A moment of silence fell in the living room where soft music was flowing.
"... Yes?"
“Isn’t it?”
Doris tilted her head and asked back. Is it right to ask for the empty position of Grand Duchess when you know my position? Of course, I do not want to be Grand Duchess, nor am I in a position to be one. But...
'Blie wanted to become a Grand Duchess.'
Noevian had clearly said that. While I was gathering my thoughts for a moment about what to say, Doris took a few more sips of tea and placed the cup on the table.
“I think that in one corner of your mind, Madam has a future with Grand Duke Trovika engraved on your mind. Am I mistaken?”
I was momentarily speechless at the sight of a face that seemed completely innocent. Did the Crown Princess ask because she knew that I was Noevian's mistress? And that Blie had such an absurd dream?
“Didn’t the Grand Duke say that the dead Grand Duchess and Madam looked alike?”
“!”
As expected, Doris was someone who knew my face.
“...The Grand Duke did not say anything separately.”
I gritted my teeth and tried to regain my composure, feeling as if I had been caught in a shame. A slight interest appeared on Doris' face.
“Because Madam resembles the late Grand Duchess so much, he showed you a kindness that you would never have imagined. That iron-blooded prime minister, I mean.”
Doris's voice was full of conviction.
“I heard that there has been a lot of interaction between Count Acacia and the Grand Duke recently. If I’m not mistaken, the Grand Duke must have some personal feelings for Madam.”
And her confidence seemed to be justified.
“...How do you know so much? There is nothing Your Highness does not know.”
I opened my eyes wide, pretending to be a little surprised, and asked curiously. Because Blie's face resembled my original face, she began to feel wary of her, who was guessing that there was a relationship between Blie and Noevian.
“I also have has my eyes and ears in the Grand Duke.”
Doris said it nonchalantly. But when I saw her brightly smiling face, I felt as if my whole body was paralyzed.
'The Grand Duke has Doris' eyes and ears...?'
It was because I had a strong feeling that I had met the leader of the demons who had been tormenting me. I had vaguely guessed that the reason the servants of the Grand Duke could treat me like that was because they had a strong backer. However, I was embarrassed to hear that possibility so openly.
“You must have heard the rumor. It is said that the Grand Duke of Trovica is very, very in love with his wife.”
'They went to such extreme lengths to create a government.'
Even though I was frozen, I laughed quietly.
“I don’t know if it will be easy to fill that position because you are so extreme and unique. But if you will be his wife, I will help you with that.”
I have no interest in the position of Grand Duchess. But if Doris were to help me get to the Grand Duchess's residence based on such a guess, it would be worth the misunderstanding.
“I will do my best as Your Highness's maid so as not to become a disgrace to the royal family.”
“It took longer than I thought.”
Rhodnes, who had been leaning his long body against the corridor wall, straightened his posture with a stern face.
“It’s been quite some time... Have you been waiting for me ever since you escorted me?”
“Are there any men who leave their partners behind?”
Unlike his stern face and indifferent tone, his content was extremely affectionate. When he approached me and held out his hand as if to ask me to grab it, I felt as if the anxiety that had been dragging my feet had run away. Even though this man may not know all my circumstances, the fact that he was my only ally who could give me strength right now remained unchanged. The fear and loneliness that had been floating down my spine seemed to have disappeared a little.
“Are you going to keep standing like that?”
The sunset was setting. I was strangely comforted by this man who knew nothing. I even had the illusion that this man was warmly patting my head, which had been hit hard and was cold. The sunset was shining on us, and he was waiting for me.
“Your Highness, how was your day? Your Highness, you have taken the initiative with your heart… … .”
Boom!
He recalled. He couldn't help but recall, he couldn't help but imagine. Adrienne looked at him with those eyes. Adrienne looking at Noevian with that face. To hide his face that was suddenly getting hot, he kept slurping alcohol at the innocent servant, not Noevian's mistress, but himself.
"Ha."
Rhodnes glared at the bundle of cookies that rolled a little bit with each shaking of the carriage.
'I admitted that I'm crazy right now.'
From the day he heard of Adrienne's death in the West, his emotions and mental state were not normal, even if he thought about it himself. The hallucination that he kept seeing Adrienne in Blie Acacia was also just a part of that crazy state. But...
'Just as that woman intended, I kept shaking and shaking like this...'
...What if I increasingly think of that woman as the real Adrienne’s replacement?
"... Yes?"
“Isn’t it?”
Doris tilted her head and asked back. Is it right to ask for the empty position of Grand Duchess when you know my position? Of course, I do not want to be Grand Duchess, nor am I in a position to be one. But...
'Blie wanted to become a Grand Duchess.'
Noevian had clearly said that. While I was gathering my thoughts for a moment about what to say, Doris took a few more sips of tea and placed the cup on the table.
“I think that in one corner of your mind, Madam has a future with Grand Duke Trovika engraved on your mind. Am I mistaken?”
I was momentarily speechless at the sight of a face that seemed completely innocent. Did the Crown Princess ask because she knew that I was Noevian's mistress? And that Blie had such an absurd dream?
“Didn’t the Grand Duke say that the dead Grand Duchess and Madam looked alike?”
“!”
As expected, Doris was someone who knew my face.
“...The Grand Duke did not say anything separately.”
I gritted my teeth and tried to regain my composure, feeling as if I had been caught in a shame. A slight interest appeared on Doris' face.
“Because Madam resembles the late Grand Duchess so much, he showed you a kindness that you would never have imagined. That iron-blooded prime minister, I mean.”
Doris's voice was full of conviction.
“I heard that there has been a lot of interaction between Count Acacia and the Grand Duke recently. If I’m not mistaken, the Grand Duke must have some personal feelings for Madam.”
And her confidence seemed to be justified.
“...How do you know so much? There is nothing Your Highness does not know.”
I opened my eyes wide, pretending to be a little surprised, and asked curiously. Because Blie's face resembled my original face, she began to feel wary of her, who was guessing that there was a relationship between Blie and Noevian.
“I also have has my eyes and ears in the Grand Duke.”
Doris said it nonchalantly. But when I saw her brightly smiling face, I felt as if my whole body was paralyzed.
'The Grand Duke has Doris' eyes and ears...?'
It was because I had a strong feeling that I had met the leader of the demons who had been tormenting me. I had vaguely guessed that the reason the servants of the Grand Duke could treat me like that was because they had a strong backer. However, I was embarrassed to hear that possibility so openly.
“You must have heard the rumor. It is said that the Grand Duke of Trovica is very, very in love with his wife.”
'They went to such extreme lengths to create a government.'
Even though I was frozen, I laughed quietly.
“I don’t know if it will be easy to fill that position because you are so extreme and unique. But if you will be his wife, I will help you with that.”
I have no interest in the position of Grand Duchess. But if Doris were to help me get to the Grand Duchess's residence based on such a guess, it would be worth the misunderstanding.
“I will do my best as Your Highness's maid so as not to become a disgrace to the royal family.”
'There is no help without a reason.'
I knew it very well. Perhaps Doris also needed my help, and she wanted to help me. I still don't know whether the two years of subtle insults and abuse I've been subjected to were all directed by this woman or not. I'll find out when I go into that den myself.
I knew it very well. Perhaps Doris also needed my help, and she wanted to help me. I still don't know whether the two years of subtle insults and abuse I've been subjected to were all directed by this woman or not. I'll find out when I go into that den myself.
Doris smiled like a blooming peony, satisfied with my answer. I smiled back at her.
***
I pretended to be relaxed, but as soon as I left the audience room, I felt a deep sense of fatigue. It was like facing a huge mountain alone. As the gentle excitement subsided, tension and fear engulfed me.
'If it's a position that I can't refuse anyway, I have no choice but to do my best to take advantage of the situation.'
All I have now is Blie's healthy body. I don't want to stay in the Crown Princess's palace any longer, so I quicken my pace, but a large shadow is cast over the entrance to the long corridor.
“...Your Highness the Prince?”
'If it's a position that I can't refuse anyway, I have no choice but to do my best to take advantage of the situation.'
All I have now is Blie's healthy body. I don't want to stay in the Crown Princess's palace any longer, so I quicken my pace, but a large shadow is cast over the entrance to the long corridor.
“...Your Highness the Prince?”
“It took longer than I thought.”
Rhodnes, who had been leaning his long body against the corridor wall, straightened his posture with a stern face.
“It’s been quite some time... Have you been waiting for me ever since you escorted me?”
“Are there any men who leave their partners behind?”
Unlike his stern face and indifferent tone, his content was extremely affectionate. When he approached me and held out his hand as if to ask me to grab it, I felt as if the anxiety that had been dragging my feet had run away. Even though this man may not know all my circumstances, the fact that he was my only ally who could give me strength right now remained unchanged. The fear and loneliness that had been floating down my spine seemed to have disappeared a little.
“Are you going to keep standing like that?”
The sunset was setting. I was strangely comforted by this man who knew nothing. I even had the illusion that this man was warmly patting my head, which had been hit hard and was cold. The sunset was shining on us, and he was waiting for me.
Was it because he didn’t ask me anything? My heart was pounding, and a different tension than when I was with Doris ran down my spine.
"This..."
I hesitated for a moment and then handed him the cookie package I had in my arms. I was excited, but when I actually met him, I did not find the right time to give it to him. Rhodnes just stared blankly at my cookie package, wrapped in a crumpled envelope and ribbon.
“I thought it would be better to do it in front of Sir Jimsker or in front of more people...”
“...”
My hands, which had not trembled even in front of Doris, trembled a little. I couldn't look at Rhodnes, who was still not accepting my package and was just looking at it, and I just extended my hand further.
“I wanted to give it to you with a more pure sense of gratitude rather than with that intention.”
“...What is this?”
After a while, the voice that came out was low and pleasant to listen to, just like usual. I mustered up a little more courage and placed the package in his hand.
“Today is Chocolate Day. It’s a day for lovers to exchange sweets.”
Still, he had no answer.
“These are the first cookies I’ve ever made.”
So I lifted my gaze from the one that was just looking at his hand and looked up at him. His face, which I thought would be stiff like before or relaxed like in the hall...
"This..."
I hesitated for a moment and then handed him the cookie package I had in my arms. I was excited, but when I actually met him, I did not find the right time to give it to him. Rhodnes just stared blankly at my cookie package, wrapped in a crumpled envelope and ribbon.
“I thought it would be better to do it in front of Sir Jimsker or in front of more people...”
“...”
My hands, which had not trembled even in front of Doris, trembled a little. I couldn't look at Rhodnes, who was still not accepting my package and was just looking at it, and I just extended my hand further.
“I wanted to give it to you with a more pure sense of gratitude rather than with that intention.”
“...What is this?”
After a while, the voice that came out was low and pleasant to listen to, just like usual. I mustered up a little more courage and placed the package in his hand.
“Today is Chocolate Day. It’s a day for lovers to exchange sweets.”
Still, he had no answer.
“These are the first cookies I’ve ever made.”
So I lifted my gaze from the one that was just looking at his hand and looked up at him. His face, which I thought would be stiff like before or relaxed like in the hall...
His face was subtly broken somewhere and his eyes were shaking violently.
***
“Your Highness, how was your day? Your Highness, you have taken the initiative with your heart… … .”
Boom!
The sturdy and ornate carriage door slammed shut so hard that it almost broke. The wind blew enough to make Neil's bangs flutter.
What on earth could have happened to you to make you look like you were going to kill someone?
Neil gave the coachman instructions with a bewildered expression. He had a feeling that if he upset Rhodnes, who had returned with a completely different expression than when he had left in the morning, he would be in for a beating.
Huh!
As the coachman's voice rang out, Rhodnes's mind in the carriage became a little clearer.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Rhodnes muttered as he looked at the small package of cookies in his hand. Through the window of the fast-moving carriage, the sunset, which had become even redder, streamed in. His eyes, like boiling lava, sparkled whenever they caught the light.
“That’s ridiculous.”
Rhodnes muttered as he looked at the small package of cookies in his hand. Through the window of the fast-moving carriage, the sunset, which had become even redder, streamed in. His eyes, like boiling lava, sparkled whenever they caught the light.
[There are many famous bakeries in the East. People line up in front of the bakeries on special days, and diligent people make cookies or puddings as gifts to their friends or lovers. When I become healthier, I imagine myself choosing the ingredients one by one with my maids or nannies, and baking cookies. It will make me happy because it will smell sweet when I make it and when I give it to them. If my health improves someday, I can make cookies myself. Can I give it to you as a gift? I will be really happy if you enjoy it.]
“Nonsense... That’s impossible.”
It was just a small package of cookies, but Rhodnes repeated it as if he had seen a corpse.
'This is the first cookie I've ever made myself.'
Clearly, he had done the seduction. Noevian’s mistress had clearly blushed at the sight of him, and her nervous expression was evident. He was not a fool. No matter how innocent she pretended to be, she could not act out the sound of her heart beating, her face flushed to the neck, or her body trembling slightly.
“Nonsense... That’s impossible.”
It was just a small package of cookies, but Rhodnes repeated it as if he had seen a corpse.
'This is the first cookie I've ever made myself.'
Clearly, he had done the seduction. Noevian’s mistress had clearly blushed at the sight of him, and her nervous expression was evident. He was not a fool. No matter how innocent she pretended to be, she could not act out the sound of her heart beating, her face flushed to the neck, or her body trembling slightly.
His plan was going smoothly. Just like other women, Noevian’s mistress, who had been easily seduced, would have no choice but to tell him her true intentions someday. That was what he thought. Until he saw Adrienne in the woman’s shy eyes.
Rhodness washed his face dry, feeling the vibration of the carriage running at full speed on the steep stone road. No matter how roughly he rubbed his face with his hands, the feeling of being possessed by something did not go away.
What if the heartbeat he had heard was not only that of Blie Acacia?
When the woman who had not dared to look at him rubbed her hair against her chest and looked up at him, didn’t he think of Adrienne then?
'...No.'
'...No.'
He recalled. He couldn't help but recall, he couldn't help but imagine. Adrienne looked at him with those eyes. Adrienne looking at Noevian with that face. To hide his face that was suddenly getting hot, he kept slurping alcohol at the innocent servant, not Noevian's mistress, but himself.
"Ha."
Rhodnes glared at the bundle of cookies that rolled a little bit with each shaking of the carriage.
'I admitted that I'm crazy right now.'
From the day he heard of Adrienne's death in the West, his emotions and mental state were not normal, even if he thought about it himself. The hallucination that he kept seeing Adrienne in Blie Acacia was also just a part of that crazy state. But...
'Just as that woman intended, I kept shaking and shaking like this...'
...What if I increasingly think of that woman as the real Adrienne’s replacement?
Rhodnes’ face turned pale. All the way back to his palace, far from Artichad Hall, the old Adrienne’s letter, Blie’s innocent expression, and the damned cookie package rolled around in his mind as well as his eyes.
Rhodnes realized that his plan, which he had thought was bound to succeed, had gone completely awry from day one.
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