He opened his mouth slowly.
“...I do not believe in Your Highness. No, it would be more accurate to say that I do not believe in the Princess’s return.”
“...”
“This is an incident that has been searched by elite knights for over a decade without any progress. Do you think the imperial family has been ignoring it all this time? There are more than a dozen women who have lied and deceived His Majesty the Emperor.”
“...”
“But that Duke of Ashkabad found the missing Princess on the occasion of my Princess’s coming of age ceremony. Considering the old grudge, it’s not surprising. However, how can you be so sure that you are the Princess when you haven’t even regained your memories?”
Duke Kairak's suspicions were justified. How could I open my mouth? It was as if he had hit me squarely on the head with what I had been pondering all along.
As I hesitated to answer, a clear sense of triumph came over his voice.
“I know that this was something the Emperor did due to his own caprice in his later years. So, I am reluctant to talk about responsibility. So please, know your place and do your best to preserve your precious position.”
“...”
“If you make even one wrong step from that position, you’ll end up in hell.”
It was a remark telling me not to look down on the crown. It was a remark that no one would dare make to a real Princess.
While I was standing there dumbfounded, he bent down once more and walked towards the doorway.
I raised my head. I shouldn't have ended the conversation like that. At least I couldn't have him leave the Princess's palace in such a proud manner.
"Duke."
I pulled up the curtains with my own hands. As a Princess, my appearance was somewhat lacking for a man outside the palace, but it didn't matter. I had to show them anyway.
The Duke was seen turning his head at the sound of the maids' terrified attempts to stop him.
It was a snake-like gaze. Black hair and black eyes. Rather than what it looked like, it came across as a strong impression of being cold and cunning.
The gaze itself was a portrait of rebellion. A sharp blade.
My lips trembled involuntarily, but since he had started a fight, I had to send him off with a blow.
If you get hit in a fight and don't do anything, you'll be known as a coward. Then, it'll be even harder in future fights. And other people will look down on you as well.
This was the truth I had learned in the back alley. I pulled my lips up smoothly.
“I can’t stand this nonsense any longer.”
"You..."
“This is the necklace that was around my neck when I went missing. It is identical to the one in the portrait that is said to be in the palace, so I am sure His Majesty will recognize it immediately.”
I saw the Duke's eyes widen. I don't know if his expression of astonishment was due to Olga's necklace or my resemblance to the Princess. Either way, it was a very useful weapon for me.
“There have been many women who have claimed to be princesses, but I am the only one whom the Emperor has given the palace to.”
“...”
“His Majesty trusts and cherishes me that much. So, Your Excellency, you should also be careful with your words.”
“...”
“If it is revealed that I am the true Princess, you will have to kneel before me to swear allegiance.”
I lied a little too much while I was at it. You might have noticed that I was bluffing, but at least it wasn't something that could be refuted head-on.
Even though the inside story is obvious, the Emperor indeed gave me the palace. And what I wanted was to make a fuss with a few maids. It was not my intention to target the Duke of Kairak in the first place.
But my words seemed to have had more effect than expected, as evidenced by the way his smooth forehead furrowed.
“...How could I not know that Ashkabad was trying to blind the golden Emperor with a woman he didn’t even know where she came from?”
“...”
“Let’s see how long that cheeky brat can last.”
He spoke as if he was chewing and spitting. It was amazing how he could be perfectly elegant and noble while spitting knives out of his mouth.
Just as he was about to take a few steps out the door, I called out to him again.
“The Duke of Kairak.”
It wasn't like I had such a fragile nerve that I would be hurt by the Duke's rude remarks. To me, who was used to wandering the back alleys where this bastard and that bastard were my daily life... How should I put it? The nobles' curses were so refined that they didn't even feel like real curses.
However, I was the type of person who had to hit him one last time to send him off.
“I said I had no memories of my childhood, but there are a few scenes that I vaguely remember.”
“...”
“Sometimes I hear things like the sound of horseshoes, the sound of carriages, the sound of swords clashing.”
This was a complete lie. A lie made up after hearing from Laskan that the carriage had overturned and was covered in blood.
But to those who know the truth, it would be an ultimate threat.
“I’ll get better and better while I'm staying in the palace. They say meeting more people will help you recover your memories.”
“...”
“So, Duke, let’s meet often.”
The Duke looked back at me with an expression that seemed almost like he was going to chew me up. It wasn't the relaxed expression he had at first.
I flinched, but I didn't show it and smiled back. I kept my mouth and eyes wide open as much as possible and held them firmly in place.
The Duke, who had been glaring at me, soon smiled and replied.
“...I think I was mistaken.”
“...”
“I thought you were some stupid and pitiful woman who was dragged around here and there to make up for it.”
“...”
“Then, Your Highness, I will wait for the day to formally greet you.”
He bowed, his movements exaggerated like those of an actor in a play, and it felt more like a mockery.
Soon, the door closed, and the sound of footsteps quickly faded away.
***
I was lying on the long couch, exhausted, as I greeted Laskan. I could hear rather quick footsteps coming from the hallway, which seemed impatient.
When he finally opened the door and came in, I was a little taken aback. He looked so clean just a few hours ago. His clothes and hair were disheveled from the wind... Of course, despite that, he looked as perfect and handsome as usual.
While I was gaping, he quickly crossed the reception area. Then he carefully took hold of my limp hand. Gently, without any effort.
“Don’t do this here. Go to the bedroom and lie down.”
His eyes clouded with regret as soon as I spoke, and then grew cold again at the sound of the maid's voice.
He reprimanded the maid standing next to me in a low voice.
“What have you done? Why are you so powerless?”
“No. It’s just, I’m a little... tired.”
“Your Excellency, Her Royal Highness the Princess needs stability.”
As soon as I spoke, his eyes, which had become clouded with sadness, became cold again at the maid's voice.
I quickly answered before the poor maid got harassed for no reason.
“It’s okay. Really. It’s nothing.”
“...I think it would be better to close the eyes first.”
It was as if the maid's words, "Your Highness," made him realize his position again.
Now that he knew I was really okay, I thought he would let go right away, but instead, he held my hand with even more force. It was only then that I realized that my hands were shaking.
“Are you cold?”
“No. I, more than that...”
As I fidgeted, he bowed his head slightly.
“Please leave me alone. I have something to tell you.”
“...The Princess wants to stay by my side.”
“But, Your Excellency, it is late at night...”
Although she spoke as if she was in a very difficult situation, the maids moved in unison. It was almost as if they were talking while their bodies were stepping back.
...I saw your eyes sparkling as you left.
Well, it's not usually a big deal for an unmarried Princess and a Duke to be in the same place at night - and even have everyone around them bitten.
Of course, I wasn't there for the romantic reasons they thought I was going to have. I said it right away as soon as I made sure the door was completely closed.
“Let’s write up a memorandum. I’ve prepared everything, so Your Excellency, all you have to do is sign it.”
“Are you talking about the memorandum?”
He asked back, dumbfounded. I handed him the paper I had prepared in advance. The paper was densely filled with clauses that I had barely managed to squeeze out of my brain.
I spoke kindly to the bewildered Laskan.
“Read it.”
“First, Sasha swears that she will remain faithful to her role as Princess Anastasia. She will also do her best to achieve the political goals of Duke Ashkabad..."
He couldn't continue speaking and looked back and forth between me and the paper.
“What the heck is this...”
“There are ten.”
I answered calmly. He quickly scanned the paper with his eyes as if he was dumbfounded.
You will guarantee my physical safety, you will guarantee my mental safety, the contract will be renewed monthly, you will immediately transfer a significant amount of property agreed upon after the contract is concluded, you will pay me a tenth of the agreed property as an advance payment every month, you will allow me to be free whenever and wherever I want, and in return, I will believe that I am the real Princess and be faithful to all my duties.
The remaining provisions were all similar and related.
“...What is all this?”
He didn't look angry. Instead, he looked a bit puzzled and uncomprehending.
If you had planned to fool me from the beginning, I would have been angry. However, Laskan just seemed a bit unfamiliar with me being so thorough.
“I had a lot to think about after meeting Duke Kairak.”
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