DYBAR - Chapter 41 < The Road To Vikander Territory >
Do Your Best And Regret It
A long procession, starting with the carriage carrying Olivia and Edwin, left the gate of Archduchess Vikander's residence.
Although the people waving in front of the Grand Duke's residence were no longer visible for a long time, I continued to look out the window with a face full of regret.
It was only when I passed the high, sturdy wall and entered the street that I let out my deep sigh. It seemed like I had become very attached to the Grand Duke's residence in just a few weeks.
If I had known this would happen, I would have stayed a little longer and left.
My shoulders slumped at my belated remorse. It was myself who had set today as the day to leave for Vikander territory to draw a new beginning on the memories I had always waited for.
"Your eyes are red, Olivia. Are you that sad?"
Edwin, who was sitting right in front of me, spoke kindly. I chuckled and shook my head at the playfulness hidden in his sweet voice.
"I'm not crying. If anyone hears it, they'll think I'm a real crybaby"
"You may not be a crybaby, but You cry a lot these days, isn't it?"
"Sure. Actually, I'm not the type of person who cries easily. Edwin saw something very, very precious."
"That's a good thing."
Edwin smiled contentedly like a well-fed cat. It was a time when I thought that the loosely curved corners of his mouth were somehow grumpy.
"I don't cry often, but I'm very affectionate. I think you left cards for everyone but me."
My eyes widened at the voice full of regret. When did Edwin, who was so busy preparing to go to Vikander Territory that we could barely eat together, see that I had left a card for the employees?
I smiled awkwardly,
"Ahaha. That's it. Because I was grateful for that time. I will continue to see Edwin later when you come to the noble meeting."
"I heard you wrote a letter to the outside world?"
"How did you know?"
"I saw Hannah busy trying to send the Young Lady's letter. It must have been difficult for you to prepare for your departure to Vikander Territory. Everyone except me received cards and letters. Yes?"
I laughed a little at the sight of him turning his head as if he was pouting. I waved my hand and said.
"It is true that the card was passed around, but the letter belonged to Ethella."
"To Princess Madeleine?"
"Yes. Well, it goes without saying. I also tried to contact Sally, who was my maid."
Ah.
Understanding appeared in Edwin's red eyes. He seemed to remember a maid at the Duchess of Madeleine saying in passing that she wanted to see Olivia.
I smiled slightly and thought of Sally. I wish I had seen her at least once before I went to Vikander territory. It was a pity not to see her, but I was relieved to know that she would be with Ethella.
"I think you were close friends. Shall we take that maid to her Vikander territory?"
"Are you serious?"
"Sure. She only wants Olivia."
It's already part of the dukedom, Sally's opinion, etc. Putting aside the practical issues, Edwin nodded his head as if he was sincere.
I burst out laughing at that sight. Edwin's mouth softened as he heard the sweet laughter spreading throughout the carriage. My laughter made my stomach clench, but I finally stopped laughing and cleared my throat loudly.
"Thank you at least for your words. But it's okay. I said goodbye to Sally. And..."
I trailed off. Edwin was looking at me with his face as if he was going to wait as long as I said. With that face that gave me stability, I spoke with sincerity.
"There are probably a lot of good people in Vikander territory"
As much as Edwin.
Edwin's eyes slowly widened as if he understood what I had said in silence. In my embarrassed mood, I avoided his gaze and looked outside.
Before I knew it, the carriage was passing through the crowded streets and approaching the island's border.
"Sure. Everyone will be waiting for Olivia."
"Everyone at the Grand Duke's residence has been looking forward to your return from the moment you left today. Of course, that was what I wanted the most."
I remembered that night when I had to leave the Princess's palace. Edwin's voice that I heard when I had nowhere to go.
Even though I had already heard this before, it was really nice to hear that he was waiting for me. A place waiting for me.
I muttered into my mouth, then slowly bit my lip. It was a good thing I was sick. I can't believe my reality is so sweet and cozy. Meanwhile, Edwin shrugged his shoulders with a slightly nervous look
"I hope your first impression of Vikander is good."
The sentiment that I had been soaking in evaporated in an instant. It's a first impression. Edwin's assumption that this would be my first time in Vikander's territory was wrong. I had visited once in the past when I went to investigate an abandoned mine at the Princess's command. But this was a secret.
Even though I was now the owner of the abandoned mine, I did not want to reveal to Edwin that I had acted as an errand boy for the Princess. I smiled awkwardly and agreed with Edwin's words.
"I'm sure I'll like it."
These words were sincere. Although it was only a place where we had a meal, the lively atmosphere and the friendly, seemingly indifferent people who took care of us were still pleasing to the eye. Edwin's eyes drew a pretty line as if Olivia's answer was good.
"Once you get used to it, let's go out to the street together. There are also restaurants that I enjoy going to. Of course, the Grand Duke's chef skills are amazing, but sometimes you have to go to a restaurant."
The excitement was evident in Edwin's voice. I laughed and remembered what Edwin had described. A varnished wooden door, a checkered tablecloth on a rustic table, a cheerful owner taking orders, and peppery soup served in pretty dishes. I hadn't even arrived yet, but my mind was filled with images of Edwin and me out on the street.
Like last time, we stopped by a jewelry store, gave each other gifts, and when the time came, we went to an abandoned mine that I had decorated beautifully.
Oops.
My heart became anxious as I remembered the abandoned mine documents that were deepest in my luggage. I want to develop it quickly and show it to Edwin.
"Will it be busy if we go to Vikander Territory?"
"I guess it will be busy at first, right? We have to check all the employees and inspect the territory."
I laughed softly at the intimidating words, saying that there would be quite a lot to study. All of the things Edwin talked about were familiar to me.
"It's all good. Is there anything else?"
The small face that nods its head as if confident is pretty. Edwin, who had been watching quietly, paused and spoke.
"... And I also have to prepare for marriage."
"Preparation for marriage. It has to be done perfectly."
I nodded seriously. I had to make grand preparations for the wedding as if I were taking responsibility for my word that I would prepare for my marriage during my one-year grace period. I've done similar things before, but this was my first time preparing for marriage.
What is most important?
I was about to wallow in my distress when I inadvertently tried to ask Edwin a question.
"... Why are you staring at me like that?"
I said, hiding my embarrassment. Edwin, who was quietly looking at me with a beautiful face like an angel, slowly tilted his body towards me. Before I knew it, a mischievous smile appeared on his red lips.
"So, did you look up the meaning of palm kissing?"
In an instant, my cheeks turned red as if they were colored with flowers, I said as I hurriedly pulled my body behind.
"Why am I looking for that?"
"Why are you so embarrassed? If you had looked for it, you wouldn't have been so embarrassed, right?"
I found Edwin, who spoke so naturally, disgusting. But at the same time, curiosity arose. You wouldn't be embarrassed if you looked for it? Did he perhaps have any pious intentions?
My mind was busy as I pursed my lips. But I had no one in particular to ask. Hannah was busy crying when she heard that I was leaving, and if it were Sobel, he would have just looked at me and smiled knowingly with his characteristic expressionless face.
"What is it?"
When I said as if crawling in, Edwin shrugged his shoulders slyly.
"What do you think it is?"
"Is it really like this?"
I looked at Edwin calmly. It was when Edwin's smile deepened at the faint resentment in his green eyes.
"To help. Shall we try again?"
The low voice had somehow calmed down. Like the instinct of a small animal, I pretended not to notice and looked out the window. Edwin looked at me with a pretense of generosity through his darkened eyes. He wasn't stupid enough to miss the red glow between her hair, her small, round earlobes, and the white nape of her neck.
I, who was looking outside as if I felt the gaze, started talking about something else.
"Still, I'm glad I went with a familiar face. Lord Interfield, Lord Calter..."
What about me, who was inadvertently saying Winster's name? I muttered softly and looked out her window once again.
Unlike Howard, who was closest, Winster was nowhere to be seen. I looked around to see if I was somewhere else, but what I could see through the small window was limited.
"Looking for Winster? With me in front of you now?"
I laughed humbly at the absurdity of the voice. Edwin, who had been leisurely looking at me just a moment ago, turned his back on me with a sulky face again. I made an excuse without realizing it.
"Well, Edwin was always next to me, but I couldn't see him."
"I went to work."
"What happened?"
"Does that matter now?"
Then I blinked my big eyes as if wondering what was important. Edwin let out a shaky breath at that innocent face. I guess there was a long way to go.
This is the road to Vikander Territory.
***
At the same time, in the drawing room of the Emperor's palace. The Princess's hand as she held the teacup trembled ever so slightly. The Princess looked at the Emperor, trying to hide her expression of disbelief.
"...Your Majesty. Did you tell me to investigate that abandoned mine again now?"
"Okay. Please investigate again closely and report back."
The Emperor put down the report in front of the Princess with a pained look on his face. The report, which was meticulously written at first glance, was written by Olivia Madeleine, the half-princess.
"Of course, when we went to investigate, they said there was nothing unusual."
"Yes, yes. That's right, Your Majesty."
"Didn't the wizards say anything about something sparkling in tunnel number 7?"
The Princess's heart sank at the Emperor's solemn question. Tunnel 7? There were several tunnels in that abandoned mine. No, there was something more sparkling than that?
The Princess's mind wandered here and there. The Emperor's eyes frowned as she delayed her reply. One o'clock was an urgent matter. Today, Grand Duke Vikander, the Emperor's dog, and Princess Madeleine said they were going down to the Vikander territory.
Before wasting a year in vain, it was necessary to check the special details of the Princess's White Crystal mine. However, the Princess, who always wrote her reports neatly, was acting harshly along with her today.
"Then what do you think of the traces of the white crystal at the entrance?"
"Well, that is,"
The Princess, who had been hesitating, suddenly touched her forehead. Her slender white hands trembled a little. Then she spoke in a voice as fragile as if it were dying.
"Your Majesty, I am sorry. I suddenly got a headache. As you know, I was on my way to recuperate when I heard that His Majesty was calling me, so I rushed up, so I think my body hasn't fully recovered yet."
The Emperor suppressed his discomfort at the face of the Princess, who was trying hard to pretend to be smiling. It was true that the Princess, who had been receiving treatment for the past few days, was urgently summoned. They said she was sick. Is that why she can't answer like this?
Although he had a lot of urgent matters to attend to, the Emperor nodded at him with a look that said he could not do anything.
"Go back to the palace today and rest a little more. Don't forget to conduct a thorough investigation into the White Crystal Mine as soon as possible."
"......Yes, Your Majesty."
***
"Your Highness. It is said that Count Yubler took leave due to the Countess's childbed fever."
The Princess frowned at the maid's report. She could hear the frantic sound of her heels walking up and down the hallway. How did this happen? As if to shake off her misfortune from the half-baby Princess, she passed over the abandoned mine and went down to the Summer Palace to enjoy her life to the fullest, under the pretext of her recuperation.
Why should she investigate that abandoned mine again? She was a Princess and she could not understand at all. As she tries to check information about the abandoned mine, even the person in charge, Count Yubler, says he is on vacation. The Princess's heart beat rapidly as she felt as if bad things were happening one after another.
First of all, she had to go to the palace. She has to go to her palace and organize her thoughts. As she left the Emperor's drawing room and was about to hurriedly head to the palace, a uniformed knight suddenly caught her eye. To be precise, he was the vice-captain at the forefront of the knights. A tall man with shining silver hair and shining eyes. An article that gives off a somewhat impatient atmosphere. It was Jade Madeleine. A good idea appeared like lightning in the Princess's head.
If it's Jade Madeleine, who hates Olivia as much as she does...
"... Lord Madeleine has never had tea time."
The Princess's mouth slowly rose. The maid, who understood what she said, hurriedly ran towards the knights. The Princess walked her steps gracefully. The darkness that had appeared just a moment ago disappeared as if it had been washed away. With the warm sunlight shining down on her, the Princess smiled and hummed her tune like a flower in full bloom. Her own tea parties were always fun. Even on the day when the half-baby Princess of Madeleine stood in front of her without even raising her head. Even on the day when the second daughter of Madelaine bowed her head with her face bereft of her world.
And even now. Perfect for organizing the tea party. It was Wednesday.
The Princess is a socialiopath.
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