Chapter 60
#060. Hidden Prelude to the Summer Ball
"Then, I shall take my leave."
The Baron and Baroness, along with the Knight, repeatedly turned to look at the Princess.
The Princess, who had been smiling elegantly, collapsed onto the sofa the moment the door closed. A look of satisfaction spread across her beautiful face.
"It was something that could be resolved this easily, Nanny. Right?"
"It is all thanks to Your Highness's brilliant plan."
Baroness Luhan looked at the Princess with genuine admiration.
Just a moment ago, the Princess, with a captivating smile, had quickly won the Knight she had summoned over to her side.
"To think you had sworn a Knight's oath to me, I am truly grateful. As my Knight, you would be able to grant me a favor or two, wouldn't you?"
The youthful Knight, his face flushed, nodded at the Princess's words. Even to the request to keep the five-day schedule a secret, a request that went against the Imperial order.
The Princess, on a roll, even called the Baron and Baroness to express her sincere gratitude.
"Thanks to the Baron and Baroness, I was able to carry out His Majesty's command."
The Baron and Baroness couldn't hide their suspicion for a moment. The Princess hadn't done anything since entering the Baron's residence.
But having confirmed the expected reaction, the Princess smoothly continued.
"I would like to repay you for that. How about I invite you to the Imperial Palace's Summer Ball?"
At the Princess's words, the rural nobles, the Baron and Baroness, nodded enthusiastically with bright faces, without refusing even once.
Seeing the Baron and Baroness so eager to give everything, the Princess made a 'small request' in a low voice before elegantly dismissing them.
And at this moment, she smiled radiantly, as if all her worries had been resolved.
"So, Nanny, make sure to instruct the other maids well. I visited the Territory of Vikander, confirmed the investigation of the trustworthy maid I sent ahead, and am now leaving this place in a hurry to return to the Imperial Palace within five days, as per the Imperial order."
* * *
Meanwhile, even when the Knight who had come out to the hallway had moved far away, the Baron and Baroness, unable to leave the door of the room where the Princess was staying, looked at each other with disbelief.
"Goodness, dear. We're going to the Summer Ball. This isn't a dream, is it?"
"Of course! I heard it too!"
The bewildered couple looked at each other before embracing tightly.
This wasn't what they had hoped for, the Baroness kept saying. The Baron patted the Baroness, but couldn't help the corners of his mouth from turning up.
Finally, the Katanta Barony was entering the capital. But even though the thing he had always wanted was unfolding before his eyes, a sense of unease remained somewhere in the Baron's heart.
"I only stopped by here for a very short time. You understand, Baron?"
The Baron and Baroness knew best that the Princess hadn't done anything while staying at the Baron's residence.
And yet, the Princess had already resolved the Emperor's command.
Seeing the Baron tilting his head in question, the Princess raised one corner of her mouth slightly and continued.
"...Invariably, trivial talk comes from the underlings. Make sure you properly control the mouths of your underlings, Baron. So that stories don't circulate that I stayed here for a long time. Do you understand what I mean?"
Recalling the way her sea-blue eyes, which had seemed so delicate, had flashed sharply and tightened around his neck, the Baron shuddered without realizing it.
That chilling face was completely different from the Saintess-like Princess he had only heard about in rumors. The Baroness, who had suddenly become quiet, seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"...But, is it really okay for us to go to the ball?"
The Baroness, looking anxiously at the Baron, looked around the hallway and said in a small voice.
"I heard the head maid heard a strange rumor yesterday. That Her Highness, well, about our Katanta Barony..."
"Oh, come on, nonsense. Are you going to dwell on such trivial matters when you have such a good thing ahead of you?"
The Baron scolded, quickly cutting off the Baroness's voice, which was becoming increasingly secretive. The Baroness shrugged awkwardly.
"No, well, just saying."
"We're going to the Summer Ball. The Summer Ball you've wanted to go to so badly."
At the Baron's coaxing voice, the Baroness looked dazed.
"So, thoroughly control the household as Her Highness said. Understood?"
Neither the Baroness, who nodded energetically, nor the Baron, who was pleased with that reaction, knew at this time.
"Goodness. That Saintess-like Princess?"
The story of the Princess, which they thought had only spread within the Baron's residence.
"That's right. And last night, she was yelling at the Imperial Palace maid like that."
Like an uncontrollable wildfire, to the next territory, and then to the next.
"I heard it too. Do you think that's all? The dishes I brought were thrown away because they were dirty, so the maids had to carry the plates directly from the kitchen?"
It had quickly moved to the threshold of the capital where the Imperial Palace was located.
* * *
Imperial Palace, where brilliant sunlight permeated.
Duke Madeleine, who had left the Emperor's office, moved silently. Sir Huxley, the adjutant, tried to guess what had happened, watching him carefully, but it was in vain.
There were countless times when Duke Madeleine wore such a cold face.
The Duke, who had been walking with perfect posture, finally frowned slightly when he reached the rear garden.
"...At the Summer Ball that will be held soon, I will be able to see the changed appearance of the first Madeleine."
With such an explicit order given, there was no time to wait for Jade, who had no news.
He had to send a messenger to the Territory of Vikander to tell Olivia to visit the Ducal Palace as soon as possible.
"I will erase Madeleine, everything."
At the sudden voice of Olivia, the Duke's eyes narrowed sharply.
Even if that child was putting up a futile resistance, Olivia, who had always craved his attention, would quickly give up her stubbornness and return, setting aside all other matters.
As Duke Madeleine extended his thoughts, he paused for a moment. And he mulled over a sentence that felt somewhat uncomfortable.
'Will return'. Now he was referring to Madeleine as the place where that child would return.
It was as if that child's absurd claim that Madeleine was her home and family had become contagious to him.
Well, fourteen years was enough time for even such insignificant thoughts to be transferred. Otherwise, there was no way he would have such a lenient thought about 'that child'.
"Long time no see, Duke."
A languid voice pierced through his thoughts. It was Crown Prince Leopold. The Crown Prince, wearing a splendid uniform, approached the Duke.
The Duke paid his respects without changing his expression.
"...Greetings, Your Highness."
"Does the Duke know anything about Olivia's news?"
At the sudden question, the Duke looked at Leopold for a moment. Leopold, facing the Duke's face, where emotions could not be discerned, shrugged first.
"I sent some people to where Olivia is, but for some reason, there's no news at all. She's my fiancée, so I'm worried about whether she's doing well in that harsh and cold place."
His handsome face spoke with feigned concern.
But everyone in this place knew that the concern was just a smooth pleasantry that would disappear like smoke.
So the Duke answered indirectly.
"I will tell her to contact Your Highness soon."
It was the most appropriate thing to say to end this empty conversation. The Duke bowed again, hoping that the Crown Prince would pass by quickly. But instead of moving, the Crown Prince opened his mouth again.
"Oh dear, it seems the Duke doesn't know the news of my fiancée properly either."
At the sharp tone, the Duke raised his head. Leopold's eyes smiled fiercely as he looked at the Duke.
"At this rate, I wonder if I can trust the Duke and wait a year."
"Your Highness!"
Before the Duke could say anything, a clear voice calling for Leopold was heard from afar. Maria Etel, dressed splendidly, was waving cheerfully.
Tsk, a sound of displeasure scattered.
And before the Duke could speak again, Leopold moved away and said quietly.
"Anyway, I'll wait for your call, as the Duke said."
"Yes, Your Highness."
With those words, the conversation ended. In a fleeting moment that no one could see, a restless impatience flashed across the Crown Prince's handsome face.
Maria Etel, who had approached the Crown Prince, smiled brightly like a blooming rose. Maria Etel's face hardened for a moment as she looked at the Duke, but that was all.
Soon, Maria, who had boldly linked her arm with the Crown Prince's, moved away, chattering.
"Your Highness, I've been thinking about our engagement ceremony."
As Maria Etel's clear voice faded away, the Duke couldn't shake off a feeling of discomfort.
Was there an error in his thinking, as before? Or was there something out of place in the decoration of this rear garden?
As he quickly analyzed, the Duke realized where his gaze was directed and swallowed a hollow breath.
The Crown Prince and Maria Etel, already far away.
A pair of beautiful lovers who roamed the social circles.
Behind them was Olivia Madelaine, who always followed the lovers at a proper distance.
Only when the image that came to mind was etched in his eyes like an afterimage did the Duke shake his head in surprise.
He had only felt a sense of alienation for a moment because the familiar appearance had disappeared. The Duke, having sorted out his thoughts, ordered Sir Huxley.
"Send a letter to the Territory of Vikander. Tell Olivia to visit the Ducal Palace as soon as possible."
.
.
.
"But my Maria, isn't preparing for the Summer Ball more urgent than the engagement ceremony right now?"
Maria's eyes widened at Leopold's pointed words. Her beautiful blue eyes trembled slightly as she avoided Leopold's gaze.
The Summer Ball was the Princess's pride and a grand event of the Imperial Palace. To entrust such an event to her, who had no experience in hosting a ball.
Maria tried to erase her dejected look and said.
"H, but... the Princess has always hosted the Summer Ball so wonderfully that I'm worried I'll cause harm. I was thinking it would be better for the Princess to prepare."
Maria's voice gradually became smaller and turned into a mumble. And she shook Leopold's arm as if to be cute.
"Leopold, please take my side. If you could say something to the Empress,"
"Maria."
Leopold called Maria through gritted teeth. It was an attempt to suppress his anger as much as possible, but Maria was startled and frozen, looking up at him.
His head throbbed. Leopold pressed his temple briefly and said as if spitting it out.
"Didn't you hear from Baroness Sophron? What the duties of the Crown Princess Consort are?"
It was a somewhat refined voice for Leopold, but he couldn't erase the hint of reproach. Tears welled up in Maria's eyes.
He had always thought that her innocent appearance was lovely. But today, Leopold found it difficult to look at Maria's face.
His lovely and pitiful lover. Maria, whom he wanted to do anything for. But since the day before yesterday, what filled Leopold's head was other news.
"Your Highness. The messenger who went to the Territory of Vikander has gone silent."
"Send another one."
What's the problem. Leopold reacted nonchalantly. But Count Hagis, who was flustered, said carefully.
"That's... actually, the messenger went silent a few days ago, so we sent two more, but all three have gone silent."
The messenger sent from the Crown Prince's Palace had gone silent. And all of them were on their way to the Territory of Vikander.
His father's dog must have done something. Leopold couldn't erase his displeasure when he was completely cut off from Olivia, whom he had been relieved to know he could contact at any time.
If it had been before, Olivia should have sent news first. To not have contacted him even once so far. It was extremely offensive.
In the midst of all this, Maria was making him sick.
...It seems like this didn't happen with Olivia.
Leopold tried to suppress his displeased feelings and looked into Maria's face.
Tears were welling up in each strand of her golden, abundant eyelashes. Leopold clicked his tongue softly and tried to calm his anger.
"...Don't cry. It makes me so upset when you cry. You said you'd show me a good side."
"I'll, I'll do better again."
Maria Etel's voice trembled pitifully. Only then did Leopold hug Maria. As soon as Maria was in his arms, Leopold whispered sweetly.
"It's an important time, Maria. You know that, right? At least you shouldn't hear that you're lacking compared to Olivia."
Maria's eyes, which had been relaxing at the sweet voice, sank as black as if they were empty for a moment. At the same time, her heart dropped.
To bring up the name of that half-baked Olivia of all people. And to awaken the traces of his old fiancée to this extent.
How. How could Leopold do this to her.
She was sad about all this situation, but Maria swallowed her venom. And she gave the answer that Leopold liked the most.
"...Yes."
Leopold's satisfied smile was heard, but Maria couldn't smile.
That Olivia, Olivia, Olivia!
Even in Tiaje Palace, the touch of that lowly Olivia Madelaine was everywhere she went.
"Ah, that was done by Madeleine."
"Until now, the Madeleine has handled things this way."
She was sick and tired of Olivia's name coming up whenever she did something.
It wouldn't be bad to overturn everything this time.
To completely erase the previous memories with a completely new style of ball.
To make people never forget her ball, and to firmly imprint her on Leopold as well.
...For example, to make the ball itself her engagement ceremony!
Maria Etel's eyes shone brightly at the good idea that suddenly came to her mind. The corners of her red lips turned up crookedly.
* * *
At the same time, Ducal Palace.
Lying in bed, Olivia was deep in thought. After waking up from a sound sleep, her mind, which had become clear, was busy with various ways to make the White Crystal Mine jointly owned.
And soon after, Olivia's green eyes sparkled intelligently.
She had a very good idea.
A very good idea to give this White Crystal Mine to Edwin as a gift.
As she imagined Edwin's happy face, a happy smile spread across Olivia's face as well.
