At Judith's words, Bartholomew slightly stuck out his lower lip.
“How could I not know? I am the one who is always by Franz’s side. And so is my father.”
Although he said that, of course, Bartholomew did not know all the details. Judith had no choice but to tell him the outline of the plan. She added that it was still in the planning stage and that the exact details would have to be decided after contact between Tien and Krald.
To prevent anyone passing by from overhearing their conversation, the two unconsciously walked a little faster. Thanks to this, when they finally returned to the palace, Judith was quite tired from following Bartholomew’s long strides. Cheraan frowned as soon as she saw Judith, who had returned with a much more tired expression than when she had left.
“Your Highness, what really happened to you?”
“It’s okay. It was just a little difficult to walk.”
“Take off your shoes first. I’ll massage your legs.”
If it had been a normal day, Judith would have declined, but the feeling of her calves being swollen and pulled was somehow uncomfortable. As Judith gently raised both legs on the sofa, Cheraan began to firmly grasp and knead her calves with her fingertips. A soft groan escaped from Judith as the felt her tightly knotted muscles gradually loosened up.
“I feel like my physical strength has declined a bit lately. My daily life hasn’t changed, but I get tired and sleepy easily.”
“It must be because the weather has gotten colder. Dress warmer.”
“Well... it’s not that cold. Rather, I feel like I have a fever sometimes.”
At Judith's words, Cheraan reached out and touched her forehead.
“You always feel very cold around this time of year. It’s strange.”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t hurt anywhere, so don’t worry.”
Judith, who smiled brightly, said that it was okay to stop rubbing her legs, and soon began to nod off. Cheraan brought a thick blanket, covered Judith’s body, and placed a pillow at her feet. At that moment, Mary Anne, who was returning with the washed sheets, tilted her head at the sight of Judith sleeping.
“Your Highness, are you sleeping again?”
“Shh, she just fell asleep.”
“She used to eat breakfast in the morning and then take a nap... She has been sleeping a lot lately, which is strange. She not the type of person to do that.”
“That’s right. Even though she says she's not in pain, I think it might be better to call a doctor.”
“Shall I go?”
Cheraan shook her head.
“She’s asleep now, so later. By the way, I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince will be having dinner with Her Highness tonight. Did you tell the kitchen?”
“Yes, I told them.”
Cheraan, who was organizing the sheets, pouted her lips for no reason.
“Because His Highness the Crown Prince is so busy, Her Highness eats alone every day. She looks lonely and I find that a bit odd.”
“Since His Majesty is ill, the Crown Prince’s workload is bound to increase. Her Highness is also quite worried.”
“Is Miss Cheraan okay? It must be hard for you to see Bartholomew since he has to be by His Highness’ side all the time.”
“What about me...”
Cheraan trailed off. It wasn’t just Franz and Judith, but the two of them had also been having a hard time seeing each other lately. Even so, Cheraan didn’t feel particularly sorry or thought of complaining. On the contrary, Bartholomew felt sorry that he couldn’t spend more time with Cheraan.
“Please tell His Highness to allow Bartholomew to retire early today so that the two of you can have a cozy dinner together.”
“Mary Anne, you’ve been taking a lot of interest in my marriage lately.”
Mary Anne tugged at the cleanly washed bedding and smiled mischievously.
“It would be interesting to see Bartholomew and Miss Cheraan dating.”
It was the time when all the leaves had fallen and the real winter was about to begin, but the southern sunlight was still warm. Although it was close to the sea, a considerable part of the territory was inland, so there was still a long time before the biting cold winds blew.
Krald sat in the best seat in the castle, his expression languid. He had never been a man of integrity even in the palace, but since he came down south, he had become a useless slacker. The only time he moved was when some had come to cling to power, bringing in money, or when he was trolling the new government.
The idea of a duty as a Count had never crossed his mind. On his first day in the south, all he did was walk around the castle all day, nitpicking the decorations and structures.
Duke Laetian, who came down with the Grand Duke as his assistant, had neither the heart to advise Krald nor the heart to do his work, so the discipline in the castle became more and more lax day by day. Even in broad daylight, soldiers were sitting everywhere, drinking and chatting, and the citizens of the territory were left to tremble in fear, not receiving adequate protection.
"Your Highness."
Krald's gaze moved slowly at the sound of a sly voice opening the door and entering. Libencia, who was dressed up as extravagantly as a peacock, came in, her skirt fluttering as if she wanted to show off her new dress. However, Krald's gaze at her was different from before, and it was cold.
“What's going on?”
“Is there really something that has to happen to make it possible for you to come see me?”
Libencia spoke in a voice that had quickly become hoarse. Krald, who had been looking at her hair that was intricately twisted and decorated, and the diamond earrings that dangled down to her shoulders, sighed once again in a dull manner. His body, buried in the soft chair, sank down a little.
“That’s not it.”
“Your Highness, would you like to go horseback riding with me? I haven’t gone horseback riding since I came south, and I’m starting to feel a bit tired.”
“I’m tired. If you want to go, go alone.”
“Please don’t do that... Then let’s go for a walk together.”
“I said I’m tired. Why are you being so annoying?”
At the cold voice that sounded like a slap to the cheek, Libencia's expression hardened. Then, her pretty face soon distorted into a frightening one, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Is this really the case? Why are you being so cold to me these days?”
“When did I tell you to just keep your mouth shut if you’re going to find fault with something so ridiculous?”
“Is this a quibble? This is it! You brought me all the way here and what the hell is this treatment! If this is how it’s going to be, I’d rather go back to the capital! I’ll go back!”
She screamed and stamped her feet, but Krald closed his eyes as if he didn't even want to respond. He thought that even if she got angry quickly, Libencia would still act cute when he turned around, but that wasn't what Libencia had intended. She was really angry. She felt like she wanted to slap his cheek.
“You treat me like this, just because you’re covering up that dusty woman? How could you do this to me...!”
“Can’t you keep your mouth shut? If you don’t watch what you say, I’ll tie your tongue and hang you.”
Krald glared and raised his voice. Libencia's eyes widened at the unexpected verbal abuse.
“Is there anyone outside?”
Two soldiers came running at once upon hearing his call. Krald didn't even look at Libencia and waved his hands around as if he were chasing away an annoying insect.
“Send her out.”
"Your Highness!"
Libencia was so shocked that she couldn't even utter a single word. The soldiers grabbed her by the arms and dragged her outside. The moment she left the door, she let out a thunderous scream and shook off the soldiers.
“Let go of me! Who dares touch my body!”
The soldiers looked at each other with expressions of pain, not knowing what to do. If they let her make a fuss, Krald might run wild at any moment.
But when she first came down here, the soldiers knew how much she was favored by Krald, so she was not someone they could treat lightly. Now, she is being pushed aside by the new woman and is no better than cold rice, but what if that capricious Prince changes his mind one day and starts to love Libencia again?
While Libencia was standing in front of the door as if she was protesting and making things difficult for the soldiers, a soft voice and a bright laugh could be heard from the other side of the hallway. The moment she heard that sound, Libencia turned her head sharply with a fearsome look in her eyes as if the fire was flying.
Beyond the ornate Corinthian columns, women appeared. The one at the front had a different skin tone from the other Rotair. She was a swarthy copper-colored woman as if she had been burned by the sun. Her arms, exposed beneath the sleeves of thin cloth, shone a faint green whenever they caught the light, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
She was Saragan, a woman sent from the United Kingdom who had taken over the lands of the Duchy of Catania. Saragan was the niece of the King of Hibs, the most powerful of the united principalities and tribal states, and was a striking beauty who was rumored to be the most beautiful woman in the south.
The maids shut their mouths as if they had made a promise when they found Libencia standing in front of the door. However, Saragan, who was walking ahead, was different. She walked up to Libencia with a confident attitude, not caring about what others thought or being intimidated. She nodded her head and said, smiling so brightly that her white, even teeth were visible.
“Miss Montfort, have you come to see me?”
Her carefree attitude made Libencia's face turn red. It felt like she was seeing her crumpled pride being thrown to the ground.
“Would you like to come in together?”
“Why me?”
As Libencia spoke informally, the maids standing behind Saragan pouted their lips. Among them, some looked down on the arrogant Libencia, and their gazes were not kind at all.
Saragan said.
“Miss Montfort, you don’t seem to be in a good mood. What’s wrong? You’ve dressed up so nicely, don’t you think it’s a waste?”
“Are you picking a fight with me now?”
“Why would I pick a fight with Miss Montfort? I just want to be friends with Miss Montfort. Because we both serve Lord Krald. For now, that is. But someday, our positions will change.”
“How could I not know? I am the one who is always by Franz’s side. And so is my father.”
Although he said that, of course, Bartholomew did not know all the details. Judith had no choice but to tell him the outline of the plan. She added that it was still in the planning stage and that the exact details would have to be decided after contact between Tien and Krald.
To prevent anyone passing by from overhearing their conversation, the two unconsciously walked a little faster. Thanks to this, when they finally returned to the palace, Judith was quite tired from following Bartholomew’s long strides. Cheraan frowned as soon as she saw Judith, who had returned with a much more tired expression than when she had left.
“Your Highness, what really happened to you?”
“It’s okay. It was just a little difficult to walk.”
“Take off your shoes first. I’ll massage your legs.”
If it had been a normal day, Judith would have declined, but the feeling of her calves being swollen and pulled was somehow uncomfortable. As Judith gently raised both legs on the sofa, Cheraan began to firmly grasp and knead her calves with her fingertips. A soft groan escaped from Judith as the felt her tightly knotted muscles gradually loosened up.
“I feel like my physical strength has declined a bit lately. My daily life hasn’t changed, but I get tired and sleepy easily.”
“It must be because the weather has gotten colder. Dress warmer.”
“Well... it’s not that cold. Rather, I feel like I have a fever sometimes.”
At Judith's words, Cheraan reached out and touched her forehead.
“You always feel very cold around this time of year. It’s strange.”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t hurt anywhere, so don’t worry.”
Judith, who smiled brightly, said that it was okay to stop rubbing her legs, and soon began to nod off. Cheraan brought a thick blanket, covered Judith’s body, and placed a pillow at her feet. At that moment, Mary Anne, who was returning with the washed sheets, tilted her head at the sight of Judith sleeping.
“Your Highness, are you sleeping again?”
“Shh, she just fell asleep.”
“She used to eat breakfast in the morning and then take a nap... She has been sleeping a lot lately, which is strange. She not the type of person to do that.”
“That’s right. Even though she says she's not in pain, I think it might be better to call a doctor.”
“Shall I go?”
Cheraan shook her head.
“She’s asleep now, so later. By the way, I heard that His Highness the Crown Prince will be having dinner with Her Highness tonight. Did you tell the kitchen?”
“Yes, I told them.”
Cheraan, who was organizing the sheets, pouted her lips for no reason.
“Because His Highness the Crown Prince is so busy, Her Highness eats alone every day. She looks lonely and I find that a bit odd.”
“Since His Majesty is ill, the Crown Prince’s workload is bound to increase. Her Highness is also quite worried.”
“Is Miss Cheraan okay? It must be hard for you to see Bartholomew since he has to be by His Highness’ side all the time.”
“What about me...”
Cheraan trailed off. It wasn’t just Franz and Judith, but the two of them had also been having a hard time seeing each other lately. Even so, Cheraan didn’t feel particularly sorry or thought of complaining. On the contrary, Bartholomew felt sorry that he couldn’t spend more time with Cheraan.
“Please tell His Highness to allow Bartholomew to retire early today so that the two of you can have a cozy dinner together.”
“Mary Anne, you’ve been taking a lot of interest in my marriage lately.”
Mary Anne tugged at the cleanly washed bedding and smiled mischievously.
“It would be interesting to see Bartholomew and Miss Cheraan dating.”
***
It was the time when all the leaves had fallen and the real winter was about to begin, but the southern sunlight was still warm. Although it was close to the sea, a considerable part of the territory was inland, so there was still a long time before the biting cold winds blew.
Krald sat in the best seat in the castle, his expression languid. He had never been a man of integrity even in the palace, but since he came down south, he had become a useless slacker. The only time he moved was when some had come to cling to power, bringing in money, or when he was trolling the new government.
The idea of a duty as a Count had never crossed his mind. On his first day in the south, all he did was walk around the castle all day, nitpicking the decorations and structures.
Duke Laetian, who came down with the Grand Duke as his assistant, had neither the heart to advise Krald nor the heart to do his work, so the discipline in the castle became more and more lax day by day. Even in broad daylight, soldiers were sitting everywhere, drinking and chatting, and the citizens of the territory were left to tremble in fear, not receiving adequate protection.
"Your Highness."
Krald's gaze moved slowly at the sound of a sly voice opening the door and entering. Libencia, who was dressed up as extravagantly as a peacock, came in, her skirt fluttering as if she wanted to show off her new dress. However, Krald's gaze at her was different from before, and it was cold.
“What's going on?”
“Is there really something that has to happen to make it possible for you to come see me?”
Libencia spoke in a voice that had quickly become hoarse. Krald, who had been looking at her hair that was intricately twisted and decorated, and the diamond earrings that dangled down to her shoulders, sighed once again in a dull manner. His body, buried in the soft chair, sank down a little.
“That’s not it.”
“Your Highness, would you like to go horseback riding with me? I haven’t gone horseback riding since I came south, and I’m starting to feel a bit tired.”
“I’m tired. If you want to go, go alone.”
“Please don’t do that... Then let’s go for a walk together.”
“I said I’m tired. Why are you being so annoying?”
At the cold voice that sounded like a slap to the cheek, Libencia's expression hardened. Then, her pretty face soon distorted into a frightening one, and tears welled up in her eyes.
“Is this really the case? Why are you being so cold to me these days?”
“When did I tell you to just keep your mouth shut if you’re going to find fault with something so ridiculous?”
“Is this a quibble? This is it! You brought me all the way here and what the hell is this treatment! If this is how it’s going to be, I’d rather go back to the capital! I’ll go back!”
She screamed and stamped her feet, but Krald closed his eyes as if he didn't even want to respond. He thought that even if she got angry quickly, Libencia would still act cute when he turned around, but that wasn't what Libencia had intended. She was really angry. She felt like she wanted to slap his cheek.
“You treat me like this, just because you’re covering up that dusty woman? How could you do this to me...!”
“Can’t you keep your mouth shut? If you don’t watch what you say, I’ll tie your tongue and hang you.”
Krald glared and raised his voice. Libencia's eyes widened at the unexpected verbal abuse.
“Is there anyone outside?”
Two soldiers came running at once upon hearing his call. Krald didn't even look at Libencia and waved his hands around as if he were chasing away an annoying insect.
“Send her out.”
"Your Highness!"
Libencia was so shocked that she couldn't even utter a single word. The soldiers grabbed her by the arms and dragged her outside. The moment she left the door, she let out a thunderous scream and shook off the soldiers.
“Let go of me! Who dares touch my body!”
The soldiers looked at each other with expressions of pain, not knowing what to do. If they let her make a fuss, Krald might run wild at any moment.
But when she first came down here, the soldiers knew how much she was favored by Krald, so she was not someone they could treat lightly. Now, she is being pushed aside by the new woman and is no better than cold rice, but what if that capricious Prince changes his mind one day and starts to love Libencia again?
While Libencia was standing in front of the door as if she was protesting and making things difficult for the soldiers, a soft voice and a bright laugh could be heard from the other side of the hallway. The moment she heard that sound, Libencia turned her head sharply with a fearsome look in her eyes as if the fire was flying.
Beyond the ornate Corinthian columns, women appeared. The one at the front had a different skin tone from the other Rotair. She was a swarthy copper-colored woman as if she had been burned by the sun. Her arms, exposed beneath the sleeves of thin cloth, shone a faint green whenever they caught the light, creating a mysterious atmosphere.
She was Saragan, a woman sent from the United Kingdom who had taken over the lands of the Duchy of Catania. Saragan was the niece of the King of Hibs, the most powerful of the united principalities and tribal states, and was a striking beauty who was rumored to be the most beautiful woman in the south.
The maids shut their mouths as if they had made a promise when they found Libencia standing in front of the door. However, Saragan, who was walking ahead, was different. She walked up to Libencia with a confident attitude, not caring about what others thought or being intimidated. She nodded her head and said, smiling so brightly that her white, even teeth were visible.
“Miss Montfort, have you come to see me?”
Her carefree attitude made Libencia's face turn red. It felt like she was seeing her crumpled pride being thrown to the ground.
“Would you like to come in together?”
“Why me?”
As Libencia spoke informally, the maids standing behind Saragan pouted their lips. Among them, some looked down on the arrogant Libencia, and their gazes were not kind at all.
Saragan said.
“Miss Montfort, you don’t seem to be in a good mood. What’s wrong? You’ve dressed up so nicely, don’t you think it’s a waste?”
“Are you picking a fight with me now?”
“Why would I pick a fight with Miss Montfort? I just want to be friends with Miss Montfort. Because we both serve Lord Krald. For now, that is. But someday, our positions will change.”
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