CYSWTF - Chapter 49

Episode 49. If You Confess


Milliora wanted to run away in fear.

However, since she was born with silver hair, that was impossible. She had to get hurt again in the gap of this war.

As the competition progressed, how much would the Empress despise her, and how much would the palace officials laugh at her behind her back?

If she was going to ruin the competition anyway, she wanted to do it her way. She wanted to enjoy fragrant tea and delicious snacks with familiar people.

However, her friends could not focus at all in front of the issue that was at stake for her life or death. Macaroons, tea, jewels, and auctions. She only cared about making them happy.

In fact, she already knew why. Because it was someone else's business.

The reason they loved her tea parties was that they could brag about 'I went to the palace a few days ago.'

But still, the tea party members were precious to her. They were the only ones who would come running when she called and compliment her on the smallest things.

But on days like this, when she really needed help, the truth she had tried to forget was revealed.

She was just piling up failures little by little every day.

It seemed like the Empress had stuck a label on her chest that her level was that low by keeping a lowly illegitimate child by her side as her maid.

The reason the Empress hated her no longer mattered. It had been that way for a long time.

The lowly maid would not leave her side, and tomorrow her friends would not come looking for the surprising answer to the competition.

But Milliora had no other way. She had no choice but to look in any direction, no matter how much she turned her head, and there was no way forward.

All she could do was pretend like nothing happened, raise her chin proudly, and smile.

***

We met in the backyard where the sunset was beautifully shining.

Lord Rond, who was sitting on his usual bench, turned his head away when Prince Kydel appeared.

I went to a distance where Lord Rond could not hear our conversation and greeted Prince Kydel.

He smiled in the warm, sinking light.

Sly.

“Lady Loire has called me.”

I was as hurt as I could be from the moment he showed up, but I greeted him with an iron-clad expression.

I would do it too.

“Thank you for accepting my sudden request for a meeting, Prince Kydel.”

“No, Lady Loire. Is there anything I can help you with?”

His answer was stiff and extremely polite. It was also annoying that he was so quick to adjust to the situation.

However, I held it back because it was better than him pretending to be friendly in front of Lord Rond.

I held out the box containing his servant medals and spoke with great distance and politeness.

“First of all, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for your kindness, Prince Kydel.”

“You are welcome.”

This wasn’t some kid’s play.

I felt my stomach boil as I saw Prince Kydel’s lips twitching as he tried to hold back a smile.

“The reason I asked to see you was to return this. I thank you once again, Prince, and I will never forget your kindness.”

Prince Kydel looked at the new medal on my chest, nodded briefly, and took the box.

“No, you are not. It is the duty of a noble to help a woman in distress.”

With that, he turned around.

I almost grabbed the hem of his clothes. Oh, sir.

“Prince Kydel!”

He clearly heard my call, but he didn’t move for a moment. My mouth felt dry in those few seconds.

Whether he was doing it on purpose or it was just my mood, he slowly turned around and looked at me.

“Is there anything you haven’t told me yet, Miss Loire?”

That bastard, he’s doing it on purpose.

I almost ground my teeth. But there was nothing I could do. I had to convey Her Highness’s wishes.

“Her Highness would like to invite Prince Kydel to a tea party. I would like to ask if you would be able to attend, Prince Kydel.”

Then the smile disappeared from his face.

“I’m afraid that would be inappropriate, given the competition has already begun, Miss Loire. From now on, I will be acting as His Highness Grayon’s attendant.”

“Yes. I understand.”

I awkwardly replied, feeling relieved at his refusal.

Because if he had come to the Princess’s palace in a fit of pique at my word, Her Highness would have completely misunderstood our relationship.

I would rather be scolded for being incompetent.

But then, he suddenly smiled, took a step forward, leaned down, and whispered in my ear.

His attitude was secretive, but his tone was truly calm.

“That letter, if you confess, I might be able to attend.”

I gasped and took a step back.

Then that’s right! This is why I didn’t want to come.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you’re talking about, Prince Kydel. Thank you again. Please be careful on your way back.”

I ran back. I thought I could hear Prince Kydel laughing softly behind me, so I wanted to cover my ears.

***

As soon as I entered the room, I sat down.

I had only exchanged a few words with Prince Kydel, but I was so exhausted.

“It’s because of that damned letter.”

How long was he going to keep talking about that letter?

Sometimes it even seemed like he enjoyed interrogating me. He was persistent.

But in the end, the cause was mine. This wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t been angry with Misha.

The Countess and Misha always lived well, even when they harmed others, but I didn’t think I could do this.

“...”

I gently placed my hand on my chest. My maid medal was hanging there quietly.

I had jumped into this lion’s den to get this. To buy my future with this small medal.

So instead of being upset like this, I had to make this medal valuable.

I tried hard to say it out loud.

“I can do it!”

***

When I went to Her Highness’s reception room the next day, Keril Ryson’s seat was empty. She seemed to be late.

Her Highness, who had come in last, smiled happily at Keryl’s empty seat.

“Is Keryl late because she stayed up all night?”

“That is...”

The young lady on the other side hesitated.

“Miss Keryl said that her father’s business had problems, and she won’t be able to come to the palace anymore.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes... Your Highness.”

But Her Highness said calmly.

“Then shall we try the contest problem again?”

“I thought about it, Your Highness. Two years ago, on my father’s birthday, I...”

The young ladies eagerly proposed gifts for His Majesty’s birthday, and Her Highness listened in silence.

She didn’t mention the sudden disappearance of Keryl, who had been the leader of the tea party for a long time.

But strangely, I felt lonely watching them.

The young ladies bragged about how they took cold baths to stay up all night or how much stimulating tea they drank.

However, their proposed gifts were simple, bizarre, or domestic, and did not fit the contest at all.

One young lady said, looking around.

“Your Highness, but Prince Kydel...”

Then all the young ladies looked at Her Highness with bright eyes.

“Yes! We really thought about it! It would be really great if we could have tea with Prince Kydel, Your Highness.”

The young lady glared at me and asked nervously.

“Lorisha. Prince Locard?”

She looked as if she would tear me apart if I told her that he had refused. You’ll probably be the one who’ll make a fuss, saying that you’re the one who’s ashamed of me.

I opened my mouth as if I were swallowing a bitter pill.

“Prince Kydel is the attendant of His Highness the Second Prince Grayon...” 

At that moment, an announcement was made from outside.

“Her Highness, Prince Locard Kydel has eaten.”

Gosh. Gosh.

Small voices rang out at the same time, and Her Highness the Princess glared at me with eyes of disbelief.

I was also shocked.

Where the hell did this damn thing come from?

Prince Kydel, who entered the reception room, was even more gleaming and sleek today. It seemed as if a fragrance was wafting where he passed.

“Her Highness, Princess Milliora, the little sun of Tagar, greets you. The flowers of the royal family are beautiful today as well. I apologize for being a little late due to urgent business. Your Highness, the Princess.”

“No. Sit down. Prince Locard.”

The young ladies who heard his voice let out a very small gasp. It was as if this place had suddenly become a small birdcage.

Prince Kaydel sat in Keryl’s empty seat, greeted the tea party members, and drank tea. As I stared at the scene, I had the illusion that the room’s brightness had slightly increased.

Aside from the thought of wanting to grab him, I pondered why he had suddenly declined my invitation and showed up today.

However, I couldn’t think of anything plausible.

He must have held a grudge against me for the letter incident, but he had saved me from the awkward situation of the appointment ceremony.

And now he has done as I asked. This was contradictory.

Was the war hero, the head of the Academy, harassing me in a new and unimaginable way?

Meanwhile, the conversation was heating up.

“Is it true that the Duke saved His Highness the Second Prince’s life?”

“We were all ready to sacrifice our lives for the little sun of the Empire. I was just there at that moment.”

“Oh, how wonderful!”

The Princess also chimed in.

“I heard that His Majesty the Emperor will award you the Order of Cavalry?”

“I am grateful to have heard so.”

“No one has ever received the Order of Cavalry at such a young age as the Duke.” 

“It is simply an honor, Your Highness.”

Another young lady chimed in.

“I wish Prince Kydel had been Your Highness’s attendant. Then we could have more frequent events like this!”

“I am grateful that we have an event today.”

“How wonderfully you have spoken!”

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