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Chapter 23
“This way.”
The Imperial Palace was not far from Killian’s estate.
As if they had been waiting for Yuse’s arrival, a long line of attendants stood outside the Crown Prince’s palace the moment they arrived.
“Shall we get down?”
“Ah… yes!”
Startled by the sight, Yuse blinked several times before hurriedly preparing to step out of the carriage at Killian’s words.
“Your Grace, Duke of Siarekate, and Lady Krantz. Welcome.”
The one who greeted them as soon as they stepped down was none other than the Crown Prince’s aide. She had seen him once before at the engagement ceremony.
“Greetings. I am Reed, aide to His Highness Crown Prince Jerons. His Highness has instructed me to escort Lady Krantz.”
“Yes, I appreciate your guidance.”
Yuse bowed politely in return.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
After exchanging brief greetings with Reed, Killian made it clear he would be departing. After all, the invitation had been extended to Yuse, and there was a limit to how far he could escort her.
“Yes.”
“Ah, Yuse.”
Just as she was about to follow the aide, Killian called her back once more.
“Yes, Killian? What is it?”
Killian pressed his lower lip thoughtfully before speaking.
“When you return later, let us go back to the estate together.”
“You mean—?”
“I’ll come to pick you up, Yuse.”
A deep smile spread across his face.
“…Alright. I’ll wait.”
Yuse smiled helplessly in response.
“My lady? Shall we proceed? His Highness is waiting.”
Following Reed, Yuse soon found herself facing a magnificent garden beyond the palace walls, filled with carefully cultivated flowers.
The palace atmosphere was certainly different from a private estate or a lord’s castle—larger, more luxurious.
“Please follow me.”
Moreover, the Crown Prince’s residence carried a warmth she hadn’t expected, even though it was her first time there.
Still, Yuse had to admit that Killian’s estate felt more comfortable. She had not lived there long, yet she found herself thinking how remarkable human adaptability could be.
“We have arrived.”
After passing through maze-like hedges lavishly decorated with flowers, a scene straight out of a fairy tale unfolded before her.
A large antique dining table and chairs were arranged elegantly, and behind them, a fountain rose with a pleasant, soothing sound.
“Wow…”
Yuse gasped softly.
“Lady Yuse Lil Krantz.”
Sensing her presence, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess paused their conversation and lifted their heads.
“G-Greetings. I sincerely wish that endless honor and happiness will always remain by the side of Your Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Crown Princess. I am Yuse Lil Krantz.”
Yuse quickly performed the imperial greeting she had memorized.
“That’s enough formality. Come, sit here.”
Jerons rose from his seat to ease the tension and approached her.
“I had been hoping to meet you properly. I am Crown Princess Lily de Soliade Chertin.”
Lily followed with a gentle smile.
“It is an honor, Your Highness.”
Guided to her seat, Yuse swallowed nervously. Without Killian by her side, occasions like this were still difficult for her.
“Please, don’t feel pressured.”
Noticing her stiffness, Lily smiled reassuringly.
“We weren’t able to greet each other properly at your engagement ceremony, so I wished to see you separately. We know how much Lord Krantz has contributed to the Grand Duchy, and now that his daughter has come to the Empire, we could hardly treat you carelessly. I also thought you might have many questions about the Empire. Though perhaps Duke Killian has already explained everything? Hoho.”
“Your Highness…”
Though they had only just met, Yuse felt warmth radiating from Lily, and she began to relax.
At the Same Time
Killian stared at the documents before him, but he could not focus. Eventually, he turned his gaze toward the window.
“Your Grace?”
Oscar, who had been working alongside him, grew uneasy at the unusual sight.
Killian had never behaved like this before.
“Is… is something wrong?”
“Oscar.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Yuse is hiding something from me.”
“P-Pardon?”
Oscar looked genuinely shocked.
The Yuse he knew was pure and devoted—always doing her best for Killian as the future mistress of the duchy.
“Surprising, isn’t it?”
Killian let out a self-mocking chuckle.
“If Frederick or Sir Alec hadn’t told me, I would never have known. His Highness the Crown Prince sent Yuse a letter personally.”
Though Oscar realized this was more of a soliloquy than a conversation, he chose to remain silent and listen.
“Perhaps he simply wished to offer her a formal welcome. But if something like that happened, she should have told me first.”
Killian’s eyes were sharper than usual.
“I… I’m not sure, Your Grace.”
“Of course you aren’t. You’re not Yuse.”
“Y-Yes…”
He had responded simply because the silence felt unbearable, but Killian’s cold reply made him immediately close his mouth.
“A lie… Why on earth?”
Killian seemed genuinely shaken.
After all, Yuse had always been honest with him.
“And why has the Crown Prince summoned her again? This is giving me a headache.”
With a sigh, Killian stood up.
A faint sense of unease had begun to creep in.
“Oscar.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Oscar answered quickly.
“Come here and clear this up for me.”
Killian gestured toward the documents.
The tea party had seemed destined to be awkward, but thanks to the kindness of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, Yuse found herself gradually relaxing.
Jerons and Lily treated each other with courtesy and consideration.
They told Yuse about the Empire—recommended delicious restaurants in the capital and beautiful places she must visit.
They even shared stories of their first meeting, and of how they had first met Killian—tales of his younger days she had never heard from him.
To be honest, it was enjoyable.
“Killian must be quite busy these days, isn’t he?”
Lily asked casually.
“Pardon? Ah… yes, he’s always busy.”
Yuse nodded. That was simply what being a duke meant, she believed.
“Especially these days,” Jerons added.
“Why is that?”
Seizing the opportunity, Yuse asked quickly.
Jerons and Lily exchanged puzzled looks.
“Didn’t Killian tell you?”
Lily asked.
Yuse pressed and released her lips.
Now that she thought about it, Killian had never really spoken in detail about himself since she came here. She had always been the one doing the talking.
The realization left a faint bitterness in her chest.
Noticing the subtle shift in her expression, Lily quickly added,
“It’s nothing serious. Something happened in the western territory, and Killian has taken full responsibility for handling it. That’s why he’s so busy. It’s probably also why he doesn’t return to the estate often. And perhaps he didn’t want to burden you while you’re still adjusting to the Empire. So don’t worry too much.”
Then she leaned slightly closer and whispered,
“Men can be so oblivious, can’t they?”
Yuse smiled faintly.
“I suppose they can.”
“Exactly. Hoho.”
They shared a soft laugh.
“It’s already evening.”
Watching the scene, Jerons rose to his feet.
“I hope we haven’t kept you too long.”
“Oh no, not at all. I truly enjoyed myself.”
Yuse shook her head quickly.
“And Killian said he would come to pick me up… but…”
There had been no word yet.
At that moment, a thought crossed her mind.
“Before I leave, there’s somewhere I’d like to stop by. Would that be possible?”
“Let’s hear it.”
Jerons nodded readily.
“I’d like to see Killian. Do you happen to know where he is?”
