Doing something like this in the middle of such a bright party hall...!
I, who was observing the gazes that were beginning to focus on me, linked arms with Rhodnes and approached Noura.
“May I ask you to show me around to my new chaperone, Madam?”
'Those clothes are...?'
Doris was wearing a dress that felt remarkably similar to the one I had worn yesterday. Since Madame Leblaix had personally come to the mansion to make the outfit, I remembered every detail. In addition, the accessories she wore were obviously more expensive than mine, but they looked very similar. I quickly came to my senses and bowed to Doris.
“Meet the Star of the Empire. I am Blie Acacia, wife of Count Acacia.”
“Didn’t we make a joint statement yesterday?”
Doris, with a compassionate smile on her shining face, then invited me and the Countess Giucetta to sit down.
“What is it, Madam? You didn’t even request an audience in advance. I was bored since His Highness the Crown Prince was out of the palace, so this is a good thing.”
“I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness. I wanted to make sure what you suggested yesterday, but I...”
“Ah, that... But what should I do? I was wondering what to do since Grand Duke Trovika didn’t seem to like it.”
“!”
“I sent a letter to Madam as soon as I got back last night.”
“Yesterday, you mean?”
“You didn’t receive it?”
I ignored Noura's wavering gaze and focused on Doris's words. Did Noevian steal the Crown Princess' letter in the middle?
“If it is all right with you, Your Highness, I would like to accept and carry out Your Highness’s proposal immediately.”
My heart was in a hurry. Doris's eyes narrowed and she looked me up and down. Then she smiled gently and opened her mouth.
“Noura.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Have you finished what I asked you to do?”
Doris asked Noura a question without taking her eyes off me.
“Huh? Oh, that’s...”
Noura, who was looking at me with a slightly different gaze than Doris, shuddered in surprise.
“Madam. I too would like to have you by my side. However, I cannot help but be mindful of the Grand Duke’s feelings, even just a little.”
Doris made her excuses to me very affectionately.
“If you can prove to me even a little bit of your ability, I will be willing to keep you by my side, even against his will. Do you know what I mean?”
“...Yes. I will do my best.”
I decided to tackle Doris' test head-on.
“The palace servants are a bit boring. Just because I'm going to be the next Empress doesn’t mean I have to maintain the style of Her Majesty the Empress. Don’t you think so?”
I tried to figure out why Doris would say such things. I don’t know what kind of person Doris is. If I were to judge only by her appearance, Doris had somehow copied my style. I couldn’t tell her. Where and how much of the test was there? Should I tell her what she did? Or should I ask Countess Giuseppe what she had done?
Doris then sent Noura out, who was looking back and forth between herself and me, with her eyes wide open. It was a polite gesture, but it was quite firm. Noura, who had been hesitating, bit her lips and left without saying a word. In the living room where the two of us were left alone, Doris, who had picked up a teacup that I had not even noticed was there and was drinking tea, suddenly had bright eyes. And...
I was somewhat prepared for this, but I didn’t know it would be this close.
“For now...”
“Please stay like this for now.”
The tingling sensation on my spine didn’t go away, so I twisted my body. However, the more I tried to get away from him, the tighter the arms that held me tightened. He didn’t even hold me so tightly that I couldn’t breathe. I barely exhaled like someone stuck between huge rocks. My cheek, which must have flushed, was lightly pressed against his chest. I was so surprised that I placed my hand on his pubic bone, which was as hard as if I had placed my hand on a rock.
“For now...”
“Please stay like this for now.”
The tingling sensation on my spine didn’t go away, so I twisted my body. However, the more I tried to get away from him, the tighter the arms that held me tightened. He didn’t even hold me so tightly that I couldn’t breathe. I barely exhaled like someone stuck between huge rocks. My cheek, which must have flushed, was lightly pressed against his chest. I was so surprised that I placed my hand on his pubic bone, which was as hard as if I had placed my hand on a rock.
Was the pounding heart his or mine?
I could bet everything I had that it was my heartbeat. Everything around me was stimulating. It wasn’t just because of the bodies touching. His breath poured down my head, his low voice stroking my ear along with his breath. Even the unique scent of lavender from his tightly pulled shirt was visible through the gap in his jacket. It felt like a terrible drought had come to the place where I was standing.
“The Grand Duke’s dog keeps watching us.”
My mouth was parched, and I half-hugged him and closed my eyes tightly. I just prayed for time to pass quickly.
“What, what should I do...?”
I barely came to my senses and looked up at him. I was completely absorbed in the red eyes of Rhodnes, whose smile had disappeared. Whether it was because of his eyes or because my face was really red, I looked very embarrassed in them.
“Should we do it like this...?”
I swallowed hard and pressed my cheek against his chest a little more, gently rubbing my head as if flirting. His thick chest, which could be felt even through his jacket, fluttered greatly, and he immediately pushed me away. And before I could even look at him again, I lightly turned my body towards Countess Giuseppe.
“...Countess Giuseppe watched us all suffer.”
“What’s the price?”
"...Shit."
Rhodnes, who had been muttering softly, grabbed my shoulders from behind. It seemed like he was telling me not to look back.
“Don’t worry about it, I don’t say shit or anything like that to her.”
“Yes, I know. Put your hand on my shoulder...”
Let's look back slowly, and see that Rhodnes has already grabbed one of the servants by the scruff of the neck. The servant who was dragged forward while being grabbed by the scruff of the neck took all the champagne on the tray from him. Rhodnes drank champagne one after another and opened his mouth with a slightly red face.
“If you just do as you did with Noevian Trovica, there will be no problems in the future.”
“Like I did to the Grand Duke?”
“That’s what I was talking about just now. It wasn’t even a dog..."
Rhodnes muttered ominously, glared somewhere, then grabbed the scruff of another servant who was passing by, almost lifted him up, and emptied his champagne glass in front of him. It was a light and refreshing movement like an eagle catching a mouse, but it was enough to instill fear in the servant who was being targeted, as he trembled.
“Bring more.”
"Yes?"
“Alcohol. Bring me more. Are you deaf?”
“Yes, yes! Your Highness!”
As the poor servant ran away with his empty cup, I approached him. I tried to whisper quietly, but Rhodnes took a step back.
"...Your Highness?"
“You smell like alcohol, so talk there.”
“I have never done that to the Grand Duke.”
“...What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“You said that if I did as I just did to the Grand Duke, it would be fine. Isn’t it because I moved my head a little in Your Highness’s arms?”
“It was too intimate to say that you moved your head a little.”
I tilted my head, wondering if the person I was holding had something to say, but I nodded right away. It was because I thought he might have been offended.
“Yes, I have never done anything like that to the Grand Duke. And...”
I took a brisk step towards Rhodnes, who had been keeping his distance. Fortunately, this time he didn't back away and stared at my face intently.
“Please allow me this distance. If we continue to have this conversation while standing apart like we did just now, our plans will be disrupted.”
In fact, if he hadn’t just opened up the distance, I would have been suffocated by the tingling sensation I had felt since I got in the carriage with Rhodnes today. I was indeed nervous because I’d never been this intimate with another man besides Noevian. I was clearly flustered by the unfamiliar tension, different from the sense of security I felt with Noevian. It was a strange feeling like I was on top of a cliff, or like I had entered a closet full of static electricity naked. It felt like Rodnes was sticking bug bite ointment everywhere he looked down at. My heartbeat was still pounding in my ears, but I shouldn’t let this feeling get me down and forget my purpose.
“Sir Jimsker is the Grand Duke’s loyal lieutenant, so he will definitely deliver on our ‘worth’. So...”
I tried to calm my pounding heart and slowly reached out to his arm. The tension grew as the eyes followed me, but I couldn't delay because there was one more reason I came to the party today.
“I need to use Your Highness for my plans. Will you cooperate?”
Because it was a lover's easy request. I added in a whisper, and his strong arms flinched again. I felt the urge to see his expression, but I held it back and moved forward. The hem of my dress brushed past me, and I arrived at my destination in no time, not even after walking a few steps.
“Hello, Madame Countess Giuseppe.”
It was in front of Noura Jusetta, who had been watching us since earlier.
“The Grand Duke’s dog keeps watching us.”
My mouth was parched, and I half-hugged him and closed my eyes tightly. I just prayed for time to pass quickly.
“What, what should I do...?”
I barely came to my senses and looked up at him. I was completely absorbed in the red eyes of Rhodnes, whose smile had disappeared. Whether it was because of his eyes or because my face was really red, I looked very embarrassed in them.
“Should we do it like this...?”
I swallowed hard and pressed my cheek against his chest a little more, gently rubbing my head as if flirting. His thick chest, which could be felt even through his jacket, fluttered greatly, and he immediately pushed me away. And before I could even look at him again, I lightly turned my body towards Countess Giuseppe.
“...Countess Giuseppe watched us all suffer.”
“What’s the price?”
"...Shit."
Rhodnes, who had been muttering softly, grabbed my shoulders from behind. It seemed like he was telling me not to look back.
“Don’t worry about it, I don’t say shit or anything like that to her.”
“Yes, I know. Put your hand on my shoulder...”
Let's look back slowly, and see that Rhodnes has already grabbed one of the servants by the scruff of the neck. The servant who was dragged forward while being grabbed by the scruff of the neck took all the champagne on the tray from him. Rhodnes drank champagne one after another and opened his mouth with a slightly red face.
“If you just do as you did with Noevian Trovica, there will be no problems in the future.”
“Like I did to the Grand Duke?”
“That’s what I was talking about just now. It wasn’t even a dog..."
Rhodnes muttered ominously, glared somewhere, then grabbed the scruff of another servant who was passing by, almost lifted him up, and emptied his champagne glass in front of him. It was a light and refreshing movement like an eagle catching a mouse, but it was enough to instill fear in the servant who was being targeted, as he trembled.
“Bring more.”
"Yes?"
“Alcohol. Bring me more. Are you deaf?”
“Yes, yes! Your Highness!”
As the poor servant ran away with his empty cup, I approached him. I tried to whisper quietly, but Rhodnes took a step back.
"...Your Highness?"
“You smell like alcohol, so talk there.”
“I have never done that to the Grand Duke.”
“...What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“You said that if I did as I just did to the Grand Duke, it would be fine. Isn’t it because I moved my head a little in Your Highness’s arms?”
“It was too intimate to say that you moved your head a little.”
I tilted my head, wondering if the person I was holding had something to say, but I nodded right away. It was because I thought he might have been offended.
“Yes, I have never done anything like that to the Grand Duke. And...”
I took a brisk step towards Rhodnes, who had been keeping his distance. Fortunately, this time he didn't back away and stared at my face intently.
“Please allow me this distance. If we continue to have this conversation while standing apart like we did just now, our plans will be disrupted.”
In fact, if he hadn’t just opened up the distance, I would have been suffocated by the tingling sensation I had felt since I got in the carriage with Rhodnes today. I was indeed nervous because I’d never been this intimate with another man besides Noevian. I was clearly flustered by the unfamiliar tension, different from the sense of security I felt with Noevian. It was a strange feeling like I was on top of a cliff, or like I had entered a closet full of static electricity naked. It felt like Rodnes was sticking bug bite ointment everywhere he looked down at. My heartbeat was still pounding in my ears, but I shouldn’t let this feeling get me down and forget my purpose.
“Sir Jimsker is the Grand Duke’s loyal lieutenant, so he will definitely deliver on our ‘worth’. So...”
I tried to calm my pounding heart and slowly reached out to his arm. The tension grew as the eyes followed me, but I couldn't delay because there was one more reason I came to the party today.
“I need to use Your Highness for my plans. Will you cooperate?”
Because it was a lover's easy request. I added in a whisper, and his strong arms flinched again. I felt the urge to see his expression, but I held it back and moved forward. The hem of my dress brushed past me, and I arrived at my destination in no time, not even after walking a few steps.
“Hello, Madame Countess Giuseppe.”
It was in front of Noura Jusetta, who had been watching us since earlier.
***
The chattering mouths suddenly stopped as Lady Acacia, who had brought the Prince to the gathering of noble ladies, appeared. Noura froze for a moment as she saw the noble lady approaching her in a friendly manner, and then forced a smile.
“Hello, Countess Acacia.”
“Madam, I would like to introduce you to His Highness the Second Prince of Rhodnes. Is that okay?”
You already brought him here and now you’re asking for permission!
“Hello, Countess Acacia.”
“Madam, I would like to introduce you to His Highness the Second Prince of Rhodnes. Is that okay?”
You already brought him here and now you’re asking for permission!
Noura’s group kept stealing glances at the new lover, but he kept his mouth shut and pretended not to notice. Noura forced a smile as she looked down at Rhodnes, who was standing behind the lady. Even if she tried to ignore Blie Acacia, she was in a situation where she couldn’t ignore her because of the second Prince.
“I know full well that Madam has great business acumen.”
After being introduced to Rhodnes by chance, Noura, who was having a short conversation as if possessed by something, glanced at Countess Acacia, who was smiling faintly and came to her senses. She must never forget that the stone that rolled in could become the Crown Princess' maid. Just imagining it made her blood boil, but she couldn't embarrass herself in front of the Second Prince, so she was frustrated to the point of going crazy. But...
“My chaperone keeps disappearing.”
"Yes?"
“I think you all know that Her Highness the Crown Princess has agreed to be my chaperone.”
I spoke with a faint smile among the ladies who had gathered to be introduced to Rhodnes. The eyes that had been following her as if entranced by her shining lips under the gorgeous chandelier grew wider.
“Oh, so Her Highness the Crown Princess will be your chaperone?”
“Last time, the Grand Duke came out as a chaperone...”
“The Grand Duke is in mourning, and I have had some difficulties because of the gender difference. I thought that the Countess here would have already informed the ladies of my difficult situation, but it seems you were not.”
“I know full well that Madam has great business acumen.”
After being introduced to Rhodnes by chance, Noura, who was having a short conversation as if possessed by something, glanced at Countess Acacia, who was smiling faintly and came to her senses. She must never forget that the stone that rolled in could become the Crown Princess' maid. Just imagining it made her blood boil, but she couldn't embarrass herself in front of the Second Prince, so she was frustrated to the point of going crazy. But...
“My chaperone keeps disappearing.”
"Yes?"
“I think you all know that Her Highness the Crown Princess has agreed to be my chaperone.”
I spoke with a faint smile among the ladies who had gathered to be introduced to Rhodnes. The eyes that had been following her as if entranced by her shining lips under the gorgeous chandelier grew wider.
“Oh, so Her Highness the Crown Princess will be your chaperone?”
“Last time, the Grand Duke came out as a chaperone...”
“The Grand Duke is in mourning, and I have had some difficulties because of the gender difference. I thought that the Countess here would have already informed the ladies of my difficult situation, but it seems you were not.”
I, who was observing the gazes that were beginning to focus on me, linked arms with Rhodnes and approached Noura.
“May I ask you to show me around to my new chaperone, Madam?”
***
I was able to enter the Crown Princess Palace safely, following Countess Giuseppe, thanks to Rhodnes, who escorted me to the entrance. As soon as I saw Doris sitting upright on the sofa in the reception room, I stood there, forgetting for a moment to even be polite.
'Those clothes are...?'
Doris was wearing a dress that felt remarkably similar to the one I had worn yesterday. Since Madame Leblaix had personally come to the mansion to make the outfit, I remembered every detail. In addition, the accessories she wore were obviously more expensive than mine, but they looked very similar. I quickly came to my senses and bowed to Doris.
“Meet the Star of the Empire. I am Blie Acacia, wife of Count Acacia.”
“Didn’t we make a joint statement yesterday?”
Doris, with a compassionate smile on her shining face, then invited me and the Countess Giucetta to sit down.
“What is it, Madam? You didn’t even request an audience in advance. I was bored since His Highness the Crown Prince was out of the palace, so this is a good thing.”
“I apologize for my rudeness, Your Highness. I wanted to make sure what you suggested yesterday, but I...”
“Ah, that... But what should I do? I was wondering what to do since Grand Duke Trovika didn’t seem to like it.”
“!”
“I sent a letter to Madam as soon as I got back last night.”
“Yesterday, you mean?”
“You didn’t receive it?”
I ignored Noura's wavering gaze and focused on Doris's words. Did Noevian steal the Crown Princess' letter in the middle?
“If it is all right with you, Your Highness, I would like to accept and carry out Your Highness’s proposal immediately.”
My heart was in a hurry. Doris's eyes narrowed and she looked me up and down. Then she smiled gently and opened her mouth.
“Noura.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Have you finished what I asked you to do?”
Doris asked Noura a question without taking her eyes off me.
“Huh? Oh, that’s...”
Noura, who was looking at me with a slightly different gaze than Doris, shuddered in surprise.
“Madam. I too would like to have you by my side. However, I cannot help but be mindful of the Grand Duke’s feelings, even just a little.”
Doris made her excuses to me very affectionately.
“If you can prove to me even a little bit of your ability, I will be willing to keep you by my side, even against his will. Do you know what I mean?”
“...Yes. I will do my best.”
I decided to tackle Doris' test head-on.
“The palace servants are a bit boring. Just because I'm going to be the next Empress doesn’t mean I have to maintain the style of Her Majesty the Empress. Don’t you think so?”
I tried to figure out why Doris would say such things. I don’t know what kind of person Doris is. If I were to judge only by her appearance, Doris had somehow copied my style. I couldn’t tell her. Where and how much of the test was there? Should I tell her what she did? Or should I ask Countess Giuseppe what she had done?
I studied Doris’s expression carefully. Doris had a gentle expression with slightly downturned eyes like Crown Prince Bardenaldo. However, her occasionally visible green eyes shone with the pride of a Crown Princess that could not be hidden.
“Of course, I don’t think Your Royal Highness the Crown Princess needs to follow Her Majesty the Empress. The world is wide and there are many creative designers. However.”
"But..?"
I spoke very casually and lightly, trying not to sound serious.
“Wouldn’t we need someone who can create a creative style that is befitting of Your Royal Highness the Crown Princess’s status?”
“As my maid, it seems that your first step has been decided.”
Doris also answered in a light voice. But we were the only two people in this living room who were having light conversations and making expressions. Noura's expression turned pale to the point of sadness.
“If you do well... I promise to grant you one thing you want. I’m really tired of my style these days.”
“Of course, I don’t think Your Royal Highness the Crown Princess needs to follow Her Majesty the Empress. The world is wide and there are many creative designers. However.”
"But..?"
I spoke very casually and lightly, trying not to sound serious.
“Wouldn’t we need someone who can create a creative style that is befitting of Your Royal Highness the Crown Princess’s status?”
“As my maid, it seems that your first step has been decided.”
Doris also answered in a light voice. But we were the only two people in this living room who were having light conversations and making expressions. Noura's expression turned pale to the point of sadness.
“If you do well... I promise to grant you one thing you want. I’m really tired of my style these days.”
Doris then sent Noura out, who was looking back and forth between herself and me, with her eyes wide open. It was a polite gesture, but it was quite firm. Noura, who had been hesitating, bit her lips and left without saying a word. In the living room where the two of us were left alone, Doris, who had picked up a teacup that I had not even noticed was there and was drinking tea, suddenly had bright eyes. And...
“Perhaps what the lady wants is... the empty seat of the Grand Duchess?”
The words coming out of her mouth hit me hard in the head.
The words coming out of her mouth hit me hard in the head.
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