A few days later, gifts from the Crown Prince to the Princess arrived at the Duke of Weishaffen. The sheer volume of goods was enough to fill a wagon.
Of course, there were precious jewels, paintings, and sculptures by famous artists, local specialties, and even precious foreign fabrics that would look perfect on Aila if made into clothes. Everything was there, except what wasn't there.
“His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to come in person, but his schedule didn’t allow time, so he sent me in his place. He told me to make sure to tell you.”
Joseph, the chamberlain, spoke with a look of inexplicable relief. He was the same chamberlain Aila had encountered several times.
“...Please tell him I said thank you.”
Aila looked at the presents with a slightly dazed expression.
Sitting atop the countless piles of gifts were none other than the rings Aila had mentioned. Cheap souvenirs bought at the Inselkov Kingdom's souvenir shop, sold only to tourists.
It was as if he was shouting, 'I never lost it.'
She chuckled and tried the flower-shaped ring, carved from a single, transparent, blue stone, on her finger. As expected, it was a little loose on her finger, but she liked it nonetheless.
After the servant, whose face looked somewhat tired, left, the servants became even more excited than the person who received the gift.
“My goodness, His Highness the Crown Prince must be very fond of you.”
"That's right! It's not even a special day, and yet His Highness is sending so many gifts...! This has never happened before!"
Since none of the young ladies of the Crown Prince's age had ever received a gift like this, they all looked at the gift with surprised expressions.
Aila, who had little contact with other nobles, didn't know it, but Winfred was actually very popular with the young ladies of his age.
Aside from being the Emperor's only son, he was also handsome, tall, and had a kind personality. He was the envy of all the young ladies because he had everything.
However, he was the one who treated everyone equally well and never treated anyone more specially than others, and he was the one who made everyone suffer, so he started this gift offensive.
If this news got out in high society, rumors would surely spread that the Crown Prince had fallen in love with the Princess of Weishaffen at first sight.
And the rumor wasn't far from the truth. It was close to the truth, except that the moment of love at first sight wasn't a few days ago, but a long time ago.
"...Yes?"
Aila listened intently to the maids' tumultuous remarks. She was the first person Winfred had put so much effort into. It wasn't a bad thing.
It was then that someone appeared, disrupting the cheerful atmosphere. Laura entered the room, struggling, carrying a bucket of water and a mop.
“Oh, Laura.”
“...”
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became cold. Lisa was also in the room.
Since everyone knew what Laura had done to Lisa, everyone looked at Lisa with embarrassed faces.
Although they didn't say anything out loud in front of Aila, it seemed like everyone was thinking, 'Where do you think you are, coming in so shamelessly?'
Laura hesitated and stepped back, looking a little flustered, as if she hadn't expected everyone to be gathered here.
“...I’ll come back later to clean up, miss.”
Laura sighed deeply as she left the room. She had come here because she desperately needed to tell Aila, but she didn't know why they were all crowded together like that.
Although they weren't overtly harassing her, the other employees now all shunned Laura, as if she had contracted a contagious disease.
It was her own fault, so she reaped what she sowed, but Laura didn't think it was her fault and just felt wronged.
'What is she so good at that she's laughing like that?'
Laura chuckled as she remembered Aila laughing happily, surrounded by her maids.
It was so painful to see her enemy's daughter smiling happily while she was going through such hardship.
There was a bit of a commotion in the mansion today, as if someone had visited, but Laura was busy with chores and couldn't figure out the details.
‘...I’ll ask later.’
Laura groaned again as she carried the water bucket. It was important to relay the news to Aila, but right now, she had to finish the task at hand.
And that evening.
She cautiously entered the room where Aila was alone. Aila had been quick to notice and had sent Lisa away early.
"Welcome, Laura. What's going on? Has my father sent you a message?"
"Why are you saying such obvious things? Are you afraid I'd come to you without any business? You know how busy I am. You leave all the dirty work to me..."
Laura grumbled as soon as she entered the room. Her already unpleasant temper seemed to worsen as she grew tired.
"...I see."
"But you, Miss, don't seem to notice my struggles and seem to be having fun with other people. What happened earlier?"
When Aila answered in a soulless voice, not knowing how to react, Laura crossed her arms and asked in displeasure.
“Oh, that... The Crown Prince sent me a gift. That’s why we talked about it.”
“...The Crown Prince?”
Laura frowned. Even if he was the Crown Prince, he was just someone who would be removed from his position once Byron's mission was successful.
But why did everyone make such a fuss about receiving a gift from the Crown Prince? It just felt foolish.
'Anyway, I think I have one more line to add to the report.'
Laura was worried that she's been pushed to a more reserved position recently, and that she's had less to report, but she finally heard some news. Anything she could add would be a huge plus for her.
“So, what did my father say?”
Aila, who had been waiting for Laura to speak, couldn't contain her impatience and asked again. She'd come to see Laura, saying she had something to say, but she was just talking nonsense.
“Oh, som..”
Only then did Laura remember the reason she had come, and in a somewhat embarrassed voice, she relayed the news Byron had sent.
With the military and weapons all prepared, all that was left was to wait for the grand event at the Duke's residence.
'...at las!'
Aila unconsciously clutched the hem of her skirt.
Now the day was fast approaching when she would finally wrap things up and make Byron pay for his deception.
“Come to think of it, the Duke said he would throw you a big banquet for your birthday this year.”
She spoke with great effort, her voice trembling with excitement.
Of course, it wasn't something she discussed with her father.
They hadn't yet gone into such detail, but Roderick had probably brought it up first, believing that if Aila told him about it, he would surely do as she wished.
“Is it your birthday this year?”
"Yes."
Laura folded her fingers and counted the time left until Aila's birthday. There were about three months left, so if she started preparing now, there was plenty of time.
"Then I'll go. Until that day, you must take care of your health so your skills don't rust. You must not forget that your task is paramount to avenging our master."
Laura's expression turned grave, and she hurried out of the room. She had to report this quickly, out of sight of everyone.
And Aila, left alone, calmed her trembling hands.
Now, there really isn't much left.
“...That child’s birthday party.”
Byron muttered, clutching the report Laura had sent him.
Murdered by his own daughter on the eve of her birthday. What a beautiful act of poetic justice.
It was a very fitting ending for a villain.
“I like it. Well, I like it very much.”
He raised one corner of his mouth awkwardly.
Three months from now. If he could just endure that long, he could have Ophelia by his side.
He could kill his younger brother who dared to step into his place, cut down his friend who betrayed him, and then sit proudly in his place, embracing the woman he loves.
Just imagining it made his heart burst with ecstasy.
Byron, who was delighted with the good news, glared at Cloud, who was standing before him with a face overcast with dark clouds.
"Why? You don't look so happy. Aren't you glad you can restore the status of the Air family?"
Byron asked with a displeased expression. Once all the work was done, the plan was to dramatically elevate the Air family, previously a Viscount's family, to a Marquis.
Byron, who was already overjoyed by his grace, was upset that his joy was being ruined by Cloud's sullen expression.
“...No, my lord. That is... There is one page of the report Laura sent.”
“Oh, I see. I was just reading.”
When Cloud naturally changed the subject, Byron finally turned the page to the next chapter. The moment he saw the mention of a grand birthday banquet, he was so excited that he forgot to finish reading.
The next page contained a rather silly story about how the Crown Prince had sent Aila a lot of gifts.
Byron put down the report, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
Of course, there were precious jewels, paintings, and sculptures by famous artists, local specialties, and even precious foreign fabrics that would look perfect on Aila if made into clothes. Everything was there, except what wasn't there.
“His Highness the Crown Prince wanted to come in person, but his schedule didn’t allow time, so he sent me in his place. He told me to make sure to tell you.”
Joseph, the chamberlain, spoke with a look of inexplicable relief. He was the same chamberlain Aila had encountered several times.
“...Please tell him I said thank you.”
Aila looked at the presents with a slightly dazed expression.
Sitting atop the countless piles of gifts were none other than the rings Aila had mentioned. Cheap souvenirs bought at the Inselkov Kingdom's souvenir shop, sold only to tourists.
It was as if he was shouting, 'I never lost it.'
She chuckled and tried the flower-shaped ring, carved from a single, transparent, blue stone, on her finger. As expected, it was a little loose on her finger, but she liked it nonetheless.
After the servant, whose face looked somewhat tired, left, the servants became even more excited than the person who received the gift.
“My goodness, His Highness the Crown Prince must be very fond of you.”
"That's right! It's not even a special day, and yet His Highness is sending so many gifts...! This has never happened before!"
Since none of the young ladies of the Crown Prince's age had ever received a gift like this, they all looked at the gift with surprised expressions.
Aila, who had little contact with other nobles, didn't know it, but Winfred was actually very popular with the young ladies of his age.
Aside from being the Emperor's only son, he was also handsome, tall, and had a kind personality. He was the envy of all the young ladies because he had everything.
However, he was the one who treated everyone equally well and never treated anyone more specially than others, and he was the one who made everyone suffer, so he started this gift offensive.
If this news got out in high society, rumors would surely spread that the Crown Prince had fallen in love with the Princess of Weishaffen at first sight.
And the rumor wasn't far from the truth. It was close to the truth, except that the moment of love at first sight wasn't a few days ago, but a long time ago.
"...Yes?"
Aila listened intently to the maids' tumultuous remarks. She was the first person Winfred had put so much effort into. It wasn't a bad thing.
It was then that someone appeared, disrupting the cheerful atmosphere. Laura entered the room, struggling, carrying a bucket of water and a mop.
“Oh, Laura.”
“...”
The atmosphere in the room suddenly became cold. Lisa was also in the room.
Since everyone knew what Laura had done to Lisa, everyone looked at Lisa with embarrassed faces.
Although they didn't say anything out loud in front of Aila, it seemed like everyone was thinking, 'Where do you think you are, coming in so shamelessly?'
Laura hesitated and stepped back, looking a little flustered, as if she hadn't expected everyone to be gathered here.
“...I’ll come back later to clean up, miss.”
Laura sighed deeply as she left the room. She had come here because she desperately needed to tell Aila, but she didn't know why they were all crowded together like that.
Although they weren't overtly harassing her, the other employees now all shunned Laura, as if she had contracted a contagious disease.
It was her own fault, so she reaped what she sowed, but Laura didn't think it was her fault and just felt wronged.
'What is she so good at that she's laughing like that?'
Laura chuckled as she remembered Aila laughing happily, surrounded by her maids.
It was so painful to see her enemy's daughter smiling happily while she was going through such hardship.
There was a bit of a commotion in the mansion today, as if someone had visited, but Laura was busy with chores and couldn't figure out the details.
‘...I’ll ask later.’
Laura groaned again as she carried the water bucket. It was important to relay the news to Aila, but right now, she had to finish the task at hand.
And that evening.
She cautiously entered the room where Aila was alone. Aila had been quick to notice and had sent Lisa away early.
"Welcome, Laura. What's going on? Has my father sent you a message?"
"Why are you saying such obvious things? Are you afraid I'd come to you without any business? You know how busy I am. You leave all the dirty work to me..."
Laura grumbled as soon as she entered the room. Her already unpleasant temper seemed to worsen as she grew tired.
"...I see."
"But you, Miss, don't seem to notice my struggles and seem to be having fun with other people. What happened earlier?"
When Aila answered in a soulless voice, not knowing how to react, Laura crossed her arms and asked in displeasure.
“Oh, that... The Crown Prince sent me a gift. That’s why we talked about it.”
“...The Crown Prince?”
Laura frowned. Even if he was the Crown Prince, he was just someone who would be removed from his position once Byron's mission was successful.
But why did everyone make such a fuss about receiving a gift from the Crown Prince? It just felt foolish.
'Anyway, I think I have one more line to add to the report.'
Laura was worried that she's been pushed to a more reserved position recently, and that she's had less to report, but she finally heard some news. Anything she could add would be a huge plus for her.
“So, what did my father say?”
Aila, who had been waiting for Laura to speak, couldn't contain her impatience and asked again. She'd come to see Laura, saying she had something to say, but she was just talking nonsense.
“Oh, som..”
Only then did Laura remember the reason she had come, and in a somewhat embarrassed voice, she relayed the news Byron had sent.
With the military and weapons all prepared, all that was left was to wait for the grand event at the Duke's residence.
'...at las!'
Aila unconsciously clutched the hem of her skirt.
Now the day was fast approaching when she would finally wrap things up and make Byron pay for his deception.
“Come to think of it, the Duke said he would throw you a big banquet for your birthday this year.”
She spoke with great effort, her voice trembling with excitement.
Of course, it wasn't something she discussed with her father.
They hadn't yet gone into such detail, but Roderick had probably brought it up first, believing that if Aila told him about it, he would surely do as she wished.
“Is it your birthday this year?”
"Yes."
Laura folded her fingers and counted the time left until Aila's birthday. There were about three months left, so if she started preparing now, there was plenty of time.
"Then I'll go. Until that day, you must take care of your health so your skills don't rust. You must not forget that your task is paramount to avenging our master."
Laura's expression turned grave, and she hurried out of the room. She had to report this quickly, out of sight of everyone.
And Aila, left alone, calmed her trembling hands.
Now, there really isn't much left.
***
“...That child’s birthday party.”
Byron muttered, clutching the report Laura had sent him.
Murdered by his own daughter on the eve of her birthday. What a beautiful act of poetic justice.
It was a very fitting ending for a villain.
“I like it. Well, I like it very much.”
He raised one corner of his mouth awkwardly.
Three months from now. If he could just endure that long, he could have Ophelia by his side.
He could kill his younger brother who dared to step into his place, cut down his friend who betrayed him, and then sit proudly in his place, embracing the woman he loves.
Just imagining it made his heart burst with ecstasy.
Byron, who was delighted with the good news, glared at Cloud, who was standing before him with a face overcast with dark clouds.
"Why? You don't look so happy. Aren't you glad you can restore the status of the Air family?"
Byron asked with a displeased expression. Once all the work was done, the plan was to dramatically elevate the Air family, previously a Viscount's family, to a Marquis.
Byron, who was already overjoyed by his grace, was upset that his joy was being ruined by Cloud's sullen expression.
“...No, my lord. That is... There is one page of the report Laura sent.”
“Oh, I see. I was just reading.”
When Cloud naturally changed the subject, Byron finally turned the page to the next chapter. The moment he saw the mention of a grand birthday banquet, he was so excited that he forgot to finish reading.
The next page contained a rather silly story about how the Crown Prince had sent Aila a lot of gifts.
Byron put down the report, feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
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