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Chapter : 21
By the time Marianne cautiously stepped down the stairs of the castle walls, feeling uneasy, Lusana—who had used an excuse to remain in the mansion—was sitting in front of the fireplace, biting her nails. Each time the flames blazed and sent sparks flying fiercely, her frown deepened.
It was so cold that staying away from the fireplace made her body almost freeze, and she had long since lost track of how many days she had spent in this empty, barren place.
“Why on earth do I have to endure this kind of treatment, living in the middle of nowhere?”
Memories of the mansion where she had been born and raised flickered through her mind like illusions. The days when she attended daily tea parties, sipping fragrant tea and enjoying exquisite pastries, browsing design books in boutiques, or delighting over newly arrived jewelry, all seemed like a distant, long-forgotten past.
“Miss Lusana, we don’t know when the princess will return. You should leave now, if not sooner.”
“…I know that!”
A maid cautiously urged Lusana. She snapped in anger, stood up from her chair, then sat down again. The contents of the letter from her father, the Marquis of Biarritz, floated before her eyes:
“Lusana, His Highness the Prince desires more detailed and direct reports. I cannot fathom how you have yet to control Marianne, who is rumored to be foolish. I have enclosed a gift in this letter—use it to win the young duke’s favor. A prompt reply is expected before His Highness becomes disappointed.”
Though worded politely, the letter was nothing but scolding from start to finish. Lusana had ground her teeth while burning the letter in the fireplace. Foolish? No matter how the rumors had spread, in her eyes, the princess was by no means an idiot.
After all, the one who continually devised tasks and excuses to prevent Lusana and the maids from meeting Cedric was hardly a fool.
So, with Marianne momentarily away, Lusana recognized this as her opportunity. Her original plan to control Marianne had been disrupted, but this could be her first—and perhaps last—chance to confront Cedric.
“…But what if I go near that cursed young duke and the curse transfers to me?”
Even though Lusana had no intention of trying to please him, she was honestly scared. The former grand ducal residence had overnight become a ruin, with rumors of ghosts wandering at night—rumors said to be caused by the young duke’s curse.
Though days of observation suggested there was no actual curse, she still hesitated to go near him.
The maid, understanding Lusana’s fears, chirped encouragement while stepping closer.
“Miss Lusana, you’ve seen it yourself. Even with the princess and the duke’s retainers around, nothing happens. Besides, you have the holy water in the artifact sent by the marquis, so you’ll be fine.”
“…I suppose that’s true.”
Nodding, Lusana accepted the holy water the maid quickly handed over. Seeing it shimmer gently in the bottle bolstered her courage slightly.
‘Yes. Even if a curse exists, it can’t overcome divine blessing… but…’
Realizing that her mistress was wavering, the other maids also came to support her—they wanted to leave this cold, dull north as much as she did.
“If you succeed in this, Miss Lusana, the marquis will call you back.”
“Yes. I heard the snow here is very heavy. It’s going to get brutally cold—so finish your task and return quickly!”
“…Argh! I know, I know! Quiet, all of you!”
But as several maids spoke at once, Lusana perceived it only as coercion and noise. She shook her hand from biting her nails, shouted, then frowned at the late sting of pain.
“Mi-Miss Lusana! You’re bleeding!”
“Oh my. Doesn’t it hurt? Should I fetch a potion?”
Blood trickled from the torn nail, and Lusana muttered a string of curses under her breath. She jumped to her feet.
‘This is all because of the north. All of it because of Marianne, that cursed princess, and that cursed young duke!’
She vented all her pain and anger onto Cedric, Marianne, and the harsh northern land, shouting fiercely:
“Enough. Bring me the gift my father sent! I’m going to the young duke’s room now.”
The carriage came to a slow stop. Marianne stepped out under escort, tilting her head at the slightly chaotic atmosphere inside the hall.
Perhaps because the carriage’s arrival had been unnoticed, the door burst open and Chloe rushed out in a panic.
“Your Highness! You’re back. Miss Biarritz is insisting on seeing Cedric. The knights have blocked the door, but we can’t forcibly remove her… we’re just holding our position.”
So it was Lusana causing the trouble.
‘No wonder it’s been strangely quiet—she must have some scheme.’
Was she trying to seize this opportunity to meet Cedric and make her mark? It wouldn’t accomplish anything, though. Marianne pressed her furrowed brow together, trying to stifle a sigh.
“Let’s go.”
Marianne and Chloe headed for Cedric’s room. From there, they could immediately spot Lusana and the maids standing off against several knights.
“Hey, sirs. Our young lady only wants to see the young duke briefly. Why won’t you open the door?”
One maid protested sharply. Lusana stood behind, arms crossed, glaring at the knights. The knights, though displeased, remained silent and kept their positions.
Since they were high-born nobles and merely intended to see the young duke, the knights couldn’t act more aggressively.
In the end, only Marianne could resolve this situation.
‘Really tiresome.’
She knocked sharply twice on the wall, then walked up.
“Miss Lusana Biarritz. What rude behavior is this?”
Startled by Marianne’s voice, Lusana turned. The maids shrank their shoulders and huddled closer. Seeing she had no one to help her, Lusana awkwardly forced a smile.
“Y-Your Highness… you’re back. It’s just that my father sent a special gift for the young duke!”
“A gift?”
Marianne tilted her head. Lusana eagerly showed the small box and delicate chain in her hands, explaining:
“Yes, yes. It’s a ruby ring, the exact color of the young duke’s eyes. If it doesn’t fit his finger, there’s a chain so he can wear it as a necklace.”
The marquis wouldn’t really do that. It was more believable that the emperor had dementia and returned the grand ducal title.
“That a Biarritz marquis, an imperial supporter, sent a gift for Cedric… nobody would believe it.”
Marianne’s cold tone implied she was telling Lusana not to speak nonsense. Lusana shook her head vigorously, clasped her hands, and pleaded pitifully.
“I-It’s truly a gift, Your Highness. Please allow me to present it directly to the young duke. I promise not to cause further disturbance.”
Sighing, Marianne realized continuing this conversation would go in circles.
“Wait here.”
She approached the door, and the knights slightly opened it. As expected, Cedric peeked from behind a table, looking uneasy. Upon meeting Marianne’s gaze, he whimpered softly but didn’t come out.
It was fine. Marianne could communicate with him using lip movements and stepped back. If they continued making a ruckus outside, Cedric would be frightened even if she entered the room.
‘Sending her back seems best…’
Glancing at Lusana, Marianne noticed her eyes were different than usual—desperate, as if the marquis had scolded her. She probably wouldn’t leave easily.
“…Enter alone, hand it over, then leave.”
“Yes, yes!”
Reluctantly, Marianne allowed it to resolve the situation quickly. Lusana, worried she might change her mind, nodded frantically and rushed through the door.
“Uh… uhuh.”
“Wait, Lusana.”
Cedric backed up. Despite his clear refusal, Lusana ignored him, approached, and lowered herself.
“Greetings, Young Duke of Kale. I am Lusana Biarritz. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Step back.”
“But if I step back, I cannot give you the gift.”
Finally, she was excited to meet Cedric and now had something to confidently report to the marquis, apparently seeing nothing else.
“Lusana Biarritz.”
“Yes, I’ll just hand this over and then…”
As Marianne warned her again, Lusana reluctantly extended the box.
“Uh!”
Slap! Cedric reflexively reached out, startled by her sudden hand, producing a sound no one had expected in the room.
“Ah…”
Dropping the box and clutching her hand, Lusana moved only her lips briefly, then glared at Cedric for daring to attack her—even if unintentional.
“H-How dare you… dare to strike a traitor like me!”
Her eyes bloodshot, she lunged at Cedric. Never disciplined by her parents and barely surviving by the emperor’s grace, she could not accept being hit by him, acting purely on instinct.
“Enough.”
Before Lusana could touch Cedric, Marianne grabbed her. The knights who entered also pressured her to step back.
“Uh… uhuh…”
Terrified, Cedric whimpered softly. Marianne held the child and ordered Lusana out.
“Lusana. The gift has been received. Leave now.”
But Lusana, forgetting her own recklessness, glared at Cedric for a long moment before speaking through gritted teeth:
“…Cedric Kale. I… I will not forget this insult.”
