Chapter 63
“Enough.”
Eliana lowered her eyes, avoiding Florian’s gaze.
“No, so the Grand Duchess confronted Her Majesty because she knew a way to cure Lady Orante’s skin disease?”
The extinguished flame of curiosity reignited at the encouragement of the Countess. As if she had been waiting for this, Rosella lifted her chin and urged Eliana on.
“Seems like you were having an interesting debate.”
Florian whispered into Rosella’s ear.
His friendly demeanor wasn’t unpleasant. Even in front of Eliana, his gaze remained solely on her, and Rosella couldn’t help but let her lips relax into a smile.
“Lady Orante’s skin disease is like a mark on her family. No one is unaware that the Count and his wife exhausted their meager resources, calling every doctor in the empire to cure their daughter.”
Leaning in close as if sharing a secret, Rosella whispered Delina’s story into Florian’s ear.
“I see.”
“The doctors couldn’t help, so the Grand Duchess intervened and spoke up, and now this mess has happened. False hope is always followed by an even greater despair.”
“Indeed.”
Florian nodded in agreement with Rosella.
Rosella’s political skill was truly impressive—raising her voice deliberately to convey her point to those nearby. Florian, stepping just behind her and leaning slightly as he echoed her words, matched her perfectly.
“Whether it will lead to despair or another hope, that is uncertain.”
“What?”
Eliana, who had been silently listening, spoke, and the dining hall murmured with excitement. Everyone was intrigued by the clash between the Empress and the Grand Duchess.
“Your Majesty, have you heard this story?”
Florian, standing quietly behind Rosella, stepped forward. As the only man among the women, he immediately drew everyone’s attention.
“What rumor are you referring to?”
Startled by the sudden question, Rosella turned her head toward Florian. Thanks to Florian standing close behind her, turning her head brought them so near that it took her breath away.
“From children to adults, betting has become widespread in the empire.”
At the mention of betting, everyone nodded in agreement, looking at Eliana. None expected Florian to bring up a bet regarding Gredi’s death while the very person involved was present.
“Yes, the commotion is everywhere. It’s impossible not to know.”
“It seemed quite interesting, indeed.”
“The guild master also bet?”
Florian shook his head.
“I have something even more intriguing.”
Florian smirked slightly, shaking his head, and the young ladies’ faces flushed. His sandy hair fell over his smooth forehead. Beneath it, his crimson eyes, narrow like the sun over the sea at sunset, fixed on Rosella.
“I see.”
Rosella barely managed to suppress her urge to ask what he meant. The intensity of his gaze on her side made her eyelids flutter.
“Since the Grand Duchess seems so confident, why not give her a chance?”
“A chance?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Florian bowed slightly.
“A chance can bring reward, but it can also bring punishment.”
Rosella’s eyes glinted. The thought of officially humiliating Eliana made the corners of her lips rise involuntarily.
“Well, Grand Duchess, if you’re so confident, shall we place a bet? If you win, you shall receive Red Winter.”
Eliana, who had been lowering her gaze, lifted her head.
“Red Winter?”
Rosella nodded, her face wearing a satisfied and mischievous smile.
“But if you fail to cure Lady Orante’s skin disease, you will face a fitting punishment.”
“I accept.”
There was no hesitation. It was about obtaining Red Winter.
“Good. The punishment will be this: on the day a new season opens, you will attend the party I host in just a chemise.”
Gasp.
Someone hurriedly inhaled, covering their mouth in shock at Rosella’s demand.
No one in the empire’s history had ever attended a party hosted by the Empress in only undergarments. Rosella’s request was utterly absurd.
“The Grand Duchess is accustomed to such attire, so it should cause little damage, Your Majesty.”
The Countess struggled to maintain composure while appeasing Rosella.
“Very well.”
The smiles on Rosella and the Countess’s lips faded.
“You really intend to attend the party in just a chemise, Grand Duchess?”
“Only if Lady Orante agrees to this bet.”
“I, I…”
Under the sudden attention from Rosella, Eliana, and others, Delina bowed her head deeply. She was familiar with this sort of scrutiny—though usually in unfavorable ways.
“Lady Orante of the Orante family has contracted a skin disease?”
“Stay away, it might be contagious.”
No one else spoke; everyone simply tried to avoid her.
“Lady, if you trust me, I will cure that disease.”
Through the lowered gaze, Eliana’s hand enveloped Delina’s. The sincerity transmitted even through a thin glove caused Delina to nod unconsciously.
“Since Lady Orante has agreed, the bet is established.”
Rosella turned away harshly.
Florian followed her, as if acting as her knight.
Once Rosella left, the others departed, seemingly with no further interest. Only a few nobles remained, observing Eliana with curiosity.
“…Grand Duchess.”
Delina called to Eliana, her face flushed from excitement, barely concealed by makeup.
“Your face is extremely dry.”
“This is not the time to worry about my face.”
Delina stomped her feet, worry written all over her face.
“First, I must apologize, Delina.”
“Huh?”
Delina widened her eyes at the unexpected apology. Under her flowing black hair, her crimson eyes looked like those of a captivating young lady.
“I put you in a difficult situation.”
Eliana sighed deeply, holding Delina’s hand. Surprised by the apology delivered with such sincerity, Delina moved her lips slightly.
“I’m sorry, Delina. But I really wanted to help you get better.”
Delina had been the first peer she had met in society who was genuinely kind. Unlike others who scrutinized her, Delina had complimented Eliana with pure eyes.
Eliana naturally wanted to help someone who had approached her first.
“But…”
It was a disease no renowned imperial doctor could cure.
Eliana firmly grasped Delina’s hesitant hand. Delina eventually nodded, convinced by the action rather than words.
Even if the disease wasn’t cured, she felt she could gain a good friend.
The white moon hung high in the sky. The wind slipping through the rattling window chilled Eliana’s nerves.
It seemed as if the wind had something to say, shaking the windows repeatedly, annoying her past midnight.
“Why isn’t he here yet?”
Eliana murmured to herself in the large bedroom.
Her gaze fixed on the firmly closed door.
The dark forest was surprisingly noisy. The wind through the trees, and the cries of unknown mountain birds echoed everywhere.
Her heightened senses absorbed every sound. Her tired body craved sleep, but her tense nerves made even the slightest gust jolt her.
“Haah.”
Adjusting the shawl the maid had draped over her after tending her bed, Eliana peeked out the terrace window.
All she saw was utter darkness. Surrounded by massive mountains, the sudden darkness swallowed the villa, leaving it in deep shadows.
“Where could he have gone that he’s still not back?”
On the first day, everyone had returned empty-handed or with a few small animals. They had even displayed the animals’ carcasses to lure wolves or bears tomorrow, as they had claimed.
Until now, Eliana had seen no trace of Gredi. The last image of him was him leaving without a backward glance that morning.
Eliana craned her neck to look outside. An owl hooted loudly, warning of light nearby. She stepped onto the windy terrace.
“What is he doing?”
“Ah! You scared me!”
Startled by the voice behind her, Eliana spun around. Dark eyes, shadowed by darkness, silently watched her.
She quickly closed the door against the cold wind blowing from behind.
“When did you get here?”
Calming her racing heart, Eliana took a deep breath. Her heartbeat pounded, rising rapidly.
The unfamiliar thumping made her freeze, but she finally lifted her head to meet Gredi’s face.
“Damn it!”
Facing Eliana’s worried expression, Gredi slumped onto the sofa, cursing.
At his sudden force, Eliana approached but stopped short. A strong scent of alcohol emanated from him.
