CH 39

“Lillian.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“I thought you might act like a human while I couldn’t see you, but it must have been my mistake.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Please figure out your subject, and don’t make fun of your mouth. Didn’t I warn you?”

At the sharp tone of Charelize, Lillian’s face quickly turned red. She trembled all over her body, squeezing her skin with his nails as she tried to contain her anger.

Since ancient times, those who couldn’t even control their trivial emotions couldn’t be regarded as prey to Charelize.

“How dare you leave your seat without saying goodbye,” said Lari, leaning toward Lillian, who was running behind her as if she was running away.

“Lari.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I hate her so much that—”

“I’m not blaming you. But Lillian has really become a princess now. Just in case, watch your actions too. I’m worried.”

“I won’t do anything to harm you, so don’t worry too much.”

“That’s good, Lari.”

* * *

Time flowed like flowing water; it was the day of the Grand Duke Innovestin’s succession ceremony. Madame Lientil, who she had entrusted with her robe and cape, managed to arrive at Duchy just before dawn.

“It looks like I gave you too much trouble.”

“No, Your Highness”

“Anyway, you did a great job.”

“I wasn’t satisfied with them even after completing them, so I kept fixing and adding to them to give them more perfect results. I apologize for giving them too late.”

Madame Lientil pulled out the robe and cape she had brought and showed them to Charelize.

As expected, the robe was the same as her past memories. The overall white reminded her of twinkling stars in the night sky. It was a pure white robe carefully embroidered with golden threads. It was impressive that it swayed slightly in a wave shape whenever she moved.

The cape, which was confirmed afterward, was made of the finest blue silk that had been specially imported from the Kingdom of Foreld. It was so perfect as it finished with the fur of the black wolf, which was said to be difficult to get even for nobles because they only inhabited the Lette region.

Charelize offered Madame Lientil a contract because she couldn’t take her eyes off her embroidery skills for a long time. It was the same for Duke Marsetta crest, which was a blue shield embroidered with a silvery eagle., Oddly enough, it felt completely different from the one made by Viscountess Rugal.

“By the way, what is the symbol of Madame Lientil?”

“It’s Rosemary, Your Highness.”

“Rosemary?”

“In the flower language, it has the meaning of good memories that protect family happiness.”

Furthermore, the symbol she chose was to remember her husband, who passed away first. The love of a couple who couldn’t easily be forgotten even after parting away felt anew.

Charelize’s gaze was on Madame Lientil’s hand, full of all sorts of wounds.

“Hailey.”

“Did you call for me, Your Highness?”

“Give Madame Lientil an ointment that is good for healing wounds.”

“Yes, I understand. Please follow me, Madame Lientil.”

Madame Lientil was moved by the meticulous Charelize. “Thank you, Your Highness. Really… thank you.”

“Go ahead and treat the wounds on your hands.”

Before going outside, she bowed her head several times to greet Charelize.

“Sister Martin.”

“Yes, Lari.”

Lari and Martin, who were next to each other, briefly exchanged glances and nodded. They soon started moving in perfect order.

“There’s still some time left…”

“Your Highness. Your makeup will smudge, so don’t talk anymore.”

“Just trust us, Your Highness.”

“…I get it.”

Charelize laughed at how they did her makeup as quickly and meticulously as possible. It was quickly done by Martin, who had a determined expression on her face. Still, she enjoyed it nonetheless.

“Your Highness, I think you will have to re-measure sooner or later.”

“Is there a problem?”

Lari, who was adjusting the back of the dress, said with a serious face. “Oh my. It’s not too obvious, but it’s a bit lose.”

Martin, who was thinking about what to do with Charelize’s hair, also listened and confirmed.

“Looks like Your Highness lost weight again. I guess I will have to discuss it with the chef and change your meals.”

“Don’t be too hard on him, Lari.”

“Come to think of it, when I was young, he used to be very fond of me… These days, he avoids me even if he hears my footsteps.”

“Because you came to him to complain.”

Charelize recalled the chef, Philip, crying out and telling her what Lari did to him.

“If Your Highness put on the cape, they won’t be able to see it. So I will fix it with a small ribbon for now.”

“Okay.”

Thanks to Martin’s neat handling, the only thing left to do was put on the jewelry.

“How about wearing earrings that are the same color as Your Highness’s pupils?”

Charelize nodded, took out the sapphire earrings she recommended, and carefully put them over her ears. She looked for similarly shaped necklaces that would give a harmonious feeling.

The diamond necklace, her mother’s keepsake, was in sight. Martin and Lari knew exactly what that meant to Charelize. They didn’t bother recommending another necklace and quietly waited.

“I want to do it with rose quartz. How pretty it would be for today.”

“It also goes well with formal clothes.”

“As expected, I can’t keep up with Your Highness’s taste!”

Charelize hated the awkward silence. Soon she looked the other way, picked out one, and handed it to Martin.

Her hair was braided into two tight braids and crowned with a tiara decorated with silver topaz. She sprayed a little bit of cool and refreshing perfume. After all preparations, Charelize wore silk gloves on both hands.

“Your Highness. It’s a medicine that suppresses the symptoms caused by allergies.”

“Ah, thank you, Hailey.”

Charelize swallowed the pill Hailey had brought along with water down to her throat.

“Your Highness.”

“What’s wrong?”

“What should I do if you keep consuming it and something goes wrong with your body? Wouldn’t it be fine if you didn’t eat grapes?”

Lari, who saw it, said in a worried tone.

“To hide a potential weakness, it’s good to be prepared for any situation.”

“But—”

“I consulted with Baron Alec about it and eat it under control, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

With Hailey’s help, Charelize wore her cape and stopped by her office briefly. She took out the letter, which she had kept in the drawer.

“What about Professor Hail?”

“On the day of the meeting Your Highness went to, he left first.”

“Really?”

“Because Your Highness was away… he asked me to tell you that he was sorry that he couldn’t see you.”

Charelize went down the stairs to the first floor and asked about Professor Hail.

“Do you know where he went?”

“I heard that he’s going to the residence of Grand Duke Innvoestin.”

While Charelize asked about his whereabouts, on the way, she made eye contact with Duke Marsetta, who was with Lillian. She couldn’t completely ignore Duke Marsetta.

“Greetings to the Duke.”

“…”

Charelize hid her expression and greeted him. He seemed to have something to say. But she didn’t wait for him to speak. She lowered her head slightly and tried to go where her carriage was.

“Charelize!”

“…why are you calling me?”

“Don’t tell me… you intend to enter alone?”

“Is there anything wrong?”

“For the banquet held at the imperial palace, the head of the household and their heir would enter unless they had a partner…”

Duke Marsetta caught Charelize with an urgent voice.

“It’s a custom, not a duty, right?”

“That’s…”

“I want to keep the example for the esteemed son of Marquis Justine. Because they’re grieving.”

“Do you really have to go that far?”

“Just take care of Lillian. Because your beloved daughter most likely becomes a target if she enters alone,” said Charelize, casually removing her wrist from his grip.

Duke Marsetta had no choice but to stare at Charelize, who left without looking back.

“Greetings to the little Duchess. I’m sorry for daring to block your way.”

“Who is it?”

The moment she got outside and started walking toward the carriage. A knight appeared out of nowhere and blocked Charelize’s path.

“My name is Laivel Lu Feru, from the 2nd knight.”

“What business do you have with me?”

Laivel bowed his head politely, revealing his affiliation. Soon he knelt down on one knee and lowered his gaze to the ground.

“…what are you doing right now?”

“A few days ago, I heard that one of our members spoke disrespectfully to you.”

“What do you want to say?”

“It’s…”

Laivel seemed to be in a lot of trouble.

“I asked what business you have with me?” Frustrated, Charelize urged with a sharp tone.

“…Chervil Leand Ethan is the son of my cousin and a blood relative to me.”

“Therefore?”

Laivel reluctantly opened his mouth and spoke his words. “I know that child’s sin is great, but can’t Your Highness forgive him just once?”

“Are you being daring because you’re stupid, or you don’t know what you’re saying now is rude?”

At Charelize’s mocking laughter, Laivel said nothing.

“I broke the brooch by myself because he dared to talk ill about his master, and now you want me to put him back with my own hand?”

“That’s not what I meant, Your Highness.”

“So what do you want?”

“Even though he talks roughly, I can guarantee his passion and skill for swordsmanship more than anyone else.”

“He could cut me with that sword.”

Laivel somehow tried to persuade Charelize, but it only fueled her anger. “Never again stand in my way and act like this for a decision I have already made.”

“…”

“I will never take back the order I have given.”

“…”

“If I take it back and set it as an example, can you guarantee this won’t happen again?”

Laivel couldn’t say anything more and lowered his head again.

“Go.”

Charelize didn’t even give Laivel an ounce of sympathy. She passed him and climbed into her carriage without help from anyone.

“Have a safe trip, Your Highness.”

“Have a good rest today, Lari. You can rest in my room.”

She was sent off by Lari, who could not go to the imperial palace because she was a commoner.

“We will depart, Your Highness.”

Hailey and Martin were all on board in turn. The coachman drove off the horses.

“The one who didn’t even look at Your Highness when you were a princess, brought an illegitimate child, and made her a princess…”

Martin felt that what had just happened had made Charelize uncomfortable. To change the subject, she complained that Duke Marsetta had grabbed Charelize’s wrist.

“What’s the point of regretting it now?” grumbled her.

“Martin, watch your words and actions in front of Your Highness.”

“…yes.”

Having been warned by Hailey, Martin shrugged her shoulders and closed her mouth.

“By the way, to think that little boy has already become a grand duke and is now holding a succession ceremony…”

“…are you acquainted with Grand Duke Innovestin?”

“There were rumors about him when I was enrolled in Eralpier Academy’s swordsmanship faculty.”

“What rumors?” Charelize asked, tilting her head.