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Chapter 12
“Master, the young lady requests an audience.”
That morning, upon hearing the unexpected news, Marquis Kline’s expression turned puzzled.
For the past few weeks, Eleanor had been holed up in her room, living as quietly as a dead mouse. She had also made it abundantly clear that she never wanted to see his face. And now, suddenly, she was asking to see him?
The marquis allowed Eleanor into the room. Compared to the last time he saw her, she had lost a significant amount of weight, looking as thin as a dried branch.
It was only natural. With the wedding approaching, she had been fed just enough to keep her alive—nothing more—so she could be shaped into a “beautiful bride.”
Perhaps because of that, she looked completely drained. Marquis Kline found her submissive state quite pleasing.
At this rate, I might as well skip giving her lunch and dinner today.
“Well then, what is it? For you to come to me like this.”
“I have something to tell you.”
Her voice had grown as thin as hBVSWM 10er frail frame. The marquis nodded, signaling her to continue.
“I’d like to attend the tea gathering hosted by Countess Heather this afternoon.”
Until now, countless invitations to social gatherings had poured in for Eleanor, who was engaged to become the Second Prince’s bride. Yet she had rejected every single one.
Even when Marquis Kline suggested she should begin appearing in society now that the marriage was settled, she refused—making this decision highly unusual.
Still, it was strange for her to change her mind so suddenly on the eve of the wedding. In truth, he still didn’t trust his adopted daughter.
‘She even threatened to reveal our relationship to His Majesty at Julia’s birthday banquet, didn’t she?’
Remembering how Julia had complained about that incident, looking distressed, the marquis clenched his jaw.
That insolent girl who doesn’t even know her place.
He had barely managed to prevent the marriage talks from collapsing by reassuring them that Eleanor would be properly “educated” before the wedding—and that once married, she would be in the same boat and unable to threaten his safety.
“I’m feeling nervous about the wedding. Since Countess Heather is Her Majesty the Empress’s close confidante, I thought it would be good to meet her once before the ceremony.”
It seemed his “education” had worked quite well. What a commendable thought. The marquis nodded in satisfaction.
“It seems you’ve finally corrected your way of thinking. Yes, once you marry the Second Prince tomorrow, we’ll all be in the same boat. Won’t you have to be called ‘Your Majesty’ someday as well?”
“….”
“With the wedding tomorrow, don’t touch any desserts at the tea gathering. I’ll have your maid report everything you eat, so don’t get any foolish ideas.”
“I understand. Please don’t worry.”
Her response was completely different from before—docile and obedient. Marquis Kline nodded approvingly, and Eleanor smiled gently in return.
“Welcome, Lady Eleanor. My, how long has it been?”
“Goodness, you’ve lost so much weight! Please, have a seat.”
Eleanor received a warm welcome at Countess Heather’s tea gathering.
Everyone present was closely acquainted with the countess, who herself was a trusted confidante of Empress Julia.
“Oh my, look how thin you’ve become. Here, have some of this.”
One of the noblewomen cut a piece of cake and placed it in front of Eleanor.
Eleanor glanced subtly at her maid standing behind her, then shook her head with an awkward smile.
“Thank you, but I’ll pass. I want to look my best for the wedding tomorrow.”
“Oh my, how admirable. Then at least try this—it’s not very sweet.”
“Thank you.”
“You’ve become even more of a lady since we last saw you, Lady Eleanor.”
Countess Heather, who had been quietly observing Eleanor’s polite behavior, spoke with satisfaction.
“I’m truly delighted that we’ll be serving someone like you from now on. Her Majesty has chosen her daughter-in-law very well.”
“Indeed. Once the Second Prince marries, Her Majesty will become even busier. I’m sure Lady Eleanor will be a great support.”
“Become busier? What do you mean?”
At Eleanor’s curious question, Countess Heather covered her mouth and laughed.
“Once the Second Prince marries, it’s only natural that the Crown Prince must follow.”
“That’s right. Her Majesty is already searching for a young lady worthy of becoming the Crown Princess.”
“Does that mean the Crown Prince will marry someone chosen by Her Majesty?”
Eleanor asked with interest.
“This may be presumptuous to say… but I wonder if His Highness will so readily follow Her Majesty’s wishes.”
“If he doesn’t, what can he do? Her Majesty is his mother. As a son, he can’t possibly go against her will.”
Countess Heather scoffed lightly.
“Even now, the head maid of the Crown Prince’s palace is Marchioness Pereto, appointed by the Empress. Thanks to that, Her Majesty has the palace firmly in her grasp, and His Highness is like a rat caught in a trap.”
“And once he takes a bride, that will only become more certain. So you may look forward to it, Lady Eleanor.”
Another noblewoman chimed in, and Eleanor nodded with a smile.
“That’s truly good news for me.”
He needs me as well. That alone was reason enough to go to him.
The tea gathering ended in a warm and cheerful atmosphere. After exchanging hugs with each of the noblewomen, Eleanor bid them farewell, promising to meet again the next day.
“Let’s talk again at the reception tomorrow, Lady Eleanor. By then, we’ll be addressing you as Her Highness, the Prince’s Consort.”
Though that would never happen, Eleanor simply smiled pleasantly and exchanged farewells before leaving the drawing room.
The maid who had accompanied her from the Kline estate followed behind as Eleanor calmly walked toward the exit.
“Ah!”
But soon, Eleanor let out a short exclamation and stopped.
The maid looked at her with confusion.
Eleanor turned back with a troubled expression.
“I left my handkerchief behind.”
“Oh, I’ll go get it. Could you wait here for a moment?”
At that, Eleanor frowned.
“You expect me to just stand here and wait?”
Her sharp tone startled the maid.
“I’ll head to the carriage first, so hurry and bring it.”
“Pardon? Ah… yes, my lady.”
The maid recalled Marquis Kline’s strict order to never leave Eleanor’s side under any circumstances.
But Eleanor looked especially irritable today, likely because she had been practically starving for days. She had even refrained from eating the tempting desserts earlier, clearly watching the maid’s reactions.
If I push her further, she might slap me…
Besides, the countess’s residence was far from the city—she couldn’t go anywhere without a carriage.
And how long could it take to retrieve a single handkerchief?
Reassured, the maid nodded and hurried back to the drawing room.
Inside, the noblewomen had all left, and the servants were cleaning. When the maid checked where Eleanor had been sitting, there was nothing there.
“Have you seen a handkerchief that was here?”
The maid asked in a flustered voice, but the servants all looked puzzled.
“We haven’t found any handkerchief.”
“That’s strange. She clearly said she left it—”
At that moment, a bolt of realization struck her.
I’ve been tricked!
The maid dashed outside toward the carriage bearing the Kline family crest.
“My lady!”
But when she opened the door—
it was empty.
The maid’s face turned pale.
