DPATV - Chapter 26

Frederick and Bartlea let out a deep sigh in front of Euclid's drawing room.

"When are we getting off work?"

"If one of us gives way, we'll probably be able to go home."

When Frederick grumbled, Bartlea shut down his complaints as if asking what the obvious was.

I'm going home. Absolutely not.

Erencia and Euclid stood in a tight match.

It had already been an hour of heated arguments.

Duke Novellita let out a furious cry, but surely he wouldn't do anything to his daughter.

Frederick could not understand Euclid holding onto Erencia.

On the other hand, Bartlea could not understand Erencia, who was stubbornly insisting on returning home despite his master trying to stop her.

The two people let out a sigh at the same time.

In fact, the two people did not want to understand their masters.

They just want to go home quickly.

***

"Why won't you let me go home?"

“Because I saw it.”

"Necessary?"

Euclid kept his mouth shut.

He couldn't say that it was because he saw her being treated like a nobody by her family.

This is because he promised to protect Erencia's pride.

"Are you trying to play the role of a captivity romance with me? I don't like prisons. I absolutely hate dating styles that involve physical restraint and bondage."

"I don't have that kind of taste either."

This woman is real!

You're treating me like a criminal.

“There’s a rumor!”

"What rumor? The rumor that you stayed overnight at your fiancé's house? Wouldn't it actually be better for you, since you're now undeniably engaged?"

Of course, from Erencia's perspective, it would be a relief if such rumors spread.

The reason she put on a show in front of Duke Novellita was to get quick permission.

But spending the night is another matter. She might actually have to marry Euclid later.

In that case, wouldn't it be hard to get a divorce, just like Euclid said?

And she wasn't confident she could overcome the temptation.

Erencia could not completely cast aside her past self, who was faithful to her desires and instincts.

"I absolutely cannot let you go today. If you want to show that Duke Novellita was too harsh, it would be better to stay out for a day or so."

"Are you telling me to rebel?"

"Yes. You were doing well earlier, so what is there to stop you from?"

Euclid, unaware of Erencia's anguish, was resolute.

Erencia realized that this time, she could not have her way.

“I don’t even have any clothes.”

Erencia puffed out her cheeks and grumbled.

"Don't worry about that. Your fiancé is more capable than you think."

And a short while later, Erencia's eyes widened in surprise.

"Did you rob a clothing store?"

A portable clothes rack with dozens of pieces of clothing hanging on it was placed in front of her.

Indoor dresses, pajamas, dresses for going out, and underwear.

“Don’t look!”

As Euclid's gaze went toward the flowing underwear, Erencia hurriedly stood in front of it to block him.

"Is this enough to stay overnight?"

What do you mean, one night? I could get through twelve months of the year.

Erencia nodded.

This man's words telling her not to worry are true.

She can trust him.

“Have a good night.”

Euclid stepped back neatly, uncharacteristically for a fiancé.

You said you liked passionate things, but in reality, you're very plain.

'What a shame. Oh my! What was I thinking?'

When she stood close to him, a refreshing scent lingered on the tips of her lips.

As she touched her lips, she was reminded of herself burying her face in Euclid's neck.

She doesn't know what was on jer mind back then.

Still, she had no regrets. She recalled the firm texture of Euclid's skin. Should I just go for it?

"Miss, but are we really going to stay the night here?"

It was Agnes who put the brakes on Erencia's runaway train-like imagination.

"It just happened. I guess that’s how it should be."

Agnes sighed and picked out an outfit for Erencia to change into from among several clothes.

"Miss, your face is red. Do you have a fever?"

Agnes said, holding out the pajamas to change into.

"Hey, hey! I wasn't thinking anything!"

Erencia hurriedly ran into the bathroom.

"Who cares, Miss?"

Agnes's words, having no one to hear them, echoed through the guest bedroom.

***

Tak. Lillie folded the fan and placed it on the table.

"What?"

"I confirmed that Miss Erencia left the Gredelus Mansion early at dawn."

After the banquet, Lilly assigned someone to Euclid's side.

This is because she heard the news that Duke Gredelus, who is in the provinces, is secretly looking for a daughter-in-law.

Erencia again?

It was Erencia who had gotten on her nerves at the banquet.

The person brought as a partner by Euclid, who is famous for not attending banquets.

In the end, did she get chosen by Euclid?

But even so, she's just Novellita.

Even though the noble old man Gredelus has washed his hands of it now, there is no way he would become in-laws with the Novellita family, who made money in a dirty way in the past.

However, it is right to remove bothersome sprouts.

Or transplant it before it grows any bigger.

'How could I have reclaimed this opportunity?'

She will definitely make it happen this time.

"Bring Selvarena here."

Is sleeping once such a big deal?

If that is the problem, then on this side too...

Lillie gave a sly smile.

"Princess Selvarena has arrived."

"Hmm?"

The attendant just left.

Lillie tilted her head.

"I was just about to come see my mother."

Selvarena gave the answer instead of the maid.

"Is that so? What an incredible coincidence."

It's not a coincidence.

Selvarena also heard the story that Erencia had left Euclid's mansion in the morning.

Selvarena assigned someone to Erencia instead of Euclid.

Anyway, she received the same report as Lillie and came to figure out in advance the nonsense Lillie is going to pull.

"Welcome, Selvarena."

Lillie looked her daughter up and down and clicked her tongue.

She looks exactly like her, but her actions are completely different.

'Because you have absolutely no sex appeal.'

Naturally, Erencia came to mind.

She recalled the backless red dress worn by the bright and energetic Erencia.

Naturally, it was compared to the deep blue dress Selvarena was wearing.

Selvarena's dress looked dull.

"Why don't you get a new dress made, too?"

You pathetic fool who can't even groom yourself properly.

Selvarena didn't offer much of a response to Lillie's mocking remark.

Lillie thought Selvarena was just being dispirited, but far from it; Selvarena had simply cast the skill of letting it go in one ear and out the other.

Since childhood, Selvarena had been Lillie's designated resident spouter of nonsense.

Lillie was an elegant Empress in front of others and a benevolent mother to Barlos.

She revealed her vulgar true nature only in front of Selvarena.

The skill of letting things go in one ear and out the other was indispensable to Selvarena.

'That's the best way to get a little bit of nonsense.'

Tucking her chin tightly into her neck, Selvarena began counting the small jewels on her dress.

"...I will arrange a meal with Sir Euclid.'

Selvarena's fingers, which had been counting the jewels, stopped.

"Mother, Lord Euclid and Lady Erencia...

"You must have heard a false rumor.'

It wasn't a baseless rumor, but information reported by someone Selvarena had personally planted.

"There is absolutely nothing like what you are imagining. Even if it did happen, I would make it as if it never happened, so don't worry."

How?

Selvarena's doubts were soon resolved.

“Berle!”

Berle, Lillie's henchman and the one who does all the dirty work, entered the room.

"Report to the newspaper that Princess Selvarena and Duke Euclid had a secret meeting."

Ah... Selvarena frowned without realizing it.

Lillie looked coldly at Selvarena and let out a smirk.

"Are you pretending to be innocent? Selvarena, get your act together. You have to do your job properly for your brother to become Emperor."

What kind of expression would Lillie make if she said that she looks even more pathetic for looking at him with such disdain?

"You will marry Sir Euclid."

Selvarena felt a bitter taste in her mouth at Lillie's confident words.

How far and how much must he sacrifice for Barlos?

And what about Euclid and Erencia, who share not a single drop of blood?

Isn't too many people being sacrificed to make one person Emperor?

Don't you realize that it's meaningless if you can't grasp it with your own strength?

"I’ll make plans for tonight, so keep that in mind when you go out."

Lillie waved her fan.

Selvarena lowered her head, but she had absolutely no intention of doing as Lillie said.

As soon as Selvarena returned to her room, she sent a telegram to Erencia.

***

I made a mess and gave it to the dog.

Erencia trembled as she clutched the flyer that had been distributed as an extra edition of a gossip magazine in the afternoon.

"Miss! This isn't right! It wasn't Princess Selvarena who spent the night with Young Master Euclid last night; it was you, Miss! Shouldn't you issue a correction?"

She was not surprised when Selvarena informed jer of Lillie's scheme via telegram, but she was unable to come up with an appropriate countermeasure.

This is because Duke Novellita has stationed knights in front of Erencia's door to keep an eye on her.

It's a hassle one way or another, so should I just hand Euclid over to Selvarena?

Damaging her reputation was harder than she thought. She doesn't even have time because she has to attend successor training.

'Still, he asked me for a favor. He told me I could spend the money however I wanted, and since this is a contract in its own way, I have to fulfill it faithfully!'

Erencia dismissed the thought of giving Euclid to Selvarena.

Repeating to herself that it was purely because of money.

"I need to solve this problem..."

"I guess it would be better to publish a correction, right?"

"No, what correction article? You bury rumors with rumors. Do you still keep in touch with the person who painted the portrait for Andre's dress shop back then?"

"Yes. He has become a bit arrogant because he's busy, but we stay in touch well."

Agnes pouted as if she were in a bad mood at the thought of the painter.

"Tell him to come to the Gredelus mansion tonight, secretly."

"Why?"

"I told you, you cover up a rumor with a stronger one. Let's get ready to leave, too."

Erencia stood up briskly, as if going out for a stroll.

"Miss, we can't go out."

Agnes pointed her finger outside the door.

Hunky knights were keeping watch to prevent Erencia from leaving.

"Who said you're going out through the door?"

Erencia flung off her dress and put on her riding breeches.

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