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Chapter 68
Vera’s warning that I would soon face some troublesome event proved to be accurate.
The crown prince Daimon’s aide arrived at my castle early in the morning.
“Princess Alisa Lasantia, Your Highness. You are to accompany Grand Duke Davit Mihailo to Yorca.”
Before even dismounting, the aide got straight to the point. He must have rushed so much that his hat was barely hanging onto the back of his head by the chin strap.
“Why would His Highness summon my husband as well? My husband can’t leave Blansk due to the house arrest order.”
I feigned ignorance and pretended not to know.
The aide dismounted and approached me.
“…This is a royal decree temporarily lifting the house arrest order against the Grand Duke.”
He respectfully extended a scroll tucked under his arm.
I took it and unrolled it. Sure enough, the governor’s seal was clearly stamped, along with a messy signature: “Governor of Dvorca, Crown Prince Daimon of Levanteia.”
The aide adjusted his hat properly and pointed toward the castle gates. A large open carriage was entering the courtyard through the grand entrance.
That carriage looked familiar. Ah, I remembered—it was the one the Grand Duke and I rode during the wedding parade.
“Am I supposed to ride that to Yorca with my husband?”
“Yes, Your Highness. The crown prince ordered that you be transported in that carriage.”
Riding it meant I’d have to wave to passersby just like at the wedding.
The point was to publicly show that the Grand Duke, previously imprisoned, was safely released, calming the public unrest.
Huh. The crown prince’s behavior is a bit unusual. Not suppressing the protests in front of the royal palace with force is one thing. Has he ever really cared about the sentiments of the Dvorca people?
“I have just one question. Is His Majesty the King planning to personally visit Yorca?”
“…It is expected he will arrive in about a week.”
The aide hesitated briefly before answering honestly.
Of course—the crown prince’s only concern for his reputation is the King, Salesio, who would personally inspect Dvorca.
He probably wants to check that the sporadic unrest in Dvorca has truly settled. After confirming the colonial administration is stable, he’ll praise the crown prince’s supposed achievements.
…This situation is turning out amusingly. That credit does not belong to the crown prince. The anger of the Dvorca people has eased only because the Mihailo dynasty has been restored. The crown prince only allowed my wedding in the Yorca palace; he didn’t actually accomplish much.
I smirked inwardly.
I suppose he’s just the most cherished child and can’t be helped.
The crown prince, overshadowed by his elder sister Princess Emma—my mother—grew up timid and submissive. Feeling pity for his silenced sister, the king always pampered him.
Even as the crown prince neared fifty, the king continued to shield him.
The seemingly infinite parental love was recently reaching its limits. With the crown prince governing Dvorca, his violence became overt, ultimately sabotaging colonial rule.
Then circumstances changed. Dvorca, which had been a mess until recently, was now calm. My marriage to the Grand Duke was the decisive factor. The royal marriage proposal effectively helped the crown prince.
That’s why the crown prince, despite arresting the Grand Duke in flagrante delicto, couldn’t easily kill him.
“Alright. Since His Highness personally arranged the carriage, I suppose I must accompany him.”
I headed straight for the Grand Duke’s chambers, intending to tell him to prepare quickly for departure to Yorca.
In the corridor outside the Grand Duke’s bedroom, the atmosphere was strangely lively. Three maids were playing rock-paper-scissors around a washbasin. I paused, curious to see what they were doing.
“Rock-paper-scissors!”
After several rounds, the shortest maid won. Proudly, she lifted the washbasin and entered the Grand Duke’s room. The losing maids pouted in disappointment.
A few moments later, the short maid emerged, her youthful cheeks flushed.
“…Even your messy hair looks dazzling.”
“Did he say anything else?”
“He said thank you for your efforts so early in the morning.”
“Oh my, such kindness from a high-ranking royal. I’ll prepare some snacks to bring in later!”
“No, this time it’s my turn! I even asked the chef to bake cookies!”
The maids seemed to be competing to serve the Grand Duke.
How delightfully frivolous.
The Grand Duke treats even his subordinates with courtesy, so no wonder the maids are utterly devoted.
Sighing, I strode toward his bedroom. The maids froze in surprise and stepped aside.
I acknowledged their greetings briefly and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
“It’s me. May I come in?”
…Why is there no answer?
Just as I was about to knock again, the door swung open.
The Grand Duke himself appeared. His chin glistened with dew, a towel draped around his neck as if he’d just washed his face. His bangs fully covered his forehead, and his slightly tousled hair at the back made him look almost like a boy.
“Duchess, you’ve come.”
He looked at me intently and extended his wrist. Entranced by the gentle curve of his eyes, I instinctively took his wrist and let him lead me inside.
Before I knew it, we were sitting across from each other at the table.
The Grand Duke’s expression was brighter than yesterday. He must have barely slept after waiting for me in front of the pawnshop until the late hours.
Perhaps it was the vigor of his early twenties, or relief at finally being able to rescue his younger sister.
“You’re fortunate, Grand Duke. All the maids seem to like you.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
He looked puzzled.
“I saw it just now in the corridor. The maids were playing rock-paper-scissors to see who would bring you the wash water.”
“I wasn’t aware. If it makes you uncomfortable, I’ll prevent it.”
“…When you say that, it sounds like I’m making them compete over me.”
“No maid approaches me unnecessarily. You are my wife, the mistress of this castle. How could I allow it?”
He spoke gently, easing my twisted thoughts. Embarrassed that he read me so well, I quickly got to the point.
“You need to prepare quickly and come with me to Yorca. You have to clean up the mess you caused.”
“What happened now?”
The Grand Duke’s eyes widened.
“You were arrested in front of many people. The Yorca residents still think you’re detained in the palace. Since yesterday, they’ve been protesting for your release. Even though you’ve been freed, they don’t believe it.”
“…Hundreds must have seen me arrested, yet no one saw my release.”
“Yes. That’s why. The crown prince sent an open carriage. You must ride with me to Yorca to show everyone you’re safely released. Dress it up as much as possible, act like nothing happened.”
“Understood. I apologize for inconveniencing the Duchess because of me.”
The Grand Duke’s apology was polite.
He then followed my instructions diligently.
He emerged wearing a dazzling white uniform embroidered with intricate patterns.
His bangs were slicked back with pomade, revealing his forehead, making him even more handsome.
The only accessory was a moonstone brooch, but it was splendid enough. Besides the rings, no other jewelry remained, and whatever he wore, only his face would be visible.
I took the hand he offered and climbed into the carriage.
We sat side by side on the leather seat, with horse-mounted guards aligning the carriage front and back.
“Let’s go!”
With the coachman’s resounding command, the carriage moved.
Leaving the castle, we entered Blansk city. Crowds gathered like clouds around the carriage, cheering as they parted like the Red Sea. Some even shouted “Long live the King!” It was deafening.
I had never experienced such a reaction alone. The carriage I rode before had only received jeers and thrown filth. I never imagined riding an open carriage like this.
Beside the Grand Duke, receiving public attention and affection felt surprisingly effortless.
He smiled broadly and waved at the crowd.
The corners of his eyes and mouth carried a natural, effortless smile. His dignified posture and imposing presence exuded authority.
The carriage passed through the center of Blansk and headed for the outer gates. The crowd thinned noticeably. At some point, the Grand Duke lowered his hand and fixed his gaze on a specific place.
Following his line of sight, I noticed a brick building with a wide front yard.
A school for the deaf.
The bright expression on his face gradually darkened. The faint smile lingering at his lips seemed fleeting, as if it could vanish at any moment.
Perhaps feeling awkward with me watching, he abruptly turned his head.
“…Ah.”
My heart tightened. I felt a dizzying sensation, as if he might leap out of the carriage and plunge into a world I didn’t know.
Even knowing he wouldn’t, I reached out and gripped his wrist tightly.
He slowly turned to look at me, eyes slightly reddened.
“Your hand is cold.”
He said.
Perhaps my hand felt cold on his wrist. He gently enveloped my hand with both of his large hands.
Leaning close to my ear, he whispered:
“Why didn’t you come in last night?”
