<I'm sorry I couldn't keep you for so long. I wish you a happy married life, Archduchess Burnett. Please give my regards to your father.>
The thing she had been wondering about all along was so absurdly empty and meaningless. It was at that moment that Cecilia burst into laughter and carelessly threw the letter into the trash can.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess. Miss Ilya Nova has arrived.”
News came that Ilya Nova had arrived at the townhouse. It had only been a few days since she had responded positively to Cecilia's proposal.
Cecilia, who was getting up from her seat, instinctively recalled the face of the man who had been sleeping like a baby a few days ago. The man had taken up residence in the bedroom as if he were the master of the room, despite being an uninvited guest.
“Move the luggage to the room assigned to Ms. Nova, and then guide Ms. Nova to the reception room.”
It was inevitable. Unless the fact that Ilya Nova was Eden's mistress in her previous life changed.
Cecilia absentmindedly brushed aside her thoughts and headed to the reception room. Ilya looked around frantically, unaware that Cecilia was silently watching her.
The eyes that looked around the mansion were filled with envy, longing, and greed. Even if Count Nova was acting as Duke Lane’s proxy, there would be limits to the power and wealth he could enjoy.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
The servants greeted Cecilia. Only then did Ilya come to her senses and stand up.
“Ilya Nova meets Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
Cecilia's gaze swept over the familiar woman. Blonde hair with a hint of brown, and golden eyes that sparkled like the sun. Although she was not yet fully mature, Ilya's face was beautiful enough to captivate many men.
“Nice to meet you, Ilya.”
At Cecilia's greeting, Ilya blushed and smiled bashfully.
“How is Count Nova doing?”
“Father is looking after Bester on behalf of His Excellency the Duke.”
“Yes, thank you. How is Bester?”
Ilya blinked twice at Cecilia's question. She didn't seem to be thinking deeply. Ilya was only sixteen and had only recently become an adult.
“As much as my father worries, he is always calm.”
What could Count Nova be thinking about? Ilya's face still looked as if she hadn't noticed the weight of the words she was saying.
"Thank God."
So, I can only end it with such a greeting.
“My father told me to serve Your Highness well, considering it an honor that would never be repeated in the family.”
Ilya's eyes sparkled as she mentioned what her father had said, knowing how greatly she had been honored.
“It’s an honor.”
Cecilia spoke while staring meaninglessly at the teacup in front of Ilya. She was sincere. She had originally called her intending to screw over Count Nova.
“The things I want to ask of Ilya are simple. Like what a normal maid would do, like writing letters or sorting invitations.”
Cecilia also explained the work she had assigned to Ilya with a smiling face. Ilya could be seen faintly frowning.
Although it was quickly restored to its original state, it seemed that it was not completely hidden. Cecilia thought it was a good thing she had Ilya by her side when she was younger.
Ilya, who served Cecilia, was a fairly intelligent woman. She was not good at hiding her emotions now, so she was caught, but when she was that age again, it would be easy to hide her emotions.
“And you won’t have much opportunity to serve guests. There won’t be many guests.”
It was obvious that Cecilia didn't know the real Ilya until the end. So Cecilia decided not to allow Ilya to do whatever she wanted.
What Ilya wanted was to meet people at the center of power and expand her presence among them.
“I may ask you to do other things than that from time to time, but I promise it won’t be difficult.”
So, she had no intention of giving her that opportunity unless it was time to use Ilya.
“Of course, once I can trust you a little more, I could let you do the headache of keeping the books. I hate doing math.”
“I will do my best until Your Highness trusts me.”
Ilya answered with a somewhat regretful expression. Cecilia quietly watched the displeased face of the person who had been entrusted with a task that was too trivial for her abilities.
“If Your Highness tells me of any people or families you consider important, I will keep them in mind.”
Then Ilya listed several families. The Duke of Somerset, the Marquess of Clinton, and the Duke of Lane. These were names of families with no particular disagreement.
“And you should also think about Count Oberon, right?”
Cecilia's hand, which was lifting the teacup, stopped. If it was the Count Oberon family, it was the family of the current Empress.
Ilya nodded as she said that. It wasn't wrong. However, Eden and her family were not so friendly. Up until now, they had never openly supported Damon and taken an opposing stance, but Eden was a member of the Crown Prince's faction.
“...That’s right.”
Cecilia answered in a feminine manner, tilting the teacup to her lips. The warm tea slowly flowed into her mouth. The warmth of the tea made her head spin. At the same time, a sentence from the letter the Empress had sent came to mind.
<Please give my regards to your father.>
The relationship between Curtis and the Empress was not such that they cared about each other's well-being. As far as Cecilia knew, that was the case. When Cecilia married Eden, the Empress, the mother of the Third Prince, was in a position of opposition to the Duke of Lane.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
Becoming a member of the royal family was more about reaffirming the strength of the alliance than becoming a family. That was why Cecilia secretly laughed at Ilya who mentioned Count Oberon.
It was strange that the Empress had Cecilia send her regards to her father. Even if they had been close, it would have been awkward to do so to someone who was not even close...
“Your Highness?”
Madame Monte called Cecilia again in a puzzled voice. Only then did Cecilia turn her head in surprise.
“His Highness the Grand Duke has returned.”
"Yes."
Cecilia stood up to greet Eden.
“Can I say hello too?”
Ilya followed suit and stood up, asking Cecilia a question. Cecilia looked past Madame Monte and then at Ilya. Madame Monte, who had noticed that Ilya’s face was beautiful, had a very displeased expression on her face.
“Ilya, come with me. We need to get used to each other’s faces.”
Cecilia said that and turned around first. Ilya followed Cecilia, standing right behind her and in front of the servants.
“You’re here.”
Eden, who was just stepping on the open threshold, turned his gaze to Cecilia's greeting.
“I’m back, Cecilia.”
As he said that, Eden came closer to Cecilia. Cecilia looked at Eden with a shy face. Eden smiled briefly as he looked at Cecilia like that. Ilya was watching the couple like that.
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. If you haven’t yet, come in with me.”
“I already ate while waiting for Ilya.”
Ilya? Eden made a puzzled face at the unfamiliar name. Cecilia turned her body slightly and looked in the direction Ilya was standing.
“This is Miss Ilya Nova. She is the daughter of Count Nova, and from today onwards she has become my maid.”
At Cecilia's introduction, Eden let out a small "ah." It seemed that he remembered what Cecilia had said on the day they went to the palace, that she had decided to take Ilya Nova as her maid.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Nova.”
“Please call me Ilya, Your Highness.”
Ilya, who had been introduced by Cecilia, greeted him politely. Eden's face, looking at Ilya, was expressionless.
“That’s burdensome.”
When he smiled at Cecilia, he looked like a boy in spring, but when he stared at Irina, his face looked like a man in late autumn.
“It would be difficult to call you by your name in private, so I will call you Miss Nova.”
First of all, the attitude of drawing the line was clear.
“If I have acted rashly, please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Ilya spoke, lowering her body as if embarrassed.
“...”
However, Ilya's cheeks, which slowly raised her head, were more flushed than before. In addition, the eyes that looked at Eden were shining like amethyst, secretly yet clearly. It was not difficult to notice that what was hidden in them was longing and greed.
At that moment, Cecilia was certain of two things. One was that Ilya had been lusting after Eden from the beginning of her previous life, although she had not known it.
“Your Highness, I have something to tell you.”
And the other thing was that Ilya would eventually move as she wanted.
“Should we move now?”
“No. After Your Highness rests for a bit.”
“Then let’s go to the bedroom in a little while.”
So there is absolutely no reason to feel sorry for Ilya. Even if you felt like cutting off her head, and even if you are thinking about it right now.
"Yes."
Cecilia answered as she lifted her heel and kissed Eden’s cheek briefly. There was a wet, wet sound. It was to show Ilya.
But the servants who didn't know what was going on turned around and laughed heartily. The expression of affection from the masters without considering who was there. Isn't that a good time?
“I'll be waiting.”
Eden must have been flustered by the sudden contact, but he pretended to be indifferent. It was a considerate action to prevent Cecilia from feeling embarrassed if he showed signs of flustering in a place where many eyes were watching.
“I guess you two get along very well.”
On the way to the bedroom, Ilya, who was following behind, whispered.
“His Highness is kind and affectionate to me. After all, our engagement was a long one.”
“...”
“Now that we’re a couple.”
Cecilia smiled brightly and gave Ilya an answer she had not expected. Ilya made an awkward face after hearing Cecilia’s answer. Her two cheeks, smooth as silk, twitched subtly.
Cecilia's face turned cold.
Of course. You'll want that guy.
The thing she had been wondering about all along was so absurdly empty and meaningless. It was at that moment that Cecilia burst into laughter and carelessly threw the letter into the trash can.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess. Miss Ilya Nova has arrived.”
News came that Ilya Nova had arrived at the townhouse. It had only been a few days since she had responded positively to Cecilia's proposal.
Cecilia, who was getting up from her seat, instinctively recalled the face of the man who had been sleeping like a baby a few days ago. The man had taken up residence in the bedroom as if he were the master of the room, despite being an uninvited guest.
“Move the luggage to the room assigned to Ms. Nova, and then guide Ms. Nova to the reception room.”
It was inevitable. Unless the fact that Ilya Nova was Eden's mistress in her previous life changed.
Cecilia absentmindedly brushed aside her thoughts and headed to the reception room. Ilya looked around frantically, unaware that Cecilia was silently watching her.
The eyes that looked around the mansion were filled with envy, longing, and greed. Even if Count Nova was acting as Duke Lane’s proxy, there would be limits to the power and wealth he could enjoy.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
The servants greeted Cecilia. Only then did Ilya come to her senses and stand up.
“Ilya Nova meets Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
Cecilia's gaze swept over the familiar woman. Blonde hair with a hint of brown, and golden eyes that sparkled like the sun. Although she was not yet fully mature, Ilya's face was beautiful enough to captivate many men.
“Nice to meet you, Ilya.”
At Cecilia's greeting, Ilya blushed and smiled bashfully.
“How is Count Nova doing?”
“Father is looking after Bester on behalf of His Excellency the Duke.”
“Yes, thank you. How is Bester?”
Ilya blinked twice at Cecilia's question. She didn't seem to be thinking deeply. Ilya was only sixteen and had only recently become an adult.
“As much as my father worries, he is always calm.”
What could Count Nova be thinking about? Ilya's face still looked as if she hadn't noticed the weight of the words she was saying.
"Thank God."
So, I can only end it with such a greeting.
“My father told me to serve Your Highness well, considering it an honor that would never be repeated in the family.”
Ilya's eyes sparkled as she mentioned what her father had said, knowing how greatly she had been honored.
“It’s an honor.”
Cecilia spoke while staring meaninglessly at the teacup in front of Ilya. She was sincere. She had originally called her intending to screw over Count Nova.
“The things I want to ask of Ilya are simple. Like what a normal maid would do, like writing letters or sorting invitations.”
Cecilia also explained the work she had assigned to Ilya with a smiling face. Ilya could be seen faintly frowning.
Although it was quickly restored to its original state, it seemed that it was not completely hidden. Cecilia thought it was a good thing she had Ilya by her side when she was younger.
Ilya, who served Cecilia, was a fairly intelligent woman. She was not good at hiding her emotions now, so she was caught, but when she was that age again, it would be easy to hide her emotions.
“And you won’t have much opportunity to serve guests. There won’t be many guests.”
It was obvious that Cecilia didn't know the real Ilya until the end. So Cecilia decided not to allow Ilya to do whatever she wanted.
What Ilya wanted was to meet people at the center of power and expand her presence among them.
“I may ask you to do other things than that from time to time, but I promise it won’t be difficult.”
So, she had no intention of giving her that opportunity unless it was time to use Ilya.
“Of course, once I can trust you a little more, I could let you do the headache of keeping the books. I hate doing math.”
“I will do my best until Your Highness trusts me.”
Ilya answered with a somewhat regretful expression. Cecilia quietly watched the displeased face of the person who had been entrusted with a task that was too trivial for her abilities.
“If Your Highness tells me of any people or families you consider important, I will keep them in mind.”
Then Ilya listed several families. The Duke of Somerset, the Marquess of Clinton, and the Duke of Lane. These were names of families with no particular disagreement.
“And you should also think about Count Oberon, right?”
Cecilia's hand, which was lifting the teacup, stopped. If it was the Count Oberon family, it was the family of the current Empress.
“Because now you're family with Her Majesty the Empress.”
“...That’s right.”
Cecilia answered in a feminine manner, tilting the teacup to her lips. The warm tea slowly flowed into her mouth. The warmth of the tea made her head spin. At the same time, a sentence from the letter the Empress had sent came to mind.
<Please give my regards to your father.>
The relationship between Curtis and the Empress was not such that they cared about each other's well-being. As far as Cecilia knew, that was the case. When Cecilia married Eden, the Empress, the mother of the Third Prince, was in a position of opposition to the Duke of Lane.
“Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
Becoming a member of the royal family was more about reaffirming the strength of the alliance than becoming a family. That was why Cecilia secretly laughed at Ilya who mentioned Count Oberon.
It was strange that the Empress had Cecilia send her regards to her father. Even if they had been close, it would have been awkward to do so to someone who was not even close...
“Your Highness?”
Madame Monte called Cecilia again in a puzzled voice. Only then did Cecilia turn her head in surprise.
“His Highness the Grand Duke has returned.”
Madam Monte turned to Cecilia, who was looking at her, and informed her that Ethan had been out and was back.
Cecilia stood up to greet Eden.
“Can I say hello too?”
Ilya followed suit and stood up, asking Cecilia a question. Cecilia looked past Madame Monte and then at Ilya. Madame Monte, who had noticed that Ilya’s face was beautiful, had a very displeased expression on her face.
“Ilya, come with me. We need to get used to each other’s faces.”
Cecilia said that and turned around first. Ilya followed Cecilia, standing right behind her and in front of the servants.
“You’re here.”
Eden, who was just stepping on the open threshold, turned his gaze to Cecilia's greeting.
“I’m back, Cecilia.”
As he said that, Eden came closer to Cecilia. Cecilia looked at Eden with a shy face. Eden smiled briefly as he looked at Cecilia like that. Ilya was watching the couple like that.
“Have you eaten?”
“Not yet. If you haven’t yet, come in with me.”
“I already ate while waiting for Ilya.”
Ilya? Eden made a puzzled face at the unfamiliar name. Cecilia turned her body slightly and looked in the direction Ilya was standing.
“This is Miss Ilya Nova. She is the daughter of Count Nova, and from today onwards she has become my maid.”
At Cecilia's introduction, Eden let out a small "ah." It seemed that he remembered what Cecilia had said on the day they went to the palace, that she had decided to take Ilya Nova as her maid.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Nova.”
“Please call me Ilya, Your Highness.”
Ilya, who had been introduced by Cecilia, greeted him politely. Eden's face, looking at Ilya, was expressionless.
“That’s burdensome.”
When he smiled at Cecilia, he looked like a boy in spring, but when he stared at Irina, his face looked like a man in late autumn.
“It would be difficult to call you by your name in private, so I will call you Miss Nova.”
First of all, the attitude of drawing the line was clear.
“If I have acted rashly, please forgive me, Your Highness.”
Ilya spoke, lowering her body as if embarrassed.
“...”
However, Ilya's cheeks, which slowly raised her head, were more flushed than before. In addition, the eyes that looked at Eden were shining like amethyst, secretly yet clearly. It was not difficult to notice that what was hidden in them was longing and greed.
At that moment, Cecilia was certain of two things. One was that Ilya had been lusting after Eden from the beginning of her previous life, although she had not known it.
“Your Highness, I have something to tell you.”
And the other thing was that Ilya would eventually move as she wanted.
“Should we move now?”
“No. After Your Highness rests for a bit.”
“Then let’s go to the bedroom in a little while.”
So there is absolutely no reason to feel sorry for Ilya. Even if you felt like cutting off her head, and even if you are thinking about it right now.
"Yes."
Cecilia answered as she lifted her heel and kissed Eden’s cheek briefly. There was a wet, wet sound. It was to show Ilya.
But the servants who didn't know what was going on turned around and laughed heartily. The expression of affection from the masters without considering who was there. Isn't that a good time?
“I'll be waiting.”
Eden must have been flustered by the sudden contact, but he pretended to be indifferent. It was a considerate action to prevent Cecilia from feeling embarrassed if he showed signs of flustering in a place where many eyes were watching.
“I guess you two get along very well.”
On the way to the bedroom, Ilya, who was following behind, whispered.
“His Highness is kind and affectionate to me. After all, our engagement was a long one.”
“...”
“Now that we’re a couple.”
Cecilia smiled brightly and gave Ilya an answer she had not expected. Ilya made an awkward face after hearing Cecilia’s answer. Her two cheeks, smooth as silk, twitched subtly.
Cecilia's face turned cold.
Of course. You'll want that guy.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment