Chapter: 05
The Gift from the Prince
“You sound like a villain.”
“Huh?”
“Never mind.”
Rue looked on with a troubled expression at Iana, who was muttering something incomprehensible to herself again. Iana glanced at the gift box she had carelessly thrown on the table, then flopped back onto the bed as if she didn’t even want to look at it.
“But Miss, you used to cherish anything the Prince gave you,” Rue said.
Rue recalled the old handkerchief Iana had once brought, claiming it was from Prince Kal. It was so worn that one could almost think she had thrown it away. Back then, the young lady had been so delighted she didn’t know what to do. Now, she had even received a gift—albeit small—but her reaction was strangely indifferent.
“Miss, aren’t you curious what the gift is? You should at least open it to express your thanks. Go ahead,” Rue urged.
Iana huffed, reluctantly sitting up, clearly bothered.
“Ugh, what a hassle. This is probably just some cosmetics or a small trinket. Judging by the wrapping, someone probably went into any jewelry shop downtown, picked up whatever was reasonably priced, and sent it off.”
Iana used to fuss over anything sent by Prince Kal, her cheeks flushed as she shyly removed the wrapping paper piece by piece. Now, her reaction was completely different. Rue watched her with concern.
Iana roughly tore off the gift wrapping and opened the box. She smirked and showed Rue the contents: a necklace with a small amethyst pendant. After showing Rue, she flopped back onto the bed.
“See? I told you. It’s not worth a single gold coin. If it were more than that, it would have been overpriced.”
“Miss, you’ve always said that judging gifts by their price is vulgar,” Rue reminded her.
“Who? Me?” Iana frowned and retorted.
“Why is it vulgar? It’s a good way to see how much someone values you. If Kal had any conscience, would he have sent something like this to a woman who collapsed after being poisoned? He would’ve sent some health-boosting herbs, or at least something of value.”
Pouting in dissatisfaction, Iana continued.
“Strictly speaking, this isn’t a gift; it should be considered compensation. I mean, someone collapsed in my house from poison, and he’s trying to make up for it with this? That’s just wrong.”
Although Prince Kal’s residence was in the palace, could one really call it “my house”? And for Iana to call a gift from His Highness “this”? Rue felt an unfamiliar strangeness in her. The gloomy, sharp expression that always seemed to cling to her had vanished, replaced by a calm, confident composure. The rigid posture she maintained to avoid being called a half-hearted princess was now partially relaxed.
“Still, shouldn’t you write a thank-you letter for the gift?” Rue asked, glancing at the necklace on the table. The thin string holding the slightly larger-than-dust purple gemstone looked fragile, like it might snap at any moment. It was clearly a thoughtless gift. Even when she received that old handkerchief, Rue had felt the same. It was obvious Prince Kal had little interest in Miss Iana.
Rue felt a pang of sympathy. How hurt must she have been to react this way? Yet, as this was a matter of the royal family, Iana had to show some deference. Rue carefully tried to broach the subject.
“Miss! Should I get some stationery for you?”
“No, leave it. He probably doesn’t even know what he sent. Maybe his aide just picked something at random. If I send a ‘thank you’ letter, it’ll probably annoy him more.”
“But this is your first time receiving a gift like this, isn’t it? Before—”
Rue trailed off, glancing at Iana. She couldn’t finish her sentence with “even an old handkerchief” in the current mood.
Since falling ill, Iana had been lethargic, spending more than half the day lying down, lacking any motivation. Even though His Highness the Grand Duke had ordered her to stay indoors to maintain her dignity, that didn’t mean she had to lie in bed all day.
Rue began to worry that Iana might merge with the bed permanently. It was nice that her mistress was docile, but Rue also feared something bad might happen.
Attending someone who spent all day in the same posture, looking so hollow and unmotivated, was harder than expected. Iana didn’t lash out or scream, but sometimes Rue found that preferable.
Even bringing Prince Kal’s careless gift with some expectation that Iana would be thrilled was rendered meaningless by her indifferent reaction.
After a moment’s hesitation, Rue spoke again.
“Miss, perhaps His Highness is beginning to look on you more favorably. He did send something better than before.”
Rue tried to pique Iana’s interest with a slightly hopeful remark. But Iana, lying on the bed without turning her head, muttered.
“Oh, please! As if! That one’s hopeless. Well, he’s sly, so maybe he’d make a good emperor someday. But he’s terrible when it comes to women. Rue, stop bringing him up around me.”
It sounded quite disrespectful to call His Highness “that one,” but Rue didn’t mind. Iana’s tone was rough after her illness, and Rue reassured herself that recovery from the poison was already miraculous; everything else would improve in time.
“But Miss, you liked His Highness, didn’t you?”
Alis pondered. Indeed. Rue was right—she could see that Iana had loved Prince Kal. At every banquet, she had amused herself watching Iana, Prince Kal, and Princess Vivienne. It was more exciting than most plays, but she had no desire to interfere. Strictly speaking, she just found the love triangle interesting, with Iana as the most appealing of the three. Proud, yet innocent and honest—genuinely in love with Kal, which was endearing.
“Love changes,” Iana mumbled, burying her face in the pillow. Rue was stunned. She hadn’t expected to hear such words from her.
“Honestly, I’m sure Prince Kal hoped my love would change too,” Iana continued.
That was probably true. Rue almost nodded.
“Anyone caught between the two would suffer, not just me. People and beasts alike stick with their own kind. Foxes should play with foxes.”
After muttering this incomprehensible statement, Iana suddenly sat up and faced Rue, eyes unusually lively.
“Rue, are you free tomorrow?”
Rue’s eyes widened. Why would Iana ask such a thing? Normally, she would just issue an order, and Rue would comply. The young lady seemed gentler than before, which made Rue both happy and worried. She moved closer and replied.
“No, Miss. I’m always the same. Why? Do you need me for something?”
“No, I’m going somewhere tomorrow. I want you to come with me.”
“But His Highness the Grand Duke ordered you to stay in seclusion,” Rue said cautiously.
Iana scoffed.
“Do you think Father will watch me all day? He probably just meant I shouldn’t cause trouble while mingling with other young ladies. He certainly wouldn’t want his daughter to stay cooped up in her room all month looking like a beggar.”
Rue nodded silently, accepting the observation. She had swallowed her tears.
“I’ll prepare a carriage.”
“Ah, but I’m still in seclusion, so please make it as discreet as possible.”
“Yes, Miss,” Rue replied.
The next day, they arrived at Perrouze Street on the outskirts of the capital. The street was lined with towering stone walls that looked like massive barriers, each with a small wooden door—each leading to a different home.
From afar, the neighborhood almost looked like one big house. It felt like a huge fortress or a mysterious tower, and outsiders often got lost in the enchanting, labyrinthine streets.
The high stone walls predated the Empire, built to defend against invasions. Once the Empire arose, their defensive purpose faded, and impoverished families built makeshift homes against the walls, creating the village.
Most were poor families who couldn’t afford proper houses in the city. From behind the walls, one could see the haphazard wooden shacks, but from the front, small wooden doors decorated with flowers or plants gave a quaint charm.
With the stone walls and plain doors all looking similar, Rue followed Iana, half-doubting that they would find the right house.
“Miss, are you sure you know the way?” Rue asked.
Iana ignored her and walked on. Rue gave up, following in resignation. He had heard strange people lived on Perrouze Street. Was it safe to come here alone with her? She reached a small wooden door and knocked.
“Who is it?” came a young male voice from inside. Iana, instead of answering, knocked again, more forcefully. Rue started to scold her—
Suddenly, the door opened. A handsome man with thick-rimmed glasses frowned at the door.
“Who on earth are you, banging on someone’s door like that—?”
“What took you so long to open the door? Are you always this slow?!” Iana shouted and barged inside without waiting for him to answer. The man, stunned by the sudden intrusion, looked from Iana to Rue.
“I’m sorry. Our young lady isn’t usually like this,” Rue apologized with an awkward smile.
