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Chapter : 09
This time, Marianne couldn’t hold it in.
“Damn it… that bastard.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah—no. That just slipped out.”
After taking a sip of black tea to calm herself, Marianne considered why soldiers bearing the imperial flag had come all the way here.
First of all, it was clearly Louis’s doing. He was both the person in the imperial family most interested in the North and the one who disliked Marianne the most.
But he wouldn’t have come all the way north himself.
He wouldn’t suddenly send an escort he didn’t even attach to me when I first came, either.
Thinking about it, the distance from the capital to the North was long enough that even by carriage it took quite a while. So even if the imperial palace had dispatched soldiers, they wouldn’t have arrived yet.
Which meant that someone who was slavishly loyal to the empire and harbored hostility toward the ducal house must be commanding these troops.
“….”
Marianne let out a silent sigh.
In the end, there was only one person in the North who would dare commit such rudeness as surrounding the estate while brazenly flying the imperial flag.
…Kromba.
Was paying only half the dignity maintenance fee not enough for that bastard?
Cursing inwardly, Marianne rose from her chair. Since they had come bearing the emperor’s symbol, she was the one who had to respond.
“Hoo. I’ll go take a look. Cedric, I’ll read you the picture book later. Wait here and eat some cookies.”
“Oo…?”
Cedric looked up at Marianne with a sullen expression. His eyes trembled as if begging her not to go, and for a moment Marianne almost forgot the situation and pulled him into her arms.
What did our Cedric eat growing up to become this cute and lovable?
Flags or no flags, she wanted to sit back down and hug him tight, squishing his soft cheeks and telling him just how adorable he was.
No, no. Get a grip.
If she really lost her head and hugged him, whatever goodwill she’d built up would probably plunge straight into the negatives. Regaining her composure with difficulty, Marianne smiled.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Uh….”
She lightly brushed Cedric’s hair with her hand and left the room.
“I will escort you.”
Unexpectedly, Miel followed her out and said so. She had assumed he would stay by Cedric’s side.
“Forgive me for going ahead.”
“Oh, it’s fine.”
It wasn’t even that far from the main entrance, so she hadn’t expected him to insist on guiding her. Though he said “escort,” he likely meant protection.
I thought he disliked me.
Still, perhaps his favorability had risen a little after she dealt with Dieter and Thomas. Holding back a smile unsuited to the gravity of the situation, Marianne followed Miel.
“Amelie.”
“Your Highness….”
Near the entrance, she encountered Amelie, who had been watching outside with a stiff expression.
At Marianne’s voice, Amelie smoothly concealed her expression and bowed, then continued in a resolute tone.
“You’ve heard from Sir Miel. I will accompany you.”
“…All right. Thank you, both of you.”
She could have handled it alone, but she didn’t want to reject people who were offering to stand by her out of genuine goodwill.
Still, it would be better to warn them in advance about how she intended to act.
“Amelie. And Sir Miel.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Marianne faced the two of them and smiled a little awkwardly.
“When we go outside, I might behave a bit… like a ruffian. So don’t be startled. It’d be even better if you play along.”
“…Understood.”
“Yes. I will do as you say, Your Highness.”
Surprisingly, Miel answered first. Marianne waved a hand to Amelie—who bowed a little later—to indicate it was fine, then smiled again.
I must sound like a madwoman, but thanks for understanding.
Taking a deep breath, Marianne headed for the door.
“I’ll open it.”
“Go ahead.”
Quick on the uptake, Miel stepped forward and pushed the door open. Through the slowly widening gap, soldiers came into view. It was fortunate, at least, that they weren’t numerous enough to fill the entire front courtyard.
Once the door was fully open, Marianne stepped forward, lifted her chin, and spoke.
“I am Marianne Claire Le Havre.”
Her voice echoed out. The brief silence was broken by the sound of a carriage door opening.
Remaining seated in the carriage until a princess appeared was a grave discourtesy. But instead of getting angry, Marianne waited calmly.
The more they underestimate me, the easier they are to deal with.
The person who descended from the carriage and walked forward along the path formed by the soldiers was not Dieter.
It was a middle-aged woman in an ornate dress, as if she were attending a party. Pulling up the thick shawl around her shoulders, she greeted Marianne gracefully.
“…Greetings, Princess Marianne. Though unworthy, I am Dominique Kromba, lady of the Count Kromba household and, as his mother, one who supports the count.”
Looking at Dominique Kromba—who didn’t resemble Dieter in the slightest—Marianne sighed inwardly.
I don’t remember the Countess of Kromba appearing in the original story.
Her name may have come up once or twice, but most of the cruelty toward Cedric had ended with Dieter. And yet here she was, the countess herself, even bringing soldiers along…
In the end, there was only one possible explanation.
That lunatic must have run straight to his mommy and tattled.
Not a mama’s boy, not a child, but a grown man acting like this. She really should have taken all of the dignity maintenance fee, not just half.
“It is an honor to meet you, Princess Marianne, daughter of His August Majesty the Emperor.”
Unaware of the curses running through Marianne’s mind, Dominique finished her greeting according to proper etiquette.
Perhaps because the emperor was still alive—despite Louis’s influence—she was at least maintaining a minimum of courtesy.
Yes, that’s typical of the Krombas. A bat-like family.
Marianne offered no reply. Instead, she frowned in displeasure and tilted her head slightly.
To look even more unruly, she crossed her arms and let her posture slacken.
“So?”
“Pardon?”
“I’m not curious about who you are.”
Marianne snapped at the flustered Dominique in a sharp voice.
“How did a mere Kromba dare to raise the emperor’s flag? Did you receive His Majesty’s permission?”
“Well, that is—”
Dominique trailed off, but as if she couldn’t afford to back down, she composed herself. Despite her deeply bowed posture, her voice rang out clearly.
“Because His Majesty’s illness has worsened, we received permission from His Highness the First Prince. It was to convey the sacred command of the imperial family.”
“Oh? An imperial command delivered first to a count instead of a princess. How interesting.”
“Our Count Kromba household was ordered to serve Your Highness with utmost sincerity. Thus, we wish to escort you to the count’s residence. This place is rather old and lacks many servants; the count’s estate would surely be more comfortable for you.”
After delivering her prepared speech, Dominique smiled leisurely, as if she herself believed there was no reason Marianne could refuse.
On the surface, it does sound nice.
As the most powerful family in the North now that the grand ducal house had fallen, the count’s residence would naturally be luxurious, and it wasn’t far from the ducal estate, making travel by carriage convenient.
Bringing even the imperial flag to say such sweet words, Dominique must have thought Marianne would naturally accept.
If I were the real Marianne, I probably would have.
Without realizing it meant being confined, monitored, and tormented alongside Dieter.
But unfortunately for them, I’m not the real Marianne.
Marianne smiled back at Dominique.
“Sure. Sounds like a good idea.”
“Just as I thought you’d agree, Your Highness! Everything is already prepared. All you need to do is board the carriage.”
“Mm. A very good idea—for inviting suspicion.”
Dominique flinched at the unexpected reply. Before she could recover, Marianne flashed a bright smile.
“Though my brother Louis is of the direct line and the First Prince, he has not yet been named Crown Prince. How, then, did he have the authority to permit raising the flag? Could it be that my brother…?”
She deliberately left the sentence unfinished. Dominique’s face went pale, clearly understanding the unspoken implication of treason.
The emperor isn’t even in a coma. You shouldn’t have touched authority.
Dominique unfolded the fan she’d been clutching and raised it to cover her mouth, fluttering it nervously. Her effort to hide her fluster after being blindsided by the Marianne she’d assumed to be foolish was pitifully obvious.
“Th-that is… His Majesty’s health is poor, you see….”
“I understand the sentiment, but this matter leaves far too much room for interpretation. Whatever shall we do?”
Marianne deliberately drew out her words. Watching Dominique grow increasingly pale with each sentence was immensely satisfying.
Too bad you can’t move your soldiers.
Marianne smiled.
Dominique might have wanted to harm Marianne right then and there, but the imperial family had mages. Even if Marianne died here, the truth couldn’t be concealed. That was why Dieter had handed over money and fled instead.
In the original story, Marianne and Cedric… no. Let’s stop that thought.
Shaking off the stray thought, Marianne curved her eyes into a gentle smile and spoke again.
“Hm, but I don’t wish to hastily suspect my brother Louis. And I’m sure the Countess of Kromba came with good intentions.”
“Y-yes! Of course! As expected of you, Your Highness—so wise!”
“Mm. So I’ll continue staying at the ducal estate. Please bring everything you prepared here instead. It’s close, so you can move it all today, right?”
Uncrossing her arms and lowering her chin, Marianne flashed a refreshing smile.
“…Understood.”
She waved lightly at Dominique, who answered through clenched teeth. At the elegant dismissal, Dominique finally failed to conceal her irritation and frowned deeply.
“Thank you for coming, Countess Kromba. Safe travels.”
