Isabella opened her eyes wide at the incoming attack and looked at Julia Helena.
“This...!”
But Isabella could not finish her speech. The Princess had been given precedence over Prince Alfonso, although this was controversial. Julia Helena was the highest-ranking woman present today.
Princess Julia Helena ignored Isabella's presence all day. Naturally, Isabella did not exchange a single word with the Princess. According to social etiquette, Isabella could not speak to Julia Helena.
Isabella, who ignored all manners, could not do so in front of the King. And the Princess knew this. She spoke, pronouncing each and every word clearly.
“In Manchike, these small family gatherings are only held by blood-related families.”
This was a declaration of war, telling her that she was the daughter of a Marquis and that no one like the Countess was to speak to her until her name was called.
“The Marquis family is very close-knit and doesn’t allow outsiders in. Unless they’re the spouse of a child.”
Julia Helena was determined to get revenge on Isabella for all the humiliation she had suffered in the drawing room a few days ago.
Isabella bit her lips hard. Her bloodless lips and her clenched fists were all white. The dress she was wearing was also white. Isabella's whole body was white with anger and shame.
“Princess.”
Leo III replied in a hurt mood. He had intended to end today's meal by secretly pairing Cesare and Julia Helena with each other and putting them on a pedestal. Alfonso would be threatened, and Leo III's original plan was for Cesare, Julia Helena, and himself to part ways on a gentle note. He had not calculated that the Princess would come out like this.
“The Etruscan kingdom is a very large country with a long history. Each has its own culture, and they all work differently.”
Julia Helena smiled subtly.
“It’s history.”
Princess Manchike was a descendant of the Old Ratan Empire. She was the daughter of the oldest family on the continent with a long history and tradition. Leo III also heard the subtle criticism in those words, saying that our family is not like that, so why are you talking about tradition? His face turned pale.
“Today, this place! It’s a meeting between the de Carlo family and the de Mare family!”
"Yes?"
Julia Helena tilted her head. There was no patriarch invited from de Mare for a gathering between families. What kind of a gathering between families would leave out the head of the household and invite only the young daughters of other families?
“But isn’t that person Contarini?”
Besides, Julia Helena knew only one de Mare. The fact that that vulgar blonde was sitting at the same table as her was not justified by the King's bizarre excuses.
Rubina, who had been secretly cheering on Julia Helena's challenge, reluctantly smiled slightly and whispered to the Princess, feeling that Leo III was being left alone too much.
“The maiden name of the Countess Contarini is de Mare.”
Rubina added for Julia Helena's understanding.
“Over there, Countess de Mare and Countess Contarini are sisters.”
"Yes?"
This time, Julia Helena's eyes widened.
'They don't look alike at all!'
And in fact, it didn't matter whether they looked alike. The cold wind between them was stronger than that between them.
Julia Helena looked back at Leo III. The old King was nervous for a moment, thinking that Princess Manchike would talk about her family’s history, saying, “If you’re married, you’re already a different family, so why bother bringing up your maiden connection?” But Julia Helena also actively used her matrilineal genealogy. What she said had nothing to do with that.
“I guess it’s okay to waste time laughing at a meal attended by people who don’t match your level.”
And Julia Helena's next words silenced Leo III.
“Your Majesty, what should I write to my home country?”
Princess Julia Helena asked again and again.
“I came to the Etruscan kingdom to marry Prince Alfonso, and here he sits with his spouse.”
Leo III was momentarily speechless. Julia Helena smiled at Ariadne.
“Since you have invited the Prince’s wife here, doesn’t this mean that Your Majesty recognizes Countess de Mare, or rather Princess Ariadne?”
"Out of it!"
Leo III reflexively denied it. He could sense that Alfonso was glaring at him with cold eyes at his words. A cold sweat ran down the old King’s spine. Was that how it looked?
He just wanted to intimidate Alfonso today. He would have made Julia Helena sit next to Cesare and say, “Oh, how beautiful it is to see the two of you together,” “You two are truly devoted to me,” “Duly devoted children are the ones who deserve to inherit the country,” and then the honest son would feel a sense of crisis and say, “Father, I was wrong. Don’t let that Princess marry the Duke, and send her back to her homeland.”
He had been looking forward to a night where he would not have to say a word and still save face. On the contrary, he had never dreamed that this little Princess the size of a walnut would nitpick every little thing and seriously damage his face.
“Then, are you going to catch those two and give the Prince to me? It won’t be easy, will it?”
Julia Helena was proud and confident. She was also unstoppable in front of Ariadne. If Ariadne was truly the Princess, Julia Helena could not have acted like this, but the Princess knew it. Countess de Mare’s position was unstable, and the order in this palace was currently in disarray.
And the Princess had her own justification. She was now not just the daughter of a Marquis, but a representative of a dignified monarchy. Princess Julia Helena asked provocatively.
“Will the contract be fulfilled?”
Leo III nodded instinctively, because if the contract was not fulfilled, 7,200 ducats would be lost.
“Of course it will be carried out!”
He shouted, but the little Princess did not back down an inch.
“The Prince is married, but how? Who will I marry?”
She deliberately avoided looking at the Prince. If she did, the King might get angry and tell Prince Alfonso to leave, which would be disastrous. That was not what Julia Helena wanted.
As the King's reply was delayed, the little Princess became impatient. She increased the level of pressure.
“I have a long way to go. If the marriage with the Etruscan kingdom is not to take place, I must return quickly.”
She counted the numbers with her hands.
“If you return the deposit tomorrow, I will lead the group and get on the ship... Even if I return tomorrow, I will be criticized for being a young woman who has been away from home for too long.”
The nuance was that if the contract is not concluded, damages may be claimed because the reputation has been tarnished.
Leo III was under more pressure than the Princess had intended. Julia Helena could not have imagined that Leo III had already spent the entire deposit of 7,200 ducats and had no money left to return.
“It’s Duke Cesare!”
Leo III declared solemnly. At those words, Cesare turned to his father with a look of despair. Rubina smiled, Alfonso’s face remained motionless, Ariadne felt a little relieved, and Isabella’s expression turned even paler.
“I will make my Duke Cesare a Grand Duke and make you a Principessa!”
He added.
“Why don’t you just make it Principessa as per the contract?”
The old King was not one to be pushed around so pitifully by such a young Princess in negotiations, but a man with no cash left could not help but be in a hurry.
“Within 6 months!”
A brief flash of delight crossed Princess Julia Helena's face.
'Yes!'
It was everything she had wanted! But Julia Helena did not reveal her inner feelings. It was the moment when the knowledge of the King she had learned since childhood shone. She continued her offensive with her face hardened.
“The reason we Manchike signed the marriage alliance was because of the military power of the Etruscan kingdom. If you gave me the Grand Duke Cesare as my husband instead of Prince Alfonso, would I also be able to use the military power I originally expected?”
“I’ll give it to you, I’ll give it to you!”
“How?”
Leo III, who was absent-minded, shouted nervously.
“Delpiano!”
The attendant ran out in a hurry, and there was a sound of someone running outside. Leo III did not wait for his secretary to arrive, but spoke to the Princess with a slightly irritated expression.
"Discuss the details with the staff. Anyway, I will swear on my dignity as the King that Manchike will get what we were promised.”
It was a promise made without even thinking about who would give the cake. Alfonso, the master of the army, looked at Leo III with a dumbfounded expression.
'...Don't think that the 'Black Helmet Knights' will be dispatched for the Princess.'
The Prince swallowed his words as he was about to say them. This dinner, originally a family gathering, had suddenly turned into a diplomatic stage because of Leo III, who had looked down on Princess Julia Helena. In a diplomatic battle, he could not make an impromptu statement to a foreign envoy without prior coordination with the king.
'If there is a commander in chief and a general under his command does something like that, he is subject to summary execution under military law.'
It was peacetime, and Alfonso was a Prince, so he wouldn't be killed, but that would be subverting the chain of command. Alfonso, a natural soldier, was the opposite of such impulsive action.
'But I must make that clear to the Princess, even if it's unofficially.'
Alfonso had no intention of conscripting the 'Knights of the Black Helmet' into such a useless war, and he also had no intention of allowing the young Princess to be fooled by his father's boasts and sign a contract that could not be kept. Unaware of the Prince's temper, Julia Helena answered briskly.
“I will convey it that way.”
But this Princess also has the talent to take a step back at crucial times.
“It’s not my place to make decisions. I’ll ask my father.”
Julia Helena smiled. This young Princess was reckless and smart. Ariadne inwardly stuck out her tongue. If Julia Helena had insisted that she would not marry anyone but Alfonso, even if she died, she would not have been easy prey.
“But... I need to convince my father that that promise can be kept.”
Alfonso realized that Julia Helena did not fully trust Leo III either. Ariadne saw the look of sly accomplishment on Julia Helena's face and thought that Leo III might collapse from high blood pressure.
The Princess smiled cutely at Leo III. Leo III felt very uncomfortable with her smile.
“I feel like I lack the materials to convince my father.”
The old King shuddered slightly. He, too, realized that the young Princess had not been deceived by him.
“I would appreciate it if you could help me out a little. Even if it’s not exactly what you originally promised.”
This doesn't necessarily have to be military force, but it's more of a call to give something more.
“This...!”
But Isabella could not finish her speech. The Princess had been given precedence over Prince Alfonso, although this was controversial. Julia Helena was the highest-ranking woman present today.
Princess Julia Helena ignored Isabella's presence all day. Naturally, Isabella did not exchange a single word with the Princess. According to social etiquette, Isabella could not speak to Julia Helena.
Isabella, who ignored all manners, could not do so in front of the King. And the Princess knew this. She spoke, pronouncing each and every word clearly.
“In Manchike, these small family gatherings are only held by blood-related families.”
This was a declaration of war, telling her that she was the daughter of a Marquis and that no one like the Countess was to speak to her until her name was called.
“The Marquis family is very close-knit and doesn’t allow outsiders in. Unless they’re the spouse of a child.”
Julia Helena was determined to get revenge on Isabella for all the humiliation she had suffered in the drawing room a few days ago.
Isabella bit her lips hard. Her bloodless lips and her clenched fists were all white. The dress she was wearing was also white. Isabella's whole body was white with anger and shame.
“Princess.”
Leo III replied in a hurt mood. He had intended to end today's meal by secretly pairing Cesare and Julia Helena with each other and putting them on a pedestal. Alfonso would be threatened, and Leo III's original plan was for Cesare, Julia Helena, and himself to part ways on a gentle note. He had not calculated that the Princess would come out like this.
“The Etruscan kingdom is a very large country with a long history. Each has its own culture, and they all work differently.”
Julia Helena smiled subtly.
“It’s history.”
Princess Manchike was a descendant of the Old Ratan Empire. She was the daughter of the oldest family on the continent with a long history and tradition. Leo III also heard the subtle criticism in those words, saying that our family is not like that, so why are you talking about tradition? His face turned pale.
“Today, this place! It’s a meeting between the de Carlo family and the de Mare family!”
"Yes?"
Julia Helena tilted her head. There was no patriarch invited from de Mare for a gathering between families. What kind of a gathering between families would leave out the head of the household and invite only the young daughters of other families?
“But isn’t that person Contarini?”
Besides, Julia Helena knew only one de Mare. The fact that that vulgar blonde was sitting at the same table as her was not justified by the King's bizarre excuses.
Rubina, who had been secretly cheering on Julia Helena's challenge, reluctantly smiled slightly and whispered to the Princess, feeling that Leo III was being left alone too much.
“The maiden name of the Countess Contarini is de Mare.”
Rubina added for Julia Helena's understanding.
“Over there, Countess de Mare and Countess Contarini are sisters.”
"Yes?"
This time, Julia Helena's eyes widened.
'They don't look alike at all!'
And in fact, it didn't matter whether they looked alike. The cold wind between them was stronger than that between them.
Julia Helena looked back at Leo III. The old King was nervous for a moment, thinking that Princess Manchike would talk about her family’s history, saying, “If you’re married, you’re already a different family, so why bother bringing up your maiden connection?” But Julia Helena also actively used her matrilineal genealogy. What she said had nothing to do with that.
“I guess it’s okay to waste time laughing at a meal attended by people who don’t match your level.”
And Julia Helena's next words silenced Leo III.
“Your Majesty, what should I write to my home country?”
Princess Julia Helena asked again and again.
“I came to the Etruscan kingdom to marry Prince Alfonso, and here he sits with his spouse.”
Leo III was momentarily speechless. Julia Helena smiled at Ariadne.
“Since you have invited the Prince’s wife here, doesn’t this mean that Your Majesty recognizes Countess de Mare, or rather Princess Ariadne?”
"Out of it!"
Leo III reflexively denied it. He could sense that Alfonso was glaring at him with cold eyes at his words. A cold sweat ran down the old King’s spine. Was that how it looked?
He just wanted to intimidate Alfonso today. He would have made Julia Helena sit next to Cesare and say, “Oh, how beautiful it is to see the two of you together,” “You two are truly devoted to me,” “Duly devoted children are the ones who deserve to inherit the country,” and then the honest son would feel a sense of crisis and say, “Father, I was wrong. Don’t let that Princess marry the Duke, and send her back to her homeland.”
He had been looking forward to a night where he would not have to say a word and still save face. On the contrary, he had never dreamed that this little Princess the size of a walnut would nitpick every little thing and seriously damage his face.
“Then, are you going to catch those two and give the Prince to me? It won’t be easy, will it?”
Julia Helena was proud and confident. She was also unstoppable in front of Ariadne. If Ariadne was truly the Princess, Julia Helena could not have acted like this, but the Princess knew it. Countess de Mare’s position was unstable, and the order in this palace was currently in disarray.
And the Princess had her own justification. She was now not just the daughter of a Marquis, but a representative of a dignified monarchy. Princess Julia Helena asked provocatively.
“Will the contract be fulfilled?”
Leo III nodded instinctively, because if the contract was not fulfilled, 7,200 ducats would be lost.
“Of course it will be carried out!”
He shouted, but the little Princess did not back down an inch.
“The Prince is married, but how? Who will I marry?”
She deliberately avoided looking at the Prince. If she did, the King might get angry and tell Prince Alfonso to leave, which would be disastrous. That was not what Julia Helena wanted.
As the King's reply was delayed, the little Princess became impatient. She increased the level of pressure.
“I have a long way to go. If the marriage with the Etruscan kingdom is not to take place, I must return quickly.”
She counted the numbers with her hands.
“If you return the deposit tomorrow, I will lead the group and get on the ship... Even if I return tomorrow, I will be criticized for being a young woman who has been away from home for too long.”
The nuance was that if the contract is not concluded, damages may be claimed because the reputation has been tarnished.
Leo III was under more pressure than the Princess had intended. Julia Helena could not have imagined that Leo III had already spent the entire deposit of 7,200 ducats and had no money left to return.
“It’s Duke Cesare!”
Leo III declared solemnly. At those words, Cesare turned to his father with a look of despair. Rubina smiled, Alfonso’s face remained motionless, Ariadne felt a little relieved, and Isabella’s expression turned even paler.
“I will make my Duke Cesare a Grand Duke and make you a Principessa!”
He added.
“Why don’t you just make it Principessa as per the contract?”
The old King was not one to be pushed around so pitifully by such a young Princess in negotiations, but a man with no cash left could not help but be in a hurry.
“Within 6 months!”
A brief flash of delight crossed Princess Julia Helena's face.
'Yes!'
It was everything she had wanted! But Julia Helena did not reveal her inner feelings. It was the moment when the knowledge of the King she had learned since childhood shone. She continued her offensive with her face hardened.
“The reason we Manchike signed the marriage alliance was because of the military power of the Etruscan kingdom. If you gave me the Grand Duke Cesare as my husband instead of Prince Alfonso, would I also be able to use the military power I originally expected?”
“I’ll give it to you, I’ll give it to you!”
“How?”
Leo III, who was absent-minded, shouted nervously.
“Delpiano!”
The attendant ran out in a hurry, and there was a sound of someone running outside. Leo III did not wait for his secretary to arrive, but spoke to the Princess with a slightly irritated expression.
"Discuss the details with the staff. Anyway, I will swear on my dignity as the King that Manchike will get what we were promised.”
It was a promise made without even thinking about who would give the cake. Alfonso, the master of the army, looked at Leo III with a dumbfounded expression.
'...Don't think that the 'Black Helmet Knights' will be dispatched for the Princess.'
The Prince swallowed his words as he was about to say them. This dinner, originally a family gathering, had suddenly turned into a diplomatic stage because of Leo III, who had looked down on Princess Julia Helena. In a diplomatic battle, he could not make an impromptu statement to a foreign envoy without prior coordination with the king.
'If there is a commander in chief and a general under his command does something like that, he is subject to summary execution under military law.'
It was peacetime, and Alfonso was a Prince, so he wouldn't be killed, but that would be subverting the chain of command. Alfonso, a natural soldier, was the opposite of such impulsive action.
'But I must make that clear to the Princess, even if it's unofficially.'
Alfonso had no intention of conscripting the 'Knights of the Black Helmet' into such a useless war, and he also had no intention of allowing the young Princess to be fooled by his father's boasts and sign a contract that could not be kept. Unaware of the Prince's temper, Julia Helena answered briskly.
“I will convey it that way.”
But this Princess also has the talent to take a step back at crucial times.
“It’s not my place to make decisions. I’ll ask my father.”
Julia Helena smiled. This young Princess was reckless and smart. Ariadne inwardly stuck out her tongue. If Julia Helena had insisted that she would not marry anyone but Alfonso, even if she died, she would not have been easy prey.
“But... I need to convince my father that that promise can be kept.”
Alfonso realized that Julia Helena did not fully trust Leo III either. Ariadne saw the look of sly accomplishment on Julia Helena's face and thought that Leo III might collapse from high blood pressure.
The Princess smiled cutely at Leo III. Leo III felt very uncomfortable with her smile.
“I feel like I lack the materials to convince my father.”
The old King shuddered slightly. He, too, realized that the young Princess had not been deceived by him.
“I would appreciate it if you could help me out a little. Even if it’s not exactly what you originally promised.”
This doesn't necessarily have to be military force, but it's more of a call to give something more.
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