CHAPTER 52
“…”
“Your Highness, Princess?”
Startled by Richard’s voice, I snapped back to reality and turned abruptly toward the door.
“Are you alright?”
He reached out and gently took my hand. His grip tightened slightly, as if trying to reassure me.
“Yes, yes. I was just a bit surprised, that’s all.”
Understandably so—
It was the first time I’d ever heard my maternal grandfather’s voice. It was firmer and calmer than I had imagined, leaving me momentarily dazed.
Seeing my reaction, Richard’s eyes softened warmly.
“If anything happens, I will help you.”
“…A reassuring ally.”
“Then are you ready to respond now?”
“I’ll open the door.”
Ignoring his question, I grabbed the doorknob and pulled.
I squeezed Richard’s hand tighter from the nervous tension. Through the crack in the door, I saw a man in his later years, speckled with white hair.
The man—no, Count Epsilard—rose from the sofa and gave a deep bow.
“I greet the young duke. I am Vihal de Epsilard of House Epsilard.”
“Pleased to meet you, Count Epsilard.”
“Please, call me simply ‘Vihal.’ I’ve stepped down as the head of the house.”
Straightening up, he turned his gaze to me, who had been standing beside Richard.
“Is it her, then? The girl who said she had something important to discuss with me?”
“Yes,” Richard confirmed.
As he nodded, the Count’s gaze turned to me. I subtly loosened my grip on Richard’s hand and whispered to him.
“I’d like to speak with him alone. Would you mind stepping out for a bit?”
“If you ring the bell when you’re done, I’ll come. A maid will notify me.”
“Thank you for the courtesy.”
Richard shrugged with a smile as if it were nothing.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“Until next time, Young Duke.”
At the Count’s words, Richard gave a small nod and exited.
Now only the Count and I remained in the reception room. Turning to fully face me, he asked,
“To whom do you belong that you seek me out through the young duke’s private residence?”
Instead of answering, I removed my robe and looked straight at him.
For a moment, the Count’s eyes widened slightly as he stared at me. Then he murmured softly.
“Ayla…”
“I am the daughter of Lady Ayla, your daughter.”
“…You’re Princess Lirien, the First Princess.”
“Yes. You are my maternal grandfather, are you not?”
“…It’s an honor to meet you, even if belatedly.”
With a voice trembling ever so slightly, Count Epsilard bowed to me.
I looked at him with calm eyes. After blinking slowly, I moved to sit on the sofa across from him.
There were cold teacups and small refreshments on the table, but neither of us touched them.
The Count sat down heavily, a shadow falling over his face.
“How did you manage to leave the Imperial Palace? Do Their Majesties know you’re here—meeting me?”
“No. I snuck out. That’s why I need to talk quickly and return.”
“You… you snuck out? Don’t tell me…! Without an attendant?!”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any idea how dangerous it is outside? You came out without a single guard?!”
Count Epsilard’s face twisted in concern as he let out a low shout.
It wasn’t like Iavel’s thunderous yelling, nor the Emperor’s calm but angry voice. It was simply a voice raised out of worry.
I tilted my head slightly as I looked at him.
“Are you worried about me, Grandfather?”
“You’re so small and fragile—how could I not worry? You probably don’t remember, but when the First Princess was even smaller, she was often bedridden with fevers. I was constantly on edge, worried sick.”
“…You mean when she was a baby?”
“Yes. She was so delicate, it felt like even a slight poke would break her.”
A gentle light spread over the Count’s face, but I could only smile bitterly in return.
‘Did Grandfather abandon my mother and me because he had no choice?’
Right now, he looked like a doting grandfather, deeply concerned for a reckless granddaughter who’d sneaked out.
His gaze was so affectionate that he occasionally clenched his fists with a pained look while staring at me.
I carefully picked up a cookie and said,
“There was a banquet recently to celebrate my achievements.”
“Ah, yes. I heard you found Orichalcum. I was so proud when I heard the news.”
He laughed heartily, but his smile soon faded, and he said,
“Proud as I was, I also became worried.”
“You’re afraid the Empress sees me as a thorn in her side?”
“…You’re well aware.”
“That’s exactly why I came to find you, Count.”
“You came… meaning the Empress has started to act?”
“As you can see. She quieted down for a while after the previous warning, but who knows when she’ll send another assassin?”
Because of the incident in the grand hall, Baron Riverdley, his wife, and Iolde Riverdley had been imprisoned in the palace dungeons.
Naturally, the position of Head Lady-in-Waiting in my mother’s palace was now vacant—
an ideal opening for the Empress to plant a spy.
“Please send someone trustworthy to Lady Ayla’s palace. Otherwise, my mother’s life could fall into the Empress’s hands. I don’t want that to happen.”
“So Iolde betrayed you.”
“Most likely. Her husband tried to assassinate me on the Empress’s orders. Now that she’s gone, her position as head lady-in-waiting is vacant—an extremely important role, as you know.”
“….”
“Or is it that the Empress still holds power over you, Grandfather?”
The Count’s eyes darkened at my words.
“The Empress is a woman who would do anything to consolidate power. She warned me not to interfere—for the safety of the Second Empress and the First Princess. Even if I send someone, it’s likely she’ll intercept it.”
“No need to worry about that, Grandfather.”
Did he really think I’d ask him for help without preparing anything?
When I smiled knowingly, the Count stared at me wide-eyed.
“My younger brother will take care of it.”
“Did the conversation go well?”
“Thanks to you.”
I was alone in the reception room when Richard returned and sat beside me as if it were the most natural thing.
I stared at him, and he met my gaze with a gentle smile.
“Count Epsilard left in a hurry, saying he was sorry.”
“Did he?”
“He left a message. Aren’t you curious what it was?”
“?”
He smirked mischievously and leaned in to whisper in my ear.
When I heard what he said, my eyes widened like a startled rabbit. Richard just smirked even more, his eyes crinkling playfully.
I shot up from my seat.
“I’m going back.”
“You’re not staying longer?”
“My maid will start to worry. It’s about time Lady Sesil began to suspect.”
“Shall I escort you…?”
“No need.”
I held out my palm close to his face, firmly.
He blinked, then burst into a low chuckle.
“Hm? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
“Your face is red, Princess. Is it because of what I said about the Count?”
“…”
If not for the matter of maintaining my dignity, I would have grabbed this guy by the hair and yanked it out right here.
‘Consider yourself lucky.’
With that thought, I passed Richard, wrapped my robe tightly around me, and grabbed the door handle.
‘Just what did Grandfather see between me and Richard to say something like that?’
[‘Though she hasn’t even had her debutante ball yet, should she get engaged, I won’t sit quietly, Your Highness.’]
All the way back to the palace in the carriage, I couldn’t stop thinking about Richard’s smug face and those teasing words.
“Your Highness…!”
“Mullin.”
Just as I was about to sneak back in through the hidden passage, I ran into Mullin on her covert patrol.
She quickly pulled me out, scanned the surroundings, and whispered urgently.
“Perfect timing! It’s a mess—Blemi reported false information to the Empress!”
“Oh, did she make a scene about me leaving the palace?”
“That part was fine. But she insisted on seeing your face today of all days!”
Mullin scowled and continued.
“I used the excuse that Your Highness looked pale and needed time to get ready, but thank goodness you arrived within ten minutes.”
She lifted me onto her back.
“Forgive the rudeness, Your Highness!” she said as she dashed toward the palace.
Inside my room, she stripped off my robe and dress, switching them to nightwear, then laid me on the bed.
She pulled the bell. A squad of maids rushed in to examine me from head to toe.
“As Mullin said, Your Highness really does look pale.”
“We should get her ready quickly. The Empress demanded she be brought in as soon as possible.”
They began helping with my makeup while muttering under their breath.
“What was Blemi thinking, spreading rumors like that?”
“Seriously. The shame she’s brought to her house…”
“Not to mention the person she tried to trick was the Empress. The damage to her reputation…”
Blemi and her household would likely be wiped off the noble registry soon enough.
The maids clapped and giggled as they helped me into a dress matching my hair color.
“Go and put that arrogant Blemi in her place!”
“She always used your name to belittle us. Don’t let her get away with it, Princess!”
“Go get her, fighting!”
I laughed softly at their cheer.
“I’m not going to war.”
“Oh, but in a way, this is a palace battle! No swords, arrows, or armor, but still a war.”
…Well, true.
I was, after all, going to deliver a blow to enemies named the Empress and Blemi.
‘Let’s see how despairing your face looks when you see mine.’
I stepped outside.
A group was waiting, including Sesil and the Imperial Knights, who bowed upon seeing me.
“By order of the Empress, we are here to escort you, First Princess.”
“Where is the Empress now?”
“She is in the audience hall of the Emperor’s Palace with His Majesty and a maid named Blemi.”
The Emperor was clearly involved now, too.
I followed the knights with a curious expression at how big the incident had become.
Walking beside me, Sesil asked quietly,
“Your Highness… be honest. Did you plan this?”
“I don’t understand your meaning.”
“Don’t play innocent. That maid Blemi wouldn’t have gone to the Empress without reason.”
So she’s not just a goof—she’s the head of the knights for a reason.
‘Crazy mutt.’
I wanted to applaud her insight, but if I did, I’d be exposing myself.
I feigned ignorance with a smile.
“I really don’t understand. I’ve been in my room all day.”
“…”
“Surely you don’t doubt your master?”
“I’m just… worried because the commotion centers around you.”
“Then proving my innocence should be enough.”
“Well…”
“There’s no one but me who can claim whether I’m lying or not. So, I’m innocent.”
“…Naturally.”
Sesil shook her head as if admitting defeat.
When we arrived at the Emperor’s audience chamber, I entered under escort and found the Empress, the Emperor, and Blemi—kneeling and restrained.
When she saw me, Blemi’s eyes widened.
“Th-This can’t be…!”
The Empress glared coldly and said icily,
“Blemi Raona. Your father, the Marquess of Raona, praised you to no end. I am deeply disappointed in him after seeing your behavior.”
“Y-Your Majesty! I only reported what I heard from a maid of the First Princess!”
“And yet, the First Princess arrived on time. Had she really snuck out, she wouldn’t be back so soon.”
“M-Mullin Merea! The maid Mullin Merea told me! She said the Princess would leave this morning, two days later—!”
I cut her off.
“That’s strange. I never told Mullin that. And Mullin didn’t visit Evgeni’s palace either.”
“Check the entry logs!”
As if I wouldn’t erase the log?
‘With all the attempts on my life lately, I had the logbook from Evgeni’s palace brought over.’
No one will believe her, no matter how loud she shouts.
“As the Princess said, Mullin Merea’s name does not appear on the entry log from two days ago, Your Majesty.”
“Which means that maid did lie to us.”
“N-No! I didn’t… I swear…!”
Blemi’s desperate cry rang out briefly.
Then, the Emperor, who had been watching in silence, spoke.
“Blemi Raona is guilty of insulting the Imperial Family. Sentence her to death.”
—He declared.
