Chapter 252

Chapter 252Previous

Side story 3 Liloas Chapter 1: The Fruit

Liloa had never understood the concept of something she couldnt do, for she was Joseph Is daughter. Everyone at the Obernyu court bowed their heads to her and listened to the short words of her tongue.

Liloa was well aware of her own status even as a young child.

As the only princess at court, she easily obtained everything wished to possess. Therefore, her understanding of the word impossible was bound to be limited. That was until she was eight years old, completely unaware that a childs definition of everything was absurdly narrow

One day, Liloas mother, Henrietta said.

When did my lovely daughter grow up like this?

When the Archduchess said so, other ladies followed suit and immediately praised Liloas beauty. Liloas cheeks blushed bashfully at the compliments of these beautiful and prestigious ladies. The mischievous Madame Celot even wrapped Liloas little body in her shawl.

Oh my, look at you. You already look good in dark purple. Like a true lady!

Children usually wore light-coloured clothes whereas dark-coloured clothes were a sign of maturity.

The remark caused Liloas whole face to turn bright red. Henrietta watched the scene and muttered lazily.

Youre becoming more like a lady every day. But youre still so small

The truth was that Henrietta was never very interested in raising her children, Venua and Liloa. Instead, she missed the free life of the imperial court and grew tired of the indifference of her husband, the Archduke. In addition, the people of the Obernyu court valued strict formality and considered loud laughter frivolous, so they made up countless afterwords about the princess from Sesbron. They even dubbed her as the most unsuitable woman for the Archduke in this world. Meanwhile, Henrietta heeded no attachment to the court of Obernyu and rather spent her time roaming the palace with her closest ladies-in-waiting, gambling with young, handsome noblemen, and calling in fortune-tellers, who were in vogue during those days.

Because of this, Liloa was delighted by this rare attention her mother showed her for a change.

Over the next few days, the Archduchess ladies-in-waiting continued to tell Liloa how all grown up she had become, Liloa was delighted at first but eventually grew tired of hearing everyones comments about how shed become a lady. It didnt feel bad though. After all, becoming a lady entailed becoming an adult. It also meant finally breaking free from her childhood and being able to stand before her parents as a person. Liloa knew this and wished for nothing more than to be recognised by her parents.

What should I do to look more like a proper lady?..

Thoughts as such occupied Liloas mind for a while.

Of course, despite all her worries, it was entirely up to her father, the Archduke, to determine whether she had become a proper lady.

When Archduke Joseph I came to her for that judgement, Liloa stood by her rooms window with slightly shrunken shoulders. The maids who had been playing with her, the governess*, and the nanny had left the room one after another.

Joseph glanced at his daughter with indifferent eyes.

As for Liloa, she wanted to hold his hand or at least smile, but she didnt dare to do so. Joseph took a slow turn with Liloa in the centre. Under his penetrating gaze, Liloa had to give her whole body a tight grip so that her shoulders would not slump more than necessary. The child intuitively knew that if her posture was even slightly disturbed, the day she would face Joseph again would be far away.

I heard theyre on their way to Obernyu to formalise the engagement!..

The maids couldnt hide their interest in the young attendants that the Duke of Lacroix would bring and continued their conversation in a squealing manner. Meanwhile, Liloa stood by the window away from them and looked outside. But no matter how hard she craned her neck, she couldnt see the Duke of Lacroixs procession.

Liloa rested her forehead weakly against the cold glass window.

Strange. I thought I would be happy to know Ive grown up, but this all feels just strange to me. Am I getting married? All I know is that marriage is when a woman moves into a mans castle, lives with him, and gives birth to his children. Like how my father and mother also got married and gave birth to me Everyone talks about marriage being a very romantic and happy thing, but for some reason, I dont like it

Liloa was bothered by those thoughts as the only couple she had watched closely were her parents. She didnt know much about Joseph, but Henrietta didnt look happy at all. Whenever Joseph and Henrietta were together, Liloa had never seen them treat each other with affection. On the contrary, it was Madame Drieux who Joseph treated with utmost kindness. Liloa reasoned that if there was such a thing as love between a man and a woman, then the treatment Madame Drieux received from Joseph was that of love.

Thats what I mean, Miss Liloa. Marriage is not done out of love.

Then why are you all so curious about the Duke of Lacroixs entourage? Why do you already like them and are fantasising about marrying them?

If a man is a member of the Dukes entourage, it means he also has a lot of wealth. He will make a good husband

Well be together for the rest of our lives, so imagine what it would be like if we did love each other!..

It was what the lively maid Ann said. However, Liloas tutor, Charlotte, who was five years older than her, shook her head.

Ann is just an idealist.

No, Im not! How happy it is to live chastely while being loved by your husband. Not only me, but everyone wants that too.

Love is not something you have with your husband. A husband and wife are only in a relationship out of duty and responsibility. True love, on the other hand, is something you do with your lover. Just look at His Highness the Archduke and the Archduchess

Charlotte!

..!

The nanny who was embroidering by the fireplace shouted.

Thats not something you should be saying in front of the young lady!

Footnote:

Governess: A governess is a largely obsolete term for a woman employed as a private tutor, who teaches and trains a child or children in their home. [WIKI]