Episode 149. Etrang Again
I didn't ask anything back and just stared at her.
She waited for my retort, and when I remained silent, she spoke, slightly flustered.
"The honor of the Kydel family is directly tied to the honor of the imperial family..."
Evelyn continued to babble in a very commanding voice, but I just let it go in one ear and out the other.
Thinking back to Grand Duke Clement, whom I'd met earlier, I strangely couldn't hear a thing.
Apparently, people get smaller when they reach 97. Anyway, isn't it fortunate that there's someone in the imperial family who lives a long life?
"Miss Loire? Are you listening? Could it be... you're thinking of something else?"
"So, you're saying these ladies have joined forces to steal someone else's husband? See, you can explain it in one simple sentence, right?"
"What, what? Who, who would do such a dirty thing...!"
I nodded, as if I'd just cursed at them. The ladies then looked at each other in confusion, as if I'd cursed them out.
“Just hearing it makes me sick. Oh my!”
“Ha! As expected, you’re so low-level that you can’t communicate!”
Then Keryl interjected.
“I told you I’m not ordinary. A woman who doesn’t even blink an eye after being beaten by the palace’s chief maid.”
I looked at Keryl with a little pity. This is all the new gang has.
“How about we decide on an order?”
“...What did you say?”
“Five women at once? My husband is a bit lacking. Instead, how about seducing him one by one? I think that would slightly increase the chance of success.”
“Ha... What was that, you crazy woman?”
“Let’s go, Miss Robail!”
But Evelyn shook off the other young lady’s grip on her hand.
“Why do you think the daughters of our noble family would stir up such a scandal? We’ve come to tell you to get off your ass and get out of here. You know how many marriage proposals have been sent to Kydel, don’t you? No one in this empire would accept you.”
“...”
When I returned from the south, the Duke was burning a pile of letters in the fireplace.
Could that be it?
When I looked away, recalling my thoughts, she must have seen me cower, so she said cruelly.
“Of course. None of us thinks Prince Kydel is married. If anything, it’s just a small mistake prematurely made. Of course, Prince Kydel can forgive any mistake.”
I didn't ask anything back and just stared at her.
She waited for my retort, and when I remained silent, she spoke, slightly flustered.
"The honor of the Kydel family is directly tied to the honor of the imperial family..."
Evelyn continued to babble in a very commanding voice, but I just let it go in one ear and out the other.
Thinking back to Grand Duke Clement, whom I'd met earlier, I strangely couldn't hear a thing.
Apparently, people get smaller when they reach 97. Anyway, isn't it fortunate that there's someone in the imperial family who lives a long life?
"Miss Loire? Are you listening? Could it be... you're thinking of something else?"
"So, you're saying these ladies have joined forces to steal someone else's husband? See, you can explain it in one simple sentence, right?"
"What, what? Who, who would do such a dirty thing...!"
I nodded, as if I'd just cursed at them. The ladies then looked at each other in confusion, as if I'd cursed them out.
“Just hearing it makes me sick. Oh my!”
“Ha! As expected, you’re so low-level that you can’t communicate!”
Then Keryl interjected.
“I told you I’m not ordinary. A woman who doesn’t even blink an eye after being beaten by the palace’s chief maid.”
I looked at Keryl with a little pity. This is all the new gang has.
“How about we decide on an order?”
“...What did you say?”
“Five women at once? My husband is a bit lacking. Instead, how about seducing him one by one? I think that would slightly increase the chance of success.”
“Ha... What was that, you crazy woman?”
“Let’s go, Miss Robail!”
But Evelyn shook off the other young lady’s grip on her hand.
“Why do you think the daughters of our noble family would stir up such a scandal? We’ve come to tell you to get off your ass and get out of here. You know how many marriage proposals have been sent to Kydel, don’t you? No one in this empire would accept you.”
“...”
When I returned from the south, the Duke was burning a pile of letters in the fireplace.
Could that be it?
When I looked away, recalling my thoughts, she must have seen me cower, so she said cruelly.
“Of course. None of us thinks Prince Kydel is married. If anything, it’s just a small mistake prematurely made. Of course, Prince Kydel can forgive any mistake.”
The women met their gazes and laughed.
“Divorce! Do you think half your blood can sustain that great family? We’ll compensate you so that our five families won’t be disappointed.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“Then you’ll become a lost soul who has lost all your money. Are you really okay with that? Isn’t that worse than just being a lost soul?”
My mockery made the ladies' faces flush as red as my dress.
"I hope the ladies will be as concerned about their own families as the Kydels. Only then will the empire prosper."
"Does that mean you'll keep your filthy feet on Kydel?"
I glared at Evelyn.
"It'd be quicker to make him a widower than a divorcee, Evelyn."
Just then, Prince Kydel, who had just emerged from the reception room, walked toward me with a bright smile. As I smiled at him, the ladies, who had spotted him, quickly dispersed.
But that wasn't the end of it. A group of women swarmed out and blocked his path. This time, it was a mother and her daughter.
The ladies were engaging in a subtle struggle, trying to force their daughters into Prince Kydel's presence under the guise of greeting. They were openly engaged in matchmaking in front of his living wives.
Prince Kydel politely greeted them, but I could see his irritation rising to the surface.
"Ah, Prince Kydel. You're such a demanding man."
I sipped my drink, hesitating whether to save him or not. I felt like he should know a little about the pain of this situation.
But then, a moment later, he said something, and the crowd broke away. He quickly approached me and grabbed my hand as if to grab it.
"Dance with me now, please!"
I giggled and followed him onto the floor. We, or rather, I, danced amidst a gaze of envy bordering on curses.
But why did I keep feeling so happy?
Prince Kydel quickly relaxed and snickered.
"You look happy, Lorisha."
"Yes. Actually, that's true."
"Who were those ladies?"
"Robail, Lishen, I don't know the rest. I didn't even want to know."
“I’m proud of you. Keep doing that. If they mess with you, I’ll step on them, or else I’ll pass the buck.”
“Divorce! Do you think half your blood can sustain that great family? We’ll compensate you so that our five families won’t be disappointed.”
I tilted my head slightly.
“Then you’ll become a lost soul who has lost all your money. Are you really okay with that? Isn’t that worse than just being a lost soul?”
My mockery made the ladies' faces flush as red as my dress.
"I hope the ladies will be as concerned about their own families as the Kydels. Only then will the empire prosper."
"Does that mean you'll keep your filthy feet on Kydel?"
I glared at Evelyn.
"It'd be quicker to make him a widower than a divorcee, Evelyn."
Just then, Prince Kydel, who had just emerged from the reception room, walked toward me with a bright smile. As I smiled at him, the ladies, who had spotted him, quickly dispersed.
But that wasn't the end of it. A group of women swarmed out and blocked his path. This time, it was a mother and her daughter.
The ladies were engaging in a subtle struggle, trying to force their daughters into Prince Kydel's presence under the guise of greeting. They were openly engaged in matchmaking in front of his living wives.
Prince Kydel politely greeted them, but I could see his irritation rising to the surface.
"Ah, Prince Kydel. You're such a demanding man."
I sipped my drink, hesitating whether to save him or not. I felt like he should know a little about the pain of this situation.
But then, a moment later, he said something, and the crowd broke away. He quickly approached me and grabbed my hand as if to grab it.
"Dance with me now, please!"
I giggled and followed him onto the floor. We, or rather, I, danced amidst a gaze of envy bordering on curses.
But why did I keep feeling so happy?
Prince Kydel quickly relaxed and snickered.
"You look happy, Lorisha."
"Yes. Actually, that's true."
"Who were those ladies?"
"Robail, Lishen, I don't know the rest. I didn't even want to know."
“I’m proud of you. Keep doing that. If they mess with you, I’ll step on them, or else I’ll pass the buck.”
“But what did you say just now that made you squirm out of that group of ladies? ”
“I said that if I didn’t dance with my wife right now, I might hate everyone I see.”
“Ugh. Your Excellency, shame! Shame on you!”
“Why, I’m proud of being seen as a loser, Lorisha.”
I looked up at him sullenly. How dare he say such things when Tagar society was unanimously denying his marriage?
But then he smiled charmingly. It was a special smile that he only showed to me.
He said quite leisurely,
“Let them think as they please. I’m going to enjoy tonight with my lovely wife.”
I snickered. He didn’t worry about useless things like I did. It was really beneficial to be around someone like him.
We returned to our daily lives sooner than I thought.
With the Academy exams fast approaching, Prince Kydel was busy catching up on the studies he'd missed while he was in the south.
And I, too, was busy studying the Kydel family's ledgers, leaving me with no time to spare. But when Misha's invitation arrived, I dropped everything I was doing.
"Lorisha, I'd like to have lunch with you. I have something important to tell you."
“Ugh. Your Excellency, shame! Shame on you!”
“Why, I’m proud of being seen as a loser, Lorisha.”
I looked up at him sullenly. How dare he say such things when Tagar society was unanimously denying his marriage?
But then he smiled charmingly. It was a special smile that he only showed to me.
He said quite leisurely,
“Let them think as they please. I’m going to enjoy tonight with my lovely wife.”
I snickered. He didn’t worry about useless things like I did. It was really beneficial to be around someone like him.
***
We returned to our daily lives sooner than I thought.
With the Academy exams fast approaching, Prince Kydel was busy catching up on the studies he'd missed while he was in the south.
And I, too, was busy studying the Kydel family's ledgers, leaving me with no time to spare. But when Misha's invitation arrived, I dropped everything I was doing.
"Lorisha, I'd like to have lunch with you. I have something important to tell you."
I showed Prince Kydel the invitation when he returned to his bedroom. He looked down at the elegant paper with the Loire family crest, his expression filled with interest.
"The location is Etrang. Are you going?"
"What should I do?"
He smiled innocently at my playful question.
"You should go."
"Yes. I should go."
I stared at the invitation, recalling Prince Kydel offering me an emerald ring in Etrang. Whenever someone mentioned "Etrang," I couldn't help but think of that scene.
Could I have ever imagined it then? Ultimately, he was measuring the size of the wedding ring he was going to put on my finger.
I arrived at Etrang a little before our appointment time. It was a little less crowded today, but the unique, luxurious atmosphere remained.
Misha hadn't arrived yet, so I waited in my seat. Soon, a young woman approached and spoke to me.
"Are you Madame Kydel?"
"Who are you?"
"My name is Jenny Gale. My husband is involved in trade with Smeilan... If it's not too much to ask, could my husband come and greet you? I would be honored if you would allow me."
Smilean was the family of Princess Shanla, the future Crown Princess. I had already made many connections with people connected to Smilean, so it wouldn't hurt.
"Of course."
"Oh, thank you! But unfortunately, my husband hurt his leg... Could you please come to our table for a moment?"
I smiled and stood up.
"Please show me around."
I followed her and fainted.
"Wow, that's amazing."
I muttered, looking at the cobwebbed ceiling of the small room. The bed, covered with a single blanket, was hard, like lying on a rock.
Judging by the slope of the walls and ceiling, this room must have been a small farmhouse or cabin. Judging by the varying density of bird calls outside, this was clearly a secluded forest.
Inside, a single blanket rested on a worn bed. The small window was boarded up and roughly nailed shut.
I had been kidnapped. I remember following a woman who claimed to be the wife of a Smilean trader in Etrang to a table near the servants' entrance, but I had no recollection of anything after that.
Judging by the slight headache and bruises on my arms and legs, I'd likely been drugged and dragged there.
The killer, finding it difficult to touch me in the Kydel district, had forged an invitation from Misha to lure me out.
To have kidnapped me from the heart of the city, from Etrang, a place frequented exclusively by nobles, and transported me here, I felt I had to acknowledge the kidnapper's skill.
Regardless of his fate, there was no need to question the killer's motives.
"What a mess, marrying a widower."
If I get killed like this, Prince Kydel will become a widower.
I feel like I married too great a man. So many young women don't care if he's a widower or a divorced man. Well, that's the kind of person he is, so even when I wanted a divorce from him, I didn't feel particularly sorry for him.
But wanting a divorce and feeling pressured by others were quite different.
'Kidnapping... Kidnapping!'
I stared at the corner of the ceiling, crawling with spiders, and contemplated my fate.
The chances of my being buried here were slim. If I remained missing, the divorce proceedings would inevitably stall, but if my body was found, Prince Kydel would instantly become a widower.
Therefore, my death was likely to be ruled an accident. A body half-eaten by a wild beast in the forest, or a body floating in the river...
I folded my hands on my stomach and began to contemplate my own death.
"The location is Etrang. Are you going?"
"What should I do?"
He smiled innocently at my playful question.
"You should go."
"Yes. I should go."
I stared at the invitation, recalling Prince Kydel offering me an emerald ring in Etrang. Whenever someone mentioned "Etrang," I couldn't help but think of that scene.
Could I have ever imagined it then? Ultimately, he was measuring the size of the wedding ring he was going to put on my finger.
***
I arrived at Etrang a little before our appointment time. It was a little less crowded today, but the unique, luxurious atmosphere remained.
Misha hadn't arrived yet, so I waited in my seat. Soon, a young woman approached and spoke to me.
"Are you Madame Kydel?"
"Who are you?"
"My name is Jenny Gale. My husband is involved in trade with Smeilan... If it's not too much to ask, could my husband come and greet you? I would be honored if you would allow me."
Smilean was the family of Princess Shanla, the future Crown Princess. I had already made many connections with people connected to Smilean, so it wouldn't hurt.
"Of course."
"Oh, thank you! But unfortunately, my husband hurt his leg... Could you please come to our table for a moment?"
I smiled and stood up.
"Please show me around."
I followed her and fainted.
***
"Wow, that's amazing."
I muttered, looking at the cobwebbed ceiling of the small room. The bed, covered with a single blanket, was hard, like lying on a rock.
Judging by the slope of the walls and ceiling, this room must have been a small farmhouse or cabin. Judging by the varying density of bird calls outside, this was clearly a secluded forest.
Inside, a single blanket rested on a worn bed. The small window was boarded up and roughly nailed shut.
I had been kidnapped. I remember following a woman who claimed to be the wife of a Smilean trader in Etrang to a table near the servants' entrance, but I had no recollection of anything after that.
Judging by the slight headache and bruises on my arms and legs, I'd likely been drugged and dragged there.
The killer, finding it difficult to touch me in the Kydel district, had forged an invitation from Misha to lure me out.
To have kidnapped me from the heart of the city, from Etrang, a place frequented exclusively by nobles, and transported me here, I felt I had to acknowledge the kidnapper's skill.
Regardless of his fate, there was no need to question the killer's motives.
"What a mess, marrying a widower."
If I get killed like this, Prince Kydel will become a widower.
I feel like I married too great a man. So many young women don't care if he's a widower or a divorced man. Well, that's the kind of person he is, so even when I wanted a divorce from him, I didn't feel particularly sorry for him.
But wanting a divorce and feeling pressured by others were quite different.
'Kidnapping... Kidnapping!'
I stared at the corner of the ceiling, crawling with spiders, and contemplated my fate.
The chances of my being buried here were slim. If I remained missing, the divorce proceedings would inevitably stall, but if my body was found, Prince Kydel would instantly become a widower.
Therefore, my death was likely to be ruled an accident. A body half-eaten by a wild beast in the forest, or a body floating in the river...
I folded my hands on my stomach and began to contemplate my own death.
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