DYBAR - Chapter 88 < Engagement Ceremony Of The Century (1) >

DYBAR - Chapter 88 < Engagement Ceremony Of The Century (1) >

Do Your Best And Regret

Diancee. 

Those three syllables sent waves through Conrad's heart. Olivia's diary flashed clearly in his mind as he couldn't sleep properly. After his faith in his father was shattered, Conrad stayed up all night reading Olivia's diary. His desperation was greater than his regret for reading someone else's diary carelessly. It wasn't because of his affection for his sister or his bloodline that he never looked back on. He just wanted to relieve himself of the quilt he felt for pushing a child who was only six years old to such an extent. 

He had hoped that there would be even just one line in this diary that would give this child some breathing room. In the five volumes of his diary, Conrad finally discovered something that made him truly happy for the first and last time. It was a story that happened when Olivia was nine years old and on the Prince's eleventh birthday.

"For the first time, my father spoke to me first. It was so good. He told me to become a Princess. At first, I just thought I had to do well, but after meeting His Highness the Crown Prince, I really wanted to become the Crown Princess. Because His Highness the Crown Prince is like an angel who helped me. Smiling brilliantly seems to be a story about someone like His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"It's really good. When I become Crown Princess, my father will talk to me every day, and His Royal Highness will also stay with me. Then I can stay with my brothers and Ethella. It's nice just to think about it. As my mom said, if I do my best, everything will come true."

It was funny. Out of those five books, there was only one moment when she was happy. That made Conrad feel even more heartbroken. 

After that, Olivia tried her best to see that 'brilliant smile' even once more. Because she whipped herself despite no response after all his efforts. So Conrad had no choice but to ask the Prince.

"Olivia,"

A sharp pain scratched the inside of his neck mercilessly.

"Did you really think she was your fiancee?"

"Yeah..."

Leopold's relaxed face, as if he was going to answer right away, gradually hardened. His sea-colored eyes were wide and irritated, and his lips, which were smiling cynically, were tightly pursed. 

Soon, a heavy energy settled in the office. In a gloomy atmosphere like a thick fog that no one could escape from, Leopold quietly thought of Olivia. Did he think of Olivia as his fiancee? 

Yes, it was a very obvious question. If the person next to him is not Olivia, who is she? But why couldn't he answer right away? 

Leopold pursed his lips. Of course, that one word just lingered in his mouth. A pain arose in his chest as if someone was squeezing his heart. If he says this, will he feel at ease? 

It was then,

Knock knock.

The door opened without permission with a light knocking sound. It was Maria Ethel who stuck her head out through the door. The moment Maria and his eyes met, Leopold unconsciously looked at the Duke. The Little Duke's amethyst-colored eyes looked at him with an inexplicable gaze. His fingertips tingled strangely. 

As if she had nothing to do with this heavy atmosphere, Maria spoke cheerfully like a fairy.

"Ah, a guest has arrived. Excuse me, Leopold. You don't know how long I've been looking for you to prepare for the banquet."

"Then, I will just get up and see."

"Ah..."

When the Little Duke stood up, Leopold took a deep breath. He thinks he needs to answer something about the previous question. In this situation, everything felt like an excuse. 

What an excuse. There was no one in this empire to whom he had to make an excuse. It was okay not to feel responsible for the answer. His proud pride raised its head high. Meanwhile, Conrad finished his silent salute and left his office. With the sound of the door closing, a deep sigh escaped Leopold's mouth.

"I said there would be a face-to-face meeting with the Heferti delegation."

Maria, who was glaring at the Duke's back, was startled. The voice was too sharp to be her lover's. She was already nervous because she heard that Leopold was sitting with the Duke of Madeleine. She rushed over to see if he could tell the story of Olivia Madeleine. How can Leopold ignore her without even acknowledging her feelings? 

Maria felt like crying out of sadness. Leopold, who had no idea what day would be today, scolded. But Maria made an effort to pretend to be cheerful and pouted her lips. If he told her she was cute, she was willing to give it a go.

"That's it, whatever. Should I go to Leopold? I'll see you at the banquet anyway."

"Maria. Meeting other countries is a matter of national affairs. It's not something to be taken lightly."

But in the end, what came back was a sharp voice. Maria pursed her lips. Her eyes widened before her eyes,

"Don't cry, Maria."

The only thing that soothed her was a few dry words. There were no hugs like before or gentle gestures of stroking the cheek. But in this situation, all Maria could do was listen to Leopold.

"No, I'm not crying."

Because today is a good day. After today, everything will go back to normal. So Maria smiled brightly and added.

"I will prepare separately and go in. The banquet preparations must be done thoroughly."

When she turned around, his blue eyes flashed hard. Just like Mary's plan that will never change and will finally come true today...

The servant who was putting on the cufflinks flinched at the sound of Leopold's sigh. But Leopold didn't even care and violently stroked his hair. What did he say that made her cry so easily? 

He was just saying something as a Prince to someone who takes national affairs lightly. He was irritated by the foolishness that only seemed pretty. He wished Maria had been a little smarter. Then, even if he doesn't tell her not to come close to him at the banquet hall today, she will know and stay far away. He should have told Maria directly earlier, but she was leaving in such a hurry that he couldn't catch her. It would be nice if Maria could at least get a feel for how she should Interact with other countries today. At least as much as Olivia...

"If you know so well, why don't you come forward yourself?"

For a moment, Leopold's mouth stiffened at the memory that suddenly came to his mind. He couldn't believe it, but...

The voice in his memory that was scolding Olivia was definitely his. 

*** 

Grand Duke Vikander's residence in the middle of the day. 

Olivia, sitting on the sofa in the living room, quietly looked down at the table. To be exact, I was looking at a dress and shoes in a large box on the table.

"A gift has arrived from the Prince. What should I do, Miss."

It was an impulse that prompted Sobel to ask about the gift. The Leopold I had seen so far was very proud. Just like that, she was rejected by an arrogant man who called me by my nickname in front of all the nobles. But it's a gift.

"Couldn't it be a bomb disguised as a gift?"

I even joked around for a while. Of course, Sobel, who heard this, had a hard look on his face for a moment and answered seriously that he would call the wizard. But, this...

"It's a white dress."

Sobel muttered. It was a beautiful white dress to anyone's eyes. An expensive dress embroidered with flower shapes using silver thread and sprinkled with small diamond dust.

"It's worse than a bomb."

"Yes?"

Sobel asked back. But I didn't even have the strength to respond. This is really it. Because it looks exactly like the dress from my 16-year-old engagement party.

I thought I had thrown it all away. Memories dotted with gray came to me in tears. The excited anticipation of that hot day and the overwhelming feelings of the moment we had been waiting for.

I thought it would be bad, but I didn't know it would be this bad. 

"The Princess is not the flashy type."

Even the words that plunged me into the abyss in an instant. My fingertips trembled slightly. My breathing kept getting harder and harder. Recollections of my misery and how shameful I felt at that time filled my mind. What is the reason? What on earth was the purpose of sending me a dress like this? Why do you keep telling me... 

Rattle. 

It was only when I heard the light ringing of a bell that I lifted my head in surprise. And then I realized who the person next to me was. 

Edwin Lowell Vikander. The man who had been looking at me sweetly since morning shrugged his shoulders and patted the dress box.

"It's in the wrong place."

Then he smiled at Olivia.

"What kind of man in the world would watch his Young Lady wear a dress sent by another man?"

Edwin pursed his lips.

"I'm not a very broad-minded gentleman. Olivia understands too."

The words that blatantly revealed jealousy strangely calmed my heart. My heavy breathing slowly returned to normal breathing. Edwin glanced at my complexion and raised the corner of his mouth. The seductive lines of his lips moved slowly.

The dress I wear and the shawl I wear. He even wore the thread anklets I wore on my ankles. 

"I try not to be jealous, but I am jealous."

U thought about Edwin's words for a moment. I couldn't tell if he was talking about leaks in the clothes or if he was talking about something else. But I felt it was somehow dangerous to ask again. So I told a joke in an attempt to compromise.

"I don't think this is a story for someone with a string anklet and bells to tell, right?"

"Now that it's sweet, we can talk more. I already threatened the world that I was the girl's cute cat. This is how the dress comes to you. Um, would he like to challenge me to a duel?"

It was so absurd that I laughed. Even after seeing the darkness on my face completely disappear, Edwin added leisurely.

"Moreover. My lady couldn't even wear the dress I gave her. How dare he go beyond that?"

Beneath these seemingly relaxed words, there was deep sincerity.

Sobel looked away from Edwin, feeling momentarily creeped out. Suddenly his eyes met Howard, who was standing in front of the door. At the same time, Howard nodded his head. Sobel swallowed his sigh at the expression on Howard's face that told him that the day would soon come when he would have to take out his sword. 

There was one more thing to do, but it was still a good thing. So Sobel wondered where his Highness's sword was. 

Today or tomorrow. A thought crossed his mind that he should take it out in advance. 

*** 

The second day of the summer banquet. 

The banquet started off well. Fortunately, that stupid Maria Ethel didn't seem to be following Olivia today. As the hostess of the banquet, the Princess smiled brightly and greeted all the nobles.

"Her Royal Highness, you look especially more beautiful today."

"Oh my, has Her Royal Highness ever had a day that wasn't beautiful?"

Despite the practical jokes being made, the young Count made excuses with a red face.

"That's not it, I'm just saying that you are the most beautiful when the moonlight shines."

The Princess smiled elegantly, covering her mouth. It was natural to say that she was more beautiful today. Late last night, all her worries disappeared when she told the Empress about the abandoned mine. She slept soundly for the first time in a long time, and during the day she also planned how the Empress would order Olivia. So she naturally had no choice but to smile brighter.

"Thank you, Count."

The Princess smiled and moved her seat when she noticed the ladies who had fallen a long way away. Although she liked the atmosphere of the banquet, she had a strange face.

"What is it?"

The Princess approached there and asked her best playmate, the Marquis of Libeorn. The Young Lady shrugged her shoulders with an embarrassed expression for a moment.

"It's nothing special. We were just talking among ourselves for a while." 

"What is this story about? As the owner, I'm curious."

“Somewhere, um.”

The Marquis of Liveorn looked around for a moment. And then she whispered to the Princess.

"I thought it felt like an engagement party."

"What does that mean? Engagement?"

The Princess, who was smiling elegantly as if she had heard something interesting, paused for a moment. And she slowly looked around. 

As the soft melody sounded more and more distant, the decorations of the banquet hall caught her eye. Tables and chairs are arranged more neatly today, and tables and lights are hanging along the stairs. From the brilliantly sparkling white collar to the colorful flowers. 

No way.

The Princess's face became pale.

Dear Novellatte reader,

It seems that I have to drop this series which I love so much. I don't have enough raw from this series. DYBAR was moved to Naver series from Naver web novel, which means I have to buy cookies to open the remaining chapter. The problem is, that I failed several times to verify my number for Naver series, so I can't buy the cookies.

If any of you have the raw, you can write in the comment below or contact me via email.

I'm so sorry, and thank you for your love of this series.

Novellatte. 

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