened. 

The maids who were driving Olivia with such vigor faltered.

"Lie!"

Veronica shouted without realizing it. His Excellency the Duke and the First Prince always told her to be careful of Olivia Madeleine. She couldn't have been wrong about that.

"It's true!"

Suddenly, a maid appeared from nowhere. The maid whose face was swollen as if she had been crying was Olivia's dedicated maid, Sally.

"Our Lady made a reservation for this place last week, saying it would be a good fit for Miss Ethella."

Sally, who had been crying, finally burst into tears and said. 

"I don't know about anything else, but My Lady, I really didn't make a reservation here for any reason. Every time, she thought of Lady Ethella. It's true."

She should have followed Olivia along that day. Sally cried. She was resentful of the Young Lady who never told her where she had gone. Sally knew that the Duke's family hated  Olivia, but she hadn't come in for two days and they weren't even looking for her.

 A rush of sadness came over. Ethella went back into the room, leaving behind Sally, who was sitting down and crying, the embarrassed maids, and the tailor who was at a loss for what to do. Even though it was morning, her curtained room was dark.

Ethella closed her eyes tightly. Even though she tried to think of other things, the Princess's voice kept repeating in her ears.

"How can you treat the daughter of the dancer who killed your mother like your own sister?"

The hands that covered her ears took strength. Tears welled up again in her purple eyes that had become pitch black.

She wishes she wasn't her sister. If she were really someone else, she would have truly hated her. Olivia was her only older sister. She is her proud older sister who always held her hand and worried about her. 

Ethella said one day her older sister would stay away from her, but she was okay with it. Even when her brothers bullied her sister, Ethella was confident that she could protect her. Why did this happen? It's really because of her sister that her mom...

Every time she thought about her terrible family, Ethella felt nauseous. Her teeth were shaking from the overwhelming resentment and intense hatred. 

As Ethella went back to bed, something sparkled in her eyes. A pink diamond necklace in a velvet box that wasn't properly closed. Ethella absentmindedly picked up the necklace. Then, she suddenly remembered the pink jewel necklace she had given Olivia. Ethella hoped it would be filled with that kind of happiness. 

Ethella bit her lip. Her sister ruined it all. Olivia Madeleine ruined it all. In her anger, her arm, which had been raised to pick up the necklace, slowly fell. Her face fell as she cursed Olivia with all her venom. Eventually, Ethella burst into tears again.

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