Starting with Count Raylon, the father of Jimsker and a member of the Crown Prince faction, a procession of vassals riding horseback guarded the front of the Grand Duke's residence. They all requested a private meeting with Grand Duke Noevian and acted as if they would stay up all night until the gate was opened.
“Countess Blie Acacia.”
“!”
“The poor widow is being taken in by her widower lord...Just say something like that.”
Despite Gaspard's gaze, which clearly showed that he was not a very considerate lord, Noevian sent him out of the office without saying anything.
Noura trembled as if she had been greatly insulted. Her bloodshot eyes were gleaming as if she had not slept properly for several days, and she seemed ready to hurl insults at me at any moment. I sighed softly.
“How about you become friends with me? I don’t know about anything else, but I’ll definitely make you money.”
“Do not insult me. My heart in serving Her Highness is sincere.”
“Oh, but that doesn’t explain it.”
I unfolded the fan as if it were nothing and waved it around leisurely.
“Her Highness sometimes seems to forget Madam’s name and call you ‘Noura’, secretly ignoring you. Am I mistaken? Not even being able to call you by your name properly... It doesn’t look good to see you trying to show Her Highness at least one more jewel while enduring such insults.”
“...What do you know?”
I laughed softly at Noura's words, her eyes wide open.
It was a waste of time for me to argue with Noura Giuseppe, who was losing her mind due to jealousy. But if Noevian wanted to separate me from Doris, I needed a more clever eye and ear than Madame Leblaix or the innocent Irene.
“Madam. Do you really think that I should be elevated to the position of ‘Prince Consort’ before you bow to me?”
“!”
Noura's eyes, which seemed to be getting angrier at my words, widened. She must have sensed that I was secretly treating her badly. I was sure that Noura was the one who diligently asked about the gossip between Rhodnes and me, and reported to Doris about how we were at the party we attended together. That must be why she reacted to the word 'Prince'. She must have told Doris all sorts of ridiculous stories, such as the possibility of a commoner widow appearing in the gossip papers becoming a Princess.
“If you don’t intend to turn me into your enemy, you should try your best to make me your friend. As you said, I have done things that you would never have imagined before I, a person with no foundation, came to this position.”
I was confident since it was something that I had to experience, such as dying and coming back to life. Noura opened her mouth as if she was being wronged, and as the people who were scheduled to have tea with Doris today began to approach one by one, she glared at me and disappeared like the wind.
They were all those who had rushed in as soon as they had been asked to offer up their status as the next Grand Duchess, that is, a suitable adopted daughter. Noevian, who had been watching the small commotion inside the mansion, slammed the window shut. It was similar to when he had first asked for their cooperation in clearing Blie's identity, but the reaction was more intense.
Bardenaldo, who had arrived at the Grand Duke's residence before Count Raylon, shrugged his shoulders as if he had expected this commotion and waved the newspaper he was reading.
“Soon this newspaper will be filled with my uncle’s wedding once again.”
“No, Your Highness. It won’t be so noisy this time.”
Noevian pressed his temples with a puffy face as if he hadn't slept all night. Bardenaldo, who was smiling as he sat down on the desk in his office, folded the newspaper he was holding.
“It was a difficult decision, Uncle.”
“It’s much better to have her under my watch than to see her run wild.”
“But I think it might have been a bit hasty. This is probably not what the Duke of Castagna wanted, and it would have looked to him like you had slipped away like a loach.”
Noevian chuckled, pressing his pounding head. As the Crown Prince said, what the Duke of Castagna wanted was for Blie, whose status had been washed away because of him, to become an official Grand Duchess and exert influence on Noevian, who was bothering him. Rather than have her spy on him with Castagna's cloak and dagger, it would be better to give her the love she so desperately wanted, bring her home, and cut her ties with Doris once and for all.
“If there is even one article about me stealing the ‘Second Prince’s Lover’ at this time, it won’t be very good. I will say that I will only make the decision and then schedule the promotion to Grand Duchess after the Grand Duchess’ funeral. And I will postpone that as much as possible.”
“...That lady, uncle.”
Before he knew it, the Crown Prince, who was holding nothing in his hands, was smiling strangely.
“Are you sure you want to keep him around for me, selflessly?”
“What do you mean?”
The air in the office was heavy. But Bardenaldo's eyes were innocent.
“Don’t you have even the slightest intention of keeping something similar by your side to make up for what you don’t have?”
“Is that woman fit to be the Grand Duchess?”
Noevian added, twisting his lips.
“If it weren’t for the Duke of Castagna’s pressure, His Majesty would have objected too. Whatever that woman’s face may be.”
The Crown Prince stared blankly at Noevian, who was about to raise his voice slightly, then slowly got up and approached him. His affectionate face was now filled with worry.
“I know best how much my uncle cherished the Princess. I apologize if I offended you. I know very well that my uncle always makes sacrifices for his niece, so I will leave this matter entirely to you. It may not be the way the Duke of Castagna wanted, but at least if a woman with a connection to Doris is chosen as the Grand Duchess, he will know that my uncle has made the greatest concession possible.”
Bardenaldo patted him on the shoulder and leisurely left the office. Left alone, Noevian reflected on the previous night when he couldn’t even breathe a wink because the current situation seemed like a dream.
'You are trying to sway me using Count Acacia, and I am trying to sway you using His Highness the Second Prince. In the end, what we want is the same.'
'Without any ulterior motive, is it right for you to keep her by your side?'
The voice of Blie, who had been chewing on it all night, and the voice of the Crown Prince, who had just stopped by, crossed paths in his head.
'Instead of wasting time on what you can't have, have what you can have.'
'Don't you have even the slightest intention of keeping something similar by your side to make up for what you didn't have?'
Noevian shrugged and laughed. It felt as if the desire for Adrienne that he could not have was a ghost, wrapping itself around his whole body and laughing. Thinking of the woman who had laughed at the mansion to leave after seeing the letter he had sent saying that he had lost to her, his stomach twisted. But at the same time, somewhere in his heart, the thought that it was an inevitable fate to let that woman into the Grand Duchess’ residence dominated his mind.
“Soon this newspaper will be filled with my uncle’s wedding once again.”
“No, Your Highness. It won’t be so noisy this time.”
Noevian pressed his temples with a puffy face as if he hadn't slept all night. Bardenaldo, who was smiling as he sat down on the desk in his office, folded the newspaper he was holding.
“It was a difficult decision, Uncle.”
“It’s much better to have her under my watch than to see her run wild.”
“But I think it might have been a bit hasty. This is probably not what the Duke of Castagna wanted, and it would have looked to him like you had slipped away like a loach.”
Noevian chuckled, pressing his pounding head. As the Crown Prince said, what the Duke of Castagna wanted was for Blie, whose status had been washed away because of him, to become an official Grand Duchess and exert influence on Noevian, who was bothering him. Rather than have her spy on him with Castagna's cloak and dagger, it would be better to give her the love she so desperately wanted, bring her home, and cut her ties with Doris once and for all.
“If there is even one article about me stealing the ‘Second Prince’s Lover’ at this time, it won’t be very good. I will say that I will only make the decision and then schedule the promotion to Grand Duchess after the Grand Duchess’ funeral. And I will postpone that as much as possible.”
“...That lady, uncle.”
Before he knew it, the Crown Prince, who was holding nothing in his hands, was smiling strangely.
“Are you sure you want to keep him around for me, selflessly?”
“What do you mean?”
“I am a man who knows the face of Princess Piretta very well.”
“Don’t you have even the slightest intention of keeping something similar by your side to make up for what you don’t have?”
“Is that woman fit to be the Grand Duchess?”
Noevian added, twisting his lips.
“If it weren’t for the Duke of Castagna’s pressure, His Majesty would have objected too. Whatever that woman’s face may be.”
The Crown Prince stared blankly at Noevian, who was about to raise his voice slightly, then slowly got up and approached him. His affectionate face was now filled with worry.
“I know best how much my uncle cherished the Princess. I apologize if I offended you. I know very well that my uncle always makes sacrifices for his niece, so I will leave this matter entirely to you. It may not be the way the Duke of Castagna wanted, but at least if a woman with a connection to Doris is chosen as the Grand Duchess, he will know that my uncle has made the greatest concession possible.”
Bardenaldo patted him on the shoulder and leisurely left the office. Left alone, Noevian reflected on the previous night when he couldn’t even breathe a wink because the current situation seemed like a dream.
'You are trying to sway me using Count Acacia, and I am trying to sway you using His Highness the Second Prince. In the end, what we want is the same.'
'Without any ulterior motive, is it right for you to keep her by your side?'
The voice of Blie, who had been chewing on it all night, and the voice of the Crown Prince, who had just stopped by, crossed paths in his head.
'Instead of wasting time on what you can't have, have what you can have.'
'Don't you have even the slightest intention of keeping something similar by your side to make up for what you didn't have?'
Noevian shrugged and laughed. It felt as if the desire for Adrienne that he could not have was a ghost, wrapping itself around his whole body and laughing. Thinking of the woman who had laughed at the mansion to leave after seeing the letter he had sent saying that he had lost to her, his stomach twisted. But at the same time, somewhere in his heart, the thought that it was an inevitable fate to let that woman into the Grand Duchess’ residence dominated his mind.
As soon as the word “fate” crossed his mind, Noevian suddenly threw the crystal glass in front of him at the office door. The shards flew everywhere with a loud noise.
“Go, Your Highness?”
“...Gaspard.”
Gaspard stopped in his tracks as he hurried into his office at the sound of a sharp crash. The shards of glass scattered on the floor looked dangerous at first glance. But what was more dangerous was his master’s face, which had grown cold.
“Decorate the room.”
“Huh? What room....”
“A new Grand Duchess will be appointed soon. This information will be known only to a select few until the funeral is over and the official announcement is made, so employees should keep their mouths shut.”
“You say she is the Grand Duchess...”
“Go, Your Highness?”
“...Gaspard.”
Gaspard stopped in his tracks as he hurried into his office at the sound of a sharp crash. The shards of glass scattered on the floor looked dangerous at first glance. But what was more dangerous was his master’s face, which had grown cold.
“Decorate the room.”
“Huh? What room....”
“A new Grand Duchess will be appointed soon. This information will be known only to a select few until the funeral is over and the official announcement is made, so employees should keep their mouths shut.”
“You say she is the Grand Duchess...”
“Countess Blie Acacia.”
“!”
“The poor widow is being taken in by her widower lord...Just say something like that.”
Despite Gaspard's gaze, which clearly showed that he was not a very considerate lord, Noevian sent him out of the office without saying anything.
***
The maids who quickly followed Gaspard had their eyes shining as if they had been waiting. They were all agitated, having already overheard Raylon and his men protesting at the entrance of the mansion.
“What’s the matter, butler?”
“Will Countess Raylon become the new Grand Duchess?”
“Okay, everyone, attention.”
It was only after a long time since they had left Noevian's office that Gaspard opened his mouth with a trembling voice. His gaze naturally turned to Annie's group and Marie, who was trembling at a distance.
“As soon as the funeral is over, a new owner will move into the mansion.”
"Oh my God!"
“Really?”
“Already? As soon as the funeral is over?”
The maids, who had suppressed their bursting voices with their hands, looked at Gaspard with eyes filled with a strange mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Annie in particular felt this way the most.
“Countess Blie Acacia has been appointed as the Grand Duchess-designate. I will begin decorating the room so that she can be accommodated comfortably. Please notify the head maid and receive instructions.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Gaspard, who had been shaking his head at Annie's low scream, disappeared like the wind.
"Annie!"
Annie, who was about to collapse because her legs gave out, was held back by her group. Annie bit the inside of her mouth and glared at Marie. But there was nothing she could do.
“What’s the matter, butler?”
“Will Countess Raylon become the new Grand Duchess?”
“Okay, everyone, attention.”
It was only after a long time since they had left Noevian's office that Gaspard opened his mouth with a trembling voice. His gaze naturally turned to Annie's group and Marie, who was trembling at a distance.
“As soon as the funeral is over, a new owner will move into the mansion.”
"Oh my God!"
“Really?”
“Already? As soon as the funeral is over?”
The maids, who had suppressed their bursting voices with their hands, looked at Gaspard with eyes filled with a strange mixture of anticipation and anxiety. Annie in particular felt this way the most.
“Countess Blie Acacia has been appointed as the Grand Duchess-designate. I will begin decorating the room so that she can be accommodated comfortably. Please notify the head maid and receive instructions.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Gaspard, who had been shaking his head at Annie's low scream, disappeared like the wind.
"Annie!"
Annie, who was about to collapse because her legs gave out, was held back by her group. Annie bit the inside of her mouth and glared at Marie. But there was nothing she could do.
***
Everything was going so smoothly that it was strange. Marie contacted me. Gaspard had come out of the Grand Duke's office and instructed him to decorate a room for the new Grand Duchess-designate, Countess Blie Acacia. Judging from Doris’s attitude, who had been warmly welcoming me as soon as I entered the palace, it seemed that the rumor that she had eyes and ears in the Grand Duke's residence was not a lie. What she didn’t know was that Noevian intended to confine me in the Grand Duke's residence not to form a relationship with the Castagne ducal vassal but under the sentimental pretext of ‘a poor widow being taken in by her widower lord.’
“There is someone among us who has good news.”
Noura's eyes lit up at Doris' cheerful voice. Doris had recently been busy getting a dress from Madame Leblaix as soon as she finished her big event, and Noura was eager to provide the jewels to match the dress.
“Blie has been chosen as the next Grand Duchess.”
"...Yes?"
Noura's face, which had been shining with anticipation, suddenly cracked. I looked at Doris and smiled shyly. Doris must have really liked that look because she put her hand on mine and smiled brightly.
“What, what do you mean, Your Highness?”
“It’s true. It may sound abrupt, but I’ve known the hearts of Blie and the Grand Duke for a long time and have helped them both materially and spiritually. Since the Grand Duke is always the center of attention, please don’t be upset that I kept it a secret from everyone. Of course, everyone should be careful with their words until the wedding.”
“Your Highness, how can a lady become the Grand Duchess... Are you joking?”
“Noura. Do I look like a person with so much leisure?”
As Doris responded coldly, Noura's trembling eyes turned to me. I smiled quietly.
“There is someone among us who has good news.”
Noura's eyes lit up at Doris' cheerful voice. Doris had recently been busy getting a dress from Madame Leblaix as soon as she finished her big event, and Noura was eager to provide the jewels to match the dress.
“Blie has been chosen as the next Grand Duchess.”
"...Yes?"
Noura's face, which had been shining with anticipation, suddenly cracked. I looked at Doris and smiled shyly. Doris must have really liked that look because she put her hand on mine and smiled brightly.
“What, what do you mean, Your Highness?”
“It’s true. It may sound abrupt, but I’ve known the hearts of Blie and the Grand Duke for a long time and have helped them both materially and spiritually. Since the Grand Duke is always the center of attention, please don’t be upset that I kept it a secret from everyone. Of course, everyone should be careful with their words until the wedding.”
“Your Highness, how can a lady become the Grand Duchess... Are you joking?”
“Noura. Do I look like a person with so much leisure?”
As Doris responded coldly, Noura's trembling eyes turned to me. I smiled quietly.
***
Doris had me leave the palace early as if she were considerate, saying that there would be a lot to prepare. As I was heading to the carriage, I heard loud footsteps behind me.
“Madam! ...Madam!”
It was Noura. I stopped walking and glanced back. Noura, who still had a dazed expression on her face, was looking at me, breathing heavily.
“An explanation, an explanation is needed!”
“...What do you want to hear?”
“I don’t understand how Madam could rise to the position of Grand Duchess. You have only been a widow for a short time, and His Highness the Grand Duke...”
“So there is no obstacle to the two becoming one.”
“...You’ve been aiming for that from the beginning and have been serving His Majesty the King.”
Noura looked at me, her clenched fists trembling.
“Anyway, because of Madam’s origins, you’re a grand duchess in name only, unable to appear in public. What on earth are you planning? Don’t say it’s personal feelings. If you were trying to use the Crown Princess for that reason, that would be even more reprehensible!”
I looked around for a moment to make sure there were no ears around us listening. Only then did Noura realize that my voice was quite loud and shut her mouth.
“Madam, you are the one who is anxious about not being able to put the jewels you sell on Her Highness’s dress. Compared to that, don’t you think my reason is quite romantic?”
“No. I’m different. I’m worried that someone like you, someone untrustworthy and completely unreliable, is by Her Highness’s side.”
“I think I have less trust in Madam. At least I’m not motivated by money.”
“Madam! ...Madam!”
It was Noura. I stopped walking and glanced back. Noura, who still had a dazed expression on her face, was looking at me, breathing heavily.
“An explanation, an explanation is needed!”
“...What do you want to hear?”
“I don’t understand how Madam could rise to the position of Grand Duchess. You have only been a widow for a short time, and His Highness the Grand Duke...”
“So there is no obstacle to the two becoming one.”
“...You’ve been aiming for that from the beginning and have been serving His Majesty the King.”
Noura looked at me, her clenched fists trembling.
“Anyway, because of Madam’s origins, you’re a grand duchess in name only, unable to appear in public. What on earth are you planning? Don’t say it’s personal feelings. If you were trying to use the Crown Princess for that reason, that would be even more reprehensible!”
I looked around for a moment to make sure there were no ears around us listening. Only then did Noura realize that my voice was quite loud and shut her mouth.
“Madam, you are the one who is anxious about not being able to put the jewels you sell on Her Highness’s dress. Compared to that, don’t you think my reason is quite romantic?”
“No. I’m different. I’m worried that someone like you, someone untrustworthy and completely unreliable, is by Her Highness’s side.”
“I think I have less trust in Madam. At least I’m not motivated by money.”
Noura trembled as if she had been greatly insulted. Her bloodshot eyes were gleaming as if she had not slept properly for several days, and she seemed ready to hurl insults at me at any moment. I sighed softly.
“How about you become friends with me? I don’t know about anything else, but I’ll definitely make you money.”
“Do not insult me. My heart in serving Her Highness is sincere.”
“Oh, but that doesn’t explain it.”
I unfolded the fan as if it were nothing and waved it around leisurely.
“Her Highness sometimes seems to forget Madam’s name and call you ‘Noura’, secretly ignoring you. Am I mistaken? Not even being able to call you by your name properly... It doesn’t look good to see you trying to show Her Highness at least one more jewel while enduring such insults.”
“...What do you know?”
I laughed softly at Noura's words, her eyes wide open.
It was a waste of time for me to argue with Noura Giuseppe, who was losing her mind due to jealousy. But if Noevian wanted to separate me from Doris, I needed a more clever eye and ear than Madame Leblaix or the innocent Irene.
“Madam. Do you really think that I should be elevated to the position of ‘Prince Consort’ before you bow to me?”
“!”
Noura's eyes, which seemed to be getting angrier at my words, widened. She must have sensed that I was secretly treating her badly. I was sure that Noura was the one who diligently asked about the gossip between Rhodnes and me, and reported to Doris about how we were at the party we attended together. That must be why she reacted to the word 'Prince'. She must have told Doris all sorts of ridiculous stories, such as the possibility of a commoner widow appearing in the gossip papers becoming a Princess.
“If you don’t intend to turn me into your enemy, you should try your best to make me your friend. As you said, I have done things that you would never have imagined before I, a person with no foundation, came to this position.”
I was confident since it was something that I had to experience, such as dying and coming back to life. Noura opened her mouth as if she was being wronged, and as the people who were scheduled to have tea with Doris today began to approach one by one, she glared at me and disappeared like the wind.
I didn’t blame her or hold her back. She had been influential in the social world for quite some time, and I had touched Noura’s pride, which must have grown while she was Doris’s maid, so I had to give her time. In any case, on the surface, I was the one who was currently being favored the most, and Noura was secretly being ignored, so she must have a lot of accumulated complaints.
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