DYBAR - Chapter 67 < As We Get Closer And Closer >

DYBAR - Chapter 67 < As We Get Closer And Closer >

Do Your Best And Regret It

Even with my eyes closed, I could clearly feel the soft brush stroking my cheek. When I reflexively tried to open my eyes due to the tickling feeling, a stern voice came right away.

"No, Miss. Please wait a little longer."

I could hear the maids laughing softly at Bethany's words. I laughed a little at the soft laughter. I said as if I was begging.

"It's my appearance anyway, so I can't see it?"

"Sure. It seems like every time you see it, you no longer realize that you are beautiful! Okay, I'll show you how beautiful you are."

I laughed again at the confident voice. Even if it's beautiful, it's just my appearance. Bethany spoke as if she was about to undergo a huge transformation. But, if I hadn't been Bethany, I wouldn't have been touching my hair and wearing light makeup on this night without a banquet.

"No! There are so many different types of jewelry that can be worn, so why not try just 10 rings?"

Just the thought of wearing rings on ten fingers was overwhelming, but my already big eyes opened even wider when I heard Bethany say it as if it was not possible.

"Is it? Then...."

Aside from the fact that Edwin's reaction was funny, I said I hadn't even thought about it. Before I could say anything, I pretended to be Bethany and lifted my index finger.

"Of course, you should try wearing a tiara, basic earrings, and a necklace!"

Because of how strong that figure was, I suddenly remembered the rumor about the Wizard of the North. She was rumored to be so determined and strong-hearted, but when I saw Bethany, I thought the rumors were all exaggerated. Because Bethany was always kind and gentle. But when Bethany, who always had a smile on her face, erased her smile, I unconsciously followed Bethany's wishes.

"Now, Young Lady, please come here and Your Highness, please leave for a moment! Guys, let's simply display cosmetics!"

No one could beat Bethany, who clapped her hands and spoke. Edwin and Dean, who had blank faces, were immediately pushed out of the room, and the maids displayed cosmetics on the dressing table. 

In that situation, it was a natural step for me to sit in front of the dressing table. As I recalled the situation from earlier, I suddenly realized that the room was filled with silence, and I was taken aback. Just moments ago, I couldn't hear anything from the sound of the hem of my dress being dragged to the sound of voices happily asking for cosmetics. It was so quiet as if all sound had disappeared. 

I cautiously called Bethany, I said.

Bethany?

"...... Oh my God. Miss, please open your eyes now."

It was a feeling of admiration that was somehow suppressed. I slowly opened my eyes. I seemed to have closed my eyes briefly, but the bright light was quite dazzling to my eyes. After blinking several times, I was able to see myself in the mirror.

"How are you, Lady? It's so beautiful to look at, isn't it?"

I couldn't easily respond to Bethany's excited words or to the maids' comments that followed me. It was my first time wearing so much jewelry at once since my engagement to Leopold. The gorgeous tiara that Bethany wore on top of my tightly braided hair sparkled elegantly. The platinum string earrings fluttering from my earlobes and the new diamond necklace around my neck went well with the original magic stone necklace as if they were a set. Me in the mirror...

".... I don't think it's me."

"It can't be! You're right, lady."

Bethany, who was smiling contentedly. spoke strongly. I looked at Bethany in the mirror. My eyes were wide open and my fluttering eyelashes cast a shadow over my white, beautiful face. The smile showed that I didn't believe Bethany. Just as I did implicitly every time Bethany touched my hair or adjusted my clothes. 

Every time this scene was repeated, Bethany swallowed her tingling insides and deliberately made a fuss more.

"You only wore jewelry for a short period of time, so you didn't even wear much makeup. By wearing jewelry like this, your original beauty is highlighted."

"Is that so?"

Even after listening to Bethany's words, I felt somehow unfamiliar with my appearance in the mirror. Bethany took advantage of that opportunity and spoke proudly.

"Of course, it's also because I braided your hair beautifully. The Young Lady has very clear skin and a thin neckline, so you look pretty with your hair down, but you're also pretty with it up! Looking at it like this, I am starting to plan how I will decorate the two of you on your wedding day."

Marriage! 

I, who had been staring blankly at the mirror, was startled. 

Bethany's eyes widened mischievously at that innocent reaction. The same was true for the maids around her.

"When I think about it, a year really isn't a long time. If you start repairing Jeniv Street, your wedding day will come soon, right?"

"Already, His Majesty was considering building a new banquet hall, but he gave up because it was said that it would be difficult to complete it within a year."

"I wonder how long the person who waited so hard for a year will still be waiting outside this room."

One of the maids glanced at the door. I unconsciously looked at the door and then back at the mirror. Just a little while ago, my appearance was a bit unfamiliar and I had no special feelings about it, but when I thought about what Edwin would see, my mind went blank. 

Really... ... Should I say I'm pretty? 

I smiled at the question that suddenly came to mind. Somehow, Edwin's reaction was a little bit, no, a lot more. He was confident. When I thought about the expression Edwin would make when he saw me, I somehow felt like I looked prettier in the mirror. 

Bethany, who was looking at the smiling girl, hurried out the door. The Grand Duke, who was leaning in front of the door, slowly got up. Looking at that face, Bethany threatened firmly.

"You know the reaction as soon as you see it, right? There must be a tremendous response, Your Highness."

The Grand Duke heard those words and laughed softly.

"It goes without saying."

This late at night, Olivia wore the jewelry he prepared for her. What was even funnier was that something so thrilling just thinking about it actually happened during this visit, but there wasn't a huge reaction. 

The red eyes in the narrow, curved eyes shone brightly. But when he actually entered the room, Edwin could not say anything.

"... I hope I look pretty."

The moment he heard the voice that came out like a sigh before even seeing his face, Edwin's mind became a tangled mess. His already pretty girl wants to look pretty to him. 

And the next moment, when Olivia looked at Edwin. Their eyes met. Edwin stopped breathing without realizing it. The moment Olivia's eyes widened, Edwin was momentarily scared that the fairy-like girl might disappear. Jewelry and all, only Olivia was visible. Edwin forgot all the elegant sentences he had prepared in advance. As he fell into the face that looked at him nervously and the green eyes filled with anticipation, someone poked him in the side. 

Edwin muttered unconsciously.

"Because you're prettier than I thought."

The words he stammered could not be concluded. Olivia burst out laughing. Because it's so cute that she smiles even at these unfashionable words. Edwin bowed his head. The corners of the mouths of the maids next to him rose, and Dean looked at Edwin with astonished eyes.

"Oh my God. I never thought you would be this quiet."

Bethany grumbled softly. The fact that even her eyes contained laughter was a trap...

"We're going to organize the jewelry for a while."

Bethany, who was looking at Edwin with a disapproving look, went out to visit with her maids and Dean. Edwin looked a little glum. 

I suppressed my mischievous playfulness. If I teased him now, Edwin would be really discouraged. It wasn't bad. Rather, it was good. I was prettier than I imagined. In Edwin's eyes, I seemed really pretty. 

I played with my braided hair a little. Meanwhile, Edwin, who couldn't even make eye contact, spoke softly.

"... That. I guess Bethany left it behind."

No way. I, who followed Edwin's gaze,  smiled a little when I saw the yellow jewelry box placed on the desk. Then I opened the box and said:

"Oh, that's a gift I got from Jeniv Street. It's a thread anklet."

"Thread anklet?"

"Yes."

A thread anklet that looked exactly like my mother's keepsake that I had also lost. 

I swallowed my words. I decided to keep the speculation that this thread anklet might be related to green eyes to myself until it becomes more certain.

"It's pretty, right? The colorful threads were woven skillfully."

Instead, it would be okay to brag. I smiled brightly. Edwin looked slightly pouty at the sight.

"Wow, I don't think you'd be this happy even if I gave you the jewel."

"It can't be. I loved the jewelry Edwin gave me as a gift. This is different from that and is more precious."

"If it's that precious, how about giving it to me as a gift?"

"Then you can't do that. I also received a gift. It may not be visible to others, but it's pretty, so I'm going to keep it to myself."

I said jokingly. At those words, Edwin's gaze, which was looking at the thread anklet, lowered infinitely. And he looked intently at the area around the ankles that were hidden by the hem of the dress. 

There was only one way to see the thread anklet that would be worn on a slender ankle. It was a moment when he was thinking impure thoughts beneath his kind face. 

With a knock on the door, Bethany came forcefully into the room.

"Miss, I have it all sorted out."

Miss. Edwin swallowed a bitter smile. As the days passed, he became more concerned about that name. It would be nice to be 'Grand Duchess'. 

After being able to kiss Olivia's cheek, his greed grew day by day. He wants to do better for her, make her smile more, and let her do whatever she wants. Now he wants to come closer and kiss her..... 

Even if he covets it more deeply than that. He wanted her to always smile at him. If their relationship becomes deeper and deeper...

Edwin ran his hand over his lips to hide his impatience. He kept getting thirsty. Edwin, troubled by his thirst that he could not quench right now, tried to look elsewhere

"If you really want that, I'll quickly learn how to make it."

...... It was a shame that there was a thread anklet where he looked.

"Because I won't give you this."

Edwin ended up putting his palms on the corners of his eyes in a playful voice as if teasing her. A moaning sound came out of his red lips.

***

Late at night. The drawing room of the Emperor's palace.

"You mean there's nothing additional discovered here?"

The Emperor, who had been looking at the report for a while, spoke quietly. It was too overbearing for the first words he said to his daughter whom he had not seen in a long time. However, the Princess humbled herself despite those dry words.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor frowned at the Princess answering politely. The contents of the report have not changed at all from those of a few years ago. It was suspicious. The Emperor was well aware that scholars and magicians were also present during the previous investigation. The contents of the excellent report back then are the same as the results of this simple procession investigation team. This was tantamount to showing that there was no investigation.

"They say they thoroughly checked everything over the course of five days."

The Emperor recalled the Chamberlain's words. The Emperor looked down at the Princess with cool eyes for a moment and shook her head.

"...... Chamberlain."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Please add the Princess's report to the White Crystal Mine documents."

The Princess was startled by those words and raised her head. What a document. It's already on the other half! The words flew out of her mouth before she could think.

"Your Majesty, I will add it to the document. How could the Chamberlain have access to the royal family's documents? That too....'

The Princess paused for a moment. She saw the Emperor's dry eyes sparkle for a moment. She knew right away what the Emperor was waiting for. 

The Princess lowered her voice and continued her words.

"It's an important document related to the fall of the country."

Only then did a somewhat satisfied smile spread across the Emperor's lips. It seemed like he knew well about the importance of White Crystal Mine to say something like that. If that was the case, he was confident that she would not have done the investigation in vain.

... Now she's finally showing off that she's read the document. 

"The report didn't mention that."

".... I apologize, Your Majesty. I'm just saying this because it's something I'm cautious about recording."

The Emperor laughed as if he was satisfied. The Princess also laughed along. 

"After all, you're my daughter. I'm also looking forward to this summer's banquet."

She was the Princess who successfully led the summer banquet that had been going on for several years. Despite his deep expectations, the Princess smiled confidently.

"I won't disappoint you."

However, the Princess, who maintained an elegant smile until she left the Emperor's drawing room, bit her lip as soon as the door closed. Her clenched fists were filled with cold sweat as she rolled up her dress. 

A summer banquet! 

She thought she had finished the abandoned mine, but there was another task ahead. She only thought about inviting half of that number for the summer banquet, but she didn't think that her father, the Emperor, was expecting it. 

How far has the summer banquet progressed? 

No! It receives proper responses to the invitation?

The Princess was so complicated that her mind felt like it was going to explode. In the end, the Princess spoke with her fierce face to her nanny, Baroness Rujas.

"Immediately contact Lady Ethel to come to my palace."

*** 

Meanwhile, the Emperor entered the bedroom, worried. And he naturally entered the deepest part. A space exclusively for the Supreme Emperor. 

Inside, the Emperor lifted up a veil. The portrait, which had been preserved again, was hung in a place familiar to the Emperor. The Emperor looked down at the portrait with a sneer. Unlike in the past, it was very easy to make eye contact with the expressionless Princess.

"Nothing changes, Princess."

He even made a preparedness plan. The Emperor looked straight into the eyes of the Princess in the portrait and curled the corners of his mouth.

"Did I start the rumor that you were the green-eyed dancer for no reason?"

The Emperor raised his hand and stroked the cheek of the Princess in the portrait. A hand filled with twisted obsession caressed the portrait stickily.

"I'm afraid that someone with the same power as the Princess will appear again."

An eerie voice spoke lowly as if telling a secret.

"I blocked that beautiful voice."

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