Shortly after returning to the mansion, I realized I'd made a huge mistake. From that day on, I never went to see Julian again, and he never came to see me again.
We didn't even eat together, and we had separate bedrooms. I realized that if we didn't make an effort, we wouldn't even see each other in the same mansion. Just spending a little time away from the reserved man made the mansion feel utterly desolate and boring.
I tried to reach Julian several times, but I always stopped at the door. The hand I raised to knock fell limply to my thigh every time.
Firstly, I didn't have the confidence to explain to him the secret I was keeping, and secondly, I realized that I was more upset about his mask than I thought.
Julian had something to say in response to my words. If I had told him to take off his mask, I would have been forced to reveal at least one secret. But Julian chose to remain silent.
I know it's not easy. Still, I felt resentful. Resentment and guilt were intertwined, leaving me helpless.
As those days passed, I became sensitive to even a single knock.
Knock knock. At that sound, I quickly got up from my seat. A familiar voice came from beyond the door.
“Madam, this is the butler.”
“Come in.”
It wasn't the voice I'd been waiting for, but the butler's voice I'd heard before. I sat back down, feigning composure, and spoke. I sighed in frustration at having to wait for Julian, when I wouldn't have the courage to do so just because he was coming.
The butler opened the door, came in, and greeted me politely.
"What's the matter?"
"I heard the first mining of rare magic stones has been completed. I only obtained a small amount, but the master asked me to give it to you first, so I brought it."
“Julian?”
I felt my eyes flutter. The butler smiled and handed me a small box. It fit snugly in the palm of my hand. I took it from the butler and opened it. Inside was a rare, transparently glowing magic stone.
When I made eye contact with it, I felt like I was hearing the same voice again, so I quickly closed the door, but the emotion remained the same.
“Where is His Excellency?”
“He is working in the study.”
I held the decoration box in both hands, not knowing what to do, and then ordered Anna to prepare to leave for the palace.
“Yes? In such a hurry?”
“We have to hurry. I’ll be back upstairs for a bit.”
Anna nodded at my hasty words and moved busily.
The climb to the fourth floor felt both short and very long. Either way, it made me nervous. The butler's pace was steady, but my own kept widening and narrowing.
“Butler, is Julian really angry with me?”
“How can the inferior know the mind of the master?”
The butler replied with a calm expression. It was a lie. No one in this mansion knew Julian's heart better than the butler. I pouted and muttered something fatal.
The butler still just grins. At some point, he started chuckling more often. While his emotions weren't as inscrutable as before, he seemed much gentler.
I stood in front of Julian's study. I'd been here several times over the past few days, but I'd never knocked on the door. After hesitating, I finally knocked.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
The voice was so indifferent, I thought it was the butler. I grabbed the doorknob and then released it.
“Julian.”
I called out through the door, but there was no answer. What was Julian thinking? Was he surprised? Embarrassed? Or perhaps annoyed? I decided not to think negative thoughts. So I gathered my courage.
“I have something to say.”
“...Come in.”
“If I see your face, I don’t think I can speak properly.”
“Come in anyway.”
“Ugh, I don’t like it.”
I whined through the crack in the door. Only then did Julian stop urging me to come in. I leaned against the door and said what I wanted to say.
“I was a bit harsh on you in the carriage a while ago. I’m sorry.”
I thought he was really upset because I hadn't heard back from him about my apology. But Julian gave a completely different answer.
“I’m sorry too.”
My eyes widened at those words, and before I knew it, I'd opened the door. I wanted to see Julian's apologetic face.
Julian was sitting upright at his desk, unlike his usual self. He was leaning his arms against the desk, his forehead resting on his hands. When he raised his head, his eyes gently tangled in the air.
“What are you sorry about?”
That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Julian turned his head to the right, then, after washing his face dry, looked at me. His expression was one of bewilderment and embarrassment. For a moment, I thought he was adorable. That thought consumed me from the heels of my feet to the tips of my hair.
Julian continued speaking, oblivious to my thoughts.
"It seems I always told Madam to be mentally prepared. But it was I who wasn't."
Perhaps I was captivated by those words. And the low, self-reproachful gaze and the impatience with which he couldn't put down his pen also captivated me. He was a good man.
I strode inside and approached him. Julian seemed terribly unprepared, as if he'd expected me to stop within a certain range. I stood in front of him and cupped his left cheek. His clean, beardless cheek felt soft against my palm.
I kissed him over his mask. The cool texture of the mask pressed against my lips.
That was all. But my face flushed bright red. I quickly let go of his hand and stepped back.
“I wanted to let you know that my mental preparation for today has come to this point.”
Julian ran his fingertips over his mask. I couldn't bear to look at him, so I lowered my head.
“I’m going to the palace. You know why, right?”
"..Yes."
I pulled my hand away from his face as if I was running away, then stepped back. Then I quickly headed toward the door to leave.
“Layla.”
I was startled by Julian's voice calling my name, but I tried my best to keep it a secret and turned around. Embarrassed, I decided to act brazen. Straightening my back and lifting my chin, I spoke.
"Why? If you're saying my kiss was so ecstatic, then you don't have to tell me."
Julian chuckled at my boastful words. Then he shook his head.
“It’s nothing. Just be careful on your way back.”
I wondered what he was trying to say, but I couldn't stay here any longer, so I quickly left the study. I was out of breath after the short walk, so the butler, startled, helped me up.
“Oh, no. It’s okay.”
I left the butler behind and hurried down the stairs. I had to hurry to the palace, not knowing when the Second Prince would arrive with the imperial decree. As soon as I returned to my room, I looked for Anna. Anna, startled by the sight of me, asked,
“Oh my, ma’am! Did you fight with the Grand Duke again?”
"What?"
At those words, I stood facing the mirror behind Anna. Inside it stood a woman, her forehead bright red.
The Emperor's audience chamber was filled with all kinds of rare materials, as if to prove the nobility of the person occupying it.
In the center of the audience chamber were three chairs, the highest and most splendid of which belonged to the Emperor.
The seat on the left belonged to the Empress, and the seat on the right belonged to the Crown Prince. Now, neither of them was in their respective positions. Only the Emperor sat there, his posture haughty.
And before the Emperor stood Cain with a resentful expression on his face.
"Father! Although I am a poor Prince, I am your son! I am your son! To be so rude to me is tantamount to insulting the royal family. Therefore, please punish Grand Duchess Duchzan!"
He kept saying that he had been hit in the groin by the Grand Duchess of Duchzan, leaving out the story.
The Emperor felt sorry for his son, who had rushed to him to tell him that he had been beaten by a woman, but Cain's words weren't entirely wrong. After all, a Prince was a Prince.
“What have you done?”
“I didn’t do anything...”
Before Cain could say anything, the Emperor waved his hand. If he had been honest, he wouldn't have acted so pitifully.
“Yes.”
Cain's eyes widened at the answer, which was so disappointing it was almost disheartening, before he quickly lowered his head. Fortunately, the Emperor seemed to have missed it, as he was rubbing the side of his head.
“It is clear that that woman had the intention of insulting the royal family!”
"Grand Duchess Duchzan is the daughter of Margrave Winsley! Do you think Margrave Winsley would have raised his own child so pathetically?"
"But..."
The Emperor's trust in the Earldom of Winsley was greater than expected. It couldn't have been otherwise. The family had long supported the Crown for generations.
Even now that the daughter has become the Grand Duchess, even if Cain's words were true, the punishment should be reduced.
The Emperor looked down at Cain with a pained expression, then sighed deeply.
"I'd like to meet with Grand Duchess Duchzan in person. Is that okay?"
“Really? Then can I catch her myself?”
“You call that talking!”
Cain's face fell at those words. What exactly did he mean? Cain stood there dumbfounded, unable to comprehend, and the Emperor scolded him.
"What are you doing instead of going out? You pathetic wretch! Just try telling someone else about the beating you got! I'll personally break both your legs!"
At those words, Cain was busy running away in a panic. Anyway, since you said you'd summon the Grand Duchess, wouldn't things go well? Of course, he'd side with the Prince!
The Emperor clicked his tongue as Cain walked out with his pitiful thoughts.
“Even that idiot is going around saying he wants to become Emperor...”
As Cain left, the door to the audience room opened cautiously, and the chamberlain entered with cautious gestures.
“Your Majesty, Her Highness the First Princess is waiting outside the audience room.”
“Abigail? Tell her to come in quickly.”
The Emperor spoke with a very happy expression. Despite being born to the same mother, Cain was remarkably stupid, while the other was brilliant and charming. The Emperor was pleased with his daughter, who might be stubborn to others but was gentle with him.
“Your Majesty, there is something you must see before that.”
The chamberlain took a letter from his bosom and placed it respectfully before the Emperor. The Emperor, with a look of annoyance, picked up the letter and raised an eyebrow.
"It's from the Duchzan's residence. Isn't this the usual greeting? It's nice to see you, but there's no need to keep Abigail waiting."
At the Emperor's urging, the chief chamberlain urged him once more.
“It wasn’t sent by the Grand Duke of Duchzan. It was sent by the Grand Duchess.”
Only then did the Emperor take another look at the letter. It was definitely not in the handwriting of Grand Duke Duchzan. Unfolding the letter, the Emperor, forgetting all sense of propriety, leaped to his feet. Then, he burst into a hearty laugh, seemingly overjoyed.
"Bring Grand Duchess Duchzan to the palace immediately! I must see her!"
Meanwhile, Abigail, who was standing outside, glared at her brother as he came out of the audience room.
"Brother, what did you say to my father? I heard shouting coming from inside."
“It’s not a big deal.”
“You didn’t find out about that woman, did you?”
Abigail asked, her voice low. Cain jumped and flinched at the question.
“I told you it’s not like that!”
Cain turned as if to run away. He was weak against his much younger and smarter sister. He felt like she was about to start nagging him, so he tried to run away. But Abigail secretly grabbed Cain's arm.
“Brother!”
It was a low, small voice, but it felt not unlike the Emperor's roar. Cain shrugged his shoulders.
"If you haven't been caught, send that woman away now. One government is enough."
Cain said with a really embarrassed look on his face.
"Abigail, you're still young, so you don't understand. A man needs many women to support him."
"What! Brother, think of your great undertaking! What happened to Marquis Amber? Could it be..?"
The great undertaking Abigail spoke of was one that would envision the Crown Prince at a close distance and the Emperor at a distant one. Cain was used to listening to Abigail's nagging, but this time, he was dying to back down. After finally acquiring such a rare woman, how dare he send her away?
"Abigail! If this brother achieves his great work, these little problems will become no obstacle at all. Do you understand? You just have to appease your father."
With that, Cain confidently left the audience room. Abigail glared at Cain's back, then turned at the sound of the chamberlain's voice calling her.
The short bird's fierce expression was nowhere to be seen, and it had been transformed into the appearance of a lovely daughter.
We didn't even eat together, and we had separate bedrooms. I realized that if we didn't make an effort, we wouldn't even see each other in the same mansion. Just spending a little time away from the reserved man made the mansion feel utterly desolate and boring.
I tried to reach Julian several times, but I always stopped at the door. The hand I raised to knock fell limply to my thigh every time.
Firstly, I didn't have the confidence to explain to him the secret I was keeping, and secondly, I realized that I was more upset about his mask than I thought.
Julian had something to say in response to my words. If I had told him to take off his mask, I would have been forced to reveal at least one secret. But Julian chose to remain silent.
I know it's not easy. Still, I felt resentful. Resentment and guilt were intertwined, leaving me helpless.
As those days passed, I became sensitive to even a single knock.
Knock knock. At that sound, I quickly got up from my seat. A familiar voice came from beyond the door.
“Madam, this is the butler.”
“Come in.”
It wasn't the voice I'd been waiting for, but the butler's voice I'd heard before. I sat back down, feigning composure, and spoke. I sighed in frustration at having to wait for Julian, when I wouldn't have the courage to do so just because he was coming.
The butler opened the door, came in, and greeted me politely.
"What's the matter?"
"I heard the first mining of rare magic stones has been completed. I only obtained a small amount, but the master asked me to give it to you first, so I brought it."
“Julian?”
I felt my eyes flutter. The butler smiled and handed me a small box. It fit snugly in the palm of my hand. I took it from the butler and opened it. Inside was a rare, transparently glowing magic stone.
When I made eye contact with it, I felt like I was hearing the same voice again, so I quickly closed the door, but the emotion remained the same.
“Where is His Excellency?”
“He is working in the study.”
I held the decoration box in both hands, not knowing what to do, and then ordered Anna to prepare to leave for the palace.
“Yes? In such a hurry?”
“We have to hurry. I’ll be back upstairs for a bit.”
Anna nodded at my hasty words and moved busily.
The climb to the fourth floor felt both short and very long. Either way, it made me nervous. The butler's pace was steady, but my own kept widening and narrowing.
“Butler, is Julian really angry with me?”
“How can the inferior know the mind of the master?”
The butler replied with a calm expression. It was a lie. No one in this mansion knew Julian's heart better than the butler. I pouted and muttered something fatal.
The butler still just grins. At some point, he started chuckling more often. While his emotions weren't as inscrutable as before, he seemed much gentler.
I stood in front of Julian's study. I'd been here several times over the past few days, but I'd never knocked on the door. After hesitating, I finally knocked.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
The voice was so indifferent, I thought it was the butler. I grabbed the doorknob and then released it.
“Julian.”
I called out through the door, but there was no answer. What was Julian thinking? Was he surprised? Embarrassed? Or perhaps annoyed? I decided not to think negative thoughts. So I gathered my courage.
“I have something to say.”
“...Come in.”
“If I see your face, I don’t think I can speak properly.”
“Come in anyway.”
“Ugh, I don’t like it.”
I whined through the crack in the door. Only then did Julian stop urging me to come in. I leaned against the door and said what I wanted to say.
“I was a bit harsh on you in the carriage a while ago. I’m sorry.”
I thought he was really upset because I hadn't heard back from him about my apology. But Julian gave a completely different answer.
“I’m sorry too.”
My eyes widened at those words, and before I knew it, I'd opened the door. I wanted to see Julian's apologetic face.
Julian was sitting upright at his desk, unlike his usual self. He was leaning his arms against the desk, his forehead resting on his hands. When he raised his head, his eyes gently tangled in the air.
“What are you sorry about?”
That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Julian turned his head to the right, then, after washing his face dry, looked at me. His expression was one of bewilderment and embarrassment. For a moment, I thought he was adorable. That thought consumed me from the heels of my feet to the tips of my hair.
Julian continued speaking, oblivious to my thoughts.
"It seems I always told Madam to be mentally prepared. But it was I who wasn't."
Perhaps I was captivated by those words. And the low, self-reproachful gaze and the impatience with which he couldn't put down his pen also captivated me. He was a good man.
I strode inside and approached him. Julian seemed terribly unprepared, as if he'd expected me to stop within a certain range. I stood in front of him and cupped his left cheek. His clean, beardless cheek felt soft against my palm.
I kissed him over his mask. The cool texture of the mask pressed against my lips.
That was all. But my face flushed bright red. I quickly let go of his hand and stepped back.
“I wanted to let you know that my mental preparation for today has come to this point.”
Julian ran his fingertips over his mask. I couldn't bear to look at him, so I lowered my head.
“I’m going to the palace. You know why, right?”
"..Yes."
I pulled my hand away from his face as if I was running away, then stepped back. Then I quickly headed toward the door to leave.
“Layla.”
I was startled by Julian's voice calling my name, but I tried my best to keep it a secret and turned around. Embarrassed, I decided to act brazen. Straightening my back and lifting my chin, I spoke.
"Why? If you're saying my kiss was so ecstatic, then you don't have to tell me."
Julian chuckled at my boastful words. Then he shook his head.
“It’s nothing. Just be careful on your way back.”
I wondered what he was trying to say, but I couldn't stay here any longer, so I quickly left the study. I was out of breath after the short walk, so the butler, startled, helped me up.
“Oh, no. It’s okay.”
I left the butler behind and hurried down the stairs. I had to hurry to the palace, not knowing when the Second Prince would arrive with the imperial decree. As soon as I returned to my room, I looked for Anna. Anna, startled by the sight of me, asked,
“Oh my, ma’am! Did you fight with the Grand Duke again?”
"What?"
At those words, I stood facing the mirror behind Anna. Inside it stood a woman, her forehead bright red.
***
The Emperor's audience chamber was filled with all kinds of rare materials, as if to prove the nobility of the person occupying it.
In the center of the audience chamber were three chairs, the highest and most splendid of which belonged to the Emperor.
The seat on the left belonged to the Empress, and the seat on the right belonged to the Crown Prince. Now, neither of them was in their respective positions. Only the Emperor sat there, his posture haughty.
And before the Emperor stood Cain with a resentful expression on his face.
"Father! Although I am a poor Prince, I am your son! I am your son! To be so rude to me is tantamount to insulting the royal family. Therefore, please punish Grand Duchess Duchzan!"
He kept saying that he had been hit in the groin by the Grand Duchess of Duchzan, leaving out the story.
The Emperor felt sorry for his son, who had rushed to him to tell him that he had been beaten by a woman, but Cain's words weren't entirely wrong. After all, a Prince was a Prince.
“What have you done?”
“I didn’t do anything...”
Before Cain could say anything, the Emperor waved his hand. If he had been honest, he wouldn't have acted so pitifully.
“Yes.”
Cain's eyes widened at the answer, which was so disappointing it was almost disheartening, before he quickly lowered his head. Fortunately, the Emperor seemed to have missed it, as he was rubbing the side of his head.
“It is clear that that woman had the intention of insulting the royal family!”
"Grand Duchess Duchzan is the daughter of Margrave Winsley! Do you think Margrave Winsley would have raised his own child so pathetically?"
"But..."
The Emperor's trust in the Earldom of Winsley was greater than expected. It couldn't have been otherwise. The family had long supported the Crown for generations.
Even now that the daughter has become the Grand Duchess, even if Cain's words were true, the punishment should be reduced.
The Emperor looked down at Cain with a pained expression, then sighed deeply.
"I'd like to meet with Grand Duchess Duchzan in person. Is that okay?"
“Really? Then can I catch her myself?”
“You call that talking!”
Cain's face fell at those words. What exactly did he mean? Cain stood there dumbfounded, unable to comprehend, and the Emperor scolded him.
"What are you doing instead of going out? You pathetic wretch! Just try telling someone else about the beating you got! I'll personally break both your legs!"
At those words, Cain was busy running away in a panic. Anyway, since you said you'd summon the Grand Duchess, wouldn't things go well? Of course, he'd side with the Prince!
The Emperor clicked his tongue as Cain walked out with his pitiful thoughts.
“Even that idiot is going around saying he wants to become Emperor...”
As Cain left, the door to the audience room opened cautiously, and the chamberlain entered with cautious gestures.
“Your Majesty, Her Highness the First Princess is waiting outside the audience room.”
“Abigail? Tell her to come in quickly.”
The Emperor spoke with a very happy expression. Despite being born to the same mother, Cain was remarkably stupid, while the other was brilliant and charming. The Emperor was pleased with his daughter, who might be stubborn to others but was gentle with him.
“Your Majesty, there is something you must see before that.”
The chamberlain took a letter from his bosom and placed it respectfully before the Emperor. The Emperor, with a look of annoyance, picked up the letter and raised an eyebrow.
"It's from the Duchzan's residence. Isn't this the usual greeting? It's nice to see you, but there's no need to keep Abigail waiting."
At the Emperor's urging, the chief chamberlain urged him once more.
“It wasn’t sent by the Grand Duke of Duchzan. It was sent by the Grand Duchess.”
Only then did the Emperor take another look at the letter. It was definitely not in the handwriting of Grand Duke Duchzan. Unfolding the letter, the Emperor, forgetting all sense of propriety, leaped to his feet. Then, he burst into a hearty laugh, seemingly overjoyed.
"Bring Grand Duchess Duchzan to the palace immediately! I must see her!"
Meanwhile, Abigail, who was standing outside, glared at her brother as he came out of the audience room.
"Brother, what did you say to my father? I heard shouting coming from inside."
“It’s not a big deal.”
“You didn’t find out about that woman, did you?”
Abigail asked, her voice low. Cain jumped and flinched at the question.
“I told you it’s not like that!”
Cain turned as if to run away. He was weak against his much younger and smarter sister. He felt like she was about to start nagging him, so he tried to run away. But Abigail secretly grabbed Cain's arm.
“Brother!”
It was a low, small voice, but it felt not unlike the Emperor's roar. Cain shrugged his shoulders.
"If you haven't been caught, send that woman away now. One government is enough."
Cain said with a really embarrassed look on his face.
"Abigail, you're still young, so you don't understand. A man needs many women to support him."
"What! Brother, think of your great undertaking! What happened to Marquis Amber? Could it be..?"
The great undertaking Abigail spoke of was one that would envision the Crown Prince at a close distance and the Emperor at a distant one. Cain was used to listening to Abigail's nagging, but this time, he was dying to back down. After finally acquiring such a rare woman, how dare he send her away?
"Abigail! If this brother achieves his great work, these little problems will become no obstacle at all. Do you understand? You just have to appease your father."
With that, Cain confidently left the audience room. Abigail glared at Cain's back, then turned at the sound of the chamberlain's voice calling her.
The short bird's fierce expression was nowhere to be seen, and it had been transformed into the appearance of a lovely daughter.
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