Translator: Nox

Chapter 28

#028. Now, It Feels Like I'm Going to Have a Family

"But, Princess. The Crown Prince said he would visit Tiaje Palace later, even if it's late."

Baroness Sophron said with a flustered face at Olivia's words that she was returning.

Olivia looked up at the sky for a moment. Her conversation with the Princess had taken longer than expected, so it was already late anyway.

The Baroness avoided Olivia's gaze, as if wondering if she could see the darkening surroundings.

"It's getting late for dinner. I'll contact you again and come back next time."

At Olivia's firm words, the Baroness didn't try to persuade her any further. Instead, she bowed her head and saw her off.

The Grand Duke, who was standing in front of the carriage, reached out his hand as if it were natural. Olivia had become accustomed to this escort. As Olivia got into the carriage, the Grand Duke nimbly sat down opposite her.

The door closed and the carriage started. Familiar scenery passed by outside the window.

"How was the back garden?"

"It was a wonderful place, just like you said. I'm almost sad that I won't be able to see it anymore, you know?"

"Me too."

Olivia smiled slightly and looked outside. She had steeled herself, thinking today was her last day at the palace. The fact that she had to come again made her feel strangely relieved.

When should I come back to see Leopold?

As Olivia counted the days, she felt a blatant gaze and met the Grand Duke's eyes. The Grand Duke was looking at the envelope in Olivia's hand with curious eyes.

When Olivia playfully shook the envelope, the Grand Duke chuckled.

"Looks like you brought something interesting?"

"Yes. A trophy of victory, perhaps?"

Olivia deliberately raised her nose. It wasn't enough as a dowry, but she had acquired property that she liked. And she thought the Grand Duke would like her victory, regardless of its usefulness.

"Impressive."

The fact that her expectations were met was such a sweet and bubbly feeling.

Olivia smiled brightly at the words that sincerely praised her. The Grand Duke couldn't speak for a moment after seeing that smile. Olivia didn't see the tips of the Grand Duke's ears, hidden by his hair, turn red.

"...Don't I get anything for cheering you on so hard from behind?"

"Hmm. I wonder. Doesn't Your Highness already have everything?"

Olivia looked at the Grand Duke as if she was pondering.

The Grand Duke had refused any jewels she offered as gifts. Now she couldn't afford to buy expensive gifts either. The Grand Duke probably knew that too.

Olivia, who had been looking at the Grand Duke searchingly with narrowed eyes, widened her eyes as if she had realized something. Before the Grand Duke could smile, Olivia hugged the envelope tightly.

"You can't have this, though."

She couldn't show him this abandoned mine yet. She hadn't even properly planned what to do with that desolate abandoned mine. It was too barren to house people, and it wasn't marketable as a tourist resource. It seemed like it would take quite a while to come up with a good idea.

Olivia spoke sincerely, but the Grand Duke blinked blankly. His eyelashes slowly cast shadows on his face.

Was I too harsh?

Just as Olivia was carefully retracing her words, the Grand Duke burst into a refreshing laugh.

"Hahaha. Do you think I would steal your victory, Princess?"

Seeing his eyes curved lazily as he laughed, Olivia felt a little embarrassed. She muttered to herself, "Or not," in a small voice.

The Grand Duke rested his elbow on his knee with a face full of smiles. Then, he leaned towards Olivia and propped up his chin.

"I want something other than material things."

Olivia's face brightened. If it wasn't material, she might be able to do it.

"Just tell me."

"Call me more affectionately?"

"Pardon?"

"That's right. They say relationships are revealed in the way people talk, but you still treat me formally, and you always maintain a distance by calling me by my title."

He seemed to be complaining, but it was more like a lament. Olivia chuckled. Not missing the opportunity, the Grand Duke leaned a little closer to Olivia.

"So. Will you try calling me?"

"......"

"You don't know my name, do you?"

"...Of course not. I've known Your Highness's name very well since that day."

"I am honored to reveal my name. It's Edwin Lowell Vikander."

The name he had told her with playful eyes.

Edwin Lowell Vikander.

Olivia unknowingly muttered the Grand Duke's name and then realized what she had done. The quick-witted man in front of her was already smiling.

"What? I can't hear you if you say it so softly."

He was lying blatantly with a face that said he had already heard everything.

What's the big deal about calling his name? Olivia shrugged as if it was nothing. And she was about to say it again, but then she closed her mouth.

"Why won't you call me?"

"......I called you earlier."

"I didn't hear you?"

The Grand Duke widened his eyes and tilted his head as if he hadn't done anything. It shouldn't be a big deal. Why is calling just one name so nerve-wracking?

After thinking for a moment, Olivia exclaimed softly, "Ah." Come to think of it, maybe it's because she had never been given permission to call someone by their name like this before.

Suddenly, Maria Etel, who had called Leopold's name so freely last time, came to mind. If she called his name, would she really become close to the Grand Duke?

A strange feeling swept through her heart.

Olivia faced the Grand Duke for a moment. The red eyes, sparkling like burning rubies, were looking at Olivia with anticipation.

"We're going to get married anyway."

"That's right. It's only natural to call each other by name when you're going to get married."

"It might look even more awkward if we don't."

Her small face, making excuses, was gradually flushing.

Was she about to burst if he touched her? The Grand Duke clasped his hands together tightly. He had barely created the atmosphere, and if he acted rashly, she might run away like a rabbit.

How cute.

Her innocent green eyes trembled slightly. Finally. Her red lips were about to part little by little.

"Your Highness."

A gruff voice broke into the carriage. Olivia's eyes widened. Her slowly opening lips snapped shut.

Barely suppressing his rising anger, the Grand Duke looked towards the driver's seat of the carriage.

"What is it?"

The voice that leaked through his teeth was heavy. He had held back as much as possible, thinking of Olivia, who had become a rabbit, but it seemed that his emotions had unknowingly leaked out.

"Haha." The Grand Duke laughed awkwardly. The coachman said with a troubled expression.

"There's a carriage parked in front of the Grand Duke's Residence. I think you should check it out."

"A carriage?"

The Grand Duke's resolve became even stronger as he looked out the window, vowing not to leave any carriage alone. Olivia, also curious, tried to look out the window.

It was then that the Grand Duke drew the curtain. Olivia blinked.

What is this?

"The moonlight is too strong."

"Yes? Suddenly?"

"It's getting late. It's better to draw the curtains since the night air is cold."

It was a random excuse. More than wondering what was outside, she found it more interesting that the Grand Duke was acting like this.

Before she knew it, the nagging to call his name had disappeared. Olivia pretended to be curious about the outside on purpose.

The Grand Duke, who was holding onto the curtain, urged the coachman to leave. The carriage started to pick up speed again.

"Olivia!"

The loud voice calling her name was familiar. Olivia unknowingly pulled down the Grand Duke's hand. His hand came down obediently, and the curtain fluttered open again, revealing the outside.

"Jade......"

Olivia murmured softly. A man with sparkling silver hair was standing in front of the Grand Duke's Residence's sturdy gate.

Undeniably, the Madeleine crest was emblazoned on the carriage in front of the Grand Duke's Residence.

Jade's face was visible in the moonlight. The moment his sharp face met Olivia's, the Grand Duke drew the curtain again.

"Pretend you didn't see anything. You can just pass by."

Jade's voice was heard once more, offering gentle words as if to soothe my heart.

"Come on out, Olivia."

The Grand Duke smiled kindly at me, as if he didn't mind, but Olivia was concerned about Jade outside.

Why? Why on earth would she come to the Grand Duke's Residence this late at night?

She hadn't looked for me until now, so she couldn't be here to take me back.

Olivia swallowed a bitter smile and looked at the Grand Duke. Even just looking at him, he seemed to understand Olivia's intentions. The Grand Duke sighed softly and pouted.

"You really want to talk to Lady Madeleine?"

"I'm going to kick her out so she can't come looking for me anymore."

Half of it was true, and the other half was for a different purpose. Olivia said calmly.

It was obvious what the Grand Duke was worried about. But as for being hurt again by Jade, I had long since become numb to sharp words.

"Well, if that's what milady wants."

The Grand Duke shrugged. And he stopped the carriage. The Grand Duke got out of the carriage and turned his back to Olivia, looking at Jade with sharp eyes.

"Your timing is terrible. Vice-Captain."

"...Greetings, Your Highness."

Despite the frosty words, Jade didn't shrink back, but instead fixed her gaze on Olivia.

The Grand Duke, who had instantly changed his expression to a friendly one, reached out his hand to Olivia. Olivia took the Grand Duke's hand and stared at Jade expressionlessly.

In that moment, Jade felt that something was wrong.

How... how can Olivia look at me like that?

Her heart felt empty and cold. This feeling was similar to the one she had felt on the last day of the victory banquet, when Olivia had passed her by.

"...I'm going to erase Madeleine from my life."

But Jade gritted her teeth. It was a lie. She knew better than anyone how obsessed Olivia was with Madeleine. That's why she hadn't left Madeleine Manor, even though she had been so tormented.

"I'll stay back. Shout right away if you need anything."

The Grand Duke, who had given Jade one last cold look, stepped back.

The way he was so protective of Olivia, as if she were family. Jade, who had been glaring at the Grand Duke, suddenly felt confused.

Like family.

This common modifier felt unfamiliar. If they were family, they should protect each other. Then what was Olivia to her?

Jade didn't think any further. Instead, she burst out in anger to vent the frustration that had been building up inside her.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"......"

"Erasing Madeleine. You just say ridiculous things and disappear? I, I."

Seeing Olivia gave her a strange sense of relief. Perhaps because of that, she couldn't quite remember what she was trying to say.

Esella was going to come here to see you, but she was confined to her room. Your maid is crying with Esella. So come home.

These simple words wouldn't come out of her mouth. It was then that Olivia slowly raised her head.

"...The ledgers for managing the estate are in the second drawer on the left. It will still be difficult for Esella to look at the ledgers. Talk to the butler and Baron Derek. The items managed vary by date. I'll send this in a letter,"

Olivia was talking about something else entirely. Ha. Did she think that by flaunting how much work she had done in the family, she would be absolved of this situation?

Jade ran a hand through her hair and interrupted Olivia.

"Forget about that. What are you talking about?"

"It's a handover."

Her voice was terribly dry.

Jade blinked and looked at Olivia. She was different from the Olivia she knew. That is.

"I told you, I'm not going back to Madeleine anymore."

She wasn't smiling.

"So, I'm going to make sure everything is clear now so that there are no problems later."

Olivia, who always smiled even though she had never said a kind word.

"Are you crazy?"

Jade reflexively grabbed Olivia's shoulder. Ah. Olivia frowned.

This was strange too. Olivia wasn't the type to show her pain like this. She was always strong. She was a sturdy child who could take all my tantrums.

Before she knew it, the strength in her hand had faded. Taking advantage of the gap, Olivia took two steps back. Her green eyes looked at Jade with a proper amount of caution.

No way. Jade was confused.

Jade had always lived in a haze of anger. From the moment she heard that her mother had died because of Olivia, who she thought was her sister, a great fire had always burned in her heart.

So she went to the battlefield. There were too many kids who looked like Olivia in that place, where she had gone hoping to clear her mind.

The illegitimate children of nobles who had floated all the way to the battlefield, hoping to gain merit in the war and become members of the family. The cynical guys who knew they had been abandoned and were trying to gain merit and make a fortune.

Jade always saw Olivia in them. But.

That wasn't the Olivia she knew.

Olivia was the kind of girl who always smiled like an idiot and looked at me as if she wanted something.

"...You've been so persistent and tenacious until now, and yet, just."

"Just?"

Olivia's calm voice suppressed Jade's words. Jade raised her head sharply.

"Lady Madeleine."

"Don't call me that! You too!"

You're Madeleine too.

These short words wouldn't come out, like a thorn stuck in her throat. Jade reflexively looked at Olivia. The resignation that she had always pretended to be okay with wasn't visible on Olivia's face.

"...I wasn't persistent and tenacious."

The moment Jade met Olivia's green eyes, she was speechless.

Those eyes, which had always seemed to want something, were empty. It felt like she had dared to glimpse something she shouldn't have.

"I was just doing my best for my family."

Family. Jade's face turned white. She felt like she had to say something, but she couldn't open her mouth. Olivia quietly looked at the carriage.

"Someday, they'll see."

"......"

"Someday, they'll recognize my efforts."

"......"

"Someday, they'll be on my side."

All the words stabbed Jade like daggers. Her lungs ached with every breath. It was a strange feeling. Jade clenched her fists tightly.

Olivia, who had been staring blankly at the carriage, smiled slowly.

"Someday, they'll accept me as family."

She couldn't open her mouth. It felt like this was her last chance. All Jade could do was bite down hard on the inside of her cheek.

At the end of a precarious smile that seemed like it would break at any moment, Olivia shrugged.

"But. I don't need to do that anymore."

"......"

"Now, I think I'm going to have a family."

A faint vitality spread over her dry voice. But before she could even see her expression, Olivia turned around. And she approached the gate of the Grand Duke's Residence.

The gate, which had been closed like an iron fortress, opened wide for Olivia. The moment the Grand Duke, who was standing in front of it, approached Olivia.

Jade staggered as if the strength had left her legs. Her vision blurred.

No way. She was more concerned about Olivia, who had gone inside, than about her own ridiculous appearance.

At the same time, Olivia's voice echoed in her head like a spell.

"But. I don't need to do that anymore."

She felt like she was suffocating.