Servants rushed over and cleared the glasses away, and her maids examined the Princess's hands.
The Marchioness of Wales, standing nearby, spoke casually to those around her, her expression completely unfazed. Princess Erita, unable to conceal her despair, looked at the Marchioness with a reproachful expression.
If this continues, the two will have no choice but to get married, let alone break up.
Ordinary people seek approval and blessing from the archbishop. But for the Queen to approve, cite God's grace, and bless her marriage means that the most powerful authority is protecting and guaranteeing their marriage.
Queen Grace II was not unaware of this fact either.
Since tying Noah to Medea was beneficial to both the national interest and her own power, she readily accepted his request.
The Marchioness of Wales gave the Princess a signal with her glance.
Princess Erita hugged her trembling body, dismissed the maids, and headed out of the banquet hall to her room.
Princess Erita entered her room and collapsed listlessly onto the sumptuous satin bedding, looking as if her soul had been taken from her. The Marchioness then entered and gently patted the Princess's back, who had her head bowed.
“Don’t worry too much, Princess.”
"Madam, I could never beat Noah Rotsilt. He's so meticulous and planned out that he leaves no room for even the slightest opening."
The Princess covered her face with both hands and continued speaking in a tearful voice as the Marchioness patted her hands.
“I even had the unprincipled, vulgar idea of spending the night with him, but it never worked.”
Princess Erita once tried to drug Noah into spending the night with him. But he switched the glasses while she wasn't looking, and then, with a blank expression, spoke to the Princess, who was becoming increasingly intoxicated.
"Now, what if she brings another man and has him lie down next to her? It'd be even more fun if they were married."
She felt a sense of helplessness bordering on humiliation, realizing she could never defeat this man. The Marchioness continued to soothe Princess Erita, stroking her delicate shoulders.
"No matter what, there are bound to be variables and weaknesses. That's Miss Diana. Unlike him, isn't she an ordinary person?"
Tears filled the Princess's blue eyes and soon flowed down.
"No, honestly, I don't think I could beat that girl. She's the same age as me, but she's different. She's not ordinary."
The Marchioness of Wales tilted her head in wonder. She had heard from Mastiff that Diana was an ordinary woman of her age.
"Princess, even misunderstandings need a foundation. At first, they might trust each other, but if the same thing happens again, they'll start to doubt each other."
"Is there any other way? Noah won't break up with that girl even if she spends the night with another man. If he had to kill her, he would have killed her."
"That's what I'm trying to use. She won't know his true nature. She'll be lost in her fantasies, seeing only the good. Doesn't the Princess know everything about him and still love him? He deserves to be loved."
A light like salvation appeared in Princess Erita's hazy eyes.
Yes, I'm confident I can love him no matter what he looks like or how he acts. You're not. You're going to abandon him and run away, right?
"Any normal woman would find that sight horrifying. She would surely be terrified, fearing she might even be killed."
Princess Erita, seeing the Marchioness of Wales's meaningful smile, quickly grasped her intentions. If minor misunderstandings and incidents that shattered her illusions about the other continued, the two would naturally drift apart.
The Princess was deeply reliant on the Marchioness. Unlike the Queen, who had always been strict, the Marchioness understood her and offered her warm and gentle comfort.
Emotional empathy and comfort. This was how the Marchioness encouraged the Princess to trust her. Gaining trust is a simple matter if you simply understand the other person's needs, desires, and unspoken weaknesses.
"Let's go back to the ballroom, Princess. People will think it strange if we leave like this."
The Princess nodded at the Marchioness's words and wiped away her tears.
The atmosphere of the ball was ripe with the music of the orchestra and the sounds of the crowd. While Noah was briefly exchanging greetings with the gentry businessmen, the Marchioness of Wales approached me and said hello.
“Miss Diana, are you feeling better?”
“Yes, ma’am. The lime juice was really delicious. Thank you.”
"Are your wedding preparations going well? I got married when I was your age."
A faint shadow fell over the Marchioness's face, which had been smiling sociably.
"As a life expert, I'd like to offer this advice: Even if your current love feels like it will last forever, don't give it your all. Marriage is a reality."
I tilted my head wryly at her advice.
“What are you talking about?”
"My husband and I were a couple, a couple everyone envied. His pure love was renowned among women. However, as we grew older and time passed, our love didn't deepen; it only grew more stale."
I feel like a couple's counselor listening to her complaints. I'm not particularly curious. I do feel a pang of pity when I think about her husband falling for a young, pretty mistress, but I find that advice unnecessary.
“Yes... I see.”
"Although legally, a man cannot have two wives, it's common for men of higher status and wealth to have mistresses. It's a bit unfair. While his mistress receives the love, my in-laws expect me to fulfill my duties as a daughter-in-law and a Marchioness."
“I see. Get a divorce.”
“I don’t want to see the government officially marrying him and the children they have inheriting the title and property.”
"Isn't there a division of assets here?" I asked, staring blankly at her and offering a comforting smile.
"Madam, you should have a government. Maybe five? Just as men like young women, women like young, vibrant men. How cute would it be if you called them 'sister'?"
The Marchioness covered her mouth and burst into laughter at my clear answer.
"You have a refreshing personality. Next time you get a chance, please introduce me to a charming young man."
If there were any men younger than her around me, it would be Vincent, Mastiff... Oh, he’s not a murderer, is he? The Marchioness, who had made a clear joke, laughed and left, and Noah, who had finished talking, approached me and asked me to dance.
Noah and I, who had suddenly become the stars of the show with our dramatic wedding announcement, were the center of attention no matter what we did.
Even dancing felt like going crazy because everyone was staring at me with sparkling eyes. I'm averse to being the center of attention, so my back was stiff.
“Are you stepping on it on purpose? Your heels are sharp, and it hurts.”
The third time I stepped on Noah's foot, he finally complained. I waited, embarrassed, to apologize.
“I’m really sorry, I can’t concentrate.”
“Is it because people are staring?”
“Yes. I can’t get used to being in the spotlight.”
“Shall we go out and get some fresh air?”
As I nodded weakly, Noah wrapped his arms tightly around my back and kissed me on the lips. Those around me witnessed this, and gasps of envy and admiration erupted.
I gasped and opened my eyes wide. Noah took my hand and led me quickly out of the hall, explaining things earnestly.
“It’s an advanced technique that comes out naturally.”
“People look at us unnaturally?”
My face turned bright red as I caught a glimpse of the sinister smiles of the middle-aged women looking at me intently.
“So what? Once it’s over, you won’t care.”
“That’s true, but I’m still a little embarrassed.”
We entered a garden lush with greenery and walked along a path lined with magnolias in full bloom. The flowers, illuminated by streetlights, seemed to be pieces of the garden's daytime landscape, arranged in a single layer.
I walked along the cobbled path and sat down at the marble fountain in front of the maze garden, taking a deep breath of the fresh, fragrant night air.
Perhaps because of the spring rain, the air feels even crisper, making it a perfect day for a night stroll. Gazing at the white azaleas, I suddenly recall Princess Erita's pale face and the shattered glass at her feet.
I asked Noah cautiously.
“Noah, are you covering up Princess Erita’s case because of Mastiff?”
"No."
“I hope there will be no punishment or investigation.”
By now, the Queen would have known, but since she was a Princess and her daughter, would she ignore her crime and pretend not to know?
"The police are diligently investigating. Since it's been kept secret, most people don't know."
“I see. I guess the evidence hasn’t come out yet.”
"No. It's just an opportunity and a warning to Erita, and I'm watching her deliberately. I believe forces are interfering behind the scenes."
Oh, that could be possible. Giving the Princess a chance to change her mind and confess.
If you confess to your crimes and the forces that collaborated with you, you'll be cooperating fully with the investigation, so your punishment will be reduced a little. Maybe just shave your head and go to a monastery?
This must be how a rational and cool-headed Queen loves her daughter. Despite her cold-hearted, compassionate embrace, the emotional Princess Erita is likely oblivious to her true meaning and harbors resentment.
I also thought Noah was trying to protect Mastiff. Why did I become so one-dimensional? I know why.
“You know... I think I’ve become more jealous lately.”
“I never made you jealous. I just don’t like it that way.”
Noah's face, bathed in beautiful light and shade under the streetlight, looked like a well-crafted sculpture. When he smiled, the skin beneath his eyes grew plump and shadowed. The corners of his eyes creased seductively.
“Because you are so... pretty.”
It seems I've completely lost to this man. I can't even try to hide my feelings any longer. My sophisticated strategy has failed. He covered his mouth and smiled elegantly at my hesitant compliment.
I gazed at the azaleas in full bloom, lost in thought. Have I ever loved someone enough to be jealous or even consider marriage?
I never really thought about marriage in my life. There just wasn't anyone I could truly trust. And no one I wanted to rely on... I guess that's right. I never felt the need to rely on anyone.
I was extremely tired from the ball last night, so I slept in for the first time in a while. It wasn't until the late morning that I went down to the dining room that I discovered a strange old man sitting at the table.
A tall, thin, and lanky old gentleman wearing a bowler hat stared at me blankly, almost piercingly.
He had graying hair that seemed to have been blond, and faded blue eyes. His overall appearance resembled a hat placed on a long stick.
His attire was decent, but the napkin around his neck, like a baby's bib, felt out of place. Why were his shoes off? I looked down at his worn leather shoes lying on the carpet, then raised my head and greeted him first.
“Hello. Who are you?”
“Are you up now? How lazy, tsk.”
The old man sneered, put down his spoon, and continued speaking.
“Didn’t my grandson say that the person who would become my granddaughter-in-law is so lazy and not very bright?”
Grandson? Granddaughter-in-law?
I hadn't heard anything about his grandfather. Did Noah decide to take care of his grandfather? I hadn't heard anything like it, so I looked at the maid standing near the old man, bewildered.
"Hey, what are you dawdling for! Why don't you hurry up and sit down next to me and help this old man eat!"
The grumpy old man's voice resonated through the room. How could such a skinny man have such a powerful voice?
I thought to myself, "Maybe a new hell gate has opened?"
The Marchioness of Wales, standing nearby, spoke casually to those around her, her expression completely unfazed. Princess Erita, unable to conceal her despair, looked at the Marchioness with a reproachful expression.
If this continues, the two will have no choice but to get married, let alone break up.
Ordinary people seek approval and blessing from the archbishop. But for the Queen to approve, cite God's grace, and bless her marriage means that the most powerful authority is protecting and guaranteeing their marriage.
Queen Grace II was not unaware of this fact either.
Since tying Noah to Medea was beneficial to both the national interest and her own power, she readily accepted his request.
The Marchioness of Wales gave the Princess a signal with her glance.
Princess Erita hugged her trembling body, dismissed the maids, and headed out of the banquet hall to her room.
Princess Erita entered her room and collapsed listlessly onto the sumptuous satin bedding, looking as if her soul had been taken from her. The Marchioness then entered and gently patted the Princess's back, who had her head bowed.
“Don’t worry too much, Princess.”
"Madam, I could never beat Noah Rotsilt. He's so meticulous and planned out that he leaves no room for even the slightest opening."
The Princess covered her face with both hands and continued speaking in a tearful voice as the Marchioness patted her hands.
“I even had the unprincipled, vulgar idea of spending the night with him, but it never worked.”
Princess Erita once tried to drug Noah into spending the night with him. But he switched the glasses while she wasn't looking, and then, with a blank expression, spoke to the Princess, who was becoming increasingly intoxicated.
"Now, what if she brings another man and has him lie down next to her? It'd be even more fun if they were married."
She felt a sense of helplessness bordering on humiliation, realizing she could never defeat this man. The Marchioness continued to soothe Princess Erita, stroking her delicate shoulders.
"No matter what, there are bound to be variables and weaknesses. That's Miss Diana. Unlike him, isn't she an ordinary person?"
Tears filled the Princess's blue eyes and soon flowed down.
"No, honestly, I don't think I could beat that girl. She's the same age as me, but she's different. She's not ordinary."
The Marchioness of Wales tilted her head in wonder. She had heard from Mastiff that Diana was an ordinary woman of her age.
"Princess, even misunderstandings need a foundation. At first, they might trust each other, but if the same thing happens again, they'll start to doubt each other."
"Is there any other way? Noah won't break up with that girl even if she spends the night with another man. If he had to kill her, he would have killed her."
"That's what I'm trying to use. She won't know his true nature. She'll be lost in her fantasies, seeing only the good. Doesn't the Princess know everything about him and still love him? He deserves to be loved."
A light like salvation appeared in Princess Erita's hazy eyes.
Yes, I'm confident I can love him no matter what he looks like or how he acts. You're not. You're going to abandon him and run away, right?
"Any normal woman would find that sight horrifying. She would surely be terrified, fearing she might even be killed."
Princess Erita, seeing the Marchioness of Wales's meaningful smile, quickly grasped her intentions. If minor misunderstandings and incidents that shattered her illusions about the other continued, the two would naturally drift apart.
The Princess was deeply reliant on the Marchioness. Unlike the Queen, who had always been strict, the Marchioness understood her and offered her warm and gentle comfort.
Emotional empathy and comfort. This was how the Marchioness encouraged the Princess to trust her. Gaining trust is a simple matter if you simply understand the other person's needs, desires, and unspoken weaknesses.
"Let's go back to the ballroom, Princess. People will think it strange if we leave like this."
The Princess nodded at the Marchioness's words and wiped away her tears.
***
The atmosphere of the ball was ripe with the music of the orchestra and the sounds of the crowd. While Noah was briefly exchanging greetings with the gentry businessmen, the Marchioness of Wales approached me and said hello.
“Miss Diana, are you feeling better?”
“Yes, ma’am. The lime juice was really delicious. Thank you.”
"Are your wedding preparations going well? I got married when I was your age."
A faint shadow fell over the Marchioness's face, which had been smiling sociably.
"As a life expert, I'd like to offer this advice: Even if your current love feels like it will last forever, don't give it your all. Marriage is a reality."
I tilted my head wryly at her advice.
“What are you talking about?”
"My husband and I were a couple, a couple everyone envied. His pure love was renowned among women. However, as we grew older and time passed, our love didn't deepen; it only grew more stale."
I feel like a couple's counselor listening to her complaints. I'm not particularly curious. I do feel a pang of pity when I think about her husband falling for a young, pretty mistress, but I find that advice unnecessary.
“Yes... I see.”
"Although legally, a man cannot have two wives, it's common for men of higher status and wealth to have mistresses. It's a bit unfair. While his mistress receives the love, my in-laws expect me to fulfill my duties as a daughter-in-law and a Marchioness."
“I see. Get a divorce.”
“I don’t want to see the government officially marrying him and the children they have inheriting the title and property.”
"Isn't there a division of assets here?" I asked, staring blankly at her and offering a comforting smile.
"Madam, you should have a government. Maybe five? Just as men like young women, women like young, vibrant men. How cute would it be if you called them 'sister'?"
The Marchioness covered her mouth and burst into laughter at my clear answer.
"You have a refreshing personality. Next time you get a chance, please introduce me to a charming young man."
If there were any men younger than her around me, it would be Vincent, Mastiff... Oh, he’s not a murderer, is he? The Marchioness, who had made a clear joke, laughed and left, and Noah, who had finished talking, approached me and asked me to dance.
Noah and I, who had suddenly become the stars of the show with our dramatic wedding announcement, were the center of attention no matter what we did.
Even dancing felt like going crazy because everyone was staring at me with sparkling eyes. I'm averse to being the center of attention, so my back was stiff.
“Are you stepping on it on purpose? Your heels are sharp, and it hurts.”
The third time I stepped on Noah's foot, he finally complained. I waited, embarrassed, to apologize.
“I’m really sorry, I can’t concentrate.”
“Is it because people are staring?”
“Yes. I can’t get used to being in the spotlight.”
“Shall we go out and get some fresh air?”
As I nodded weakly, Noah wrapped his arms tightly around my back and kissed me on the lips. Those around me witnessed this, and gasps of envy and admiration erupted.
I gasped and opened my eyes wide. Noah took my hand and led me quickly out of the hall, explaining things earnestly.
“It’s an advanced technique that comes out naturally.”
“People look at us unnaturally?”
My face turned bright red as I caught a glimpse of the sinister smiles of the middle-aged women looking at me intently.
“So what? Once it’s over, you won’t care.”
“That’s true, but I’m still a little embarrassed.”
We entered a garden lush with greenery and walked along a path lined with magnolias in full bloom. The flowers, illuminated by streetlights, seemed to be pieces of the garden's daytime landscape, arranged in a single layer.
I walked along the cobbled path and sat down at the marble fountain in front of the maze garden, taking a deep breath of the fresh, fragrant night air.
Perhaps because of the spring rain, the air feels even crisper, making it a perfect day for a night stroll. Gazing at the white azaleas, I suddenly recall Princess Erita's pale face and the shattered glass at her feet.
I asked Noah cautiously.
“Noah, are you covering up Princess Erita’s case because of Mastiff?”
"No."
“I hope there will be no punishment or investigation.”
By now, the Queen would have known, but since she was a Princess and her daughter, would she ignore her crime and pretend not to know?
"The police are diligently investigating. Since it's been kept secret, most people don't know."
“I see. I guess the evidence hasn’t come out yet.”
"No. It's just an opportunity and a warning to Erita, and I'm watching her deliberately. I believe forces are interfering behind the scenes."
Oh, that could be possible. Giving the Princess a chance to change her mind and confess.
If you confess to your crimes and the forces that collaborated with you, you'll be cooperating fully with the investigation, so your punishment will be reduced a little. Maybe just shave your head and go to a monastery?
This must be how a rational and cool-headed Queen loves her daughter. Despite her cold-hearted, compassionate embrace, the emotional Princess Erita is likely oblivious to her true meaning and harbors resentment.
I also thought Noah was trying to protect Mastiff. Why did I become so one-dimensional? I know why.
“You know... I think I’ve become more jealous lately.”
“I never made you jealous. I just don’t like it that way.”
Noah's face, bathed in beautiful light and shade under the streetlight, looked like a well-crafted sculpture. When he smiled, the skin beneath his eyes grew plump and shadowed. The corners of his eyes creased seductively.
“Because you are so... pretty.”
It seems I've completely lost to this man. I can't even try to hide my feelings any longer. My sophisticated strategy has failed. He covered his mouth and smiled elegantly at my hesitant compliment.
I gazed at the azaleas in full bloom, lost in thought. Have I ever loved someone enough to be jealous or even consider marriage?
I never really thought about marriage in my life. There just wasn't anyone I could truly trust. And no one I wanted to rely on... I guess that's right. I never felt the need to rely on anyone.
***
I was extremely tired from the ball last night, so I slept in for the first time in a while. It wasn't until the late morning that I went down to the dining room that I discovered a strange old man sitting at the table.
A tall, thin, and lanky old gentleman wearing a bowler hat stared at me blankly, almost piercingly.
He had graying hair that seemed to have been blond, and faded blue eyes. His overall appearance resembled a hat placed on a long stick.
His attire was decent, but the napkin around his neck, like a baby's bib, felt out of place. Why were his shoes off? I looked down at his worn leather shoes lying on the carpet, then raised my head and greeted him first.
“Hello. Who are you?”
“Are you up now? How lazy, tsk.”
The old man sneered, put down his spoon, and continued speaking.
“Didn’t my grandson say that the person who would become my granddaughter-in-law is so lazy and not very bright?”
Grandson? Granddaughter-in-law?
I hadn't heard anything about his grandfather. Did Noah decide to take care of his grandfather? I hadn't heard anything like it, so I looked at the maid standing near the old man, bewildered.
"Hey, what are you dawdling for! Why don't you hurry up and sit down next to me and help this old man eat!"
The grumpy old man's voice resonated through the room. How could such a skinny man have such a powerful voice?
I thought to myself, "Maybe a new hell gate has opened?"
Comments
Post a Comment