DYBAR - Chapter 103 < Last Tea Party In The Island (2) >
Do Your Best And Regret
The Empress's expression softened. And Olivia deserved the triumphant smile on her face.
Conrad resembles a Duke more than anyone else. Therefore, for the sake of his brother's well-being and the imperial family, he would stand by the Empress. Even if the decision had nothing to do with Ethella's wishes.
"You can't make a Princess of Madelaine's first tea party full of pressure. The little Duke praises the Princess and escorts her to rest. If the weak Princess suffers, she will also be upset."
"Thank you for your concern. I was worried that the first tea party would be held at the Imperial Palace."
Conrad's answer didn't detract from Olivia's expectations.
Unlike Ethella, who was pale and tired, I only lifted the corners of my mouth. Now that I was able to face Conrad without disappointment or fear, his words had no effect on me.
Ethella gave up her rightful place to host the tea party, but what could I do?
That was then. For a moment, Conrad's words seemed to be interrupted and then I felt a strange gaze. I looked up and blinked.
It was Conrad. So far, Conrad's gaze on me has been one of two. Despise or hate. But it was strange for him to look at me now. He usually avoided my gaze so that our eyes couldn't meet.
“.... Taking the advice of Her Majesty the Empress, I will also actively cooperate with Ethella's tea party here."
"What did you say, Little Duke?"
I wasn't the only one who couldn't believe my ears at the muffled voice. The Empress, who was smiling brightly, frowned as if she had misheard.
"Luckily, with the wisdom and help of the ladies here, the preparations seem to have gone smoothly."
The Empress pursed her lips. Ladies and young ladies alike were paying attention to the Empress.
“.... The little Duke too might be busy with other things, but he can't wait to check such a small thing. It would be better to pay attention to the delegation in keeping with the status of the Empire."
"As a working group, I have to pay attention to the smallest details so that the delegation does not feel uncomfortable. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
The Empress studied the little Duke's face. It can't be like this. She couldn't believe that it was the first time he'd behaved like this
The Empress gritted her teeth. She had to smile brightly, unlike her anxious heart.
".... The Duke must be very happy, little Duke. His are children who are so snappy."
Everyone could tell that there was a dagger in the laughter-laden words. And only I could tell that Conrad's eyes trembled a little at the words.
"I hope you think so."Contrary to the look in his eyes, there was not the slightest tremor in Conrad's voice. Ethella's whispering of a smile next to me felt a little distant. I stared at him.
That was all uncharacteristic of Conrad.
I clenched my fists for a moment. What if it doesn't look good, and what if it does?
It has nothing to do with me.
Continuing to control my strange stirring, I turned away. In the distance, envoys and nobles were entering the garden.
It was a weird tea party. It is a tea party where envoys from other countries are invited, and there are no Princes or Princesses.
While the Prince, who was said to have been present at the luncheon, had a headache and had left his seat, the Princess did not show up.
It was a different move from the Empress's earlier statement that she could serve as host.
If it was a normal tea party with only the Lady and the young lady, it wouldn't have been possible.
What do you think of the delegation's reception?
All the nobles thought the same but did not say it. Meanwhile, the Emperor looked at the Empress with a kind face and said loudly.
"Now that you've enjoyed the luncheon, why don't you enjoy the Imperial Tea Party? The second Princess of Madeleine has made the preparations, and I wish you all a good time."
With the words of the Emperor, the tea party began.
The host, Ethella, greeted him according to the courtesy, but the gazes of the nobles and the delegation quickly looked elsewhere.
The second Princess. If so, didn't the Emperor himself mention that the position of the first Princess was still there?
But where she sat, Olivia was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, the nobles glanced at the Grand Duke in a single blow. The Grand Duke, who was sitting at the same table with the Heferti delegation, was staring at the Emperor with cold eyes.
It was an interesting situation. The nobles kept their voices low and expressed their opinions cautiously.
"To still acknowledge her as a Princess means to revert back to being the Prince's fiancée."
"Lady Ethel has done something wrong, so you should have made amends somehow.""Didn't the Grand Duke say anything? He doesn't look good..."
"Do you have a bad face, Edwin?"
Suddenly, the whispering voices stopped.
Out of nowhere, Olivia suddenly appeared and walked gracefully to the table of the Heferti delegation. Edwin, sitting in a chair, blinked in surprise at Olivia. The round eyes were cute.
“.... I couldn't see Olivia, so I looked around with a sad eye."
I chuckled at the casual answer.
"Where have you been? I couldn't even look around."
Few knew the shortcuts to the banquet hall better than me. It had been years since I had made it to the point where only the servants had traveled.
"That's right,"
His eyes twinkled as he took a breather. I smiled and shrugged.
"It's a secret."
"Even between us?"
"Then I'll have to keep it a secret. The more secrets I have, the more mysterious I look."
With a slight grin, I scrutinized the eyes of the nobles around me. The nobles, who had been stunned by the Emperor's mention of the "Second Princess," were watching me with impatient eyes.
It was on purpose that I called Edwin's name as a show.
Now again the nobles would talk about my relationship with Edwin. Forgetting the word Madeleine's second Princess.
My gaze on the nobles caught on to Conrad, who was sitting at the table of the Heferti delegation. The strange face was the same as before, and I wondered if he wanted to say something.
My calm heart stirred. Not knowing the nature of this strange wave, I kept my mouth shut for a moment.
If it hadn't been for the Emperor's words, I would have gone back. Why do I have to feel this strange place here?The desire to hate someone with all your heart, as if you were being dragged down into the stained mud.
I had to go back to Vikander as soon as possible, I told myself.
“... You're already so mysterious, I'm going to have to hold it tightly, Olivia."
A gentle voice whispered in my ear. A gentle warmth gently clasped my hand. The sharp edge of my heart quickly became dull.
The effect of a firm hand was great. If it weren't for the sound of a light cough somewhere, I'd want to keep holding on.
I slipped my hand away and greeted the nobles in the delegation.
"Excuse me. It's Olivia."
Conrad paused. Ignoring the hint, I looked at the delegation. Just hearing the name without a surname, the delegation seemed to notice something strange.
I said my final goodbye with perfect courtesy.
"I'm here to greet Your Highness for a while, but the greeting is a little long. I hope you enjoy it, and I'll be leaving."
It was time to return to the Grand Duke. I didn't get to spend as much time with Sobel and Hannah as I thought I would. As I thought about leaving, I remembered the things I regretted.
Where is Dean, who hasn't returned yet, resting?"If you don't mind, why don't you go have a cup of tea too?"
Speaking of kindness, I glanced at the man in the one-eyed glasses for a moment.
The Duke of Kiwal, head of the Heferti mission.
When I was the Prince's fiancée, I heard quite a lot about the Duke of Kiwal during the war with Heferti.
A well-resourced and adept at negotiating a deal gave off a smiling air, but I was well aware that many nobles in the social world could stick their swords in with a smile.
What is the intention? No, what choice should I make in Edwin's favor?
I looked at Edwin reflexively. At that moment, my worries faded away, as if I were walking on a tightrope.
"If I have time, I do. Olivia. This tea is pretty good."
Edwin smiled harmlessly and whispered, barely making eye contact.
Mo is focusing on the current situation, not on the negotiating landscape. Olivia held back a chuckle. He whispered the same thing to Edwin."That tea, I asked you to set it up."
He didn't even notice when he saw his favorite tea at the Grand Duke's Palace.Edwin blinked in surprise, then smiled broadly. I made up my mind with a small smile. I looked at the Duke of Kiwal and nodded.
"It's nice to have a big table for a cup of tea."
"Yes. It was like Heferti's tea table, and I was feeling homesick too."
At Duke Kiwal's words, the nobles involuntarily examined the scene of the Tea Party. Come to think of it, it was a thoughtful party composition. It's an awning, it's the flower of the table and even the tea table that's hidden under the table cover.
This was the delicacy of the Empress's past banquets.
The nobles exchanged glances with a strange feeling. Meanwhile, the servant quickly set up a new chair and teacup next to Edwin.As I sat down, escorted by Edwin, the Duke of Kiwal smiled. He looked at me with a faint gaze.
"My father was quite knowledgeable in jewelry."
I stared at the Duke of Kiwal.
"He knew all the gems at once. He even guessed the approximate grade of the gem, and my mother would ask my father to accompany her when she bought the gem."
Is it a story about jewels, or is it a story about a father?Conrad's gaze felt overwhelming, but I tried to focus on the story. The Duke of Kiwal was still looking at me with interest.
The whole time he was speaking, Duke Kiwal's gaze was quite low. I wonder if he sees the necklace around my neck."I've always seen gems, so I have a pretty good eye for gems. Still, there seem to be gems that I can't recognize."
Duke Kiwal's voice lowered strangely, smiling curiously."May I ask what the jewel of that necklace is?"
At the confident question, I reflexively wrapped myself around the gem.***
"What? Olivia's at the Tea Party?"
The bedroom of the Prince's palace.
Leopold, who had been lying there with an irritable face, jumped to his feet.
Count Hodges nodded, suppressing his urgency.The Prince, who hadn't even listened to him when he talked about the importance of the Tea Party, listened to Olivia's name.
Count Hodges only now blamed himself for telling Olivia and helped prepare the Prince.That was then. A voice slammed through the open door and called out to Leopold.
"Leopold!"
There was a sense of urgency on her lovely face. Maria Ethel clung pathetically to Leopold's arms."If I'm still here, you've agreed to stay with me! My father has promised me that he will not protest the detention, so where are you going?"
Leopold looked at Maria with a tired face.
Even though he knew it was a rope that had already fallen, he couldn't let go of the smug face.>
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