People’s eyes were blatantly turned to me.
I was already a celebrity.
A young and beautiful lady who had become a commoner and a noble.
It was bound to be a gossip topic for others to chew on, and as I became entangled with Rhodnes, I began to gain more secret followers who copied my style, and recently I gained the title of maid of the Crown Princess Doris and the Crown Prince’s aide, drawing even more attention.
Furthermore, even if the common nobles don’t know, the high nobles all know quietly.
That I once lived in the Grand Duke's residence as the next Grand Duchess.
A person whose every move was watched. That’s where I was at the moment.
“Why do you all have similar styles? It’s boring.”
Ephero said to me as if telling me to listen.
As he said, dresses with red rose decorations made of rubies were already a craze.
I smiled brightly at Noura, who was standing a little distance away.
Noura held back her bright greeting and smiled secretly behind her fan.
Last time, I introduced Noura to the jeweler Madame Leblaix had told me about after I visited her in the hospital. I could guess how much Noura’s jewelry shop’s sales had increased since she had been harassing the craftsman day and night to make and sell decorations.
I exchanged secret glances with Noura, and soon I raised my head following the intense gaze I felt.
Doris, who had a ruby rose hanging on her chest that shined more beautifully than anyone else, was staring at me.
As soon as our eyes met, the corners of her lips, which she had forced up, were trembling so much that even from afar, I could see them.
I poked Victor in the side and bowed to him as if I was paying tribute.
The face that barely managed to smile with only her forehead and nose twitched, soon turned to the Crown Prince without looking at us for long.
“Does His Highness like or hate Madam?”
“...”
“Oh, that’s the wrong question. Is His Highness your friend or enemy?”
Ephero whispered, trembling as if he felt burdened by the adoring gazes of the young ladies.
“Ephero, would you mind speaking to her like that?”
“Mother.”
As I was embarrassed by Epero’s question, Empress Grace approached me.
I was startled by the unexpected guest and bowed my head deeply to show respect.
“I am not the star of the party, so there is no need to be so polite.”
Empress Grace grabbed my arm affectionately as if I were a close maid.
I naturally followed her to the nearby terrace, and I saw the Empress’s maids quickly closing the terrace door and drawing the curtains.
“Are you surprised? I’m sorry for calling you out so suddenly when you must not have fully recovered.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Although I was extremely surprised, I paid my respects.
The Empress, who was well into her forties but still looked to be in her mid-thirties, had a gentle impression.
Since I had never met her this close, I observed the Empress as she looked out the terrace.
“I really wanted to tell you in person that I am grateful.”
“Me?”
“Of course.”
Her gaze, which had briefly turned to the terrace, moved to me.
Her eyes were warm and affectionate.
“Thank you for taking care of Ephero’s training.”
In fact, I had only been in charge of Ephero’s training for a few days while recuperating, so I smiled a little awkwardly.
“Ephero said something nice to me... Did you really mean it?”
'Damn it.'
“It’s very rare for someone to say that they’ve decided to become friends with Ephero. That’s why I’ll trust you and tell you.”
“Yes.”
“I’m scared of the palace. I’m scared of the Crown Prince.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“The Crown Prince’s palace is not in good spirits.”
Grace took a deep breath as if she had lost her breath after saying those words, and looked around like I had just a moment ago.
It was strange.
The palace was scary because the Crown Prince’s palace was not in good spirits.
“Did His Highness the Crown Prince threaten you in some way?”
“No, he is always polite and upright. I, I think it’s me. I’m the problem. I’m just being unnecessarily cowardly...”
Empress Grace was famous for her nervousness.
She sent her precious Princes to lord’s side one after another and suffered from deep depression.
It was natural for her to feel scared of the palace and not in good spirits.
Deep in my heart, I felt sympathy for her, so I let go of her hand, held her hand tightly, and patted her instead.
“I understand, Your Majesty. Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about my conversation with Your Majesty.”
“...Thank you. But I really believe that Ephero should return to Elacon. Please don’t sway him. I beg you.”
I was very embarrassed by her earnest words as if she could fold her hands if necessary.
Grace left the terrace with a look of discomfort on her face, not having heard a definite answer from me.
Her earnest request made me feel strange, but someone suddenly opened the terrace door and came in.
A noticeably thin hand pressed firmly against his chest.
He still couldn’t escape the nightmare of that day.
When he closed his eyes, Adrienne, looking down at him against the backdrop of the night sky pouring down red flames, kept repeating. The cold face that refused to forgive him no matter how much he begged.
When he opened his eyes, he became a useless man in a desolate and old mansion, just waiting for someone to call him, and he relived the nightmare over and over again.
The footsteps he had taken as he headed to the carriage had drifted somewhere else.
It was the garden where he had first faced Adrienne and lied to a young Princess he barely knew.
And Noevian saw a woman standing there as if she had been waiting for him.
“Not as expected.”
“...Blie?”
“You call me that.”
“Adrienne!”
The emotions that burned like lightning poured out in a voice. He ran to the woman who was in the dark shadows like a madman.
Blie, no, Adrienne from his nightmare was there.
I was already a celebrity.
A young and beautiful lady who had become a commoner and a noble.
It was bound to be a gossip topic for others to chew on, and as I became entangled with Rhodnes, I began to gain more secret followers who copied my style, and recently I gained the title of maid of the Crown Princess Doris and the Crown Prince’s aide, drawing even more attention.
Furthermore, even if the common nobles don’t know, the high nobles all know quietly.
That I once lived in the Grand Duke's residence as the next Grand Duchess.
A person whose every move was watched. That’s where I was at the moment.
“Why do you all have similar styles? It’s boring.”
Ephero said to me as if telling me to listen.
As he said, dresses with red rose decorations made of rubies were already a craze.
I smiled brightly at Noura, who was standing a little distance away.
Noura held back her bright greeting and smiled secretly behind her fan.
Last time, I introduced Noura to the jeweler Madame Leblaix had told me about after I visited her in the hospital. I could guess how much Noura’s jewelry shop’s sales had increased since she had been harassing the craftsman day and night to make and sell decorations.
I exchanged secret glances with Noura, and soon I raised my head following the intense gaze I felt.
Doris, who had a ruby rose hanging on her chest that shined more beautifully than anyone else, was staring at me.
As soon as our eyes met, the corners of her lips, which she had forced up, were trembling so much that even from afar, I could see them.
I poked Victor in the side and bowed to him as if I was paying tribute.
The face that barely managed to smile with only her forehead and nose twitched, soon turned to the Crown Prince without looking at us for long.
“Does His Highness like or hate Madam?”
“...”
“Oh, that’s the wrong question. Is His Highness your friend or enemy?”
Ephero whispered, trembling as if he felt burdened by the adoring gazes of the young ladies.
“Ephero, would you mind speaking to her like that?”
“Mother.”
As I was embarrassed by Epero’s question, Empress Grace approached me.
I was startled by the unexpected guest and bowed my head deeply to show respect.
“I am not the star of the party, so there is no need to be so polite.”
Empress Grace grabbed my arm affectionately as if I were a close maid.
I naturally followed her to the nearby terrace, and I saw the Empress’s maids quickly closing the terrace door and drawing the curtains.
“Are you surprised? I’m sorry for calling you out so suddenly when you must not have fully recovered.”
“No, Your Majesty.”
Although I was extremely surprised, I paid my respects.
The Empress, who was well into her forties but still looked to be in her mid-thirties, had a gentle impression.
Since I had never met her this close, I observed the Empress as she looked out the terrace.
“I really wanted to tell you in person that I am grateful.”
“Me?”
“Of course.”
Her gaze, which had briefly turned to the terrace, moved to me.
Her eyes were warm and affectionate.
“Thank you for taking care of Ephero’s training.”
In fact, I had only been in charge of Ephero’s training for a few days while recuperating, so I smiled a little awkwardly.
“Ephero said something nice to me... Did you really mean it?”
'Damn it.'
I had clearly told the empress that I would be allowed to stay in Ronta. It was even more embarrassing to hear that directly from Empress Grace, so I forced a smile this time.
“I truly believe that Prince Ephero should stay in his homeland and serve His Majesty the Emperor well, Your Majesty.”
The moment I finished speaking, the face of the Empress, which had been shining with affection, collapsed a little.
“I am so grateful, but...”
“...Your Majesty?”
The Empress suddenly let out a voice mixed with tears, so I looked around even though I had no eyes to see.
“Ephero should not be in Ronta. I know that Madam has considerable connections, but please do not become an obstacle to our Ephero returning to Elacon. Do you understand what I mean?”
The voice that was trembling terribly was not that of the Empress who was always elegant. I approached her, slightly flustered and with tears in my eyes. The Empress held my hand tightly as if she had been waiting for me, shaking it as if she had been asking me.
“Your Majesty, I apologize, but is there a reason?”
The Empress looked at my worried eyes for a long time, then moved her lips as if she was considering whether or not to speak.
“It’s very rare for someone to say that they’ve decided to become friends with Ephero. That’s why I’ll trust you and tell you.”
“Yes.”
“I’m scared of the palace. I’m scared of the Crown Prince.”
“His Highness the Crown Prince?”
“The Crown Prince’s palace is not in good spirits.”
Grace took a deep breath as if she had lost her breath after saying those words, and looked around like I had just a moment ago.
It was strange.
The palace was scary because the Crown Prince’s palace was not in good spirits.
“Did His Highness the Crown Prince threaten you in some way?”
“No, he is always polite and upright. I, I think it’s me. I’m the problem. I’m just being unnecessarily cowardly...”
Empress Grace was famous for her nervousness.
She sent her precious Princes to lord’s side one after another and suffered from deep depression.
It was natural for her to feel scared of the palace and not in good spirits.
Deep in my heart, I felt sympathy for her, so I let go of her hand, held her hand tightly, and patted her instead.
“I understand, Your Majesty. Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about my conversation with Your Majesty.”
“...Thank you. But I really believe that Ephero should return to Elacon. Please don’t sway him. I beg you.”
I was very embarrassed by her earnest words as if she could fold her hands if necessary.
***
Grace left the terrace with a look of discomfort on her face, not having heard a definite answer from me.
Her earnest request made me feel strange, but someone suddenly opened the terrace door and came in.
“Madam.”
It was Rhodnes.
“What did you talk about with Your Majesty the Empress?”
He must have come in because he was worried. Since he never took his eyes off me, I smiled as if it was okay.
“I was so badly injured, she wanted to comfort me personally, His Highness’s attendant.”
I tried not to keep secrets from him, but I had promised not to tell anyone, so I didn’t tell him about my conversation with Empress Grace.
Fortunately, Rhodnes didn’t seem to care much, and a faint smile formed on his lips.
“...Are you upset that I’m not your escort today?”
“What did you talk about with Your Majesty the Empress?”
He must have come in because he was worried. Since he never took his eyes off me, I smiled as if it was okay.
“I was so badly injured, she wanted to comfort me personally, His Highness’s attendant.”
I tried not to keep secrets from him, but I had promised not to tell anyone, so I didn’t tell him about my conversation with Empress Grace.
Fortunately, Rhodnes didn’t seem to care much, and a faint smile formed on his lips.
“...Are you upset that I’m not your escort today?”
Of course not.
I knew why Rhodnes was staying away from me at the party.
Rhodnes, who was being treated as the greatest schemer due to suspicions that there was another real culprit in the disappearance of a woman, was currently receiving more attention than I was.
Since it wasn’t a pleasant interest, he didn’t want to stay by my side while I was sick and remind people of our scandal.
I knew why Rhodnes was staying away from me at the party.
Rhodnes, who was being treated as the greatest schemer due to suspicions that there was another real culprit in the disappearance of a woman, was currently receiving more attention than I was.
Since it wasn’t a pleasant interest, he didn’t want to stay by my side while I was sick and remind people of our scandal.
“No, I know why Your Highness is like that.”
“I wish you were a little upset... I don’t want to be apart. But even if I don’t want to be apart for a little while, I think it would be better for you to be apart on a day like today.”
Rhodnes snickered when I was slightly taken aback by the half-serious joke.
Ah, Rhodnes’ smile at night was like a twinkling star, shaking my heart helplessly.
“Don’t worry. There’s no one with the guts to do something big at His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday party.”
I briefly controlled my excitement and hesitated whether or not to tell the story that had been on my mind.
“The reason I went to the birthday party today is actually... I came to see Noevian.”
The face that had been smiling like a spring breeze immediately became cold.
Rhodnes tilted his head slightly as if he doubted his ears and took a step closer to me.
“What do you mean?”
I held onto the hem of my dress tightly at the slightly angry voice.
“Don’t be angry. I didn’t want to tell you because I thought this would happen.”
Rhodnes’ face instantly turned sour.
“There’s nothing I can do. I have something to ask him. I have something to ask him.”
“I’ll ask him instead.”
“Your Highness, it’s not something you can do for me.”
I answered with a bitter smile.
What I wanted from Noevian was my mother’s necklace. If Noevian had that necklace, there was no way he would give it to Rhodnes.
“He is still a criminal and has come at the Emperor’s call. He will not do anything trivial to me.”
Rhodnes’s mood already seemed quite hurt. However, he kept his mouth shut as if trying not to show it, and I did not want his efforts to be in vain, so I hastily added.
“Sir Vincenzo and Sir Neil seem to be looking for Your Highness. Don’t worry. Let’s just pursue our own objectives today.”
I pushed Rhodnes, who had a stern expression, out and sent him to his adjutants. Then I deliberately walked in the other direction without looking back.
The party was in full swing, but the Emperor had disappeared from the high table. He must have gone to meet Noevian separately.
I felt my chest for the dagger I had brought into my bosom just in case. Then I remembered that I had recently learned dagger fighting from Neil. Neil seemed quite surprised by my movements.
Judging from how my body reacted on its own when I was kidnapped, Blie must have been quite skilled. At that time, Jonah’s reaction to telling me to be gentle was definitely not the reaction of a maid serving a weak master.
The more I got to know Blie, the more I realized how strange and absurd she was.
Grand Duke Noevian Trovica smiled bitterly as he recalled the face of the Emperor who had greeted him as if he were doing him a favor on his birthday.
His mouth muscles ached from the twisted smile.
‘Noevian, would I abandon you? Don’t act rashly, and if you stay quiet, I will foolishly call you.’
Noevian had come running at the thought that the Emperor was looking for him, but he spoke to him just like his son.
The distant music and laughter of Atilchad Hall made his mood even worse. It was funny how he was now filled with regret, as if his head was going to burst, for a life that had been unpaid all his life.
He had little time left, so he had to return to the carriage.
The freedom he had been granted for the Emperor’s birthday would only last for a short time.
He couldn’t stay in the palace for long, and the journey to a place that was no different from a prison was humiliating.
“I wish you were a little upset... I don’t want to be apart. But even if I don’t want to be apart for a little while, I think it would be better for you to be apart on a day like today.”
Rhodnes snickered when I was slightly taken aback by the half-serious joke.
Ah, Rhodnes’ smile at night was like a twinkling star, shaking my heart helplessly.
“Don’t worry. There’s no one with the guts to do something big at His Majesty the Emperor’s birthday party.”
I briefly controlled my excitement and hesitated whether or not to tell the story that had been on my mind.
“The reason I went to the birthday party today is actually... I came to see Noevian.”
The face that had been smiling like a spring breeze immediately became cold.
Rhodnes tilted his head slightly as if he doubted his ears and took a step closer to me.
“What do you mean?”
I held onto the hem of my dress tightly at the slightly angry voice.
“Don’t be angry. I didn’t want to tell you because I thought this would happen.”
Rhodnes’ face instantly turned sour.
“There’s nothing I can do. I have something to ask him. I have something to ask him.”
“I’ll ask him instead.”
“Your Highness, it’s not something you can do for me.”
I answered with a bitter smile.
What I wanted from Noevian was my mother’s necklace. If Noevian had that necklace, there was no way he would give it to Rhodnes.
“He is still a criminal and has come at the Emperor’s call. He will not do anything trivial to me.”
Rhodnes’s mood already seemed quite hurt. However, he kept his mouth shut as if trying not to show it, and I did not want his efforts to be in vain, so I hastily added.
“Sir Vincenzo and Sir Neil seem to be looking for Your Highness. Don’t worry. Let’s just pursue our own objectives today.”
I pushed Rhodnes, who had a stern expression, out and sent him to his adjutants. Then I deliberately walked in the other direction without looking back.
The party was in full swing, but the Emperor had disappeared from the high table. He must have gone to meet Noevian separately.
I felt my chest for the dagger I had brought into my bosom just in case. Then I remembered that I had recently learned dagger fighting from Neil. Neil seemed quite surprised by my movements.
Judging from how my body reacted on its own when I was kidnapped, Blie must have been quite skilled. At that time, Jonah’s reaction to telling me to be gentle was definitely not the reaction of a maid serving a weak master.
The more I got to know Blie, the more I realized how strange and absurd she was.
***
Grand Duke Noevian Trovica smiled bitterly as he recalled the face of the Emperor who had greeted him as if he were doing him a favor on his birthday.
His mouth muscles ached from the twisted smile.
‘Noevian, would I abandon you? Don’t act rashly, and if you stay quiet, I will foolishly call you.’
Noevian had come running at the thought that the Emperor was looking for him, but he spoke to him just like his son.
The distant music and laughter of Atilchad Hall made his mood even worse. It was funny how he was now filled with regret, as if his head was going to burst, for a life that had been unpaid all his life.
He had little time left, so he had to return to the carriage.
The freedom he had been granted for the Emperor’s birthday would only last for a short time.
He couldn’t stay in the palace for long, and the journey to a place that was no different from a prison was humiliating.
“Tell me, Noah. Why did you kill me?”
A noticeably thin hand pressed firmly against his chest.
He still couldn’t escape the nightmare of that day.
When he closed his eyes, Adrienne, looking down at him against the backdrop of the night sky pouring down red flames, kept repeating. The cold face that refused to forgive him no matter how much he begged.
When he opened his eyes, he became a useless man in a desolate and old mansion, just waiting for someone to call him, and he relived the nightmare over and over again.
The footsteps he had taken as he headed to the carriage had drifted somewhere else.
It was the garden where he had first faced Adrienne and lied to a young Princess he barely knew.
And Noevian saw a woman standing there as if she had been waiting for him.
“Not as expected.”
“...Blie?”
“You call me that.”
“Adrienne!”
The emotions that burned like lightning poured out in a voice. He ran to the woman who was in the dark shadows like a madman.
Blie, no, Adrienne from his nightmare was there.
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