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Chapter 9
After finishing my bath, I quickly got myself ready.
Wearing a light linen dress with my hair let down, my steps toward the dining room were light.
Even humming a tune, I walked into the dining room—only to feel as if my vision darkened for a moment. I blinked a few times.
“Demian? What brings you here at this hour?”
“Is it so strange for me to eat with my wife in my own house, in my own dining room?”
“…Of course not. I was just surprised. I didn’t expect to have dinner with you. It feels like the goddess has blessed me today.”
I lied smoothly without even blinking.
“Have you properly instructed them about the design of the doll? If they’re going to make one that looks like me anyway, it should be wearing armor.”
I glanced toward the butler standing at the side of the dining room, thinking how creatively he misunderstood everything.
“Gosling? Begin the dinner.”
At my words, the butler rang a silver bell.
Soon, servants entered one after another carrying silver trays filled with food.
When the perfect dinner setting was completed, Demian rested his chin on his hand, looking bewildered.
“Do you always eat dinner like this?”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s overly formal.”
“It’s order and structure.”
Clarissa had been born in the Racton duchy and grew up helping with household management, so she was skilled in domestic affairs.
As soon as she married, she rolled up her sleeves—but her efforts only angered Demian.
“Clarissa! Why is my house turning into the duke’s household? Don’t change anything, understand?”
Demian could not stand even the slightest resemblance between his home and Racton’s estate.
In the end, Clarissa withdrew from managing the household, and without her, order collapsed and the mansion gradually became chaotic.
Then I arrived and began reorganizing everything in my own way.
“There won’t be anything like the Racton household’s dinners. So please enjoy your meal.”
At my words, Demian began eating with a dissatisfied expression.
I tried my best not to meet his eyes as I chewed my food.
I normally preferred eating alone, and I was trying very hard not to think that eating with Demian made the food taste worse.
That was the only way I could stay mentally at peace.
‘Don’t think of it as eating under pressure. I am the lady of Middletown.’
As the meal neared its end, Demian spoke.
“It looks like we’re almost done. Then I suppose I should say why I stayed for this dinner, Milon.”
Even though dessert hadn’t been served yet, he called his personal attendant as if preparing to leave.
Milon approached me holding a silver tray. On it was a white envelope.
“A letter of invitation, Madam.”
“The imperial seal is on it? Good heavens. His Highness the Crown Prince is inviting me to a tea party at the palace?”
“Tell her she cannot go.”
That must have been the real reason Demian had “graciously” agreed to dine with me.
I flushed red, feeling deeply insulted. It was like the feeling of an ex-boyfriend having dinner with you just to say something unpleasant afterward.
What Demian was saying was “don’t meet the Crown Prince,” but to me it felt even more humiliating than that.
Already in a terrible mood, I pushed my chair back.
I wanted to leave the dining room immediately.
But Demian stood up first.
“Understood. I’m busy anyway.”
And with that, he left.
I remained seated alone for a while, frozen in place.
“Ma-Madam… about dessert—”
“Bring it, Gosling.”
If I didn’t eat dessert, I would only be the one losing out.
And if I didn’t want to attend, I still couldn’t stop the imperial carriage from coming for me.
Who could possibly refuse an imperial carriage?
“Also, Gosling. Could you call a tailor? I think I need a dress made.”
If I was going to the imperial tea party, I would need appropriate attire.
Just imagining Demian’s twisted expression when he heard I had attended made the pudding feel unbearably sweet.
The Day of the Imperial Tea Party
On the day of the imperial tea party, the imperial carriage arrived right on schedule.
Fully dressed up, I gave instructions to the butler before boarding.
“Gosling, even though it’s unlikely—if my husband returns and asks for me, tell him I had no choice but to attend the imperial tea party because His Highness the Crown Prince sent a carriage. I’ll be back.”
I stepped into the carriage gracefully and headed toward the palace. Soon, we passed through the grand gates.
“Welcome, Baroness Craig.”
As I stepped down, the Crown Prince extended his hand.
Not only had he invited me, but he had even sent a royal carriage and come to greet me himself.
He must truly be grateful for the incident with the wolves.
After all, if I hadn’t driven away the wolf pack, he might have fallen from his horse and seriously injured his leg.
And if he had walked on it without a splint, the injury could have worsened.
“I greet Your Highness, the little sun of the empire.”
I took his hand and stepped down lightly from the carriage.
“You look truly radiant today. Why have you been hiding such beauty all this time?”
Because I was wearing a white dress embroidered with gold threads, I too felt bright and elegant. Hearing his compliment made me feel oddly pleased.
“I’m overwhelmed by your praise, Your Highness.”
“I simply speak the truth. Shall we walk? I wanted to show you the palace gardens.”
“It would be an honor.”
As I followed him, I turned my head left and right, taking in the palace.
‘So extravagant… so magnificent… everything is shining.’
As I admired the beautiful buildings and gardens, the Crown Prince spoke.
“How have you been? I was worried that you might still be crying because of the indifferent Baron Craig.”
“Thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”
“I even lectured Baron Craig. I find it regrettable that he cannot appreciate something precious just because it is near him. Tell me—has he still not become any kinder?”
Even though he already seemed to know the answer, there was a faint expectation in his eyes.
It felt as if he wanted me to admit my unhappy marriage with Demian.
So I put on a sorrowful expression like a tragic heroine.
“Your Highness, I do not wish for my husband to love me. His heart belongs to him. I should not force him to give it to me.”
Of course, my heart also belonged to me.
It was precious, something that should never be broken or trampled by Demian.
I had to protect it—and there was only one way.
“I think constantly seeking his affection would only torment him. So I intend to divorce him at the right time.”
“If your husband were anyone other than Baron Demian Craig, I could say that is the right decision.”
The Crown Prince looked genuinely regretful, as if divorce was wise for my happiness but not ideal for Demian.
“Your Highness, my husband still receives love letters. There are even rumors he has a mistress.”
“A mistress of Baron Craig?”
The Crown Prince looked shocked. Then he sighed and looked at me with pity.
“So that’s why you went all the way into the deep forest bringing food for him… trying your best.”
“Yes, Your Highness. But I no longer intend to cling to him. I’ve realized it’s all meaningless.”
Please tell him to let me divorce him, Crown Prince. I dabbed at my eyes with a handkerchief.
“Then, for the last time—why not use me?”
At his sudden words, I lifted my eyes in confusion.
His gray-blue eyes were warm.
“As you know, Baron Craig is possessive. He simply believes his beautiful, intelligent wife is already his, like a satisfied lion without vigilance.”
“….”
“But what do you think he would do if he found out I had feelings for you?”
“He wouldn’t care who I meet.”
“I disagree. He would likely become extremely jealous and try to win you back aggressively.”
“Well…”
A faint smile of irritation formed on my lips before I could stop it.
I couldn’t even imagine Demian trying to win me back.
“Have you changed?”
The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes, as if he had seen through my acting.
“I… I have simply given up.”
“Let us assume that is so. That is unfortunate for your husband, but I am glad for your change of heart.”
His gaze felt unnervingly sharp, as if he could see through everything with just a slip of expression.
“I need you, Baroness. To be precise, I need your ability.”
“My ability to talk to animals and horses? What do you intend to use it for?”
“I have many enemies. My every move is reported to the Empress, as if even the walls are listening.”
“You mean Her Majesty is spying on Your Highness?”
“If she openly acted against me, I would respond forcefully. But she quietly undermines me from behind. Baroness, I am not someone who only receives—I return more than I am given.”
Getting involved in imperial politics would be troublesome. But becoming the Crown Prince’s ally was essentially gaining power itself.
‘This could make me a hidden power behind the throne.’
Moreover, the determination in his eyes suggested this was already beyond negotiation.
“If my modest ability can be of use to Your Highness, it would be my honor…”
“But?”
“I believe there must be one condition first—you must trust me unconditionally.”
I trailed off, implying I also had demands.
“Is there something troubling you?”
“Even if I relay what birds or cats under the Empress say, there is no guarantee of truth. I need your trust.”
“Are you suggesting I be swayed by unverified information?”
“….”
“I refuse to be manipulated—but I will listen to you.”
The Crown Prince’s eyes locked onto mine.
In that gaze was a firm belief: I can protect you. I trust you.
‘How desperate must he be to trust someone he just met like this?’
Surrounded by enemies and isolation, he must have been unbearably lonely.
And in that moment, he met me.
A tragic woman longing only to be loved by her husband—perhaps I reminded him of his late mother, the Empress.
If so, this was my chance.
I finally let the words spill out.
“Your Highness… you said you would listen to me. Then may I do something rude—just once—and ask you to hear me out?”
