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chapter 15
As soon as dawn broke, Yurielle was busy preparing for her trip to the royal palace.
“Milady, strangely enough, I’m more nervous than you are.”
Seeing Madel more anxious than herself oddly eased Yurielle’s tension a little.
“Do we really have to go to this extent? I don’t think Her Majesty the Empress will be pleased.”
“But Miss Medina will also be there, won’t she?”
Madel hurriedly tried to explain so as not to upset Yurielle.
“Of course, the Duke and Miss Medina aren’t involved with each other… but I just don’t want you to be looked down upon in front of her. Don’t misunderstand me. Honestly, even if you didn’t dress up like this, you would still be incredibly beautiful.”
“Madel, I didn’t misunderstand you. You’re worried about Miss Erica Medina, that’s all.”
Yurielle didn’t misinterpret Madel’s words at all.
Everyone at the Barroata household knew that Erica Medina had betrayed Duke Barroata and gone to the Crown Prince. She even spread the rumor in high society that Duke Barroata hadn’t forgotten her yet and was still alone. Yurielle understood why the Duke would want to show her that he was doing well.
“Milady, I’m happy you trust me. But at the same time, I worry.”
“Why?”
“I’m afraid you’ll get hurt. The world isn’t full of only good people.”
At those words, Yurielle slightly lifted the corner of her lips. She had known for a long time that not everyone in the world was good.
Yurielle had asked many people for help throughout her life. When she pleaded desperately, begging them to help just once so that she and her sisters could live like normal people, most people reacted similarly.
Some cried and said, “I’m struggling too, why make me deal with this?” Others got angry.
“I’m struggling too. Do you know how much the medicine costs because our mother is ill? And what about our poor son? If he wants to marry, I need to provide the money.”
“I’m at my wits’ end because of your father too! Bring the money properly. Do you think I run a charity?”
“Don’t worry. The only people I trust are those in this Barroata household.”
“That’s a relief. But, Milady…”
“Yes?”
“People are unpredictable. And usually, betrayal comes from those closest to you.”
Madel’s eyes were genuinely worried.
“Then I’ll only trust Rey, Sir Chayson, and you, Madel. Those three won’t do anything to me.”
Madel looked at her with eyes full of admiration.
“Have I really been so fortunate to serve someone so wonderful?”
That was something Yurielle could have said, but she didn’t. She knew that if she did, Madel would dismiss it, insisting she had done nothing special.
“Then stay by my side for a long time.”
“Of course.”
“Your Imperial Majesties, it is an honor to meet the Sun and Moon of the Empire. My name is Yurielle Barroata.”
Yurielle demonstrated perfect royal etiquette.
The person most surprised by it was none other than Duke Barroata.
‘Come to think of it, I was too preoccupied during the wedding to notice, but now she performs etiquette flawlessly.’
The Duke felt a sudden chill of tension.
‘Is it really possible to achieve this with just a few days of practice?’
The answer was obvious. Such progress in only a few weeks was impossible. If it were, nobles wouldn’t have struggled so much. Nobles began etiquette training from a very young age so that it would become second nature. Yet Yurielle had mastered it perfectly in just a few weeks.
“You’re even more beautiful than I’d heard. I can understand why Duke Barroata fell in love at first sight.”
The Empress’s words sounded like praise, but her subtle expression suggested otherwise.
“Now, let’s sit.”
The Empress bit her lip as the Emperor immediately interrupted her. Yurielle noticed two empty seats: for the Crown Prince and Erica Medina.
“I hope the food meets your taste.”
“Thank you.”
As Yurielle and Duke Barroata sat, hurried footsteps approached, and the closed dining hall door opened.
“Sorry for being late. The meeting ran over.”
The Crown Prince was panting as if he had run, but his gaze was fixed on Yurielle.
“Sit down.”
At the Emperor’s words, the Crown Prince sat slowly.
“Why didn’t Miss Medina come with you?”
The Crown Prince remained silent.
“Crown Prince…?”
The Empress’s eyes wavered at the Crown Prince’s seemingly deliberate ignoring.
“…Miss Medina seems unwell. I told her to just rest.”
The Empress immediately recognized his lie.
‘No matter how unwell Erica Medina is, she wouldn’t miss an event like this. If anything, she would have come, even sick, to enjoy the attention.’
“I see. Is it very serious?”
“A day of rest should be enough. It’s best not to talk about someone who isn’t here.”
The Crown Prince’s tone toward the Empress was icy.
“Yes, that’s best.”
The Empress forced a smile. The clinking of utensils was all that followed, making the atmosphere heavier. Yurielle sensed the Crown Prince’s gaze on her even amidst the tension.
‘Why does he keep staring? What if someone notices?’
Worried that Duke Barroata might misinterpret the gaze, she couldn’t eat properly.
“Duchess of Barroata, is the food not to your taste?”
“Not at all. I suppose I’m just a bit nervous dining with Your Imperial Majesty the Empress.”
Even though she knew it was mere flattery, the Empress smiled inwardly.
“No need to be so tense. More importantly—”
“Duke, the Duchess is visiting the palace for the first time, isn’t she?”
The Crown Prince interrupted lightly, smiling brightly amidst the heavy atmosphere.
“Yes.”
“Then how about a short walk in the gardens after the meal?”
“I have a prior engagement with His Majesty, so that might be difficult.”
“Really? What a pity. The hydrangeas have been beautiful recently, so we refurbished the garden at the Crown Prince’s residence.”
At the mention of “hydrangeas,” Yurielle nervously fidgeted her fingers under the table. Even though Duke Barroata wouldn’t understand the meaning, she couldn’t calm her anxiety.
“Then how about this?”
“What do you mean?”
“While Duke Barroata meets His Majesty, I will accompany the Duchess of Barroata.”
The Duke wanted to refuse, but had no excuse. Yurielle felt the same.
“This way, both can return to the Barroata residence together.”
“…Then, I will leave it in your hands.”
“How is it? Aren’t the blue hydrangeas beautiful?”
As soon as the meal ended, the Crown Prince immediately led Yurielle to his palace.
“Yes, they are.”
Yurielle replied in a dry tone.
“By the way, was it Sir Visenti?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“I want to speak comfortably with the Duchess, so I’d like you to step aside.”
“Excuse me? But that’s a bit difficult. The Duke commanded me to stay right next to the Duchess at all times.”
Sir Visenti replied reluctantly.
“But this is the palace. With the palace guards stationed everywhere, nothing will happen. And I’m here. Surely you’re not trying to guard me?”
It was a pointed remark. The Crown Prince smiled, but Sir Visenti could only see it as gentle intimidation.
“Of course not, I was just—”
“Sir Visenti, it’s fine, you may go.”
Yurielle quickly sent him away, fearing he might face punishment.
“Now we can speak freely, right?”
“No. I feel uncomfortable being alone with Your Highness.”
“Really? That’s unfortunate. I’ve been looking forward to this moment. Why didn’t you come yesterday?”
“Because I had no reason to.”
Yurielle maintained the coldest expression she could muster.
“Riel, don’t you wonder what your sisters went through?”
“I do, but that’s their story to tell. Not something to hear through Your Highness.”
“That’s true. But Riel, I told my father everything yesterday.”
Yurielle’s eyelashes trembled.
“W-what?”
The brief wait for his explanation felt unbearably long.
“Don’t worry. I said everything, but didn’t give details. I only asked that if I fell in love and won that person’s heart, he would just watch over me.”
“You didn’t need to say that!”
Yurielle raised her voice before quickly glancing around.
“No one’s here. I told them not to let anyone in until I give permission.”
“If you truly love me, you can’t do this. If you want me to be happy, you can’t do this.”
Yurielle felt suffocated, thinking the Crown Prince’s love was constraining her.
“Why? Must love always mean sacrifice for the other? Who decides that? Riel, you just want to deny my feelings. Am I wrong?”
Yurielle couldn’t argue against him.
“Riel, even if I had hidden my feelings and loved you quietly, you would still have said it was my imagination, that I could never love you. You’re just afraid I’ll drift from Duke Barroata because I love you.”
Seeing Yurielle’s embarrassed expression made the Crown Prince’s heart ache.
“Yes, I imagined it countless times. How you’d react if I said this. Even in my imagination, you had that expression, embarrassed that all your thoughts were exposed.”
The Crown Prince bit his lips to hold back the rising tears, not wanting to cry in front of her. His mouth tasted metallic, but he couldn’t stop. His mind felt broken.
“But you know, Riel? You love Duke Barroata, yet you can’t leave him either.”
“……”
“I love you sincerely, so I can’t leave you either. If my feelings weren’t real, wouldn’t your feelings for Duke Barroata be false too?”
“If you truly love me, then you’d let me go—”
The Crown Prince seized the moment to continue.
“If love is only wishing happiness for the other, Riel, you should let Duke Barroata go to Erica.”
“…Rey said he has no lingering feelings for Miss Medina. And he will like me too. So my situation is completely different from Yours, Your Highness.”
“You say the Duke likes you? We all know you two never spent a night together. And yet you claim he likes you? You know better than anyone.”
