DYBAR - Chapter 78 < A Lovely Lover's Palace >
Do Your Best And Regret
"His Royal Highness is coming."
At the maid's urgent voice, Baroness Sophron hurried out of the bedroom. She followed behind and the maids prepared to welcome the Prince.
The sound of horses coming from outside the window was getting closer. Maria slowly stood up. She didn't say a word when the maid came over and adjusted her pillow comfortably. The maid's hesitation gave the impression that she was watching Maria. This was it.
Maria twitched the corner of her lip. This heart-throbbing, ecstatic feeling of superiority. Her father's words that she should be merciless towards those under her who did not obey her showed clear results. She was foolish in trying to treat them leniently because she thought they were her people.
"The maid outside. I'm telling you to stay safe in a place I can't see."
"Yes."
The maid lowered her head and went out of the bedroom. She was a maid and she no longer called her 'Young Lady'. Everything went perfectly for her. Baroness Sopron, who had a stiff neck, also bowed her head to her. The same was true for the maids who were not polite. And this 'Prince Princess's' bedroom, which was a forbidden area and could not be entered.
"There, even Princess Madeleine couldn't go in."
Suddenly, Maria remembered a little while ago when she had requested this room. At the same time, the maid's voice, clearly embarrassed, came to mind.
"Yes. I will guide you right away."
The stern face of Baroness Sophron, who led her to the bedroom without saying anything, even though she was reluctant to do so. Now, if only Leopold finds out about this situation, her job is done.
Before we knew it, the sunlight pouring in outside the window was coloring the roof of Tiese Palace. It was beautiful scenery, like Maria's shiny blonde hair. It was then. The bedroom suddenly opened without knocking. There was definitely only one person like this. The lover she love so much that her heart trembles.
"Leopold!"
Joy, sadness, and complaints crossed over Maria's beautiful face. She wanted Leopold to come quickly and comfort her. But Maria, who turned to Leopold, paused without realizing it. Leopold's face was unusual. This is the first time he looks at her with such a scary face...
As she thought absentmindedly, Maria clenched her fists, feeling a sense of déjà vu. No, once. She's only seen it once. In the drawing room of this palace. That's when she heard uncertain reports about the Grand Duke and Olivia's attendance at the summer banquet.
"If you don't have a cause, you have to create one."
Unbelievably, Leopold treated her with such coldness that it took her breath away. A bluish fear washed over Maria's fragile face that seemed ready to break at any moment.
But Instead of looking at his beloved lover's anxiety, Leopold exhaled lightly. He was shocked. This bedroom...
Arrogant eyes carefully examined the bedroom. Leopold lifted his hand and pressed it to his temple. In such silence that even the sound of breathing could be heard, the maids who were watching the Prince's movements were very nervous. If the lover's injury was the reason for the fierce shaking like the eve of a storm, it was not surprising that a maid disappeared from Tiase Palace today.
"Everyone takes off their seats, except the Count."
The maids who followed the Prince's quiet words quickly went outside. Only after confirming that the door was closed did Leopold come striding towards Maria.
Maria reflexively lowered the corners of her eyes.
"I, I, am sick, Leopold."
A sad aura appeared on her lovely face. Leopold spoke a beat slowly as he saw the pitiful sight of people wearing out their children. Still, she is his lover.
"Are you hurt a lot?"
Only then did Maria look at Leopold again after hearing his voice soften. Her arms felt a little numb. It seemed like her arm that was holding the wet towel had become tense without her realizing it.
"Yes. It's a burn."
The eyebrows that had been raised fiercely seemed to have relaxed a little. Maria tried to calm her racing heart. It was clear that she had seen something wrong. Leopold looking at her looked annoyed, okay. She guessed he looked at he that way because he was hurt and worried. The words Maria told herself lingered like a spell. Otherwise, she couldn't explain it.
Maria loved Leopold more than anyone else, and Leopold will too.
Leopold approached and glanced at Maria's arm. But he couldn't find any wounds on her slender arms that had her wet towel on them. Fearing that Leopold's gaze would disappear, Maria quickly put away the wet towel. Soon her red arms were revealed due to the coldness of her towel. This is enough to make Leopold worry.
"You look okay."
Maria blinked. He was strange. This is too much. This person in front of her was so indifferent that he was cold.
Leopold, her lover didn't do that. He is a person who worries about her catching a cold even if they get hit by just a drop of rain. A sweet lover who considers her like half of his heart and says he will hurt her instead. He couldn't be like this.
Maria's small, pretty hand trembled and reached for Leopold. But Leopold said that instead of caring about his lover's anxiety, he turned his back on her.
"My cigar."
Count Hodges quickly brought out a cigar and lit a match. The sight of him inhaling cigar smoke and exhaling lazily was too decadent for the Prince of an empire. At first glance, it looks like it's relieving a tired mind. That image was only shown to her. It was also one of Maria's most beloved figures of him. But, Maria turned her head.
Her shoulders trembled unsteadily as she held back her cough. The faint smell of burning wet wood. The smell of his cigar, which she thought was delicate, felt particularly strong today. Maybe it's because it's not an open terrace. There were several occasions when Leopold burned his cigars in front of Maria, even when they were in his palace behind closed doors as if enjoying a secret meeting. If so, is it because of her dizzy mind?
Maria barely suppressed her tickling cough. She then looked at Leopold to tell him to put out his cigar.
"Leo,"
But before the charming request could be made, Leopold hurriedly put out his cigar with a sad look on his face.
"Open the window."
Did it work? Maria looked at Leopold with a hopeful face. He may have heard a cough that she couldn't swallow. Although Leopold did not enjoy cigars often, he also never put out a cigar while he was smoking it.
"Tsk, I wasn't trying to smoke here."
At that moment, something seemed to collapse inside Maria's heart with a thud.
"Why, why? Why didn't you want to smoke here?"
"It stinks."
The answer was given without a hint of hesitation. At the same time, Maria's eyes fluttered in shock. He casually smoked a cigar in front of her. Is it just because he doesn't want the smell to permeate the Crown Prince's palace?
"By the way, Maria."
"Yes, Leopold."
Maria barely answered. Please, Maria hoped that Leopold would recognize the blow she received. But he just shrugged.
"This isn't cute."
"Yes?"
Maria's voice trembled badly as she took a deep breath. Is this a dream? But her high-pitched voice continued.
"Your nanny came and cried and said, The maids in Tiase Palace are looking down on you and insulting you."
"Yes, Leopold, that's...!"
"Why does restoring the Tiase Palace look down on you?"
Maria's voice said she really didn't know, so she quickly grabbed Leopold's arm. The towel on her burned area fell weakly, but she didn't have time to worry about it. Even though she heard that. How could Leopard talk to her like this? Without hugging her once or comforting her.
Maria let out her sad voice.
"I, the maids can do whatever they want in the palace I decorated for Leopold...!"
"Therefore."
The voice that cut off the waist was cold.
"Maria, I am correcting your reckless attempt to stir up this palace."
"..."
"I'm asking why it has degenerated into looking down on you."
Maria couldn't believe it. He is a lover as sweet as the sunshine.
"What kind of foolish words can you say?"
Maybe with such a cold voice.
"My Maria. I told you to just carry out your duties as my fiancee for a year. Why are you acting so stupid?"
Will it make her fall to the bottom?
Maria struggled to get her dazed mind back together. As Leopold's handsome face became increasingly blurred, her heart ached
"But..."
Maria had to come to her senses. Maria let out a weak voice that seemed to be dying out. The desperate gaze only focused on Leopold.
"You said that Tiase Palace looks just like me."
Okay. Leopard has always been like that. Olivia wished she hadn't had that cloth, he regretted. He felt sorry for not being able to put me in a position of honor. Then he spoke.
"On days when the sunset is colored, it's as brilliant as your blonde hair."
"Okay. A day filled with sunset."
When the carefree voice continued as if it was swallowing up the trembling voice. Maria's eyes widened as if she had suddenly been hit on the head. Sunset. Little Sun. A dignified Prince who will soon rise as the Sun of the Empire. The pieces of the puzzle fit together smoothly.
Leopold looked at her pale face and twisted the corner of his lips.
"My Maria. My lovely Maria. Do you finally understand?"
Even though he said he loved her, his eyes were cold. Leopold lightly brushed off Maria's blonde hair and spoke softly.
"Under my protection and affection, you will continue to act pretty, right?"
Tears fell from Maria's eyes, frozen like a doll. His heart was moved by her pitiful appearance. Leopold grinned and hugged Maria. The sweet scent she gave off gave him a slight headache, but he decided to let it go for today.
Maria, who had been stiff as ever, seemed to melt and fall into Leopold's arms. Leopold's warm breath on the back of her neck reminded her of his kindness.
"Look at the bites of Baroness Sophron and her maids."
"..."
"I don't want my Maria to be embarrassed anymore. That's what I mean."
The voice of her lover, whom she had always loved, became distant as if it belonged to someone else. But Maria instinctively nodded her head. Because Leopold's hand stroking her head wanted that. This warmth was all Maria could cling to. Leopold pulled away. Then he stood up and gave an order.
"Leave the palace the same as before. Because that's my preference."
What a taste. She has a taste for Leopold. Facing Maria, who denied reality and said it was nonsense, Leopold cried out as if there was one more thing left.
"And..."
Cool sea-colored eyes turned to the bed. While Maria flinched at the sharp gaze that seemed like she would never get used to it no matter how much she looked at it, Leopold clicked his tongue.
"Prepare a room for Maria to rest. Leave this place empty."
Count Hodges bowed his head without shaking. And then Leopold went out. There was no way for Maria to catch it. Maria blinked her eyes at the sound of the door closing, what? What happened now?
Maria couldn't believe this situation was real. There was no way the image of herself left alone in a quiet room could be real. Maria hurriedly looked around. Yes, this bedroom. This bedroom was the space of the Supreme Crown Princess. And the space she occupies now...!
Maria, looking around her room for reassurance, caught the eye of Count Hodges. What appeared before the eyes of Count Hodges, who suddenly encountered her.
"I will tell Baroness Sophron to prepare another room Immediately."
Sympathy. A funny feeling that he never thought would go to Maria Ethel. Count Hodges hurriedly left the bedroom.
Maria, who had been staring blankly at the door, suddenly burst into laughter.
Ha ha ha.
Maria's tears fell down her cheeks as she laughed helplessly. Her misery enveloped her entire body.
"Do you want to be a mistress?"
"No!"
It felt like she heard a loud laugh. Maria screamed in denial and waved her arms haphazardly.
Clink.
There was a sound of something breaking under her wildly swinging hands. She felt hot, as if she had been cut somewhere, but Maria could not come to her senses. But she was sure of one thing. Leopold is her lover. He is a loving lover. A lover who doesn't stop loving her. So,
"Prepare a room for Maria to rest. Leave this place empty."
This was supposed to be her room. His love had to be directed solely towards her.
"His Royal Highness told me to change the room where the Lady will rest."
Remembering Count Hodges' words, Baroness Sopron knocked several times on the bedroom door. However, when an answer was not heard and a sharp sound was heard, Baroness Sophron, unable to hold back, swallowed her breath in surprise.
"Do you have something to say to me?"
The Queen Mother's bedroom, which she had cared for so carefully, became a mess. With broken pottery shards underfoot, a calm voice was heard from the bed.
Baroness Sophron swallowed her initial goal of bringing down Maria Ethel and recited the words of the Princess's' palace maid who had visited her earlier.
"Her Royal Highness has invited the Lady to a tea party tomorrow."
"I have come to convey my condolences to Her Majesty the Princess. As you can see, my arms are like this."
An emotionless murmur was heard, like a doll. Maria slowly raised her head. Her bloodless white face turned towards Baroness Sophron. Goosebumps appeared on her back.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Please tell her not to worry about the banquet.
"..."
"It's going to be a very grand banquet."
Her tear-soaked cheeks rose beautifully. The shaking blue eyes soon hardened. It was going to be the grandest summer banquet. In the sight of the thousand things, in the sight of everyone.
Her lover will definitely come back to her.
Maria smiled. She looked precarious as if she was pushed to the edge of a cliff.
***
That time. The long-awaited owner has arrived at Grand Duke Vikander's residence in the archipelago.
An endless procession of carriages arrived, and the first carriage stopped at the entrance. The workers lined up at the entrance and looked at the carriage with joyful faces. It seemed as if the sounds of my pounding heart were all combined into one. The carriage door opened. The dazzlingly beautiful Grand Duke smiled wonderfully and extended his hand toward the inside of the carriage. The workers shouted in unison as they looked at the Young Lady holding her hand and getting off.
"I'm glad to see you again."
I smiled brightly.
"Me too. It's nice to see everyone again."
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