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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 16
Chapter Title: Breaking Ties
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Returning to the hall, I tilted my head at the sudden murmurings around me. It sounded like it was starting up again.
"What's going on?"
I was puzzled as I walked along when a loud commotion rang out, followed by the sound of someone tumbling over.
And wouldn't you know it—the person who'd fallen was none other than Diana Rike.
"Roena. Hngguu."
Diana teared up and pulled a pitiful expression the moment she spotted me. Standing in front of her was Akid.
Akid looked flustered when he saw me. I glanced back and forth between him and Diana.
A fallen Diana and a panicked Akid. No way...!
It was a situation I didn't need video proof for—I bolted straight over to Akid.
"Young Grand Duke, are you all right?!"
"Pardon?"
"Did Diana bully you again or something?"
"No, I..."
I bit my lower lip hard, watching Akid stand there like a mute fool once more. Then I whipped around and shot a glare at Diana, who was sitting on the floor.
Dare to mess with my baby?
I fixed her with a fierce tiger's glare, eyes bulging wide.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"Ro-Roena! I didn't do anything! If anything, the Young Grand Duke is the one who pushed me..."
Diana pulled an utterly aggrieved face—she clearly hadn't expected me to defend Akid.
But I had zero intention of taking her word at face value.
"My husband wouldn't just shove you out of nowhere."
"What?"
"You must've done something wrong. Or maybe you tripped over your own feet."
Right. Our sweet, gentle Akid would never shove anyone. Diana had to be framing him.
Diana clutched the hem of her dress as I took Akid's side without a second thought. Her shocked expression was quite the spectacle.
"H-how could you take his side against me?!"
As Diana trembled violently, her little posse jumped in to defend her.
"We saw it. The Young Grand Duke pushed Diana."
"That's right! I'm not lying! Do you have any idea how scary your husband was to me?"
Diana exploded in anger and burst into loud sobs, her gestures screaming mortal injustice.
I sneaked a peek at Akid amid their barrage.
He stiffened, lips parting to offer some defense, but I turned back to Diana.
Then, just like the original Roena, I crossed my legs arrogantly and sneered.
"So what?"
"What?"
"Why whine to me about your little tumble? Who do you think you are?"
"How can you not take my side?"
"You're talking nonsense. Why should I side with you over my own family? We're total strangers."
"Strangers? We're friends!"
"Precisely, we were friends."
"...!"
"But not anymore. I'm sick of hanging out with you lot. So quit harassing my husband and scram."
I flashed a bright smile and politely pointed toward the door.
Roena had always been fickle. Diana had just been good at handling it, which was why they'd stuck together so long.
Ending a friendship that was already on the rocks a little early wouldn't be an issue.
My reputation was trashed beyond repair anyway—Diana could gossip all she wanted, and it'd roll right off.
Diana shrieked, her face twisted in humiliation.
"Fine! Friendship over!"
Yes. Music to my ears.
I nodded with a sweet smile, and Diana shook with rage before leaping to her feet and storming off.
I waved a fond farewell to her trailing posse.
Was nice while it lasted. Let's never cross paths again, kids.
Then I spun toward Akid.
"You really okay? They didn't bully you, did they?"
How sneaky, ganging up on one person like that.
If I'd known, I'd have stuck right by Akid's side!
I pictured his distress and plastered on the most woeful expression I could muster. Akid blinked at me, somewhat dazed, and asked.
"What would you have done if I had pushed Lady Rike on purpose?"
Confusion flickered in his eyes. He probably hadn't expected me to back him up.
I grabbed his hand and beamed.
"Did you?"
"No. I didn't push her."
"Knew it."
Our Akid wasn't the type to pick fights with just anyone.
I nodded vigorously, and he gave me an odd look. He stared down at our clasped hands and murmured.
"Wasn't okay before... but now I am. Because Roena took my side."
With that, he squeezed my hand tight—a perfect imitation of an overgrown puppy.
I lost myself in Akid's flawless beauty for a moment, then replayed his words and went wide-eyed.
"Wh-what did you just say?"
"Thanks for having my back."
"No, before that—what did you call me?"
"You mean Roena?"
Yes! That!
Akid's sudden strike left me flapping my lips like a fish.
"Y-you just said my name, right?"
"Yes. Right, Roena."
Akid grinned and toyed with the back of my hand.
Was it my imagination, or did he look... happy?
What was this? What wind blew in to make him call me Roena all of a sudden?
"Wife" was lovely, but my name felt thrilling in a whole different way. Like I'd finally been acknowledged.
They say names exist to be called by others. A tsunami of emotion crashed over me at the sound of mine on Akid's lips.
I was too moved to speak. He leaned in to meet my gaze, dipped his eyes shyly, and asked.
"Did it bother you? Should I stop?"
Was that a pathetic yelp I heard? Nah, had to be my imagination.
I frantically shook my head.
"N-no! Call me! Wife's fine, Roena's great too!"
I fussed in panic at the thought he might never say it again, and he smirked like he'd known all along.
"Got it, Roena."
That heart-stopping smile was right there in front of me.
Meanwhile, the noble ladies were deep into a chess game at the Hadellus family villa. Elena was moments from toppling her opponent's king with a bishop.
"Uheeng, Mommy!"
Diana Rike threw herself into Countess Rike's arms, sniffling pitifully.
Countess Rike abandoned the board mid-game and cupped her daughter's face.
"Dana! What's wrong with your face? Who bullied you?"
"Hngguu. Roena... the Young Grand Duke..."
Diana panted, unable to get the words out.
Elena stared silently at the interruption, checkmate on the horizon.
Roena and Akid had come up. Countess Rike glanced nervously at Elena and clapped a hand over Diana's mouth.
"Talking like that in front of adults..."
"What happened, dear?"
Elena smiled gently, prodding Diana. The girl recognized her and promptly hiccuped.
"Hic!"
"Oh my, you poor thing—you must be quite shaken. May, water for the child."
"Yes, ma'am."
The maid attending Elena poured a cup and offered it to Diana, who gulped it down.
"So, what happened that you mentioned the Young Grand Duke and his wife?"
"Pay it no mind, Your Grace. Just kids squabbling."
Countess Rike smiled awkwardly, trying to intervene, but Diana's mouth flew open.
"Roena said she's sick of playing with me and told me to get lost. Hic."
Diana spun it all in her favor. Unaware of the full story, Countess Rike's face hardened instantly.
"What?"
Her displeasure was plain as day—someone had told her precious, well-bred daughter to scram. Elena murmured quietly, bishop still in hand.
"That's all, huh."
She casually flicked the countess's king over with her bishop, as if it were nothing.
"Checkmate."
Elena nodded lightly at her maid's words and rose from her seat. Countess Rike spoke up.
"Your Grace, leaving already?"
"Didn't you just say kids fight sometimes?"
"Even so, for the sake of proper upbringing..."
"Adults meddling in children's squabbles is just pathetic."
Elena's face showed no emotion, so Countess Rike pressed harder.
"Still, without discipline from a young age, they grow wild. Even if it's kids' business, rude words deserve a sharp lesson..."
"Countess Rike."
Elena paused while shrugging on her coat and swept her gaze over the countess and Diana.
Diana stopped crying at Elena's dazzling platinum hair and gaped in awe.
Rumors said it was imperial blood—the platinum shone like the sun, blindingly bright. Elena furrowed her brow and said.
"Advice is for those in the position to give it."
"..."
"The wild one's looking more like you, Countess Rike."
"Your Grace."
"Let's call it. My chess opponent's too dull to stick around for."
With that, Elena glided elegantly toward the door.
She paused there a moment, then turned back as if struck by a thought.
"Oh, Countess Rike."
"Yes, Your Grace."
The countess swallowed her humiliation to reply. Elena beamed radiantly.
"I handle my own children. So maybe Countess Rike should muzzle hers first?"
"What did you say?"
Countess Rike shot to her feet, unable to contain herself. But Elena had already exited the room.
"Hic!"
Diana's shock reignited her stalled hiccups.
Her mother's glare looked ready to murder someone on the spot.
Sure enough, the countess's face flushed crimson, and that fury turned straight on Diana's backside.
"Can't you stop those damn hiccups already?!"
As if it were all the hiccups' fault.
