DYBAR - Chapter 49 < The True Weight Of The Crown I So Coeveted >

DYBAR - Chapter 49 < The True Weight Of The Crown I So Coeveted >

Do Your Best And Regret It

"There is no way to return to the White Crystal Mine, where ownership has already been notarized with a magic seal."

As soon as the Count finished speaking, the Princess let out a soft laugh. The atmosphere in the living room became threatening as if it might explode. But the Count did not regret his words. He just barely suppressed his boiling inside and told the truth as calmly as possible. 

Even though the Princess knew he was on leave due to his wife's illness, she thought it was really urgent to find him. That was why he entered the palace, leaving her wife, who had been suffering from childbed fever for several days, behind. But at best.

"Find a way to retrieve the white crystal mine that was handed over to Princess Madeleine. I hope it will be done by tomorrow if possible."

The voice of the Princess the Count heard as soon as he hurriedly entered the living room came to mind. Count Yubler clenched his fists once again at her carefree voice as if she would naturally know the answer.

"Count."

"Yes. Your Highness."

"I told you to find a way, not to come to a conclusion."

In contrast to her elegant expression, the Princess's voice was overbearing. The Count felt tight in his chest once again. They've already done it perfectly on paper. Just as Her Highness the Princess instructed. 

"How can I overturn a document that even has a magic seal on it?"

"That's it, that's for the Count to find out."

The Princess spoke lightly as if talking about someone else's business. At that sight, Count Yubler finally began to spit out the words that had been forming in his mouth.

"So, it would have been nice if you could just check what the White Crystal mine is. Don't you know, Your Highness, that there was a separate record in the mine's ownership document that only the royal family could confirm? It's also true that you can't make something that was processed by applying a magic seal disappear. However, if you ask me to find out a way, the only way is to threaten the Princess and get it back..."

"Count!"

Oops. 

Count Yubler came to his senses at the nanny's sharp voice and silenced him. The nurse, Baroness Ruhas, who was next to the Princess, quickly examined the Princess's complexion with a bewildered expression on her face. As expected, the Princess's face turned bright red. The Count could clearly see her fingertips trembling as they rested on the armrests of her sofa. 

The nanny quickly came forward and she shouted at Count Yubler.

"How dare you say such rude things to Her Highness...!"

"I apologize, Her Royal Highness."

Count Yubler bowed his head deeply. But he never said he was sorry. Even as he looked at the Princess's pale face, rather than worrying about her future, all he could think about was his sick wife.

"...I will reprimand the Count for his current actions later. Get out now."

The Princess doesn't know what this is all about. The Princess was breathing heavily and glaring at the door of her living room. She listened to what the nanny was saying next to her, but she couldn't hear her. 

Count Yubler, who was not even properly dressed, even scolded her. Moreover, he goes out without any fault. The more she thought about it, the more amazed she became. 

But the Princess caught her breath. The more times she was like this, the more she had to reflect on the situation. Because what was urgent now was not Count Yubler's attitude.

"Your Highness. When are you planning to go down to White Crystal Mine?"

Continuing from yesterday, the chamberlain of the Emperor's palace came to visit today. She could still clearly feel the Emperor's rebuke for not going to investigate the White Crystal mine. 

This was the first time the Emperor showed much interest in what she was doing. In this situation, if he finds out that the White Crystal mine was handed over to the Princess. 

As soon as she imagined the Supreme Emperor's anger, a shiver ran down her spine. The Princess held onto the armrest of her sofa tightly as if holding on to her lifeline. 

What is there in that abandoned mine that has lost its vitality? 

Obviously, there was nothing in that half-report...! 

At that moment, a terrible thought appeared in the Princess's mind. What if that half-ass discovered something about it and then intentionally left it out of the report? 

And what if Olivia tricked her into taking the White Crystal Mine? 

Apparently, it was the Princess herself who first suggested White Crystal Mine, saying it was suitable as a dowry But the Princess was conveniently oblivious to this fact and just quivered her lips.

"Nanny."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Prepare to go to Vikander territory immediately."

She had to find the abandoned mine again no matter what, whether it was intimidation or else. The nanny said with concern as she looked at the Princess's face, which was turning completely white.

"But, Your Highness. It takes quite some time to reach Vikander territory. It would be better to ask the Princess Madeleine to come."

"I'm going to the preservation archives room right now and get records about the abandoned mine."

The Princess cut off the nanny's words and recalled Baron Yubler's words. A record that only the royal family can see. There will be detailed records of the abandoned mine inside. Maybe she can find out why His Majesty wants that mine so much. 

At the Princess's firm words, one of her maids hurriedly left the parlor. Watching that scene, the Princess found her stability little by little. 

Yes, she should have done this from the beginning. She clearly left her with a way to solve this problem. Although the story with Jade Madeleine broke down.

"Because the entire Empire knows how much that angel loved my brother."

"Sure, your Highness. How much the Princess loved His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

The Princess's lips rose seductively at the nanny's retort. It has been quite a while since the Princess went to the islands. At this point, she would have been able to get the abandoned mine back by placating her brother by saying good things about her. 

Her brother, who loved Maria Ethel, also made it clear that he would only marry Olivia. If she think about it, she was even acting as a messenger of love. However, one of her maids who was listening to the Princess in one corner of the drawing room had an anxious look on her face. 

On the day of the noble meeting, she briefly saw the Princess leaving the imperial castle. Is it true that Princess Madelaine left holding the hand of the Grand Duke with her happy face... 

Does she still love His Highness the Crown Prince? 

Of course, she couldn't tell this thought to the Princess. In that case, it could be her arm, not the sofa, that those beautiful nails are digging into. 

***

A sunset-colored evening, Tiase Palace. Maria Ethel walked gracefully down the aisle. Even though she had already toured the entire palace several times, it was extremely satisfying to explore the Crown Prince's palace.

"Let's also change the stained glass from earlier. With a more flashy and grand feel."

"Yes. All right."

Especially whenever the maids of Tiase Palace obey her wishes like this. Maria glanced behind her. Maria's blue eyes lit up with joy as she saw Baroness Sophron and her maids following behind her. This is the life she wanted. A proud Princess. A noble position most suited to being next to her lover, Leopold. 

Maria looked out the window. A golden sunset has already set down on the round roof of Tiese Palace. Soon it was time for Leopold to come. Just thinking about him made her heart race.

"Let's go down now."

"Yes, My Lady."

At Baroness Sophron's answer, Maria's eyes sharply rose.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Yes?"

"Are you just calling me 'Young Lady'?"

Baroness Sopron was silent for a moment at the sharp, unpleasant voice. Yes, by law, the title she used to call Maria Ethel was appropriate. The Crown Prince's lover has not even gotten engaged yet. 

Rather, it made no sense for the daughter of the Marquis, who was not in an official relationship, to be wandering around the Crown Prince's palace like this.

"...That's okay. Let's stop talking about this,"

Maria Ethel seemed to have recognized that and turned her head in annoyance. This is all because she hasn't even had an engagement ceremony yet. If she had just held an engagement ceremony, she wouldn't have been concerned about titles and such. 

Everything about this Tiase palace, which had been satisfactory until a little while ago, was annoying. Especially that one.

"Oh, those green hydrangeas up there. Put it away right away."

Maria Ethel pointed her hand at the hydrangeas on the nightstand. It's tacky and dull. It's just the taste of a half-assed illegitimate child. Now this palace is hers. It was right to decorate it brightly and lovingly according to her taste. 

Maria Etel smiled confidently and took her steps again. Baroness Sopron, who followed, briefly focused her gaze on the green hydrangeas. Another maid whispered loud enough for only Baroness Sophron to hear.

"There have been green hydrangeas on the side table in the east hallway for several years. I can't see it anymore. It's a shame."

"If the owner changes, you have to adapt it to their tastes."

Still.... The maid muttered regretfully. Baroness Sopron glanced at the green hydrangeas. Just once, the Crown Prince saw a green hydrangea and said that it was good for his eyes. Ever since then, there has always been a green hydrangea in that spot.

"Please continue to take good care of Tiase Palace."

She remembered the voice of Princess Madeleine who asked for the palace until the end. Baroness Sophron shook her head. It had already happened. All she had to do as the person in charge here was assist the owner of the palace. Even as she reflected on this, Baroness Sophron could not erase the feeling of emptiness that was forming somewhere in her heart.

"Ma'am. A maid from the Princess's palace brought 'business'."

Another maid came over and whispered to Baroness Sophron...

"You need to prepare for the banquet, My Lady."

"Therefore. Isn't this the Princess's job? Why are you doing this to me?"

This was when Leopold came under the patronage of the Tiase Palace. Leopold frowned at Maria's bewildered voice. He was busy with government affairs all day. He thought his fatigue would go away if he saw Maria, who was as lovely as always. 

When he entered Tiaje's palace, she greeted him with a sharp voice.

"What's the matter?"

"Leopold!"

Maria got up and hugged Leopold. A glimpse of happiness that her side had appeared passed over her poor face. The dress of the young maid in front of Marla had the Princess's palace seal stamped on it.

"I see you, the Little Sun of the Empire. I came to visit for a while to hand over work to Lady Ethel. I'll come back later."

"Leopold. Do you know what that job is? It's the Princess's summer banquet, and she brought that to me. I kept saying no because she brought it by mistake."

Maria stretched out her words in a charming way. It was time for Leopold to take her side and kick out her maid from the Princess's palace.

"My Maria. It's not like you don't remember what you said, right?"

"Yes?"

There was a hint of irritation in the low laughing voice. Maria opened her eyes wide.

"For one year, you will perform your duties well as my official fiancée."

For a year. It was a word that felt like it had an accent on it. Maria quickly looked around. This was something other maids should not know. It seemed like she heard most of it. 

A sense of shame came over her. But Leopold continued his words indifferently and handed Maria's hair a hand.

"You answered beautifully, yes?"

"...It was like that. But, Your Highness, that is not the Crown Princess's job to do as Your Highness's fiancee."

"No, that's what you should do."

Leopold nodded calmly. Seeing this, a maid from the Princess's palace quickly approached and held out the document she was holding. Embarrassment spread across Maria's face as she took the document.

"I guess my fiancee doesn't really understand her job yet, Ma'am."

"I apologize, Your Highness."

"Tell Maria what the Prince's fiancée will do tomorrow."

"Yes."

This isn't it. Maria rolled her eyes back and forth. Leopold could feel the perplexing emotions clearly visible in her doll-like pretty blue eyes. She was at a loss as she looked only at Leopold as if hoping Maria would lower her lifeline.

"...This never happened."

Maria's heart suddenly sank at the object pointed to by the subject of her low self-talk. However, Leopold's eyes soon looked down at her again, and they were kind. It was as if he hadn't said anything. So Maria couldn't even ask what he meant by what he had just said. Instead, Maria gritted her teeth and smiled brightly.

"Then, please hold an official engagement ceremony, Your Highness." 

"Engagement?"

"Yes. Please show me off as your official fiancee. It makes it easier for me to do my job."

Looking down at the lovely face, Leopold muttered three syllables: "Betrothal." 

Thinking about a year later, he remembered the Emperor's words to hold the engagement ceremony simply. Maria added one word as if she were nailing it.

"... More grandly than what you did with Princess Madeleine."

"Anyway."

Leopold chuckled at the jealous voice. And he stroked Maria's cheek as if he thought it was cute.

"I don't even remember that time. Okay, you just have to work harder instead."

Maria's face brightened. Her charming gestures clung to him as if she loved him. Now he feels like his own Maria. 

As Leopold naturally hugged her body, a scene from the past suddenly flashed through his mind.

"I understand, Your Majesty. As you said, I'll wear the white dress from now on."

It was a scene from his engagement party a long time ago. Olivia's face, which had been responding with her hurt face, caught his eye again. Anyway. All his memories of Olivia are like this.

Leopold said to Maria, trying hard to suppress her growing discomfort.

"Let's go for a walk."

Maria said with sparkling eyes that she would go to the palace for a while. Taking advantage of that opportunity, Leopold quietly called his aide, Count Hodges.

"Yes. Your Highness"

"... Find out how Olivia is doing."

Normally Leopold wouldn't have paid any attention. What is that expression on Olivia's face? 

Leopold clicked his tongue as if he was annoyed. And Olivia's sad-sounding voice went back beyond his memory. 

***

At that moment, the Princess's big eyes were filled with shock.

"Nonsense."

The document she was holding in his pretty hands was trembling. The imperial family's seal was stamped at the top of the document.

Vikander Territory White Crystal Mine. An abandoned mine that was barely alive was like a leash that had been holding Grand Duke Vikander up until now. No, more than that.

"There was something like this in that abandoned mine?"

The Princess muttered in disbelief and stumbled. Then, as if her legs gave out, she collapsed onto the carpet. But there was something more pressing to her than her dignity.

"Nanny! We have to leave right now!"

The princess shouted sharply. If His Majesty the Emperor finds out, really. She didn't know if there would be no turning back.

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