DYBAR - Chapter 47 < The Grand Duchy Recognizes Common Property >
Do Your Best And Regret It
Dedicated maid and escort driver. The conditions for inspecting the estate that Edwin had mentioned were met. From morning to sunny sky. It was the perfect day to go out to inspect the manor. But there was something else that was worrying me right now.
"Are you okay?"
I looked at myself in the mirror. A bright yellow dress and a wide-brimmed hat. When I inspected the estate at the Princess's command, I wore a dress I had never worn before.
It's a territory inspection. Still, I worried that weighty clothes might not be a good idea, so Bethany shook her head resolutely.
"For the official inspection, I will prepare an elegant and dignified dress. But today you have to check every nook and cranny of the estate, so it would be better to wear a dress that allows you to move around comfortably."
Bethany was right. This bright yellow dress was light and easy to move around. I could go as far as I want by getting on and off the carriage. As if to prove that she was the former Grand Duchess's dedicated maid, Bethany examined me carefully. She braided my thick hair and even did my makeup with her expert hands.
Then she took an antique jewelry box, opened it, and said,
"And this."
Hanging in the jewelry box was a white crystal necklace that I had never seen before. Every time the white crystal, as small as a fingernail, was shaken, the transparent gem seemed to glow green at first glance.
It didn't seem to be any ordinary white crystal, but before I could see it again, Bethany had placed hthe the necklace around my neck. My eyes widened as soon as the platinum chain was placed around my neck.
"Bethenny, did you cast a spell on me?"
Even the wind that felt a little chilly was cool. My whole body felt warm. Bethany shook her head.
"It's because of that necklace. It's a magic stone."
"A magic stone?"
Even when I was living as a Princess, I could count on one hand the number of times I saw magic stones. I wear this precious item, of which I have very little reserve, as a necklace.
Bethany's eyes became faint as I was embarrassed.
"It is an item belonging to the previous Grand Duchess."
"Is it okay for me to do something that is so precious?"
When I was surprised, Bethany smiled warmly and shook her head.
"No. Anyway, even if the previous Grand Duchess had been around, she would have given it as a gift to the Young Lady. When Her Highness the Grand Duchess first came to Vikander, she had a hard time adjusting to this cold land. Now you have to get used to living here."
As Bethany talked about my future here as if it were obvious, I played with the necklace in silence. The little gem was solid against my fingertips. Just like the firm faith shown by Bethany.
Bethany said, smiling brightly at me.
"Now then, shall we go inspect the manor?"
***
Two carriages with the emblem of the Grand Duchy, and five escort knights. It was a bit simple for an inspection of a manor, but I actually liked the composition.
"If there are a small number of people. we can visit the restaurant without difficulty Do you remember the place I told you about when we arrived?"
I remembered Edwin's excited voice I heard last night. As the corners of my mouth rose, Edwin, sitting right in front of me, grinned.
"Your face looks bright today, Olivia. I don't think it's just because you're wearing a bright dress, right?"
"Inspecting the estate is also fun. I'm also looking forward to restaurants. Also,"
I added, glancing through the window.
"The knight who wanted to be on my side became my escort."
Beyond the window, I saw Dean talking with an expressionless face. Yesterday, when I said thank you for the job as an escort driver, his face was distorted.
"Wasn't I your first?"
Edwin had a sad face. I responded with a quick nod of my head.
"Sure. Edwin is the first knight to give me the knight's oath."
Edwin narrowed his eyes as if he was pleased with my words. I took advantage of that gap and asked subtly.
"But Lord Szellin seems to hate His Majesty even more."
To be precise, it seemed like he hated me.
I lumped the blame on the Emperor. Edwin chuckled.
"You can't like it anyway, right?"
"Because he is a knight of the Vikander territory? Or for other personal reasons..."
Is it because of the old feelings between the Grand Duchy and the Imperial Family? Or is it for personal reasons?
I asked appropriately.
"If I were to give you a hint, it might be for personal reasons..."
For personal reasons. Yesterday, Dean said he was twenty-one. A young knight who had only been an adult for a few years had a personal grudge against the imperial family.
I opened my eyes wide and waited for Edwin to continue. At that time, Edwin lowered his voice.
"... By the way, Olivia, where is the person who said he would take care of it?"
"That.... Yes."
I held up my palm. It was a neat admission. As Edwin said, I have no choice but to believe in my own strength. It is the power that makes people open their hearts.
Thinking over Edwin's words, I looked at Dean. Then I recited my spell towards him who was not even looking at me. Open your heart, open it.
Is it because of the order or because of the gaze? Dean, who was on his way, suddenly raised his head. When our eyes suddenly met, his face frowned even more and he turned his head so hard that he made a loud noise.
I laughed slowly. The attitude Dean shows now is similar to that of the institutional aristocrats who disliked me during my adolescence.
Suddenly, Edwin's hand blocked his vision. At the same time, a languid voice turned to me.
"But don't be too interested in Dean."
The moment red eyes and gazes became entangled, I took a deep breath. Those eyes that look at me as if he truly wants me. Someone who really looked at me the way I wanted to.
Even though I tried not to notice it, I was still worried about Edwin. The air in the carriage was a little hot, and the kind eyes attracted me.
I swallowed my saliva once. Before I knew it, my expectations had grown like this. My heart, which had been broken by my family and by my former fiancé, sparkled and came back to life, leaning towards Edwin.
It would be nice if I could convey these words that are lingering in my mouth. An unknown emotion still made me hesitate.
"The necklace is pretty."
"Ah, this."
I glanced at Edwin's words for a moment. His mother's memento. It must be a precious item. But Edwin smiled as if it didn't matter.
"It's fit well."
I swallowed his complicated thoughts at those words. The pulse on the inside of my wrist, where Edwin had kissed me yesterday, was pounding hard...
***
The first step in the tour of the territory was Sonair Street, a busy street in the Vikander territory. To be precise, it was the restaurant <Where the Wind Passes> on Sonnaire Street.
A varnished wooden door and a checkered tablecloth on a rustic table.
"Here's your order!"
From the cheerfully shouting voice of the waiter to the watery soup that smells like pepper. It was just as Edwin had described it. I ate the soup with my curious eyes,
"it is delicious."
Edwin grinned proudly at my answer. Lunch hour. Edwin naturally blended in in this crowded place. Because of his striking appearance, the residents of the estate looked at Edwin with eyes full of awe and respect.
"The soup is delicious, but this place is famous for its turkey meat."
Steam rose from the golden, well-cooked turkey on a large plate. Edwin cut off the ripe leg with a fragrant and flavorful smell.
My eyes widened as I held a fork...
"Well, it's here too."
Dean said while looking at the turkey that the waiter had put down.
"The turkey was really delicious when our dear benefactor sent it to us during the war."
I never thought they would eat turkey on the battlefield. And that too with such a fat bastard.
"Liv Green is doing well, right?"
Dean turned to face Howard, hoping for agreement. But instead of answering, Howard looked behind him. Fortunately, the 'dear benefactor' who had sent the turkey during the war was enjoying the meal as if he had not heard Dean's voice.
Howard said under his breath as he turned to Dean.
"You... If you enjoyed the turkey, give it a good taste."
This was a huge hint. Throughout the war, he acted like a devoted follower of his sponsor, Liv Green, and then behaved rudely towards her.
It was easy to see even without seeing how much he hit the ground and regretted it.
"You haven't even eaten yet?"
But unfortunately, Dean did not understand. He thought as he tore into pieces of turkey meat and ate it deliciously. Anyway, Howard, His Highness, and even Bethany, after the Princess came, everything became strange. Even when he talked about his benefactor, Liv Green, who provided kind help throughout the war, he didn't say anything and just looked back.
There was only a Princess there who ate turkey meat as if it were delicious at best.
***
After finishing the meal, the carriage quickly crossed Sonnaire Street. It's not as busy as Laheirn Street, but it's a busy and wealthy street. This is a street that I also visited once.
A scene similar to the memory and yet different continued to unfold.
"This is because the districts in Vikander are not organized as well as in the system. Except for Sonair Street, most of the roads are still dirt."
It was just as Edwin said. Just a little distance away, the dry northern wilderness unfolded. It was impossible to see all of this large Vikander territory in one day.
Edwin first guided me to the mine. The barren northern Vikander territory. The main source of income here was gem mining. It was natural to go see that source of income. But when I arrived at the Pink Diamond Mine, my mouth widened at the enormity of its size.
"Your Highness, the great hero, meet Your Lady. This is Stone, the person in charge of the mine."
Baron Stone, one of the few remaining vassals of the Grand Vikander family, was a middle-aged gentleman with a plump physique. He rubbed his head, which was just beginning to peel, and introduced me to the mine.
He brought me a gem that he said was the most beautiful pink diamond he had mined this year. A pink diamond the size of a baby's fist sparkled transparently in the sunlight.
"This is a better product than the one the Prince of Welton bought at auction."
It was a famous story that Prince Welton offered a pink diamond necklace while courting Princess Raina. There is a product of higher quality than that.
Knowing this would make me sick to my stomach because of the Princess's personality. At that moment, Edwin held out a pink diamond.
"Take it. It's Olivia's."
"Mine?"
I, who haphazardly received the diamond, smiled awkwardly. It felt heavy in my hand, but somehow it didn't feel like it was mine.
"I already have a pink diamond necklace? It was a gift from Edwin."
"That's it. This is better."
Something better. I rejected his strangely unfamiliar words and instead looked at Pink Diamond. Meanwhile, Edwin continued, pointing to the mine.
"There are a lot of mines in Vikander. In addition to this pink diamond mine, there is also a gold mine, and a blue sapphire mine in the western Antrel Mountains."
"Are you bragging about your wealth?"
I laughed a little. Edwin smiled softly and shook his head.
"It means it all belongs to Olivia, too."
"Yes?"
I couldn't understand what was being said. It certainly seemed like a huge statement. Edwin smiled loosely and faced me.
"Vikander makes no distinction between the assets of the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess. So, if you marry me, everything becomes Olivia's."
Pink diamond mine, gold mine, blue sapphire mine. All of Vikander's other properties.
The list of assets recited in a wonderful voice was enormous. The sight of Edwin saying that he jointly owned the astronomical wealth made people feel overwhelmed, regardless of the size of the wealth.
Loudly, Edwin cleared his throat. I was certain that it was now, looking at that face that was smiling as if he were somehow embarrassed.
"Me too, I have property."
"Really?"
I nodded. Edwin knew full well that I had left Madeleine's empty-handed. But Edwin mischievously asked that face that seemed real.
"Wait for a second. If I hear it now, it will be jointly owned, is that okay?"
"I brought it as a dowry, so it was Edwin's. It is more advantageous for me if it is jointly owned."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Ah, but I can't show you now. I'll show you after I get dressed up."
"Why do you need a leader?"
"It may not have much value in itself..."
I wiggled my fingers. At that moment, Edwin's expression hardened for a moment.
Suddenly, the day he went to the imperial palace came into his mind. Olivia, who came to meet the Princess, brought something of her own. Edwin's mouth went dry as he wondered if it could be possible.
There was no way such a coincidence could have happened. No matter how much the Princess didn't know its value, she knew that Edwin was tied to the White Crystal Mine and there was no way she would hand it over to Olivia.
But, what if?
If there really is such a thing. Edwin hid his impatience and did not urge. It was a moment when Edwin's neck moved slowly as he patiently waited for Olivia's next words.
"Your Highness, I have something to report to you."
Howard, who was far away, approached. At this critical moment. Edwin suppressed his impatient anger. He was about to calmly open his mouth to tell me to come back later.
"I think it's urgent, so please go."
I laughed bitterly. My face looked completely different from when I was worried and trying to speak a moment ago.
"I'm not in a hurry. I'm more curious about Olivia's wealth."
"Would you like to dress up and look nice?"
I smiled mischievously. He was heartbroken, but Edwin didn't want to rush Olivia. No, to be more precise, he wanted to maintain the expectations of himself who grew up in a selfish way. Even if that is impossible.
I said it was urgent and gently pushed Edwin's back towards Howard. Edwin, who was suddenly pushed out, spoke so quietly that only Howard would hear.
"If it's not urgent, you'll spar with me as soon as I get back."
Sparring with Edwin was one of the exercises everyone avoided. It was a petty remark that made it sound like he would get revenge for interrupting this moment.
However, Howard calmly handed out the telegram as if nothing happened.
"It's a telegram. It is said to be about the Princess's whereabouts that you mentioned at that time."
It was urgent, but the timing was not good. Edwin sighed lightly and opened the telegram Howard gave him.
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