TMDL 44

Chapter : 44

“Everywhere Her Highness the Princess goes, incidents never seem to stop, do they? Just recently at the Marquis of Weebil’s party, she cut a young lady’s hair, and before that she kicked the host’s young master right there—right in that place!”

“…You know she’s always had a fiery personality that can’t tolerate injustice.”

Wherever Princess Helena set foot, flames were said to rise.

It was a saying born from how she always drew attention wherever she went, and from her eccentric nature and hot temper. Anyone who got on her bad side—man or woman—would suffer dearly.

“That young lady and young master had done more than enough to deserve it. Her Highness doesn’t act without reason.”

“Even so, she’s far too dangerous. And she’s terribly fickle.”

“She is moody, that’s true.”

She would become passionate and even obsessive about things that caught her interest, yet grow bored just as quickly. Fond of showing off and strong-willed, she was not an easy person to deal with.

Since there were hardly any who could stop her aggressive actions, it was understandable that Greta was worried.

“With everything that’s been happening lately, she’ll definitely take an interest in you, Miss. What are you going to do?”

“I won’t be going alone, and the Duke will be with me, so it’ll be fine. Don’t worry too much. I’ll come back safely.”

“I don’t think it’ll be that easy…”

Greta sighed, her face clouded.

“Are you ready, Frea?”

“…Yes.”

Frea, having finished her final touches before the mirror, turned around at the Marchioness’s call. With the light movement, the hem of her dress fluttered.

“Duke Betelheim has already arrived. We should be leaving.”

“There’s still plenty of time. You don’t have to rush so much.”

Frea replied calmly to the woman who seemed strangely flustered with her busy movements.

“B-but it’s a palace banquet before the engagement ceremony, isn’t it? And it’s your first time appearing as the Duke’s partner, so everything has to be perfect.”

“You don’t need to tell me. I’ll handle it myself.”

“Frea, wait a moment—!”

Unable to silently endure the Marchioness’s interference, she left the room.

Since when had she cared this much? Ever since the engagement was announced, the Marchioness’s obvious change in attitude was both absurd and unpleasant.

Usually, no matter what gathering Frea attended, she wouldn’t even say a word or see her off. Yet today, for some reason, she had stuck close from early morning until the preparations were finished, constantly offering what she called advice but felt more like meddling.

I can see right through her intentions.

A palace banquet before the engagement, and together with Raiden—she knew she couldn’t just ignore this as she usually did.

Though she found it unfamiliar to suddenly have a daughter positioned as the Duke’s fiancée, she pretended to fawn over and care for her, hoping to claim whatever benefits might fall her way. That was the course of action the Marchioness had chosen.

“She may be an unworthy daughter, but I ask that you look after her today, Duke.”

“Not at all. I’m the one who’s always receiving help. I’ll stay by her side and protect her, so please don’t worry.”

“Ha ha, that certainly puts me at ease.”

Marquis Valche was no different from his wife.

Despite Frea’s warning that there wouldn’t be much to gain, he paid it no mind and acted to win Raiden’s favor. It seemed that his daughter’s resistance—who had always obediently listened until now—had yet to deal him any real blow.

Instead of a daughter he can twist around his finger, he’ll target Raiden, the real power holder… Still the same vulgar man as ever.

Frea’s cold gaze landed on Marquis Valche. She hadn’t expected him to change from a single warning, but seeing it like this only highlighted his shamelessness.

“Ah, Frea. You’re down already.”

As she approached the two in conversation, Raiden noticed first and turned his head.

And in that moment, his eyes widened slightly. Seeing her descend in her dress, a gentle smile soon curved his lips.

“You’re quite late. To keep Duke Betelheim waiting like this is rude, Frea.”

Though there was still plenty of time, Marquis Valche grabbed his book with a displeased expression. Blinking indifferently at his obvious attitude, Frea asked Raiden,

“Have you been waiting long?”

“Not at all. I just arrived early, so please don’t worry.”

“That’s what he says.”

“Khmm…”

As if he had never just scolded her, Marquis Valche cleared his throat awkwardly. The Marchioness, who had followed down after them, stood beside him, reading the room.

“It’s been a while since a palace banquet, so mind your behavior. And since it’s hosted by Her Highness the Princess, you must be even more careful. Don’t give anyone anything to gossip about.”

Marquis Valche spoke to Frea in an intentionally solemn voice, as if nothing had happened.

Even he knew that, given all the attention already on her, it would be impossible not to become the subject of gossip. But since it was a banquet hosted by Princess Helena of all people, he couldn’t help worrying about what might happen.

“Frea, be careful with your dress. The Duke went to great lengths to prepare it for you, so don’t get it dirty, all right? And in front of Her Highness or the other young ladies, try to stay quiet if you can.”

Not to be outdone, the Marchioness chimed in as well. Whether these were words of concern or thinly veiled threats was hard to tell.

Seeing how perfectly in sync the couple was, she couldn’t even muster a hollow laugh.

Finding no need to reply, Frea took Raiden’s arm and led him away.

“There’s no reason to stay here any longer, so let’s go.”

“Yes, Frea.”

“Ah…”

“……”

As he followed her, and the two of them headed outside together, Marquis Valche frowned. His sharp gaze stabbed into Frea’s retreating back.

“You really look beautiful today, Frea.”

On the way to the palace in the Betelheim family’s carriage, his eyes were fixed on Frea sitting across from him.

From head to toe, she sparkled so much that he couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“Thank you. I was a little surprised when I received it, but it turned out to be a wonderful gift.”

“I’m glad I chose that dress. As I expected, it suits you perfectly.”

“Did you pick this dress yourself?”

“Of course. Since it’s our first time attending together as partners, I really wanted to give you something.”

Though the boutique had been recommended by his mother, Savanna, he himself had chosen that dress after carefully selecting from dozens. The shoes and accessories had also been prepared to match.

Its clear yet elegant hue matches her silver hair.

Among all the dresses Madam had prepared, there had been only one in that pale bluish-violet shade. The rare color had caught his eye, and the moment he examined the fine details of its design, he knew.

This was the only dress for her.

Paying for it on the spot had been the most thrilling and satisfying moment of his month.

Just as I imagined—no, even better.

Seeing Frea wear it as if it were custom-made nearly dazzled him. It felt such a waste to show her to others that, if he could, he wanted to keep her just like this in a jewel box.

“It must have been hard to get a dress from the Reneora atelier… As expected, you’re impressive.”

“It wasn’t that hard. When I said it was a gift for Frea, Madam eagerly consulted with me.”

“That was only possible because it was you. The name of Betelheim ranks just below the imperial family. And Raiden’s own status can’t be ignored either.”

“I won’t deny that my background and authority helped me easily pass Madam’s standards. Thanks to that, I could buy a gift for Frea.”

Raiden knew well that Madame Reneora was notoriously picky and proud. Even Savanna owned only about five dresses from her atelier, and he remembered her complaining every time about how demanding it was to order one.

If it was his family’s power that had allowed him to pass her standards so easily this time, then he could use that as much as he liked in the future.

For her sake, he was willing to do anything.

“Next time, I’ll give you a gown for a banquet.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

“The outfit you’re wearing today is wonderful too. Its design is similar to my dress—could that also be from Reneora?”

“That’s right. Madam recommended it, saying it would go well with your dress.”

“…As expected of her. Now I’m starting to lose confidence about finding something that could beat that.”

Seeing her let out a deep sigh, Raiden hurriedly waved his hand and said—

(Translation continues if you’d like the next part.)