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Chapter : 17
Two days later, the imperial capital was lavishly decorated with splendid flowers everywhere to welcome Princess Ariel.
The knights moved busily to escort the princess.
“Madam, shall today’s dress be purple? Or forsythia yellow?”
“Let’s go with forsythia yellow. Hurry and prepare it. The princess will soon arrive at the imperial palace.”
“Yes, Madam.”
I too was busy getting ready to welcome Princess Ariel.
“All done. Please head to the palace now.”
Dressed neatly, I made my way to the imperial palace.
When I arrived, Khalid and Lysianthes were there to greet the princess, along with Luciano, who had already been at the palace.
“Welcome, Madam.”
“You arrived just in time, Estelline.”
“I pay my respects to His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress.”
“Welcome, Grand Duchess.”
Not long after, voices could be heard from ahead.
“She has arrived.”
A large, splendid carriage came into view and soon stopped in front of the palace.
“Her Highness Princess Ariel Rasita has arrived.”
The carriage door opened, and Princess Ariel stepped down, escorted by knights.
“Brother Khalid!”
“Welcome, Ariel.”
With her bright, vividly red hair and mint-colored eyes, Princess Ariel had such a striking appearance that once seen, she was impossible to forget.
“It has been a long time, Princess Ariel.”
“It has indeed been a while, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Princess Ariel politely greeted Lysianthes.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness Princess Ariel. I am Luciano Winfoste.”
“It has been a while, Grand Duke Winfoste. This must be the first time we’ve met since your marriage, yes?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“I greet Your Highness Princess Ariel. I am Estelline Winfoste.”
As I spoke my name, Princess Ariel’s cold gaze turned toward me.
“So you are the Grand Duchess of Winfoste.”
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness.”
Princess Ariel quickly withdrew her gaze from me and looked at Khalid instead.
“It feels new to be back in the empire after such a long time, Brother.”
“Yes. Let us go inside. A banquet has been prepared.”
“Yes, Brother.”
Just as Lysianthes had said, it was impossible to read any of Ariel’s thoughts or emotions from her expression or tone.
When we entered the banquet hall, a dazzling array of exquisite dishes covered the table.
“They’re all dishes I love. Thank you, Brother.”
“The Empress prepared them, so you should thank her.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.”
“I’m glad they suit your taste.”
Though the atmosphere seemed bright, the awkwardness was unmistakable.
Khalid chatted with Princess Ariel, clearly pleased to see his cousin after so long, while Lysianthes merely picked at her food.
Luciano and I, of course, quietly ate our meals.
“By the way, I don’t see the Imperial Consort today, Brother.”
“She will be in her own palace. You may visit her later.”
“Yes, I understand.”
After the light meal ended, Lysianthes and I had tea together with Princess Ariel.
“This feels rather awkward, meeting the Grand Duchess for the first time.”
“I have long wished to meet Your Highness.”
“You’ve become even more beautiful, Princess.”
“As much as the Empress, perhaps?”
“But still no heir? When I visited the empire four years ago, wasn’t that already a concern?”
“Yes, but if we continue to try, surely the day will come when our efforts are rewarded.”
“I hope that day comes soon.”
After those words, no one spoke further.
This awkwardness is killing me.
Princess Ariel drank her tea with her characteristic cold gaze, while Lysianthes looked equally indifferent.
“How about going to see a musical tomorrow?”
Lysianthes spoke, breaking the quiet.
“A musical?”
“His Majesty told me that Your Highness enjoys musicals.”
“For the Empress to take such care of me… then shall we go together?”
“That sounds good.”
“The Grand Duchess should come as well.”
“Me too?”
Princess Ariel included even me, who had been quietly drinking tea.
“Yes. Let’s all go together, Grand Duchess.”
“Very well.”
Only then did Princess Ariel smile faintly, as if satisfied.
That’s the first time I’ve seen her smile.
After spending a little more time together, Princess Ariel headed to the separate palace where she was staying, leaving only Lysianthes and me.
“What was your first impression of the princess?”
“Just as you said, Sister—I couldn’t read her emotions or thoughts at all.”
“Yes. Princess Ariel is someone very precious to Khalid. When the only imperial princess died at the young age of eight, and then the former Emperor and Empress passed away, Khalid was truly left alone. During that time, Princess Ariel stayed by his side. From then on, Khalid cherished her dearly. That’s why neither I nor the other nobles dare treat Princess Ariel lightly.”
“So while Princess Ariel is here, we must be especially careful with our words and actions.”
“Exactly. Upsetting Princess Ariel is the same as upsetting Khalid himself. So be even more cautious, Estelline.”
Despite her advice, Lysianthes still seemed worried about me.
“You don’t need to worry so much.”
“How could I not? This is your first time meeting Princess Ariel.”
“I’ll keep everything you said in mind when dealing with her.”
“Then you may go now. I have much to attend to as well.”
“All right, Sister. I’ll come again tomorrow.”
Since it was just the two of us, I spoke casually without formalities.
After leaving the Empress’s palace, I wandered for a bit and saw Princess Ariel out on a walk.
“I greet Your Highness.”
“Ah… it’s the Grand Duchess.”
Princess Ariel glanced at me briefly, then turned her gaze back to the flowers.
“It really has been a long time since I came to the empire…”
“Has it?”
“To be honest, I was very curious about who the Grand Duchess might be, which made me want to come to the empire even more. I never imagined the Grand Duke—who always kept women at a distance—would marry.”
She looked as if she were lost in memories.
“Were you close with Luciano?”
“He was also a member of the imperial family with a claim to the throne, so we were bound to be acquainted. Brother trusted him as well.”
Princess Ariel looked straight at me.
“Do you not plan to marry, Your Highness?”
“Well… I don’t want to marry unless it’s with someone I truly love, like my brother and the Empress.”
It was quite a charming thought.
That someone of royal blood, the Emperor’s cousin, would think of marriage not as a political arrangement but as one based on love.
“Do you have someone you love?”
“I did. But not anymore. He died.”
Tears welled in her eyes as she said it.
Princess Ariel looked at me and spoke with a faint smile.
“There was a young nobleman I had loved since childhood. I loved him so much that we became engaged, wishing only for happiness. I truly loved him, but he thought our marriage was merely political. Even so, we loved each other and dreamed of a future together. But it all vanished like a single night’s dream. Eight years ago, while suppressing a rebellion in the kingdom, he died.”
Her eyes were hollow.
She looked so pitiful and sorrowful that I wondered if this was what someone looked like after losing the person they loved.
“Since his death, I’ve never imagined a future involving marriage. Every time I come to the empire and see my brother and the Empress looking so happy, I think of him and can’t bring myself to show any expression at all.”
Could that be why I couldn’t read any emotion from her…?
“That’s why I’ve always felt nothing but guilt toward the Empress. She took such good care of me, yet I never once showed her my gratitude.”
Learning Princess Ariel’s inner story—something no one else knew, not even mentioned in the original story—I found her deeply touching.
That kind of love must also be one true form of love.
Even after eight years, she still couldn’t forget the man she loved. I couldn’t help but admire her.
“Someday… the time will come when you can imagine a happy future.”
At those words, Princess Ariel smiled more brightly than before.
“Thank you.”
Her red hair fluttered in the wind, creating a scene like a painting.
“I will take my leave.”
Leaving her behind, I exited the palace. When I arrived at the ducal residence, Luciano was already there.
“Welcome back, Madam.”
“I’m back, Luciano.”
He naturally escorted me into the mansion.
“I hear you’ll be going to see a musical with Her Highness tomorrow.”
Somehow, Luciano already knew.
“The Empress will be coming as well.”
“Please be careful, Madam.”
“I will.”
Looking busy with various matters, he escorted me to my room and then left.
Though quite some time had passed since I possessed this body, my relationship with him was still a cold winter.
It was better than before, but he still disliked me, and I too felt uncomfortable around him.
Yes, this is probably for the best.
We’re bound to divorce anyway—wouldn’t it be troublesome if we grew attached?
Steeling my resolve, I sat at my desk.
“These are the invitations that have arrived for you, Madam.”
Kasiya placed a silver tray piled high with letters on my desk.
I should keep up with social engagements.
I carefully checked each family that had sent an invitation and chose one worth attending.
“The House of Marquis Fethering.”
Since they belonged to the Emperor’s faction, it seemed the easiest to attend.
“I’ll go to the tea party at the House of Fethering in two days.”
“I will make the preparations.”
The next day, after getting ready to attend the musical, I headed to the palace.
“I greet Her Majesty the Empress and Her Highness the Princess.”
“Welcome, Grand Duchess.”
Lysianthes and Princess Ariel were already prepared.
“Now that the Grand Duchess has arrived, let us depart.”
As we were about to ride together in the carriage, Princess Ariel smiled.
That kind of bright smile—this is my first time seeing it too.
