DYBAR - Chapter 31 < One Year Grace >

DYBAR - Chapter 31 < One Year Grace >

Do Your Best And Regret

In front of the office of the grand and splendid Emperor's palace. Sunlight filtered through the stained glass and hit the marble floor. 

I faced the chamberlain of the Emperor's palace, who was standing guard at the large door. 

"Your Majesty is currently engaged in important government affairs."

Already the third time. The chamberlain was repeating the same words without emotion. What an important political matter. Even though I had planned my visit in advance, the thick door did not seem to open. 

Making excuses to postpone an audience. It was an obvious move even for me. Additionally, it was something experienced often.

I thought Leopold and the Princess were the only ones who didn't keep their appointments.

"... Let me check with Your Majesty again. As promised, Grand Duke Vikander has come to tell us his wish."

In the end, a cold voice sounded as if it was going to eat you. Even me, who was behind Edwin, was surprised by a voice that cracked the veteran chamberlain's expressionless expression.

"... I'll check."

Eventually, the chamberlain entered the solid door. It was at that time that Edwin, who had been threatening the chamberlain, turned to me.

"Don't your legs hurt from standing all the time?" 

"It lasted only about five minutes?"

"Still. Shoes with heels will hurt your feet quite a bit."

"It's okay because I got used to it."

I, who had been answering softly, closed my mouth. Edwin, who was looking at the hem of my dress with worried eyes, made a puzzled face at her.

"... It looks like you know a lot about heeled shoes, Your Highness."

It was meant to be a joke, but the voice that came out of his mouth was quite mean.

Edwin's eyes widened and then narrowed.

"Just by looking at it, it looks uncomfortable. But why are you calling me again?" 

"Because it's the imperial palace."

"It's the imperial palace. So?"

"Because it's difficult to call Your Highness's name carelessly outside."

As Edwin's smile deepened, my answer became more difficult. I unconsciously avoided his gaze here and there. But when those persistent eyes continued to look at me.

"Cough."

An intentional cough broke in. It was Winster. Whenever he cleared his throat loudly, Winster avoided Edwin's gaze. If he encounters those intense eyes, it won't end with just a few laps around the Grand Duke's residence. 

However, this was not the Grand Duke's residence, but the imperial palace, and in front of the Emperor's palace office. 

Winster endured the stinging gaze and praised himself. In the meantime, I took two steps back from Edwin. And I smiled as if nothing had happened.

"And... Is it like this?"

"What?"

It was funny to see his expression as if he was very upset. I lifted the tip of my chin, pretending that I didn't notice. 

Just as the Grand Duke was about to reply again, the door to the office opened.

"Your Majesty is still attending to important government affairs. It seems difficult today, so why don't you hold another audience on another day?"

The chamberlain translated the Emperor's words verbatim. The Grand Duke, who was looking at him expressionlessly, turned his gaze to the door. Eyes as red as blood looked at the door as if assessing something. He looked like he really wanted to break down the door. 

The chamberlain sent a shiver down his spine. It was a door made of carbine, the hardest mineral. Even though he was a Grand Duke with a killer ear, he could not break down the door that even had the magician's protection enhancement spell on it. He wanted to dismiss it as a useless thought, but his instincts kept bringing up ominous thoughts. It was then.

"Then shall we come next time?"

Edwin looked back at me. I smiled awkwardly and whispered to Edwin.

"Actually, I was just a little tired."

I glanced at the doorway. I didn't want to come back to the imperial palace again, but it was true that I was tired. As I was facing the Leopold earlier, I seemed to have gotten nervous without realizing it.

"Then shall we go?"

Edwin hurriedly walked away as if the business was over. Winster had already walked away to prepare his carriage. Me and Edwin walked after him. It was a time when I thought that the lake in Huwon, seen through the open window, was secluded. A group of nobles were walking from afar. The nobles spotted me and stopped. That kind of gaze was no big deal. I tried to walk leisurely.

If it weren't for Conrad among those nobles who looked at me with cold eyes. Conrad frowned. I, who had been smiling brightly just a moment ago, hardened my expression the moment my eyes met his. I was the one who had to make that expression right now. Not only was it not enough to leave the house carelessly, but I was staying with the Grand Duke who was involved in a scandal. 

At the same time, the whispering voices of the nobles around me caught my ear. 

"Why are those two together?"

"I guess she really wants to marry the Grand Duke."

 "Then what about His Royal Highness?"

"Is there anything special? There is a youngest princess."

Madelaine went up and down like midday gossip. Conrad frowned in displeasure. It was clear why he was so annoyed. 

The Duke's house was now a mess. Ethella misses Olivia, and she is downcast. She ends up being placed on probation and confined to her room, and Jade, who has just returned from the battlefield, is spouting off the strange comments. It was also about Olivia. Therefore, This all happened when Olivia left the Duke's residence. He wished she had just kept quiet like she was doing. She goes to the Grand Duke's residence and is about to marry the Grand Duke. 

Then, Ethella. 

With the thought cooling his mind, Conrad call Olivia.

"Olivia."

"I said I was tired."

A wonderful voice crushed Conrad's words The Grand Duke gently placed Olivia's hand on his arm.

"The carriage should have arrived at this point, right?"

"I guess so?"

She barely answered. After dealing with both the Duke and Jade, Conrad was surprised just by looking at her. Maybe it's because he couldn't finish it. She didn't even say a word to him on the last day of the victory banquet. Because Conrad's last time to see Olivia was the last night of the Duke's residence, who looked at her as if he hated her. 

My fingertips trembled a little. 

Edwin escorted me as smoothly as water. He stood as solid as a wall between Conrad and me.

I was glad of that consideration and sense of stability. Suddenly, my hands stopped shaking. 

***

"The Grand Duke has retreated, Your Majesty."

After hearing the chamberlain's report, the Emperor nodded with a worried face. The quick-witted chamberlain read that the Emperor wanted to be alone and left the office. 

The Emperor glared out the window.

A black carriage with the Vikander family emblem stamped on it was crossing the palace garden. The Emperor slowly clenched his fist. Just a few weeks ago he was confident he could fit that guy in the palm of his hand. That was why he handed over the White Crystal mine to the Princess. It was an excellent bait for the White Crystal mine that was so coveted. 

Even the sword he brought to take the oath was the treasured sword Airaruten. The Emperor naturally thought that he would give his oath to the Princess. He even granted a wish in the name of the Emperor for his hasty decision. 

But how dare he wish for that wish to marry Princess Madeleine. 

The Emperor's head started pounding again. Aside from not offering his vows to the Princess, the fact that he proposed to the Princess, who was the Prince's fiancée, was also problematic. 

The daughter of the Duke of Madeleine, the head of the imperial faction, was the best marriage material to lay the foundation for the Crown Prince. If it can't be his first Princess, it can be his second Princess.

"She's Madeleine's bloodline. If you accept that child as Crown Princess, Madeleine's loyalty will continue to firmly follow Your Majesty."

The Duke's words, buried in his memory fourteen years ago, came flooding back to him. The Emperor had been eyeing the Duke's legitimate daughter, Ethella Madeleine, ever since she was born. 

However, the Duke, who continued to hesitate, one day brought a girl who was slightly older than her as his first daughter. Rumors were already spreading widely in social circles that the Duke had brought in an illegitimate child. 

No matter how much, he could have the Duke's loyalty. He eventually accepted it, even though her birth was undesirable. 

The Emperor stroked the tip of his chin. His green eyes appeared for a moment, giving him a sense of déjà vu, but that wasn't what mattered right now. The Duke's loyalty, and the dog that made him happy. This important thing has been taken away. 

To Grand Duke Vikander, the dog, he always thought was his.

"What should I do with a dog that shows his teeth to its owner?"

The Emperor's bright blue eyes sparkled. It was then. The Chamberlain spoke outside the door with a knock.

"Her Majesty the Empress has come to visit."

As soon as the Emperor gave his consent, the door opened and the Empress came in.

Seeing the Emperor's frowning face, the Empress tilted her head like a girl.

"Oh, Your Majesty. Do you have any concerns? Why does your face look like this?"

The Empress came close to the Emperor with a tingling voice. Her soft hand, along with the sweet scent of her perfume, pressed the Emperor's forehead without hesitation. 

The Emperor's eyebrows relaxed little by little at the appropriate amount of pressure. The Emperor spoke slowly.

"...... The Grand Duke has arrived. He also asks for permission to marry the Crown Princess."

"Really, he doesn't know the topic." 

"Yes. But it's a wish in my name. It's embarrassing not to listen, but if I do, I'm worried about my relationship with Madeleine."

"Why don't you follow the etiquette, Your Majesty?"

The Empress said as if it was no big deal. The Emperor blinked at her.

"Form?"

The Empress smiled softly.

"Yes, Your Majesty. According to an old book, a woman who was married to a member of the royal family cannot have a relationship with another nobleman for one year in order to clarify the origin of the heir."

The Empress spoke quietly. Her flower-like gorgeous face was full of laughter.

"So, assuming marriage, please add a one-year grace period. If she is a Princess who likes old books, she won't agree to that."

The Emperor swallowed a groan and said,

"Hmm. When receiving the grand Duke's oath, I suddenly remembered the Princess talking about etiquette from an old book."

Only then did the corners of the Emperor's mouth rise.

"Empress, How did you come up with such a good idea?"

"Isn't it all thanks to His Majesty's kindness?"

The Empress smiled charmingly. The Emperor's head quickly turned as he looked at the scene with joy. 

One-year grace period. At that time, a good number would definitely come to mind. Whether to return the first Princess back to her original position or to welcome the second Princess as the Crown Princess. 

Of course, the best way was to return the first Princess to her original position. It was rather fortunate that the Grand Duke seemed sincere toward the Princess. Because he will truly feel how despairing it is to be robbed of happiness.

Just like the previous Grand Duke did. The emperor smiled brightly. The Empress, looking at this, asked softly.

"... By the way, Your Majesty. I have a question."

"Say it, Empress."

"Did the Princess agree to the Grand Duke's marriage proposal?" 

The emperor opened his eyes wide. He hadn't even thought about the fact that the Grand Duke was asking for an audience, but it was an important point.

"The Princess loved the Prince so much. Wouldn't it be so pitiful if the engagement was canceled due to the Grand Duke's unreasonable efforts?"

The Empress, who had never pitied Olivia, made a sad face. The Emperor smiled lowly and praised the Empress.

 "I can't believe I have someone as clever as the Empress by my side."

"That's too much praise, Your Majesty."

Two conditions were met for attacking the Grand Duke. The Emperor also knew well that the Princess thought very highly of the Prince. If only the Princess showed that she didn't like it, his worries would have been useless. 

The Empress chuckled as she saw the Emperor smiling with arrogance. She can't believe he's so worried because he can't even control his dog. It was an appearance unbecoming of an Emperor. But it was fortunate. 

Her children, who will become the future of this Empire, resemble her. The Princess who treats Olivia like her own and the Prince who always receives Olivia's sincere love. 

A proud smile crossed the Empress's face. Without even knowing what situation her proud children were in.

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