FGFM 41🔐

Chapter 41

Early morning.

Almost all the maids had gathered in Fleur’s bedroom.

“You should wear the pearl earrings.”
“No, the amber necklace that matches the color of the lady’s eyes would be better.”
“Wait, what if she becomes so beautiful that His Majesty refuses to let her enter the palace?”
“Then that would be a big problem… but if she doesn’t dress properly, he might punish her.”

They were having a heated debate around Fleur.

The entire household was tense because of the upcoming trip to the palace.

It was extremely rare for the baronial family to be invited to the palace, so their concern was understandable.

But if she let them debate all day, they’d never stop. Raising her hands, Fleur intervened.

“Enough. I’ll decide, so calm down, everyone.”

When Fleur spoke, everyone immediately closed their mouths and focused their sparkling eyes on her.

“I’m not going to see His Majesty today. I’m going to meet someone who works in the palace. So I want to dress in a way that doesn’t draw attention.”

“What if you run into His Majesty? I’ve heard that if you don’t dress properly, he punishes you for lowering the palace’s dignity.”

At Genie’s words, the other maids nodded vigorously.

The empire was full of rumors about the eccentric emperor.

“Don’t worry. I asked someone to make sure I don’t run into His Majesty as much as possible.”
“Can we really trust that person?”

Fleur hesitated to answer definitively. After all, she had only met him in disguise until now.

But the deal that could make her the legitimate head of the family depended on it, so she had to go.

“Um… probably?”
“What? Miss, if the person’s identity isn’t certain, shouldn’t you just send a letter saying you can’t go?”
“No. I have to go.”
“But I’m worried…”
“Don’t worry. If I sense anything strange, I’ll escape immediately. You all know how quick I am.”

Fleur demonstrated her agility, swaying her body swiftly from side to side.

The maids laughed when they understood her joke, putting her mind at ease.

She wanted to be someone who could lead, not just be a worried head of the family.

So, Fleur began dressing as she wished.

She wore a deep navy dress and a wide-brimmed hat to conceal her face. Instead of sparkling jewelry, she chose a subtly shining silver necklace.

She looked like a faint shadow at dusk, just as she had intended.

“Thanks for your efforts, everyone. Even if I run into His Majesty head-on, he’ll just think I’m a shadow on the rock.”
“If you’re satisfied, that’s good. But we’re worried—this outfit is so beautiful…”
“Yes. Even though most of you is covered, your elegance shows.”

As the maids’ concern started to resurface, Fleur quickly stood up.

“To arrive on time, we should leave now. Is the carriage ready?”
“Dylan is already waiting at the gate.”
“Okay. I’ll be quick, so prepare a delicious dinner for me.”
“Of course. We’ll make your favorite spicy gnocchi.”

With their see-off, she left the bedroom. Hurrying to the gate, she found Dylan also dressed in formal attire.

“Dylan, are you coming too?”
“…Do you not want me to?”
“No, it’s not that. I just thought you wouldn’t want to go, since we don’t have the best relationship with the palace.”

Her father had ruined their family’s reputation by flaunting his connections with royalty and committing fraud, leading to their downfall.

So she assumed Dylan would skip the palace visit.

“You don’t have to force yourself to go because of me. I can go alone.”

At that, Dylan strode to the carriage and opened the door.

“No, I’ll come with you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. That incident was my father’s responsibility, so I have no reason to avoid it. And now, as your aide, I want to do my best in my duties.”

Fleur had no reason to refuse him after that.

If he was a shadow working under the emperor, he must have considerable power. Having him with her made her feel safer.

“Alright. Let’s go together.”
“Yes. I will safely escort you to the palace.”

Dylan extended one hand behind his back and the other, palm up, to help her into the carriage. She lightly took his hand and got in.

Once Fleur sat in the seat facing forward, he followed, closing the door and taking the opposite seat.

He reached out the window and rang the bell, and the coachman set the horses in motion.

About 30 minutes later, the swiftly moving carriage came to a slow stop.

“We’ve arrived.”

At the coachman’s voice, Fleur adjusted her dress once more.

“Dylan, is there anything out of place?”
“No. You are perfect.”
“Good. There’s always someone ready to pick on even the smallest flaw.”

Dylan, who had been quietly watching her, turned his head and, holding the carriage handle, spoke softly.

“…Have you gotten that close already?”
“Huh?”
“Considering you’ve only met at a party once, you seem to know a lot about the other person.”

It wasn’t just once—it had been three times. Fleur couldn’t tell anyone that he was a shadow, fearing it might put him in danger.

“He speaks bluntly and jokes a lot when making deals.”
“What kind of deal did you make with such a person? If you can’t tell your aide, isn’t that dangerous?”
“I’ll tell everyone once it’s finalized today.”
“…Are you saying you don’t want to tell me now?”

Dylan’s voice trembled slightly as he still looked only at the door handle.

“What?”
“You’ve been hiding work matters from me now too.”

Fleur had been restraining herself from personal conversation to avoid lowering his affection, but now she was hiding official matters. Dylan couldn’t hide his unease.

Even the usually calm and indifferent Dylan showed noticeable anxiety, which slightly startled Fleur.

“If I can’t be helpful as your aide… I have no reason to stay by your side, do I?”

After saying that, he got out of the carriage and stood beside her, offering his hand to escort her.

His avoidance of eye contact made it obvious he was hurt by her previous actions.

While he couldn’t get close as a target character, they worked very well together as aide and charge.

Fleur knew that this comfort was thanks to Dylan’s careful consideration.

Unsure how to navigate the complicated situation, she only held his fingertips as they stepped out of the carriage.

Two guards at the main gate approached.

“Only those permitted may enter the palace. May we know the purpose of your visit today?”
“We’re here at the invitation of the ‘White Snake.’”
“Ah, the White… what?!”

The guard writing the list suddenly raised his voice in shock. Fleur stepped back in surprise, and Dylan quickly supported her.

“Could you repeat that?”

Seeing his trembling eyes, she felt discouraged.

Was this another of his strange jokes? There’s no White Snake in the palace—was he speaking nonsense? She lowered her voice.

“I said we’re here to see the White Snake.”

She even showed the invitation sent by Kyle. The guard’s face grew more serious, and he returned it with trembling hands.

“Understood. Please follow me.”

Rather than being turned away, the gate was opened.

Why were they so surprised? Fleur didn’t understand, but she went inside.

“Wait, only you may enter.”

The guard blocked Dylan.

“He’s my aide. He’s always with me, so he has the right to enter.”

Fleur immediately defended him, but the guard shook his head firmly.

“No. You were clearly ordered to enter alone.”

Hearing the word “order,” Fleur had nothing to say. She glanced at Dylan.

His blue eyes wavered, showing he hadn’t expected to be refused.

As the two stood unsure what to do, the guard warned again.

“Only the young lady may see the White Snake.”

The appointment time was near, so a decision had to be made. Fleur comfortingly grabbed Dylan’s shoulder.

“It shouldn’t take long, so I’ll be back quickly.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Even if it’s dangerous, I have this.”

Fleur held up the whistle around her neck.

“You’ll come immediately if I blow this, right?”

Half-joking, half-serious, she showed she still trusted him.

For the first time, Dylan, who had looked troubled while staying with her, smiled gently.

“Of course. I’ll come immediately.”

After a brief farewell, Fleur waved to him and followed the guard alone into the palace.