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**\<Episode 19>**
Edel was making her message very clear.
“Really? Me? You think *I* would support Lowen? Don’t say such nonsense. Unless you want to lose your head for speaking foolishly.”
Marquis Beth unconsciously rubbed his neck. When he looked to the side, Count Chekhov was doing the same.
“Do you understand?”
At Edel’s question, the strange pressure around them seemed to fade, and reality returned.
“Will you still interfere?”
“……No.”
Though his face was stiff, Marquis Beth lowered his head obediently.
“We were mistaken. Of course, Princess Edel would never do such a thing.”
“And the Count?”
“I think the same.”
Only after pushing them this far and making them admit it did Edel finally smile with satisfaction.
“You may ask questions anytime, but I won’t allow something like this again.”
“……Of course.”
Hearing their answers, Edel turned away with dignity. Receiving their burning stares, she left the place gracefully.
She was exhausted. Even though she had inherited the natural aura of royalty, using that overwhelming pressure like she just did was tiring. That’s why she rarely spoke in such a way in the past.
Edel sighed deeply as she returned. Her hand unconsciously reached for her earring again.
She wasn’t sure if it truly worked as a charm, but at least it wasn’t useless.
Looking at the earring reminded her of Cassian. He was supposed to visit again soon.
Lately, Edel also felt that she had grown closer with Sebastian and Chloe.
At first, Chloe only came occasionally, but now she boldly came out every day.
Cassian must have noticed by now. Since Edel wasn’t stopping her, he was simply turning a blind eye.
It wasn’t every day, but Edel always tried to prepare gifts that would please them. Sometimes she even gave things Sebastian could share with Cassian’s other attendants.
But the biggest achievement was their relationship with Kia. Kia, who was unmatched at making friends, now treated Sebastian like a ten-year-old friend.
With Chloe, there was still some distance, but she was still a useful hand.
Feeling satisfied, Edel was about to call for a maid when her eyes accidentally fell on the sword placed on the stand.
That strange sensation came again.
Was it just her imagination, or did the jewel on her earring feel strangely similar to the jewel on the sword?
—
As Cassian’s health improved, Edel began visiting the Duke’s residence more often.
“I’ll be returning to work soon. I’ve handled the urgent matters, but I’m sure there’s a mountain of work waiting.”
Cassian touched his head as if troubled, and Edel gave a small laugh.
He wouldn’t really be affected. After all, he was the one who had revived a duchy that was on the verge of collapse.
“Anyway, I also need to keep my promise to take Your Highness to the theater. When would be a good time?”
Handing her a calendar, Cassian waited while Edel carefully looked over the dates.
The month of April, when Edel had returned, was already ending. Summer was approaching.
Since any weekend would work, she randomly pointed to one.
Cassian nodded happily and began sharing his excitement about the play.
“Until recently, most plays were so dull and outdated.”
“Careful, Duke Dwelsen. Saying that could be taken as an insult to the royal family.”
Most plays praised the royal family while rejecting other races.
So calling them dull was indirectly criticizing the crown.
At her words, Cassian chuckled softly.
“Doesn’t Your Highness feel the same? I’ve noticed you’ve been especially interested in the newer plays these days.”
“……Yes.”
It was true. Around this time in her past life, she had been so excited about her engagement with Cassian that she’d become very interested in the new plays about love.
Unable to deny it, Edel answered with a sulky face.
“Now you’ve gained another piece of leverage over me. Imagine, a duke of the empire who finds royal plays boring.”
“That’s hardly enough to call it leverage.”
Edel was serious, but Cassian took it as a joke and laughed heartily.
After laughing for a while, he gently stroked her hair.
“Lately, I also find myself drawn more to plays about love. Maybe it’s because they remind me of you….”
“I see.”
Edel’s voice was dry. She had already lost interest in stories of romance.
Cassian seemed to notice, for he carefully touched her hand and asked,
“Are you alright?”
“What do you mean?”
“You seem to be in a bad mood today.”
“……Do I?”
There was only one reason Edel was in a bad mood. Because she had to meet Cassian.
Still, she hid it behind a bright smile.
“By the way, was his name Sebastian? He’s a very diligent attendant.”
“Really? I was worried he might cause Your Highness some trouble, but I’m relieved to hear that.”
“Trouble? Not at all. He brings me news of you.”
“As expected.”
This sharp young man surely noticed Edel’s lips twisting slightly, but like her, he just smiled it away.
“You also seem to have grown close to maid Chloe. To think you even gave her a brooch.”
Unlike with Sebastian, Cassian sounded quite displeased when he mentioned Chloe.
“Are you perhaps favoring Sebastian too much?”
“I can’t help it. I’m only human….”
Looking a bit embarrassed, Cassian leaned his head on Edel’s shoulder as if asking her to stroke his hair. Wanting to keep the conversation flowing, Edel did just that.
After a while, he finally pulled back, smiling lazily as he still played with her hand. Edel forced her lips into a smile.
“Ah.”
Suddenly, Cassian’s face stiffened as he felt the calluses on Edel’s palm.
“I heard you’ve been learning swordsmanship. Was it from Sir Uros?”
“Yes.”
“How is it? Is he teaching you well?”
Cassian’s sharp tone made it sound like he was hostile toward Lyle.
“He teaches well, but I’m the one who’s lacking. He said it would take six months before I can even handle a real sword.”
“……Six months?”
Cassian looked shocked at first, then his face lit up with relief. He tightly held Edel’s hand.
“As expected of Princess Edel. I knew it wouldn’t take you long.”
Since three people had said the same, it must really be considered short.
“The problem is my stamina.”
“That’s true. But stamina can always improve with steady effort.”
The wariness in Cassian’s voice was gone. He smiled brightly.
Edel sighed deeply where he couldn’t see her.
“It’s strange, though. Princess Lowen and Prince Sisan both have such strong bodies, so why am I the only one like this? Was my mother weak?”
“Well……”
“Anyway, I was born this way. I’ll just have to work hard.”
While Cassian hesitated, Edel optimistically ended the thought and stretched as she rose from her seat.
“……Your Highness.”
“What is it?”
“Since you’re here at the duchy, why don’t I take a look at your swordsmanship? Believe it or not, I’m quite skilled with a blade.”
With a grin, Cassian proudly pointed to himself.
“But Sir Uros’s style is quite different from yours, isn’t it?”
“I admit I’m jealous that you chose him, but I’ll respect your choice. I’ll just show you the basics.”
“Hmm……”
It wasn’t a bad idea. Cassian was indeed skilled.
After some thought, Edel nodded.
Excited, he brought wooden swords, and Edel gripped one in a posture that was already becoming familiar.
“Excellent. Your stance is perfect.”
But then came the problem.
“Oh dear.”
Every time she swung, her arms gave out, and she dropped the sword.
Cassian’s once enthusiastic face grew stiff.
“How is it?”
“……”
No reply. Was it really that bad?
“I think you need to build your grip strength first.”
In the end, it was back to physical training.
When the lesson was over, Edel had only one thought.
-*I’m going to die from exhaustion.*
Panting heavily, she forced herself to stand.
Looking fresh as ever, Cassian wiped his sword and helped her up.
“You’ve sweated a lot. You should return to the palace and bathe.”
“Yes.”
Edel struggled to rise but nearly collapsed.
Cassian quickly caught her by the waist.
Too tired to resist, Edel let herself be held. His breathing was unsteady as he embraced her, and she felt his hands tremble slightly.
When he buried his face against her shoulder, his hot breath spread across her skin.
Since she could hardly walk, Cassian slipped his arm under her knees and lifted her up.
“I can walk by myself.”
“Don’t lie.”
“……”
“If you’re worried about the servants seeing, it’s fine. This isn’t the first time, is it?”
-*Past Edel, just what were you doing…*
With a faint sigh, Edel let herself go limp. She just wanted to return to the palace quickly.
—
She only meant to rest for a while, but exhausted, Edel fell asleep.
Cassian thought about waking her but, remembering how tired she had been, left her to sleep.
A nap at the duchy wouldn’t hurt.
She had collapsed without even covering herself with a blanket.
Cassian gently laid her properly on the bed and pulled a blanket over her.
“……”
Recently, Edel had been treating him with subtle coldness. Perhaps she no longer wanted him around.
Yet, he couldn’t bring himself to leave. His heart clung to her, whispering, *just a little longer, just a little longer.*
In the end, he knelt on the floor and held her hand.
“What words should I say to you……”
There was so much he wanted to tell her, but he couldn’t.
“Please… at least keep your heart for me.”
With a sigh, Cassian bit his lip, then let out a bitter laugh.
He had realized something.
“But even if that happens again… I don’t think I could ever give up my love for you. Even if it kills me, I’ll protect my love for you this time, until the end.”
He whispered softly, then pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.
Though asleep, Edel’s face twisted as if in pain.
Still, he vowed to stay by her side. Unlike in the dream, unlike in that betrayal, at least in reality he wanted to remain with her until the very end.
—
When Edel awoke, Cassian was still there, his face resting on her arm.
Her hand instinctively twitched toward his neck but stopped. Instead, she quietly looked at him.
Her fingers brushed his hair, stroking it softly. He let out a low sound in his sleep.
She couldn’t understand why he had changed so much. But one thing was certain.
-*I no longer have the courage to love you again, Duke Dwelsen.*
—
When they stepped outside, the waiting servants quickly greeted them.
Kia, who had been diligently carrying out her task of winning over the servants, also looked relieved.
As soon as Edel appeared, Kia looked as if all her worries had vanished.
While Cassian was briefly away, the servants rushed to Edel.
“Your Highness, is it true you gave Chloe a brooch?”
“So that rumor reached even you.”
The maid’s eyes sparkled with envy as she whispered.
“She serves me, of course I’d give her something.”
“We also wish to serve Your Highness…!”
“You too?”
The maid suddenly fell silent, and Edel smiled kindly as if to say it was fine. But she didn’t dare speak further and quietly withdrew.
Other servants also tried to talk with Edel, but unfortunately, there were no more gifts today.
Disappointed, they left with hopes for next time.
“As expected, Kia. You’re the only one I can rely on.”
Hearing this sudden remark, Kia looked puzzled.
The servants of the duchy only approached Edel for their own benefit.
The same was true for Edel’s palace attendants, but since they served her as their mistress, they weren’t quite as blatant.
But no matter what, the only one who followed her purely, without calculation, was Kia.
Time passed, and soon it was time to return to the palace.
Cassian saw her off with a heavy heart, his hand reluctant to let go.
Tonight’s dinner was canceled, but since their recent talks were all the same anyway, it wasn’t much of a loss.
When Edel arrived back at the palace, her attendants warmly greeted her.
Ever since she had given out brooches, they had become even more eager to win her favor. Even the once-cold ones had softened.
Edel leisurely accepted their welcome.
—
