(108) Unexplained feelings (6)
Ariana hoped Cyrus would win Victoria's heart.
Become infatuated with Cyrus, believing and following everything he says. Torn between becoming the most valuable woman in the empire and sitting by Cyrus' side.
She hoped that he would become a man who would be too precious to miss.
Andrei looked at his handsome friend. It wouldn't be difficult to win a woman's heart just by standing there, but the problem was what happened next.
Whenever Cyrus opened his mouth, even the women who had been blinded by his beauty would shiver and leave.
"That's what you're worst at. Why are you telling me that now? Did you ever... think you'd try?"
“It doesn’t suit my personality to just avoid obstacles when they appear.”
“You tried to seduce that woman?”
"There's nothing I can't do, right? I've even been to a battlefield where I was sure I'd die."
“You think saying a kind word to a woman is worse than death!”
“That’s not true.”
“No, yes. That’s the kind of person you are.”
“You’ve defined my personality so far. Are you going to help me or not?”
Andrei swallowed a sigh.
“I must do it. If it is what the Princess Consort wishes, then I must do it. Of course.”
.
.
And today has come.
A carriage bearing the lion emblem of the Lord of the West stopped at the entrance to Maho Castle. As the escort knight opened the carriage door, Victoria, clad in a thick coat, stepped out.
Andrei, who had only heard about Victoria and was seeing her in person for the first time, was a little surprised.
She heard Victoria was younger than Ariana, but she was taller and more mature. She looked about 19 or 20 at first glance.
As expected from someone from the West, her slightly dark skin tone and dark blonde hair suited her very well, and her large eyes, set beneath her delicate eyebrows, gave her a wise and mature air.
Victoria stood calmly, looking up at Cyrus and Andrei. A flicker of energy flashed through her green eyes, sending goosebumps up Andrei's arms.
'Why?'
Just as Ariana looked younger than her peers, Victoria was simply a precocious girl. While her demeanor was more refined than that of the other young ladies, she wasn't quite up to Ariana's standards.
But strangely enough, unlike when she met Ariana, it gave him goosebumps.
'Is it because I have a prejudice against this woman?'
Victoria smiled seductively, grabbed her skirt, and bent her knees slightly.
"I, Princess Victoria Bronte, third daughter of the House of Bronte, send greetings to Your Excellency, the Northern Lord. I thank you for granting me permission to visit, despite the suddenness of the situation."
Cyrus glanced back at Andrei, making a low "hmm." Andrei quickly stepped forward before Cyrus's face showed any signs of reluctance.
“Greetings, Princess. I am Andrei Hern, the Little Duke of Hern.”
“Ah, Little Duke Hern. Nice to meet you.”
"His Excellency has been eagerly awaiting your arrival since hearing of your visit. I have prepared a room for you in the villa. Would you like to join us?"
“Please.”
It was Victoria's first time seeing Cyrus. She'd seen him in a portrait in Helena's room, but the painting didn't even begin to capture half of Cyrus's beauty.
His silver hair, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight, and his blood-red eyes shining beneath it were striking. It was hard to take her eyes off his features, perfectly etched on his snow-white skin.
His face was beautiful, his shoulders looked strong, his back was firm and wide, and his waist was concave, creating an elegant curve.
Victoria was worried because she heard that the Northern Lord Cyrus was a very ruthless man, but the villa they provided for guests was spacious and splendid, lacking nothing. In front of the villa was a small garden filled with snow flowers.
"I'm Ronia, your maid who will be serving you from now on. If you need anything during your stay, please let Ronia know."
The maid waiting in the villa had black hair and purple eyes. She thought she seen her somewhere, but that was a good thing. There are plenty of people in the world who look like her.
Building a good relationship with Cyrus was more important than checking the maid's face.
"Thank you so much for your consideration. I've heard Maho Castle is a beautiful place, but it's even more magnificent than I imagined."
“Thank you.”
Victoria entered Maho Castle and heard Cyrus's voice for the first time. It was a pleasant voice, resonating low and deep within the cave.
“We are planning to hold a banquet at the Ice Palace later to welcome the Princess. Is that alright?”
At Andrei's question, Victoria folded her eyes into crescent moons and smiled.
“I’m glad.”
"That's fortunate. His Excellency has asked me to prepare a dish that the Princess would like. Is there any food you particularly dislike?"
Victoria glanced at Cyrus, who was standing silently next to Andrei.
Rumors about Cyrus were commonplace at every social gathering, and Victoria had heard plenty about him. It was said he was not kind to women, and even when visiting countries for exchange, he wouldn't show up unless he was pleased.
Not only did Cyrus come out to greet her in person, but he also prepared such a wonderful villa and even held a welcoming banquet.
'I guess you like me.'
She was worried because Cyrus had helped Ariana, but her worries were unfounded. It seems he helped Ariana on a whim, not because he harbored any special feelings for her.
Suddenly, Cyrus' eyes met hers.
His red eyes were intense and sharp. Victoria froze under his gaze, as if it were searching through her mind.
Soon, Cyrus's eyes softened, and a faint smile spread across his lips. It was a fleeting smile, but Victoria witnessed it clearly.
His smile was soft and beautiful, like moonlight shining on a deep, dark lake. Her heart pounded.
Is there such a beautiful man in the world?
-“The Northern Lord possesses a look that would captivate any woman. Don’t let him win your heart. Even if you win his heart, you mustn’t let him steal yours.”
There was a reason why the Western Lord had repeatedly requested this.
Cyrus spoke softly to Victoria, who was blinking.
“Then see you later, Princess.”
As soon as they left the villa, Cyrus's expression froze. Andrei hurriedly caught up with him and asked.
“How long will Victoria stay here?”
Cyrus, who had been walking quickly, suddenly stopped and stared at Andrei.
“You call her Victoria.”
“Yes? Ah..!”
Andrei realized he'd called Victoria by her first name, and a chill ran down his arm, similar to the chill he'd felt when he'd first met her.
“Why me...?”
“I think you're possessed.”
“No. Of course, Victoria... the Princess is pretty, but how could I be seduced when I know her true intentions?”
"Didn't you feel sorry for her? No matter how mature she may seem, she's still a young lady. Didn't you feel sorry for her coming to such a dangerous place as the North? Really?"
Andrei blinked his eyes.
He did.
Before meeting her, he hated Victoria for the terrible things she did to Ariana. When he met her, he was appalled, but then suddenly he felt sorry for her. It was heartbreaking that such a well-educated young lady had been manipulated by the Western Lord and had to come to a place like this.
Cyrus lightly hit Andrei on the back of the head.
"Come on, Rei. I have to go see the Princess."
Ariana was looking out the window from the highest room in the main palace.
She watched Victoria's carriage pull in, and Cyrus and Andrei greeted her.
It was she who had asked Cyrus to treat Victoria well, but for some reason, she couldn't shake off the unpleasant feeling.
What are they talking about? Are they smiling and joking like they did to me?
The thought of Cyrus treating Victoria the way he treated her made her feel sick.
"Get a grip, Ariana. It's none of my business what kind of expression the Northern Lord makes toward any woman."
Ariana forced her churning stomach to calm down.
The villa was quite far from the main palace, so she couldn't keep an eye on them any longer. Ariana left the room and headed to her own room, lost in thought.
'Victoria is still young.'
So, she will definitely be shaken by Cyrus.
In the past, Victoria was obsessed with the Third Prince. Her only goal in life was to make him the Crown Prince and occupy the seat next to him.
Because she gave her heart to the Third Prince without wavering or going astray, she was able to become the Crown Princess and then take the position of Empress.
The most precious woman on the continent.
Victoria's only goal.
But what if there are two goals?
If Victoria were to fall into the trap of thinking that she could catch both the Northern Lord and the Third Prince, would she still be able to rise to the position of Empress?
'That won't happen. The Third Prince is very suspicious, so he'll easily sense that Victoria has other intentions.'
Even after dying and being resurrected, Ariana couldn't keep her composure when Cyrus was in front of her. Victoria, on the other hand, couldn't.
'The only crisis in her life was being falsely accused of murder. That alone broke her to the point where I ran to the Western Lord of the West for help.'
So she will be shaken.
She probably doesn't yet realize how dangerous and futile it is to try to kill two birds with one stone. Victoria's early arrival in the North was actually an opportunity for Ariana.
As Ariana entered the room, Catherine, who had been waiting, quickly ran over and asked worriedly.
“Princess, are you alright? I heard from the maids that the youngest Princess of the Bronte family has already entered Maho Castle and has been escorted to the villa.”
Catherine was unaware of the exchange between Cyrus and Ariana. She had simply been ordered by the Northern Lord to conceal Ariana's presence at Maho Castle, lest she encounter Victoria's unexpected visit.
“It’s okay. We won’t be meeting anyway.”
“His Excellency the Northern Lord is too much. He knew full well what happened between the Princess Consort and her.”
"From the Northern Lord's perspective, he couldn't possibly cast out the Western Feudal Lord's granddaughter. In the Northern Territory, I'm merely a guest, so there's nothing I can do."
“Of course, but... oh, Duke Hern sent me a wonderful dessert.”
Catherine pointed to the chocolate cake on the tea table in the living room. Apparently, it was the one that kept the sweet smell.
The chocolate cake was two-layered, large enough to share with several people. It was thickly coated with hardened chocolate and decorated with colorful cream and fruit. The edges of the cake were studded with tiny, jewel-like cookies.
She guessed this cake was sent in consideration of Ariana, who must have been hurt by Victoria. She was touched by the Duke of Hern's thoughtfulness.
As she was talking to Catherine about making her some tea and having it with her, Cyrus arrived. He strode across the drawing room and spoke.
“Would you like to talk to me?”
Ariana hoped Cyrus would win Victoria's heart.
Become infatuated with Cyrus, believing and following everything he says. Torn between becoming the most valuable woman in the empire and sitting by Cyrus' side.
She hoped that he would become a man who would be too precious to miss.
Andrei looked at his handsome friend. It wouldn't be difficult to win a woman's heart just by standing there, but the problem was what happened next.
Whenever Cyrus opened his mouth, even the women who had been blinded by his beauty would shiver and leave.
"That's what you're worst at. Why are you telling me that now? Did you ever... think you'd try?"
“It doesn’t suit my personality to just avoid obstacles when they appear.”
“You tried to seduce that woman?”
"There's nothing I can't do, right? I've even been to a battlefield where I was sure I'd die."
“You think saying a kind word to a woman is worse than death!”
“That’s not true.”
“No, yes. That’s the kind of person you are.”
“You’ve defined my personality so far. Are you going to help me or not?”
Andrei swallowed a sigh.
“I must do it. If it is what the Princess Consort wishes, then I must do it. Of course.”
.
.
And today has come.
A carriage bearing the lion emblem of the Lord of the West stopped at the entrance to Maho Castle. As the escort knight opened the carriage door, Victoria, clad in a thick coat, stepped out.
Andrei, who had only heard about Victoria and was seeing her in person for the first time, was a little surprised.
She heard Victoria was younger than Ariana, but she was taller and more mature. She looked about 19 or 20 at first glance.
As expected from someone from the West, her slightly dark skin tone and dark blonde hair suited her very well, and her large eyes, set beneath her delicate eyebrows, gave her a wise and mature air.
Victoria stood calmly, looking up at Cyrus and Andrei. A flicker of energy flashed through her green eyes, sending goosebumps up Andrei's arms.
'Why?'
Just as Ariana looked younger than her peers, Victoria was simply a precocious girl. While her demeanor was more refined than that of the other young ladies, she wasn't quite up to Ariana's standards.
But strangely enough, unlike when she met Ariana, it gave him goosebumps.
'Is it because I have a prejudice against this woman?'
Victoria smiled seductively, grabbed her skirt, and bent her knees slightly.
"I, Princess Victoria Bronte, third daughter of the House of Bronte, send greetings to Your Excellency, the Northern Lord. I thank you for granting me permission to visit, despite the suddenness of the situation."
Cyrus glanced back at Andrei, making a low "hmm." Andrei quickly stepped forward before Cyrus's face showed any signs of reluctance.
“Greetings, Princess. I am Andrei Hern, the Little Duke of Hern.”
“Ah, Little Duke Hern. Nice to meet you.”
"His Excellency has been eagerly awaiting your arrival since hearing of your visit. I have prepared a room for you in the villa. Would you like to join us?"
“Please.”
It was Victoria's first time seeing Cyrus. She'd seen him in a portrait in Helena's room, but the painting didn't even begin to capture half of Cyrus's beauty.
His silver hair, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight, and his blood-red eyes shining beneath it were striking. It was hard to take her eyes off his features, perfectly etched on his snow-white skin.
His face was beautiful, his shoulders looked strong, his back was firm and wide, and his waist was concave, creating an elegant curve.
Victoria was worried because she heard that the Northern Lord Cyrus was a very ruthless man, but the villa they provided for guests was spacious and splendid, lacking nothing. In front of the villa was a small garden filled with snow flowers.
"I'm Ronia, your maid who will be serving you from now on. If you need anything during your stay, please let Ronia know."
The maid waiting in the villa had black hair and purple eyes. She thought she seen her somewhere, but that was a good thing. There are plenty of people in the world who look like her.
Building a good relationship with Cyrus was more important than checking the maid's face.
"Thank you so much for your consideration. I've heard Maho Castle is a beautiful place, but it's even more magnificent than I imagined."
“Thank you.”
Victoria entered Maho Castle and heard Cyrus's voice for the first time. It was a pleasant voice, resonating low and deep within the cave.
“We are planning to hold a banquet at the Ice Palace later to welcome the Princess. Is that alright?”
At Andrei's question, Victoria folded her eyes into crescent moons and smiled.
“I’m glad.”
"That's fortunate. His Excellency has asked me to prepare a dish that the Princess would like. Is there any food you particularly dislike?"
Victoria glanced at Cyrus, who was standing silently next to Andrei.
Rumors about Cyrus were commonplace at every social gathering, and Victoria had heard plenty about him. It was said he was not kind to women, and even when visiting countries for exchange, he wouldn't show up unless he was pleased.
Not only did Cyrus come out to greet her in person, but he also prepared such a wonderful villa and even held a welcoming banquet.
'I guess you like me.'
She was worried because Cyrus had helped Ariana, but her worries were unfounded. It seems he helped Ariana on a whim, not because he harbored any special feelings for her.
Suddenly, Cyrus' eyes met hers.
His red eyes were intense and sharp. Victoria froze under his gaze, as if it were searching through her mind.
Soon, Cyrus's eyes softened, and a faint smile spread across his lips. It was a fleeting smile, but Victoria witnessed it clearly.
His smile was soft and beautiful, like moonlight shining on a deep, dark lake. Her heart pounded.
Is there such a beautiful man in the world?
-“The Northern Lord possesses a look that would captivate any woman. Don’t let him win your heart. Even if you win his heart, you mustn’t let him steal yours.”
There was a reason why the Western Lord had repeatedly requested this.
Cyrus spoke softly to Victoria, who was blinking.
“Then see you later, Princess.”
***
As soon as they left the villa, Cyrus's expression froze. Andrei hurriedly caught up with him and asked.
“How long will Victoria stay here?”
Cyrus, who had been walking quickly, suddenly stopped and stared at Andrei.
“You call her Victoria.”
“Yes? Ah..!”
Andrei realized he'd called Victoria by her first name, and a chill ran down his arm, similar to the chill he'd felt when he'd first met her.
“Why me...?”
“I think you're possessed.”
“No. Of course, Victoria... the Princess is pretty, but how could I be seduced when I know her true intentions?”
"Didn't you feel sorry for her? No matter how mature she may seem, she's still a young lady. Didn't you feel sorry for her coming to such a dangerous place as the North? Really?"
Andrei blinked his eyes.
He did.
Before meeting her, he hated Victoria for the terrible things she did to Ariana. When he met her, he was appalled, but then suddenly he felt sorry for her. It was heartbreaking that such a well-educated young lady had been manipulated by the Western Lord and had to come to a place like this.
Cyrus lightly hit Andrei on the back of the head.
"Come on, Rei. I have to go see the Princess."
***
Ariana was looking out the window from the highest room in the main palace.
She watched Victoria's carriage pull in, and Cyrus and Andrei greeted her.
It was she who had asked Cyrus to treat Victoria well, but for some reason, she couldn't shake off the unpleasant feeling.
What are they talking about? Are they smiling and joking like they did to me?
The thought of Cyrus treating Victoria the way he treated her made her feel sick.
"Get a grip, Ariana. It's none of my business what kind of expression the Northern Lord makes toward any woman."
Ariana forced her churning stomach to calm down.
The villa was quite far from the main palace, so she couldn't keep an eye on them any longer. Ariana left the room and headed to her own room, lost in thought.
'Victoria is still young.'
So, she will definitely be shaken by Cyrus.
In the past, Victoria was obsessed with the Third Prince. Her only goal in life was to make him the Crown Prince and occupy the seat next to him.
Because she gave her heart to the Third Prince without wavering or going astray, she was able to become the Crown Princess and then take the position of Empress.
The most precious woman on the continent.
Victoria's only goal.
But what if there are two goals?
If Victoria were to fall into the trap of thinking that she could catch both the Northern Lord and the Third Prince, would she still be able to rise to the position of Empress?
'That won't happen. The Third Prince is very suspicious, so he'll easily sense that Victoria has other intentions.'
Even after dying and being resurrected, Ariana couldn't keep her composure when Cyrus was in front of her. Victoria, on the other hand, couldn't.
'The only crisis in her life was being falsely accused of murder. That alone broke her to the point where I ran to the Western Lord of the West for help.'
So she will be shaken.
She probably doesn't yet realize how dangerous and futile it is to try to kill two birds with one stone. Victoria's early arrival in the North was actually an opportunity for Ariana.
As Ariana entered the room, Catherine, who had been waiting, quickly ran over and asked worriedly.
“Princess, are you alright? I heard from the maids that the youngest Princess of the Bronte family has already entered Maho Castle and has been escorted to the villa.”
Catherine was unaware of the exchange between Cyrus and Ariana. She had simply been ordered by the Northern Lord to conceal Ariana's presence at Maho Castle, lest she encounter Victoria's unexpected visit.
“It’s okay. We won’t be meeting anyway.”
“His Excellency the Northern Lord is too much. He knew full well what happened between the Princess Consort and her.”
"From the Northern Lord's perspective, he couldn't possibly cast out the Western Feudal Lord's granddaughter. In the Northern Territory, I'm merely a guest, so there's nothing I can do."
“Of course, but... oh, Duke Hern sent me a wonderful dessert.”
Catherine pointed to the chocolate cake on the tea table in the living room. Apparently, it was the one that kept the sweet smell.
The chocolate cake was two-layered, large enough to share with several people. It was thickly coated with hardened chocolate and decorated with colorful cream and fruit. The edges of the cake were studded with tiny, jewel-like cookies.
She guessed this cake was sent in consideration of Ariana, who must have been hurt by Victoria. She was touched by the Duke of Hern's thoughtfulness.
As she was talking to Catherine about making her some tea and having it with her, Cyrus arrived. He strode across the drawing room and spoke.
“Would you like to talk to me?”
Previous Next
Comments
Post a Comment