DYBAR - Chapter 4

DYBAR - Chapter 4

Do Your Best And Regret It

Won't you come today? 

I swallowed my sigh. The tea had long since cooled down. It was already half past three. A cup of tea at 2pm on Wednesday in the outdoor garden of the Crown Princess Palace. Even though it was designated as an official appointment three years ago, I only see Leopold's face a handful of times a year.

On days when he broke our promise, all he had to do was send a gorgeous bouquet of flowers or jewels a day or two later. A few weeks ago, a card was also added to the bouquet.

"I'm sorry, princess. Because of a sudden meeting."

"I haven't had a long conversation with a friend I haven't seen in a long time."

"It's a pity I couldn't see you because my head hurt."

I shrugged. But my disappointment did not disappear. Leopold was like this every time. I expect alone and disappoint alone. I hope again, and again, and disappointed. 

At a distance, the ladies-in-waiting pricked their eyes. Even if I pretended to be unconcerned and captured my expression, I couldn't avoid the sharp gaze as if they were looking at the prey. In particular, the gaze of Countess Chase, who had become the Empress' new chess piece two months ago, was like that. Last time, I was criticized by the Empress for failing to capture the Crown Prince's heart. 

I couldn't hold it anymore. I really missed Leopard today. My fiancé, who has a very cool smile. Even though I hated him, I wanted to see him again. Well, no matter how much Leopold made me wait, I would never hate him. 

Because I loved Leofold from the first time I saw him when I was 9 years old.

"Become a Princess."

It was Leopard's eleventh birthday that day. The Duke said to young me like a knife. 

"No matter how stupid you are, you won't be able to do even one of them."

The Duke's eyes narrowed. It was an eye that judged its usefulness, just like my mother used to look at meat at the market. My heart dropped.

"Well, I can!"

Although I did not understand the Duke's words, I answered vigorously. It was the first time the Duke spoke first. If I did well, I had high expectations that my father would continue to talk to me in the future. 

However, that expectation was shattered when they entered the fancy banquet hall.

"Are you the illegitimate daughter of the Madeleine family?"

My mind went blank. The cruel words of the children continued. 

"I heard the Duchess died because of her?"

"That's right! So did her mother."

"Why did you come here if you're not an enemy?"

I decided not to remember how that moment passed. That painful scene was saved by the words of Leopold, who was as beautiful as an angel.

"It's a pretty name. Olivia."

Even now, at the age of twenty, Olivia clearly remembered Eleven-year-old Leopold's kind smile. He is a real angel who appeared in a place where no one helped me. From then on, I had a crush on Leopold. It was a long eleven years. So, even if he made me wait like this, I held back. Someday, very soon.

Because I believed that if I did my best, Leopold would look after me again. 

My vague old memories were still pretty. I smiled and rose from my seat. 

The ladies-in-waiting came around  Countess Chase who was at the forefront, said to me.

"Are you going to leave the palace? Her Highness the Princess is calling, so you'd better go quickly."

A call from the Princess? What else would she like to entrust this time? It would be nice if it was just a decoration with flowers like last time. A few months ago, I remembered the secret recovery of the Princess's estate, which had fallen into a period of spring poverty. After the Princess told me to use my personal resources to solve it first. The Princess, whom I had not been able to reach, appeared as if nothing had happened. Only after I restored it using my own personal resources. 

Under the pretext that she would see if I had the qualities of a Princess, she confidently deferred her duties to me. The White Crystal Mine, which is said to have been discontinued, and the necklace of the kingdom that was destroyed before that. There was even an insistence to bring a baby dragon that was only passed down in mythology. 

"Her Highness rested on the Prince's palace for a while, so you'll have to see her right away."

 "To the Prince's palace?"

Isn't it a place that no one can go there? No matter how much another unreasonable order would be given to me. 

"...... Thank you for letting me know."

 "Lady, because Her Highness wants to see you, you have to keep your face good."

"Yes, Ma'am."

Countess Chase was momentarily startled by the low voice that cut me off. And with her mouth open, her eyes blinked. She was a countess and she couldn't believe it. Clearly, the person in front of her is Olivia Madeleine, the dirty illegitimate daughter of the Madeleine family. She has an overpowering aura and green eyes as cold as frost. Without realizing it, she moaned softly. 

It was at some point, my eyes softened. 

"Thank you for your concern."

"Oh, uh, no, it is."

The wife stuttered in embarrassment at the sight of me giving a light nod. I smiled and turned around. Only when my graceful back was far away did she realize that I was walking in the direction of her royal palace. 

***

"Long time no see. Princess, how are you?"

As soon as I entered the Prince's palace, the chamberlain came out. He looked surprised for a moment, but then he expertly greeted me. He was just as surprised. Even though Leopold broke so many promises, I never came to visit. 

"Thank you, Chamberlain. I came to see His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Instead of saying that he would immediately lead the way to where Leopold was or inform him that I had arrived, the chamberlain hesitated for a moment.

"Is His Highness the Crown Prince on a trip?"

".....that is..."

The chamberlain hesitated to speak. Bad thoughts bloomed in my mind. At that moment, a kind and beautiful voice was heard.

"Oh, aren't you Princess Madeleine?" 

I turned around when she heard a woman's voice calling me.

"... Princess?"

Leopold's voice made me relax. Leopold, who had been waiting throughout the appointment, was walking from the back of the Prince's Palace. He walked with a beautiful blonde lady. 

"...... Greetings to the little sun of the empire. Olivia Madeleine, meet Your Highness the Crown Prince." 

I took a deep breath. I raised my mouth as if nothing had happened. Although the corners of my mouth seemed to be trembling, I tried to speak sweetly.

"...... And Lady Ethel. Long time no see."

Maria Ethel, daughter of the Marquis of Ethel. The adorable youngest child of the Ethel family, and the Prince's lover who was excluded from Leopold's engagement because of the aristocratic Marquis Ethel.

 It seemed like the sight before my eyes was turning white. I tightened my grip on my dress. Leopold looked perfectly fine. I felt like a fool for worrying that something might really happen. 

Leopold frowned. It was a habit that appeared whenever he didn't like something.

"What are you doing here?"

It was a voice that said it really didn't know anything. At that moment, I remembered how excited I had been since yesterday just because I was meeting Leopold. And I felt just a little bit sad.

"Since Your Highness did not come, I came to see if something was wrong. I didn't know we had a guest."

I'm not sure if I can call Maria Ethel a guest. I tried to calm my voice as it continued to harden. Leopold and Maria were very close as if they were showing off their affectionate relationship even from a distance. He is a man who does not give his side to just anyone. He was Leopold, who always kept a certain distance from me. But Maria was so easily nearby. 

When I recognized it, my heart sank.

"What brought you here? Without any contact."

Olivia bit her lip. It was a confirmed kill. Meanwhile, the chamberlain hurriedly walked up to Leopold's side and whispered.

Only then did understanding pass over Leopold's face. The troubled look in Leopold's eyes appeared and quickly disappeared.

"Now that I think about it, today is already Wednesday."

'Already'. He answered as if it was no big deal.

"Yes. It's already Wednesday."

The day of the week I looked forward to the most was Wednesday. I had been waiting for next Wednesday since I left the palace with a promise that had not been kept. Even when I was called by the Empress and the Princess, even when I entered the palace to take care of business at the Crown Princess' palace, and even when I suppressed my desire to go after seeing his face, I waited for Wednesday.

I thought the worst thing was that Leopold, who rarely showed up even when he promised, might not be happy about me coming on another day. He even forgot that it was the day of the appointment and made a troubled face when he saw me, which was the worst thing I could have ever imagined. 

While my mind was tangled, Leopold walked towards me.

"I'm out of my mind these days. I even forgot what day of the week it was. Olivia. Have you waited long?" 

"It wasn't that long." 

"Well. It looks like my fiancee is very sulky."

Leopold spoke softly as if he was sorry, held out his hand, and smiled sweetly. 

"I want to make up for it through dating. How about next Monday?"

"It's a pretty name. Olivia."

Is it because the sun is shining brightly? Or is it because of the friendly voice? Although I was clearly angry and upset, old memories overlapped. My sad heart screamed at me to reject it, but that kind of voice did not let go of my heart. It was a losing battle anyway. Olivia Madeleine was in love with Leopold Franz, and Leopold Franz knew it very well.

"Alright."

I placed her hand on top of Leopold's hand. Leopold smiled brightly and kissed the back of my hand. His sparkling blue eyes met mine. I couldn't help but look at his arrogant eyes as if he naturally knew this would happen. 

My heart pounded, but I consoled myself. I will be fine soon. I will get better soon because I was working hard. 

I felt Maria's gaze on me as if it were piercing from behind, but she ignored me. That's why she didn't know me. 

When Leopold and Maria walked up, my heart, which I had barely been able to hold on to each time, flinched ever so slightly. I smiled brightly, ignoring all that...

"I will prepare the carriage right away."

Seeing off was the responsibility of the chamberlain. The Chamberlain avoided my gaze, but I smiled faintly. Why does he act like he did something wrong? In fact, Leopold entered the palace with Maria Ethel.

"Are you okay? I briefly received a call from Her Highness the Princess."

"The sun is nice, so let's take a walk." 

"Isn't it a bit far to the Green Palace?"

"The Green Palace?"

"Yes. I heard that today's tea party specifically wants to be held at the Green Palace."

The chamberlain trailed off as if to say, "Oops."

 The usual tea party location was the Princess's palace. Judging by the fact that there wasn't a single word, it seemed like the Princess had made up her mind to trouble me today.

"Thank you for letting me know. Still, I'll walk there."

I took a step. The palace garden was beautiful, and the sunlight was warm. I quietly held my breath and then let it out...

It was strange. Normally, I would hold my breath once and let it out and everything would be fine. My stuffy stomach hadn't eased since morning. As I continued to walk, I had already reached the Palace of Greenery. 

In the distance, I saw young ladies enjoying a tea party. Reina, the Princess, sitting at the head of the table, was smiling beautifully as if she was in a good mood. The Princess looked around and found me. Other Ladies seemed to have sensed my presence as well, and their laughter stopped, and soon they began to shower me with unpleasant glances.

"Meeting Her Highness the Princess" 

"Princess, you arrived sooner than expected. I guess you didn't enjoy meeting my brother very much, did you?"

The words said in a joking tone were harsh. 

"Is that possible? However, after hearing Her Highness's story, His Highness the Crown Prince told her to go quickly."

Everyone knew this was a made-up story, but no one argued. The Princess also laughed and stared at one side of her table. An empty seat at the head of the table was filled with the daughter of the Marquis of Libeorn. It was a seating arrangement where the intention was clearly visible. The Princess blinked her eyes innocently as if she knew nothing.

"It's time for a new face to join my tea party. Now that I think about it, has the little Princess's health improved?"

"... I apologize. As you know, the youngest's body is weak." 

"Well. It's a pity."

The Princess sighed with a face that did not look sad at all. I looked at the Princess searchingly. These days, the frequency with which the Princess mentions Ethellaa has increased. The Princess must know very well that Ethella will not come here, as the Duke is making various excuses to delay Ethella's advancement into the social world. What is the intention? 

"It would be nice if the Little Princess would join us at this tea party." 

"Oh my, Your Highness. There's a Princess standing right in front of you, right?"

"Ah!"

The Princess widened her eyes as if she was surprised. Eyes as beautiful as the sea were shining with black malice. This is it today. The Princess laughed as if she was embarrassed.

"I didn't mean to do that, Princess. The tea is all cold, but would you like to join us?"

"Oh, it's a pity, but it looks like it will be difficult for the Princess to be with us. Today's theme is spring. The princess......"

The Lady of Marquis Liberorn was busy looking at me. Other ladies added from the side.

"It's like a swamp. That sticky, dark gray dress."

"Now that you think about it, I think the Princess doesn't like bright things. I've never seen you wear anything fancy before."

"Excuse me, Margaret. Bright colors may not suit Olivia."

The combination was perfect as if it had been practiced. The ladies who had been talking for a while cleverly glanced at me. Among the ladies who expected me to be hurt, but I swallowed my bitter smile.

Compared to the stares at the banquet, this was just dessert. I could easily swallow the insult of being left alone.

"Oh."

At that time, my gaze was focused on one side. The meeting seemed to have ended and the nobles were coming out. My father was seen in front of the approaching crowd. I opened her mouth without realizing it

"Ah,"

The moment our eyes met, my father naturally turned away from me. Other nobles glanced at me as I stood alone. From what anyone could see, there were no nobles interfering with the strange scene. When all the nobles passed by, the ladies laughed brightly again. The cheers of people who knew that would happen passed over me.

"It looks like the duke is really busy, Princess."

The Princess said in a mocking voice. The expectations that had built up without my knowledge disappeared like bubbles. I was fine until a little while ago, but I became miserable like I was covered in dirt. Was there really something added to it? 

I let out my breath again. I tried to brush it off, saying that it was like a cold in my heart that I had been suppressing all along. It was an unusual day.

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