Although the sun was warm in the afternoon, the Crown Princess Palace was cold. Doris looked at the poor lady in front of her carefully. Her appearance was no different than usual, but her face was haggard as if she had not slept well, and there were dark shadows under her eyes. And her slightly gaunt face showed how much she had suffered mentally without even having to hear.
Since Irene was busy preparing for the next season's debutante and was not in the palace, the reception room was even more quiet. Even though Blie in front of her was in a state of exhaustion, Viscountess Giuseppe had her mouth tightly shut and had an anxious expression.
“Noura, what’s wrong?”
“Noura, what’s wrong?”
"No."
Noura's eyes followed Doris for a while, then fell on Blie. Doris hoped that the stupid old lady would spread rumors about Blie's shabby little shack and her warm comfort to it.
“Of course, something happened to Blie.”
Doris smiled softly, poured the cooled tea into the vase next to her, and lifted the teacup slightly. Noura quickly poured tea into the cup.
“She must be feeling unwell both physically and mentally, and she has to enter the palace right away... I think Blie needs some rest.”
Doris spoke affectionately but firmly. Blie, who had been sitting with her eyes downcast on the floor, raised her head. For a moment, a strong sense of rejection came over her. The woman who resembled Adrienne struck Noevian Trovica. Of course, Blie did not draw her sword and stab him in the heart, but she certainly deserved credit for striking Noevian Trovica cleanly for reasons other than the name of the West.
'But will there really be any use for it?'
She deserves to be praised for her achievements, but if you think about it, isn't it this woman's karma that she was betrayed by the Grand Duke after being greedy beyond her means? Even if the Grand Duke had another woman, what's the big deal? Where is there a nobleman without a government?
'Naive. Emotional. Clueless, but strangely good at work.'
The problem is that just looking at that face makes Doris angry and gives her a strange feeling.
“Are you telling me to... quit being a maid?”
At Blie's trembling voice, Doris smiled affectionately as if asking what he meant.
“What a sad thing to say! How could I say such cruel things to Blie, who has no one to rely on? I’m just saying this because Blie seems to need a break right now. Isn’t that right, Nora?”
“Yes, that’s right, Your Highness.”
Doris smiled with her teeth exposed at the immediate answer from Noura. Blie, who was biting her lips and trembling, looked at Doris for a while and then stood up as soon as she said it was okay for her to leave.
“I appreciate your consideration. I will take good care of myself until Your Highness comes to see me."
'That's right. We've defeated the Grand Duke, so there's no need to bring that woman into the palace and have her loitering around in front of Lord Rhodnes.'
Doris couldn't control her heart which raced whenever she saw Rhodnes passing by. As the Crown Prince lowered himself while watching her, the dignified Rhodnes caught her eye. As she naturally turned her gaze to the date of the union marked on the calendar, her eyebrows twisted as if they were her own. If there was no Crown Prince and no heir, wouldn't it be foolish to only look at the Crown Prince?
Doris couldn't control her heart which raced whenever she saw Rhodnes passing by. As the Crown Prince lowered himself while watching her, the dignified Rhodnes caught her eye. As she naturally turned her gaze to the date of the union marked on the calendar, her eyebrows twisted as if they were her own. If there was no Crown Prince and no heir, wouldn't it be foolish to only look at the Crown Prince?
She wondered if he really had a problem with fertility and avoided the union. If by any chance there were no children after the union with him, wouldn't it be possible to take down the Crown Prince and receive sympathy votes to have Rhodnes instead of planning a future with the seedless Crown Prince?
The old law that the younger brother had to support his wife when the older brother died had long since been abolished, but since the Crown Prince's faction no longer had Grand Duke Noevian to stop Castagna, it wasn't completely impossible.
“Noura, bring me a mirror.”
Doris looked at herself in the hand mirror that Noura had immediately held out. She had dyed her hair again. Her appearance, her hairstyle, and even her perfume smelled similar to Adrienne’s substitute, Blie.
'Rhodnes can't forget that woman, Adrienne Piretta.'
So, he had been having a scandal with a woman who didn't even match his status like Blie for quite some time. If he wanted Adrienne, and if she could have him, Doris would gladly be Adrienne.
“Nora, when you entered the palace today, was there a flag hanging in the direction of the Second Prince’s palace?”
“Huh? Oh... I think so. I think I saw some of the 2nd Knights too.”
“Until Irene arrives, Noura, please rest here for a while.”
“Yes? Your Highness! Where are you going alone...!”
“Noura, bring me a mirror.”
Doris looked at herself in the hand mirror that Noura had immediately held out. She had dyed her hair again. Her appearance, her hairstyle, and even her perfume smelled similar to Adrienne’s substitute, Blie.
'Rhodnes can't forget that woman, Adrienne Piretta.'
So, he had been having a scandal with a woman who didn't even match his status like Blie for quite some time. If he wanted Adrienne, and if she could have him, Doris would gladly be Adrienne.
“Nora, when you entered the palace today, was there a flag hanging in the direction of the Second Prince’s palace?”
“Huh? Oh... I think so. I think I saw some of the 2nd Knights too.”
“Until Irene arrives, Noura, please rest here for a while.”
“Yes? Your Highness! Where are you going alone...!”
***
These days, Doris is starting to get greedy for other things as she feels like she can control the Crown Prince to her heart's content. When she was young and was nominated as a candidate for the Crown Princess, Doris naively thought that if she was eliminated from the list, she would naturally become the second Princess, Rhodnes's wife.
'I was so naive.'
Doris was planning to storm into the Second Prince’s palace right away. If she went there to discuss matters regarding the Crown Prince, Rhodnes would not be able to refuse her. It was impulsive, but there was no one to stop her, so she had nothing to do. That is until she witnessed an absurd sight at the entrance to the Crown Princess’s palace.
'I was so naive.'
Doris was planning to storm into the Second Prince’s palace right away. If she went there to discuss matters regarding the Crown Prince, Rhodnes would not be able to refuse her. It was impulsive, but there was no one to stop her, so she had nothing to do. That is until she witnessed an absurd sight at the entrance to the Crown Princess’s palace.
At the entrance to the corridor leading to the outside, Rhodnes and Blie stood like a painting. As soon as Blie, that woman, entered the corridor, Rhodnes, with his face shining like a star, extended his arm without a moment’s hesitation and escorted the shabby woman.
“Your Highness! Your Highness, where are you going in such a hurry without even a maid? Put on this overcoat...!”
“No, I was mistaken. Let’s go back.”
Doris watched the man and woman disappearing into the distance like dots, then turned around. Her teeth chattered.
'Adrienne Piretta. Even in death, you make me miserable.'
When Doris, who had been running like a mad woman, returned to the reception room with bloodshot eyes, Noura, who had been chasing her with her coat, stopped in a panic. Noura had also caught a glimpse of the backs of the man and woman disappearing.
"Noura!"
Even as she ran towards the Crown Princess who was sharply searching for her, Noura was bothered by Blie's voice that kept lingering in her head.
'His Highness sometimes seems to forget Madam's name and secretly ignores her by calling her 'Noura.'
‘Not even being able to call your name properly... and yet receiving such insults...’
“Your Highness! Your Highness, where are you going in such a hurry without even a maid? Put on this overcoat...!”
“No, I was mistaken. Let’s go back.”
Doris watched the man and woman disappearing into the distance like dots, then turned around. Her teeth chattered.
'Adrienne Piretta. Even in death, you make me miserable.'
When Doris, who had been running like a mad woman, returned to the reception room with bloodshot eyes, Noura, who had been chasing her with her coat, stopped in a panic. Noura had also caught a glimpse of the backs of the man and woman disappearing.
"Noura!"
Even as she ran towards the Crown Princess who was sharply searching for her, Noura was bothered by Blie's voice that kept lingering in her head.
'His Highness sometimes seems to forget Madam's name and secretly ignores her by calling her 'Noura.'
‘Not even being able to call your name properly... and yet receiving such insults...’
And even though she didn’t become the Grand Duchess, the image of Blie leaving the Crown Princess’s Palace escorted by Prince Rhodnes remained vivid in her mind.
***
It seemed as if Neil had been faithfully reporting my whereabouts, and as soon as he entered the palace in the morning, Rhodnes, who had been standing firm in front of the palace, escorted me through the Crown Princess’ Palace and all the way to the Crown Prince’s Palace. The atmosphere in the Crown Prince’s Palace was no different from a funeral home from the moment the entrance. Since the Grand Duke, the Crown Prince’s greatest power had suddenly become like that, everyone’s actions were cautious and quiet, as if they were walking on thin ice.
“Why did you bring that butler?”
“Oh, I have something to do.”
“What should I do?”
“I’m thinking of acting as that butler’s master for the time being.”
At the end of the long hallway, in front of the audience room, Rhodnes stopped dead in his tracks. He looked dissatisfied, but his face seemed to hesitate as if he was not sure whether to speak or not.
“There are people who need a master.”
"...Yes?"
Rhodnes looked down at me for a long time, his head raised and his neat eyebrows revealed. I looked up at him with a bewildered expression.
"...No."
Rhodnes let out a short sigh, then smiled faintly before changing his expression and motioning to the servant guarding the door to the audience chamber. The servant, who was checking the guest list, glanced at Rhodnes’s fierce gaze and immediately reported to the Crown Prince. As the heavy door to the audience chamber opened, the people already inside bowed their heads respectfully to us and came out. They glanced at me just before leaving and quickly disappeared.
“Welcome, Countess, Roan.”
The Crown Prince himself stood up from his seat with a very pale and tired face and greeted us. His face was very dark as if he had been through a lot. The teacups for the previous guests were cleared away, and tea was quickly poured into new cups. After the guests were greeted promptly and the servants left, the Crown Prince invited us to sit down.
“You came sooner than I expected.”
“I have just stopped by the Crown Princess’s palace and am returning Your Highness.”
The Crown Prince's face darkened even more. I looked at his pale face with a complicated mind. Under the table, Rhodnes grabbed my hand tightly. I looked at Rhodnes in surprise for a moment, but his gaze was fixed on the Crown Prince.
“I didn’t know you would come with Roan.”
“Is there any reason why I shouldn’t come with him?”
“...No, no. That’s not what I meant.”
I thought that Rhodnes would be weak to his older brother, but surprisingly, he held his ground quite firmly.
“The reason I have called you here is to express my gratitude for your courage and determination. Ronta is a country with clear rewards and punishments, and as the Crown Prince of this country, I would like to congratulate you for choosing justice over personal well-being.”
The Crown Prince, who didn’t know that I was Adrienne, was talking about giving me a bottle and medicine. Feeling my mouth getting bitter, I slowly pulled my hand away from Rhodnes and folded my hands neatly on my knees. Rhodnes’s gaze, which had been fixed on the Crown Prince, immediately moved to me. I pretended not to see his gaze and fixed my gaze only on the Crown Prince. Given the Crown Prince’s personality, it seemed that he would definitely call me for this reason. I had just felt a strange aura from Doris, so the timing was incredible.
I had already noticed that Doris was trying to abandon me. I should have received it from Doris, who wanted to get rid of Noevian Trovica, but she only advised me to rest. That meant I needed to prove my usefulness to Doris again, and at the same time, I needed a justification to investigate this Crown Prince legally. Both Doris and the Crown Prince were potential enemies that I had to watch over from the side.
“If it weren’t for you, Madam, I would have let this terrible fact slide without knowing it. I also don’t feel good about kicking out my uncle, but I can’t help it for the sake of order. Since you have done such great things for the country, if you have any wishes, please tell me without hesitation.”
“Anything, will it be okay?”
The Crown Prince, who had been concentrating on my lips as they hesitated to open, nodded with a faint smile.
“Yes, anything within my power to do.”
Bardenaldo. How far would you go in my death?
“You were almost the Grand Duchess, so it is only right that I take care of you.”
As soon as the word Grand Duchess was mentioned, Rhodnes reached out again and grabbed my hand tightly.
“I think I will feel at ease once Madam’s whereabouts are clear.”
I smiled back at the ignorant man's worried expression.
“Then there is one thing I wish for, Your Highness.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“I would like to be appointed as His Highness the Crown Prince’s assistant.”
The Crown Prince immediately looked dumbfounded.
“Well, what... I can’t appoint an ordinary lady as my assistant. I’m sorry, but I have another favor to ask...”
“If it weren’t for you, Madam, I would have let this terrible fact slide without knowing it. I also don’t feel good about kicking out my uncle, but I can’t help it for the sake of order. Since you have done such great things for the country, if you have any wishes, please tell me without hesitation.”
“Anything, will it be okay?”
The Crown Prince, who had been concentrating on my lips as they hesitated to open, nodded with a faint smile.
“Yes, anything within my power to do.”
Bardenaldo. How far would you go in my death?
“You were almost the Grand Duchess, so it is only right that I take care of you.”
As soon as the word Grand Duchess was mentioned, Rhodnes reached out again and grabbed my hand tightly.
“I think I will feel at ease once Madam’s whereabouts are clear.”
I smiled back at the ignorant man's worried expression.
“Then there is one thing I wish for, Your Highness.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“I would like to be appointed as His Highness the Crown Prince’s assistant.”
The Crown Prince immediately looked dumbfounded.
“Well, what... I can’t appoint an ordinary lady as my assistant. I’m sorry, but I have another favor to ask...”
“No, Your Highness. Your Highness can do it.”
The Crown Prince's face became embarrassed, and Rhodnes gently grabbed my hand. Rhodnes also looked embarrassed. This was because I had not discussed it with him. I carefully patted the back of his hand with the hand that Rhodnes was not holding.
“Strictly speaking, I am not Countess Acacia, but rather Deputy Count Acacia.”
Bardenaldo's eyes, which had been narrowed as he tried to gauge my meaning, grew wider as time passed. He must have realized it. The law of wife inheritance. The law that instantly made Grand Duke Noevian Trovica the greatest romantic in Ronta.
“The title of a nobleman who dies without an heir devolves on his wife for five years.”
"Ma'am...!"
“So, I am not the Countess of Acacia now, but rather the Deputy Count of Acacia?”
'You think you'll feel at ease only when my future is certain?'
I'm sorry, but your peace of mind is not in my plans.
“Your Highness, by your authority, please admit Count Acacia as your aide.”
Whether you are someone worthy of being protected by Rhodnes, or someone I must stamp out even if it means breaking his heart... I must use this ridiculous law created by Noevian to find out.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment