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Chapter 95
The princess’s face twisted slightly, likely from the sudden sting on her delicate skin.
At the same time, a blinding light shot from her hand as if piercing the eyes, so intense it felt like staring directly at the sun. Instinctively, she lifted her sleeve to shield her eyes.
Thud.
Startled by the explosive glow of the relic, the princess dropped it onto the table.
At that instant, the light that had illuminated the entire reception room vanished.
Her eyes met the Grand Duke’s beside her. Without needing to ask, they both smiled simultaneously.
The princess tapped the table with a confused expression.
“What just happened? Did you see that, sister? When I touched it, my palm stung, and an incredible light shot out!”
Her eyes widened in disbelief, blinking rapidly as if she couldn’t believe what had just occurred.
“This is the relic of Archangel Michael,” I explained calmly. “It’s a sacred object that proves the bloodline of the Dvorca royal family. In the past, it was used when a prince or princess had their first birthday and was baptized by the archbishop at the Yorka Royal Palace.”
I continued, “It proves that you are my biological younger sister.”
The Grand Duke added beside me.
The princess placed the relic back on her palm and examined it closely.
“I never knew something like this existed. It’s amazing.”
It was now time to ask the question: whether the princess was willing to officially accept my protection.
I took out a parchment and laid it before the princess.
“Princess, could you look at this?”
“What is this? A certificate of honor?”
The princess read the writing on the parchment and asked me.
“Princess, is your wish to live here at Blansk Manor still valid?”
She quickly nodded.
“Yes! The castle is beautiful! And there are so many flowerbeds in the garden!”
“But you don’t yet have an official status. I need a formal reason to protect you here at Blansk Manor,” I explained.
“Reason?”
“The baronial title written on this certificate of honor will be given to you. It’s a temporary status to stay in the manor. As you can see, it recognizes the service of saving my life, the prince of Levantea. By accepting this, the Grand Duke and I can become your official guardians.”
I pointed to King Salesio’s signature at the bottom of the parchment.
“This is my maternal grandfather’s signature. It’s a document recognized by the King of Levantea. But if you feel uncomfortable—since from your perspective, it’s the leader of an invading country—you may refuse.”
“No.”
The princess smiled brightly and gestured with her hand.
“You said it’s temporary. If this allows sister and me to be connected, then that’s enough.”
The princess dipped the quill in ink and wrote the name Melania in the blank space on the certificate.
I instructed the steward to bring another parchment.
It was a document stating that the Grand Duke and I would become joint guardians of Princess Melania.
We signed it side by side.
From that moment, we became the princess’s legal protectors.
As soon as the day’s work ended, the Grand Duke came to my study.
“What does Melania’s title mean?”
“Blansk is my personal estate. It isn’t part of the Lasantia family property,” I replied.
“…….”
“Therefore, inheritance is also my choice.”
“Are you suggesting… that you intend to leave Blansk to Melania?”
“If the princess wishes to become the lady of the estate. There’s much she will need to learn, and if she finds it doesn’t suit her, then naturally the Grand Duke would govern it.”
The Grand Duke looked at me in bewilderment, his narrowed eyes questioning my intentions.
“Isn’t this the land you’ve worked tirelessly to restore for over five years? I don’t understand how you could hand it over so easily.”
“I don’t think of it as my land,” I answered firmly.
“Why do you think so? Haven’t you ruled it excellently as the lord?”
“Ask the residents of Blansk. Few would think I am their true master,” I said.
“……Regardless of what others say, the ownership of this land belongs to you,” he said, his expression contorting slightly, as if recalling my infamous reputation as the ‘Witch of Hell.’
“Yes, ownership is mine. Handing it over is my choice as well. Isn’t it fitting that a piece of Dvorca land be ruled by a Dvorca, marking the first step in this country’s revival?”
“…….”
The Grand Duke stared at me, dumbfounded.
“David.”
I placed my hand on his broad shoulder. His thick Adam’s apple bobbed slightly in tension.
“How long do you think I’ll remain in Blansk?”
“…….”
The Grand Duke lowered his head.
“Come to think of it, I haven’t told you about my father.”
My father, Duke Lasantia, was only known to be bedridden.
He was indeed ill, but not in the usual sense…
“I only knew he missed the wedding due to illness,” he said.
“Yes, of course he couldn’t attend. My father is similar to yours. He barely recognizes his daughter’s face.”
“…….”
“Sometimes, when I visit, he calls me Emma and hugs me. Emma, as you know, was our mother’s name.”
“You mean he mistakes you for your mother in her youth?”
“Yes. My father’s mind remains in the past. At some point, it’s like rewinding a clock, gradually returning his memories.”
During the later stages of the Dvorca War, as the Lasantia family’s wealth and fame soared, my father began showing signs of memory loss.
Then I realized: even if someone has the world, it’s meaningless if they lose themselves.
Before anyone noticed, my mother acted. She confined my weakened father to the duke’s bedroom under the pretense of rest and assumed the role of acting lord herself.
“……I had no idea,” the Grand Duke said.
“Of course. What I want to say is, there isn’t much time left. Legally, when my father passes, my mother will lose her authority as acting lord, and the dukedom will automatically pass to me.”
The Grand Duke slowly reached out and stroked my cheek, his touch warm and tender.
“If you become Duke of Lasant… will you leave this place forever?”
“Not forever. I’ll visit occasionally. I’ve grown attached to Blansk…”
“…….”
He pressed his lips together, tracing my jawline, and I felt a subtle tremor in his fingertips.
“I’m sure Princess Melania will want to see you too.”
“Ha.”
He sighed deeply and embraced me, burying his face in my chest. Even though I spoke calmly, being held like this made me feel like crying.
“So, Grand Duke, you must become strong. So you can lead Blansk without me. Until the princess grows, you must take responsibility for this land.”
I pressed back tears and stroked his back.
Thinking him a large, warm man, he suddenly held my shoulders and gently pushed me away.
We had a good moment, so why release the hug? I blinked and looked up at him.
“I want to hold on.”
“…….”
A faint moisture appeared in his deep violet eyes.
“I want to at least grab your ankle and cling to you. Don’t leave Blansk. And…”
He squeezed my hand tightly and added,
“Don’t leave me.”
Tears threatened to fall from his reddened eyes. I smiled and held his hand firmly.
“Why? You could manage without me. You’ve strengthened administration, agriculture, and commerce, so you can rule Blansk as you see fit.”
The Grand Duke has the potential to be a ruler. From what I’ve seen, he knows how to care for people.
“I don’t mean that,” he said.
“Grand Duke, I’m not leaving immediately. Time isn’t long, but we still have some.”
“…….”
“We just need to make the most of the remaining time. We also need to go to Pardon Island together. Your brother’s wedding is coming up too.”
In a few weeks, it would be the wedding of Dvorca’s fifth prince, Bruno.
Queen Elizabeth had sent us an invitation, so the Grand Duke and I would attend together on Pardon Island.
The queen must be extremely uneasy now. Princess Melania and her nurse Olenka, whom she had confined, had vanished without a trace.
Perhaps this is our chance. To prove Princess Melania’s lineage in front of the Dvorca royals and have her position recognized.
The wedding gift was already decided. Seeing it, the queen would likely faint in shock.
“Grand Duke, what do you think about taking the princess to the prince’s wedding?”
“……You mean bringing Melania to Pardon Island?”
“Yes. The Archbishop Joachim will accompany us as well. We’ll keep communication open. Let’s shake up the wedding venue a bit.”
The approaching autumn feels more anticipated than ever.
It had been a while since I went to the pawnshop.
While attending customers, I fiddled with the brooch in my pocket.
The Grand Duke would likely come looking for it tonight.
After much deliberation, I made a decision. I would return the brooch and remove the robe.
I didn’t know how he would react, but I no longer wanted to deceive him as time ran short.
That’s all.
Once I leave Blansk… I hope he can take charge of the pawnshop too.
The last customer left. I nervously climbed the stairs and opened the tavern door.
The Grand Duke was leaning against the wall, as always.
“This must be the last time,” he gestured.
