It took a moment to grasp the situation. A groan of pain could be heard from the driver's seat, indicating the coachman had been badly injured. The carriage had been hit so hard that its front section had collapsed, tilting forward.
Anna rushed to hug me, but it hit her harder, and her head was bleeding. I hugged her and banged on the steering wheel.
“Are you okay? Are you okay?”
From ahead, I could still hear the moans of someone crying. I was helpless, judging that I was on the verge of losing consciousness.
“Your Highness! Your Highness is here?”
A familiar voice spoke from outside the carriage. I suddenly realized who the high-pitched voice was.
“Hey, Young Lady, could you please call someone?”
“Ah! You’re safe!”
Sina, almost screaming, seemed deeply relieved. Then, she seemed to be hastily giving instructions to her attendants. A loud noise came from up ahead as they helped the coachman out.
“Your Highness, please wait a moment!”
After Sina said that, not long after, the carriage began to balance.
“Your Highness! Stay away from the door!”
I thought I heard a strange man's voice, and then the door rattled loudly. The dented door held on for a while, then finally began to open. Anna groaned, narrowing her eyes as she watched the scene unfold.
“Madam, are you okay?”
Anna came to her senses a little as the carriage door began to open and asked in a trembling voice.
“You were hurt more than I.”
"I'm fine..."
Anna, who was bleeding from her head but insisted she was fine, was laid more securely in my arms. How long had I waited? Finally, the door opened completely, and I could clearly see the faces of the people standing outside the carriage and the light of the torches.
“Let me get this kid out first.”
I left Anna in the care of the large man standing at the front. Then I reached out to the people to help me.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess! Hands!”
Sina, standing nearby, let out a short scream as she looked at my hand. Looking down, I briefly saw a fresh, deep bruise. Anna covered my head and body with all her might, but she wasn't a large, unmanned creature, so it probably wasn't enough to completely cover me.
I didn't want to show my wound, so I hid my hand behind my back and reached out my other hand for support.
“Your wounds are serious.”
“It’s nothing, Young Lady.”
Sina suggested cautiously, perhaps noticing that I was trying to hide my wounds.
“Would you like to use my gloves?”
“...I will gratefully accept it.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Sina took off her gloves and offered them to me. Fortunately, our hands weren't that big, so they fit perfectly. I supported my hand, which barely clenched a fist, with my other hand and asked.
“By the way, is the carriage that hit us okay?”
When I asked with concern, Sina bit her lip and answered.
"Don't be ridiculous. They say the coachman was drunk. He couldn't have entered the hall, so where did he get the alcohol..."
“Is he hurt a lot, too?”
“I guess so.”
As Sina spoke, the carriage that had collided with us opened its doors, revealing a servant and a man. Both were seriously injured, one limping, the other clutching his waist, unable to stand properly.
“What family are you from?”
Sina answered my words immediately.
"I think it's Viscount Resa. I saw him before when she negotiated on behalf of my father."
Viscount Resa. A very faint memory came to mind as I searched my mind. A noble family from a remote region... Kaiser had once mentioned it, irritated after a drink.
'It's so annoying that Viscount Resa keeps sending me worthless gifts and flattering me.'
Viscount Resa flattered the Marquis of Amber and sought to cling to the Second Prince's faction. However, in my previous life, Kaiser was extremely wealthy and was enjoying rapid success, backed by Prince Cain.
So there was no need to keep an eye on someone like Viscount Resa. In the end, Viscount Resa had no choice but to return, even with the gifts he had brought taken away.
But in this life, it may have been Viscount Resa's turn. Could Kaiser still be waiting in Prince Cain's line? Or perhaps someone else on Prince Cain's side has reached out.
Anyway, all I could think was that this accident was absolutely not a coincidence.
I approached Viscount Resa, the eyes of the crowd upon me. Viscount Resa, with his back badly injured, was unable to stand and was groaning.
“Viscount Resa.”
At my call, Viscount Resa raised his head and gasped.
“Your, Your Highness, Grand Duchess. I, I apologize for my rudeness...”
I looked down at Viscount Lesa, who was speaking urgently, and then waved my hand widely.
"The Viscount's fault for failing to properly manage your stables is grave. However, I cannot remain here any longer, so let's move to the Grand Duke's residence for now."
“Yes? No, I’m fine. No more rudeness…”
"Viscount."
I called out to him gently. As I touched his gloved hand, Viscount Resa's gaze shifted.
“Don’t forget that you hurt me.”
At my warning, Viscount Resa quickly shut his mouth.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Sina approached and asked. I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
I had a broken carriage and a small carriage used by servants. It was a carriage I'd set off in a hurry, following instructions to catch up with Shuan. I didn't want to ride in that small carriage with Viscount Resa.
“Young Lady, if it’s okay with you, would you take me to the Grand Duke’s residence?”
Sina, overjoyed, led me to her carriage. Meanwhile, Viscount Resa climbed into her small carriage without a word. Sina graciously allowed Anna to join her as well. I expressed my gratitude with a slight nod. Sina waved her hand and smiled.
“It would be my pleasure if I could be of any assistance to Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
“Thank you so much.”
"By the way, Viscount Resa is truly out of his mind. He doesn't even realize his coachman is drunk. He almost collided with Your Highness the Grand Duchess's carriage. It was a real disaster."
I nodded. But my mind was racing with other thoughts. Was this accident a coincidence? Was it simply Viscount Resa's recklessness? If only I could find out by asking him.
While I was lost in thought, Sina remained silent and still. She was truly a quick-witted and intelligent girl.
I put aside my useless thoughts and focused my attention on the cute young lady who was showing me endless kindness.
“Hey, why are you being so kind to me, even though we’re just meeting for the first time?”
“Is it that obvious?”
Sina covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
"There are several reasons, but I'll tell you the most vulgar one. Baron Heira and I want to trade a rare magic stone owned by the Duchzan family."
This cute young lady's eyes sparkled whenever money was mentioned. She looked more like a businesswoman than a noblewoman. While admirable, Sina's words left me feeling uneasy.
“The rare magic stone owned by the Duchzan family is practically tied to the imperial family.”
“Are you going to give away all the rare magic stones?”
“Not that, but I think you’d like to receive it all.”
The deal with the Imperial Family wasn't yet fully finalized. A tug-of-war was brewing over how much to give and how much to receive. The Emperor wouldn't be pleased with any deal with other merchants before then.
Despite my skeptical answer, Sina was not at all discouraged.
“It’s okay. I have some cards I haven’t played yet.”
As Sina spoke confidently, a carriage arrived in front of the Grand Duke's residence. I hurriedly escorted Anna out of the carriage.
After Anna got off, Sina took my hand as if she were serving me and led me down to the front of the carriage. I couldn't help but be startled as I stepped out of the carriage.
A tall man stood before the darkened Grand Duke's residence. The moonlight hit his mask, highlighting his daunting features. I was about to walk toward him, but then I realized Sina was there and stopped.
Sina looked at me like that and said she was envious.
“Contrary to rumors, you two are really close.”
“What... Don’t say things like that.”
I felt like my face was burning up.
At Count Winsley's house, my father was always there to greet my mother. But that wasn't common among the nobility. Even Sina would find it unusual.
“Hey, Young Lady, take some tea.”
"No. I'll go back without disturbing you two. Please invite me to a tea party when you have time. We can talk properly then."
Sina smiled brightly, lifted her skirt, and bowed. I accepted her greeting with a silent nod. Sina added, as if she were reluctant to part ways.
"Your Highness, the reason I'm so fond of you is simply because I'm a fan. I've heard many stories about you, and I think you're a wonderful person."
My already flushed face grew even redder. I waved to Sina, telling her to go home. Sina bowed once more and climbed into her carriage.
Only after Sina left did I hurry towards Julian.
“Julian! Why are you here?”
Julian didn't respond to me. He just stared blankly down at me. I blinked, wondering what the problem was.
But Julian remained silent. He simply stood there, like a giant stone statue.
“Julian?”
I tilted my head and looked into his bowed head. Julian extended his large hand toward me. I naturally placed mine in his.
"Ma'am."
“What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong with you?”
It seemed like he'd heard about the carriage accident that had just happened. I nodded, then sighed and shook my head. It was so dizzying, it was hard to believe it had happened so recently.
“There was a carriage accident. It’s the second one this year, which is really strange.”
It's as if someone is chasing my carriage and desperately praying for an accident.
“Where is the injury?”
“No. I’m fine. But Anna was seriously injured instead of me.”
Despite my worried response, Julian seemed relieved. Then, a coachman driving a small carriage approached and asked what to do with Viscount Resa. Upon hearing this, Julian asked, somewhat fiercely.
“Viscount Resa?”
“He's the owner of the carriage that collided with mine. I heard that Viscount Resa’s coachman was drinking... It’s a headache, so let’s talk about it as we go in.”
I turned around and spoke to the groom.
"Take Viscount Resa to the guest room and treat his wounds. Make sure he doesn't contact anyone outside."
“Yes, ma’am.”
The coachman approached him to get help from his attendants, and I looked at the hand still held by Julian. Julian was usually a man of few expressions, but today, I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
“Julian, shall we come inside?”
Instead of answering me, Julian asked in a very low voice.
“Madam, who did you go to see?”
Anna rushed to hug me, but it hit her harder, and her head was bleeding. I hugged her and banged on the steering wheel.
“Are you okay? Are you okay?”
From ahead, I could still hear the moans of someone crying. I was helpless, judging that I was on the verge of losing consciousness.
“Your Highness! Your Highness is here?”
A familiar voice spoke from outside the carriage. I suddenly realized who the high-pitched voice was.
“Hey, Young Lady, could you please call someone?”
“Ah! You’re safe!”
Sina, almost screaming, seemed deeply relieved. Then, she seemed to be hastily giving instructions to her attendants. A loud noise came from up ahead as they helped the coachman out.
“Your Highness, please wait a moment!”
After Sina said that, not long after, the carriage began to balance.
“Your Highness! Stay away from the door!”
I thought I heard a strange man's voice, and then the door rattled loudly. The dented door held on for a while, then finally began to open. Anna groaned, narrowing her eyes as she watched the scene unfold.
“Madam, are you okay?”
Anna came to her senses a little as the carriage door began to open and asked in a trembling voice.
“You were hurt more than I.”
"I'm fine..."
Anna, who was bleeding from her head but insisted she was fine, was laid more securely in my arms. How long had I waited? Finally, the door opened completely, and I could clearly see the faces of the people standing outside the carriage and the light of the torches.
“Let me get this kid out first.”
I left Anna in the care of the large man standing at the front. Then I reached out to the people to help me.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess! Hands!”
Sina, standing nearby, let out a short scream as she looked at my hand. Looking down, I briefly saw a fresh, deep bruise. Anna covered my head and body with all her might, but she wasn't a large, unmanned creature, so it probably wasn't enough to completely cover me.
I didn't want to show my wound, so I hid my hand behind my back and reached out my other hand for support.
“Your wounds are serious.”
“It’s nothing, Young Lady.”
Sina suggested cautiously, perhaps noticing that I was trying to hide my wounds.
“Would you like to use my gloves?”
“...I will gratefully accept it.”
As soon as I finished speaking, Sina took off her gloves and offered them to me. Fortunately, our hands weren't that big, so they fit perfectly. I supported my hand, which barely clenched a fist, with my other hand and asked.
“By the way, is the carriage that hit us okay?”
When I asked with concern, Sina bit her lip and answered.
"Don't be ridiculous. They say the coachman was drunk. He couldn't have entered the hall, so where did he get the alcohol..."
“Is he hurt a lot, too?”
“I guess so.”
As Sina spoke, the carriage that had collided with us opened its doors, revealing a servant and a man. Both were seriously injured, one limping, the other clutching his waist, unable to stand properly.
“What family are you from?”
Sina answered my words immediately.
"I think it's Viscount Resa. I saw him before when she negotiated on behalf of my father."
Viscount Resa. A very faint memory came to mind as I searched my mind. A noble family from a remote region... Kaiser had once mentioned it, irritated after a drink.
'It's so annoying that Viscount Resa keeps sending me worthless gifts and flattering me.'
Viscount Resa flattered the Marquis of Amber and sought to cling to the Second Prince's faction. However, in my previous life, Kaiser was extremely wealthy and was enjoying rapid success, backed by Prince Cain.
So there was no need to keep an eye on someone like Viscount Resa. In the end, Viscount Resa had no choice but to return, even with the gifts he had brought taken away.
But in this life, it may have been Viscount Resa's turn. Could Kaiser still be waiting in Prince Cain's line? Or perhaps someone else on Prince Cain's side has reached out.
Anyway, all I could think was that this accident was absolutely not a coincidence.
I approached Viscount Resa, the eyes of the crowd upon me. Viscount Resa, with his back badly injured, was unable to stand and was groaning.
“Viscount Resa.”
At my call, Viscount Resa raised his head and gasped.
“Your, Your Highness, Grand Duchess. I, I apologize for my rudeness...”
I looked down at Viscount Lesa, who was speaking urgently, and then waved my hand widely.
"The Viscount's fault for failing to properly manage your stables is grave. However, I cannot remain here any longer, so let's move to the Grand Duke's residence for now."
“Yes? No, I’m fine. No more rudeness…”
"Viscount."
I called out to him gently. As I touched his gloved hand, Viscount Resa's gaze shifted.
“Don’t forget that you hurt me.”
At my warning, Viscount Resa quickly shut his mouth.
“Is there anything else I can help you with?”
Sina approached and asked. I hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
I had a broken carriage and a small carriage used by servants. It was a carriage I'd set off in a hurry, following instructions to catch up with Shuan. I didn't want to ride in that small carriage with Viscount Resa.
“Young Lady, if it’s okay with you, would you take me to the Grand Duke’s residence?”
Sina, overjoyed, led me to her carriage. Meanwhile, Viscount Resa climbed into her small carriage without a word. Sina graciously allowed Anna to join her as well. I expressed my gratitude with a slight nod. Sina waved her hand and smiled.
“It would be my pleasure if I could be of any assistance to Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
“Thank you so much.”
"By the way, Viscount Resa is truly out of his mind. He doesn't even realize his coachman is drunk. He almost collided with Your Highness the Grand Duchess's carriage. It was a real disaster."
I nodded. But my mind was racing with other thoughts. Was this accident a coincidence? Was it simply Viscount Resa's recklessness? If only I could find out by asking him.
While I was lost in thought, Sina remained silent and still. She was truly a quick-witted and intelligent girl.
I put aside my useless thoughts and focused my attention on the cute young lady who was showing me endless kindness.
“Hey, why are you being so kind to me, even though we’re just meeting for the first time?”
“Is it that obvious?”
Sina covered her mouth with her hand and laughed.
"There are several reasons, but I'll tell you the most vulgar one. Baron Heira and I want to trade a rare magic stone owned by the Duchzan family."
This cute young lady's eyes sparkled whenever money was mentioned. She looked more like a businesswoman than a noblewoman. While admirable, Sina's words left me feeling uneasy.
“The rare magic stone owned by the Duchzan family is practically tied to the imperial family.”
“Are you going to give away all the rare magic stones?”
“Not that, but I think you’d like to receive it all.”
The deal with the Imperial Family wasn't yet fully finalized. A tug-of-war was brewing over how much to give and how much to receive. The Emperor wouldn't be pleased with any deal with other merchants before then.
Despite my skeptical answer, Sina was not at all discouraged.
“It’s okay. I have some cards I haven’t played yet.”
As Sina spoke confidently, a carriage arrived in front of the Grand Duke's residence. I hurriedly escorted Anna out of the carriage.
After Anna got off, Sina took my hand as if she were serving me and led me down to the front of the carriage. I couldn't help but be startled as I stepped out of the carriage.
A tall man stood before the darkened Grand Duke's residence. The moonlight hit his mask, highlighting his daunting features. I was about to walk toward him, but then I realized Sina was there and stopped.
Sina looked at me like that and said she was envious.
“Contrary to rumors, you two are really close.”
“What... Don’t say things like that.”
I felt like my face was burning up.
At Count Winsley's house, my father was always there to greet my mother. But that wasn't common among the nobility. Even Sina would find it unusual.
“Hey, Young Lady, take some tea.”
"No. I'll go back without disturbing you two. Please invite me to a tea party when you have time. We can talk properly then."
Sina smiled brightly, lifted her skirt, and bowed. I accepted her greeting with a silent nod. Sina added, as if she were reluctant to part ways.
"Your Highness, the reason I'm so fond of you is simply because I'm a fan. I've heard many stories about you, and I think you're a wonderful person."
My already flushed face grew even redder. I waved to Sina, telling her to go home. Sina bowed once more and climbed into her carriage.
Only after Sina left did I hurry towards Julian.
“Julian! Why are you here?”
Julian didn't respond to me. He just stared blankly down at me. I blinked, wondering what the problem was.
But Julian remained silent. He simply stood there, like a giant stone statue.
“Julian?”
I tilted my head and looked into his bowed head. Julian extended his large hand toward me. I naturally placed mine in his.
"Ma'am."
“What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong with you?”
It seemed like he'd heard about the carriage accident that had just happened. I nodded, then sighed and shook my head. It was so dizzying, it was hard to believe it had happened so recently.
“There was a carriage accident. It’s the second one this year, which is really strange.”
It's as if someone is chasing my carriage and desperately praying for an accident.
“Where is the injury?”
“No. I’m fine. But Anna was seriously injured instead of me.”
Despite my worried response, Julian seemed relieved. Then, a coachman driving a small carriage approached and asked what to do with Viscount Resa. Upon hearing this, Julian asked, somewhat fiercely.
“Viscount Resa?”
“He's the owner of the carriage that collided with mine. I heard that Viscount Resa’s coachman was drinking... It’s a headache, so let’s talk about it as we go in.”
I turned around and spoke to the groom.
"Take Viscount Resa to the guest room and treat his wounds. Make sure he doesn't contact anyone outside."
“Yes, ma’am.”
The coachman approached him to get help from his attendants, and I looked at the hand still held by Julian. Julian was usually a man of few expressions, but today, I couldn't tell what he was thinking.
“Julian, shall we come inside?”
Instead of answering me, Julian asked in a very low voice.
“Madam, who did you go to see?”
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