Chapter 78
The Empress, who had already prepared answers that would satisfy those filled with suspicion and curiosity, immediately dispelled their doubts.
“Grand Duke Verato proposed to Lady Mares, who narrowly escaped death, and the two returned to the capital after promising to marry.”
“They’re getting married?”
“That’s right. They spoke with His Majesty the Emperor about their engagement, but as the story spread, it became distorted in strange ways.”
Even the elderly noblewomen, who loved to gossip, now nodded. It was natural for a married couple to have children, so it was easy to accept that impatient people had simply embellished the story.
“How beautiful! A heartless fiancé broke the engagement because she was ill, but the Grand Duke saved the dying lady and promised marriage.”
“You saw how Lord Verato acted just earlier, didn’t you? Now that Lady Mares has regained her health, he suddenly seems reluctant again.”
“To fall in love with someone taken in at the Mares household? Does that even make sense?”
“To throw away his fiancée for being ill, and then abandon the woman he was involved with because he grew tired of her—how irresponsible can a man be?”
“Half of his blood is from House Verato, and yet he does nothing but disgraceful things.”
Those who had been enamored with the story of Tirchen and Elicia’s destined love now began to shift their focus elsewhere.
As criticism about Gustavo’s irresponsibility and dishonor spread among the people, his face turned pale. The image he had carefully built to become crown prince of the Netor Empire was shattered to pieces.
Now, in everyone’s eyes, he was nothing more than a shameless, dishonorable man.
The Empress Asta, wearing a benevolent smile, looked around the hall before fixing her gaze on Gustavo.
Fearing that words of condemnation might come from her lips, Gustavo tensed.
“Lord Verato.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Don’t you think it’s time you take responsibility for your actions?”
“Responsibility…? What do you mean?”
“People might accept that you abandoned someone because she was dying. But to cast aside a woman after using her—that’s something much harder to understand.”
“Your Majesty, I swear I did nothing that requires responsibility.”
“If you didn’t, then there should be no problem.”
Though Empress Asta appeared to accept his denial, the eyes of the people around him said otherwise. Unless he married Leticia, he would now be regarded as the worst kind of man.
Leticia secretly rejoiced. It hadn’t gone exactly as she intended, but at last she had Gustavo completely in her grasp.
For the first time, sunlight seemed to pour into her life, which had until now been covered only in dark clouds.
While people’s attention lingered on Gustavo and Leticia, Tirchen quietly slipped away with Elicia.
As the situation calmed, Empress Asta also turned to leave—but then she noticed a woman glaring at Leticia.
The Empress smiled faintly and left, knowing that once she was gone, Countess Gellik would surely speak her mind.
As expected, the moment the Empress stepped away, Countess Gellik approached Leticia.
“So you’re Porta’s daughter?”
“Pardon? You knew my mother?”
“Knew her? I had a very deep connection with her.”
“Ah, then you must have been my mother’s friend. I’m pleased to meet you.”
Leticia, unconcerned with how others were looking at her, smiled sweetly, happy to meet someone who seemed to know her mother.
“You look exactly like her.”
“In what way? I was separated from my mother when I was young, so I hardly remember her face.”
“Oh my, to act exactly like a mother you don’t even remember—that’s astonishing!”
“Please tell me the details of how we’re alike.”
“Details?”
Even when Countess Gellik spoke with scorn in her tone, Leticia remained oblivious, lost in her own delusions. Judging from the woman’s fine clothes, she seemed like someone useful to befriend.
“Your mother always coveted other women’s men. And seeing you behave the same way—it seems blood really doesn’t lie.”
Leticia’s smiling face stiffened awkwardly.
The woman before her was not an ally, but an enemy.
It would have been wiser to ignore her and walk away, but Leticia, stung by anger, refused to retreat in silence.
“Whose man, exactly, are you claiming my mother took? Gustavo never loved Elicia to begin with. The one he loves is me.”
“You think you can live happily after stealing someone else’s man?”
“Why keep calling it stealing? It was only a formal betrothal with no love. It was already broken off. You’re the one who’s not thinking straight.”
“Shameless, just like your mother.”
“What did my mother ever do to you, for you to talk to me like this?”
“Even your mouth is rude.”
“Hey, lady! You’re the unpleasant one here.”
Leticia’s crude outburst shocked the onlookers.
Her vulgar behavior only further dragged down Gustavo’s reputation.
“My goodness… did you hear what she just said?”
“No manners at all!”
“People attract their own kind, don’t they?”
“Indeed. She’s clearly not a woman of refinement fit for any decent man.”
Though no one openly criticized Gustavo, listening to their whispers made his face burn with shame.
Leticia’s disgraceful tantrum did not earn sympathy for Gustavo, but rather contempt—people now believed that a man who kept company with such a woman could not be any better himself.
The situation grew ever more unfavorable for him.
He longed to abandon her on the spot, but knew that would only worsen the scandal. Reluctantly, he realized the best option was to personally escort her out.
“Let’s go.”
Gustavo tried to pull Leticia away, but she resisted.
Consumed by rage, she had lost all reason. She needed to retaliate against the woman who had humiliated her.
“What, did my mother steal your man or something?”
“That’s right. Your mother stole my fiancé.”
“You should have managed him better, then. Don’t blame others for your own shortcomings.”
At that, Gustavo, unable to endure any longer, grabbed her around the waist to drag her away.
She kicked and screamed, flailing her arms, making the two of them look utterly ridiculous.
“Hah! Actually, I should thank your mother. Because she stole my fiancé, I ended up marrying a much better man.”
“Then what are you complaining about?”
“I’m not. I just wanted to wish you the same fate as your mother.”
Though she called it a blessing, her tone dripped with malice. With those words, Countess Gellik turned away.
“Don’t worry about me—I’ll live well. I know how to hold on to the man I want!”
Leticia shouted after her, raising her voice.
Never in his life had Gustavo felt so humiliated. Fearing she would make an even greater scene, he dragged her out of the hall, cursing under his breath.
Tirchen, meanwhile, held Elicia’s hand firmly as they strolled slowly through the palace garden, where light and shadow mingled.
The night garden, dotted with lanterns, radiated a mysterious charm.
“Have you ever seen the pond inside the palace?”
“No. Whenever I visit, I only meet with Her Majesty the Empress, so I’ve never looked around.”
“It’s beautiful in the day, but at night it has a different charm.”
“Is that where we’re headed now?”
“Yes. I thought you’d like it.”
Though Elicia walked with her head lowered, Tirchen could feel she was smiling. How he knew, he couldn’t say—she made no sound, nor did her shoulders tremble. Yet he could sense the curve of her lips as if he saw it clearly.
That invisible smile seemed to soak gently into his heart.
Though Tirchen had often seen these palace gardens, tonight everything looked different. The branches swaying in the breeze seemed to dance; the chirping of insects sounded like music.
Everything was transformed simply because Elicia was beside him.
Through the moonlight and the glow of lanterns, a small bridge came into view, crossing the pond.
“There’s even a bridge?”
“Yes, and a little cabin on the other side.”
“A cabin? In the palace?”
“As a child, I hated coming here. Wherever I went, attendants followed me, and though the palace was vast, I never felt free. There wasn’t a single place I could rest in peace.”
“So that cabin became your refuge?”
“Yes. It’s my private space. When His Majesty declared me heir at sixteen, I refused—I said I hated the palace. So he had the cabin built, to lure me into visiting often.”
The cabin had been bait to tie him to the palace.
Each time he came, Tirchen spent most of his time there. Eventually, he grew accustomed to it, and now the palace felt almost like home.
As they spoke, the two reached the bridge. Sharing a look, they stepped onto it together—it was just wide enough for two to walk side by side.
Once across, the path lay in darkness, with no lanterns to guide them.
“Don’t be afraid. I’ve come here so often I could walk this path with my eyes closed.”
“Yes.”
With Tirchen holding her hand tightly, Elicia felt no fear of the dark. The only trouble was her shoes; with no light, her steps were uncertain.
After a few paces, Tirchen stopped.
“Are we there already?”
“No. But you don’t seem comfortable walking like this.”
She couldn’t deny it.
“May I carry you?”
“What?”
“It’ll be quicker and easier.”
“But…”
Ignoring her weak protest, Tirchen slipped an arm behind her knees and lifted her in his arms.
Startled, Elicia quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.
“You’re so light.”
At his words, her heart fluttered.
Even though the night was dark, she pressed her face into his shoulder, fearing he might notice her blush.
His solid yet refreshing scent filled her senses, seeping deep into her lungs. It wasn’t the smell of flowers or grass, but a unique fragrance that belonged only to Tirchen.
Being carried by him stirred memories of childhood—her father carrying her to bed after she stayed up too late. He, too, had smelled wonderful.
Her mother once told her that every person had their own unique scent. And to Elicia, Tirchen’s somehow reminded her of her father’s.
A scent that wrapped her heart warmly and made her feel safe.
