CH 1.12

CHAPTER 1: THE SUPPORTING ROLE IS ALSO QUITE DIFFICULT (XII)

Part 013

Yes. Would it be possible for a person who wanted to rule the people to start a war by killing the people with a foreign sword? At that time, you have no choice but to go out and pick up a stone and throw it. Judging from Adol’s carefree face, it seemed that they had already decided to throw stones together. Well, would you pick up a sword or a spear with that skinny body?

When she nodded, Adol smiled innocently again and clapped his hands. She was dumbfounded and relaxed, so she laughed along.

“Who else got the teacher’s perfect score but me? Is it someone I know?”

“He’s a sad person to be born.”

“Yes? He must be a commoner?”

“No. it’s no. It’s Princess Remina. She’s really clever. Shee’s the ideal king, but it’s a pity that there is no queen in Laurenta Law.”

She met her from a distance during the New Year’s party, but she was a person who was not easily seen. She heard that she was not engaged, that did not take part in other activities, and that she was living a quiet life in the palace without getting married until this year, when she turned 26.

Adol was such a great person that he could praise her like that, but the reason he felt sorry for her must be because of the discrimination between men and women here, which sometimes surprises her.

He said women couldn’t be kings. It sounds like a dog clapping.

Adol was of great help, but she was still uncertain about who threatened Ailene. The one who drowned them in the pond was probably Lady Philia.

It was because it was more likely that she did it impulsively rather than deliberately, in an open place where they might die or not, and with nobody to see it. Even so, the Duke’s daughter did something like that in broad daylight. How the hell did she live?

No matter what time it was, she would kick her in the ass and drown her too. Philia should prepare for the cold weather of that day.

She thought it was Philia’s vicious prank that drowned Ailene and she, and whoever wrote the medicine on them that day. What else was certain? Besides, after hearing all of her teacher’s story, Prince Dozern’s behavior became even more suspicious. Ailene’s beauty and charm were, of course, giggling, but was she good enough to give up her long-coveted throne?

Oh, was that it? Power of love? Did she wash the bean pods enough to not know this or that? Was that the youth who lived by love and died by love? She didn’t understand it because she lived a life far from romance.

What’s even funnier was Duke Nodovan’s silence. She didn’t know when the Galleon family would come up in the back, but it’s not like they’re going to push the 2nd prince now, was he going to marry her two daughters to both the crown prince and the 2nd prince? Did he want to win all possible situations?

Sending both daughters to two heirs to the throne, one of which could be stamped out, was an unbelievable speculation, so why was he quiet? Does that mean he would accept Ailene’s choice? Abandoning the position as the head of the royal faction, which has been cultivated for generations?

What’s more, everyone knew what the current situation was like.

It’s not Dozern who liked Ailene to the point of giving up even fighting for the throne, and it’s unlikely that the Duke was crazy enough to hurt his daughter for no reason. There was no one to help her but everyone seemed to be getting along well. She didn’t think she ever had enemies in society. Who the hell were they that day? Oh, her head.

Even though she knew everything she tried to find out the culprit of the day since they were not even caught.

She participated in Lady Laurel’s tea party with a glimmer of hope, but there was no more information than Adol had arranged. However, Lady Laurel’s real-time information was definitely faster. There were rumors that Ailene would be excited about when she heard the news that Lady Laurel had delivered.

“The Crown Prince said he would pretend there was no talk of an engagement?”

“He said so. Many people heard about it at the banquet that day.”

“But the engagement is in progress?”

“It hasn’t been officially discussed. Besides, the crown prince is in the middle of a fiery relationship with the woman he’s fallen for. It looks like she’s been registered as a Viscountess and transformed into a noble lady.”

“Then why do rumors circulate?”

“This information came from the royal family. They said that Lady Ailene’s coming-of-age ceremony would be held in the royal banquet hall. As rumors circulated that there would be an engagement announcement that day, the servants at the crown prince’s palace suddenly became busy. Crucially, the queen was preparing for the banquet. She is in charge.”

“The Queen is in charge of Ailene’s coming-of-age banquet?”

“If it is not related to the crown prince, it is incomprehensible. There are speculations that the reason may be that the Duke of Galleon has been confined to the palace after leaving the palace in anger a while ago, and that Duke Nodovan’s visits to the palace suddenly became frequent. .”

“Where did you hear that?”

Where did the young lady get those rumors from?

“It’s our family history that we value information.”

Laurel took a sip of her tea and smiled. Did she mention that the Count of Madeira holded an important post in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? She heard that the family has been active with enemies in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for generations.

It’s amazing that she didn’t belong to either the royal faction or the aristocratic faction and keeps her ears open to information from both sides. That was especially true in the social world, where people can live and die with mere rumors. In the end, did Duke Nodovan intend to make Ailene the crown princess? If not, why would he condone the relationship with Prince Dozern?

No, acquiescence was Ailene’s idea. Was he not dealing with her at all? Was he drinking kimchi soup and was liking it?

“By the way, the young lady and lady Ailene have the same birthday date, right? It would be difficult if Lady Ailene’s coming-of-age ceremony was held at the palace.”

Lady Laurel said with a sad face. She was surprised that Laurel remembered her birthday. Normally, she would pretend she didn’t know even if she knew because she was concerned about Ailene’s birthday. It would be even more so if they were completely at the center of the topic like now, but she was grateful for her concern.

It’s a coming-of-age ceremony. Everyone would go to the royal palace. Well, it’s okay, because she was used to such things as when she was Mi-hyang, or now as Damian, so she was ready for a small birthday party.

“It’s okay, young lady. We plan to have a small but warm banquet with those who attend.”

“I really want to attend, Lady Damian. Will you give me an invitation?”

She was again surprised by Lady Laurel’s unexpected words. If an engagement was actually announced, the place would literally be a hot place, but to think you would come to hers. As soon as she returned after expressing her gratitude, she wrote a letter to Ailene.

‘I heard a rumor that your coming-of-age ceremony was held at the royal palace. Are you all right?’

To her long letter asking a short question, no reply came. The news of Ailene, who had been curious about it, came from an unexpected place.

* * *

On the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, unexpectedly, Count Ethard’s house overflowed with guests. It was to the extent that the former employees could be seen shaking without even drinking a sip of water. Invitations were sent out to all of Midoc’s pro-royal and aristocratic families, but only a few responded that they would attend. So this time, she omitted the process of boiling down like strawberry jam and prepared it rather simply.

Of course, the dress was extravagant, and she was beautiful like a heroine, but Jenny chewed on her apron and tightened her corset as the celebrants flocked. No matter what she said, she thought she heard someone say that she should have dressed up more fancy, but she pretended not to know.

Invitations are usually distributed 30 days in advance. She also received an invitation to the coming-of-age party of Ailene, sent directly from the royal family. Most of the Midoc nobles would have bought a new dress and prepared a present for the rare palace banquet. However, the banquet was suddenly canceled a week beforehand because Ailene had disappeared. Anyone could easily guess that she had escaped from her engagement to the Crown Prince, which had already been rumored to have spread. Prince Dozern dismissed it as something he did not know, but it was not easy for the daughter of the ducal family to evaporate without a trace.

Most people thought it was a cute love escape of a young lover. Duke Nodovan claimed the abduction, and the investigation proceeded, but it was only revealed that Ailene, who had left the mansion to meet Dozern, changed carriages in the middle.

Dozern, who was plausibly portraying the grief of the sudden disappearance of his lover, couldn’t be coercively investigated. He’s the prince of the kingdom anyway. When everyone was looking for romance in the story of Ailene, who escaped for love, she thought of those thugs and became very worried. It wasn’t because he was preparing for the coming-of-age ceremony, but because he was worried about Ailene, he couldn’t even study. So, the guests who came to the count’s house in the clothes they had prepared for the royal banquet were not happy.

Regardless of her mood, or perhaps regardless of her coming-of-age ceremony, by the time the banquet hall was filled with throngs of celebrants, a welcome face arrived.

“Lady Laurel! Thank you for coming.”

“Lady Damian. Congratulations on coming of age. You are really dazzling today.”

Laurel smiled and kissed her on the cheek and handed her two red roses.

In Laurentian, two flowers were given at the coming-of-age ceremony.

‘Congratulations Lana on the beginning of your second life.’

She set the roses she had received from Laurel away from the mountains of other flowers. Nobles considered it manners not to hand over birthday presents directly. It was customary to leave a card with a message on it to the butler or attendants who greeted them upon entering the party.

Presents were piled up on one side of the party hall, and the gift boxes that had been piled on top of a small table had piled up to a height that covered the entire table from the bottom. She was worried about whether the number of gifts prepared would be correct.

She invited Laurel to sit next to the empty seat. It wasn’t because of her personal acquaintances, so the party was booming, but she, the main character, was bored. Laurel, who sat next to her, lowered her voice to comment.

“I thought it might be like this, but it’s come a lot.”

“Yes, I’m embarrassed too.”

“I think there are people who came without an invitation. On the way back, I saw the young ladies of noble families. They seemed to want to show off their newly tailored dresses. I also saw quite a few young ladies from strangers.”

“Half of the people I greeted today were strangers.”

When she answered in a limp voice, Lady Laurel lightly tapped the back of her hand as if encouraging her to cheer up.

“Everyone would have been surprised. The young lady is so beautiful, and the party is so great. I know very well that the family and servants put a lot of effort into the young lady’s party. Everything is great without missing anything.”

“Thank you. I feel energized when you say that. I’ll be sure to tell my family.”

The words were very nice. The feeling of dreaming has softened, so she laughed ‘hehehe’. Laurel smiled sweetly. Quite a bit of time had passed, and they had to say thank you and start the party in earnest. It was then. From the entrance, people started to hum.

A head sticking out from the crowd was approaching her from the entrance. Laurel quickly recognized who it was and jumped up from her seat.

“Duke Bigor…”

‘Huh? Duke Bigor? You said the duke showed up at the coming-of-age ceremony of a Count he doesn’t even know?’

At the same time, she stood up and made her way through the crowd to look at the approaching man, and indeed the Duke of Bigor was approaching with two white flowers in his hand.

Wearing a black suit and carrying a striking white flower, Duke Bigor stood in front of her and held out the flower. It was two dainty white daffodils with yellow stamens. It wasn’t a bright smile suitable for her birthday party, but the corner of the Duke’s mouth was slightly raised. Laurel, who was standing next to her, covered her mouth and let out a low exclamation.

Dumbfoundedly, she accepted the flower that Duke Bigor offered her.

“Thank you for coming, Duke.”

“Congratulations on coming of age, young lady.”

They exchanged common greetings that seem like hundreds of times today, but was it because of the gazes around them that only the Duke’s greetings felt special? Not only Laurel standing right next to her, but all the nobles standing in the hall had their eyes fixed on Duke Bigor. The face of her father, who was entertaining guests from afar, was no different.