Three hours later, Adelaide was asking a question she didn't know how many times in the magnificent reception room inside the Grand Duke's castle.
"Has there still been no contact?"
When Adelaide picked up the teacup again, not knowing how many cups she had had, and asked, the delegation accompanying her was at a loss for words and repeated what they had already answered many times.
"They are only saying that they are still in the process of preparing."
Although they answered with a sense of apology, a light of joy shone on the faces of the delegation. Besides Adelaide, who was showing signs of displeasure, they were making every effort to somehow cheer her up.
And understandably so, since Adelaide, who had arrived as the new envoy, was their hope.
They were all people who came to Hessengard expecting to make a fortune. Otherwise, there would be no reason to leave their homeland for an unfamiliar place, especially one where unsettling events like assassinations and plagues had occurred in the past.
They had planned to take their own share from the sidelines while the Marquis of Carnarvon was working hard to squeeze every last drop out of this place, but when the Marquis of Carnarvon collapsed due to some ridiculous incident, they all had no choice but to just stand there blankly.
No matter how much of an envoy they are, they can't go around Hessengard and scavenge for it themselves.
'So we were hoping the new envoy would be someone influential as well...'
To think that of all people, the Princess herself would come. Moreover, Adelaide was the Princess whom the King of Hessengard cherished the most.
She is the daughter born to the Third Queen, whom the King fell in love with at first sight and took as his consort, and her hair and eye color are exactly like her father's.
Adelaide, who was famous for her beauty from a very young age, was also skilled at winning the favor of her father, the King.
Even the extremely rigid King of Havand made sure that Adelaide attended dinner with only his sons, and always took her along wherever he went.
Adelaide was a beautiful flower cherished by King Havand.
Such was Adelaide, who came here. That was tantamount to a declaration that King Havand would strongly intervene in the affairs of Hessengard.
'Furthermore...'
After arriving, the delegation reflected on the questions Adelaide had asked them, saying she wanted to know the situation in Hessengard in detail.
They explained in detail to Adelaide what they had felt and what differed from what they knew while staying in Hessengard. Adelaide listened to them with interest and asked questions. To be precise, only regarding specific subjects.
“So, how many do you think the Knights led by Grand Duke Callion numbered in total?”
"To what extent does Grand Duke Callion seem to be involved in state affairs?"
“What did you think of the relationship between Grand Duke Callion and my sister?”
Adelaide wanted information about Callion as if she had no intention of hiding it.
Even the delegation could have known, unless they were fools. Princess Adelaide had come here targeting Grand Duke Callion.
'Well, considering there is still no news of a child from Princess Erna.'
Havand intends to send a new Princess to have a child with Carillon and literally reclaim the sorceress Erna.
It was a good idea. The only problem was...
“...Grand Duke Callion seemed to have a very harmonious relationship with Grand Duke Erna.”
At those words, Adelaide looked puzzled.
“The Marquis of Carnarvon said it looks like he's the one unilaterally clinging to her.”
When Adelaide saw that letter, she thought it was only natural. Was it even plausible that Erna would be loved by anyone?
Adelaide clearly remembered what Erna looked like as a child. The Princess who wandered around gloomily and alone without a lady-in-waiting in a detached palace far from the main palace.
She also remembered how her older brothers would visit to poke at her and mock her. Adelaide didn't feel particularly sorry for her.
Because she thought that kind of treatment was only natural since Erna was ugly.
From a young age, Adelaide received love from her father and mother, and there was a phrase she had heard countless times.
My beautiful daughter.
Beauty was the most important reason Adelaide was loved by the King. Therefore, it was only right that her older sister, who was not beautiful, was not loved, and beyond that, it was only natural that she should feel ashamed of herself.
Her teacher sometimes said in class that one should not judge people by their appearance. It was not that Adelaide did not know this. After all, it was common sense and morality. But it was not the truth.
Furthermore, she and Erna are none other than Princesses.
In Havand, women cannot inherit the throne. Therefore, given that one is born a Princess, the most valuable life is to marry into powerful noble families or neighboring royal households and become a stake to bind their wealth and military forces to the royal power.
Of course, people will probably call her by nicer words, like "messenger of peace" or "bridge."
However, unlike the other Princesses, Erna, who had no backing, had never received a single flattering marriage proposal. So Adelaide thought.
She thought jer sister was truly useless, a piece of trash from the royal family.
Thinking, "What a worm, enjoying the comfortable life of the royal family when it is even less valuable than commoners."
So when her siblings bullied Erna, Adelaide watched with an indifferent expression. No, sometimes she cheered them on while despising Erna.
'If it were me, I would leave the royal palace.'
There were times when Erna was roughly pushed and rolled on the floor or kicked by her older brothers.
If she had any pride, she should have left the royal palace of her own accord, but even after being treated like that, Erna stayed. Moreover, she did nothing but eat more and more.
Erna did not cry after her siblings left after bullying her. Instead, she stuffed the sweet pieces of bread that had fallen on the floor into her mouth, as if that were the only comfort.
Then, once, she met Adelaide's gaze. Erna stared blankly at Adelaide with an envious look, without saying a word. Then, she took something out of the pocket she had brought again and put it in her mouth.
Adelaide felt genuine revulsion at the sight. Returning to her room, Adelaide told her mother what she had seen, and before she knew it, she blurted it out.
"If it were me, I'd rather die."
Then the Third Queen approached and rubbed Adelaide's eyes and mouth with a clean handkerchief, as if Adelaide had touched something dirty.
“Adelaide, my beautiful daughter. Do not look at such ugly things, and do not speak of them.”
The Third Queen held her lovely daughter in her arms and said.
“But remember this. Without His Highness’s love, your mother’s power, or even what you were born with, being a Princess is just that pathetic.”
Then one day, Erna suddenly left the royal palace. To become the Grand Duke of Hessengard.
Adelaide, who had received a promise that she, at least, would not be sent to Hessengard no matter what, thought that when she heard the news, Erna would finally end her shameful life.
However, ten years had passed, and Erna was still alive. Surprisingly, it was said that she was also performing her duties as the Grand Duke well. Furthermore, it was said that her talent as a wizard, which had not shown even the slightest sign while she was in Havand, had blossomed explosively, and she had now become a wizard whom the Magic Tower was wary of.
Among the many things being said, what caught Adelaide's attention was Erna's appearance.
'I did hear that s Erna had changed a lot, though.'
She wondered if that was really the case.
She thought that Hessengard had spread false rumors to erase the shortcomings of their Grand Duke.
And now, seeing that Erna had not revealed herself despite her arrival, Adelaide was convinced of her own accord, even though the delegation claimed that Erna had completely changed. As expected, it was all in vain.
There is no way Grand Duke Callion would cherish someone like Erna. Besides, hasn't he been childless for ten years?
I heard that Grand Duke Callion was in a terrible state back then, too...'
Even if he was not outstanding, Adelaide had no right to choose. As the other Grand Duke of Hessengard, leading the Knights, she had to hold onto him at all costs.
Just then, it became noisy outside, and a servant from Hessengard came in.
"Grand Duke Callion has arrived."
At those words, Adelaide rose from her seat and straightened her clothes. Then she wondered why the attendant had mentioned only Callion's name.
“Where is Erna?”
At Adelaide's words, the servant bowed his head. Because of this, Adelaide could not see, but the servant's face was slightly stiff.
Now Erna is the Grand Duke of Hessengard. That was her position above the Princess of Havand. However, this Princess from Havand always called Erna by her name.
As if unwilling to call Erna the Grand Duke.
"Grand Duke Erna said it would take a little more time."
“...Is that so? Well, I suppose it makes sense.”
Adelaide remembered the look in Erna's eyes from when she was young. That look of intense envy. Recalling that time, she could understand why Erna didn't want to meet me.
'It’s actually for the best.'
It was more comfortable to have a private audience to share the secret stories conveyed by the King of Havand.
Adelaide knew exactly how to attract the attention of the opposite sex. When she approached them, pretending it was a mistake, everyone would be at a loss for words and enjoy the physical contact with her. However, it was also something a cultured Princess should not do.
'It would be even more comfortable if I didn't have to worry about what others think.'
She wondered how actively Grand Duke Callion would react in such a situation.
'I just hope it's not unbearably disgusting.'
Just then, the door opened wide, and someone came inside.
Taller than most knights, with broad shoulders. A solid physique that could not be fully concealed even by the ceremonial robes of Hessengard. Beneath his short black hair lay a handsome face, like a god of war sculpted in marble. However, his piercingly shining deep blue eyes told the story that he was not a statue.
“...”
Adelaide looked at the person who had entered, forgetting for a moment that she should greet them.
It was clearly the Grand Duke of Hessengard's ceremonial robes seen in books. Therefore, it was obvious that this man was Callion Hessengard.
“Princess Adelaide?”
At the sound of Havand's envoys calling from the side, Adelaide hurriedly bowed in greeting.
"It is an honor to meet you. My name is Adelaide of Havand."
Then Adelaide smiled and held out her hand.
People always wanted to kiss the back of Adelaide's hand. That is why it became a habit for Adelaide to extend her hand after greeting. However, Callion merely glanced at the hand she held out once and spoke without even inviting her to sit down.
“You have arrived sooner than expected, Princess Adelaide. You must have taken the trouble to get on the move early.”
Although it was meant to commend her hard work, the voice was sharp. Adelaide was taken aback by the tone, which clearly revealed his displeasure.
A voice blatantly laced with irritation. And an indifferent gaze devoid of even the slightest hint of affection. It was a look Adelaide had never once in her life. Yet, despite that, she could tell what emotion that gaze held.
Callion Hessengard genuinely found her a nuisance.
"Has there still been no contact?"
When Adelaide picked up the teacup again, not knowing how many cups she had had, and asked, the delegation accompanying her was at a loss for words and repeated what they had already answered many times.
"They are only saying that they are still in the process of preparing."
Although they answered with a sense of apology, a light of joy shone on the faces of the delegation. Besides Adelaide, who was showing signs of displeasure, they were making every effort to somehow cheer her up.
And understandably so, since Adelaide, who had arrived as the new envoy, was their hope.
They were all people who came to Hessengard expecting to make a fortune. Otherwise, there would be no reason to leave their homeland for an unfamiliar place, especially one where unsettling events like assassinations and plagues had occurred in the past.
They had planned to take their own share from the sidelines while the Marquis of Carnarvon was working hard to squeeze every last drop out of this place, but when the Marquis of Carnarvon collapsed due to some ridiculous incident, they all had no choice but to just stand there blankly.
No matter how much of an envoy they are, they can't go around Hessengard and scavenge for it themselves.
'So we were hoping the new envoy would be someone influential as well...'
To think that of all people, the Princess herself would come. Moreover, Adelaide was the Princess whom the King of Hessengard cherished the most.
She is the daughter born to the Third Queen, whom the King fell in love with at first sight and took as his consort, and her hair and eye color are exactly like her father's.
Adelaide, who was famous for her beauty from a very young age, was also skilled at winning the favor of her father, the King.
Even the extremely rigid King of Havand made sure that Adelaide attended dinner with only his sons, and always took her along wherever he went.
Adelaide was a beautiful flower cherished by King Havand.
Such was Adelaide, who came here. That was tantamount to a declaration that King Havand would strongly intervene in the affairs of Hessengard.
'Furthermore...'
After arriving, the delegation reflected on the questions Adelaide had asked them, saying she wanted to know the situation in Hessengard in detail.
They explained in detail to Adelaide what they had felt and what differed from what they knew while staying in Hessengard. Adelaide listened to them with interest and asked questions. To be precise, only regarding specific subjects.
“So, how many do you think the Knights led by Grand Duke Callion numbered in total?”
"To what extent does Grand Duke Callion seem to be involved in state affairs?"
“What did you think of the relationship between Grand Duke Callion and my sister?”
Adelaide wanted information about Callion as if she had no intention of hiding it.
Even the delegation could have known, unless they were fools. Princess Adelaide had come here targeting Grand Duke Callion.
'Well, considering there is still no news of a child from Princess Erna.'
Havand intends to send a new Princess to have a child with Carillon and literally reclaim the sorceress Erna.
It was a good idea. The only problem was...
“...Grand Duke Callion seemed to have a very harmonious relationship with Grand Duke Erna.”
At those words, Adelaide looked puzzled.
“The Marquis of Carnarvon said it looks like he's the one unilaterally clinging to her.”
When Adelaide saw that letter, she thought it was only natural. Was it even plausible that Erna would be loved by anyone?
Adelaide clearly remembered what Erna looked like as a child. The Princess who wandered around gloomily and alone without a lady-in-waiting in a detached palace far from the main palace.
She also remembered how her older brothers would visit to poke at her and mock her. Adelaide didn't feel particularly sorry for her.
Because she thought that kind of treatment was only natural since Erna was ugly.
From a young age, Adelaide received love from her father and mother, and there was a phrase she had heard countless times.
My beautiful daughter.
Beauty was the most important reason Adelaide was loved by the King. Therefore, it was only right that her older sister, who was not beautiful, was not loved, and beyond that, it was only natural that she should feel ashamed of herself.
Her teacher sometimes said in class that one should not judge people by their appearance. It was not that Adelaide did not know this. After all, it was common sense and morality. But it was not the truth.
Furthermore, she and Erna are none other than Princesses.
In Havand, women cannot inherit the throne. Therefore, given that one is born a Princess, the most valuable life is to marry into powerful noble families or neighboring royal households and become a stake to bind their wealth and military forces to the royal power.
Of course, people will probably call her by nicer words, like "messenger of peace" or "bridge."
However, unlike the other Princesses, Erna, who had no backing, had never received a single flattering marriage proposal. So Adelaide thought.
She thought jer sister was truly useless, a piece of trash from the royal family.
Thinking, "What a worm, enjoying the comfortable life of the royal family when it is even less valuable than commoners."
So when her siblings bullied Erna, Adelaide watched with an indifferent expression. No, sometimes she cheered them on while despising Erna.
'If it were me, I would leave the royal palace.'
There were times when Erna was roughly pushed and rolled on the floor or kicked by her older brothers.
If she had any pride, she should have left the royal palace of her own accord, but even after being treated like that, Erna stayed. Moreover, she did nothing but eat more and more.
Erna did not cry after her siblings left after bullying her. Instead, she stuffed the sweet pieces of bread that had fallen on the floor into her mouth, as if that were the only comfort.
Then, once, she met Adelaide's gaze. Erna stared blankly at Adelaide with an envious look, without saying a word. Then, she took something out of the pocket she had brought again and put it in her mouth.
Adelaide felt genuine revulsion at the sight. Returning to her room, Adelaide told her mother what she had seen, and before she knew it, she blurted it out.
"If it were me, I'd rather die."
Then the Third Queen approached and rubbed Adelaide's eyes and mouth with a clean handkerchief, as if Adelaide had touched something dirty.
“Adelaide, my beautiful daughter. Do not look at such ugly things, and do not speak of them.”
The Third Queen held her lovely daughter in her arms and said.
“But remember this. Without His Highness’s love, your mother’s power, or even what you were born with, being a Princess is just that pathetic.”
Then one day, Erna suddenly left the royal palace. To become the Grand Duke of Hessengard.
Adelaide, who had received a promise that she, at least, would not be sent to Hessengard no matter what, thought that when she heard the news, Erna would finally end her shameful life.
However, ten years had passed, and Erna was still alive. Surprisingly, it was said that she was also performing her duties as the Grand Duke well. Furthermore, it was said that her talent as a wizard, which had not shown even the slightest sign while she was in Havand, had blossomed explosively, and she had now become a wizard whom the Magic Tower was wary of.
Among the many things being said, what caught Adelaide's attention was Erna's appearance.
'I did hear that s Erna had changed a lot, though.'
She wondered if that was really the case.
She thought that Hessengard had spread false rumors to erase the shortcomings of their Grand Duke.
And now, seeing that Erna had not revealed herself despite her arrival, Adelaide was convinced of her own accord, even though the delegation claimed that Erna had completely changed. As expected, it was all in vain.
There is no way Grand Duke Callion would cherish someone like Erna. Besides, hasn't he been childless for ten years?
I heard that Grand Duke Callion was in a terrible state back then, too...'
Even if he was not outstanding, Adelaide had no right to choose. As the other Grand Duke of Hessengard, leading the Knights, she had to hold onto him at all costs.
Just then, it became noisy outside, and a servant from Hessengard came in.
"Grand Duke Callion has arrived."
At those words, Adelaide rose from her seat and straightened her clothes. Then she wondered why the attendant had mentioned only Callion's name.
“Where is Erna?”
At Adelaide's words, the servant bowed his head. Because of this, Adelaide could not see, but the servant's face was slightly stiff.
Now Erna is the Grand Duke of Hessengard. That was her position above the Princess of Havand. However, this Princess from Havand always called Erna by her name.
As if unwilling to call Erna the Grand Duke.
"Grand Duke Erna said it would take a little more time."
“...Is that so? Well, I suppose it makes sense.”
Adelaide remembered the look in Erna's eyes from when she was young. That look of intense envy. Recalling that time, she could understand why Erna didn't want to meet me.
'It’s actually for the best.'
It was more comfortable to have a private audience to share the secret stories conveyed by the King of Havand.
Adelaide knew exactly how to attract the attention of the opposite sex. When she approached them, pretending it was a mistake, everyone would be at a loss for words and enjoy the physical contact with her. However, it was also something a cultured Princess should not do.
'It would be even more comfortable if I didn't have to worry about what others think.'
She wondered how actively Grand Duke Callion would react in such a situation.
'I just hope it's not unbearably disgusting.'
Just then, the door opened wide, and someone came inside.
Taller than most knights, with broad shoulders. A solid physique that could not be fully concealed even by the ceremonial robes of Hessengard. Beneath his short black hair lay a handsome face, like a god of war sculpted in marble. However, his piercingly shining deep blue eyes told the story that he was not a statue.
“...”
Adelaide looked at the person who had entered, forgetting for a moment that she should greet them.
It was clearly the Grand Duke of Hessengard's ceremonial robes seen in books. Therefore, it was obvious that this man was Callion Hessengard.
“Princess Adelaide?”
At the sound of Havand's envoys calling from the side, Adelaide hurriedly bowed in greeting.
"It is an honor to meet you. My name is Adelaide of Havand."
Then Adelaide smiled and held out her hand.
People always wanted to kiss the back of Adelaide's hand. That is why it became a habit for Adelaide to extend her hand after greeting. However, Callion merely glanced at the hand she held out once and spoke without even inviting her to sit down.
“You have arrived sooner than expected, Princess Adelaide. You must have taken the trouble to get on the move early.”
Although it was meant to commend her hard work, the voice was sharp. Adelaide was taken aback by the tone, which clearly revealed his displeasure.
A voice blatantly laced with irritation. And an indifferent gaze devoid of even the slightest hint of affection. It was a look Adelaide had never once in her life. Yet, despite that, she could tell what emotion that gaze held.
Callion Hessengard genuinely found her a nuisance.
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