Chapter 85
Because she looked like she might rush off immediately, Eiela had no choice but to explain the situation in rough detail.
“No, it’s not like that. The prince and I were just pretending.”
“What do you mean, pretending?”
Eiela hesitated for a moment before she began to speak.
“In exchange for painting the prince’s portrait, I agreed to act as his shield. I had no intention of getting married anyway, and I wanted to escape my mother’s nagging. The prince wanted to get away from all the marriage pressure around him. So, it was mutual benefit.”
Luisa gaped, her mouth opening and closing in shock. Seeing that, Eiela continued with a serious expression.
“So the prince did nothing wrong. Things ended up exactly how I wanted. I even get to study abroad in Felix now, which is even better.”
“Wow. That’s surprising—but I understand now. So, things really turned out the way you wanted?”
“Of course.”
Eiela smiled faintly and turned to gaze out the window. The clear blue sky outside was so bright it made her eyes sting.
“Don’t tell anyone about this. Not our parents, not even your fiancé. I only told you because you were making such a fuss, but I’d rather no one knew.”
“Got it. I’ll keep it a secret. Don’t worry, sis.”
Though Luisa forced a smile, she couldn’t shake the worry she felt at how weary Eiela looked.
After that, time passed quickly. Between saying goodbye to Loren and spending her last days with family, there wasn’t much left to do.
On the day before her departure, she finally gathered the courage to go to Grenville. She had to leave for the harbor lodgings that evening, so she decided to muster what little courage she had and go say farewell.
Leaving for Felix without a word after disappearing from the ball didn’t feel right. It would be rude. And besides, she had just heard this morning that Prince Franz had visited her mansion the previous day. Her mother, furious, had told him she was ill and refused the meeting—a decision for which Eiela was oddly grateful.
But when she reached Grenville, she received unexpected news.
“The prince isn’t here?”
“He left yesterday for the Chain Hotel in Eton. He said he’d stop by to see you before departing—did you not meet him? He even took flowers from the garden.”
“Ah… I wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so I couldn’t.”
“I see. He’s attending social gatherings and conducting some business in Eton, but he should be back by Thursday at the earliest.”
By Thursday, she would already be gone from Lapland. The thought filled her with a mix of relief and disappointment.
“Is something the matter, Miss?”
“The truth is… I came to say goodbye.”
“Goodbye?” Murray asked in surprise.
“I’m leaving for Felix.”
“Felix?”
“Yes. I’ll be attending the National Academy of Arts there.”
“Ah… I see. Then congratulations are in order.”
Murray let out a regretful sigh, remembering that the Royal Academy of Arts in Lapland did not admit women.
“Thank you, Mr. Murray. As for the portrait, please continue the maintenance for six months, as we discussed before.”
“Of course.”
“I’d like to return to handle the coating myself, but if I can’t, you can entrust that part to the royal painter. I’d love to finish it myself, but I can’t exactly bring such a large piece to Felix.”
“I’ll let His Highness know. This is quite sudden… I’m still a bit stunned.”
Murray’s expression was full of sadness and regret. Eiela felt the same. Perhaps because she had grown fond of everyone, the farewell was harder than she expected.
“Thank you for everything, Mr. Murray.”
“It’s nothing, Miss.”
“I’ll never forget Grenville—or anyone I met here.”
“Nor will we, Miss Clarence. May I ask when you’re leaving?”
“Tomorrow.”
Murray looked more disappointed than anyone.
“Oh dear… then you won’t be able to see His Highness.”
“That’s why I’d like to leave a letter for him.”
“I’ll prepare everything right away. Please wait a moment.”
When Murray left the parlor, Eiela sat on the sofa and looked around.
She remembered the first day she had come here—how awkward it had been, how she had waited in this room for over two hours.
That nervous, uneasy feeling from then still lingered faintly. But now, it was all in the past.
Thinking of everything she had gone through since that day, she felt that whatever hardships awaited in the future, she could handle them. Maybe this wasn’t as sad a parting as it seemed—if she chose to think positively.
There had been good moments and bad ones, but in the end, what mattered was how things ended.
With that thought, she began writing her letter. Without any messy emotions, her gratitude flowed honestly and clearly. By the time she finished, the page was filled from top to bottom. She folded it neatly, sealed it, and only then did her eyes sting with tears.
It’s really over now.
Eiela let out a long, trembling breath.
“Mr. Murray, please deliver this letter to the prince.”
“Of course, Miss.”
Murray personally escorted her to the carriage.
“Safe travels, Miss. I pray only good things await you.”
“Thank you for everything. Goodbye.”
Eiela smiled, even though her eyes glistened as if she might cry any second. Murray felt a deep pang of sorrow as he watched her.
He stood there, watching the carriage until it disappeared from sight, and then began to worry as though faced with a grave dilemma.
What should I do…?
Should he leave the letter on the prince’s desk at the manor? Or send it straight to Eton?
If he chose the former, the prince wouldn’t see it until after Eiela had already gone. But if he sent it right away, who knew how His Highness might react? His instincts told him the prince would return to Biln soon—but whether he’d go after Eiela or let her go, Murray couldn’t guess.
From the beginning, when the prince had taken such special care of Miss Eiela, he’d sensed there was something unusual between them. He had hoped things would turn out well. How had it come to this? He could only sigh.
His Highness really… should’ve done better while he had the chance.
Thinking that, he couldn’t help but pity the prince, who probably had no idea what was happening.
After much indecision and sighing, Murray finally chose to send the letter. He could only hope his master wouldn’t repeat the same mistake twice.
“Ride straight to Eton and deliver this to His Highness.”
“Yes, sir.”
The footman bowed deeply and mounted his horse.
Watching him ride off into the distance, Murray prayed earnestly that his master would return in time.
Meanwhile, at that very hour in Eton, Prince Franz was buried in paperwork in his office, utterly exhausted. His schedule was already packed with work, and on top of that, there were endless parties and meetings every night.
“Your Highness, there are about three hours before the dinner banquet. You should rest in your room,” Hans suggested.
Franz checked the time and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“Good idea. This trip has been exhausting.”
“You haven’t had proper sleep since the weekend, sir. It’s a wonder you haven’t fallen ill. I’ve had the doctor prescribe some supplements for fatigue.”
Hans placed a silver tray before him with a few pills and a glass of water.
“As thorough as always. These should help me hold out a bit longer. I’ve never missed Grenville this much before.”
Franz chuckled softly as he swallowed the pills, then headed for his private room. When Hans drew the curtains, the room dimmed immediately.
“Please rest well, sir.”
“Thank you.”
Franz fell asleep almost instantly.
About an hour later, Grenville’s footman arrived at the hotel.
He went straight to the lobby and asked for Prince Franz. Before long, a man who introduced himself as the prince’s secretary approached.
“I’m Lindberg. What business do you have with His Highness?”
“Good day, Mr. Lindberg. I’ve come from Grenville. Is my master here?”
“His Highness cannot be seen right now—he’s resting.”
“Then what about Mr. O’Neill? I need to speak with him directly.”
“Unfortunately, Mr. O’Neill isn’t available either. May I ask what this is regarding?”
The footman hesitated, then took a letter from inside his jacket.
“I need to deliver this to His Highness.”
“Please give it to me. I’ll make sure he gets it as soon as he wakes.”
“Then here it is. Butler Murray instructed me to deliver it personally to His Highness.”
Lindberg accepted the letter and tucked it carefully into his pocket.
“You must have traveled far. Rest a bit before you go—I’ll arrange a room for you.”
“No, thank you. My task is done, so I should return to Grenville. I’ll leave it in your care.”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
At Lindberg’s friendly smile, the footman left the hotel without a trace of doubt.
