“As soon as I received Your Highness’s letter, I immediately ordered the dress from Etoile. My attendant has been decided to be Count Anatoly’s second son.”
“Oh my god. Did he ask you first?”
As Irina nodded shyly, Thalia let out a gasp with her eyes sparkling. Her initially haughty and cold demeanor quickly disappeared.
My eyes widened. How did Thalia know him? After all, he was an imperial noble. He had no connection to the heir to the duchy.
Thalia added, noticing my question.
“He was a college classmate of mine, and he was handsome. He was quite famous.”
“That’s because we’ve been close since we were young. It’s like a friendship between childhood friends...”
“Still. If the young ladies who were after that young lady found out, they would be upset. My cousin has agreed to be my partner.”
“There is a real exhaust. Our Highness...”
I should know something about the social situations. I was listening to their conversation as if observing them when Irina stopped talking and glanced in my direction.
What, what is it? Why on earth are you looking at me like that? Thalia asked with her eyes shining as if she had realized something in that gaze.
“Your Highness, with all due respect, is it possible that Duke Ashkabad will be attending this ball?”
“I haven’t heard anything specific yet. I think it might be the case, but...”
Before I could finish my story, the two of them held hands and let out joyful cheers. Seeing them do this at the same time with the same expression on their faces made me feel embarrassed for some reason.
Since when were you guys so close... Even though you just met today...
“These days, the story of the two of you is a hot topic in social circles.”
“His Excellency the Duke of Ashkabad has never officially accompanied any woman in society.”
Has he never officially served a woman? But didn't he have Lady Veronica?
I also now had some understanding of the workings of the social world. No matter how much he hated it, it was right to behave in a certain way in official settings since they were going so far as to get engaged.
I asked with the attitude that I would solve any questions I had right away.
“But there was Lady Veronica.”
Irina chose her words carefully.
“When you actually get engaged, you will fulfill your obligations from then on...”
“At that time, rumors of discord were particularly rampant. It may be presumptuous of me to say this, but after that remark, several young ladies sent a request to the Duke to take them as his concubines.”
“Oh, I heard that too. I heard that they were even offered a contract marriage... Of course, they all say he turned them all down.”
Irina quickly added.
“But since he is accompanying Your Highness this time, it seems that it is true that he has been in love with you since childhood, as the rumors say!”
At those words, I couldn't pretend to be calm anymore and ended up blushing. What Laskan had said last time came to mind.
The maids' eyes sparkled at my reaction.
“Your Highness, please tell me in detail!”
The three of us lay in our pajamas, chatting away until dawn that day.
From how they applied to be maids to their respective household chores and love lives.
From what I've heard, it seems like Thalia has someone she likes within the Empire. That's why she insisted on going to the Empire and why she came as my maid. As a Princess, she inevitably met many nobles.
What the hell did she want to experience the wider world before becoming the ruler of the duchy... Turns out she was just running away to find love.
Irina said she had been in love with Count Anatoly's second son for a long time. She complained that he thought of her as nothing more than a younger sister, but I had already figured it out.
If he had just thought of her as my little sister, he wouldn't have asked her to go to the New Year's party with him. We giggled and thought seriously together and then went to sleep around sunrise.
When I saw the three of us yawning with the same faces in the morning, I really felt like I had someone on my side.
It was a strange thing. If I were still Sasha of George, I would not have dared sit next to these noble ladies.
Since Thalia and I are the same age, we quickly became comfortable with each other. Although she would sometimes seem a bit wary and keep her distance, it wasn't because she hated me, but rather because she felt like she was trying to keep me centered.
“Excuse me, Your Highness. Take a look at this, too. Yes, yes, this fabric is also very pretty.”
Thalia said, yawning. In her hands was a book of fabrics for the dress she would wear for the Entremette.
I said, taking the fifth book from her hands.
“If you’re tired, go in and sleep a little more.”
“Oh, no. If I drink another cup of coffee...”
“If you drink one more glass, it’ll be your fourth glass already. If you keep doing this, you won’t be able to sleep tonight, either.”
“Yes, Thalia. Go inside and rest.”
Irina gently interjected. The dark circles under her eyes were not the usual tired look.
They say that the educated young ladies of noble families usually wake up after ten o'clock. I'm used to sleeping in and waking up early, so...
In the past, it was because of the dishwashing job, but after receiving hellish special training from Cesare at the Duke's mansion, I felt like I was living too comfortably now... I would often feel anxious about that.
Anyway, unlike me, who was relatively energetic although a little sleepy, the two seemed completely overwhelmed by fatigue. I closed the book and got up from my seat.
“I’m going for a walk.”
“Then let’s practice...”
“I’ll be drinking tea in the garden, so both of you sleep a little longer and come down. We’re almost done with today’s work anyway. I’ve almost finished choosing the fabric.”
I pushed the two who refused to go away and told the maids to prepare tea in the garden. I still had about three books of fabric left that I had not finished reading, so I planned to take my time and finish them.
It wasn't like I was the one who found out the latest trends by looking at them, but it was easy because Irina and Thalia, who were socially savvy, saw them before me and highlighted them in red.
“Your Highness, aren’t you tired?”
Lisa asked, gently placing the fabric book I was supposed to look at on the garden table.
“I’m fine. Just open the sunshade, and Lisa can go inside and rest.”
“Yes, I’ll do that. Is the shade adequate?”
“Just right.”
I liked the new friends I made, but Lisa was still the best. I've known her for a long time, so she knows I'm not talking nonsense.
Lisa also found herself spending more time alone, especially after I said I preferred to be alone.
“If you need anything, just call. I left the window open, and I’ll be right back.”
I waved my hand in response and then lowered my head back to the book.
I originally had a hard time choosing clothes to wear. That's why I like one-piece dresses. If I wear one, I don't have to worry about anything else.
But after taking the throne as the Princess, I had to choose everything myself, from the fabric to the style of the dress. It was an incredibly frustrating task.
Especially, I still don't know what I like more and what I find prettier. It was when I was flipping through a fabric book with great concentration.
“Your Highness Princess Anastasia?”
To my surprise, it was a strange man's voice. I looked up in surprise. A man was approaching me across the garden.
He was a very handsome man, even at first glance. For a moment, I forgot that he was trespassing and let out a breath of admiration.
He had gray hair that was almost silver and deep green eyes that were infinitely elegant. He was a man who was better described as pretty than handsome.
If Laskan was as noble as a statue sculpted by a god, this place had a decadent atmosphere that would even charm a saint. Anyway, when he entered the palace, my eyes were completely smitten.
I quickly shut my gaping mouth and pretended to have a stern expression.
“It is a felony to trespass on the personal space of the Princess. Which family’s Young Master is so rude?”
He knelt gracefully at my feet without even asking permission.
“This is Lionel of Batistan, Your Highness.”
Batistan? Are you talking about the Marquis Batistan I know?
I quickly recalled the family tree in my head. On the outside, I looked calm, but in fact, I was very confused.
Was there a person named Lionel in that family? After thinking about it anxiously, I was finally able to recall a person's name.
Could it be that Lionel...? He said with a bashful smile, as if to drive a wedge into my suspicions.
“Yes, Dmitry Lionel Sol Batistan. Greetings to Your Highness the Princess.”
It was a bigger deal than I thought.
He gave me a quick kiss on the back of my hand and sat down on the chair opposite me without me even asking. His manner was so natural and flowing that I realized too late that it was rude.
I asked with my eyes wide open in bewilderment.
“What brought you into my garden?”
“Please excuse my rudeness. I didn’t want to make an official record of my visit. I’m glad you’re out in the garden.”
“...”
“If not, I was thinking about whether I should climb out the window.”
Unlike his beautiful face, his slightly hoarse and quiet voice sounded extremely ominous.
I was so shocked that I let out a short laugh.
“I didn’t know that the owner of that venerable family was someone who would just leave like this.”
“I hear it often.”
I meant it to hurt, but he took it so gently. It was mind-blowing.
I thought all nobles were obsessed with fame, but he seemed a little different.
In the end, curiosity won out. I closed the book and asked. I wasn't angry, but my expression was a little crumpled.
“Why on earth are you acting so rudely?”
Even at my fierce expression, he smiled leisurely and spoke softly.
“I will answer your question. I would like to accompany you during this entremete.”
“Oh my god. Did he ask you first?”
As Irina nodded shyly, Thalia let out a gasp with her eyes sparkling. Her initially haughty and cold demeanor quickly disappeared.
My eyes widened. How did Thalia know him? After all, he was an imperial noble. He had no connection to the heir to the duchy.
Thalia added, noticing my question.
“He was a college classmate of mine, and he was handsome. He was quite famous.”
“That’s because we’ve been close since we were young. It’s like a friendship between childhood friends...”
“Still. If the young ladies who were after that young lady found out, they would be upset. My cousin has agreed to be my partner.”
“There is a real exhaust. Our Highness...”
I should know something about the social situations. I was listening to their conversation as if observing them when Irina stopped talking and glanced in my direction.
What, what is it? Why on earth are you looking at me like that? Thalia asked with her eyes shining as if she had realized something in that gaze.
“Your Highness, with all due respect, is it possible that Duke Ashkabad will be attending this ball?”
“I haven’t heard anything specific yet. I think it might be the case, but...”
Before I could finish my story, the two of them held hands and let out joyful cheers. Seeing them do this at the same time with the same expression on their faces made me feel embarrassed for some reason.
Since when were you guys so close... Even though you just met today...
“These days, the story of the two of you is a hot topic in social circles.”
“His Excellency the Duke of Ashkabad has never officially accompanied any woman in society.”
Has he never officially served a woman? But didn't he have Lady Veronica?
I also now had some understanding of the workings of the social world. No matter how much he hated it, it was right to behave in a certain way in official settings since they were going so far as to get engaged.
I asked with the attitude that I would solve any questions I had right away.
“But there was Lady Veronica.”
Irina chose her words carefully.
“When you actually get engaged, you will fulfill your obligations from then on...”
“At that time, rumors of discord were particularly rampant. It may be presumptuous of me to say this, but after that remark, several young ladies sent a request to the Duke to take them as his concubines.”
“Oh, I heard that too. I heard that they were even offered a contract marriage... Of course, they all say he turned them all down.”
Irina quickly added.
“But since he is accompanying Your Highness this time, it seems that it is true that he has been in love with you since childhood, as the rumors say!”
At those words, I couldn't pretend to be calm anymore and ended up blushing. What Laskan had said last time came to mind.
The maids' eyes sparkled at my reaction.
“Your Highness, please tell me in detail!”
***
The three of us lay in our pajamas, chatting away until dawn that day.
From how they applied to be maids to their respective household chores and love lives.
From what I've heard, it seems like Thalia has someone she likes within the Empire. That's why she insisted on going to the Empire and why she came as my maid. As a Princess, she inevitably met many nobles.
What the hell did she want to experience the wider world before becoming the ruler of the duchy... Turns out she was just running away to find love.
Irina said she had been in love with Count Anatoly's second son for a long time. She complained that he thought of her as nothing more than a younger sister, but I had already figured it out.
If he had just thought of her as my little sister, he wouldn't have asked her to go to the New Year's party with him. We giggled and thought seriously together and then went to sleep around sunrise.
When I saw the three of us yawning with the same faces in the morning, I really felt like I had someone on my side.
It was a strange thing. If I were still Sasha of George, I would not have dared sit next to these noble ladies.
Since Thalia and I are the same age, we quickly became comfortable with each other. Although she would sometimes seem a bit wary and keep her distance, it wasn't because she hated me, but rather because she felt like she was trying to keep me centered.
“Excuse me, Your Highness. Take a look at this, too. Yes, yes, this fabric is also very pretty.”
Thalia said, yawning. In her hands was a book of fabrics for the dress she would wear for the Entremette.
I said, taking the fifth book from her hands.
“If you’re tired, go in and sleep a little more.”
“Oh, no. If I drink another cup of coffee...”
“If you drink one more glass, it’ll be your fourth glass already. If you keep doing this, you won’t be able to sleep tonight, either.”
“Yes, Thalia. Go inside and rest.”
Irina gently interjected. The dark circles under her eyes were not the usual tired look.
They say that the educated young ladies of noble families usually wake up after ten o'clock. I'm used to sleeping in and waking up early, so...
In the past, it was because of the dishwashing job, but after receiving hellish special training from Cesare at the Duke's mansion, I felt like I was living too comfortably now... I would often feel anxious about that.
Anyway, unlike me, who was relatively energetic although a little sleepy, the two seemed completely overwhelmed by fatigue. I closed the book and got up from my seat.
“I’m going for a walk.”
“Then let’s practice...”
“I’ll be drinking tea in the garden, so both of you sleep a little longer and come down. We’re almost done with today’s work anyway. I’ve almost finished choosing the fabric.”
I pushed the two who refused to go away and told the maids to prepare tea in the garden. I still had about three books of fabric left that I had not finished reading, so I planned to take my time and finish them.
It wasn't like I was the one who found out the latest trends by looking at them, but it was easy because Irina and Thalia, who were socially savvy, saw them before me and highlighted them in red.
“Your Highness, aren’t you tired?”
Lisa asked, gently placing the fabric book I was supposed to look at on the garden table.
“I’m fine. Just open the sunshade, and Lisa can go inside and rest.”
“Yes, I’ll do that. Is the shade adequate?”
“Just right.”
I liked the new friends I made, but Lisa was still the best. I've known her for a long time, so she knows I'm not talking nonsense.
Lisa also found herself spending more time alone, especially after I said I preferred to be alone.
“If you need anything, just call. I left the window open, and I’ll be right back.”
I waved my hand in response and then lowered my head back to the book.
I originally had a hard time choosing clothes to wear. That's why I like one-piece dresses. If I wear one, I don't have to worry about anything else.
But after taking the throne as the Princess, I had to choose everything myself, from the fabric to the style of the dress. It was an incredibly frustrating task.
Especially, I still don't know what I like more and what I find prettier. It was when I was flipping through a fabric book with great concentration.
“Your Highness Princess Anastasia?”
To my surprise, it was a strange man's voice. I looked up in surprise. A man was approaching me across the garden.
He was a very handsome man, even at first glance. For a moment, I forgot that he was trespassing and let out a breath of admiration.
He had gray hair that was almost silver and deep green eyes that were infinitely elegant. He was a man who was better described as pretty than handsome.
If Laskan was as noble as a statue sculpted by a god, this place had a decadent atmosphere that would even charm a saint. Anyway, when he entered the palace, my eyes were completely smitten.
I quickly shut my gaping mouth and pretended to have a stern expression.
“It is a felony to trespass on the personal space of the Princess. Which family’s Young Master is so rude?”
He knelt gracefully at my feet without even asking permission.
“This is Lionel of Batistan, Your Highness.”
Batistan? Are you talking about the Marquis Batistan I know?
I quickly recalled the family tree in my head. On the outside, I looked calm, but in fact, I was very confused.
Was there a person named Lionel in that family? After thinking about it anxiously, I was finally able to recall a person's name.
Could it be that Lionel...? He said with a bashful smile, as if to drive a wedge into my suspicions.
“Yes, Dmitry Lionel Sol Batistan. Greetings to Your Highness the Princess.”
It was a bigger deal than I thought.
He gave me a quick kiss on the back of my hand and sat down on the chair opposite me without me even asking. His manner was so natural and flowing that I realized too late that it was rude.
I asked with my eyes wide open in bewilderment.
“What brought you into my garden?”
“Please excuse my rudeness. I didn’t want to make an official record of my visit. I’m glad you’re out in the garden.”
“...”
“If not, I was thinking about whether I should climb out the window.”
Unlike his beautiful face, his slightly hoarse and quiet voice sounded extremely ominous.
I was so shocked that I let out a short laugh.
“I didn’t know that the owner of that venerable family was someone who would just leave like this.”
“I hear it often.”
I meant it to hurt, but he took it so gently. It was mind-blowing.
I thought all nobles were obsessed with fame, but he seemed a little different.
In the end, curiosity won out. I closed the book and asked. I wasn't angry, but my expression was a little crumpled.
“Why on earth are you acting so rudely?”
Even at my fierce expression, he smiled leisurely and spoke softly.
“I will answer your question. I would like to accompany you during this entremete.”
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