Chapter 96
#096. Can Misfortune Be Prevented?
A grand banquet hall.
Despite it still being early evening, the banquet hall was filled with nobles and delegations.
Magnificent music echoed through the crowd. The rhythmic drumming approached like a wave, crashing against Duke Madeleine as well. The Duke frowned and massaged the back of his neck.
His head throbbed with every drumbeat. The nape of his neck prickled uncomfortably. More than anyone, the Duke knew that the drumming wasn't the sole cause of this discomfort.
His breathing grew rapid. As he turned to get some air, Conrad came into view. The Duke's gaze turned coldly sharp.
As if it were nothing that Conrad had blocked him in front of the Imperial Palace earlier, he was now dealing with the delegations as if nothing had happened.
"The person you should resent isn't her."
Conrad had caused him to miss Olivia at close range. When he asked what he was doing, Conrad's answer was just that.
Disappointment filled his mouth. Though he didn't express it, he had been a proud son whom he trusted enough to entrust the family to.
But all he could say was that it wasn't her fault. Then who was he supposed to resent? A sudden dizziness washed over him.
It was something he had never considered. If not her, then who on earth was he supposed to resent…!
Cutting off the dizzying thoughts, the Duke attacked Conrad with sharp words.
"So, are you saying we should push your sister into the Imperial Family instead of her?"
Conrad couldn't answer. The Duke, looking at his incompetent son, turned away coldly.
The words he had heard from the Empress' Palace were more important to him than his son's words, which didn't even offer a proper solution.
"The affection you've nurtured must have become meaningless, Duke. The commoner girl herself said she was just a lady with no family. Did you know?"
Esella had said she was going to a Tea Party, and it seemed Olivia had also attended. The Empress, who was always on edge, shook Esella as a hostage, as always, asking what kind of conversation they had.
"I thought we were on the same side. It seems the Duke is determined to give up his second daughter."
"I'm serious, Duke. Just as much as I want the Emperor and the Duke's bond to be strong, I want the Crown Prince's position to be solid. So the position of Crown Princess Consort will unconditionally be the Duke's daughter. But it's up to the Duke to decide who that will be."
The Empress' voice seeped in like a snake.
When his amethyst eyes, filled with anger, turned as cold as frost, the Duke reaffirmed his decision.
No matter what, he had to prevent the misfortune that would befall his precious daughter.
That was the way he could atone to his daughter as a father, and to Hazel as an incompetent husband.
Clang-.
Suddenly, the sound of a crystal glass breaking loudly echoed through the banquet hall. Duke Madeleine looked towards the source of the sound.
The Princess was standing where everyone's attention was focused. She stared blankly at the broken glass shards, and her movements seemed awkward as she moved away at the urging of the nobles.
Come to think of it, when he had encountered the Princess on his way out of the Empress' reception room earlier, she had had the same expression.
Strangely,
A deathly pale face.
* * *
"The Chamberlain of the Imperial Palace visited the Preservation Archives. He is said to be looking for Count Yubler."
How much has His Majesty the Emperor noticed?
Even that the Abandoned Mine is no longer mine? Or even that it has fallen into the hands of the commoner girl he so underestimated?
She had only guessed, but the Princess couldn't breathe as if someone was tightening her ribcage.
Her blood ran cold, and she felt a chill. All sounds became muffled and distant. Her hands trembled uncontrollably.
Clang-.
"Are you alright, Your Highness?"
A loud crash and a fussing voice were heard. Ah, this is the banquet hall.
The Princess grasped her dizzying mind. And she looked around and said.
"Ah, excuse me. I just don't have any strength in my hands today."
"Still! You've been spacing out since earlier. Are you not feeling well? Why did you come to the banquet right after the Tea Party? You should rest now, Your Highness."
Lady Libeorn made a fuss and grabbed the Princess' hand. There were no wounds on her fair and beautiful hands,
Lady Libeorn paused for a moment.
The tips of the Princess' elaborately decorated nails were a mess. As if a young nephew had bitten his nails with his teeth.
Come to think of it, there was a faint red mark on the back of the Princess' hand. That mark, like a small crescent moon, was…
"Excuse me, Your Highness. I will clean this up soon as it is dangerous."
A servant who had rushed over quickly cleaned up the shattered glass shards. The Empress' Palace crest was embroidered on the servant's sleeve.
The Summer Ball is entirely under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Princess Palace.
It seemed that Lady Libeorn wasn't the only one who found it strange. The ladies surrounding the Princess also exchanged glances.
The Princess' actions had been different from usual since this Summer Ball. She was rushing without any composure, and her appearance seemed unprepared, which was unlike the Princess who pursued perfection.
Even today, she was unusually pale.
To be exact, it was after hearing the words of her nanny, Baroness Luhan, who had approached her urgently during the Tea Party.
Could something have happened?
But the Princess didn't even notice these subtle gazes, and she clenched and unclenched her fists.
"…It's not as easy as I thought, Princess. But the person I sent to Vicander will bring good information soon. I put pressure on Duke Madeleine a little while ago. So just be patient and quiet for now…"
Recalling the Empress' words, everything went dark. It wasn't easy for her mother, the Empress, to take even one mine document from Olivia. She didn't even remember what the rest of the words were.
It felt like everything was pressing down on her.
The lights of the chandelier, which always illuminated her, were dazzling today. The lights reflected and blurred the Princess' vision.
The incessantly ringing dance music and the chattering sounds around her tightened her. As she gasped for breath, the nobles around her continued to speak to the Princess.
The Princess smiled unconsciously. Hahaha.
Suddenly, the surrounding words stopped.
What, did something go wrong again?
Instantly, she felt cold sweat flowing under her tightly laced corset.
All the noise, the dazzling lights, the pounding drums, and the booming melodies of the brass instruments made the Princess' heart beat anxiously.
It was suffocating. No, it was unfair.
Why did the situation go so wrong? The Princess clasped her hands together and dug her nails into the back of her hand.
Now, before His Majesty arrives, is the last chance.
Even though her brother and Her Majesty the Empress are not here, she had to lure Olivia and get the mine back, even now.
Whether it was the fake Necklace of Le Calle she had received, her fertile territory, or her brother's affection, she had to bet whatever she could.
If she didn't, she might really fall out of favor with His Majesty the Emperor. Amidst the fear that was spreading like wildfire, the buzzing sounds of flies crept in again. The sharply heightened nerves were stretched taut.
The Princess, who could no longer bear it, shouted.
"…Please, be quiet!"
All sounds stopped abruptly.
The Princess' fierce shout echoed slowly across the high-ceilinged banquet hall. Quiet. Please, be quiet!
Only then did the Princess come to her senses. The eyes of the nobles who had been watching her worriedly gradually turned cold. The Princess hurriedly grabbed the hand of Lady Libeorn, who was next to her.
"I'm sorry, Bianca. I'm just not in my right mind because of the banquet."
"…No. Your Highness. It seems my voice, which recommended you to rest, was too loud."
At the same time as the blunt voice, Lady Libeorn quietly pulled her hand away. Lady Libeorn, who was her playmate, sometimes acted narrow-mindedly like this.
But the Princess knew how to appease her well. She could easily turn her back around.
"Bianca, no. I was too much just now. It was your sincerity."
Like now. Lady Libeorn's sullen face softened a little. The Princess smiled apologetically at everyone. And she kindly suggested.
"Shall we go up and rest together for a while?"
"…Then."
When Lady Libeorn, who had been hesitating, gave in, the other nobles also expressed their agreement. The Princess smiled generously and took the ladies' hands to lead them.
It was then.
"Miss Olivia is entering!"
The Princess dropped the ladies' hands with a thud. What entered the hall following the servant's cry from afar was clearly Olivia. The embarrassed ladies looked at the Princess, but the Princess couldn't care about them.
"Excuse me for a moment."
"Your, Your Highness!"
She knew that the sound of her being called from behind was echoing, but she couldn't stop walking.
She could regain the nobles' favor as much as she wanted. But not the mine.
Without the mine, she couldn't avoid His Majesty the Emperor's wrath. So it was only natural that she was running towards Olivia at this moment.
"Misfortune in my life? There's no such thing."
The Princess muttered in the midst of her breathlessness.
She could still prevent this misfortune. Looking at Olivia, who was coming down the stairs in the distance, the Princess smiled with elation.
* * *
"I was sorry that our long-awaited reunion was so short! Let's talk for a moment, Commoner Girl. "
Olivia silently stared at the panting Princess.
Of course, the nobles' attention was focused on the banquet host's invitation. The gazes trying to figure out what was going on were sharp.
After meeting Edwin's smiling gaze, Olivia silently straightened her back.
Under the glittering chandelier light, the dignified, colorful dress shone. The Magic stone necklace and diamond necklace worn in two layers, the platinum earrings dangling from her earlobes, and the radiant jewel decorations on her elegantly styled hair.
Her dignified appearance, in contrast to the Princess' disheveled attire, was etched in everyone's minds.
Meanwhile, the Princess shouted again in a shrill voice.
"Commoner Girl! Can't you hear me?"
"…I told you, Your Highness. I'm no longer a Commoner Girl."
Huh? The eyes of the nobles who had not attended the Tea Party widened. The nobles, surprised by the declaration-like words, did not see the faces of Duke Madeleine and the Young Duke distorted as well as the Princess.
But Edwin, who had checked everyone, recalled what Olivia had said before entering the banquet hall a little while ago.
"…Actually, the reason I came here is out of spite."
"Yes?"
"I thought I had finished everything at the Tea Party earlier, but when I thought about it, it seemed like there was something unresolved."
"……."
"So I came. Fully armed."
Waving the hand wearing the gloves Edwin had gifted her, Olivia smiled playfully. Olivia, befitting her glittering attire, entered with a determined look and whispered.
"…So, will you watch me today? I want to finish everything for sure today."
"I'll be back for a moment, Edwin."
Olivia's voice overlapped again. Edwin smiled at the voice that even felt solemn.
"As much as you want, Olivia. While you're gone…"
Edwin shrugged and pointed to himself, Winster, and Howard.
"Please, don't forget that your precious Knights are behind you."
Clang-. With a light bell sound, Edwin kissed the back of Olivia's hand, which he was holding for escort.
"Whatever. Do as you please. I will be here cheering, not watching. You know what I mean, right?"
The red eyes that did not take their eyes off her spoke with pure faith.
It was the perfect answer.
Olivia smiled brightly and moved to the balcony first.
.
.
.
"Hand over the mine to me, Commoner Girl. No, Lady."
Inside the quiet balcony.
The Princess commanded as if spitting it out. Perhaps it was the effect of speaking coldly while trying to hide her impatience. Olivia, who had blinked for a moment, quietly looked at the Princess.
It was when the silence of several seconds began to pressure the Princess.
Olivia burst into a tinkling laugh.
