Chapter 58…………………….
Everyone froze like ice at Hilia’s unexpected command.
Those who had been uneasy under the Grand Duchess Axion’s verbal abuse felt a sense of relief when she laughed at Hilia’s calm response.
At first glance, it seemed like an ideal and gentle flow.
“An older, powerful elder tests a young daughter-in-law in need of help, and upon passing, accepts her with a smile and generosity.”
But this perception turned upside down in an instant.
It wasn’t that Hilia spoke just to prove her courage; she had genuinely issued a guest ban to the Grand Duchess.
“Please make sure to return safely from your long journey. I will not escort you personally.”
“What?”
The anger of Grand Duchess Axion is not something easily borne.
She is someone even the Emperor or Empress cannot confront casually.
Yet Hilia—so young and still precarious in her position—had just imposed a guest ban.
“This is clearly a moment where the Grand Duchess should be testing and accepting the Crown Princess!”
Everyone thought so.
Even Anima, Hilia’s maid and close aide, felt the same.
But Hilia’s perspective was different.
She straightened her back and spoke calmly.
Because everyone had frozen in shock, forgetting even to breathe, Hilia’s clear voice rang out vividly.
“I am in a position where I must prove my qualification as a member of the royal family. I will not plead for support from someone who does not even observe basic principles.”
Principles.
Finally, everyone remembered what Hilia had said when she first arrived.
“I am the wife of Prince Arpad, the Crown Princess. The only person I must first show courtesy to is Her Majesty the Empress.”
Therefore, the Grand Duchess should be the one to show courtesy first to the Crown Princess.
This is an objective fact, independent of any political stance or personal opinion.
Hilia concluded her statement with composure.
“I have not yet greeted anyone here, so I have not met anyone.”
A low voice escaped the lips of the Grand Duchess, who had been frozen until then.
“So… does that mean you do not need my help?”
It was the first time the Grand Duchess spoke with formal respect.
I felt a thrill run down my spine.
“It worked!”
But I did not show it.
At the same time, I answered her question honestly.
“Yes, I do need it. Very much so.”
After all, it was obvious to everyone that I needed the Grand Duchess Axion’s help.
So lying and saying no would have only made me look foolish.
The Grand Duchess asked, puzzled.
“Then why are you trying to push me away?”
I smiled brightly and replied.
“I have never pushed anyone away. I have not met anyone here yet.”
The Grand Duchess had not yet shown me courtesy, so technically, we had not even exchanged greetings.
Strictly speaking, my statement that I had not met anyone was not incorrect.
From the beginning, my stance had been the same.
“You are not taking me in; I am taking you in.”
Age, personal seniority—none of that mattered.
It was a matter of power and rank.
And a Crown Princess dragged along by a collateral royal branch could never win against the Empress.
The Grand Duchess sighed.
“I never thought at this age I would be bested by such a young child.”
I did not respond further.
I merely told Anima:
“Prepare to escort her…”
The Grand Duchess replied coldly.
“That is enough.”
Then, slowly, she rose from her seat.
My heart pounded with unease.
“She’s not really going to leave, is she? If she does, it will be a complete disaster.”
But I showed no outward signs of anxiety.
I had firm confidence: there was no way the Grand Duchess would actually leave just like that.
There was only one phrase I had asked to be relayed to Miss Solenu:
“Do you really believe there is no suspicion surrounding Empress Roxellin’s death?”
A mother who had lost a daughter could not ignore that question.
The fact that the Grand Duchess, who had long remained secluded, had come to the capital—where she had never set foot—was itself the answer.
That was why I could remain composed.
And when the Grand Duchess rose but did not leave the room, I was not surprised.
Even when she finally bowed before me in respect, she maintained a dignified posture without losing her bearing, despite her age and without the aid of her maids.
“Martine of House Axion pays her respects to Crown Princess Hilia.”
Finally, I could smile and truly meet the Grand Duchess.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Grand Duchess Axion. I believe we can be of great help to each other.”
It was my victory.
And with that, the western imperial social circle had effectively knelt before me.
…
“Haa…”
Arpad was irritated by Yulken, who was beside him in the office, sighing as if the floor would collapse.
Even if Yulken were to deliver sharp criticism, sighing like this did not suit his temperament.
“Haa… Your Highness…”
The title attached to the sigh irritated Arpad.
‘Why are you calling Hilia out loud to yourself?’
Not long ago, Arpad had rejected all the documents Yulken submitted.
Now, Yulken was deliberately testing his patience again.
Arpad’s hand, about to toss aside the stack of documents, stopped.
He had seen the titles.
- Request for overall budget allocation for the Artanus Hall banquet.
- Procedure and required budget for chartering transport ships for banquet supplies.
- Budget allocation request for construction in the Crown Prince’s garden and exterior pathways.
- …Personnel costs…
…And more.
Of course, Hilia was leading the banquet preparations.
So these budget documents had likely been submitted for her or under her orders.
Even if Yulken annoyed him, Arpad could not reject the documents.
‘The Artanus Hall banquet is important to me too.’
Indeed.
He had to surpass the Empress and gain recognition from the Emperor.
‘Only then can Hilia be officially acknowledged as the Crown Princess.’
Once that happened, no one could deny that Hilia was his wife.
Arpad felt slightly puzzled.
His line of thought seemed unusual.
‘If I’m not careful, it might seem like I care more about Hilia being recognized as Crown Princess than my own position.’
He quickly refocused.
Regardless, Hilia being recognized as Crown Princess was also a good thing for him, the Crown Prince.
A couple is one entity.
‘Right. And Hilia is also doing well in keeping the Empress in check.’
That was all.
With that rationalization, Arpad stamped the documents with the Crown Prince’s seal.
All the surplus budget of the Crown Prince’s palace was allocated to the Artanus Hall banquet preparations.
Then, Yulken sighed again, heavily.
“Haaa… Your Highness… this is too much…”
Finally, Arpad lost his patience.
Bang!
He slammed the office table and scolded Yulken.
“Why do you keep muttering to yourself?”
Yulken looked puzzled.
“Pardon? I was just lamenting a personal matter to myself…”
“Then why is Hilia involved in your personal matter?”
Yulken looked as if he might cry.
“Oh… well, there are circumstances…”
“Stop speaking cryptically and explain properly!”
Yulken tilted his head.
“But Your Highness, haven’t you always said you don’t care about my personal matters?”
Indeed. Yulken talked a lot. He enjoyed conversation greatly.
Naturally, he shared many private things, but Arpad always rebuked him sharply.
“Isn’t this your workplace? Talk about work only.”
“I have no interest in my vassal’s personal life.”
Arpad stated firmly again.
“That hasn’t changed. I don’t care about your private matters.”
“Then why this time…?”
“Didn’t I already say? I’m asking because you mentioned Hilia.”
Yulken fell silent for a moment, rolled his eyes, then asked:
“Your Highness… have you noticed something strange about yourself lately?”
“What?”
Arpad was annoyed. He hated subordinates wasting time on nonsense instead of answering questions.
Especially after that fool had talked nonsense about Hilia liking him a few days ago…
At that moment, Yulken’s nonsense struck Arpad like a blow to the back of his head.
“Lately, Your Highness, you’ve been acting like a love-struck, hopeless… no, immature fool, like a first love.”
