“Madam, where does it hurt?”
"Yes?"
“I think you have a fever.”
I didn't avoid Jonah's hand as she approached me without hesitation. Seeing Jonah's lukewarm hand warming my forehead, I guess I really did have a fever.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Still. Just in case, I’ll ask Marge and get you some medicine!”
Jonah quickly left the bedroom with a look of worry between her eyebrows. I lay down in the guest room of the unfamiliar Grand Duke's residence and ran my hands over the soft blanket.
'If I kiss the lips of Blie Acacia, I'm afraid you'll be sad.'
My feelings toward Blie Acacia are very complex. The woman who stole my husband. But the woman who was justly punished handed her body over to me and disappeared. I have been working very hard on this body because I have declared it to be mine. But what if, at that time, I had kissed Rhodnes under pressure?
'I think it might have been a little... sad.'
Both Noevian and Rhodnes must have felt a sense of inadequacy as if this Blie had taken them away from Adrienne. My heart was about to become depressed, thinking of Rhodnes' arms and face that I would never kiss, and...
‘...I was afraid you would be sad.’
As I recalled the low voice that had permeated my ears, it was instantly erased. Before I knew it, Jonah had returned with a fever-reducing medicine and mixed it in warm water to make tea.
"Yes?"
“I think you have a fever.”
I didn't avoid Jonah's hand as she approached me without hesitation. Seeing Jonah's lukewarm hand warming my forehead, I guess I really did have a fever.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Still. Just in case, I’ll ask Marge and get you some medicine!”
Jonah quickly left the bedroom with a look of worry between her eyebrows. I lay down in the guest room of the unfamiliar Grand Duke's residence and ran my hands over the soft blanket.
'If I kiss the lips of Blie Acacia, I'm afraid you'll be sad.'
My feelings toward Blie Acacia are very complex. The woman who stole my husband. But the woman who was justly punished handed her body over to me and disappeared. I have been working very hard on this body because I have declared it to be mine. But what if, at that time, I had kissed Rhodnes under pressure?
'I think it might have been a little... sad.'
Both Noevian and Rhodnes must have felt a sense of inadequacy as if this Blie had taken them away from Adrienne. My heart was about to become depressed, thinking of Rhodnes' arms and face that I would never kiss, and...
‘...I was afraid you would be sad.’
As I recalled the low voice that had permeated my ears, it was instantly erased. Before I knew it, Jonah had returned with a fever-reducing medicine and mixed it in warm water to make tea.
The air in the bedroom in early winter was a little chilly, but I wasn’t cold because of the fever-reducing medicine Jonah had put in my hand and the warm voice of Rhodnes that was ringing in my head.
"What?"
“She said that she had completed her mission and was going to report to the palace.”
All of Noevian's actions suddenly stopped. He couldn't believe anything, not even Blie's actions or the butler's report. After leaving all the servants behind, Noevian headed straight to the room in the annex where Blie must have stayed. When he saw the room, which was clean and empty, even inside the fireplace as if no one had stayed there, he felt cold anger rising.
“How about changing your hairstyle a little?”
"Hmm."
Noura, who had been slowly looking me up and down, quickly regained her momentum and made a suggestion.
“I heard that dyeing your hair black is trendy these days. What do you think?”
Doris’s eyes widened and she looked at me as if asking for my opinion. This is the original position of a maid. Leaving the chores to the maids and chattering away at the side of her master. And I vaguely felt that Noura’s words were not her own opinion. Doris’s seemingly gentle eyes did not leave me. Doris, who was observing my reaction, was dressed from head to toe in a dress that was very similar to the one Madame Leblaix had designed for me.
“I don’t like that.”
Clink!
I suddenly remembered the conversation I had with Bianca when I was preparing for the debutante. And Doris stopped laughing quietly to herself and showed her face behind her fan. Her face was strangely radiant with satisfaction, and her chin was strangely raised, unable to suppress her curiosity about me. I don’t know much about human psychology, but she definitely felt superior to me.
'You feel superior to me even though you follow me.'
It was a truly incomprehensible and contradictory behavior, but at the same time, it seemed to tell me exactly what I should do in this group, so I felt a little relieved.
***
How many eyes and ears are there in this Grand Duke's house?
I munched on the cookies I had made myself while watching Annie's group diligently cleaning the windows in front of me. I had a vague guess that Annie might be Doris's person. If she had the support of a Crown Princess, and if Doris had said something outrageous like offering Annie the position of Grand Duchess, I thought Annie might have acted that way.
'But the Duke of Castagna? How unexpected.'
Does Doris know about this?
'But the Duke of Castagna? How unexpected.'
Does Doris know about this?
The Duke of Castagna, Doris... or someone else’s eyes and ears were around me, and I felt goosebumps thinking about it. I glanced at Marie, who was constantly checking my mood and hovering around. Marie had been very kind to me the whole time I was in this ducal residence. She had even asked Jonah to move to the Count’s residence, leaving behind a good job at the ducal residence, and wanted to get out of there.
'At least it's clear that there's no one behind Marie.'
If she had even a very weak back, she wouldn't have clung to me who came temporarily. She had just slapped Annie a few times on the cheek as I told her to, without much pain, and even Annie's attitude of ignoring Marie after that was the same.
“Marie. Thanks to you, I’m doing well. I’ll send Jonah often to ask about your well-being. Annie, Marie, you both like the maids of the Grand Duchess. You’re good at their jobs and loyal... Isn’t that right, Annie?”
When I asked how she was doing, Marie smiled brightly as if she had finally felt a little relieved. On the other hand, Annie still trembled when she saw me and answered in a small voice. It was a pitiful sight that would soon disappear when I left, but it wasn't bad to see.
“Madam, I have word that the Grand Duke has arrived in the capital.”
Today, Gaspard, who was dressed up nicely, approached me. Today is the day Noevian returns. In the meantime, I found the body and found out about Rhodnes, but I couldn't find out anything about Noevian. It seems that Marie has definitely been recruited, and I can only wait and see about Annie.
'I wish I had just a few more days...'
I felt so bad and regretful about leaving like this, so I hit the armrest of the sofa with my fist. I had no right to question her about using the Grand Duchess's seal. I could just grab her and leave, so I couldn't search through the Grand Duchess's office.
“I see, you’ve worked hard too. I packed my bags yesterday, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
“...Are you going back?”
“Then, the master will be back soon, so is there a need for an agent to guard him?”
I smiled wryly at Gaspard's slightly disgruntled face.
“You must have forgotten. I am not the subject of His Highness the Grand Duke anymore but of Her Highness the Crown Princess.”
Gaspard's weakest point. The Crown Princess. And everything related to the Crown Princess. As soon as the words "Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess's subject" came out of my mouth, Gaspard stopped asking any more questions.
'At least it's clear that there's no one behind Marie.'
If she had even a very weak back, she wouldn't have clung to me who came temporarily. She had just slapped Annie a few times on the cheek as I told her to, without much pain, and even Annie's attitude of ignoring Marie after that was the same.
“Marie. Thanks to you, I’m doing well. I’ll send Jonah often to ask about your well-being. Annie, Marie, you both like the maids of the Grand Duchess. You’re good at their jobs and loyal... Isn’t that right, Annie?”
When I asked how she was doing, Marie smiled brightly as if she had finally felt a little relieved. On the other hand, Annie still trembled when she saw me and answered in a small voice. It was a pitiful sight that would soon disappear when I left, but it wasn't bad to see.
“Madam, I have word that the Grand Duke has arrived in the capital.”
Today, Gaspard, who was dressed up nicely, approached me. Today is the day Noevian returns. In the meantime, I found the body and found out about Rhodnes, but I couldn't find out anything about Noevian. It seems that Marie has definitely been recruited, and I can only wait and see about Annie.
'I wish I had just a few more days...'
I felt so bad and regretful about leaving like this, so I hit the armrest of the sofa with my fist. I had no right to question her about using the Grand Duchess's seal. I could just grab her and leave, so I couldn't search through the Grand Duchess's office.
“I see, you’ve worked hard too. I packed my bags yesterday, so you don’t have to worry about me.”
“...Are you going back?”
“Then, the master will be back soon, so is there a need for an agent to guard him?”
I smiled wryly at Gaspard's slightly disgruntled face.
“You must have forgotten. I am not the subject of His Highness the Grand Duke anymore but of Her Highness the Crown Princess.”
Gaspard's weakest point. The Crown Princess. And everything related to the Crown Princess. As soon as the words "Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess's subject" came out of my mouth, Gaspard stopped asking any more questions.
I watched the servants start moving the luggage and quickly finished preparing to leave. The reason I didn't run into Noevian here was simple.
'Listen carefully. Once this Elacon thing is over, and the funeral is over...I will have you.'
I still hear Noevian's voice from back then when I have nightmares. The firm voice that said he would take Blie after my funeral. It's been almost two months since I died. He must be coming back now that his work with Elacon is over, and there's about a month left until the funeral.
'Listen carefully. Once this Elacon thing is over, and the funeral is over...I will have you.'
I still hear Noevian's voice from back then when I have nightmares. The firm voice that said he would take Blie after my funeral. It's been almost two months since I died. He must be coming back now that his work with Elacon is over, and there's about a month left until the funeral.
Noevian's office. And the Grand Duchess's office.
'If only I could enter that room without any restrictions...'
If Noevian tries to make me the Grand Duchess by force, only to get out of favor with the other nobles...
'If only I could enter that room without any restrictions...'
If Noevian tries to make me the Grand Duchess by force, only to get out of favor with the other nobles...
There may be an opportunity to pour filth on Noevian, who is at the pinnacle of honor.
***
The master of the mansion has finally returned. All the servants bowed their heads to greet him, but Annie’s group especially welcomed Noevian the most. Noevian took off his overcoat and left it with the butler, and the servants didn’t even pay attention to him.
“I thought you would be back in the evening, but you came back early, Your Highness.”
“Prepare the bath. Bring Countess Acacia too. What is she doing that I can’t even see the tip of her nose?”
Noevian, who seemed to have come in a hurry, took off his gloves and quickly answered. When the butler, with an embarrassed look on his face, remained silent for a moment, he frowned slightly.
"What?"
“That... She already left this morning.”
“I thought you would be back in the evening, but you came back early, Your Highness.”
“Prepare the bath. Bring Countess Acacia too. What is she doing that I can’t even see the tip of her nose?”
Noevian, who seemed to have come in a hurry, took off his gloves and quickly answered. When the butler, with an embarrassed look on his face, remained silent for a moment, he frowned slightly.
"What?"
“That... She already left this morning.”
"What?"
“She said that she had completed her mission and was going to report to the palace.”
All of Noevian's actions suddenly stopped. He couldn't believe anything, not even Blie's actions or the butler's report. After leaving all the servants behind, Noevian headed straight to the room in the annex where Blie must have stayed. When he saw the room, which was clean and empty, even inside the fireplace as if no one had stayed there, he felt cold anger rising.
What on earth could Blie believe, who knew better than anyone what kind of person he was, acting like this?
“Surely not, Rhodnes?”
Why are the gossip newspapers I looked at a while ago suddenly floating around in my head?
“Surely not, Rhodnes?”
Why are the gossip newspapers I looked at a while ago suddenly floating around in my head?
***
Doris was trying hard to control her expression as she watched me sitting there shamelessly. Judging from the way her eyebrows would occasionally furrow, it was clear that she was dissatisfied with the ‘husband’s surveillance’ she had wanted.
However, the Crown Prince, who was known to visit frequently, had only visited that day, and contrary to Doris’s expectations, it was highly unlikely that the Crown Prince would have done anything special since he had figured out her intentions to some extent. Furthermore, just as she had her own goals, mine were important to me as well, so although it was regrettable, this was the best I could do.
“To say that he would even give his life for his country is truly worthy of the Crown Prince’s words.”
“Yes, this was my first time meeting His Highness the Crown Prince alone, but His Highness truly deserves to be called the Saint of Ronta!”
Let's answer a little more brightly, Doris' mouth shut tightly.
“And?”
"...Yes?"
When I tilted my head as if I didn't know, Doris opened her mouth with a forced smile as if she felt a little annoyed.
“The Grand Duke is capable, so His Highness the Crown Prince keep him close. Since they are similar in age, they get along like brothers. I wish the Grand Duke and my father, the Duke of Castagna, would get along well. Other than that, what else does he say or do?”
“Oh, I followed His Highness the Crown Prince around all day that day.”
Doris's eyes began to sparkle a little. I clasped my hands together as if I were very happy to be alone with the Crown Prince.
“He really liked gardens. He even said he dreamed of a pastoral life.”
“That’s really great news.”
Doris answered with a face that showed she didn't think so at all.
“By the way, Your Highness. Have you made any progress with Madame Leblaix?”
"Ah."
Doris, whose face was full of regret, smiled contentedly as soon as I put Madame Leblaix in my mouth.
“Well, it wasn’t bad. She’s doing a good job as long as it doesn’t go against the dignity of the royal family.”
“Were you talking about Madame Leblaix?”
Noura and Irene, who had been pouring tea from a distance, came to the tea table where we were sitting, offering to treat us to the tea they had received as a gift. Noura looked as if she was dying to know what we were talking about, but it was obvious that she was trying not to show it.
“I’m really curious about what the two of you were talking about..."
“Madam, the tea tastes really good. Could you share some with me when I leave?”
“...”
I immediately cut off Noura's words as Doris drank her tea with an uncomfortable expression. The nervous gaze returned, but I smiled bashfully as if I knew nothing.
“Yeah, I thought it was a bit too much for me to enjoy alone. Blie and Irene should take some with them when they go. Is that okay, Noura?”
“Oh, of course, Your Highness.”
As Doris smiled brightly and greeted me, Noura quickly responded with a sullen face.
“To say that he would even give his life for his country is truly worthy of the Crown Prince’s words.”
“Yes, this was my first time meeting His Highness the Crown Prince alone, but His Highness truly deserves to be called the Saint of Ronta!”
Let's answer a little more brightly, Doris' mouth shut tightly.
“And?”
"...Yes?"
When I tilted my head as if I didn't know, Doris opened her mouth with a forced smile as if she felt a little annoyed.
“The Grand Duke is capable, so His Highness the Crown Prince keep him close. Since they are similar in age, they get along like brothers. I wish the Grand Duke and my father, the Duke of Castagna, would get along well. Other than that, what else does he say or do?”
“Oh, I followed His Highness the Crown Prince around all day that day.”
Doris's eyes began to sparkle a little. I clasped my hands together as if I were very happy to be alone with the Crown Prince.
“He really liked gardens. He even said he dreamed of a pastoral life.”
“That’s really great news.”
Doris answered with a face that showed she didn't think so at all.
“By the way, Your Highness. Have you made any progress with Madame Leblaix?”
"Ah."
Doris, whose face was full of regret, smiled contentedly as soon as I put Madame Leblaix in my mouth.
“Well, it wasn’t bad. She’s doing a good job as long as it doesn’t go against the dignity of the royal family.”
“Were you talking about Madame Leblaix?”
Noura and Irene, who had been pouring tea from a distance, came to the tea table where we were sitting, offering to treat us to the tea they had received as a gift. Noura looked as if she was dying to know what we were talking about, but it was obvious that she was trying not to show it.
“I’m really curious about what the two of you were talking about..."
“Madam, the tea tastes really good. Could you share some with me when I leave?”
“...”
I immediately cut off Noura's words as Doris drank her tea with an uncomfortable expression. The nervous gaze returned, but I smiled bashfully as if I knew nothing.
“Yeah, I thought it was a bit too much for me to enjoy alone. Blie and Irene should take some with them when they go. Is that okay, Noura?”
“Oh, of course, Your Highness.”
As Doris smiled brightly and greeted me, Noura quickly responded with a sullen face.
“When the messenger from Elacon comes, you will be greeted in Madame Leblaix’s new dress.”
“Maybe.”
“Maybe.”
“How about changing your hairstyle a little?”
"Hmm."
Noura, who had been slowly looking me up and down, quickly regained her momentum and made a suggestion.
“I heard that dyeing your hair black is trendy these days. What do you think?”
Doris’s eyes widened and she looked at me as if asking for my opinion. This is the original position of a maid. Leaving the chores to the maids and chattering away at the side of her master. And I vaguely felt that Noura’s words were not her own opinion. Doris’s seemingly gentle eyes did not leave me. Doris, who was observing my reaction, was dressed from head to toe in a dress that was very similar to the one Madame Leblaix had designed for me.
“I don’t like that.”
Clink!
Noura didn't know I would answer like that, so she ended up hitting the teaspoon she was supposed to stir silently into the teacup.
“What did you say?”
“If Your Highness dyes your hair black, I will look unsightly when I go out with you, right?”
I spoke like a blind woman without thinking. Not only Noura but also Doris's eyes, which had been frozen, shook violently.
“I don’t want to be called ‘the ugly duckling next to the Crown Princess.’ And...”
Even though Doris was looking at me with a subtle expression, I still spoke to her without even looking at the clothes that were similar to mine.
“If Your Highness has black hair, would it be okay for me to dye my hair a dark brown like yours?”
“!”
“Could it be that Viscountess Giuseppe has misunderstood? Everyone is dying to dye their hair brown, but is she keeping quiet for fear of being compared to Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess?”
I said that with eyes full of sincerity, trying to look foolish.
Crown Princess Doris, who blinked her eyes to understand the intention of my words, took out a fan from her bosom, covered her face, and laughed with her shoulders shaking. On the other hand, Noura, who dared not rebuke me in front of Doris, opened her eyes wide and put the hot tea, which had not even cooled down properly, to her lips with her face red and blue. She must have felt like her tongue was going to crack. However, like a seasoned noblewoman, she did not show it.
'When someone tries to test you, just act like a fool.'
'Act like a fool?'
'It means to speak as if you have no ill intentions, even if you lack manners.'
'Why?'
'Then they won't even feel like attacking you.'
“What did you say?”
“If Your Highness dyes your hair black, I will look unsightly when I go out with you, right?”
I spoke like a blind woman without thinking. Not only Noura but also Doris's eyes, which had been frozen, shook violently.
“I don’t want to be called ‘the ugly duckling next to the Crown Princess.’ And...”
Even though Doris was looking at me with a subtle expression, I still spoke to her without even looking at the clothes that were similar to mine.
“If Your Highness has black hair, would it be okay for me to dye my hair a dark brown like yours?”
“!”
“Could it be that Viscountess Giuseppe has misunderstood? Everyone is dying to dye their hair brown, but is she keeping quiet for fear of being compared to Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess?”
I said that with eyes full of sincerity, trying to look foolish.
Crown Princess Doris, who blinked her eyes to understand the intention of my words, took out a fan from her bosom, covered her face, and laughed with her shoulders shaking. On the other hand, Noura, who dared not rebuke me in front of Doris, opened her eyes wide and put the hot tea, which had not even cooled down properly, to her lips with her face red and blue. She must have felt like her tongue was going to crack. However, like a seasoned noblewoman, she did not show it.
'When someone tries to test you, just act like a fool.'
'Act like a fool?'
'It means to speak as if you have no ill intentions, even if you lack manners.'
'Why?'
'Then they won't even feel like attacking you.'
I suddenly remembered the conversation I had with Bianca when I was preparing for the debutante. And Doris stopped laughing quietly to herself and showed her face behind her fan. Her face was strangely radiant with satisfaction, and her chin was strangely raised, unable to suppress her curiosity about me. I don’t know much about human psychology, but she definitely felt superior to me.
'You feel superior to me even though you follow me.'
It was a truly incomprehensible and contradictory behavior, but at the same time, it seemed to tell me exactly what I should do in this group, so I felt a little relieved.
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