Grandma Princess 36

Episode 36-There Cannot Be Two Queens

2026.04.01

In the afternoon, Bianca arrived at the Duke of Valois. She had come to see Martha. She had arrived without prior notice, but now that had become typical of Bianca. She had promised to send a letter first, but rarely kept her word. Martha didn't mind, she liked it when she came. However, Maxim said, "The Princess has stepped out briefly to receivę a message from the Duke, She will be back soon; would you like to wait in the drawing room?" Bianca nodded and entered the drawing room. She sat by the window and accepted her tea. The garden was visible outside the window. A lavender flowerbed was in sight. Looking at it, Bianca thought that this lavender would now be used in the hot springs as well. She still remembered what Martha had proudly explained during her visit to the estate. "It's a gold mine, a gold mine." She recalled the look on Martha's face as she made the shape of money with her fingers. Bianca let out a chuckle. "What a funny woman." Just then, the drawing room door opened. Bianca looked up, thinking Martha had returned. It was not Martha, but Edward. He was holding documents in his hand. He seemed to have come to deliver something to Martha. However, upon seeing Bianca in the drawing room, he stopped at the door. Bianca looked at Edward. Edward looked at Bianca. They looked at each other for a moment. It was the first time they had been alone together. He had seen her next to Martha at an imperial party and had dined with her at the Duke's table, but this was the first time they were alone Edward spoke, trying to hide his awkwardness. "Young Lady Bianca, you are here. Did you come to see Serena?" Bianca said. "Yes." "She isn't here right now." "I know. I heard the story. I am waiting"

Edward looked at Bianca for a moment, then entered the drawing room. He placed the documents he was holding on one side of the table and said, "I think I should wait too. May I wait with you?" Bianca looked at Edward, then looked out the window. "Go ahead." Edward sat down opposite Bianca. At first, there was no conversation. Bianca was holding a teacup. Edward was looking at the table. The drawing room was quiet. The faint sound of the wind rustling the lavender bed outside the window could be heard. It was awkward. Edward decided to break the awkwardness first. "How is it spending time with Serena?" Bianca looked at Edward. There was a slight wariness in her gaze. It was a look that questioned why he was asking. "Why?" Edward said. "Just because. We weren't on good terms to begin with. You were the one who gave Serena the hardest time in society, Lady Bianca." Bianca-looked at Edward for a moment before speaking. "That's right. We weren't good to begin with. That is the truth." "But." "Don't relationships change when a person changes? Serena has changed, so my perspective has changed as well." Edward looked at Bianca as he listened. It was an honest answer. She was someone who spoke exactly as it was, without excuses or embellishment. That was unexpected for Edward. Hearing that she was the Queen of Society, he had expected her to be someone who was merely glamorous on the surface, but her way of speaking was actually different. Bianca looked at Edward as she set down her teacup. "Then, conversely, what about you, Prince Edward? You are the heir to the Dukedom of Valois," Edward said. "Yes?" "What was your stance while the Princess was leading the family like this?" Edward froze. Bianca spoke. "Is that a sharp question? I wasn't trying to intimidate you, I was simply curious Watching from the sidelines, the things you are doing are impressive You've settled creditors, stabilized the estates, and even bought land for the hot springs. But I can't really see where you are or what you are doing" Edward remained silent for a moment as he listened. Picking up his teacup and then putting it down, he said, "I I was learning." Bianca blinked. Edward spoke. "Watching Serena do things from the sidelines. At first, I wondered what was going on. But as I observed her actions. I was just busy trying to keep up. When Serena made a decision, I tried to help execute it, and when she met people, I tried not to step away from the scene. But lately, I think I'm starting to see things little by little." Bianca looked at Edward. "What kind of things?" "What Father looks at when making a judgment. How people answer Serena's questions. Why Serena makes those choices. I didn't understand it at first, but if you watch, you can see it. That Serena is always looking several steps ahead." Bianca looked at Edward. His gaze had changed from the beginning. It was no longer a wary look. It was a scrutinizing look. It was a look trying to grasp a new kind of person he was. Bianca said, "Young Master Edward, you are more serious than I thought." Edward said, "The phrase 'more than I thought bothers me." Bianca said, slightly averting her gaze. "That's a compliment. I feel the same way. When I look at Princess Serena, that thought suddenly crosses my mind. That she seems like an adult, not someone my age." "That's right. I feel that way too." "It's as if a hundred-year-old fox-no, a thousand-year-old snake-is coiled up inside her. Oops, my mistake. Anyway, she feels like someone from a place incredibly far away, out of my reach." "Hahaha. You have the same thought as me. It might not be a thousand-year-old snake, but a dragon." Edward looked at Bianca Bianca looked out the window while holding her teacup. Whether it was because avoiding eye contact felt awkward, or for some other reason Edward thought about it, then looked out the window himself. The lavender flowerbeds were swaying in the wind. A brief moment followed as the two gazed out the window in silence. That silence was different from the awkward silence of earlier It was quite some time later that Martha returned She opened the drawing room door but stopped. Edward and Bianca were sitting there. They were talking. Looking out the window. The atmosphere had changed from before. She could clearly picture them sitting there awkwardly at first, but that was not the case now Martha watched the scene. "Oh, look at these two," she thought to herself The two looked at Martha. Edward said, "You're here?" Martha entered the drawing room with a nonchalant expression. As she sat down, she looked at Bianca, then at Edward, then back at Bianca. Then she said, "Have you had your meal?" Bianca said, "Are you talking about food again? You talk about meals every time we meet, Princess." Martha said. "Meals are the most important thing. You need to eat properly for your mind to function and for your emotions to be felt fully. If you try to do anything on an empty stomach, everything gets messed up." "Serena, don't forget that as a Duchess's daughter, you need to know restraint sometimes. If your waist size increases even slightly, you end up having over a hundred dresses to alter!" Martha, as if her ear had suddenly tickled, scratched it lightly with one hand and feigned indifference. Then, as if remembering something, she clapped her hands once and looked at Bianca. "Ah! I have a favor to ask Bianca" Bianca looked at Martha. "Bianca." "What is it? Please don't look at me like that. You're going to ask for something weird again." Martha said "Make me the Queen of High Society." The drawing room fell silent Bianca looked at Martha. Edward looked at Martha. Bianca spoke"...What did you just say?" Martha said while eating the snacks placed in front of her "Make me the Queen of High Society You know High Society best, Bianca" Bianca said, looking at Martha "Why the sudden question?" Martha asked "There is a reason" Bianca looked at Martha Martha took a sip of tea and said, "The Duke of Valois is preparing various things right now While those preparations are underway, we need to show that the Duke of Valois is back in power, as if they have fully recovered." Bianca said. "In High Society?" "Yes. There are families I can win over to my side only if I establish myself confidently in society. To be able to trust and ally with the Duke of Valois, we need to appear unwavering " Edward nodded as he listened. Bianca looked at Martha. After thinking for a moment, she said, "But isn't that going too far?" Martha looked at Bianca. "I am already the Queen of High Society. There can't be two Queens! You're asking for what is mine" "Then... could you at least make me a Princess?" "That makes me look too old! That won't do either! I'm two years younger than you, yet you're the Queen, and Serena is a Princess?" "Seriously... what a load of bullshit. Then just let me set foot in high society!" Although it was said in jest, Bianca's heart pounded for a moment. Then, she quickly regained her composure at Martha's answer "But actually. It's not bad right now, Serena," Martha said. "What?" Bianca asked. "Since the Crown Prince's dance battle, there isn't a single person in high society who doesn't know you, Duchess. The story of the Duchess of Valois stepping on the Crown Prince's foot three times and asking, 'Shall we go for another song?" That is still the talk of the town." Edward spoke from the side, trying to suppress his laughter. "Is that a good rumor?" Bianca looked at Edward. "How many young ladies in aristocratic society would not be intimidated by the Crown Prince? And so elegantly at that. In a way, she already has enough presence." Martha looked at Bianca. Bianca said, "The problem isn't presence, but image. Right now, your image is a bit too flashy. Being unpredictable can be a charm, but to have influence in society, you need to add dignity to it." Martha said. "Dignity." "Yes. Right now, people are looking at you with curiosity. You need to change that from curiosity to respect" Martha said, picking up another cookie" "What should I do?" "First, I think you just need to put that cookie down." Bianca looked at Martha. Martha reluctantly put the cookie down. Then, Bianca looked at Martha with a face that seemed to be deep in thought. It was a face of serious contemplation It was the face of a queen of society planning something within her domain. Bianca spoke "First of all, there is a regular gathering of noble ladies next month. Please come," Martha said. "A tea party" "Yes. It isn't very large. About fifteen people But the ladies who attend are influential figures in high society. How you look there is important, Princess." Martha nodded. Bianca continued, "And the dress is important. I think you need to go back to Madame Alice. The ones you usually wear now aren't bad, but you need to choose more strategically" Edward, who had been listening nearby, said, "I heard that the color of the dress is important depending on the theme of the gathering. ""What color do you like?" Bianca looked at Edward. Edward looked at Bianca Bianca said, "You know that kind of thing, Young Master?" Edward said, "I just heard it. Mother talks about it at every event." Bianca looked at Edward, then at Martha. "Deep colors suit your skin tone, Princess. Burgundy or navy shades. It's better to avoid pastels." Edward nodded and said, "Then the ivory dress from last time must not have been very good." Bianca looked at Edward. "You remember that too, Young Master?" Edward said. "I just saw it." Bianca looked at Edward, then lowered her gaze. Martha ate a snack while watching the scene. Oh. Still, Bianca has solid fundamentals. Edward seems to have picked it up well by watching her, too. Bianca continued with the plan. "And I think it would be good if Lily came along as well," Martha said. "Lily?" "Yes. She is the daughter of the Viscount Muller" "She comes from a financially stable family, and once it becomes known in society that Lily follows the Princess, the other young ladies will look different to you." Martha looked at Bianca. "Bianca really knows high society well." "You're quite the expert?" Bianca said. "This is my domain." It wasn't a boast. It was simply the truth. It was the words of someone who knew they had something they were good at. It matched almost exactly what Martha, who possessed 80 years of know-how, had thought. Martha looked at Bianca This young lady said she wanted to inherit the Marquisate of Droua. With this level of ability, it is certainly possible. Martha said. "Bianca." "What is it?" "Thank you." Bianca looked at Martha. Martha said, "Thank you for readily granting my request." Bianca said, slightly averting her gaze "Because if Serena does well, it benefits me too." "Even so." "Even so, whatever" Martha looked at Bianca. "I'll look after your future too, Bianca." Bianca looked at Martha. Something welled up in her eyes. Bianca said, averting her gaze. "Calling me 'older sister' feels awkward." "You'll get used to it." Bianca let out a soft chuckle. Edward. that scene They watched each other and drank tea. After talking for a while, Bianca took a notebook out of her bag. She began to write something down: the date of the tea party the direction of her dress, the schedule for visiting Madame Alice, and instructions to contact Lily. She wrote it down meticulously. Watching her, Edward said, "Do you carry a notebook around?" Bianca replied without lifting her eyes from the notebook, "You can't rely solely on memory. You have to write down the important things." Edward said, "I think so too. I always write things down when I work at the Imperial Palace" Bianca looked at Edward. "You too, Young Master?" "Yes. If I don't write it down, I end up missing things later." Bianca looked at Edward, then lowered her gaze back to the notebook. Then she spoke very quietly, "You are similar." "Carrying a notebook around." Edward glanced at Bianca briefly as he heard those words. Martha picked up a cookie while watching the scene. "It's similar That young lady said that." Martha thought to herself "Not bad, really." Bianca looked at Martha as she closed her notebook "Then let's go to Madame Alice together next week. Let's look at the dresses first." Martha nodded "Alright." "And the tea party is the week after next. I will let you know in advance what you need to know by then, Young Lady Who is which lady, what stories she likes, and who you need to be careful of " Martha said. "I'll trust you," Bianca said. "You can trust me It is my domain." Then, rising from her seat, she looked at Edward. "Young Master" Edward looked at Bianca. Bianca said. "Remember this How the House of Valois appears in public is also important." "How the heir to the Duke of Valois stands beside the Princess affects the family's image," Edward said. "Then do I have to go too?" Bianca asked. "The tea party is a women's gathering, so the Young Master cannot attend. But I would like you to come with me to the official Imperial Palace event that follows." Edward looked at Bianca. Bianca said as she packed her bag, "I just have to hold my ground by the Princess's side. Control your expression, keep your posture upright, and greet people you know first. That's all." Edward said. "I can do that much." Bianca looked at Edward. "1 do think I can." Edward looked at Bianca. "Better than you thought?" Bianca said, slightly averting her gaze. "I just said I think I can do it this time." As Edward heard those words, the corners of his mouth curled up. Bianca watched that, then quickly looked at Martha. "Then I'll see you next week," Martha said. "Okay" "It's next week." Bianca left the drawing room. The door closed. Only Martha and Edward remained in the drawing room. Edward drank his tea while watching the door Bianca had left through. Martha looked at Edward. Edward looked at Martha. "Why? What?" Martha said "Nothing" Edward looked at Martha. "What's with the look on your face?" "What do you mean?" "You look like you know something" Martha said, picking up a cookie. "You'll understand as you live." Edward glanced at Martha, then went back to drinking his tea. Lucy was waiting in the hallway Watching Martha come out of the drawing room, she said, "My Lady, has Miss Bianca left?" "Yes." "What did she ask for?" Martha asked as she walked. "To make her the Queen of Society." Lucy stopped. * Yes?" Lucy looked up at the ceiling with a bewildered expression Bianca let out a snicker. As she returned to her room, Martha thought to herself, "Not bad. Those two." Throughout the conversation, Edward had been looking out the window, as if trying not to look in Bianca's direction. Bianca was also looking out the window while fiddling with her teacup. Even though they were both looking elsewhere, it was clear to Martha that they were conscious of each other. Martha muttered softly to herself, "In my eighty years of life, I certainly have this much common sense." [Lucy's Secret Shock Journal - Episode 36] Miss Bianca came today. I tried counting how many times Miss Bianca avoided eye contact, but I gave up. Every time the Princess saw that scene, she ate a snack. As she returned to her room, she muttered to herself, "In my 80 years of life... I have this much common sense." Has she decided to live to be 80? The Princess keeps saying strange things.