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CHAPTER 95……………
After leaving my mother’s palace, I immediately wrote a letter to Marchioness Eolyn.
I asked if she could visit my palace at the earliest convenience, and the very next day she sent back a positive reply.
Because Marchioness Eolyn had greatly helped my mother in making her social debut, we often kept in close contact.
She arrived at the palace with her carriage piled high with gifts.
Upon seeing me, Marchioness Eolyn drew a gentle smile across her lips and curtseyed.
“Baysa Eolyn greets Her Highness, Princess Lilien Char Caliburg, First Princess. May the blessings of the Goddess Eridium be upon you. Have you been well?”
“I have been as well as always. And have you also been well, Marchioness?”
“I grew so weary, waiting day after day for Your Highness’s summons.”
She covered her mouth with her hand and laughed softly.
“Please, sit down. The court patissier just baked a new sheet cake today. I wanted you to be the very first to try it.”
“Oh my, this strawberry cake looks absolutely delicious.”
The marchioness reached out to the cake, adorned with a plump strawberry on top, and took a dainty bite.
Watching her, I too lifted my teacup.
As etiquette dictated, I could not jump straight to the main topic, so I exchanged a few updates with her first.
“―So, it seems my husband is preparing to step into central politics. He was so overjoyed at finally gaining an opportunity that he embraced me in tears.”
“Marquis Robin Eolyn has always been among the great nobles with voting rights. It’s only natural that an opportunity should come his way.”
“That’s true… But even with an opportunity, the candidates vying for central politics right now are formidable indeed.”
She sighed, and I too gave a sympathetic smile.
“Among them are families backed by the Empress.”
“Yes, indeed.”
The marchioness clicked her tongue bitterly and finished her tea.
I quietly observed her, then stole a glance at the wall clock.
I think I’ve done enough small talk.
It was time to bring up the real issue.
I set my teacup down, my expression turning serious.
Sensing my change in demeanor, Marchioness Eolyn also dropped her smile and spoke solemnly.
“Something troubles you? For you to summon me like this, it must be no small matter. Don’t tell me… the Empress’s faction has targeted you again?”
“No. It’s not that. What I want to ask is a little more… personal.”
“Personal?”
The marchioness furrowed her brows ever so slightly.
“Do you recall Her Majesty Empress Dolores’s days as Lady Alphe?”
“Lady Alphe… You mean the time when Her Majesty was captivating all of high society?”
“Yes. And… I wonder if you might also know anything of her rumored affairs.”
“Affairs? Hmm… I’m not so sure. Her Majesty was known for gazing only at His Majesty, even when he was still Crown Prince. Especially after she was chosen as Crown Princess, she was so cautious in her conduct. To me, she never seemed the sort to create a scandal that could harm her reputation. At least, not that I ever saw.”
“Then you don’t know much either.”
“Yes… I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.”
“No, I never expected to find anything so easily.”
If something so scandalous had been out in the open, that would have been stranger.
I hummed softly and asked her again.
“Then perhaps you might know this name?”
“Whose name do you mean?”
“Hermo Dvich.”
“Hermo… Dvich?”
This time, Marchioness Eolyn knit her brows tightly, staring at me.
“It sounds familiar somehow… where did I hear it…?”
But after struggling for a while with a perplexed expression, she finally gave me an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry. The name does ring a bell, but I can’t place it. If I do recall something, I will send a letter to you at once.”
“Thank you.”
“Think nothing of it—it’s my duty.”
I forced a laugh, but inside I wanted to leap up and scream in frustration.
Why is it that both Mother and the Marchioness react with such vague, uncertain expressions at this name?
Hermo Dvich. Hermo Dvich.
He must not be a noble. If he were just a nominal noble, it would make sense that no one remembered him. But…
The Marchioness clearly has some trace of him in her memory.
Perhaps he was a merchant, one rank below the nobility? If not that, then…
A commoner…
With that thought, I quickly ended my meeting with her.
In the end, I gained nothing.
Jeron seemed to be pulling strings for me, but all I had was the name “Hermo Dvich.” Any further information had been thoroughly erased.
I clicked my tongue and sighed.
Meanwhile, Ilia and Mulin came bounding toward me, huffing excitedly.
“Your Highness! Please try on the new dresses at once…!”
“Oh, heavens! Prince Dmitri has sent you a gift of dresses too! Thirty of them—thirty!”
“Kyaa! Even the young dukes and marquises have sent gifts!”
The two of them squealed with delight in the dress room overflowing with gifts, their sparkling eyes fixed on me.
They looked as though they were about to play dress-up with me like a doll. My head began to throb.
If I let them catch me now, I’d be torn apart with no escape.
So I quickly backed away and said:
“Sorry, I’m busy. I just received a sudden urgent call from Viscount Idrea.”
At my lie, the two of them visibly deflated.
I did feel a bit sorry, but no—I was too exhausted.
Better hide in the library.
Fearing they’d chase after me, I threw open the door and dashed out of my chambers.
Cecil’s eyes widened as I burst out so suddenly. She hurried to keep pace beside me and asked:
“Is something the matter?”
“Yes, I almost became the plaything of two women.”
“Plaything…? Ah, you mean Lady Barschen and Lady Merea.”
“Exactly. So if they ask, please tell them I was in the library, working. And kindly add that I was holding the comm-stone as well.”
“Of course.”
Cecil nodded gravely.
But remaining in the princess’s palace meant I would be found sooner or later, so I slipped out instead.
Too hastily, as it turned out—I’d left behind some important documents.
Damn it.
I needed to get work done quickly, yet I had no papers with me.
After a brief pause, I turned to Cecil.
“Sir Knight, I know it’s troublesome, but could you return to my palace and fetch the documents for me? They’re stacked neatly on the table—you’ll recognize them right away.”
“Ah, um.”
Cecil frowned, hesitant.
“Leave Your Highness alone…?”
The hunting festival had clearly left her traumatized. She paled and shook her head vehemently.
In her eyes, I was like fragile glasswork.
Anyone else might have dismissed her fears, but Cecil had already suffered much because of me.
So I couldn’t scold her. Instead, I patted her shoulder and said confidently:
“It’s fine. This is inside the Imperial Palace. No one would dare lay a hand on me unless they had a death wish.”
“Even so…”
“There are guards, see? Look—they’re patrolling.”
“Still…”
“Besides, Jaester recently sent me a magical device. It reacts to even the faintest mana and unleashes a massive fireball. Supposedly, it could incinerate dozens at once.”
I pulled it from my robes and waved it in front of her.
Though still uneasy, Cecil eventually sighed and nodded.
“Do not, under any circumstances, wander about. When I return, you move with me. Understood?”
She reminded me firmly. I only nodded half-heartedly and urged her on.
Cecil hurried back toward the princess’s palace, leaving me gazing idly at the sky.
The moment she disappeared completely…
“Huh? What’s this?”
Someone familiar was walking toward me.
Recognizing him, I frowned deeply.
Short brown hair, sharp eyes slanting upward, drooping lips, and blue irises.
It was Iabel.
“What are you doing here?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Why, you—”
At his curt answer, Iabel’s face twisted with anger.
The passing guards, recognizing his temper, flinched and quickly offered greetings before scurrying away.
Iabel looked at them as though they were filth by the roadside, then shifted his gaze back to me.
“I asked what you were doing. Aren’t you supposed to be busy?”
Always picking a fight…
Better not to respond.
When I was younger, I used to fight back whenever Iabel provoked me. But now I knew—the more I did, the narrower my position became.
So I waited calmly for Cecil, ignoring him.
When I still refused to react, Iabel muttered darkly:
“As irritating as ever, aren’t you.”
“Thank you for the compliment. I am quite irritating, aren’t I? But you must have plenty of free time, to be idly chatting with your detestable half-sister.”
“Shouldn’t you be the one busy? Prince Dmitri’s investiture as Crown Prince is coming soon. Shouldn’t you be mustering manpower for him?”
“And why would I do that?”
“What?”
I met his gaze coolly.
“His Highness the First Prince already has both Majesties, Evgeni, and even you, Prince Iabel. I’d say he has more than enough support. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“You—! So you’ve taken everything from Brother Dmitri, but when it comes to doing something for him, you refuse?”
His raised voice drew glances from maids and knights nearby.
He’s deliberately making it sound bad.
I let out a disbelieving snort.
“Prince, you really should open your ears more. How can you be so behind on news?”
“What? Behind on news?”
“Hasn’t your aide told you? Or at least you must have heard maids gossiping—that I funded fifty-three percent of the budget for Prince Dmitri’s investiture.”
“…What? You—? You funded Brother’s ceremony?”
“Oh my~ You didn’t know?”
I smirked mockingly.
“I wanted to prepare a gift, but no matter how I thought about it, rare trinkets from abroad didn’t suit someone about to become Crown Prince. So instead, I contributed to ensuring a grand and splendid ceremony.”
Unlike you, who spends all your time with swords and hears news last.
From the moment I learned the Emperor would host Dmitri’s investiture, I had poured my personal fortune into it.
The Emperor tried to dissuade me, but honestly, I’d been too lazy to pick out a gift—and what better way to leave an impression than this?
After all, how often does one royal spend a fortune on the investiture of a rival royal?
People would see me as “harmless.”
At last grasping my meaning, Iabel trembled with rage. His glare could have killed a man.
“You think being loved by Their Majesties makes you something special? Stop showing off. You’re still nothing but a half-piece here. Don’t forget—your only real family is that Second Consort who lives in silence.”
“….”
“Once abandoned, always abandoned, Lilien.”
“….”
“You’re better off crawling beneath us, like in the old days.”
He sneered and tapped my shoulder before turning to leave.
“Thank you kindly for your wise words~!”
I suddenly spoke up loudly, drawing everyone’s eyes to me.
Even Iabel blinked in disbelief, his lips moving soundlessly.
“I’ve taken Prince Iabel’s advice to heart~! I know it comes from concern for me, but you needn’t worry—I’ll be just fine on my own! Farewell, then. Travel safely!”
I waved energetically, smiling wide.
“…Are you insane?”
Iabel muttered, but I didn’t care at all.
In fact, I smirked. Yes, curse me more! That way people will spread the word that you were harassing me.
“Damn it. Forget it. I’m done here, lunatic.”
“Take care~!”
“Shut up.”
He turned sharply and strode away.
I couldn’t see his expression, but I was certain someone in his palace would suffer for this.
Fool.
Just then, Cecil came hurrying back with my documents.
“You didn’t cause trouble in my absence, did you?”
“No.”
I lied without batting an eye.
