Chapter 9
#009. Cutting Off a Lizard's Tail
The carriage started. Looking at the man sitting across from her, her blue rage subsided, and reality washed over her. Riding in a carriage with a man she barely knew. Such impulsive behavior was unlike her. Well, the man was just as strange. He readily brought a carriage at the suggestion of a woman he didn't know to go to the Imperial Palace. Nevertheless, she felt strangely at ease with this man. Perhaps it was because of his considerate actions. He had lent her a Robe when they left the coffee house. No one would have known she was Madeleine. Olivia fiddled with the black Robe covering her knees. Again, the bouquets and cards filled her mind. Gifts impersonating Leopold. So many flowers and gifts that they filled an entire room. Who dared? With what intention? Who dared to impersonate the noble Crown Prince? Who dared to look down on Madeleine, and on her?
“Here.”
“Yes?”
As Olivia blinked, the man held out a purple velvet box. Olivia took the box in a daze and paused for a moment.
“Where did you get this?”
“Well, from inside this carriage?”
“What is it?”
“You'll know if you open it, right?”
The man cleverly evaded her question with a sly smile. At the playful banter, Olivia opened the box. Inside the box was…
“Gloves?”
Olivia murmured. It was a unique and beautiful design she had never seen before. The intricately woven lace sparkled whenever it caught the light. Ahem, the man cleared his throat. Olivia, who had been looking at the gloves, looked at the man, who winked flirtatiously at Olivia.
“With this, you won't dismiss my words from last time, right? I really have everything that's precious, so just say the word.”
Was it supposed to be a gift? Olivia chuckled and was about to put on the gloves when she noticed the scratch marks on the back of her hand. Could he have seen it? Olivia quickly put on the gloves. She was worried about the size, but her hand slipped right into the glove. It was as if it had been custom-made. She raised her hand to look at the gloves, and she could see the man through her fingers. The moment their eyes met, Olivia felt a strange sensation and gathered her fingers together.
The man was not visible, but she could still feel his gaze. Before she knew it, the carriage had entered the only road leading to the Imperial Palace. Instead of the glamorous streets, Olivia saw the sturdy walls and the guards of the armed royal guard, and she spoke in a low voice.
“Let me off a little before the gate.”
“As you wish.”
The man conveyed Olivia's words to the small window connected to the driver's seat. The carriage headed to a place a little away from the Imperial Palace gate. The slowly decelerating carriage came to a stop. The distance to the gate was neither too close nor too far to walk. Without being asked, the man pulled the hood of the Robe all the way up. With his face hidden, the man looked like a family Knight. The man got out of the carriage first. Then, he held out his hand to Olivia as if to escort her. Feeling awkward about being escorted, Olivia stared at the large hand for a moment before lightly placing her hand on it. The man's hand, which she touched through the thin layer of lace gloves, was much firmer, larger, and warmer than she had expected. The Knights of the royal guard were approaching. Olivia turned to look at the man for a moment.
“...Olivia Madelaine. My name.”
“Olivia. It's a beautiful name.”
The man said as if he didn't care about the last name attached to her name. It sounded like he already knew she was a Madeleine. Olivia took a little more courage at the man's attitude.
“If I come out, will you tell me your name?”
The man did not answer. Olivia added quietly.
“...I won't be a bad card for you.”
Because Madeleine was thorough in her rewards. And even more clear in her revenge.
“Of course, it would be a very wonderful card, but unfortunately, it will be difficult today.”
She thought he would naturally say yes. The man, who had been so kind, drew a line. Olivia tried to hide her embarrassment.
“Okay, then. Thank you for your help.”
“It's not that I don't want to tell you my name. It's just that I have to go now.”
At the regretful voice, Olivia finally remembered what she had said.
“If I come out, will you tell me your name?”
With what confidence did she think that this man would naturally wait for her? Feeling as if her face was about to turn red with embarrassment, Olivia tried to let go of his hand. The man's hand, which had been touching her as if to escort her, did not let go of Olivia. When Olivia turned around, the man said with a smile in his voice.
“Next time. I'll definitely tell you my name next time. Along with the most precious gift.”
“...There probably aren't many gifts that I, a Madeleine, can't get, right?”
“Then, it has to be something so precious that everyone will envy you for you to accept it, Miss. For example.”
The man slowly trailed off.
“A sword that combines a treasured sword and jewels, the only one in the world.”
“...I'll look forward to it.”
Rather than the gift the man promised to give, Olivia calmed the pique that had risen when he said she could see the man one more time. Her hand fell away, and Olivia walked towards the Imperial Palace. The Knight who recognized Olivia bowed his head.
“Greetings, Madeleine. What brings you here?”
“I want to go to the Crown Prince's palace. Can I borrow a carriage for a moment?”
* * *
“Madeleine. What brings you here today? His Highness the Crown Prince has gone to Ruheirn Street to see you.”
As soon as she arrived at the Crown Prince's palace, the Chamberlain, standing in front of the lined-up attendants, greeted Olivia with a flustered face. Whether they had missed each other, or whether Leopold had not shown up at the meeting place. Many worries flashed across the Chamberlain's face.
“I'm coming from seeing His Highness the Crown Prince. Chamberlain. More than that. There's something I need to confirm.”
“Yes. Madeleine.”
The experienced Chamberlain immediately dismissed the people around him and led Olivia to the reception room. The door to the Crown Prince's reception room, where not a single sound could leak out, was closed. Olivia sat on the sofa in front of the tea table and stared straight at the Chamberlain.
“The Chamberlain probably knows. That His Highness the Crown Prince always sent flowers and gifts on the days he didn't come to our Wednesday appointments.”
“Yes. Madeleine. I know.”
“But. His Highness the Crown Prince didn't know.”
A look of 'ah' flashed across the Chamberlain's face.
“Is the person who tried to insult me the Chamberlain?”
“Madeleine, no. Insult? I was just.”
The Chamberlain couldn't finish his sentence.
“Did the Chamberlain send the cards too?”
“What card are you talking about?”
The Chamberlain's words were cut off for a moment as if he was flustered. Olivia smiled coldly.
“You didn't even know that there were cards impersonating His Highness mixed in with the gifts sent from the Crown Prince's palace. Chamberlain.”
“Wh, what!”
The Chamberlain's eyes widened as much as possible. Leaving behind the storm brewing in the reception room, one of the Crown Prince's maids crossed the backyard, suppressing her voice. The maid was heading towards the Empress's palace. . . .
“So.”
Olivia counted her fingers one by one.
“It's true that the Crown Prince's palace sent me gifts, but you can't reveal who sent them. And you don't know anything about the cards.”
“……”
“...Is that all the Chamberlain can say?”
“...I'm sorry. Madeleine.”
“Chamberlain.”
“...Yes. Madeleine.”
“I don't know if you know this, but I quite like people like the Chamberlain.”
Instead of answering, the Chamberlain stared at Olivia silently. His eyes were trying to gauge the intention behind her sudden words. The steadfast Chamberlain who had assisted Leopold since he was young. Olivia smiled brightly.
“Whether it's a gift or flowers. What really matters? No matter who sent it with what intention, I think it had its value if it was sent from the Crown Prince's palace and soothed my heart.”
“Madeleine.”
“But not the cards.”
The Chamberlain's eyes shook again when the story of the cards came up. Olivia couldn't believe those eyes that really didn't know. Especially if it was a loyal person like the Chamberlain.
“...I can't believe it. In this palace, a card impersonating a member of the Imperial Family, even His Highness the Crown Prince, was sent to Madeleine. Such a thing.”
“It happened. The Chamberlain didn't even know the cards were delivered. So that's why I came all the way here today, isn't it?”
“……”
“Nevertheless, if the Chamberlain doesn't step forward, there's a limit to what I can reveal. The Chamberlain knows better than anyone that I, a Madeleine who is not even the official Crown Princess Consort yet, have no authority to order the Crown Prince's Chamberlain.”
Olivia smiled bitterly. The Chamberlain did not answer.
“But what does it matter if you overstep your authority with the chamberlains of the Tiazza Palace who have been granted authority? At most, rumors will spread that the lady is acting outrageously. And as you know, two months ago, the Chamberlain's youngest son entered the Tiazza Palace as an apprentice chamberlain.”
“……!!!”
The Chamberlain's face, which was like a solid mask, shattered in an instant. He should have realized. The Chamberlain gathered his trembling hands and squeezed them tightly. A year ago, the lady was granted control of the Tiazza Palace, the Crown Prince's palace. Compared to previous fiancées who usually received control of the palace within two years of their engagement, it was a very late start. The Empress used the excuse that the lady lacked ability. But all the chamberlains knew that the lady was capable enough to take over the Princess's work. As soon as she took control, the first thing the lady did was to select an apprentice chamberlain. All the chamberlains sent their families, hearing that even inexperienced children could be sent to the Tiazza Palace. The Chamberlain sent his youngest son, who was born late and had little to inherit in terms of title or property. All the chamberlains thought they were planting their own people in the Crown Princess Consort's palace. In the end, no one knew that it would return as shackles. As the chamberlains had calculated, the lady must have been calculating as well. Olivia looked at the Chamberlain calmly. Beneath that calmness, a frosty reprimand poured out.
“You dared to disgrace House Madeleine. Should I remain still after this?”
“L, Lady Olivia.”
The Chamberlain hurriedly bowed his head towards Olivia.
“Have mercy, just once, Lady Olivia. Please, have mercy just once.”
So Olivia spoke more kindly.
“Chamberlain, you don't have to go this far. As I said, I want to maintain a good relationship with you. So, for your sake, I won't ask who sent the flowers and gifts.”
“Thank you, thank you, Lady Olivia.”
“Instead, find out who inserted the card.”
“Yes. Yes, Lady Olivia.”
“Of course, this is a favor I'm asking of you.”
Olivia smiled faintly. The Chamberlain hurriedly left the reception room. Olivia, who had maintained a straight posture until the moment the door closed, quietly sighed in the now quiet reception room. She was lucky. The Chamberlain of the Crown Prince's palace was the one who pitied her the most among the four palace chamberlains. If he hadn't looked down on her, things wouldn't have been resolved so easily. Then, suddenly, she felt strange when she remembered the Chamberlain's face turning pale when she mentioned his youngest son. Is that what fathers are usually like? Would they try to protect their children that much? Her father came to mind. It had already been several days since she had seen her father. Her father, who always frowned when he looked at her. Olivia moved her lips and hoped that the Chamberlain would catch the culprit soon. But, unlike Olivia's expectations, the maid that the Chamberlain brought as the culprit opened her mouth very easily.
“I just did as Countess Chase told me to! Please save me, Lady Olivia. I was wrong!”
The maid, kneeling and begging while crying, looked like a child who was only fourteen or fifteen years old. Countess Chase. The countess who looked down on her in the Crown Princess Consort's palace. A maid who was like the Empress's limb. Olivia rubbed her throbbing head. It seemed the Empress was going to cut off a lizard's tail. * * * At that time, Duke Giovanni Madeleine entered the Empress's palace reception room. The Empress greeted the Duke with a welcoming smile. Her face was as beautiful as a rose, but the Duke knew well that the Empress's true nature was like a thorn coated with poison.
“I pay homage to the moon of the Empire. I greet Her Majesty the Empress.”
At the Duke's greeting, his aide Sir Huxley presented a bouquet of flowers to the Empress.
“Oh my, such wonderful flowers. Thank you for visiting despite the sudden request, Duke.”
“I heard you had something to say.”
The Duke immediately got to the point. The Empress looked at the Duke's back with a troubled face. Feeling disgusted by that obvious gaze, the Duke looked behind him. Among the Empress's standing maids, there was a woman trembling with a particularly pale face. It was a face unfamiliar to the Duke, who knew all of the Empress's people. If so, then Countess Chase, who had recently arrived. The Empress spoke with difficulty.
“It's an embarrassing rumor, but the Duke must have heard it too. Olivia, that lovely child, is spending Wednesday afternoons alone, you see.”
Olivia. As soon as that name came out, the Duke's lips hardened. The Empress was truly delighted by the only weakness that made this statue-like man show emotion. Goodness. Who would have known that Giovanni Madeleine, the Empire's most upright man who was sincere to his wife, would create a bastard child. The Empress recalled the rumor that had stirred the Empire fourteen years ago. It was one of the Empress's few joys to see Madeleine, the pillar of the imperial faction that opposed her aristocratic family, acting so sharply.
“It's truly regrettable. I should talk to the Crown Prince more about it.”
“If that's all you have to say, I'll be on my way.”
“Oh, dear. How should I say this?”
The Empress continued to drag out her words, gauging the Duke's inner thoughts.
“I told the Chamberlain of the Crown Prince's palace to prepare a gift to soothe Olivia's disappointment, but a maid privately added words of comfort, you see.”
“……”
“I understand her feelings, but if she acts so rashly out of resentment, wouldn't various rumors circulate? But she would listen to what her father says, right? I don't want to not see Olivia over such a trivial matter.”
She was beating around the bush, but the conclusion was one. To pressure Olivia to stay still. The Empress sparkled evilly.
