Chapter : 54
“Hoho. Your Highness the Crown Princess and Grand Duke Rikesys look so close—it’s truly a delightful sight.”
I quietly glared at Countess Robit, who was speaking in a teasing tone.
Why is she showing up in front of me right now?
She wasn’t a friendly noblewoman.
She was practically the poster child for corrupt aristocrats.
At first, she gained sympathy from noblewomen by criticizing the unfairness of political marriages.
But after she created Robit’s adultery salon, she earned the fierce backlash of conservative nobles. After attending a few tea parties with her, even I had cut ties.
If you want to have an affair, do it alone—why go around recommending it to others? That was what I’d thought.
She wasn’t some cult leader… or was she?
“I see. Countess Robit, but the Grand Duke and I are a bit busy.”
For some reason, I didn’t even want to show her the slightest kindness.
So I tried to walk past immediately, but Countess Robit grabbed my arm.
Ugh!
Just as I was about to groan, she held up a single leaf in front of my eyes.
“I have quite a sharp eye. Seeing you walking around with this stuck to you… you must have had quite an enjoyable time on the terrace?”
“…Is that really any of your concern, Countess Robit?”
But her next words made my eyes widen.
“Of course it concerns me. You don’t know what His Highness the Crown Prince said at my salon, do you, Lady Letie? Hoho.”
“…!”
At that moment, someone stepped in.
“Madam, who are you? Please refrain from treating Her Highness the Crown Princess this way.”
Grand Duke Rikesys separated me from Countess Robit.
Her gaze shifted to him.
“Hm, Grand Duke Rikesys—do you respect Lady Letie?”
“Of course!”
“Ah, then…”
She rummaged through her clutch and handed him an invitation.
“Please attend with Lady Letie. Robit’s salon always welcomes new lovers!”
“L-Lovers…?”
The Grand Duke looked flustered.
“No, Countess Robit. The Grand Duke and I will never go to your salon.”
This time, I pulled him away from her.
“Because it’s filthy.”
Just as expected, her face twisted.
“Hah. As if you’re so clean yourself.”
And I couldn’t refute what she said next.
“You’re using that innocent Grand Duke as a substitute for the Crown Prince.”
So I ignored her.
I turned around and walked away quickly.
…I don’t want anything to do with her.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess!”
“Hoho, Grand Duke Rikesys—would you talk with me for a moment?”
“N-No, step away. Your Highness the Crown Princess, please wait!”
I heard his urgent voice calling from behind, but my steps only quickened.
I want to be alone.
I ran.
Toward the Crown Princess’s palace.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess!”
His voice called out again behind me, but I couldn’t stop.
I have to go.
If I reached somewhere empty, maybe I’d find a way forward.
But why did my legs feel like they were giving out?
“Hah… hah…”
Still, I had to go.
I need to take revenge.
Didn’t I have a goal?
To get revenge on the Crown Prince.
So why did everything feel so hopeless?
“Hah…”
The moment I entered the Crown Princess’s palace and the noise from the banquet completely faded—
It’s over.
I collapsed.
“Sniff… sob…”
I couldn’t…
Before I could regain my composure, tears soaked my cheeks.
I can never go to Countess Robit’s salon.
Just seeing the Crown Prince and Nevia together shook me this much.
There was no way I could go somewhere like that.
“Sniff… sob…”
No matter how much I blinked or pressed at my eyes, tears poured endlessly like a broken faucet.
As I sat there collapsed, a huge shadow fell over my head.
“Your… Highness… the Crown Princess…”
I looked up.
Seeing the Grand Duke’s distorted, worried face, my mouth moved uselessly.
“Sniff—”
But it felt like a massive thorn was stuck in my throat; I couldn’t speak.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess.”
Even when he called me, I couldn’t answer.
“Ugh… huff…”
As I only gasped for breath, he came closer.
Then he knelt in front of me.
“I have respected Crown Prince Abel and Crown Princess Letie for a very long time.”
I stared at him.
Why was he bringing this up now?
Perhaps sensing my gaze, he took both my hands.
“I can’t describe how happy I was when I received your invitation, Your Highness. And now… I’m standing before you like this.”
Up close, he was truly a large man.
As I stared at him blankly, he lowered his head.
By now, nothing he did could surprise me anymore. But…
“…Grand Duke.”
When he rested his forehead on my hands, I couldn’t help but be shocked.
“So… I am happy right now.”
It was the highest form of respect one would show to a supreme being.
I’m not someone who deserves this kind of treatment.
“Because of your proposal, Your Highness, I gained many experiences. My knights as well… hold deep respect for you.”
No—that wasn’t it. I only intended to use all of you.
My intentions had been dirty.
But this foolish Grand Duke was saying that my actions had led to positive outcomes for everyone…
Is he… trying to comfort me?
Then his next confession struck my heart like a heavy blow.
“And… I have found true love.”
“….”
He still had his forehead pressed against my hands and wasn’t looking at me.
That alone reignited my anxiety.
He sounded too calm.
It didn’t sound like a confession directed at someone he loved. If that was the case… then…
Was my plan wrong from the very beginning?
A painful thought tore through my chest—that perhaps the Grand Duke himself was the greatest obstacle to all my plans.
But regardless of my feelings, he continued speaking.
“That person… is still out of my reach… but…”
“….”
“I… believe… that one day, that person will change their heart…”
“….”
“And someday… I will surely… approach that person properly…”
I closed my eyes.
Where had everything gone wrong?
“That is why… Crown Princess Letie is my benefactor.”
That person was his beloved. I was merely his benefactor.
“Even though our relationship was brief, you showed me great kindness. That’s why I wanted to stay by your side and protect you. That is why I pledged loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor—to protect you, Your Highness. But… but… it wasn’t only because of you. So…”
“….”
“Please… don’t feel sorry for someone like me.”
At those words, I broke down once again.
“…Please don’t cry because of me.”
“Sniff… sob… Grand… Duke…”
“Your Highness… you endured so well.”
Soon, his warm arms wrapped around me.
And suddenly, I remembered the first time I had hugged Grand Duke Rikesys.
“You don’t have to tell me everything.”
“Whatever you choose, just remember that I’m always on your side.”
Back then, I had hugged him to make him fall for me.
But now…
I just need warmth.
Anyone’s warmth—desperately.
“Your Highness… you endured so well…”
He was sobbing too.
The arms holding me trembled just like mine.
How could this be?
Without truly sharing the same emotions as me, there was no way he could offer comfort like this.
Such a kind person…
And I felt relieved.
I raised my trembling hands and hugged his back.
And so, the Grand Duke and I held each other for a long time—
Until the cool breeze carried away all our tears.
After pouring out everything that had been pent up inside me…
How embarrassing…!
Afterward, the Grand Duke and I sat side by side on a bench in a quiet corner of the Crown Princess’s palace.
Unable to say anything, we only stole glances at each other.
Aaagh…!
I felt like tearing my hair out.
