DYBAR - Chapter 104 < Nightmare At 2PM on Wednesday >

A gentle smile wafted in the gentle summer breeze.

The Emperor stared at one place with a stern face.

It was natural for a tea party to be accompanied by laughter, but now it was at the table of the Heferti delegation that the laughter spread.

In front of him sits the Grand Duke Vikander, the man responsible for Heferti's defeat.

Perhaps sensing the gaze, the Grand Duke glanced at the Emperor. His red eyes curled with a sneer.

The Emperor suppressed his heart, and he felt an unbearable rage. Sparks flew over the Emperor's sea-colored eyes. If the Princess hadn't handed over the title of the White Crystal Mine to the Grand Duke, he had a chance.

The hand that held the glass trembled.

Clang. 

The sound of the glass hitting the saucer was sharp. But it didn't cut through the blooming laughter. Only the Empress looked at the Emperor in amazement. 

An angry voice escaped beneath the smiling face.

“.... It's ridiculous, Empress. That's where the Prince should sit."

The Empress's heart sank. Olivia's place smiling in praise also belonged to the Princess, but the Emperor never mentioned her.

"What the hell is the Prince doing?"

"The break is over, so I'll bring him back soon, Your Majesty."

"I'm also going to work alone with the Grand Duke on the mines, so bring the Prince back quickly."

The experienced acolyte approached the Emperor. As the Emperor commanded, the Empress pursed her lips. But since the story of the mine came out, she didn't do anything stupid to mention the Princess.

Instead, in a drowsy heart, she called out to the Marquise of Oftem.

"What happened to the person who was sent to the Grand Duke? Still haven't heard from him?"

It was the only hope for the Empress. It was when it felt like she was going to burn and disappear.

"Your Majesty. He arrived at the Imperial Palace a little while ago."

***

“.... I'm going to have to step away for a while, Olivia."

The nobles pricked up their ears. A little while ago, the Emperor's chief of staff came and whispered something to Grand Duke Vikander, and then the Grand Duke said something regretful.

As if she had been waiting, Olivia also pretended to get up from her seat.

"I'm going to get up with you. The gentlemen here have had a great time. May you rest in peace while you are in the Empire."

"Just now, I have received an overwhelming welcome from Young Lady. It's a shame to go first."

When Olivia stood up, all the envoys stood up as if to see them off. Formally, the delegate, the Duke of Kiwal, stepped in front of Olivia.

The nobles, who had been whispering slightly, fell silent.

The Duke of Kiwal, who was not even properly courteous about the back of the Princess's hand, stepped forward and kissed the back of Olivia's hand and said something.

It's like a nobleman of the Empire who deserves to be offended. The nobles all looked at the Olivia and the Duke of Kiwal with strange faces. So did the Duke of Elkin, the head of the aristocracy.

"Come to think of it, that's really weird."

"It's weird. The Princess, or rather, Young Lady, was originally not accepted in the social world, let alone hung out, laughing with the defeated delegation."

"Are they both strangers, so do you identify with them?"

The Duke of Elkin tried to calm the bulging corners of his mouth. All the jealous voices were directed at Olivia. He can't believe that a Princess who used to be around makes the social world so excited.

Once he started to see it, Olivia seemed more useful than he thought. He wasted his time on the daughter of Marquis Ethel for nothing.

Now it was time for him to get up to speak to Olivia himself.

Duke Elkin glanced at the table and tilted his head for a moment.

At first glance, there was no Empress in the upper seat. He's sure she's been in place until a moment ago. She wasn't in a hurry to leave the place where the Princess wasn't there...

Duke Elkin's eyes narrowed as he thought for a moment.

In the distance, there was someone who had risen before him and was following behind him.

It was the Duke of Madeleine.

***

"Let me see you off at least to the carriage."

"You've already seen us off a lot, Duke. Your Majesty is looking for you, Edwin too. Hurry up."

"I'm in an advantage anyway."

"It's an advantageous situation, so you should go further."

Anyway, it was a snappy answer. Edwin knew that these snappy words would only roll smoothly to him.

"It's not easy to name a precious name, Duke."

Compared to the Duke of Kiwal's comment a moment ago about what kind of jewel it was, it's a bit of a slap in the face.

The way he gracefully concealed the gems, the way he reminded them that he was not acquainted, was like a textbook for socialites.

After that, he took care of my dessert. I could barely swallow my desire to return to Vikander with him at any moment.

Unlike Edwin, who is horribly unapologetic, I squint at the garden where the tea party is taking place.

His gaze drifted this way. Heferti's envoy waiting for Edwin, other nobles, and Conrad.

But even as they walked together to the beginning of the conservatory garden, Edwin didn't back down. Instead, he tilted his head as if he was in dismay, with a breathtakingly pretty face.

"I won't see you in days. Isn't it pretty that I'm not going to do it anymore and just see you off to the carriage?"

"Lately, you've been using the word beauty a lot, Edwin."

"Because you're a beauty, I haven't even started yet."

Edwin nudges my hand. He only took two steps, and the nobles' gaze was completely blocked by the shadow of the gardener.

The sound of the wind whispered in my ears. The rumbling voices faded away, and the brilliant sunlight shone brightly.

The corners of Edwin's eyes curled seductively.

“... How about you? Do you want to come over?"

I almost fell for the narrowness of his eyes, but I took my hands off. I raised my left hand and waved it lightly. Two rings glistened in the sunlight.

"I already know that face is mine, Your Highness."

"Oh no."

A soft sigh of laughter tickled the fluff in my ears. my eyes widened.

As hard as my body was wrapped around his waist, the cool, clear scent tickled the tip of my nose.

"My face isn't the only weapon, is it?"

His breath reached with a languid voice. Feeling shy, I tried to escape, but I buried my face in his arms. My heart pounded beneath his rock-solid body.

It was a foul to have a more relaxed face than anyone else and to have a heartbeat like this.

The tension between the Duke of Kiwal and Conrad had sharpened in a different sense.

I decided to think about something else. If anyone saw it, I'd be able to show off my relationship with Edwin, but if not... It didn't have to be true.

Give up.

Olivia mumbled with a faint breath.

"I never thought I'd have the feeling of having a secret meeting in my life."

I've seen a lot of views.

My cheek was leaning against his cheek, and his arms rumbled softly. A voice with a smile asked a question.

"So you don't like it?"

“... Are you have to ask that?"

Embarrassed by the playful question, I broke down and gave a different answer. Edwin laughed mischievously.

"I'm just sticking to Olivia's order to keep it singular and up."

Hot lips touched my forehead and then disappeared.

"And I just want my mind to fill up just thinking about it."

It's already full. So much so that it swallowed up the desire to return to Vikander. It was as if the sharp hatred that had been stirring in my head had been gently soothed.

Feeling sorry for the embrace, I touched my forehead with a red face.

It was up to Edwin to tidy up my disheveled hair. The graceful nape of my neck, like a deer's fingertips, was dyed rosy.

Her face was so adorable, and Edwin revealed her inner self as if she were praying.

"No matter what you think, I put you first."

The little face nodded slowly. Edwin begged Olivia for a little more.

"It's late. Why don't you at least leave tomorrow?"

The sun was at its highest. Still, Olivia nodded as if she was making a reasonable compromise. Edwin swallowed a smirk.

“... By the way, will Edwin finish the story of the gems?"

It wasn't until a long time before Olivia said, clutching the gemstone around her necklace. It was then that Edwin remembered the words of Duke Kiwal, who had kissed the back of Olivia's hand.

"Then, can we continue talking about jewels? Young Lady?"

"Absolutely. Absolutely."

If anyone knew anything about the Gem, Edwin was welcome.

Edwin turned around several times before heading for the Emperor's Palace.

Despite the fact that no one had said so many times that no one knew the other palaces, including this summer conservatory, except for the Emperor's Palace, as well as me, Edwin urged me several times as if he were looking at a child by the water.

"You must move with Dean."

What Edwin didn't know was that Dean hadn't returned.

I pulled my head back and surveyed my surroundings. There was no striking red hair, but there was not a trace of it in sight.

Maybe he's lost in the palace. It was then that I realized that Dean had never been near the palace. Should I go back to Edwin, or should Dean come back first? I thought about it for a moment.

A carriage pulled up in front of me. I saw a familiar face through the window.

"I'm seeing you, My Lady."

“... Long time no see, Ma'am."

I smiled faintly. It was Baroness Sophron, the maid of honor of the Tiase Palace.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you. How are you?"

"Absolutely fine. Was Young Lady at ease?"

It was a formal greeting, and in an instant, her face brightened visibly.

"Yes, thanks to the Princess, I am able to return to the palace and feel at ease."

It was a strange thing to say. Thanks to me, you can bring the palace back.

There was a tingling sensation in my mind, but I didn't ask again. Meanwhile, Baroness Sophron asked as she stepped out of the carriage.

"Where is the wagon?"

"I'm waiting for someone."

"Are you waiting for a knight in a knight's uniform emblazoned with the Vikander emblem? He was a red-haired knight."

It was Dean. Baroness Sophron had an embarrassed face.

"Just in case, I remembered, I saw him go to the other side. Why don't I help you find the knight, Princess?"

It was a strange feeling. Everything seemed to fit together so well. I was about to shake my head.

"At that time, on the last day, I would appreciate it if you could take it as a sign of my apologies for being impatient when you saw the palace."

The memory of that day settled on Baroness Sophron's face. I nodded slowly.

It was an impulsive choice. The Lady smiled faintly.

***

"This is... My knight can't get in."

The carriage arrived at the Tiase Palace. The garden outside the window was very different from the Tiase Palace in my memory.

“... I'm sorry, Princess."

Baroness Sophron apologized silently, but her mouth was filled with disappointment. I looked at her. She was a woman of integrity and sincerity.

"As the maid of honor of the Tiase Palace, I learned too late that the only person who would take care of this palace the most was the Princess. His Royal Highness the Prince also ... the reverberation of hydrangeas..."

"Turn the carriage."

"Princess. Please..." 

Baroness Sopron scolded who had been calling out to the Princess anxiously. I sat in the most majestic manner she had ever seen. A heavy atmosphere overwhelmed the wagon. My green eyes, as cold as frost, stared at Baroness Sophron indifferently.

"Straighten my name, Lady. I am not a Princess, but a reserve Grand Duchess."

"...."

"The Grand Duke Vikander will not let this happen. Not only for the Baroness, but also for the man who made you do this."

I looked out the window. An awfully familiar garden, and a tea table on top of it, which I remember without a single disturbance.

I smiled bitterly. It's the same setup that kept me waiting all the time. It's a bit of a slap in the face.

Today was Wednesday.

"So if you want to ask for leniency, do so now, Ma'am."

When my gaze finally subsided, the carriage dropped me off and began to run back to the main entrance of the Tiase Palace.

It was only in the carriage that I clasped my hands together, trembling slightly. I let out a shallow breath.

A faint sense of relief slowly engulfed his body. The Imperial Palace was such a place, and I was too complacent.

I'm going to go and tell Edwin everything. And, truly, we must not leave them alone.

A cold anger spread across my green eyes. The carriage came to a sudden stop, and the horses roared loudly.

I, who was staggering unprotected, looked at the carriage's door that suddenly opened.

"Olivia... My fiancée hasn't forgotten Wednesday's appointment."

The handsome face smiled brightly. With a relieved smile on his face, I tightened my grip on the roll-up of my dress.

Who knows I'm here?

Anxiety swept over me, but I had to stay calm.

Ahead was the front door. I could have run if I had to. My heart feels like jumped out of my mouth.

Meanwhile, Leopold smiled softly with his polite arrogance. That night, the expression that had been staring at me desperately had vanished.

"Well, I was a little late, but I thought you'd wait for me. You can't stand it like an angry colt, and you're waiting to meet me?"

Ignoring the hand escorting, I stepped down the carriage alone. I said it as nonchalantly as possible.

"Worship the little sun of the Empire. My fiancé is waiting for me. I'll go first."

"You're not going anywhere. I have prepared for you the chamber of the Prince of my palace."

His voice was sweet, and at the same time, a strong force grabbed my wrist. My heartbeat sharply as the pain spread.

I needed to get out of this situation, but all I could think of was Edwin.

I pressed my trembling lips together. I stared at the Prince.

"If you're going to say that, it's polite to at least change your clothes, Your Highness."

At the point in my neat voice, Leopold blinked in disbelief. Then, belatedly, he looked down at the arm that held me.

There was a red lip mark on the arm where Maria Ethel had clung.

Holy. Even after Her Majesty the Empress came...

Embarrassed, Leopold loosened his grip. Taking advantage of the opportunity, I quickly stepped back. There was a faint hint of contempt and vigilance over my green eyes.

"Olivia. This isn't it, it's not like that..." 

"For the first time, Lady Ethel has become pitiful."

“...... What?"

"Your Highness clings to the past for those who cling so tenderly. Your Highness has already missed it."

A dumb voice crushed Leopold's pride.

Still, the face that looked at him expressionless was infinitely beautiful, and Leopold turned one lip up. The twisted inside was sinisterly wet.

"I tried to bring you in. You always want to stay by my side, covered with scars."

I took a slow step back instead of replying.

His sea-colored eyes sparkled as he stared at me.

A slow pace followed me.

"Olivia, I tried to hide this story for your pride."

"......."

"Did you enjoy going to Vikander territory?"

His voice was unusual as if he were singing. I tried to ignore Leopold's words. A little further on, it was the main entrance.

"Everybody thought you were pretty. No matter what I did, you would have loved me."

Leopold followed Olivia slowly.

Her silver hair is elegantly raised, her slender neckline makes his lustful heart spin, and her face is as beautiful as if she is finally in full bloom. It's all his.

Why is Olivia running away? 

Anyway, the place where she will come back is next to him. Leopold laughed and recalled what the Empress had told him.

"There were a lot of rumors in the Grand Duke, Your Highness. Hurry up and tell the pathetic kid."

"Poor Olivia. Did you enjoy it?"

He said with a laugh.

"Not knowing that they are directed at the Grand Duchess, not you?"

I, who had been busily backing away, froze for a moment. Leopold grinned. And he wedged affectionately.

"You didn't believe the obvious thing about the Grand Duke's love at first sight, did you?"

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