A procession of private soldiers belonging to Prince Cain marched to the palace. At the end of the procession was a carriage bearing the Duchzan family crest.
To understand how this strange procession came to be, we must go back a few hours ago.
My carriage, heading to the palace, and Prince Cain's private soldiers, heading to Duchzan Territory, met in the middle of the road. Prince Cain's private soldiers looked flustered, but still, under the imperial command, they shouted confidently.
“Laila Duchzan, obey the imperial command!”
And Anna shouted in front of them.
“Her Highness the Grand Duchess Duchzan is already following the imperial command!”
Since they were already under imperial command, what could they possibly do? We had no choice but to turn around and return to the palace. And since it was a single-track road, our carriage had no choice but to follow them as if under escort.
And that's how this stupid situation came to be.
The soldiers were bewildered, but they had no reason to hesitate, as they had followed the orders they had received.
If there was a problem, it was after arriving at the palace. The soldiers had undoubtedly heard the order, "Bring Laila Duchzan; she assaulted the Second Prince." However, I confidently stepped out of the carriage and walked toward the palace guards. When the soldiers attempted to arrest me, Duvhzan's bodyguards blocked them.
“I am carrying out the Emperor’s orders. Do not stop me.”
The guard's confident attitude further aggravated the soldiers' anguish.
Even when I opened a small box and showed something to a palace guard, he hurriedly ran into the palace. A guard in the distance handed something to the captain, who then dashed inside to relay the message to the chief chamberlain. Until such a commotion erupted, I didn't have to yield to any force.
There was a time when the private soldiers, who did not understand the situation, did not know what to do and surrounded me, unable to come near me.
The chief of staff came forward and greeted me politely.
“Your Highness, Grand Duchess Duchzan, His Majesty has summoned you. Please come inside.”
I smiled at the soldiers and asked the sergeant. I wanted to make them aware of the current situation and show them that this was truly an imperial decree.
“Can I walk there on my own?”
The chief of the court nodded vigorously at my confident question.
"You call that a speech? His Majesty is waiting. Come, come."
I straightened my back and stepped into the palace. However, none of the Second Prince's personal soldiers could enter. The guards blocked the way.
Those bewildered expressions were so captivating that I never got tired of looking at them, but I had work to do.
I followed the chief chamberlain deep into the palace. Countless guards stood before the throne room. Anna seemed a little frightened, but I was thrilled to have even taken a step closer.
The door to the audience room opened, and I bowed deeply to the sun of this country standing there.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
I raised my head, and a magnificent audience chamber unfolded before me. The room itself, gilded with gold, was splendid, but the people gathered there were even more impressive.
Cain, whom I assumed would be there, was dressed more extravagantly than ever. Perhaps it was the harmony with the audience room that made him look less like his usual rascal. His upright posture also contributed.
The Emperor, however, wasn't as ostentatious as Cain. However, the silk robes he wore were elegant and radiant. Even without a crown, his neatly combed gray hair amply conveyed his majesty.
The Emperor smiled gently and called me.
“I am so happy that the beautiful and noble Grand Duchess of Duchzan has come to the palace to personally greet me.”
His words were so affectionate that I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. It was as if he were welcoming a new family member. I hadn't imagined this, having previously spoken to Julian about how the Emperor couldn't help but dislike me.
I gripped the rare magic stone I was holding a little tighter. I knew its value well, but I hadn't imagined it would melt the Emperor so gently. I had only thought about suppressing my anger.
That's understandable, since I'm the woman who might give birth to Julian's child.
“Your Majesty, is that so?”
The Emperor turned his gaze and saw a woman in noble attire. Her complexion was pale, clearly a sign of illness. Yet, even with the light shawl wrapped around her, she looked elegant enough. Her sitting posture, her surveying gaze, her nodding—nothing about her was anything but noble.
She was truly the Empress's model. I found myself lost in her gaze. The Empress smiled faintly, perhaps finding me adorable.
“What a lovely lady.”
“Oh, you are too kind...”
I hastily offered a greeting. My face flushed slightly at the Empress's beautiful smile. The Empress looked at me with a pleased expression.
The atmosphere was extremely friendly.
Except for Prince Cain.
Prince Cain glared at me, as if this atmosphere was absurd. He wanted to grab my hair right then and there, but he couldn't carelessly interfere with the Emperor and Empress's conversation, so he simply kept his mouth shut for a moment.
That gentle atmosphere lasted only a moment, and when both the Emperor and the Empress fell silent, the Second Prince finally intervened.
“Father, as I told you before, I stand here to accuse Grand Duchess Duchzan of her crimes.”
It was a noble tone, unbecoming and unbecoming of Prince Cain. Normally, he would have said something like this.
"You dare hit me? I'll tell my father and have him cut off your limbs."
But even though he may have been a scoundrel on the outside, he was still a member of the royal family. He must have learned basic etiquette from childhood.
“Hmm, what crime did Grand Duchess Duchzan commit?”
The Emperor asked, stroking his long beard from his chin down. Prince Cain looked slightly annoyed, but then shook his head and spoke with force.
“It is a crime of assault on the royal family.”
After saying that, I felt as if what I had done was a grave sin. But the Emperor continued to stroke his beard. It seemed as if it was growing longer after being pulled at like that all day.
“Grand Duchess Duchzan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I bowed my head as politely as I could and answered. If I could at least impress the Emperor, there was definitely a way. Besides, I held the most important card in my hand.
“Did you really hit my son?”
It was a truly honest statement. I hadn't imagined this situation, so I wondered if I should just roll around at his feet and throw a tantrum.
Of course, I didn't actually do it. The other person wasn't Julian, who saw me for who I was. I played the elegant Grand Duchess, as planned.
“There was indeed an unpleasant incident with His Highness the Second Prince, but to say that it harmed the imperial family is unacceptable.”
“Isn’t that so?”
“Father! Don’t believe that cunning woman!”
Prince Cain shouted excitedly.
I looked straight at Prince Cain and said.
“Please show me proof that I have been rude to Your Highness, the Prince. Any form will do.”
"What?"
Prince Cain looked quite flustered. Of course, even in front of his biological father, he couldn't take off his pants. His biological father was both his father and the Emperor.
It was a story about someone you couldn't throw away your pants against, no matter how wronged you felt. And besides, the Empress and I were here too.
"I was born into a Count's family near the border and received proper training. If you had been hit, it wouldn't have been a minor bruise. It would have been very, very painful."
The image of Prince Cain screaming was vivid. Honestly, I was curious. Would it still function properly? If it didn't, it wouldn't be a particularly happy occasion.
“Whether or not there are still traces, you must have seen the royal doctor, so there must be a medical opinion... Did you see the doctor?”
"Of course!"
If he had been seen by the royal doctor, he should have told them here, in front of the Emperor and Empress, what he had been hit by!
“Yes, what hit you didn’t hurt that much... I couldn’t see it.”
"Is that so? Your Majesty, I'm ashamed to admit this, but are you aware that I dueled my former fiancé, the Marquis of Amber?"
The Emperor said with a hearty laugh.
"Yes."
"Then you know the outcome. I cut off the Marquis of Amber's finger. When I harm someone, I'm prepared to incur resentment. Some may call it foolish, but it's my justice. And yet I dared to do something so unpleasant to His Highness the Prince, and then hit him without even feeling any pain?"
“That’s because your skills are lacking!”
“Cain. Shut up.”
For a moment, the Emperor's voice sounded terribly cold. Cain fell silent. Silence fell over the throne room. He tried to appear brash, but he wasn't without fear. The Emperor might prioritize his son's honor over the rare magic stone.
But the Emperor did not do so.
“Grand Duchess Duchzan.”
He still had a smiling face when he looked at me.
“What unpleasant thing did you mention? Something that could easily be mistaken for injury.”
The Emperor was already on my side.
I bowed my head and offered another example. My throat felt parched. Even though I'd muttered the words countless times, my lips trembled slightly as I tried to speak. It was only after I swallowed my saliva secretly that I finally made up my mind.
I put on the most desperate expression possible, almost falling to my knees and bowing my head.
“Oh, Grand Duchess.”
As I looked as if I was about to burst into tears, the Emperor, seemingly flustered, called out to me in an even more affectionate voice. I bowed deeply, my forehead touching the ground, before speaking.
“I, too, would like to report His Highness the Second Prince’s crimes, so please forgive me.”
“Get up first.”
“Father!”
“Even if you keep your mouth shut.”
Prince Cain cringed at the Emperor's cold voice. I continued speaking, still not rising.
"I was heading to the garden to catch my breath after Marchioness Eleanor's party. There, His Highness the Second Prince... pulled me aside and led me to a secluded place. I'm ashamed to say it, but there was a naked woman there. The Second Prince asked me to... play with her."
I didn't raise my head, but the Emperor's deep breathing was clearly audible. I took a deep breath and continued.
"I screamed and ran away from there. His Highness the Second Prince seems to claim he was injured in the process, but I absolutely did not touch him. I report that the Young Master of Marquis of Eriant is present as a witness."
“Young Master of Marquis of Eriant?”
“Yes, Young Master of Marquis of Eriant heard my screams and helped me escape.”
The Emperor nodded to his aide. Judging by the aide's departure, he must have gone to fetch Shuan. Shuan was a smart man, so he was sure to agree. That way, he could find his sister.
“Grand Duchess.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What you are trying to report is the Second Prince’s harassment.”
“I’m sorry, no.”
“Then what is it?”
Only then did I raise my body slightly. However, my knees remained bent. Keeping my back straight, I took out a small portrait from my bosom. Prince Cain, upon seeing it, was utterly bewildered and at a loss. The Emperor's eyes lit up with anger at Prince Cain's attitude. He seemed to have already sensed it.
"That day, one of my maids disappeared. Indeed, I ran away in a panic, but when I realized I'd left her behind, I asked the Marquis of Eriant to find her. But they all said she was no longer at the Marquis of Eriant's residence, and..."
“Speak frankly.”
“There are many who say they saw the Second Prince say that he would take her and keep her by his side.”
At those words, the Emperor turned his head sharply. His gaze was clearly directed at Prince Cain.
“Cain.”
“Father, that’s not true. Absolutely not true.”
“But why is your face so pale?”
“It is, it is framed...”
I interrupted Prince Cain's mumbling words. I bowed my head again.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor! Marian is a maid I cherish. Please find her. Please confirm that the Second Prince has truly taken my maid!"
Perhaps I'd grown attached to Marian. Tears welled up in my eyes when I called her my beloved maid. Lifting my head, my face was the epitome of pitiful.
“Let me check.”
The first person to make a decision about my face was the Empress.
To understand how this strange procession came to be, we must go back a few hours ago.
My carriage, heading to the palace, and Prince Cain's private soldiers, heading to Duchzan Territory, met in the middle of the road. Prince Cain's private soldiers looked flustered, but still, under the imperial command, they shouted confidently.
“Laila Duchzan, obey the imperial command!”
And Anna shouted in front of them.
“Her Highness the Grand Duchess Duchzan is already following the imperial command!”
Since they were already under imperial command, what could they possibly do? We had no choice but to turn around and return to the palace. And since it was a single-track road, our carriage had no choice but to follow them as if under escort.
And that's how this stupid situation came to be.
The soldiers were bewildered, but they had no reason to hesitate, as they had followed the orders they had received.
If there was a problem, it was after arriving at the palace. The soldiers had undoubtedly heard the order, "Bring Laila Duchzan; she assaulted the Second Prince." However, I confidently stepped out of the carriage and walked toward the palace guards. When the soldiers attempted to arrest me, Duvhzan's bodyguards blocked them.
“I am carrying out the Emperor’s orders. Do not stop me.”
The guard's confident attitude further aggravated the soldiers' anguish.
Even when I opened a small box and showed something to a palace guard, he hurriedly ran into the palace. A guard in the distance handed something to the captain, who then dashed inside to relay the message to the chief chamberlain. Until such a commotion erupted, I didn't have to yield to any force.
There was a time when the private soldiers, who did not understand the situation, did not know what to do and surrounded me, unable to come near me.
The chief of staff came forward and greeted me politely.
“Your Highness, Grand Duchess Duchzan, His Majesty has summoned you. Please come inside.”
I smiled at the soldiers and asked the sergeant. I wanted to make them aware of the current situation and show them that this was truly an imperial decree.
“Can I walk there on my own?”
The chief of the court nodded vigorously at my confident question.
"You call that a speech? His Majesty is waiting. Come, come."
I straightened my back and stepped into the palace. However, none of the Second Prince's personal soldiers could enter. The guards blocked the way.
Those bewildered expressions were so captivating that I never got tired of looking at them, but I had work to do.
I followed the chief chamberlain deep into the palace. Countless guards stood before the throne room. Anna seemed a little frightened, but I was thrilled to have even taken a step closer.
The door to the audience room opened, and I bowed deeply to the sun of this country standing there.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor.”
I raised my head, and a magnificent audience chamber unfolded before me. The room itself, gilded with gold, was splendid, but the people gathered there were even more impressive.
Cain, whom I assumed would be there, was dressed more extravagantly than ever. Perhaps it was the harmony with the audience room that made him look less like his usual rascal. His upright posture also contributed.
The Emperor, however, wasn't as ostentatious as Cain. However, the silk robes he wore were elegant and radiant. Even without a crown, his neatly combed gray hair amply conveyed his majesty.
The Emperor smiled gently and called me.
“I am so happy that the beautiful and noble Grand Duchess of Duchzan has come to the palace to personally greet me.”
His words were so affectionate that I couldn't help but feel embarrassed. It was as if he were welcoming a new family member. I hadn't imagined this, having previously spoken to Julian about how the Emperor couldn't help but dislike me.
I gripped the rare magic stone I was holding a little tighter. I knew its value well, but I hadn't imagined it would melt the Emperor so gently. I had only thought about suppressing my anger.
That's understandable, since I'm the woman who might give birth to Julian's child.
“Your Majesty, is that so?”
The Emperor turned his gaze and saw a woman in noble attire. Her complexion was pale, clearly a sign of illness. Yet, even with the light shawl wrapped around her, she looked elegant enough. Her sitting posture, her surveying gaze, her nodding—nothing about her was anything but noble.
She was truly the Empress's model. I found myself lost in her gaze. The Empress smiled faintly, perhaps finding me adorable.
“What a lovely lady.”
“Oh, you are too kind...”
I hastily offered a greeting. My face flushed slightly at the Empress's beautiful smile. The Empress looked at me with a pleased expression.
The atmosphere was extremely friendly.
Except for Prince Cain.
Prince Cain glared at me, as if this atmosphere was absurd. He wanted to grab my hair right then and there, but he couldn't carelessly interfere with the Emperor and Empress's conversation, so he simply kept his mouth shut for a moment.
That gentle atmosphere lasted only a moment, and when both the Emperor and the Empress fell silent, the Second Prince finally intervened.
“Father, as I told you before, I stand here to accuse Grand Duchess Duchzan of her crimes.”
It was a noble tone, unbecoming and unbecoming of Prince Cain. Normally, he would have said something like this.
"You dare hit me? I'll tell my father and have him cut off your limbs."
But even though he may have been a scoundrel on the outside, he was still a member of the royal family. He must have learned basic etiquette from childhood.
“Hmm, what crime did Grand Duchess Duchzan commit?”
The Emperor asked, stroking his long beard from his chin down. Prince Cain looked slightly annoyed, but then shook his head and spoke with force.
“It is a crime of assault on the royal family.”
After saying that, I felt as if what I had done was a grave sin. But the Emperor continued to stroke his beard. It seemed as if it was growing longer after being pulled at like that all day.
“Grand Duchess Duchzan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I bowed my head as politely as I could and answered. If I could at least impress the Emperor, there was definitely a way. Besides, I held the most important card in my hand.
“Did you really hit my son?”
It was a truly honest statement. I hadn't imagined this situation, so I wondered if I should just roll around at his feet and throw a tantrum.
Of course, I didn't actually do it. The other person wasn't Julian, who saw me for who I was. I played the elegant Grand Duchess, as planned.
“There was indeed an unpleasant incident with His Highness the Second Prince, but to say that it harmed the imperial family is unacceptable.”
“Isn’t that so?”
“Father! Don’t believe that cunning woman!”
Prince Cain shouted excitedly.
I looked straight at Prince Cain and said.
“Please show me proof that I have been rude to Your Highness, the Prince. Any form will do.”
"What?"
Prince Cain looked quite flustered. Of course, even in front of his biological father, he couldn't take off his pants. His biological father was both his father and the Emperor.
It was a story about someone you couldn't throw away your pants against, no matter how wronged you felt. And besides, the Empress and I were here too.
"I was born into a Count's family near the border and received proper training. If you had been hit, it wouldn't have been a minor bruise. It would have been very, very painful."
The image of Prince Cain screaming was vivid. Honestly, I was curious. Would it still function properly? If it didn't, it wouldn't be a particularly happy occasion.
“Whether or not there are still traces, you must have seen the royal doctor, so there must be a medical opinion... Did you see the doctor?”
"Of course!"
If he had been seen by the royal doctor, he should have told them here, in front of the Emperor and Empress, what he had been hit by!
“Yes, what hit you didn’t hurt that much... I couldn’t see it.”
"Is that so? Your Majesty, I'm ashamed to admit this, but are you aware that I dueled my former fiancé, the Marquis of Amber?"
The Emperor said with a hearty laugh.
"Yes."
"Then you know the outcome. I cut off the Marquis of Amber's finger. When I harm someone, I'm prepared to incur resentment. Some may call it foolish, but it's my justice. And yet I dared to do something so unpleasant to His Highness the Prince, and then hit him without even feeling any pain?"
“That’s because your skills are lacking!”
“Cain. Shut up.”
For a moment, the Emperor's voice sounded terribly cold. Cain fell silent. Silence fell over the throne room. He tried to appear brash, but he wasn't without fear. The Emperor might prioritize his son's honor over the rare magic stone.
But the Emperor did not do so.
“Grand Duchess Duchzan.”
He still had a smiling face when he looked at me.
“What unpleasant thing did you mention? Something that could easily be mistaken for injury.”
The Emperor was already on my side.
I bowed my head and offered another example. My throat felt parched. Even though I'd muttered the words countless times, my lips trembled slightly as I tried to speak. It was only after I swallowed my saliva secretly that I finally made up my mind.
I put on the most desperate expression possible, almost falling to my knees and bowing my head.
“Oh, Grand Duchess.”
As I looked as if I was about to burst into tears, the Emperor, seemingly flustered, called out to me in an even more affectionate voice. I bowed deeply, my forehead touching the ground, before speaking.
“I, too, would like to report His Highness the Second Prince’s crimes, so please forgive me.”
“Get up first.”
“Father!”
“Even if you keep your mouth shut.”
Prince Cain cringed at the Emperor's cold voice. I continued speaking, still not rising.
"I was heading to the garden to catch my breath after Marchioness Eleanor's party. There, His Highness the Second Prince... pulled me aside and led me to a secluded place. I'm ashamed to say it, but there was a naked woman there. The Second Prince asked me to... play with her."
I didn't raise my head, but the Emperor's deep breathing was clearly audible. I took a deep breath and continued.
"I screamed and ran away from there. His Highness the Second Prince seems to claim he was injured in the process, but I absolutely did not touch him. I report that the Young Master of Marquis of Eriant is present as a witness."
“Young Master of Marquis of Eriant?”
“Yes, Young Master of Marquis of Eriant heard my screams and helped me escape.”
The Emperor nodded to his aide. Judging by the aide's departure, he must have gone to fetch Shuan. Shuan was a smart man, so he was sure to agree. That way, he could find his sister.
“Grand Duchess.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What you are trying to report is the Second Prince’s harassment.”
“I’m sorry, no.”
“Then what is it?”
Only then did I raise my body slightly. However, my knees remained bent. Keeping my back straight, I took out a small portrait from my bosom. Prince Cain, upon seeing it, was utterly bewildered and at a loss. The Emperor's eyes lit up with anger at Prince Cain's attitude. He seemed to have already sensed it.
"That day, one of my maids disappeared. Indeed, I ran away in a panic, but when I realized I'd left her behind, I asked the Marquis of Eriant to find her. But they all said she was no longer at the Marquis of Eriant's residence, and..."
“Speak frankly.”
“There are many who say they saw the Second Prince say that he would take her and keep her by his side.”
At those words, the Emperor turned his head sharply. His gaze was clearly directed at Prince Cain.
“Cain.”
“Father, that’s not true. Absolutely not true.”
“But why is your face so pale?”
“It is, it is framed...”
I interrupted Prince Cain's mumbling words. I bowed my head again.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor! Marian is a maid I cherish. Please find her. Please confirm that the Second Prince has truly taken my maid!"
Perhaps I'd grown attached to Marian. Tears welled up in my eyes when I called her my beloved maid. Lifting my head, my face was the epitome of pitiful.
“Let me check.”
The first person to make a decision about my face was the Empress.
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