Chapter 38
Before being abandoned, she decided to abandon first.
Pania wrapped her arms around her husband’s waist and smiled cruelly at the corner of her lips. If it were up to her, she wanted to poison the crown prince and send him to a comfortable place as soon as possible.
“It will happen soon.”
Elaine smiled lightly at his wife. The unpleasant smiles of the two looked very similar.
After visiting the imperial palace, several peaceful days passed. By recovering all the embezzled money from the accounting manager and using it for the servants’ welfare and mansion repairs, the effect appeared quickly.
First, the maids were happy because the dormitory had no rats anymore and they received clean new bedding. High-quality candles were also provided so they could read books or do embroidery before sleeping. Perhaps because of this, the maids’ eyes became very gentle whenever I passed by.
Ricardo, who was always busy with territory affairs even without going to war, was away from home for several days. I could change the mansion environment freely without worrying about anyone watching.
Yan said that since there was a new lady of the house, it would make sense to decorate according to her taste.
Even if I stayed here only for a while, I wanted this place to be a comfortable space that could give peace of mind.
As a result, the gray mansion changed.
When the wind blew, white lace curtains swayed from the windows, and warm-colored paint was applied to every arched iron gate, giving the mansion the feeling of a resort villa. Because of that, the red rose vines that had not been impressive before now made the mansion look more romantic and elegant.
The maid uniforms also changed. When the dull brown clothes like those of monks were changed to sky blue, their faces also brightened.
Without needing to say anything, the maids voluntarily decorated shelves and tables with flowers. Even the gardener came to discuss which flower seeds to plant next year, sensing the changed atmosphere inside the mansion.
Only then did the sense of discomfort I had felt in this mansion fade, and a feeling of comfort that made it feel somewhat like my home appeared.
Satisfied with these changes, I leaned my back against the terrace railing and enjoyed the lazy morning sunlight.
I sprinkled some crumbs of cookies beside the terrace railing, and a small bird flew over and began pecking them with its cute beak.
Watching that, I felt anxious because I thought this comfort would not last forever.
“If I were too faithful to the role of a duchess, I keep forgetting what my goal is. I wish I had wings like you and could fly far away.”
I spoke to the bird as if revealing my inner thoughts.
“Am I getting used to life here?”
It looked like I was asking the bird, but I was actually asking myself.
Unknowingly, the hatred I once had for Ricardo was slowly fading, and even the empress, whom I thought was the villain before possession, no longer felt like an enemy I had to oppose.
There were many good people in the duke’s mansion, and as time passed, it kept making me want to stay here longer.
The problem was Yelena.
I had learned that the real murderer who killed Stella and Kayla was Yelena, and that her malice toward me was beyond imagination.
But she was Ricardo’s lover and the daughter of an important family that helped him become emperor.
When I mistakenly thought Ricardo was the murderer who killed me, I only thought about escaping from him safely. But now that I knew the real culprit, I wondered if there was any need to waste more time.
‘If the Guineiro family falls, that’s enough.’
If that happened, the empress who was checking the influence of the Guineiro family might not care whether I left Ricardo or not. Ricardo had always hated me anyway, so he would probably want me to divorce him as soon as possible.
At the same time, other thoughts began branching out.
What would happen to Ricardo if the Guineiro family collapsed? Would the absence of his helper make him unable to become emperor and change the original story? Would the Third Prince Elaine become emperor in the end?
No. Ricardo did not become emperor only because of the Guineiro family. He was a man who would somehow seize the throne with his own strength.
But if the opposing force, the Guineiro family, disappeared… the empress and the third prince might go out of control.
Wait. Why am I thinking about this? I’m struggling myself, so why am I worrying about Ricardo? This is ridiculous.
Realizing that all my worries were related to Ricardo, I was shocked and suddenly stood up from my seat. The bird, startled as well, flew up into the sky.
“Focus only on getting rid of the Guineiro family!”
I scolded my weakened self and shook my head violently to throw away useless thoughts.
“Did you bring more dessert? Are you going to stand up?”
Ena came with a pretty tray in both hands and widened her eyes.
“Yeah. I was just sitting, so I feel sleepy.”
I stretched lightly, and saw two maids walking and laughing in the garden below, holding flowers in their hands. As if sharing a secret, they blushed happily even though no one was around.
“What makes them so happy? Come to think of it, everyone seems to be in a good mood today.”
Hearing my muttering, Ena put down the dessert tray and smiled.
“Because the festival period starts today.”
“Festival? What festival? The birthday of some famous saint?”
“It’s a festival that has been passed down around the Poga River for a long time. If you give flowers to the person you like and confess your love, it is said to come true.”
“Oh. Like Valentine’s Day?”
“Huh? Valen—…”
When I spoke, Ena tilted her head slightly.
“It’s nothing.”
I waved my hand, and Ena continued with a smile.
“Have you heard the legend of the Poga River?”
“Hm?”
I knew that the Poga River was a large river flowing around the capital, but it was my first time hearing the legend.
“A long time ago, there was a couple who promised to marry. While the man went to war, the woman went to the river every day to wait for him. Not even missing a single day. Then one day, the winter snow melted and the woman fell into the river and died.”
“Not long after, the man returned from the battlefield, mourned her death, and threw himself into the river.”
I frowned while listening to Ena.
I didn’t quite understand. Setting aside such a cliché tragic love story that made me want to yawn.
“Isn’t that too horrible a tragedy? Do they celebrate such a day as a festival? It feels like even couples who are doing well will become unhappy, not that love will be fulfilled.”
Seeing my serious face, Ena couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.
“That’s why people throw flowers into the river to comfort those unfortunate lovers. They hope love will be fulfilled there. Everyone gets excited, looking for partners, saying that if they stay with the person they like today, love will come true.”
Hearing Ena’s words, I finally understood.
Why the maids were holding flowers, teasing each other, blushing and laughing earlier.
“Hm. I didn’t know there was such a festival. So that’s why the mansion atmosphere felt strangely excited today.”
“Originally it’s a day to pray for love’s fruition, but now it has become a festival enjoyed by everyone in the capital.”
I nodded, and suddenly Ena’s eyes sparkled as she looked at me. She clapped her hands cutely and spoke in an excited voice as if she had a good idea.
“How about we go and see it? You said you were bored earlier, so today you should dress up nicely and go out to watch the festival together.”
“Me?”
“Yes! Many nobles and high-ranking ladies and lords come out too. On this day, regardless of commoner or noble, everyone dresses beautifully like flowers. I think it would be good for you to take a walk around the Poga River as a change of mood.”
“Dress nicely? Mood… change?”
“Yes!”
I was completely persuaded by Ena’s cute pleading. Seeing me smile faintly, Ena jumped lightly.
The sun was setting over the gently flowing Poga River, and golden ripples shimmered on the water.
On the highest church bell tower where the river could be seen at a glance, someone stood.
Arms crossed lazily, Ricardo was watching the Poga River. Behind him was the old elder Marco, who was respectfully clasping his hands.
Their conversation seemed to have just ended, and the wrinkles on Marco’s face looked deeper than usual.
“But His Highness the Third Prince has already publicly said that he will attend the wedding ceremony of the Kingdom of Kaia as a substitute. Moreover, Her Majesty the Empress also believes that if the crown prince cannot go, then naturally the Third Prince should go…”
Ricardo’s request was simple.
He wanted to be sent to the Kingdom of Kaia as the emperor’s representative.
