I told Princess Abigail that Julian was shy towards me, but how could that possibly be? He simply didn't want to show his true face in front of me. It was only natural, since he hadn't earned my trust.
“But I will attend dinner anyway.”
If I didn't attend, Julian would take off his mask and dine with Princess Abigail. I didn't like that.
"Madam..."
Anna, who was standing behind me, cautiously called out to me. When I turned around, she asked, her lips licked as if she were too embarrassed to bring it up.
“Do you like His Highness the Grand Duke?”
"What?!"
I asked back, startled. It must have been quite loud, so much so that even Anna looked toward the door. If they'd heard it from outside, they'd have thought I was scolding her.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
Anna shrugged and tried to ignore me as I whispered in a low voice.
I had no right to like him.
Above all, there was no way Julian would like me, so it would be unrequited love, but I didn't have time to waste on such feelings.
I gulped down the fever reducer Anna handed me, took a quick nap, and then changed out of my sweat-soaked clothes. My fever had subsided somewhat, but my face looked pale, so I added a touch of red to my makeup.
"How is it?"
Anna looked at my face carefully, dabbing at my makeup.
“I don’t think you’ll notice it unless you look closely.”
“Really? That’s good.”
I cleared my throat. I didn't want to appear weak in front of Princess Abigail.
Leaning lightly on Anna, I walked toward the restaurant. Only when I reached the restaurant's door did I stand upright, free from Anna's support. I cleared my throat and checked my clothes several times.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I think everything is okay. Now...”
"Ma'am."
I was startled by the low voice, almost fainting. I turned around in a panic, and a large shadow stood there.
It was Julian. Anna seemed to have noticed it before I did, and she was at a loss.
“Julian.”
I cleared my throat hard, but a hoarse sound came out. I quickly cleared my throat.
“Where does it hurt?”
It was simply a sore throat, but Julian sensed it as if he were a ghost. I didn't dare to confess my illness, so I mumbled an excuse.
“No. I think it’s because I took a nap.”
“For something like that, your face is pale.”
At those words, I glared at Anna. "You don't show it!" But Anna looked rather aggrieved.
"Don't blame the maid. It's the lady's fault that she's sick. Where does it hurt?"
“It’s just a mild cold.”
“You don’t look light. Why don’t you go back to your room and rest?”
I deliberately didn't answer. Julian must have come here to see Princess Abigail. And if I were to leave, Princess Abigail would naturally offer Julian a meal, and since he couldn't leave his guest alone, he would accept.
Julian looked at me with displeasure, my mouth shut, and my stubbornness.
“I don’t know why you’re so stubborn.”
It's because of you. I thought to myself, finding some ridiculous nitpick, and trying to figure out how to refuse.
It was then that his large hand approached me. I was startled by the approaching shadow and stepped back. But the hand didn't stop, and it reached out and touched my forehead.
“You have a fever.”
I felt the urge to lean on that hand. But I held on tightly to the hem of my skirt and resisted. Julian let out a long sigh, perhaps seeing the stubbornness in that.
“It would be difficult to entertain guests alone, so I will join you.”
"But..."
Julian couldn't eat without taking off his half-mask. Julian responded as if it were nothing.
“I don't take off my mask. You probably aren’t mentally ready yet.”
“All the time during the meal?”
I raised my head and asked, adding before Julian could say anything.
“Even if the Princess orders you to take off your mask?”
Was I crazy, drunk on heat? It hadn't been that long since I'd sworn I wasn't worthy of him, and here I was, spouting such nonsense. Julian nodded, placing my hand on mine as if escorting me.
“I can eat later.”
“...Yes. Then let’s do it together.”
To be honest, I wasn't sure how I could handle the Princess on my own.
I leaned against him, pretending to be escorted, which made walking with a steady step much easier. The servants opened the doors on both sides, and we entered side by side. Princess Abigail, who was waiting for us at the head table, narrowed her eyes at us.
“Yul, why are you so late?”
Princess Abigail acted as if I were invisible. I let go of Julian's arm and bowed to Princess Abigail.
“We apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”
“Oh, Lady Winsley is here too. Come on in.”
Princess Abigail said that with a bright smile. She was determined to humiliate me in any way possible.
“Abby, she’s not Lady Winsley, she’s the Grand Duchess of Duchzan.”
“Oh, really? Well, you two had a political marriage, didn’t you?”
Julian corrected her words, but Princess Abigail didn't budge.
I greeted her again and sat down a little further away from Princess Abigail, with Julian between us.
Not only was I not pleasant, but it seemed like my heavy makeup would show if I got close.
And so began the quiet meal for the three. Julian hadn't even taken a sip of water, so the meal seemed quite strange.
Princess Abigail said as she cut the steak and put it in her mouth.
"Yul, you can take off your mask in front of me. It's uncomfortable. You have to eat too."
And before Julian could reply, Princess Abigail covered her mouth and laughed, saying, “Oh no.”
"Oh, there's the Grand Duchess. You wouldn't take off your mask in front of others, would you? I forgot for a moment, I'm sorry."
I didn't answer. I didn't feel it was worth answering. Julian also remained silent.
But Princess Abigail continued to speak without stopping.
"The sauce doesn't seem that great. I liked the sauce I had last time I was there better. Did the Grand Duchess change this, too?"
Princess Abigail began to nitpick and nitpick about every little thing. I had only recently become the Grand Duchess, and there were many things to handle in the Grand Duke's residence. Even though I hadn't yet given any instructions on the food, complaining about the meal was no different from picking a fight.
"I don't like this tablecloth either. It's tacky. It would have been more dignified and stylish to just leave it as is. I can't tell who touched it."
Every word that came out of her mouth was an insult to me.
And in the end, she said this.
"How long will this political scheming between you two last? You know I'm waiting for that day, right?"
With those words, silence fell over the table. Princess Abigail shut her mouth as if to say anything, and my throat was so tight that I couldn't say anything.
The end of this arranged marriage was predetermined. It would be a catastrophe. Either I would reveal my illness first and leave, or I would shamelessly die in this mansion. That would be the only way this marriage would end.
There was a time when I couldn't say anything and just bit my lower lip.
"Your Highness, Layla is my wife. Please apologize for the insult."
A low, cavernous voice echoed through the room, squeezing it. I looked up in surprise. It was none other than Julian who spoke. His gaze was fixed on Princess Abigail.
I glanced at Princess Abigail, and she, too, was looking at Julian with wide eyes.
“Yul, what did you just say?”
"I asked you to apologize for insulting my wife. I will regard any insult to my wife as an insult to me, just as Your Highness's words are the words of the Imperial Palace."
"Yul!"
“Please don’t call me Yul anymore. I’m ashamed to face His Majesty the Emperor.”
Princess Abigail slammed the table hard. The dishes on it rattled. I rolled my eyes and then carefully grabbed Julian's sleeve. I didn't want him to displease the Princess because of me.
But Julian just turned his gaze and looked at me and said.
“Madam, you seem to be in a lot of pain. Come up.”
“Yes? But...”
Julian rose from his seat and embraced me. I quickly threw my arms around his neck. The servants opened the dining room door, and we left. I whispered in Julian's ear.
“I should have paid my respects to Her Highness the Princess when I left.”
"Whether or not you greet her, the Princess is still angry with Madam. In that case, it's better not to do it."
“What did you say?”
“I would have thought so. A normal wife.”
I was about to argue, but I shut my mouth at those words. It was definitely true. Normally, I could have done even worse. But the thought of harming Julian made me hesitate.
Julian looked at me in his arms. As I met his red eyes, I felt a glimpse of his heart. His face showed a look of incomprehension.
"Is it because you're sick? Or are you so afraid of the Emperor? You're not my usual wife."
I tried to escape Julian's gaze, but I was trapped in his embrace. No amount of struggling would free me. Embarrassed, I wiggled my fingers and looked away.
"You said you wanted to interfere in the struggle for the throne. Besides, the Princess is the second Prince's full sister. Someday, I'll be hated, but not now."
Julian sighed as he went up to the third floor and headed towards my bedroom.
“Now that I look at it, it’s clear that you weren’t unable to speak because you were in pain.”
“I told you I wasn’t really sick.”
“You don’t seem to know what your face looks like.”
The servants opened the door, and he laid me down on the bed. I felt a pang of regret as his cool embrace drew ever closer, then drifted ever further away. Julian looked down at me, then turned to Anna and said.
“Madam is sick, so call a doctor.”
My eyes lit up at those words. A doctor, absolutely, absolutely...
“No!”
I hurriedly grabbed Julian's strong arm. Our eyes met in midair.
“But I will attend dinner anyway.”
If I didn't attend, Julian would take off his mask and dine with Princess Abigail. I didn't like that.
"Madam..."
Anna, who was standing behind me, cautiously called out to me. When I turned around, she asked, her lips licked as if she were too embarrassed to bring it up.
“Do you like His Highness the Grand Duke?”
"What?!"
I asked back, startled. It must have been quite loud, so much so that even Anna looked toward the door. If they'd heard it from outside, they'd have thought I was scolding her.
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
Anna shrugged and tried to ignore me as I whispered in a low voice.
I had no right to like him.
Above all, there was no way Julian would like me, so it would be unrequited love, but I didn't have time to waste on such feelings.
I gulped down the fever reducer Anna handed me, took a quick nap, and then changed out of my sweat-soaked clothes. My fever had subsided somewhat, but my face looked pale, so I added a touch of red to my makeup.
"How is it?"
Anna looked at my face carefully, dabbing at my makeup.
“I don’t think you’ll notice it unless you look closely.”
“Really? That’s good.”
I cleared my throat. I didn't want to appear weak in front of Princess Abigail.
Leaning lightly on Anna, I walked toward the restaurant. Only when I reached the restaurant's door did I stand upright, free from Anna's support. I cleared my throat and checked my clothes several times.
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I think everything is okay. Now...”
"Ma'am."
I was startled by the low voice, almost fainting. I turned around in a panic, and a large shadow stood there.
It was Julian. Anna seemed to have noticed it before I did, and she was at a loss.
“Julian.”
I cleared my throat hard, but a hoarse sound came out. I quickly cleared my throat.
“Where does it hurt?”
It was simply a sore throat, but Julian sensed it as if he were a ghost. I didn't dare to confess my illness, so I mumbled an excuse.
“No. I think it’s because I took a nap.”
“For something like that, your face is pale.”
At those words, I glared at Anna. "You don't show it!" But Anna looked rather aggrieved.
"Don't blame the maid. It's the lady's fault that she's sick. Where does it hurt?"
“It’s just a mild cold.”
“You don’t look light. Why don’t you go back to your room and rest?”
I deliberately didn't answer. Julian must have come here to see Princess Abigail. And if I were to leave, Princess Abigail would naturally offer Julian a meal, and since he couldn't leave his guest alone, he would accept.
Julian looked at me with displeasure, my mouth shut, and my stubbornness.
“I don’t know why you’re so stubborn.”
It's because of you. I thought to myself, finding some ridiculous nitpick, and trying to figure out how to refuse.
It was then that his large hand approached me. I was startled by the approaching shadow and stepped back. But the hand didn't stop, and it reached out and touched my forehead.
“You have a fever.”
I felt the urge to lean on that hand. But I held on tightly to the hem of my skirt and resisted. Julian let out a long sigh, perhaps seeing the stubbornness in that.
“It would be difficult to entertain guests alone, so I will join you.”
"But..."
Julian couldn't eat without taking off his half-mask. Julian responded as if it were nothing.
“I don't take off my mask. You probably aren’t mentally ready yet.”
“All the time during the meal?”
I raised my head and asked, adding before Julian could say anything.
“Even if the Princess orders you to take off your mask?”
Was I crazy, drunk on heat? It hadn't been that long since I'd sworn I wasn't worthy of him, and here I was, spouting such nonsense. Julian nodded, placing my hand on mine as if escorting me.
“I can eat later.”
“...Yes. Then let’s do it together.”
To be honest, I wasn't sure how I could handle the Princess on my own.
I leaned against him, pretending to be escorted, which made walking with a steady step much easier. The servants opened the doors on both sides, and we entered side by side. Princess Abigail, who was waiting for us at the head table, narrowed her eyes at us.
“Yul, why are you so late?”
Princess Abigail acted as if I were invisible. I let go of Julian's arm and bowed to Princess Abigail.
“We apologize for keeping you waiting, Your Highness.”
“Oh, Lady Winsley is here too. Come on in.”
Princess Abigail said that with a bright smile. She was determined to humiliate me in any way possible.
“Abby, she’s not Lady Winsley, she’s the Grand Duchess of Duchzan.”
“Oh, really? Well, you two had a political marriage, didn’t you?”
Julian corrected her words, but Princess Abigail didn't budge.
I greeted her again and sat down a little further away from Princess Abigail, with Julian between us.
Not only was I not pleasant, but it seemed like my heavy makeup would show if I got close.
And so began the quiet meal for the three. Julian hadn't even taken a sip of water, so the meal seemed quite strange.
Princess Abigail said as she cut the steak and put it in her mouth.
"Yul, you can take off your mask in front of me. It's uncomfortable. You have to eat too."
And before Julian could reply, Princess Abigail covered her mouth and laughed, saying, “Oh no.”
"Oh, there's the Grand Duchess. You wouldn't take off your mask in front of others, would you? I forgot for a moment, I'm sorry."
I didn't answer. I didn't feel it was worth answering. Julian also remained silent.
But Princess Abigail continued to speak without stopping.
"The sauce doesn't seem that great. I liked the sauce I had last time I was there better. Did the Grand Duchess change this, too?"
Princess Abigail began to nitpick and nitpick about every little thing. I had only recently become the Grand Duchess, and there were many things to handle in the Grand Duke's residence. Even though I hadn't yet given any instructions on the food, complaining about the meal was no different from picking a fight.
"I don't like this tablecloth either. It's tacky. It would have been more dignified and stylish to just leave it as is. I can't tell who touched it."
Every word that came out of her mouth was an insult to me.
And in the end, she said this.
"How long will this political scheming between you two last? You know I'm waiting for that day, right?"
With those words, silence fell over the table. Princess Abigail shut her mouth as if to say anything, and my throat was so tight that I couldn't say anything.
The end of this arranged marriage was predetermined. It would be a catastrophe. Either I would reveal my illness first and leave, or I would shamelessly die in this mansion. That would be the only way this marriage would end.
There was a time when I couldn't say anything and just bit my lower lip.
"Your Highness, Layla is my wife. Please apologize for the insult."
A low, cavernous voice echoed through the room, squeezing it. I looked up in surprise. It was none other than Julian who spoke. His gaze was fixed on Princess Abigail.
I glanced at Princess Abigail, and she, too, was looking at Julian with wide eyes.
“Yul, what did you just say?”
"I asked you to apologize for insulting my wife. I will regard any insult to my wife as an insult to me, just as Your Highness's words are the words of the Imperial Palace."
"Yul!"
“Please don’t call me Yul anymore. I’m ashamed to face His Majesty the Emperor.”
Princess Abigail slammed the table hard. The dishes on it rattled. I rolled my eyes and then carefully grabbed Julian's sleeve. I didn't want him to displease the Princess because of me.
But Julian just turned his gaze and looked at me and said.
“Madam, you seem to be in a lot of pain. Come up.”
“Yes? But...”
Julian rose from his seat and embraced me. I quickly threw my arms around his neck. The servants opened the dining room door, and we left. I whispered in Julian's ear.
“I should have paid my respects to Her Highness the Princess when I left.”
"Whether or not you greet her, the Princess is still angry with Madam. In that case, it's better not to do it."
“What did you say?”
“I would have thought so. A normal wife.”
I was about to argue, but I shut my mouth at those words. It was definitely true. Normally, I could have done even worse. But the thought of harming Julian made me hesitate.
Julian looked at me in his arms. As I met his red eyes, I felt a glimpse of his heart. His face showed a look of incomprehension.
"Is it because you're sick? Or are you so afraid of the Emperor? You're not my usual wife."
I tried to escape Julian's gaze, but I was trapped in his embrace. No amount of struggling would free me. Embarrassed, I wiggled my fingers and looked away.
"You said you wanted to interfere in the struggle for the throne. Besides, the Princess is the second Prince's full sister. Someday, I'll be hated, but not now."
Julian sighed as he went up to the third floor and headed towards my bedroom.
“Now that I look at it, it’s clear that you weren’t unable to speak because you were in pain.”
“I told you I wasn’t really sick.”
“You don’t seem to know what your face looks like.”
The servants opened the door, and he laid me down on the bed. I felt a pang of regret as his cool embrace drew ever closer, then drifted ever further away. Julian looked down at me, then turned to Anna and said.
“Madam is sick, so call a doctor.”
My eyes lit up at those words. A doctor, absolutely, absolutely...
“No!”
I hurriedly grabbed Julian's strong arm. Our eyes met in midair.
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