Libencia glanced at Judith's expression, frowned slightly, and shrugged her neck.
“Why... why do you look at me like that?”
“Nothing. I just thought it was nice that Miss Montfort seemed to like the girl.”
After hearing Judith answer, Libencia just moved her lips without saying anything, then blushed bright red and shut her mouth like someone who had been insulted for no reason.
“Are you saying that because you think I tied that kid up and beat her up or something?”
Judith quickly shook her head.
“No, it’s not like that. It’s just that I’ve come to know a little bit about how hard it is to raise a child. And many people in the world don’t take care of their children properly.”
Libencia was still twitching her lips and turning away from Judith, but she was no longer making a fuss. The corners of her mouth seemed to droop in discontent, and then she spoke.
“I have no intention of abusing her. She’s only four years old, and she’s always looking at me with a puzzled expression, and she still calls me ‘Libencia’ instead of ‘mother’, but what can I do?
"She now has the name of Montfort. She should be raised without wanting anything. Then, wouldn't those who are like her dare not ignore her? Besides, that man loves his daughter very much."
As she listened to her words, Judith's expression gradually became more and more smiling. Of course, if she laughed openly, Libencia would definitely get angry and find fault with her again, so she tried to hold it in, but the corners of her mouth moved even more strangely because of that. Libencia looked at Judith with sullen eyes.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s nothing.”
Judith shook her head with a smile. Libencia looked at her with a somewhat drowsy face, then snorted faintly and got up from her seat. Behind the bonnet that almost completely covered both cheeks, a glimpse of her beautiful platinum hair, which she had proudly shown off in the past, could be seen.
“I think I should go now.”
“Yes, I have kept you too long.”
Libencia stepped back slightly, hesitated, and then tilted her head in a gesture of nod. Judith also gave a slight nod, as it was obvious that she wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. However, when Libencia unlocked the door, Judith ended up adding a word to her back.
“I will pray for you to be well.”
When she realized that those words were sincere, Libencia felt as if tears were about to fall. She blinked for a moment, staring into space, then took a breath and answered.
“Your Majesty, do well too.”
At that moment, before Libencia could turn the handle, the door opened. Startled, she ran away without even looking at who was standing in front of her. The one who opened the door was Franz. He had moved aside in a daze to let Libencia go out, but only after confirming that the person sitting inside was Judith did he look back with a strange look.
“Judith, is that person who just left...”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It is Miss Montfort.”
Franz frowned and asked again.
“Are you saying it was really Libencia Montfort?”
“Yes. She said she came to buy a doll.”
“What the heck... I don’t understand what’s going on. Why were you together?”
“We met by chance. More importantly, I think you don’t have to worry about who Miss de Montfort will marry, Your Majesty.”
Franz still had a face that seemed to have no idea what Judith was saying. Just like Judith, he had never expected to encounter Libencia in a place like this. And what did she mean by not having to worry about who to marry?
“Please explain to me what the heck you are talking about.”
Judith explained to Franz the conversation she had with Libencia in detail. Franz’s response was lukewarm, as it was not a story that could be easily believed.
While Libencia was staying at the palace, Franz had never had a proper conversation with her, but he knew what kind of person she was. It was hard for him to accept that such an arrogant and self-willed woman had changed so much that it seemed like she was someone else.
“Judith, do you think you can believe the story of Libencia Montfort?”
“Your Majesty, don’t you believe it?”
“To be honest, yes.”
But it didn't seem like Libencia could tell the lie she had worked so hard to tell. Wasn't it just a coincidence that she ran into Judith here today?
Besides, it was only a few days ago that Franz had ordered Bartholomew to find out who her future husband was. Unless Bartholomew himself had personally informed Libencia, there was no way she could have figured out Franz’s intentions so quickly.
Even if she had known, if she had really wanted to deceive Franz and Judith, she should have made a more believable play. It was a ridiculous situation that was hard to believe, but impossible not to believe.
“In the past, when she was staying in the palace... no matter how well you try to say it, she wasn’t a good person. But she’s not the type of person who can cleverly make up lies like this.”
Franz, who had been chewing on Judith's words, could only nod with a bitter taste in his mouth. Everything was unexpected, but if things had turned out that way, it would have been a good opportunity for Franz. Before overwhelming Count Montfort, Libencia's marriage could have been a new obstacle. However, the result was greatly different from the Count's expectations...
Franz let out a short sigh and rubbed his face with his dry palm. Then Judith tilted her head slightly to the right and asked.
“But Your Majesty, what are you holding in your hand?”
Only then did Franz lower his gaze to the bundle he had been holding in his right hand. As he placed the bundle on the table, Judith spoke.
“Have you chosen gifts for the children?”
“No, I was going to choose together what to give to Erwin and Yvianne. This is my gift to you, Judith.”
“It’s mine?”
Judith's fingertips touched the end of the ribbon. The color was beautiful and soft. Judith, who was playing with the ribbon decorated with the shape of a flower in full bloom, looked at Franz with an expectant expression.
“Is it okay if I try to open it now?”
“Of course. Do whatever you want.”
He pushed the package away and stepped back leisurely. Judith carefully pulled the end of the ribbon so as not to damage it and unwrapped it. Two boxes with different patterns came out. Franz pointed to the one with the blue pattern and said.
“This is yours.”
“What about the other one?”
“This is mine. Would you like to open it?”
At that moment, Judith suddenly felt a tickle in her chest. It was as if excitement, fascination, or some similar emotion was quivering inside her body like the wings of a dragonfly. It was something she could sometimes feel when she was facing Franz. It was a thrilling and pleasant nervousness that was different from overflowing love or from fearful affection that she dared not touch.
When she opened the box’s stiff lid, she saw something wrapped in oiled paper. When she unwrapped it, she found a porcelain doll that was a little less than a span tall. A white pillar stood on a small lawn, and a girl was lying on her side, sleeping peacefully. A vine of wisteria climbed up the pillar, casting a lilac shade over the girl’s head.
Sunlight glided softly over the smooth, cold surface. Judith stared at the sleeping girl for a long time, her eyes wide open like a child who had seen a new toy. The girl's night-blue hair, which flowed like waves over the green grass, was dotted with wisteria blossoms.
“Doesn’t it look like you?”
Judith laughed quietly at Franz's question.
“I have never been such a pretty girl, Your Majesty.”
“When we first met, you were a girl. A pretty, wise, and daring girl.”
“I didn’t know you thought I was pretty back then.”
“Didn’t I tell you before? You were pretty back then too.”
A smile appeared on the fingertips that caressed her rosy lips. Judith pointed to Franz's box and said.
“I want to see Your Majesty’s things too.”
Franz did not refuse and opened the box he had bought for his share. It was a porcelain doll in the likeness of the same girl. However, Franz’s girl was not sleeping peacefully. Instead, she was kneeling in front of an altar covered with flowers and praying. As if asking for happiness, a peaceful smile like Judith’s was on the corner of the girl’s mouth.
“I’ll put this on my desk. Every time I look at it, I’ll think of you.”
“Why did you choose the image of praying?”
Franz opened his eyes slightly and looked at Judith.
“I alone know how long you have been praying for me.”
Their eyes met for a moment. Judith's lips trembled involuntarily. Even though she knew that was not what she meant, she felt as if Franz had seen through everything about her.
The countless images of Franz that she had watched flashed before her eyes. His back that she could only watch from afar, her heart trembling, his gaze that looked at her with pity and pity as he cried out in fear, his face that stared into space with empty eyes like a broken doll.
There were also new images that emerged from the fragments of memories that still remained here and there. A strong smile that no one could insult anymore, the beautiful and dignified appearance of a king who caught everyone's attention, and the affectionate embrace that was opened only for Judith.
She had loved everything about Franz. She still loved him. His eyes, which made the autumn sunrise, were no longer shaken by anxiety. They sparkled vividly as if they would never lose their light. For a very long time, Judith had thrown herself and her heart into it. She had longed for it. Like a prayer.
“It was you, Franz, who answered my prayers.”
Judith's fingertips caressed Franz's cheek. Her body temperature was palpable. Her voice filled Franz's body like a flood.
“Because you were there, I was able to live even when I was surrounded by despair.”
As he moved his body a little, Franz and Judith’s foreheads touched. Tears seemed to gather in the palm that covered her cheek, and soon they flowed down his wrist, drop by drop. The tears that slowly gathered at the bottom of the glass sloshed like fragrant wine. It was different from sadness. It was not regret or fear. It was a sense of joy that would dance and burn forever, like a torch that illuminates the distant darkness.
“Why... why do you look at me like that?”
“Nothing. I just thought it was nice that Miss Montfort seemed to like the girl.”
After hearing Judith answer, Libencia just moved her lips without saying anything, then blushed bright red and shut her mouth like someone who had been insulted for no reason.
“Are you saying that because you think I tied that kid up and beat her up or something?”
Judith quickly shook her head.
“No, it’s not like that. It’s just that I’ve come to know a little bit about how hard it is to raise a child. And many people in the world don’t take care of their children properly.”
Libencia was still twitching her lips and turning away from Judith, but she was no longer making a fuss. The corners of her mouth seemed to droop in discontent, and then she spoke.
“I have no intention of abusing her. She’s only four years old, and she’s always looking at me with a puzzled expression, and she still calls me ‘Libencia’ instead of ‘mother’, but what can I do?
"She now has the name of Montfort. She should be raised without wanting anything. Then, wouldn't those who are like her dare not ignore her? Besides, that man loves his daughter very much."
As she listened to her words, Judith's expression gradually became more and more smiling. Of course, if she laughed openly, Libencia would definitely get angry and find fault with her again, so she tried to hold it in, but the corners of her mouth moved even more strangely because of that. Libencia looked at Judith with sullen eyes.
“What’s so funny?”
“It’s nothing.”
Judith shook her head with a smile. Libencia looked at her with a somewhat drowsy face, then snorted faintly and got up from her seat. Behind the bonnet that almost completely covered both cheeks, a glimpse of her beautiful platinum hair, which she had proudly shown off in the past, could be seen.
“I think I should go now.”
“Yes, I have kept you too long.”
Libencia stepped back slightly, hesitated, and then tilted her head in a gesture of nod. Judith also gave a slight nod, as it was obvious that she wanted to get out of there as soon as possible. However, when Libencia unlocked the door, Judith ended up adding a word to her back.
“I will pray for you to be well.”
When she realized that those words were sincere, Libencia felt as if tears were about to fall. She blinked for a moment, staring into space, then took a breath and answered.
“Your Majesty, do well too.”
At that moment, before Libencia could turn the handle, the door opened. Startled, she ran away without even looking at who was standing in front of her. The one who opened the door was Franz. He had moved aside in a daze to let Libencia go out, but only after confirming that the person sitting inside was Judith did he look back with a strange look.
“Judith, is that person who just left...”
“Yes, Your Majesty. It is Miss Montfort.”
Franz frowned and asked again.
“Are you saying it was really Libencia Montfort?”
“Yes. She said she came to buy a doll.”
“What the heck... I don’t understand what’s going on. Why were you together?”
“We met by chance. More importantly, I think you don’t have to worry about who Miss de Montfort will marry, Your Majesty.”
Franz still had a face that seemed to have no idea what Judith was saying. Just like Judith, he had never expected to encounter Libencia in a place like this. And what did she mean by not having to worry about who to marry?
“Please explain to me what the heck you are talking about.”
Judith explained to Franz the conversation she had with Libencia in detail. Franz’s response was lukewarm, as it was not a story that could be easily believed.
While Libencia was staying at the palace, Franz had never had a proper conversation with her, but he knew what kind of person she was. It was hard for him to accept that such an arrogant and self-willed woman had changed so much that it seemed like she was someone else.
“Judith, do you think you can believe the story of Libencia Montfort?”
“Your Majesty, don’t you believe it?”
“To be honest, yes.”
But it didn't seem like Libencia could tell the lie she had worked so hard to tell. Wasn't it just a coincidence that she ran into Judith here today?
Besides, it was only a few days ago that Franz had ordered Bartholomew to find out who her future husband was. Unless Bartholomew himself had personally informed Libencia, there was no way she could have figured out Franz’s intentions so quickly.
Even if she had known, if she had really wanted to deceive Franz and Judith, she should have made a more believable play. It was a ridiculous situation that was hard to believe, but impossible not to believe.
“In the past, when she was staying in the palace... no matter how well you try to say it, she wasn’t a good person. But she’s not the type of person who can cleverly make up lies like this.”
Franz, who had been chewing on Judith's words, could only nod with a bitter taste in his mouth. Everything was unexpected, but if things had turned out that way, it would have been a good opportunity for Franz. Before overwhelming Count Montfort, Libencia's marriage could have been a new obstacle. However, the result was greatly different from the Count's expectations...
Franz let out a short sigh and rubbed his face with his dry palm. Then Judith tilted her head slightly to the right and asked.
“But Your Majesty, what are you holding in your hand?”
Only then did Franz lower his gaze to the bundle he had been holding in his right hand. As he placed the bundle on the table, Judith spoke.
“Have you chosen gifts for the children?”
“No, I was going to choose together what to give to Erwin and Yvianne. This is my gift to you, Judith.”
“It’s mine?”
Judith's fingertips touched the end of the ribbon. The color was beautiful and soft. Judith, who was playing with the ribbon decorated with the shape of a flower in full bloom, looked at Franz with an expectant expression.
“Is it okay if I try to open it now?”
“Of course. Do whatever you want.”
He pushed the package away and stepped back leisurely. Judith carefully pulled the end of the ribbon so as not to damage it and unwrapped it. Two boxes with different patterns came out. Franz pointed to the one with the blue pattern and said.
“This is yours.”
“What about the other one?”
“This is mine. Would you like to open it?”
At that moment, Judith suddenly felt a tickle in her chest. It was as if excitement, fascination, or some similar emotion was quivering inside her body like the wings of a dragonfly. It was something she could sometimes feel when she was facing Franz. It was a thrilling and pleasant nervousness that was different from overflowing love or from fearful affection that she dared not touch.
When she opened the box’s stiff lid, she saw something wrapped in oiled paper. When she unwrapped it, she found a porcelain doll that was a little less than a span tall. A white pillar stood on a small lawn, and a girl was lying on her side, sleeping peacefully. A vine of wisteria climbed up the pillar, casting a lilac shade over the girl’s head.
Sunlight glided softly over the smooth, cold surface. Judith stared at the sleeping girl for a long time, her eyes wide open like a child who had seen a new toy. The girl's night-blue hair, which flowed like waves over the green grass, was dotted with wisteria blossoms.
“Doesn’t it look like you?”
Judith laughed quietly at Franz's question.
“I have never been such a pretty girl, Your Majesty.”
“When we first met, you were a girl. A pretty, wise, and daring girl.”
“I didn’t know you thought I was pretty back then.”
“Didn’t I tell you before? You were pretty back then too.”
A smile appeared on the fingertips that caressed her rosy lips. Judith pointed to Franz's box and said.
“I want to see Your Majesty’s things too.”
Franz did not refuse and opened the box he had bought for his share. It was a porcelain doll in the likeness of the same girl. However, Franz’s girl was not sleeping peacefully. Instead, she was kneeling in front of an altar covered with flowers and praying. As if asking for happiness, a peaceful smile like Judith’s was on the corner of the girl’s mouth.
“I’ll put this on my desk. Every time I look at it, I’ll think of you.”
“Why did you choose the image of praying?”
Franz opened his eyes slightly and looked at Judith.
“I alone know how long you have been praying for me.”
Their eyes met for a moment. Judith's lips trembled involuntarily. Even though she knew that was not what she meant, she felt as if Franz had seen through everything about her.
The countless images of Franz that she had watched flashed before her eyes. His back that she could only watch from afar, her heart trembling, his gaze that looked at her with pity and pity as he cried out in fear, his face that stared into space with empty eyes like a broken doll.
There were also new images that emerged from the fragments of memories that still remained here and there. A strong smile that no one could insult anymore, the beautiful and dignified appearance of a king who caught everyone's attention, and the affectionate embrace that was opened only for Judith.
She had loved everything about Franz. She still loved him. His eyes, which made the autumn sunrise, were no longer shaken by anxiety. They sparkled vividly as if they would never lose their light. For a very long time, Judith had thrown herself and her heart into it. She had longed for it. Like a prayer.
“It was you, Franz, who answered my prayers.”
Judith's fingertips caressed Franz's cheek. Her body temperature was palpable. Her voice filled Franz's body like a flood.
“Because you were there, I was able to live even when I was surrounded by despair.”
As he moved his body a little, Franz and Judith’s foreheads touched. Tears seemed to gather in the palm that covered her cheek, and soon they flowed down his wrist, drop by drop. The tears that slowly gathered at the bottom of the glass sloshed like fragrant wine. It was different from sadness. It was not regret or fear. It was a sense of joy that would dance and burn forever, like a torch that illuminates the distant darkness.
<Complete>
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