Fine leather, jewels, local specialties, foreign crafts, ornaments...
“This is a gift from His Majesty the Emperor to the Grand Duchess Burnett.”
In front of the entrance of the mansion where he had hurriedly prepared and gone down, there was a pile of such gifts. Even though it was her second time seeing them, she was still not used to the amount of them that she felt like she was going to die. The Emperor did not hide the fact that he cherished the second Prince.
If she thinks about it, it is natural. The Emperor was very fond of his first wife, Janet. It was largely due to this that Crown Prince Aster was crowned Crown Prince just a few days after his birth.
“Please tell His Majesty that I am sincerely grateful.”
Moreover, he felt extremely sorry that he had to give Eden the title of Grand Duke and drive him out of the palace, even though Eden knew very well that it was to further solidify the position of the Crown Prince.
So, the fief and castle near the island, which embraced the vast granary area, and even the huge townhouses on the island were placed in Eden's hands.
“And this is the item that His Highness the Crown Prince asked me to give you as a congratulatory gift.”
Cecilia carefully opened the small jewel box the Crown Prince had sent her. There was a necklace of pale blue sapphires, resembling Eden's eyes, and a pair of cufflinks made of emeralds, resembling Cecilia's green eyes.
“What a thoughtful gift.”
At first glance, the delicately crafted appearance signified his sincerity and devotion. Cecilia held out the Crown Prince’s gift to Eden. Eden also checked the gift and smiled gently.
“Please tell him that I will come and see him when I have time to express my gratitude.”
“I will convey it as you said.”
Marquis Caliber lowered his body and answered Eden's words.
“Would you like to take a ride for a moment, brother?”
“No. I have something to finish, so I have to go in quickly.”
Marquis Caliber shook his head at Eden's suggestion. He didn't seem surprised by the somewhat informal title of "brother."
Although Marquis Caliber was technically the Crown Prince's aide, he was also the husband of Sienna, Aster and Eden's cousin. After Aster's death, he supported Eden and made him the Emperor.
“If you invite me, I will visit you later with Siena.”
But would he have supported Eden even if Aster had not died?
“I will send you a separate invitation.”
Probably not.
“I will send an invitation to the Marchioness. I would appreciate it if you could come with me.”
“I am truly honored, Your Highness the Grand Duchess.”
The Marquis of Caliber answered with a smile. Cecilia smiled quietly, staring blankly at the man who had once been Eden's faithful dog.
“His Majesty is very fond of the Marquis and his wife, so I am simply requesting a meeting.”
And then she turned his gaze to Eden and whispered softly. Eden looked down at his fingertips that had touched hers slightly as if embarrassed.
Cecilia was sitting in the study next to her bedroom, looking over the Emperor's list of gifts.
“Your Highness, this is Lauren.”
Of course, no one would dare be big enough to steal the emperor's gift from the middle, brought by the Emperor's nephew. But if you were to meet the Emperor in the future, you would need to be familiar with the contents of what he had sent to show your gratitude.
After Cecilia's permission, Lauren opened the door. Cecilia couldn't hide her smile as she saw familiar faces behind Lauren's back. Cecilia had arrived a few days late, having cleaned up the room where she had been staying at the Duke of Lane and followed her with her belongings.
“Madame Monte and Miss Abby have arrived.”
“Come in.”
Madam Monte and Abby also smiled when they saw Cecilia. Even though they had only been apart for a few days, their expressions seemed to indicate that it was strange to see Cecilia after she married Eden.
“And I have compiled a list of maids who would be suitable for Your Highness’s care. If you choose three or four of them, I will assign them to help with the bedroom, bathing, and meals.”
“I think I can do it myself...”
Lauren politely handed over a list of maids. Cecilia took it and glanced through it absentmindedly. Since there were some people she had worked with before, she thought she could just choose them.
“Is there anyone among the servants who knows something about the island of Laner?”
Then, all of a sudden, her thoughts stopped at one point. All the maids in the townhouses in the system were honest, kind, and innocent. So, it wouldn’t matter who she chose to live in the mansion, but it would be good if there was someone who could help her with the work she had to prepare for.
“I didn’t realize that part. Should I reorganize the list and upload it?”
Lauren's eyes briefly filled with doubt at the unexpected question posed by the Grand Duchess. However, she answered obediently, as was her duty.
“No, that’s not necessary. I think you just need to find out if there’s anyone from Laner Island or someone you know. I have some questions.”
It must have been an unexpected request, but Lauren politely agreed and left the study, remaining the same obedient maid who paid little attention to her master's business.
"Miss!"
It was then that Abby, who had been quietly staying the whole time, raised her voice. Cecilia smiled slightly as she looked at Abby, who had tears in her eyes even though she hadn't seen her in two days.
“What is it, Miss Abby? It is time to call me Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess.”
Madame Monte glared at Abby and scolded her. Normally, she would have taken Abby's side, but this time, Madame Monte was right, and Cecilia just watched with a smile on her face.
“How is my father, Mrs. Monte?”
“Your Highness, he is as usual.”
Madame Monte answered indifferently. Cecilia nodded as if she hadn't expected such a grand answer.
Cecilia's father, Curtis, was unmoved by anything. Not even the news of the death of his Duchess Olivia, not even the marriage of his only daughter. Before the storm caused by Eden, his life was as peaceful and monotonous as a boat on a calm lake.
“Count Nova came to advise us that we should bring in the Duchess and have another successor.”
“Count Nova?”
“That gentleman speaks so many good words.”
Count Nova. Cecilia's face turned cold as she recalled that name again. Madame Monte, who had discovered the afterimage, seemed to have guessed that Cecilia was annoyed by the remark about a stepmother, and she quickly opened her mouth.
“Well, he just backed down because the Duke refused.”
The priority was clear. The downfall of Count Nova, who was trying to expand their power by secretly influencing Duke Lane, came first.
To overcome the fear of uncertain change. And for the peace of her father, who did his best to make sure his daughter did not feel the absence of her mother.
“I have to write a letter.”
So Cecilia finally came to a conclusion.
“Can I get you some paper and a pen?”
“Yeah. I have someone to look for.”
Who are you looking for? Madame Monte looked at Cecilia with a puzzled face.
Cecilia was not very social, and she would not show her face unless absolutely necessary. That was also the reason why the Emperor preferred Cecilia as Eden's partner.
“Who are you looking for?”
Cecilia smiled at Madame Monte's question.
“Master of the top of Maxtra.”
Mada. Monte's eyes rolled. Maxtra was a famous member of Wyatt. He was known for holding all sorts of valuables, but he was even more famous for not showing his face.
“How do you know who it is?”
As such, the identity of the Maxtra Supreme was always shrouded in secrecy. Madame Monte asked in a curious voice. Cecilia smiled.
“I just happened to find out.”
Diego Lawson, the owner of the top of Maxtra.
Of course, Cecilia didn't know in her previous life, but now that she had died and returned to life, she knew who he was and, if time continued like this, whose husband he would become.
“They say he is an amazing person.”
The man who made Ilya Nova into Countess Lawson. That was Diego Lawson.
“So I thought I’d try to become closer to him.”
“Do you need anything?”
And Cecilia had no intention of seeing that in this life. Diego didn't care whether his wife was the Emperor's mistress or not. He didn't love his wife, but he loved the honor and power she would bring him.
“Similar. Abby. Go and deliver this letter to the Morak Pawn Shop.”
There was no way that such a man would change in this life. So Cecilia decided to bring Diego Lawson to her side. He was a useful person in many ways, aside from being Ilya Nova's husband.
“When you say the Morak Pawn Shop, you mean that big building near Upper Street, right?”
At Cecilia's request, Abby nodded obediently and asked.
“That’s right. Have a safe trip.”
Although it is unknown how Cecilia knew about the Maxtra upper house, Madame Monte and Abby did whatever Cecilia told them to do.
This time it was the same.
“Who are you looking for?”
Cecilia smiled at Madame Monte's question.
“Master of the top of Maxtra.”
Mada. Monte's eyes rolled. Maxtra was a famous member of Wyatt. He was known for holding all sorts of valuables, but he was even more famous for not showing his face.
“How do you know who it is?”
As such, the identity of the Maxtra Supreme was always shrouded in secrecy. Madame Monte asked in a curious voice. Cecilia smiled.
“I just happened to find out.”
Diego Lawson, the owner of the top of Maxtra.
Of course, Cecilia didn't know in her previous life, but now that she had died and returned to life, she knew who he was and, if time continued like this, whose husband he would become.
“They say he is an amazing person.”
The man who made Ilya Nova into Countess Lawson. That was Diego Lawson.
“So I thought I’d try to become closer to him.”
“Do you need anything?”
And Cecilia had no intention of seeing that in this life. Diego didn't care whether his wife was the Emperor's mistress or not. He didn't love his wife, but he loved the honor and power she would bring him.
“Similar. Abby. Go and deliver this letter to the Morak Pawn Shop.”
There was no way that such a man would change in this life. So Cecilia decided to bring Diego Lawson to her side. He was a useful person in many ways, aside from being Ilya Nova's husband.
“When you say the Morak Pawn Shop, you mean that big building near Upper Street, right?”
At Cecilia's request, Abby nodded obediently and asked.
“That’s right. Have a safe trip.”
Although it is unknown how Cecilia knew about the Maxtra upper house, Madame Monte and Abby did whatever Cecilia told them to do.
This time it was the same.
Support Novellate!
Comments
Post a Comment