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Chapter 27
When I pointedly asked the young lady who had been persistently trying to corner me, she furrowed her brows, unable to hide her bewilderment.
“……Pardon?”
I was sorry, but I truly didn’t know them. Hadn’t I rushed into marriage in the blink of an eye?
There hadn’t been enough time even to memorize the assorted details of the Schultz family, let alone remember people’s faces.
I hadn’t even recognized Edward Windsor—so that explained everything.
With a sigh, I spoke.
“As you know, I come from a commoner background, so I’m not yet familiar with noble ladies and young ladies. If you could tell me your name, it would be helpful later when I prepare invitation lists.”
The corners of the young lady’s lips trembled.
“Yes, of course. I understand—you must have spent a great deal of time learning more important things.”
“Thank you for understanding. So, who are you? I’d very much like to invite you.”
In truth, I hadn’t planned any invitations yet, but what did it matter?
No matter how much the Duke of Schultz’s house was being criticized, it was still standing strong.
They still wielded enough power that other nobles had to watch their step around them.
When I smiled at her in the same manner, the young lady replied,
“…Laura Hartsfeld. The eldest daughter of the Marquess of Hartsfeld.”
“Lady Hartsfeld, daughter of the Marquess. I’ll remember that.”
I placed a faint smile on my lips, imitating the manner of an unfamiliar noblewoman who had once visited my father when I was young.
“Then I hope you enjoy the rest of your time here.”
Maintaining appropriate courtesy, I turned my back on them and walked away.
As I caught my breath in a secluded corner of the reception hall, a familiar voice came from behind me.
“The ladies are being quite mischievous.”
I stiffened and turned around. Edward Windsor was looking at me with a sly smile.
“As if it weren’t enough that they misspoke to the Duchess, they even dared to insult Dochilia. You could’ve punished them suitably by invoking their impressive titles.”
What a hollow remark. A cold laugh escaped me.
“You do enjoy your jokes.”
“Do you think I’m joking?”
“Yes. If you were serious, you’d have stepped in long ago—if only to help me.”
“I intended to. But it didn’t seem necessary. You handled it well on your own.”
“I’m honored that Your Highness thinks so.”
“I don’t even try to hide my hostility.”
Edward turned his head as he spoke, his expression slightly uncomfortable.
Still, I had no desire to be polite to him.
The difference in status between him and me was so vast it might take a lifetime—or more—to overcome, but I didn’t want to abase myself over that.
“I apologize. I’m not yet accustomed to aristocratic etiquette.”
“Ah. Did noble etiquette seem like mere hypocrisy to you?”
“At least to me. Having experienced it firsthand, it doesn’t seem like a misjudgment. But if I offended you, I apologize.”
At that, Edward stepped closer and bent slightly, whispering in a low voice.
“You keep offering apologies you don’t mean. I suppose I should accept them for appearances’ sake? Very well, I’ll accept—but from now on, there’s nothing to be sorry for.”
Had I already been branded a bastard in the Duchess’s eyes? he muttered, smiling faintly as he straightened up.
Staring at him, I asked,
“Is that all you wanted to say?”
“Of course not. Did you think I came all this way just to comfort you after you were bullied by noble ladies?”
It didn’t seem like we had much to discuss on a first meeting. Was he going to ask about Johannes?
Perhaps.
“Then please be brief.”
Expecting some meaningless questions, my expression hardened slightly when he finally spoke.
“How did you meet Johannes?”
It was a blunt question—loaded with implications.
He wasn’t asking about the literal circumstances of our meeting. The intent was clear.
Pretending to be naïve wouldn’t work here.
I stiffened my face.
“That’s a rather broad question.”
“Oh. Was it that obvious?”
“Yes.”
Even amid the noisy bustle of the hall, his low laughter pierced my ears clearly.
“You’re not one for empty pleasantries. My apologies—I’m not good at beating around the bush.”
“No, that’s fine. But do I have to answer?”
Sensing my attempt to avoid the question, Edward replied leisurely.
“Not at all. You may ignore it if you wish. I’m simply curious.”
Then he slowly moved, guiding me farther into a more secluded area.
Though I knew his intent, I followed—too many curious gazes had been fixed on me.
Only after we were free from others’ eyes did I ask,
“What is it that you find so curious?”
“I’ve known Johannes since we were very young.”
And? I looked up at Edward with that question in my eyes.
Reading the irritation there, he let out a scoff.
“This is the first time I’ve seen him act with absolutely no benefit to himself.”
Edward’s bright blue eyes—so similar to Johannes’s—turned toward Johannes, who was surrounded by nobles.
Amid their eager gazes, Johannes looked quite troubled.
From time to time, his eyes seemed to search for me, but each time his view was blocked by a large figure, preventing him from looking my way.
A Windsor retainer? As soon as that thought occurred to me, Edward’s gaze returned to me.
“My attendant is rather large. He’s very good at his job.”
That explained it.
“So it seems,” I replied casually.
“Which means that even if you don’t wish it, you’ll have to spare me as much time as I desire.”
“If Your Highness wishes, I can give you all the time you want.”
“Such a good girl.”
His tone, like soothing a child, left me speechless.
Edward wanted a particular answer. Until he got it, he would keep me here like this.
“Did you know? You’re not even pretending to be a good person anymore.”
“That’s strange. I don’t recall ever pretending, since there’s no need for me to look good to anyone.”
Edward laughed as he looked at my frowning face.
“But you know this, right? Johannes is rather greedy. He covets things that don’t suit his station.”
“Being greedy isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes people without ambition can’t even protect what’s theirs.”
“Exactly. Which is why I wonder—why did he suddenly give it up?”
What on earth was he getting at? My irritation began to rise.
“For someone who says he can’t beat around the bush, you’re doing an awful lot of it. Is there really a need to be this indirect?”
Even at my sarcastic remark, Edward’s expression didn’t change.
“Perhaps it was too much of a shock. Still, he’s not the kind of man to decide on marriage so abruptly.”
He continued speaking in riddles.
“Especially not with a commoner woman who has nothing.”
He deliberately glanced toward the noble ladies. Their splendid appearances, expensive clothes, and polished manners filled my vision.
Without thinking, I brushed my arm. Seeing my frown, Edward stepped closer.
“Does Johannes treat you well?”
“Yes. More than enough.”
“Ah, is that so? Then let me ask you this. Duchess of Schultz—what do you have?”
“What do I have?”
“Wealth, perhaps. Honor. Things like that.”
His thick brows rose as his once-straight posture tilted.
“…If you wish to nitpick my shortcomings, I’ll listen.”
He looked incredulous.
It seemed that my refusal to bow to him—a royal—despite having been a mere commoner until recently, had irritated him.
He loosened his cravat and stepped closer to me, who had instinctively tensed.
“No, I’m genuinely curious. Why did Johannes decide to marry—no, why did he marry someone like you, who has nothing?”
“Because he loves me.”
It was amusing to hear such a lie come from my own mouth, but I had to deceive him properly.
“Love?”
Edward’s eyes widened before he burst into laughter, tears forming at the corners. Fortunately, we were far enough away that it didn’t draw attention.
What was so funny? If anything, I felt even more offended.
“Johannes is a man who’d sell even his soul for power—at the very least, for wealth. And yet—”
Still smiling, he dragged out the end of his sentence.
“Or am I mistaken? Duchess, could it be that you’re actually the heir to some unknown tycoon?”
