“Franz.”
The corner of Franz's eyes moved startlingly as he looked back, and his lips slightly parted. He suddenly felt like the tip of his tongue was dry and his heart started pounding.
It was the first time that Judith called him by his first name. Before they had the status of Prince and Princess, they were husband and wife, so they could call each other by their first names or nicknames when other people were not watching, but Judith never did that.
“Judith.”
Franz also called her name and answered. Her fingertips seemed to be subtly tickling, and she felt the sensation extend to the inside of her palm and pool. Judith said.
“I’m always worried.”
The moment her words fell, Franz realized that he had not been expecting them. But he didn't even know what he was waiting for. What did he expect to say?
“I know. I am grateful.”
“You know I’m not saying that to make you feel grateful.”
Judith smiled brightly. The smiling face was beautiful. Like a white anemone flower slightly swaying in the wind.
“What I’m saying is, no matter where you are or what you do, I will always be behind you.”
“Shouldn’t I say that to you?”
“What’s the big deal if someone does it?”
He had nothing to say. Franz laughed lightly. He felt like the dark cloud that had been hanging over him had disappeared.
It was true that Ilhe had received an invitation from Flavia to come for tea. But there was one more request. The place where Flavia invited Franz was not the salon of the Serene Palace where she lived, but the drawing room of a small, unoccupied annex that was now empty.
Flavia fidgeted and made an excuse, saying that she wouldn't be able to talk comfortably in Serene Palace. No matter what she did, she could not avoid the Queen's eyes. It was not impossible to sympathize with her nervousness, but he was absolutely unwilling to have a private meeting with her brother's wife in the empty drawing room of the palace.
But after dealing with Judith, for some reason, it was difficult to tell everything honestly. Although he thought it was unlikely, he was reluctant because he was afraid that she might be misunderstanding.
That was why he asked if she was worried, but after seeing Judith's reaction, Franz reflected on his own narrow-mindedness.
"I am...”
Franz blinked. Judith was fiddling with her sleeves. The cool-looking turquoise dress with lilac-patterned gallon lace matched Judith very well.
“I don’t want to put any unnecessary burden on you.”
Franz was speechless for a moment at the sudden remark. He tried to gauge her intentions for a moment but ultimately failed. Franz asked back.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m just saying that I’m afraid there will be times when Your Highness feels displeased with my concerns.”
“Is that possible? Why do you think that?”
“It’s unknown. If you tell me I don’t need to worry about you, I will.”
Of course, it was a lie. Judith believed that Franz would never say such a thing to her. She knew that even if he actually felt burdened or even disapproved of it, at least he wouldn't say it to her face.
Of course, Franz did not know that Judith had guessed that much and had said it on purpose. He just thought there was something uncomfortable in her attitude. He grabbed Judith's shoulders with both hands. Perhaps because he was anxious or for some other reason, his grip tightened.
Judith was pulled close to his arms without resistance. Franz's face, looking down at her from above, was visible especially clearly today.
“That won’t happen.”
“Do you think so?”
“Because I know better than anyone else what you think of me.”
Judith's eyes blinked slowly. Franz's gaze was unquestionably clear. The golden eyes shining brightly looked as clean as freshly dropped honey.
Such beautiful eyes.
Even now, Judith felt suffocated when she thought of his eyes, which had gradually become cloudy and lost their light due to the disease. She was ready to do anything as long as she could avoid losing this vital, irreplaceable light.
“Remember, Your Highness.”
“Remember what?”
“I don’t want to be a flower that blooms pitifully next to you, waiting for a fence to block the wind.”
Then, a seemingly invisible smile spread across Franz's lips. Franz said.
“I’ve never thought about it like that, but by all accounts, you’re a pitiful flower.”
“Sometimes thorns are hidden beneath the most fragile-looking flower.”
“What if I say you don’t want to be a thorn in my side for me?”
“A flower cannot fold or erect its thorns as it wishes. A thorn is a thorn and a flower is just a flower. But if someone tries to ruin the flower, the thorns will definitely prick that person's hand. Your Highness, please do not miss that blood stain.”
***
The day when the National Foundation Festival begins is fast approaching.
Until last year, Queen Gilsis did not care whether the founding of the nation began or not, but this year things were a little different. Even though she was unable to participate in state affairs, she frequently called the finance minister and the maid in charge of the royal concubine's finances to sabotage or criticize them for various reasons.
In particular, the cost of clothing and accessories allocated to Judith and Franz was so outraged that even the minister shook his head. On the other hand, they asked for a jaw-dropping budget for Krald and Flavia.
However, the newly appointed Minister of Finance the year before last was a member of the royalist faction, so it was difficult for her to manipulate him carelessly. The Queen, who had her clothes turned upside down, scolded the helpless people twelve times a day, but she did not make much of a profit.
In addition, there was one more piece of news that was enough to upset Queen Gilsis. King Jedercayer had decided to hold the founding ceremony with Franz. Unfortunately, Margit, who had to deliver the news directly to the Queen in the morning, suffered a blind insult in front of the other maids and courtiers.
“The more I think about it, the more shameful and absurd it becomes. It’s clear that that girl was plotting behind my back.”
The noble ladies who visited the Queen's palace to prepare the Queen's attire for the founding ceremony looked at each other and kept quiet. The Countess, who was carefully placing jewelry studded with colorful pearls from the Queen's shoulders, belatedly observed her mood and heard something.
“That’s natural, Queen Mother.”
“My son has never once participated in the founding ceremony, so you are letting this guy who was away for four years without even showing his nose and then came back participate in the ceremony before my son? Ha!"
Strictly speaking, that wasn't true. When King Jedecayer was bedridden and unconscious, the Queen was always in charge of holding the founding ceremony. She had already brought Krald with her twice to places where other people's attention had gathered. There were voices that said it was unfair to exclude Franz and only bring the second Prince with her, but she ignored them all.
But the Queen also knew. She said that the people gathered in the square only saw her as a wife to replace the sick King, and did not see her as their ruler.
Therefore, the fact that she performed the ceremony with Krald in front of her was not something that would remain in people's memories. Anyone who realizes the political intention behind it might not know.
However, it was different now, with the King directly leading state affairs and presiding over ceremonies. Being designated by the King to participate in the ceremony of hosting the largest festival in the kingdom was not only a great honor but also an opportunity to make people aware of who the King's interest was.
“Now even a passing dog will think he will become a Crown Prince. Just thinking about it makes my stomach turn.”
“Your Majesty, why do you say that? Although His Majesty says he is inviting His Highness Franz to participate in the ceremony, that does not mean that he is looking at him as a candidate for Crown Prince. Don’t you know that every year, the people who participate in the ceremony change, except for His Majesty?”
“Are you saying this because I don’t know that? Isn't this because His Majesty's intentions are clearly visible to me? They are going to present Metallurgy Franz in front of the nobles and the public like this, but when the time comes, they are going to throw away Krald as if he were a devoted person. They are both your descendants, but I don’t understand how he can be so heartless.”
Everyone knew that King Jedecayer did not despise Krald, much to the Queen's chagrin. But nothing good came from pointing out that fact.
The Queen's dress reflected in the mirror was beautiful, but her expression was crumpled as if she had been bitten by an insect. The Queen frowned in annoyance as her maid's hand pulled the still-stiff fabric of her newly made clothes.
“Some people are now able to improve their lives thanks to having a good wife. If I had known this would be the case, it would have been better to go out and search for the second Princess.”
They were complaining about the money they had paid to the King of Tien to bring Judith. Additionally, she blames Margit's daughter, Flavia. The ladies who were serving glanced at Margit standing in a corner. As expected, Margit was as white as if her grass had been picked out.
“I have given quite a bit to Count Bloset, but wouldn’t this be like returning a favor with a vengeance? Or, since I paid late, do you think I have to pay a little more to get the full price?”
It was an accusation that was hard to bear hearing, but Margit stood there with her mouth closed like a clamshell, her body trembling.
Even more than when she was just the Queen's maid, she had no choice but to fear the Queen even more now that her daughter had become the second Princess.
If the Queen were to take another woman as the new Princess instead of her own daughter, then not only Flavia's life but the entire Count family would be over.
“The daughters must be in awe because the mother has become dull. Get out, I don’t want to see you.”
Although the Queen did not mention the name directly, Margit immediately withdrew. Through the closing door, she could hear the other ladies whispering to the Queen. It felt like they were all cursing and mocking her, and her heart was pounding uneasily.
Until last year, Queen Gilsis did not care whether the founding of the nation began or not, but this year things were a little different. Even though she was unable to participate in state affairs, she frequently called the finance minister and the maid in charge of the royal concubine's finances to sabotage or criticize them for various reasons.
In particular, the cost of clothing and accessories allocated to Judith and Franz was so outraged that even the minister shook his head. On the other hand, they asked for a jaw-dropping budget for Krald and Flavia.
However, the newly appointed Minister of Finance the year before last was a member of the royalist faction, so it was difficult for her to manipulate him carelessly. The Queen, who had her clothes turned upside down, scolded the helpless people twelve times a day, but she did not make much of a profit.
In addition, there was one more piece of news that was enough to upset Queen Gilsis. King Jedercayer had decided to hold the founding ceremony with Franz. Unfortunately, Margit, who had to deliver the news directly to the Queen in the morning, suffered a blind insult in front of the other maids and courtiers.
“The more I think about it, the more shameful and absurd it becomes. It’s clear that that girl was plotting behind my back.”
The noble ladies who visited the Queen's palace to prepare the Queen's attire for the founding ceremony looked at each other and kept quiet. The Countess, who was carefully placing jewelry studded with colorful pearls from the Queen's shoulders, belatedly observed her mood and heard something.
“That’s natural, Queen Mother.”
“My son has never once participated in the founding ceremony, so you are letting this guy who was away for four years without even showing his nose and then came back participate in the ceremony before my son? Ha!"
Strictly speaking, that wasn't true. When King Jedecayer was bedridden and unconscious, the Queen was always in charge of holding the founding ceremony. She had already brought Krald with her twice to places where other people's attention had gathered. There were voices that said it was unfair to exclude Franz and only bring the second Prince with her, but she ignored them all.
But the Queen also knew. She said that the people gathered in the square only saw her as a wife to replace the sick King, and did not see her as their ruler.
Therefore, the fact that she performed the ceremony with Krald in front of her was not something that would remain in people's memories. Anyone who realizes the political intention behind it might not know.
However, it was different now, with the King directly leading state affairs and presiding over ceremonies. Being designated by the King to participate in the ceremony of hosting the largest festival in the kingdom was not only a great honor but also an opportunity to make people aware of who the King's interest was.
“Now even a passing dog will think he will become a Crown Prince. Just thinking about it makes my stomach turn.”
“Your Majesty, why do you say that? Although His Majesty says he is inviting His Highness Franz to participate in the ceremony, that does not mean that he is looking at him as a candidate for Crown Prince. Don’t you know that every year, the people who participate in the ceremony change, except for His Majesty?”
“Are you saying this because I don’t know that? Isn't this because His Majesty's intentions are clearly visible to me? They are going to present Metallurgy Franz in front of the nobles and the public like this, but when the time comes, they are going to throw away Krald as if he were a devoted person. They are both your descendants, but I don’t understand how he can be so heartless.”
Everyone knew that King Jedecayer did not despise Krald, much to the Queen's chagrin. But nothing good came from pointing out that fact.
The Queen's dress reflected in the mirror was beautiful, but her expression was crumpled as if she had been bitten by an insect. The Queen frowned in annoyance as her maid's hand pulled the still-stiff fabric of her newly made clothes.
“Some people are now able to improve their lives thanks to having a good wife. If I had known this would be the case, it would have been better to go out and search for the second Princess.”
They were complaining about the money they had paid to the King of Tien to bring Judith. Additionally, she blames Margit's daughter, Flavia. The ladies who were serving glanced at Margit standing in a corner. As expected, Margit was as white as if her grass had been picked out.
“I have given quite a bit to Count Bloset, but wouldn’t this be like returning a favor with a vengeance? Or, since I paid late, do you think I have to pay a little more to get the full price?”
It was an accusation that was hard to bear hearing, but Margit stood there with her mouth closed like a clamshell, her body trembling.
Even more than when she was just the Queen's maid, she had no choice but to fear the Queen even more now that her daughter had become the second Princess.
If the Queen were to take another woman as the new Princess instead of her own daughter, then not only Flavia's life but the entire Count family would be over.
“The daughters must be in awe because the mother has become dull. Get out, I don’t want to see you.”
Although the Queen did not mention the name directly, Margit immediately withdrew. Through the closing door, she could hear the other ladies whispering to the Queen. It felt like they were all cursing and mocking her, and her heart was pounding uneasily.
Comments
Post a Comment