After a few moments of silence, the eyes that were always cold and sharp sank lower and he came closer to the open window.
“Say it again. Are you admitting your relationship with the Second Prince in front of me right now?”
“Look around you, Your Highness. How can I not be more interested in His Highness the Second Prince, who lives in such a magnificent and grand palace, than in you, who lives outside the palace... a member of the royal family in name only?”
The eyes that had started to blur at the mention of the word “Prince Consort” began to tremble more violently as time went by. Even though I was scared, I held back and held on. Instead, I raised my arrogance and smiled proudly. I knew that the words “royal family in name only” were a stimulating word to him.
“Madam, you had a wonderful day today.”
“Sir Neil, you always give me a hard time.”
“If we don’t pay attention to the lady’s protection, our master... His Highness the Second Prince will have his head smashed in, so there’s nothing we can do.”
Neil, who was outside the hall, naturally escorted me and smirked.
“Is His Highness busy?”
“Oh, not that he's busy, but... is coordinating an important mission. With the Emperor.”
I want to end this fucking fight.
'I never want to lose you again.'
'I'll do anything for that.'
Even during my busy schedule, the voice of Rhodnes, who would stop by to tell me those words, came to mind from time to time. When this tiresome fight is over, will I be able to imagine a future with Rhodnes?
“Why, Count?”
As one of the knights who had been in charge of Count Acacia's escort emerged from the crowd of servants with a face covered in wounds, Marge's tearful voice grew louder.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am.”
“What's going on?”
“Count Acacia, while inspecting the territory, suddenly...”
“Was there any problem?”
“The wheels fell off the carriage and it fell off the cliff.”
“!”
I was so surprised that I couldn't even open my mouth. The knight with a gloomy expression opened his mouth again with difficulty.
“We didn’t find his body, but... he must have passed away.”
The sighs of the servants filled the space. Count Acacia was dead.
'You'll regret it.'
The knight who accompanied the Count clearly said it was an accident, so why me?
'If you keep playing like this, you'll definitely regret it.'
It almost feels like the voice of that damn Noevian Trovica is gnawing at my ears.
“Say it again. Are you admitting your relationship with the Second Prince in front of me right now?”
“Look around you, Your Highness. How can I not be more interested in His Highness the Second Prince, who lives in such a magnificent and grand palace, than in you, who lives outside the palace... a member of the royal family in name only?”
The eyes that had started to blur at the mention of the word “Prince Consort” began to tremble more violently as time went by. Even though I was scared, I held back and held on. Instead, I raised my arrogance and smiled proudly. I knew that the words “royal family in name only” were a stimulating word to him.
As the Emperor’s half-brother, Noevian had spent his entire life trying to gain trust while beating out his other brothers, so he had spent his whole life just not wanting to hear that word. So it was natural for him to react that way.
'Say it.'
Even if that's a lie told to persuade me.
'Tell them you'll give me the position of Grand Duchess.'
Anyway, you won’t back down until you have this Blie. Isn’t that why you’re putting up with it?
'Say it.'
Even if that's a lie told to persuade me.
'Tell them you'll give me the position of Grand Duchess.'
Anyway, you won’t back down until you have this Blie. Isn’t that why you’re putting up with it?
My eyes were stinging and the back of my neck was pulling. It must have been because I was glaring so hard that my blood vessels were about to burst. Those dark blue eyes that seemed to have lost their sense of reason rippled like the dark sea and then soon became quiet. I stubbornly looked at those lips that were quivering as if they were going to say anything. The voice I had been waiting for burst out from Noevian’s mouth as he looked down at me.
“...You’ll regret it.”
Those were the only words that came out through the cold silence and gaze devoid of any affection.
“...You’ll regret it.”
Those were the only words that came out through the cold silence and gaze devoid of any affection.
“If you play like this, you’ll definitely regret it.”
The voice came to me, not from the air but crawled on the floor. Noevian quickly pulled away the hand that had been holding the carriage window frame so tightly that it almost broke. Then, after glaring at me for a while, he turned around and disappeared as if he had no regrets. I didn’t take my eyes off his back as he walked away until his neatly tied hair was completely out of sight, until Jonah, who had been watching me with bated breath, ran towards me from afar.
“Madam, are you okay? Did you have a fight?”
"...Let's go."
Jonah, who had been watching my every move, got on the carriage and called the coachman to move the carriage. The noise of the still noisy party had faded away, but Noevian's horse followed me as if it was stuck to the carriage wheel.
The voice came to me, not from the air but crawled on the floor. Noevian quickly pulled away the hand that had been holding the carriage window frame so tightly that it almost broke. Then, after glaring at me for a while, he turned around and disappeared as if he had no regrets. I didn’t take my eyes off his back as he walked away until his neatly tied hair was completely out of sight, until Jonah, who had been watching me with bated breath, ran towards me from afar.
“Madam, are you okay? Did you have a fight?”
"...Let's go."
Jonah, who had been watching my every move, got on the carriage and called the coachman to move the carriage. The noise of the still noisy party had faded away, but Noevian's horse followed me as if it was stuck to the carriage wheel.
Are you sure you'll regret it?
'If it's regret, I'm sick of it already.'
Such a pointless regret that I should have never met you in the first place.
'If it's regret, I'm sick of it already.'
Such a pointless regret that I should have never met you in the first place.
***
I fell asleep after flipping through Blie’s diary late into the evening. The short texts I interpreted here and there were nothing special, just scribbles, and I was exhausted. Madame Leblaix came by in the morning to give me a special makeover, and I entered the palace much earlier than yesterday. Today was the day I had to decorate the party hall as I had planned, so I had to go early and check many things.
“If the Grand Duke finds out you came to the palace so early in the morning, he will laugh at you, Father.”
I stood still in front of the wide-open entrance to the Crown Princess's reception room and hid myself.
“There’s no way he went to Elacon for nothing. He didn’t want to agree to the repeal of the bill, so he used that as an excuse to get out. I really got my eyes open and got screwed!”
The Duke of Castagna was in the Crown Princess's palace. He must have arrived just a hair ahead of me because I could tell from his back that he was breathing heavily.
“I expected that, didn’t I? Noura, please close the door to the reception room. Father, I don’t want to ask for an audience, but what if you come to the Crown Princess of a country and dismiss all the servants? At least close the door properly and come in. I have to go check on the welcoming ceremony for the ambassador soon, and I have a lot to worry about even if that isn’t the issue.”
Bang.
“Crown Prince... What the heck... This opportunity...”
The door closed and the voice of the enraged Duke of Castagna flowed out of the drawing room, then cut off, then stopped. I tried to listen closely, but it was no use. Only the shadow of the Duke, pacing back and forth in the drawing room, was visible through the tiny gap. What was he talking about? Why would the Duke of Castagna, who had nothing to do with the welcoming ceremony for the ambassadors, come running from the west to the palace so early in the morning?
'The law that the Duke of Castagna wants to repeal, Noevian does not want to repeal.'
That was all that could be inferred from the brief conversation between Doris and the Duke.
“If the Grand Duke finds out you came to the palace so early in the morning, he will laugh at you, Father.”
I stood still in front of the wide-open entrance to the Crown Princess's reception room and hid myself.
“There’s no way he went to Elacon for nothing. He didn’t want to agree to the repeal of the bill, so he used that as an excuse to get out. I really got my eyes open and got screwed!”
The Duke of Castagna was in the Crown Princess's palace. He must have arrived just a hair ahead of me because I could tell from his back that he was breathing heavily.
“I expected that, didn’t I? Noura, please close the door to the reception room. Father, I don’t want to ask for an audience, but what if you come to the Crown Princess of a country and dismiss all the servants? At least close the door properly and come in. I have to go check on the welcoming ceremony for the ambassador soon, and I have a lot to worry about even if that isn’t the issue.”
Bang.
“Crown Prince... What the heck... This opportunity...”
The door closed and the voice of the enraged Duke of Castagna flowed out of the drawing room, then cut off, then stopped. I tried to listen closely, but it was no use. Only the shadow of the Duke, pacing back and forth in the drawing room, was visible through the tiny gap. What was he talking about? Why would the Duke of Castagna, who had nothing to do with the welcoming ceremony for the ambassadors, come running from the west to the palace so early in the morning?
'The law that the Duke of Castagna wants to repeal, Noevian does not want to repeal.'
That was all that could be inferred from the brief conversation between Doris and the Duke.
Bam-!
“Anyway, Father. I’m very busy today... Blie?”
The door to the reception room suddenly opened wide, and Doris was startled to see me standing there in front of it. I acted politely as if I had just arrived.
“Your Highness, how about you hurry to the banquet hall? It will be beautifully decorated, so I would like you to see it first.”
“Oh, good. Did you hear that, Father?”
Doris as if she was glad, left the place with my escort. I glanced around the reception room and saw the Duke, his face flushed with excitement. As soon as his eyes met mine, his eyes widened. I immediately turned my head and walked faster.
'The Duke of Castagna also knows my face.'
He’s the one who keeps in touch with Annie and recognizes my face the moment we make eye contact. If there’s one person I should look at the most closely beside Doris, it’s that Duke.
“Anyway, Father. I’m very busy today... Blie?”
The door to the reception room suddenly opened wide, and Doris was startled to see me standing there in front of it. I acted politely as if I had just arrived.
“Your Highness, how about you hurry to the banquet hall? It will be beautifully decorated, so I would like you to see it first.”
“Oh, good. Did you hear that, Father?”
Doris as if she was glad, left the place with my escort. I glanced around the reception room and saw the Duke, his face flushed with excitement. As soon as his eyes met mine, his eyes widened. I immediately turned my head and walked faster.
'The Duke of Castagna also knows my face.'
He’s the one who keeps in touch with Annie and recognizes my face the moment we make eye contact. If there’s one person I should look at the most closely beside Doris, it’s that Duke.
***
The second day of the event was even more successful than the first. Unlike the first day, which was decorated with all sorts of jewel crafts, the second day had Eastern-style flower arrangements that I led, placed appropriately from the entrance to the highest seats. Elacon was a country that had grown wealthy from the enormous amount of jewels buried in its barren land. It was understandable that Noura would try to make connections here, even saying that she had staked her life on it. After all, more than 90% of the jewelry store that Noura ran came from Elacon. The Elacon envoys who were experts in jewels had praised and liked the decorations that Noura had prepared yesterday. But that was all.
“The atmosphere today is completely different from yesterday.”
The interpreter who had been listening to the messengers spoke to us with a bright expression. I remembered that Elacon and my hometown Piretta had been making profits by buying and selling jewels and flowers to each other. I think that memory was working well. People in a country where flowers were more valuable than jewels would be indifferent no matter how expensive the jewels were.
“After the party, we have prepared a place where you can wrap up the decorated flowers and take them home.”
As I pointed to the attendants waiting at the entrance to the party hall, the interpreter quickly relayed the message. The delegation, unable to hide their sparkling eyes, quickly muttered something or other.
“I’ve been to... the best... Thank you...”
It seemed to be a way of saying that it was the best place I had ever been to and that I wanted to thank them. When some of them looked at me intently as if they were trying to remember me, I spoke in the Elaconic language I had prepared.
"Everything is according to Her Highness the Crown Princess's will."
The people nearby clapped quietly at the clumsy but accurate Elacon speech. When I told Doris, who was bewildered, what I had just said, she looked at me with wide eyes as if she had understood. Crown Prince Bardenaldo, who was talking to the representative of the delegation at the highest seat, called Doris over and stood beside her.
“Let us drink to the infinite glory of the Empire and Elacon.”
Everyone present at the party simultaneously raised their champagne glasses. Then, when the Crown Prince congratulated Doris for successfully preparing the welcoming party, a round of applause broke out from Elacon. Doris, of course, and the Crown Prince, who must have been well informed of who organized this welcoming party, all turned their gazes to me.
I raised my glass of champagne and waved at the young Crown Prince and his wife, knowing full well that Noevian's faithful dog, Jimsker, was watching me.
“The atmosphere today is completely different from yesterday.”
The interpreter who had been listening to the messengers spoke to us with a bright expression. I remembered that Elacon and my hometown Piretta had been making profits by buying and selling jewels and flowers to each other. I think that memory was working well. People in a country where flowers were more valuable than jewels would be indifferent no matter how expensive the jewels were.
“After the party, we have prepared a place where you can wrap up the decorated flowers and take them home.”
As I pointed to the attendants waiting at the entrance to the party hall, the interpreter quickly relayed the message. The delegation, unable to hide their sparkling eyes, quickly muttered something or other.
“I’ve been to... the best... Thank you...”
It seemed to be a way of saying that it was the best place I had ever been to and that I wanted to thank them. When some of them looked at me intently as if they were trying to remember me, I spoke in the Elaconic language I had prepared.
"Everything is according to Her Highness the Crown Princess's will."
The people nearby clapped quietly at the clumsy but accurate Elacon speech. When I told Doris, who was bewildered, what I had just said, she looked at me with wide eyes as if she had understood. Crown Prince Bardenaldo, who was talking to the representative of the delegation at the highest seat, called Doris over and stood beside her.
“Let us drink to the infinite glory of the Empire and Elacon.”
Everyone present at the party simultaneously raised their champagne glasses. Then, when the Crown Prince congratulated Doris for successfully preparing the welcoming party, a round of applause broke out from Elacon. Doris, of course, and the Crown Prince, who must have been well informed of who organized this welcoming party, all turned their gazes to me.
I raised my glass of champagne and waved at the young Crown Prince and his wife, knowing full well that Noevian's faithful dog, Jimsker, was watching me.
***
“Madam, you had a wonderful day today.”
“Sir Neil, you always give me a hard time.”
“If we don’t pay attention to the lady’s protection, our master... His Highness the Second Prince will have his head smashed in, so there’s nothing we can do.”
Neil, who was outside the hall, naturally escorted me and smirked.
“Is His Highness busy?”
“Oh, not that he's busy, but... is coordinating an important mission. With the Emperor.”
“Is that possibly related to the disappearance of Baroness Kuroseda?”
As I was telling the rumor I had heard somewhere, Neil opened his mouth after a while.
“You will tell me yourself. If I say anything carelessly, my head will explode, so please pretend not to know.”
It was a joke, but it was a voice full of sincerity. I nodded quietly and got on the carriage back home. As I watched the scenery passing by outside the window, it all felt like a dream.
'I didn't know that the things I studied for Noevian would be used like this.'
Now you will know clearly that you cannot manipulate me as you wish. When you see me, who should be in the shadows, coming out into the light, being recognized, and gaining things one by one with my own strength, you will know that nothing will change if you are only tough on me.
As I was telling the rumor I had heard somewhere, Neil opened his mouth after a while.
“You will tell me yourself. If I say anything carelessly, my head will explode, so please pretend not to know.”
It was a joke, but it was a voice full of sincerity. I nodded quietly and got on the carriage back home. As I watched the scenery passing by outside the window, it all felt like a dream.
'I didn't know that the things I studied for Noevian would be used like this.'
Now you will know clearly that you cannot manipulate me as you wish. When you see me, who should be in the shadows, coming out into the light, being recognized, and gaining things one by one with my own strength, you will know that nothing will change if you are only tough on me.
I clearly saw Jimsker, who witnessed every scene today, quietly disappear. What will Noevian do now?
After the big event, I was suddenly tired. I wanted to quickly enter the Grand Duke's residence and search his office and my office without anyone's permission.
'I want to get out of here quickly...'
'I want to get out of here quickly...'
I want to end this fucking fight.
'I never want to lose you again.'
'I'll do anything for that.'
Even during my busy schedule, the voice of Rhodnes, who would stop by to tell me those words, came to mind from time to time. When this tiresome fight is over, will I be able to imagine a future with Rhodnes?
The carriage soon stopped, and I got off the carriage feeling a little refreshed, but the Count was strangely quiet. Neil, who escorted me, must have sensed the ominous atmosphere as he opened the door with wary eyes. The lights were bright, but the atmosphere was dark. The servants were gathered together and making a commotion. I had a bad feeling. Did Noevian barge in?
“Madam! Madam!!”
Upon hearing my presence, Marge jumped out from among the servants, grabbed my skirt, and sat down.
“Master, Master...!”
“Madam! Madam!!”
Upon hearing my presence, Marge jumped out from among the servants, grabbed my skirt, and sat down.
“Master, Master...!”
“Why, Count?”
As one of the knights who had been in charge of Count Acacia's escort emerged from the crowd of servants with a face covered in wounds, Marge's tearful voice grew louder.
“I’m sorry, Ma’am.”
“What's going on?”
“Count Acacia, while inspecting the territory, suddenly...”
“Was there any problem?”
“The wheels fell off the carriage and it fell off the cliff.”
“!”
I was so surprised that I couldn't even open my mouth. The knight with a gloomy expression opened his mouth again with difficulty.
“We didn’t find his body, but... he must have passed away.”
The sighs of the servants filled the space. Count Acacia was dead.
'You'll regret it.'
The knight who accompanied the Count clearly said it was an accident, so why me?
'If you keep playing like this, you'll definitely regret it.'
It almost feels like the voice of that damn Noevian Trovica is gnawing at my ears.
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