Chapter 32
“Yes, Your Highness! Thank you.”
When Haven finally gave his approval after a brief silence, Roze responded with a bright smile, joyful. The blue in Haven’s eyes wavered at the sight of her smiling face.
It felt strange. Somewhere deep inside, something dull was pounding, and at the same time, her hand clenched tightly as if sending a tingling sensation through her fingers.
“Ro…”
Just as Haven unconsciously opened his mouth to call Roze, hurried footsteps approached from outside and suddenly the door burst open. At the same moment, his face cooled down to its usual cold composure.
“Y-Your Highness! At this late hour, how…?”
The one who practically ran into Plita’s bedroom was none other than the nanny. She seemed to have received the news late somewhere, gasping for breath without pausing to catch it, and looked around the room anxiously. When she saw Roze, she opened her eyes wide and silently mouthed words.
‘If His Highness had come, you should have told me immediately!’
Though she didn’t actually speak aloud, Roze felt the nanny’s sharp voice echoing in her mind. Embarrassed, Roze just lowered her head.
At that moment, Haven’s blue eyes turned toward Roze. The bright smile she had just worn vanished instantly, leaving no trace behind. Somehow, that displeased him.
Frowning, he looked back at the nanny. Perhaps having caught her breath, the nanny looked calmer than before. Seeing this, Haven spoke softly.
“You left the child alone.”
“Ah, well, that is…”
Upon hearing his words, the nanny’s face instantly went pale. She stammered as if about to make an excuse. But there was no need to hear it.
“Where did you go?”
Haven cut her off and asked the question again. The nanny glanced side to side, nervously grasping and releasing the hem of her skirt.
“Well, um, I just had some errands to run…”
“Was there something more important than helping the child with dinner? So important that you left only the child and the maid behind?”
Haven’s voice deepened even further. The nanny’s face turned even whiter. She waved her hands desperately and hurriedly explained.
“No, no, that’s not it. I went to visit the late Queen Dowager and the Duchess. I wanted to ask them to ease their anger towards the young princess…”
“Ease their anger?”
A snorting laugh escaped Haven. But no one else joined in.
Roze tightly grasped Plita’s skirt and stared at him. Haven’s gaze directed at the nanny was chilling.
No, “chilling” didn’t even suffice. She thought the temperature around him must have dropped sharply. Of course, in reality, that wouldn’t be possible.
Nevertheless, a biting cold radiated from Haven. A severe chill that could freeze everything nearby. It was astonishing how a person’s expression and voice alone could have such an effect.
“Your Highness, what I just said—it’s not what I meant…”
The nanny’s face turned not only pale but blue with shock. Only now did she realize the grave mistake she had made. Trembling in front of her master’s fury, she collapsed, kneeling on the floor.
It was a clear blunder. Because of her habit of belittling the young princess as having low blood, she had inadvertently made a careless remark in front of the duke.
“I feared that if the late Queen Dowager and the Duchess looked upon the young princess unfavorably—no, I was worried about that—I acted presumptuously. If those elders of the royal family disliked her, it might cause disadvantages when the princess debuted in society later, so…”
The nanny babbled excuses incoherently. In truth, all of it was a lie. She had indeed visited the late Queen Dowager and the Duchess, but it was for her own gain.
To gain favor and a future opportunity in the royal court.
So instead, she slandered and mocked the young princess, boldly blaming the child for her “low birth,” and flattered the noble ladies with all sorts of obsequiousness, begging them to soften their anger.
Then, feeling satisfied, she was on her way back when she heard that the Duke was heading to the princess’s bedroom. And now, here she was facing the consequences.
‘I have to get out of this situation somehow. Then I’ll scold that maid properly and set her straight…’
The nanny, still bowing her head, sneaked a glare at Roze. There was venom in that look.
It was all that maid’s fault. Because she didn’t immediately notify her about the Duke’s arrival, things had turned out like this.
Maybe she had deliberately hidden the Duke’s visit to trap her. No, there must have been some scheme behind it.
Many maids had tried various tricks to catch the Duke’s attention.
‘A crafty woman, indeed. Not content with approaching the princess with an innocent face, now she’s using the princess to curry favor with the Duke.’
The nanny was convinced of her own thoughts, pressing her lips tightly. Then she suddenly remembered something and opened her eyes wide.
‘Wait a moment. If that’s the case, I shouldn’t be here but should inform the late Queen Dowager of this…’
“Enough excuses.”
At that moment, Haven’s voice interrupted, breaking off the nanny’s thoughts. She bowed her head and then cautiously looked up at him.
Haven furrowed his brows wearily and pressed the bridge of his nose. He was truly tired of listening to the nanny’s excuses.
“Let’s end this and leave. It’s late, and the child should be sleeping.”
“But I need to help the young princess get ready for bed…”
The nanny awkwardly got up and spoke. Then Haven snorted softly and looked at her with the same cold gaze.
“Well, I think that’s something a maid can handle. That’s why you left in the first place.”
“…”
The nanny’s face reddened as if she’d been insulted. But Haven looked at her indifferently and gestured with his chin. It was a clear sign to leave.
“Then… I will leave now, Your Highness.”
The nanny barely managed to respond, bowing politely. Instead of acknowledging her farewell, Haven turned his head away. Offended by his behavior, the nanny clenched her lips and turned around. Of course, she did not forget to glare at Roze before leaving.
After the nanny left, silence fell. Roze held Plita’s hand tightly and stared quietly at Haven. It was natural to feel displeased since the child’s nanny had neglected her duties. Roze herself always felt that way whenever the nanny mistreated or neglected the child.
The difference was that while Roze had no power in those situations, Haven could openly scold the nanny.
…Somehow, Roze felt small.
But at the same time, she felt relief. Even if she someday left, Haven would protect the child.
Roze hurriedly bowed her head. Her vision blurred faintly. She pressed her lips together, holding back the rising emotions.
“Let’s have tea later.”
At that moment, Haven broke the silence with a low voice. Roze finally snapped back to reality and looked up. She realized that they were about to prepare tea time with the child. Hastily, she opened her mouth.
“Ah! I’ll prepare it right away—”
“No, it’s fine.”
But Haven cut her off and then glanced at Plita.
“The child seems sleepy too.”
“I’m fine!”
Plita quickly shouted loudly at his words. It was unlike the usually timid child. She rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes and dashed to the table.
“Want some tea? I’ll have cocoa, Roze!”
Plita stomped her feet anxiously, looking back and forth between Roze and Haven. The desperation to not miss this rare—indeed, first—tea time with her father was palpable.
“…Your Highness.”
Roze looked at Haven with the same earnestness. He furrowed his brows and sighed. Both Plita, who sat at the table, and Roze, who watched him, shrank their shoulders.
“Milk would be better for the child. With honey.”
“…!”
His words were almost an order. Realizing this, both Roze and Plita brightened simultaneously.
“She’s definitely changed. The way she looks, and how she treats the child…”
The late Queen Dowager, Isabella, who had been lying in bed, suddenly sat up and bit her lips. An annoyed expression crossed her face.
“What on earth happened? It’s only been a month—no, not even a month.”
The last time she saw them was at the memorial service. It was too short a time for such a change.
Yet a change had occurred.
Between Haven and Plita, the relationship between father and child.
“I thought maybe it wouldn’t be so…”
Isabella muttered irritably to herself, biting her lips again. Her mouth twisted.
She was far from happy about Haven getting closer to the child. No, it would be a hindrance. Unless the child followed her, but since Plita often hid and was frightened whenever she appeared, it was even more so.
So as soon as she received reports that the two had grown close recently, she hurriedly visited the Duke’s residence to see for herself. Even after hearing the spy’s report, she could hardly believe it.
But the sight she saw of the father and daughter was definitely closer than at the memorial. Of course, it could be her imagination, seeing only a brief meeting at the dinner.
From the start, she had intended not to let the child meet them…
“This is all because of the Duchess. Yes, that’s certain. Haven wouldn’t have been unaware that Duchess Ferante hated that girl.”
