Chapter 110
A week after the emergency meeting, a grand ceremony was held at the Imperial Palace.
It was the investiture ceremony of the 3rd Prince, Ludwig, as Crown Prince.
Nearly all the nobles of the Empire attended the ceremony that day. And once it ended, a banquet was held.
Unlike before, Ludwig found the people approaching him unfamiliar, but he handled them calmly and well. The sight of him was every bit befitting a Crown Prince, and Ailen, who was watching him, smiled with satisfaction.
“You’re looking at him as if you’re watching a younger brother you raised well.”
“Honestly, it’s a similar feeling.”
Richard let out a short laugh as he looked toward Ludwig. Ailen kept her gaze on him and quietly chuckled to herself.
Even though he has the same kind of look in his eyes.
Unaware of her thoughts, Richard looked toward Ludwig and thought to himself.
‘Now things will finally be a bit easier.’
With Ludwig taking on the troublesome role of Crown Prince, there was nothing left to weigh on him.
All that remained now was to live happily with Ailen, just the two of them.
That was why Richard felt truly proud of Ludwig for voluntarily stepping up to take on the burdensome role in his place.
As the two smiled, holding similar yet slightly different thoughts, someone approached them. They had come looking for Richard.
Even though Ludwig had become Crown Prince, Richard was still royalty and the Duke of Olden. There were still many who kept an eye on his wealth and fortune.
Richard let out a brief sigh and said to Ailen,
“I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Yes. Go ahead.”
Richard started to leave but glanced back at her. Seeing that he didn’t want to part from her, Ailen almost smiled, but instead she simply waved her hand.
In the end, he followed the nobles who were calling for him.
“You should have held him back.”
“Lady Blaise.”
At Rethier’s remark as she approached Ailen, who had been left alone, Ailen smiled somewhat awkwardly.
“I simply didn’t want to interfere with his work.”
“His Grace must have been disappointed.”
“Do you think so…….”
Ailen gave a faint smile, but when she noticed someone approaching behind Rethier, she quickly composed her expression.
“Marquis Pedrick.”
“It has been a while, my lady.”
At the smooth greeting, Ailen inclined her head slightly in return.
They quietly stared at each other, yet no words passed between them. Standing beside them, Rethier felt as if her throat were drying up for no reason.
At that moment, Harry glanced at Rethier and said,
“Rethier, step aside for a moment.”
“……Yes.”
Rethier cast Ailen a quick look before stepping away as instructed.
Once only the two of them remained, Ailen spoke first.
“I heard from Richard. That you didn’t oppose it to the very end.”
“Is that so.”
“To be honest, it was unexpected. You were practically our variable.”
Both Ailen and Richard knew how stubborn Harry was. That was why, even after bringing the war hero Teslon over to their side, they had remained uneasy.
They feared Harry might oppose Ludwig becoming Crown Prince to the very end.
So when they heard that he had accepted Ludwig, they had been quite surprised.
“Was there some other reason?”
Ailen voiced the question she had been wondering about. Harry fell silent for a moment before speaking.
“I am an old noble who still has not accepted His Highness the 3rd Prince.”
“Then why…….”
“But before that, I am also a grandfather who cherishes his granddaughter.”
Ailen tilted her head. She couldn’t understand why he was suddenly saying this.
Meanwhile, looking at Ailen, Harry recalled what Rethier had once said.
“Grandfather, I have a favor to ask.”
When Rethier first said those words, Harry had been greatly surprised. She had never once asked him for anything before.
So, wanting to grant her whatever she desired, he had replied,
“Go on.”
“Please let go of His Highness the 2nd Prince.”
When Rethier said that, Harry had been forced into conflict. The loyal retainer in him who wished for Richard to become Crown Prince clashed with the grandfather who wanted to grant Rethier’s request.
Perhaps sensing his hesitation, Rethier continued.
“I want the Duchess to always keep her happy smile. For that to happen, His Highness the 2nd Prince needs to be by her side.”
“Rethier, but…….”
“He’s the first friend I’ve ever had.”
Harry had paused. Rethier wore a resolute look he had never seen before.
“I want to wish for my friend’s happiness.”
Even after hearing that, Harry had agonized. His internal struggle continued even inside the conference hall.
And when he heard Richard say that he would value his family more,
His deliberation finally came to an end—along with his long-standing plan.
“Since it is a peace won by ruining my plans and seizing victory, I hope you will be happy for a very long time.”
“Pardon?”
Ailen found herself asking reflexively. She couldn’t tell whether it was a blessing or a curse.
Harry let out a faint scoff as he looked at her, then turned sharply and left without even a proper farewell.
As she stood there blankly, Rethier approached her with a worried expression.
“My lady, did my grandfather say something unpleasant……?”
“Uh……. No. I think it was something good.”
“Yes?”
“……Probably?”
“Pardon?”
Seeing Rethier looking just as bewildered, Ailen let out a laugh.
She didn’t know why, but she somehow felt relieved.
❧ ❧ ❧
Ailen had once imagined the future after all the incidents that had troubled her came to an end.
Going on a belated honeymoon with Richard, eating sweet desserts with Adrian and wiping the cream from each other’s lips, the three of them sitting together and enjoying a year-end celebration without a single worry.
She had thought such a life would unfold.
But once everything was truly over, what came to her instead was a new concern.
“What is this?”
Even today, Ailen furrowed her brows as she looked at the empty space beside her in bed.
“Why is it harder to see him now?”
Richard had been living an even busier life lately than when he used to go out during the height of the struggle for the throne.
She had no idea what was keeping him so busy. All Ailen knew was that he was busy, and that she could only barely see his face late in the evenings.
And that always dissatisfied her.
Glaring sulkily at the empty spot, Ailen rose just as the maids entered.
She sat before the vanity to wash lightly and get ready. In the mirror, she still wore a dissatisfied expression.
Letting out a small sigh, she opened her mouth, wanting to confide her worries to someone.
“Listen.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Doesn’t it seem like Richard’s been too busy lately?”
The hand touching her cheek paused.
Seizing the moment, Ailen looked up at the maid and asked discontentedly,
“It’s not just me who thinks so, right?”
“Um……. He has been busy lately.”
“Right?”
Ailen let out a deep sigh. The maids exchanged glances before one of them spoke.
“But it’s all for you, my lady.”
“Hm?”
Ailen raised her head with a puzzled look. The maid’s tone sounded as though she knew something.
Sensing something odd, Ailen stared at her suspiciously.
“You know something, don’t you?”
“Pardon?”
‘For me’? What do you mean by that?”
“I—I only meant that everything His Grace does is for his family!”
The maid hastily made an excuse with a flustered expression. Though Ailen continued to stare at her suspiciously, she said nothing more.
In the end, Ailen decided to let it go first.
“I’ll take your word for it.”
“Thank you…….”
“So there really is something, isn’t there?”
“…….”
The maids all fell silent like clams.
Though Ailen felt uneasy about being the only one who didn’t know what was going on, since it was supposedly for her, she chose to overlook it.
‘But what could it possibly be…….’
Even after the maids left, Ailen continued to ponder.
She couldn’t for the life of her guess what kind of matter would require him to keep his distance from her for her sake.
After racking her brain for a while, she finally let out a small sigh and packed her things. Today was a workday.
❧ ❧ ❧
Arriving at Premium for work, Ailen was enjoying a rare quiet moment while there were no customers.
Annie and Heinell had gone out on an errand. Thanks to that, Premium was very peaceful at the moment.
The guard, Happy, and Anna, a newly hired employee, were chatting amicably and sharing snacks. Seeing the subtle pink atmosphere between them, Ailen unconsciously smiled fondly.
Then, when her eyes met Happy’s, she asked,
“Are both of you finding the work manageable these days?”
“Yes. Miss Annie, Miss Anna, and the customers all treat me well. It’s very nice.”
“Me too!”
“That’s a relief.”
Smiling brightly, Ailen returned to focusing on her work so as not to disturb the two of them.
Just then, the bell rang, and she turned her head. Annie and Heinell had returned.
“Good work, both of you—”
She couldn’t finish her sentence. Annie looked oddly gloomy, while Heinell was fuming with anger.
Wondering if they had had a big fight, Ailen cautiously spoke.
“Did you two argue?”
“What? O-Oh, no. It’s not that…….”
Annie trailed off, fidgeting. That only made it more suspicious.
At that moment, Heinell let out a scoff of disbelief.
“I didn’t think he was that kind of person…….”
“Who are you talking about?”
“The Duke!”
“The Duke……?”
Ailen slightly raised her brows. The only duke Heinell knew was Richard.
“Do you mean Richard?”
“Yes! Him!”
“M-Manager, wait a moment…….”
Annie grabbed Heinell’s arm to stop her. But Heinell was faster.
“I saw him earlier on the way back—he was with some woman!”
