After chewing on the low curses for a while, Noevian finally couldn’t hold it in and put her lips on Blie’s. He roughly grabbed the back of the woman’s head and pulled her to sit on his lap, then frantically explored her mouth. Blie didn’t refuse like before. However, unlike her honey-flowing voice, she didn’t respond enthusiastically either.
Noevian, who had been greedy like someone who had wandered in the desert for months, reflexively bit Blie’s body when he saw her looking at him with her eyes open. Blie’s lips, which were wet because of him, looked unbearably promiscuous and seductive, but her expression was so ascetic that it gave him a strange unfamiliarity.
“...Can I consider you lost?”
Was her flushed face because she liked kissing, or was it because of something else? He was so curious about what this woman, whom he had never thought about, was thinking.
“Don't get me wrong.”
At the reflexive answer, Blie opened her eyes wide in surprise. Noevian, who naturally thought of Adrienne from that face, frowned. The woman got down from his lap without any resentment. And without even being able to catch her, she got out of the carriage.
“...I listened to your answer carefully.”
The woman who had closed the carriage door with a thud turned around and walked away without a second thought. For a moment, Noevian felt the urge to run out, grab the woman’s arms, and shout. What on earth were you thinking with that tiny head of yours?
“...Can I consider you lost?”
Was her flushed face because she liked kissing, or was it because of something else? He was so curious about what this woman, whom he had never thought about, was thinking.
“Don't get me wrong.”
At the reflexive answer, Blie opened her eyes wide in surprise. Noevian, who naturally thought of Adrienne from that face, frowned. The woman got down from his lap without any resentment. And without even being able to catch her, she got out of the carriage.
“...I listened to your answer carefully.”
The woman who had closed the carriage door with a thud turned around and walked away without a second thought. For a moment, Noevian felt the urge to run out, grab the woman’s arms, and shout. What on earth were you thinking with that tiny head of yours?
It was not his style to kiss a woman who was singing a love song and to let emotions take precedence over important matters, but it was an unfamiliar urge. It was very, very hard to bear the sight of the woman leaving.
***
When Noevian entered the Grand Duke's residence, he had already confirmed that Crown Prince Bardenaldo's escort was standing guard at the entrance to the Grand Duke's residence. He grabbed the cravat that he had roughly tried to untie and headed toward the annex.
The Crown Prince, who was leisurely enjoying tea at a tea table that only noble ladies would enjoy, raised a hand and greeted him in a friendly manner as soon as he saw him. Noevian bowed his head once politely and naturally sat down in front of him.
“Is the farewell ceremony over?”
Bardenaldo smiled coolly and poured him some tea. Noevian gestured to Gaspard, the butler standing behind Bardenaldo, to go out and focus on him.
“Ephero’s return home may be quicker. The delegation has come to the empire after a long time, and since they are quite satisfied, there is a high probability that they will urge Ephero to return home.”
Bardenaldo handed over an envelope that he had left on the table. Noevian quickly opened it, looked at it, and frowned.
“The Duke of Castagna was quite angry that my uncle did not attend the meeting to repeal the bill.”
“Even if I were there, you would know that I would not agree to repeal that bill.”
“There’s a difference between fighting and losing and not even trying to fight.”
Bardenaldo, who was smiling bitterly, glanced at Noevian's cold gaze, hesitated slightly, and then opened his mouth.
“Before the Duke of Castagna himself comes forward and brings Ephero, I think it would be a good idea to grant one of his demands, Uncle.”
“It is not a simple matter to repeal the law. The law of succession by wife allowed the late Empress Letina’s mother, Your Majesty’s maternal grandmother, to become the Marquis of Winston, and her influence became the foundation of Your Majesty’s power. If we were to repeal the law now, would the Marquis of Winston feel good about it? He would surely think that he is being abandoned now that he has found stability.”
The words pouring out of Noevian were quite predictable, so the Crown Prince nodded silently.
“Besides, the meeting to repeal the law can only be held once a year, so the Duke of Castagna has already missed that opportunity.”
“If Ephero returns home within this year, there may be another storm in the palace.”
“The Duke is being unreasonable. But that doesn’t mean we can hold another meeting.”
Noevian quickly glanced around the reception room to make sure no one was listening.
“He also recognized it, and this time he asked for something a little different.”
“...What did he ask for?”
“He asked me to recommend someone for the position of Grand Duchess. Do you have any idea?”
Ha. Noevian threw the envelope down on the table and soothed his stomach with the cold tea. Were there really so many people with their mouths open in the Grand Duchess's seat?
“The Grand Duchess’s funeral hasn’t even ended yet, and I’m still in mourning. I don’t think it’ll be too late to think about it after it’s over, but can’t we buy some more time?”
“That’s not like my uncle.”
The Crown Prince smiled as he picked up the biscuit while wearing his gloves. As he moved his jaw and began to chew the biscuit, Noevian realized that he had slipped up. Can't we buy time? That was not something that should come out of Noevian Trovica's mouth.
“Who did you recommend?”
“Countess Blie Acacia.”
The air in the reception room froze. He froze at the name coming out of the Crown Prince's mouth and just rolled his eyes and stared at him.
“Your vassal’s wife, who became a widow not long ago.”
“Is the farewell ceremony over?”
Bardenaldo smiled coolly and poured him some tea. Noevian gestured to Gaspard, the butler standing behind Bardenaldo, to go out and focus on him.
“Ephero’s return home may be quicker. The delegation has come to the empire after a long time, and since they are quite satisfied, there is a high probability that they will urge Ephero to return home.”
Bardenaldo handed over an envelope that he had left on the table. Noevian quickly opened it, looked at it, and frowned.
“The Duke of Castagna was quite angry that my uncle did not attend the meeting to repeal the bill.”
“Even if I were there, you would know that I would not agree to repeal that bill.”
“There’s a difference between fighting and losing and not even trying to fight.”
Bardenaldo, who was smiling bitterly, glanced at Noevian's cold gaze, hesitated slightly, and then opened his mouth.
“Before the Duke of Castagna himself comes forward and brings Ephero, I think it would be a good idea to grant one of his demands, Uncle.”
“It is not a simple matter to repeal the law. The law of succession by wife allowed the late Empress Letina’s mother, Your Majesty’s maternal grandmother, to become the Marquis of Winston, and her influence became the foundation of Your Majesty’s power. If we were to repeal the law now, would the Marquis of Winston feel good about it? He would surely think that he is being abandoned now that he has found stability.”
The words pouring out of Noevian were quite predictable, so the Crown Prince nodded silently.
“Besides, the meeting to repeal the law can only be held once a year, so the Duke of Castagna has already missed that opportunity.”
“If Ephero returns home within this year, there may be another storm in the palace.”
“The Duke is being unreasonable. But that doesn’t mean we can hold another meeting.”
Noevian quickly glanced around the reception room to make sure no one was listening.
“He also recognized it, and this time he asked for something a little different.”
“...What did he ask for?”
“He asked me to recommend someone for the position of Grand Duchess. Do you have any idea?”
Ha. Noevian threw the envelope down on the table and soothed his stomach with the cold tea. Were there really so many people with their mouths open in the Grand Duchess's seat?
“The Grand Duchess’s funeral hasn’t even ended yet, and I’m still in mourning. I don’t think it’ll be too late to think about it after it’s over, but can’t we buy some more time?”
“That’s not like my uncle.”
The Crown Prince smiled as he picked up the biscuit while wearing his gloves. As he moved his jaw and began to chew the biscuit, Noevian realized that he had slipped up. Can't we buy time? That was not something that should come out of Noevian Trovica's mouth.
“Who did you recommend?”
“Countess Blie Acacia.”
The air in the reception room froze. He froze at the name coming out of the Crown Prince's mouth and just rolled his eyes and stared at him.
“Your vassal’s wife, who became a widow not long ago.”
***
The day after the farewell party for the envoys. The palace of the Crown Princess that Madame Leblaix had excitedly stirred up was still hot with the heat. Since Madame herself had come to do the fitting and draping of the dress, Irene had come to give her a face painting, and Noura had also praised each design so much that my mouth was watering every time she showed it to recommend matching jewels.
However, Doris, the main character of the doll play, was in a low mood the whole time. She had so many things she wanted to say to me, so I waited for a chance to meet her alone. It was very easy to send Noura and Irene away. They would make dozens of guesses and leave if there was even a little sadness on the face of a widow who had lost her husband only a few days ago.
Noura had been particularly firm in her determination because her achievements had not been recognized at this envoys’ welcoming party, but when I reminded her that I was a widow, her momentum waned and her eyes shook violently.
As I looked at the jewel samples that Noura had left behind, saying that they would look pretty if attached to dresses, I remembered what I had heard from Madame a while ago.
'In my opinion, it seems that Her Highness the Crown Princess is very interested in His Highness the Second Prince.'
'Why?'
'She always asks me about gossip about the capital's young ladies, and even though I pretend not to know, she keeps getting asked if any one of them secretly after the second Prince.'
'She might be wondering.'
'How naive! Madam. Why would Her Highness the Crown Princess follow you?'
That's right. Why would she follow me?
'In my opinion, it seems that Her Highness the Crown Princess is very interested in His Highness the Second Prince.'
'Why?'
'She always asks me about gossip about the capital's young ladies, and even though I pretend not to know, she keeps getting asked if any one of them secretly after the second Prince.'
'She might be wondering.'
'How naive! Madam. Why would Her Highness the Crown Princess follow you?'
That's right. Why would she follow me?
Why bother. After the scandal with Rhodnes was widely reported in the gossip papers, Madame's clothing shop was occasionally visited by young ladies who cut out the gossip papers and asked to be made similarly. It was said that high-class noble families would secretly send someone to ask them to make it just like that, just by giving them the measurements. They were always like migratory birds who followed the new trendsetting woman, but why would the Crown Princess of a country insist on following me?
The thoughts that had been put aside for a moment began to become clearer thanks to Madame's words.
“I have something to ask you about the scandal with His Highness the Second Prince.”
Even in this question from Doris.
“Are you disappointed in me?”
“...”
Doris's earnest gaze scanned me up and down.
I smiled darkly and lowered my eyes.
“His Highness the Second Prince has been kind to me, but I cannot repay his kindness.”
“I heard that there are places that are talking about the possibility of a Princess from a commoner background. Of course, since Madam is now a noblewoman, such opinions are a stretch.”
“Now that my husband has passed away, I can tell you the truth.”
I looked at Doris with a face that looked like it might shed tears.
“Your Highness, I have been interested in Grand Duke Trovika for a very long time, regardless of the title of Grand Duchess. His Highness the Second Prince only likes me because I resemble someone he knows.”
As I continued to speak, the corners of Doris's mouth, which had been hanging uncomfortably, rose up. Only then did I become certain. Not only did Doris have feelings for Rhodnes, but she also knew that Rhodnes's first love was me. Once I became certain, it was easy to open my mouth.
“What good is it if the world’s most desirable groom wants me if I can’t be with the one I have in my heart?”
If Doris, who had feelings for Rhodnes and eventually became the Crown Princess, were to sympathize with this kind of love story,
“I understand your concern about who will become of the royal family, Your Highness. But now that I have nothing left, I had no choice but to do whatever it takes to stand by His Highness the Grand Duke.”
“Oh, my.”
Doris' face was filled with affection that had not been there before. Doris got up from her seat and sat down next to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and patting me comfortingly.
“Did you think I would pretend not to know you?”
I looked up at her with tears welling up in my eyes. Doris smiled warmly as if she was looking at the most pitiful thing in the world.
“You need a new husband, ma’am.”
I nodded my head, forcibly lowering the corners of my lips that were about to go up.
“Yes, I do, Your Highness.”
Blie, is a maid who is not very perceptive but is good at her job. A woman of humble origins who needs connections to become the Grand Duchess. Someone who can take away Rhodnes's obsession with Adrienne and use her and throw her away no matter what happens.
“I’ll take care of it, just wait, Ma’am.”
That would be me now. But there is a very small hole in the board that Doris has laid out.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
I had no intention of being used by her. When I returned to the mansion, I opened a letter that had been waiting for me. It was a letter from Noevian that seemed to have been scribbled, “I lost.”
“I have something to ask you about the scandal with His Highness the Second Prince.”
Even in this question from Doris.
“Are you disappointed in me?”
“...”
Doris's earnest gaze scanned me up and down.
I smiled darkly and lowered my eyes.
“His Highness the Second Prince has been kind to me, but I cannot repay his kindness.”
“I heard that there are places that are talking about the possibility of a Princess from a commoner background. Of course, since Madam is now a noblewoman, such opinions are a stretch.”
“Now that my husband has passed away, I can tell you the truth.”
I looked at Doris with a face that looked like it might shed tears.
“Your Highness, I have been interested in Grand Duke Trovika for a very long time, regardless of the title of Grand Duchess. His Highness the Second Prince only likes me because I resemble someone he knows.”
As I continued to speak, the corners of Doris's mouth, which had been hanging uncomfortably, rose up. Only then did I become certain. Not only did Doris have feelings for Rhodnes, but she also knew that Rhodnes's first love was me. Once I became certain, it was easy to open my mouth.
“What good is it if the world’s most desirable groom wants me if I can’t be with the one I have in my heart?”
If Doris, who had feelings for Rhodnes and eventually became the Crown Princess, were to sympathize with this kind of love story,
“I understand your concern about who will become of the royal family, Your Highness. But now that I have nothing left, I had no choice but to do whatever it takes to stand by His Highness the Grand Duke.”
“Oh, my.”
Doris' face was filled with affection that had not been there before. Doris got up from her seat and sat down next to me, wrapping her arms around my shoulders and patting me comfortingly.
“Did you think I would pretend not to know you?”
I looked up at her with tears welling up in my eyes. Doris smiled warmly as if she was looking at the most pitiful thing in the world.
“You need a new husband, ma’am.”
I nodded my head, forcibly lowering the corners of my lips that were about to go up.
“Yes, I do, Your Highness.”
Blie, is a maid who is not very perceptive but is good at her job. A woman of humble origins who needs connections to become the Grand Duchess. Someone who can take away Rhodnes's obsession with Adrienne and use her and throw her away no matter what happens.
“I’ll take care of it, just wait, Ma’am.”
That would be me now. But there is a very small hole in the board that Doris has laid out.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
I had no intention of being used by her. When I returned to the mansion, I opened a letter that had been waiting for me. It was a letter from Noevian that seemed to have been scribbled, “I lost.”
I had heard from Irene that Doris had secretly talked with the Duke of Castagna and that the Duke had pressured the Crown Prince. I had already heard from Marie that the Crown Prince had come to Noevian and talked about me.
'Even saying that you lost would be a lie, Noevian.'
But it didn't matter. I couldn't hold back the laughter that was about to burst out and burst out loud as soon as I entered my office. I strode over, picked up Blie's diary spread out on the desk, and held it tightly. Then I looked at the desk mirror on the desk and asked.
“It turned out just as you wanted.”
Blie was laughing.
“...What do you want to show me now?”
The woman who always teased me and talked to me as she pleased just smiled with bloodshot eyes without saying a single word to me.
'Even saying that you lost would be a lie, Noevian.'
But it didn't matter. I couldn't hold back the laughter that was about to burst out and burst out loud as soon as I entered my office. I strode over, picked up Blie's diary spread out on the desk, and held it tightly. Then I looked at the desk mirror on the desk and asked.
“It turned out just as you wanted.”
Blie was laughing.
“...What do you want to show me now?”
The woman who always teased me and talked to me as she pleased just smiled with bloodshot eyes without saying a single word to me.
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