DYBAR - Chapter 24 < A Letter From The Imperial Palace >

DYBAR - Chapter 24 < A Letter From The Imperial Palace >

Do Your Best And Regret It

Ethella stopped walking. The voice that came through the crack in the door was Conrad. Her maid, seeing Ethella, tried to greet her quickly, but Ethella put her finger to her lips. Her fingertips trembled. Her heart was pounding. She had a bad feeling.

Even though she shouldn't have listened, she walked up to the door of the restaurant.

"We need to bring Olivia back. She came to this house for that purpose, right?"

Conrad's back was visible through the narrow gap in the door. What does this mean that her sister came here to do? 

Just like the last time she went to the Princess's tea party, an uneasy feeling swept over her entire body.

"If Ethella goes to be the Crown Princess."

What's the story? Her older sister is the Prince's fiancé. They both love each other, so why is Ethella's story coming out?

"... She will suffer so much that she will die from the Empress's poison. I can't see that."

At Conrad's heavy voice, Ethella reflexively thought of Olivia. Then what about Olivia?

In an instant, Ethella's face turned pale, as if all her blood had drained out. She doesn't know what all this means. Ethella ran blindly toward the room. Suddenly someone grabbed Ethella's shoulder. Surprised, Ethella looked behind her. It was Jade.

"Brother Jade."

"What's the matter. What's going on?"

In an instant, Ethella lost all her strength. Jade shouted, firmly holding on to the limp Ethella.

"Are you okay? Doctor! Call the doctor!"

The employees scattered in perfect order. In that situation, Jade faced Ethella's white face. What is happening? There was no color in Ethella's face. 

Shit. Jade was about to take Olivia to the Grand Duke's residence, but Ethella was more urgent.

Ethella had been weak since she was young, and her family was always worried.

"Let's go to bed first. Aren't you dizzy?"

"Brother."

"Huh? Say it..."

"No, it's not true right?"

Ethella's voice was desperate. However,  Jade could not immediately understand what she said without the subject.

"What?"

"Sister..."

Jade, who was walking towards Ethella's room, stopped. Either way, Ethella's voice trembled. 

"She didn't have a hard time because of the Empress, right?"

Jade gritted his molars. It was something he had never thought deeply about. If the Empress were an aristocratic woman to her core, she would have tormented Olivia as much as she could.

"...I don't know."

But whether that was true or not had nothing to do with Jade. Ethella's eyes became bright.

"Tell me you're lying."

"You have a fever."

"Then what does it mean that the Crown Princess was originally my place?"

At that moment, Jade's eyes trembled violently. 

She couldn't believe it. What she hoped was a lie was true. 

Haha...

Ethella laughed helplessly. Conrad's tangled words fit her situation like a puzzle.

"She came to my house for that purpose, didn't she?"

Ethella suddenly had an older sister when she was young, and her family members kept Ethella hidden and did not let her out in social circles. They also treated her sister as if she didn't exist. It all made sense for that reason. 

Then, the fact that she was suffering to the point of dying from the Empress's poison. It's all probably true. 

Ethella felt like she was about to burst into tears, she felt sorry for her older sister who had to go to the palace instead of herself. She felt sorry for her older sister who must have been bullied by the Empress. At the same time, the words Ethella had said to her sister slowly became clearer.

"Don't touch me! Dirty!"

"Don't act worried. How could you do that!"

"It was because of my sister.  Mother suddenly disappeared. It was all because of my sister!"

"Get out! You not even my sister! I don't have a sister like you! Get out! I don't even want to see you!"

What did she say? Ezela, who was dazed as if she had been hit on the back of the head, burst into tears.

Jade, who was silently lost in his thoughts, seemed to have no time to comfort Ethella, but it was fortunate. As the fog cleared and her questions dissipated, Ethella realized the truth. Her older sister was only six years old when her mother died. She was also six years old and loved her mother very much.

A six-year-old with her hair cut strangely and smiling happily whenever she saw Ethella, her mother, and Jade. What did a six-year-old child do? 

There's no way her sister would have killed her mother. Her older sister came to their house. She also became engaged to the Crown Prince. There was also a lot of work. Maybe that's why she couldn't play with Ethella. It may have happened because of adults. 

Suddenly, the eyes of her older sister, who was looking at her, appeared. Even as she turned away, pretending to be cold, her kind green eyes glanced at Ethella. 

Why did Ethella just think of it now? She missed her sister. Right now, her heart sank. Tears filled with regret flowed down Ethella's cheeks

*** 

I looked around my room in bewilderment.

"What is this now?"

I was embarrassed and my voice rose. However, the Grand Duke smiled proudly as if he had done well.

"We renovated it into a room suitable for relaxation." 

"You took out all the books?"

I pointed to the bookshelf with a vain look on my face. I took the medicine, slept well, and woke up to find that the entire bookcase that filled one wall had disappeared. The same was true for the books shelved there. 

The Grand Duke dropped his eyebrows as if he was a little stung. His handsome appearance was as pitiful as a puppy getting caught in the rain.

But I didn't let go.

"I should read a book during my break!"

"Someone reads books during breaks. You have to lie still."

"That's nursing! I'm all better now!"

I smiled confidently. Because I like that look. The Grand Duke could barely swallow the words that he was still in so much pain that it was difficult for her to even read a book. 

Meanwhile, I cleared my throat loudly, as if to prove that I was cured.

"Look. The voice is okay too. I don't feel dizzy anymore." 

So, in response to the silent request to return the book, the Grand Duke pretended not to notice and turned his head away. If I had slept a little longer, he would have put another piece of furniture in its place. 

"The blank space seems empty. Should we go buy something else?"

"I didn't want to buy a new bookshelf because I liked the existing one. I would be grateful if you could buy me a new book."

I was quite satisfied with how I handled myself. I had taken it well, and now the Grand Duke was going to bring back my bookshelf. 

But the Grand Duke just stared at me blankly. Long eyelashes blinked slowly. He looked embarrassed and surprised as if he had encountered something unexpected.

"... Your Highness?"

"It's good."

"What?"

Is there anything better about this situation? I tilted my head for a moment. The Grand Duke rolled his eyes and smiled. It was a bright and beautiful smile.

"I can't believe you asked for a gift yourself. Do you feel bad and exhausted?"

"I didn't ask for a gift!"

"Do not worry. You said you liked the bookshelf, so I'll return it to you."

A lazy smile spread across the Grand Duke's face as if he was in a really good mood. I really didn't want a gift. I gave up on my reply. He said it was okay to give gifts.

Actually, I knew well what that feeling was like. My face, which had been laughing, became blurred. Every time, I remembered the past when I and my family prepared a gift for Leopold. Jewelry, cuffs, homemade sword decorations, and old books that are hard to find. I prepared these gifts in the hope that they would at least accept them, but they were always there right in front of my door. It's like showing off that they haven't even touched it, I even entrusted Leopold's gift to the chamberlain. 

Now that I think about it, I've never seen him wear or use one. These are things I prepared with the hope that he would wear them at least once. I couldn't help but feel depressed. 

At the same time, a heavy sadness engulfed me. Now that I think about it, what happened to the pink diamond I left in Ethella's room? The boutique I reserved for Ethella was...

Did she want to send it back? 

Forcing myself to swallow down the bitter feelings rising up, I looked at the Grand Duke again. The Grand Duke asked slowly, making eye contact as if waiting patiently.

"Are you okay? You're not sick again, are you?"

I chuckled. When he asks if I am okay, it's my right to say that I'm not. Now I had to move forward. Therefore...

"Everything will be okay."

Everything. I will overcome this sad memory and get better. Only then did the Grand Duke smile gracefully. 

"That's a wise answer."

It was a smile so wonderful that it sparkled. At that moment, I froze to the point where I even forgot my gloomy feelings for a moment. 

What? 

My heart pounded at the unfamiliar emotions. I shook my head quickly. I will be grateful. He does everything for me so there's no way I wouldn't be grateful. 

I suppressed this strange feeling. No matter how much I had hoped for the Grand Duke, I didn't want to open my heart so quickly. And the truth was, it was scary. My heart was still broken after being rejected twice by my family and my fiancé.

"Speaking of which, shall we have dinner?"

The Grand Duke spoke as if to change the mood. The corners of my mouth naturally rose.

"Eat. Is it good?"

I was hungry after waking up from a good night's sleep. If I had this much appetite, would probably eat a bowl of soup. 

The Grand Duke winked mischievously.

"You need to eat better than before. Otherwise, I will feed you again."

Suddenly, I remembered what I saw earlier. I sulked and glanced at the Grand Duke as my face felt hot. My white and fair face was pouty, but my small earlobes, visible through my hair, were red. 

The Grand Duke held out his hand to me, hiding his amusement.

"Then shall we go?"

"You really shouldn't play around."

Still, I held his hand. It was then that there was a sudden knock on the door.

When asked to come in, Sobel opened the door and came in.

"I'm sorry this is an urgent matter."

Sobel held out three letters with an expression that didn't seem to be in any hurry.

"A letter has arrived from the imperial palace. One letter to Your Highness, and two letters to the Lady."

I unconsciously checked the seal on the letter. The seals on the three letters were varied. The Emperor's Palace, the Princess' Palace, and even the Prince's Palace where Leopold is located. Among them, the letters that most likely came to me were from the Princess's palace and the Crown Prince's palace.

".... It's better if the family sends it all at once."

It was a lament that did not fit his captivating voice. I burst out laughing without realizing it and then looked down with a straight face. The Grand Duke's eyes were deep as he glanced at me.

"Would you like me to give you my letter first?"

"Yes, Miss."

The letter Sobel handed over was just as I  expected. The Princess's palace, and Leopold. I slowly opened the letter from the Princess's palace.

"What did the Princess say?"

"They're telling me to enter the palace right away?" 

It was unexpected. My eyes sparkled brightly as I guessed what she was planning. Anyway, the Princess had something to look at.

"Good. I had to meet her."

"You know it's absolutely safe today, right?"

I didn't know, but it seemed like a good excuse to avoid meeting right away. I took a deep breath and opened the letter from Leopold. Her hands trembled slightly

"... As you said, it's from the same family."

"Why? Is it the same?"

"There is no mistake."

Just one line. They told me to enter the palace immediately. I, who was staring at that line through my eyes, smiled brightly. The handwriting was similar to the Leopold cards I had received so far, but a little different. This is what Leopold's letter really was. It was a complicated feeling.

Even though he knew that I was at the Grand Duke's residence, the only thing he sent me was to tell me to enter the palace. There was no sign of concern or affection for me. 

I tried to shake off my rising sense of desperation. Feelings of betrayal, longing, and sadness mixed under the emptiness stirred. It was a feeling that I had to leave behind now. 

I turned away from the letter with a stern look on my face. Then the Grand Duke opened the Emperor's letter and waved it.

"Will the contents of this letter be the same?"

I smiled and nodded at the light, playful remark. And the Grand Duke rolled his eyes at me as if he guessed it right and said with a smile.

"Shall we send the same reply?"

***

 It was a dark time when the sunset. The chamberlain approached Leopold, who was in the back garden of the Prince's Palace.

His seasoned face was somehow stained with embarrassment. But it wasn't something Leopold cared about. He rubbed a little while ago. Of course, Olivia would have jumped. This time, he had to tell her properly. 

How dare she! 

His fiancé stayed overnight outside to prevent the noble Princess from being quiet. At the Grand Duke's mansion, where scandalous things were done together. His bright blue, sea-colored eyes were filled with anger. He should have known from the moment the two showed up at the final victory banquet last night.

Upon hearing that the two had entered the grand ducal residence together, Leopold was angry to the end of his head. He even forced Maria, who had come to comfort her, to go away. 

This time, he won't let Olivia go. Leopold opened his mouth, his eyes flashing.

"Olivia arrived?"

The chamberlain lowered his head for a moment at the impatient voice.

"The Princess did not come, but a letter arrived."

"What?"

It made no sense. Olivia didn't come? Leopold ripped open the letter with ferocious force. The phrase written in neat handwriting was simple.

"... So you're saying you can't come right now because you're sick?"

Lie. Leopold gritted his teeth. Olivia has never been sick. She was unnecessarily strong, so she was a woman who always followed him around. He doesn't know what kind of trick this is. It must be like a struggle to get someone to look at her. 

But what Olivia is doing now has crossed the line. He didn't care who started first. Neither the Grand Duke nor Olivia will leave it alone. He was so angry that he couldn't control it. 

His handsome face distorted mercilessly.

Previous        Next

Support Novellate!