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Chapter 2
Marquis Kline shouted sharply into the empty air. Eleanor clamped a hand over her mouth and slipped off her shoes.
Even though her body was startled by the sudden sense of danger, it moved in time. She quickly hid behind a pillar just as the Marquis stepped out of the drawing room and scanned the surroundings.
“I’m certain I heard the sound of shoes.”
“Geston, aren’t you being a bit too sensitive?”
A soft laugh from a woman followed. Still covering her mouth, Eleanor looked toward Empress Julia as she approached her father.
The carefully styled hair that once seemed like not a single strand would fall out of place was now completely disheveled. Without realizing it, Eleanor bit her lip hard.
“Someone must have seen us and tactfully stepped away.”
“But…”
“You know it already. Everyone here is my person.”
As soon as she said that, the Empress immediately kissed Marquis Kline. Eleanor’s gaze trembled, yet she did not look away. She watched the scene clearly.
The kiss lingered for a long time, and during that time, Eleanor thought of her mother—who had never once received her husband’s love and eventually fell bedridden from illness.
“I love you, Geston.”
“I feel the same, Julia.”
At the tenderness her father had never once shown her mother, even in childhood, Eleanor’s eyes twitched faintly.
The two embraced briefly before returning to the drawing room. Only then did Eleanor collapse to the ground where she stood.
Perhaps because of what she had just witnessed, she couldn’t make a single sound, even though she was now alone.
‘…How…’
Her father… having a secret affair with the Empress.
With a conflicted expression, Eleanor wiped her face dry. It wasn’t that she had believed her father had no mistress. But she had never imagined the woman would be the Empress.
Then… does that mean I’m going to marry the son of my father’s lover?
“Ugh—”
A surge of disgust rose in her throat. She quickly covered her mouth.
First, she needed to leave quietly. As she hurried away and ran toward the carriage—
“Ah!”
Her footing slipped, and her body tilted dangerously. Just as Eleanor squeezed her eyes shut, a calm woody scent and a firm grip wrapped around her arm.
Thanks to that, she barely regained her balance. Still dazed, she turned to look at the person who had caught her—no, she had to look up, as he was a very tall man.
Even without the ornate uniform he wore, his dark hair with a greenish sheen, his deep navy eyes—and above all, his strikingly handsome features—revealed his identity instantly.
“Who are you?”
Crown Prince Renatus.
Eleanor, who had been staring blankly, finally came to her senses and lowered her head.
“I am Eleanor of the Kline family, Your Highness. Thank you for your help.”
After hearing her response, Renatus released her arm. Eleanor hurried away toward the carriage as if fleeing.
“Haah…”
Perhaps from the shock, her heart kept pounding. With a distorted expression, she quickened her pace.
When Eleanor returned to the mansion, she went to her mother’s bedroom as she always did.
After knocking and entering, the Marchioness—who had been lying down the whole time—was helped up by a maid.
“My dear.”
Seeing her mother’s faint smile made Eleanor feel as if her heart were being torn apart.
Was it since two years ago, when her mother had fallen ill with an unknown disease? Or even before that?
As she unconsciously tried to guess how long her father’s affair had lasted, Eleanor quickly stopped, unable to bear the thought.
Instead, she approached her mother, held her hand tightly, and asked gently,
“How are you feeling today?”
“I think I’m a little better than yesterday. It seems the new medicine is working.”
“…That’s such a relief.”
Watching her mother’s pleased expression, Eleanor made a decision.
She wouldn’t tell her.
If her already frail mother learned of her father’s affair, it would shock her deeply and worsen her condition. Her mother’s health was Eleanor’s top priority.
“Did your visit to the Imperial Palace go well?”
At her mother’s innocent question, Eleanor felt as though a heavy stone had dropped onto her chest. Still, she forced herself to nod calmly.
“I’ve seen Prince Cosimo before. He resembled Her Majesty the Empress—such a handsome young man, as I recall.”
“…”
“Are you alright? It’s such a sudden marriage… Even though you’ve come of age, I still worry.”
“Mother… should I not get married?”
The words slipped out before she could stop them. Beyond the danger and uncertainty of the marriage, her greatest concern was that once she married into the imperial family, it would be harder to see her sick mother.
Her mother had no one to rely on but her…
As she recalled how endlessly affectionate her father had been toward the Empress, Eleanor bit her lip hard.
“What are you saying? Surely you’re not saying that because of me?”
The Marchioness shook her head quickly, her face startled.
“That’s nonsense. What kind of mother would ruin her child’s future?”
“Mother…”
“You don’t need to worry about me, Ellie. You know how well the maids take care of me.”
“I just… to be honest, I don’t want to get married yet.”
“But becoming a prince’s wife means you’ll hold a position just below the Empress and the Crown Princess. Even I think it’s a wonderful opportunity. Your father has found you a good match.”
Eleanor fell silent, unable to respond. The Marchioness looked at her warmly and gently stroked her hair.
“You’re clever and beautiful. I’m sure you’ll live happily, receiving plenty of love from your husband and in-laws. As for me, you can write letters or come visit from time to time.”
“But…”
“Oh, and you behaved properly in front of Her Majesty the Empress, didn’t you?”
Caught off guard by the sudden change in topic, Eleanor blinked. The Marchioness continued seriously,
“Especially toward the Empress—you must be respectful, Ellie. A peaceful married life comes from being loved by your mother-in-law.”
At her mother’s advice, Eleanor bit her lip and finally nodded with an awkward smile.
The scene from the drawing room kept resurfacing in her mind, making her feel sick all over again.
Eleanor sincerely wanted to avoid this marriage. However, no matter how much she thought about it, she couldn’t find a way out.
Then one day—
“Her Majesty the Empress will be visiting the Kline estate with Prince Cosimo.”
At the sudden news, Eleanor looked at her father in disbelief.
“What brings them all the way here?”
“Well, it is a marriage after all. They say it’s proper to at least have a meal with your mother.”
What nonsense. What are they plotting?
Of course, unless the Empress had gone mad, she wouldn’t reveal her affair with Eleanor’s father in front of her mother. Still, the very idea of her mother facing the Empress felt horrifying to Eleanor.
“I just hope your mother recovers enough to attend dinner.”
Your mother. Your mother.
At her father’s way of referring to her like that, Eleanor naturally recalled a few days ago—how he had gently called the Empress by her name, Julia.
Her fists clenched tightly.
“I’ll do my best to help her recover more before Her Majesty arrives.”
“Yes, make sure you do.”
It sounded as though he had completely forgotten who her future husband was. Eleanor said nothing.
“How about this dress, Ellie? Does it suit me?”
At last, the day of Empress Julia’s visit to the Kline estate arrived.
From early morning, the Marchioness had been busy choosing a dress for the luncheon. Eleanor smiled gently and nodded.
“Everything suits you, Mother.”
“Oh, don’t say that. Standing next to Her Majesty, how shabby I must look.”
Looking into the mirror, she muttered in a subdued voice,
“Still… I wasn’t this bad before I fell ill…”
“Mother, what are you saying?”
Eleanor spoke firmly, unable to hold back.
“To me, you look more beautiful than anyone. So please don’t worry and wear that one. Changing dresses too often isn’t good for your health.”
“Oh my, you always say everything looks good. You’re not just saying that, are you?”
Though embarrassed, a pleased smile formed on the Marchioness’s lips.
With Eleanor and the maids’ help, she was nearly finished preparing when—
“Madam, Her Majesty the Empress will arrive shortly!”
The Marchioness quickly finished getting ready and, supported by Eleanor, went down to the entrance.
Soon, the gates opened wide, and a woman dressed entirely in red from head to toe appeared.
The design of her dress was relatively simple compared to what she had worn at the imperial palace before, but the striking crimson color made it anything but modest.
Empress Julia smiled faintly as she stepped into the estate.
“Your Majesty.”
Marquis Kline approached her, knelt on one knee, and kissed the back of her hand.
