Episode 143. A Bit 'That' Madame Kydel
"I'll go and check."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I went inside the building to sit and wait for him to arrive. But then I heard the palace maids chatting around the corner.
"Isn't that the one who just passed by, Prince Kydel?"
"Yes, that's right. The Crown Prince number one contributor to the competition's victory. He was still handsome today!"
"What are you talking about? I'm glad I worked at the palace. It's such a shame he's married."
"Oh, didn't you hear? All the nobles with daughters are buzzing around trying to get Prince Kydel to marry them."
"What are you talking about?"
"Lady Kaidel... is that a bit much right now? People don't think they'll last long. Do you think the nobles will let someone like 'that' become the next first messenger of the empire? Try getting pregnant..."
"That's right. If the successor's legitimacy is questioned..."
My laughter slowly subsided.
I was so overjoyed by his return that I'd forgotten what we were supposed to do next. So many people were desperately waiting for our divorce.
Still, I tried to console myself by telling myself that the maids weren't outright calling me an illegitimate child, so it seemed they hadn't completely lost favor.
I'd been excited to meet Her Highness Milliora, but now I sat on the bench in a daze.
The voice I'd just heard overlapped with what Ryuel had once said. The child I bore would be treated as an illegitimate child, just like me, and ultimately wouldn't be recognized as a perfect heir...
Ultimately, the Kydel family would be weakened by internal turmoil and recriminations. All the hard work he'd poured his entire life into would be in vain.
Perhaps that's why he was so cautious. I'd never heard of a bride skipping the wedding night because she was drunk.
It wasn't something I hadn't known about, but my heart felt hot and flushed, as if someone had poured boiling water on it.
I forced myself to come to my senses and said to myself,
"...It's not like I knew this would happen."
After a moment's reflection, I realized things were going as they should. The situation had been so precarious, and Prince Kydel's protection had prevented me from realizing I was an illegitimate child.
The world had never changed.
Meanwhile, Prince Kydel's carriage was approaching. I didn't want him to see me like this.
I forced a bright smile and waved at the carriage.
His Majesty the Emperor had bestowed the title of Marquis upon Sir Rond.
Prince Kydel had persuaded His Majesty through Crown Prince Grayon, insisting that Her Highness Princess Miliora could not remain a mere knight's wife.
We were heading to the southern city of Amoe to deliver the news. Her Highness Miliora was now the Marchioness of Amoe.
Prince Kydel spoke leisurely, enjoying the leisure he had found after a long time.
"This is our first trip together."
I replied briskly.
"Is that so? This is my first long-distance trip with you, Your Excellency. I'm not very experienced in traveling, so I'm excited. I'm sure Her Highness Miliora will be delighted to hear this news, right?"
I said excitedly, then closed my mouth tightly.
Empress Leora's suicide was declared a case of illness. However, she was in good health and died just before the Crown Prince's coronation, so it was obvious to Her Highness Miliora that she had understood the circumstances. No matter how much she hated her, she was her mother. How could she be happy right now?
The quiet tragedy that had swept the Tagar royal family was now over. Prince Kydel and I were witnesses to its conclusion. All our wishes had practically come true.
Except for one thing.
"It's hard to believe we've lived through so much to reach this day."
Prince Kydel smiled at my words. I smiled quietly, knowing the emotion behind it.
“It seems Your Majesty is actively accepting His Highness Crown Prince Grayon’s opinion. Not to mention Prince Kydel.”
“Heh. I’m always looked upon with affection.”
I looked at him. Look at those captivating eyes and his perfect jawline. Any powerful parent in the empire would go to war to steal that man away for their daughter.
My lips were still parted, but now, with just the two of us spending time alone, it was the right time to discuss this matter.
“I think we should meet with Her Highness the Princess and return to the capital to discuss our divorce. His Highness Grayon’s wedding will soon be over, so the public attention will quickly shift, so I think the timing would be right.”
“...”
Prince Kydel narrowed his eyes at me. For a moment, his mouth snapped shut, then he banged his fist on the carriage wall.
“Coachman! I’m taking a break!”
The startled coachman abruptly stopped, and Prince Kydel opened the door wide and got out.
I sat there, quite flustered. My heart pounded for no reason. Whatever the circumstances, I had certainly ruined the mood of the trip.
Prince Kydel, who had returned from his brief rest, wasn’t smiling at all.
I tried to speak to him several times, but he always gave short answers.
“Oh, there was a pure white rabbit just passing by. Did you see it?”
“Yes. I did. It was white.”
Or,
“It’s stuffy in the carriage. Should we take a break?”
“Coachman! I’m taking a break.”
"I'll go and check."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I went inside the building to sit and wait for him to arrive. But then I heard the palace maids chatting around the corner.
"Isn't that the one who just passed by, Prince Kydel?"
"Yes, that's right. The Crown Prince number one contributor to the competition's victory. He was still handsome today!"
"What are you talking about? I'm glad I worked at the palace. It's such a shame he's married."
"Oh, didn't you hear? All the nobles with daughters are buzzing around trying to get Prince Kydel to marry them."
"What are you talking about?"
"Lady Kaidel... is that a bit much right now? People don't think they'll last long. Do you think the nobles will let someone like 'that' become the next first messenger of the empire? Try getting pregnant..."
"That's right. If the successor's legitimacy is questioned..."
My laughter slowly subsided.
I was so overjoyed by his return that I'd forgotten what we were supposed to do next. So many people were desperately waiting for our divorce.
Still, I tried to console myself by telling myself that the maids weren't outright calling me an illegitimate child, so it seemed they hadn't completely lost favor.
I'd been excited to meet Her Highness Milliora, but now I sat on the bench in a daze.
The voice I'd just heard overlapped with what Ryuel had once said. The child I bore would be treated as an illegitimate child, just like me, and ultimately wouldn't be recognized as a perfect heir...
Ultimately, the Kydel family would be weakened by internal turmoil and recriminations. All the hard work he'd poured his entire life into would be in vain.
Perhaps that's why he was so cautious. I'd never heard of a bride skipping the wedding night because she was drunk.
It wasn't something I hadn't known about, but my heart felt hot and flushed, as if someone had poured boiling water on it.
I forced myself to come to my senses and said to myself,
"...It's not like I knew this would happen."
After a moment's reflection, I realized things were going as they should. The situation had been so precarious, and Prince Kydel's protection had prevented me from realizing I was an illegitimate child.
The world had never changed.
Meanwhile, Prince Kydel's carriage was approaching. I didn't want him to see me like this.
I forced a bright smile and waved at the carriage.
***
His Majesty the Emperor had bestowed the title of Marquis upon Sir Rond.
Prince Kydel had persuaded His Majesty through Crown Prince Grayon, insisting that Her Highness Princess Miliora could not remain a mere knight's wife.
We were heading to the southern city of Amoe to deliver the news. Her Highness Miliora was now the Marchioness of Amoe.
Prince Kydel spoke leisurely, enjoying the leisure he had found after a long time.
"This is our first trip together."
I replied briskly.
"Is that so? This is my first long-distance trip with you, Your Excellency. I'm not very experienced in traveling, so I'm excited. I'm sure Her Highness Miliora will be delighted to hear this news, right?"
I said excitedly, then closed my mouth tightly.
Empress Leora's suicide was declared a case of illness. However, she was in good health and died just before the Crown Prince's coronation, so it was obvious to Her Highness Miliora that she had understood the circumstances. No matter how much she hated her, she was her mother. How could she be happy right now?
Perhaps that's why His Highness Grayon maintained such a calm demeanor during the Crown Prince's coronation. We might have to tell Her Highness the truth about the Empress's death. I just hoped she wouldn't be too sad.
The quiet tragedy that had swept the Tagar royal family was now over. Prince Kydel and I were witnesses to its conclusion. All our wishes had practically come true.
Except for one thing.
"It's hard to believe we've lived through so much to reach this day."
Prince Kydel smiled at my words. I smiled quietly, knowing the emotion behind it.
“It seems Your Majesty is actively accepting His Highness Crown Prince Grayon’s opinion. Not to mention Prince Kydel.”
“Heh. I’m always looked upon with affection.”
I looked at him. Look at those captivating eyes and his perfect jawline. Any powerful parent in the empire would go to war to steal that man away for their daughter.
My lips were still parted, but now, with just the two of us spending time alone, it was the right time to discuss this matter.
“I think we should meet with Her Highness the Princess and return to the capital to discuss our divorce. His Highness Grayon’s wedding will soon be over, so the public attention will quickly shift, so I think the timing would be right.”
“...”
Prince Kydel narrowed his eyes at me. For a moment, his mouth snapped shut, then he banged his fist on the carriage wall.
“Coachman! I’m taking a break!”
The startled coachman abruptly stopped, and Prince Kydel opened the door wide and got out.
I sat there, quite flustered. My heart pounded for no reason. Whatever the circumstances, I had certainly ruined the mood of the trip.
Prince Kydel, who had returned from his brief rest, wasn’t smiling at all.
I tried to speak to him several times, but he always gave short answers.
“Oh, there was a pure white rabbit just passing by. Did you see it?”
“Yes. I did. It was white.”
Or,
“It’s stuffy in the carriage. Should we take a break?”
“Coachman! I’m taking a break.”
I finally shut my mouth in self-reproach. And then I realized that, because he always smiled in front of me, I had no idea how to appease him.
Running in silence, I arrived at the inn, wondering if the mood would improve.
But he had washed up and was lying down on the edge of the bed, ready to sleep.
“Your Excellency...”
I simply didn’t dare to touch him. It was a bed of thorns.
As time passed, I felt increasingly sorry for him, but as the same situation repeated itself the next day, and the day after that, I grew increasingly irritated.
I finally reached a catastrophic conclusion:
“What’s the point of reconciling when we’re about to get divorced?”
The southern landscape was completely different from the capital. The plains were overgrown with shrubs and wild flowers, and the open, gently sloping mansions had large windows and bright colors.
We arrived at the mansion where Lord Rond and Her Highness Miliora lived.
“Your Highness Miliora... huh?”
I forgot all about etiquette and ran in, only to be stopped abruptly. Her Highness Miliora rose to her feet, moving slowly like a turtle to greet us, and walked towards us like an old man.
Her neatly arranged silver hair was as shiny and flowing as before. And even at first glance, her cheeks were plump and chubby.
It took so long for her to reach me that even the excitement of meeting her after so long had cooled.
“Your Highness?”
“Lady Amoe, I said.”
“Lady Amoe. Why are you walking like that? Are you sick?”
“Huh? No.”
“Lady Amoe. How have you been?”
“Prince Locard, it’s good to see you. Thanks to you, I’ve been well.”
The Princess hugged me, her hips sticking out.
“Ah, Lorisha! It’s so good to see you. I missed you.”
“Yes. I missed you, too. But why are you lowering your voice?”
“No...”
Just then, Eria came in carrying a tea tray. Her skin was tanned and looked healthier than before.
“Eria!”
I shouted happily, and Eria’s eyes popped open, putting her index finger to her lips.
Then she ran to me and whispered.
“Lady Kydel! It’s so nice to see you! Did you have a good trip? But please keep your voice down.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
I looked around at them both ominously. Then Prince Kydel said to me,
“It seems something good has happened to Sir Rond.”
“Of course. Something good has happened. You brought it to us.”
At that, Eria burst out laughing.
“Oh my, Lady Kydel isn’t your usual self either.”
I realized I was the only one in the room who hadn’t noticed.
“Huh... Are you pregnant?”
My voice cracked, and Her Highness waved her hand as if her ears hurt.
“I had a miscarriage a while ago. That’s why the doctor said I shouldn’t move too quickly or be startled.”
I had to fight to keep my voice down in the overwhelming excitement.
“Oh my, I don’t know. Oh my! Your Highness, congratulations!”
“Yeah, yeah. Got it. Sit down. Prince Locard. Sit down. Sir Rond was waiting for me and the two of you, but he was urgently called out because of an accident at the Knights Templar. He’ll be back soon, though.”
Her Highness Milliora looked completely different than before.
Perhaps it was because she had gained weight, but her former sharp and sensitive energy had disappeared, and her soft, calm eyes were filled with composure. She also seemed much more mature than before.
I realized the answer on my own.
“You are loved.”
She smiled at us and asked,
“I wonder what good news Lorisha brought?”
“Your Highness, please tell me.”
But Prince Kydel answered curtly.
“It would be better if you spoke to her, Madame.”
“But the Prince, through His Highness the Crown Prince...”
“I’m fine, Lorisha.”
I would have felt embarrassed if I had insisted any further. I smiled sheepishly and said,
“His Majesty has bestowed upon Sir Rond the title of Marquis. Your Highness is now the Marchioness.”
“Oh my...!”
Running in silence, I arrived at the inn, wondering if the mood would improve.
But he had washed up and was lying down on the edge of the bed, ready to sleep.
“Your Excellency...”
I simply didn’t dare to touch him. It was a bed of thorns.
As time passed, I felt increasingly sorry for him, but as the same situation repeated itself the next day, and the day after that, I grew increasingly irritated.
I finally reached a catastrophic conclusion:
“What’s the point of reconciling when we’re about to get divorced?”
***
The southern landscape was completely different from the capital. The plains were overgrown with shrubs and wild flowers, and the open, gently sloping mansions had large windows and bright colors.
We arrived at the mansion where Lord Rond and Her Highness Miliora lived.
“Your Highness Miliora... huh?”
I forgot all about etiquette and ran in, only to be stopped abruptly. Her Highness Miliora rose to her feet, moving slowly like a turtle to greet us, and walked towards us like an old man.
Her neatly arranged silver hair was as shiny and flowing as before. And even at first glance, her cheeks were plump and chubby.
It took so long for her to reach me that even the excitement of meeting her after so long had cooled.
“Your Highness?”
“Lady Amoe, I said.”
“Lady Amoe. Why are you walking like that? Are you sick?”
“Huh? No.”
“Lady Amoe. How have you been?”
“Prince Locard, it’s good to see you. Thanks to you, I’ve been well.”
The Princess hugged me, her hips sticking out.
“Ah, Lorisha! It’s so good to see you. I missed you.”
“Yes. I missed you, too. But why are you lowering your voice?”
“No...”
Just then, Eria came in carrying a tea tray. Her skin was tanned and looked healthier than before.
“Eria!”
I shouted happily, and Eria’s eyes popped open, putting her index finger to her lips.
Then she ran to me and whispered.
“Lady Kydel! It’s so nice to see you! Did you have a good trip? But please keep your voice down.”
“Why? What’s going on?”
I looked around at them both ominously. Then Prince Kydel said to me,
“It seems something good has happened to Sir Rond.”
“Of course. Something good has happened. You brought it to us.”
At that, Eria burst out laughing.
“Oh my, Lady Kydel isn’t your usual self either.”
I realized I was the only one in the room who hadn’t noticed.
“Huh... Are you pregnant?”
My voice cracked, and Her Highness waved her hand as if her ears hurt.
“I had a miscarriage a while ago. That’s why the doctor said I shouldn’t move too quickly or be startled.”
I had to fight to keep my voice down in the overwhelming excitement.
“Oh my, I don’t know. Oh my! Your Highness, congratulations!”
“Yeah, yeah. Got it. Sit down. Prince Locard. Sit down. Sir Rond was waiting for me and the two of you, but he was urgently called out because of an accident at the Knights Templar. He’ll be back soon, though.”
Her Highness Milliora looked completely different than before.
Perhaps it was because she had gained weight, but her former sharp and sensitive energy had disappeared, and her soft, calm eyes were filled with composure. She also seemed much more mature than before.
I realized the answer on my own.
“You are loved.”
She smiled at us and asked,
“I wonder what good news Lorisha brought?”
“Your Highness, please tell me.”
But Prince Kydel answered curtly.
“It would be better if you spoke to her, Madame.”
“But the Prince, through His Highness the Crown Prince...”
“I’m fine, Lorisha.”
I would have felt embarrassed if I had insisted any further. I smiled sheepishly and said,
“His Majesty has bestowed upon Sir Rond the title of Marquis. Your Highness is now the Marchioness.”
“Oh my...!”
The Princess smiled brightly at us.
“Prince Locard. Thank you so much for your concern. I’ve always felt bad that Sir Rond wasn’t treated as a royal envoy, but now I feel a little better.”
“It was His Majesty’s decision. We were merely the bearers of the good news.”
“The Prince is still very good at speaking, isn’t he, Lorisha?”
“Yes? Yes...”
He spoke nicely. Except to me.
I was so upset that for the first time on this journey, Prince Kydel had not been kind or affectionate to me.
She asked Prince Kydel,
“How is Brother Grayon?”
“Prince Locard. Thank you so much for your concern. I’ve always felt bad that Sir Rond wasn’t treated as a royal envoy, but now I feel a little better.”
“It was His Majesty’s decision. We were merely the bearers of the good news.”
“The Prince is still very good at speaking, isn’t he, Lorisha?”
“Yes? Yes...”
He spoke nicely. Except to me.
I was so upset that for the first time on this journey, Prince Kydel had not been kind or affectionate to me.
She asked Prince Kydel,
“How is Brother Grayon?”
Previous Next
Comments
Post a Comment