Chapter 98
“What do you mean by ‘protecting from a curse’?”
Crash!
At Theodore’s words, a dish slipped from a servant’s tray and shattered on the floor.
“I- I’m terribly sorry! I’m so sorry!”
The servant’s shoulders trembled in fear as he repeatedly apologized.
A cursed Grand Duke talking about curses… oh no, what if the elders found out?
Ugh, this isn’t a party anymore; it would turn into a scene of slaughter.
The servant tried to recover the broken pieces on the floor, but his trembling hands wouldn’t obey.
Other staff rushed over, curious about the commotion, and cleaned up the mess.
Hearing the sudden clamor, the elder seats of the father and mother turned to see what had happened.
The children didn’t care about them; they were engrossed in a serious discussion among themselves.
“Just a normal servant’s mistake,” they thought.
Everyone turned their heads. Among the seats, Sinclair, Kenneth, and Gerald’s were empty.
Sinclair had left with Kenneth to change her dress, and Gerald hadn’t returned yet because he was meeting with the theater director.
Except for Theodore, the children glared at Beatrice with eyes full of anger.
But Beatrice, completely unfazed, popped a piece of pudding into her mouth and exclaimed in delight:
“Oh, it’s so soft! I like Theodore’s pudding!”
Ignoring Theodore’s question, she chewed happily, which made him frown.
And on top of that, she dared to call him so casually.
She hadn’t even been polite enough to address Cordelia properly yet.
A wrinkle formed between Theodore’s brows, much like Gerald’s expression. But Beatrice pretended not to notice and continued:
“I heard this was made by the Grand Duchess?”
“That’s right. The Grand Duchess makes anything for me, Theodore. But how did you know about the pudding?”
“I know everything, hohoho.”
Beatrice bowed her head slightly as she laughed, looking like a witch straight out of a fairy tale read by a stepmother.
“Beatrice.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The stern voice of Theodore made Beatrice respond cheerfully.
“How cheeky.”
“…!”
“And you still haven’t answered my question.”
“This pudding is from the bakery called ‘Theodore’s Gift,’ made by the Grand Duchess.”
“You?”
“Yes. Haven’t you heard? A huge department store opened in the city. They have the ‘Theodore’s Gift’ series there—bakery, coffee, perfume, um…”
Beatrice’s eyes rolled with excitement as she continued talking rapidly.
“Oh, I’ve heard of it. Sounds popular.”
“Yes!”
“Then you should answer my first question, right?”
“Hmm? What was that?”
Beatrice popped a meringue into her mouth and looked at Theodore.
Is she teasing me now?
“What do you mean by ‘protecting from a curse’?”
Theodore glared at her while holding the Orlesion prayer book.
Click.
Children who had relaxed when the word “curse” came up dropped their forks or quietly put down their lemon soda to listen.
“Theodore’s curse” was a taboo word in the Empire, especially in front of the Grand Duke himself.
It was a word so frightening it could make someone feel sick with fear.
Rotis had been locked in the “Reflection Room” for two days after mentioning it.
He had been confined for only half a day before for reading a forbidden book, but never two full days.
Recalling the fear in the dark and cold, Rotis shivered.
Daphne almost lost her tongue when she asked her brothers about it. The flash of the blade in front of her eyes was still vivid.
In any situation, speaking about “Theodore’s curse” was forbidden.
Especially in an official setting.
And in front of the person himself?
Ugh!
Cordelia felt tears welling up. She had simply asked her mother at tea time what the Grand Duke’s curse was after overhearing whispers from the adults.
For the first time in her life, she got slapped by her mother and dragged to the underground prison of the Heder family. She had never been to such a horrifying place before.
The sharp smell of blood and damp filth clung to her body and made her skin crawl.
“I want to live and die here, huh?”
Her mother’s harsh words made her faint on the spot.
And now, that insane girl dared to speak the forbidden “Theodore’s curse.”
The children’s hearts all started pounding.
Emperor Herace had made “Theodore’s curse” a taboo word, giving it life by decree.
Many had been executed for speaking it recklessly; entire families had been annihilated.
From that point onward, the people of the Empire feared the term “Theodore’s curse.”
The unfortunate Grand Duke, cursed and having lost his parents, had become a demon in the eyes of the Empire.
As the Grand Duke grew—babbling, crawling, walking, talking, and running—the ominous prejudice spread like wild vines throughout the Empire.
The place where the future devil would live.
The region of Karikas, destined to hold the evil that would one day destroy the Empire.
Meanwhile, Emperor Herace’s reputation improved. Not only did he allow such a dangerous child to live, he punished anyone who spoke of the Duke’s curse, presenting himself as a benevolent uncle.
He even arranged the Grand Duke’s marriage quickly, selecting the daughter of Michael Owen, head of a noble family.
Though the children of the Grand Duke could not inherit his glory, the people at least felt relief that the marriage of eligible young ladies was progressing smoothly.
And the Grand Duchess, who married into the feared Karikas territory, removed the word “curse” from “Theodore’s curse” and opened a dessert shop named “Theodore’s Gift.”
It offered sweetness never seen before: pudding, meringues, crisp nougat, colorful Schnibalen cracked with a hammer, cakes infused with sweetness, and fizzy drinks that popped in the mouth.
The people of the Empire had previously only had honeyed foods.
“Theodore’s Gift” became an instant sensation and an indispensable shop in the Empire.
Arrive at 10 a.m. when it opens, and it would sell out immediately.
Even from the moment it closed, servants queued up.
A “sweet post?” No, a torturous post! Servants could only smell the delicious scents while wiping their drooling mouths.
Now, the word “gift” automatically followed the name Theodore, replacing the fearsome “curse.”
The terrifying and dreadful Theodore had become a sweet, soft, and pleasant word. Ladies at tea whispered about this newfound delight.
Not only that.
Celebrities ensured they had at least one perfume from “Theodore’s Gift,” a scent so captivating it lingered all day.
It was shocking.
A cheap magical potion, an odd oil, and that was perfume.
Even the store sold “clean” water from “Theodore’s Gift.”
Some nobles secretly inquired if a purifier could be installed at Karikas.
Even commoners considered moving to Karikas because of the water. Purified water was provided free to Karikas residents.
And today, “The Gift” arrived for the Numitor Study Team.
As the golden carriage entered the garden under the red glow of the setting sun, it took their breath away.
The sunlight blazed orange like the morning sun, illuminating the garden.
The Grand Duke stood beside the Crown Prince, wearing the same uniform as Emperor Julius hung in the palace hallway.
He was no demon.
He was noble and adorable enough that even the children wanted to pinch his chubby peach-colored cheeks.
But that was impossible. His glowing red eyes were awe-inspiring.
Holding the Crown Prince’s hand and toddling forward, heads bowed instinctively.
“Fill your eyes with dignity.”
Looking up, the Grand Duke handed out candy sticks with greetings in a flourish, like drawing a dagger from a sheath.
Hooray! The latest “Theodore’s Gift”!
Was this a dream or reality?
Faced with the candy, the children were completely enchanted.
Yes! They cheered inwardly.
“Welcome, Grand Duke!”
But dare anyone ruin their sweet delight?
No matter how powerful the current Imperial family was, Beatrice Caliore’s behavior was too much.
The children glared at Beatrice in unison.
Then, a tiny voice piped up:
“Your Highness, a curse refers to wishing misfortune or disaster upon someone.”
Timid Rotis tried to subtly shift the conversation, gathering his courage.
With the Crown Prince present, any mistake would reach the Emperor’s ears, and all would face destruction.
The “Reflection Room” must be avoided at all costs.
“Rotis Salamis, do you take me, the Grand Duke, lightly?”
Hiss.
The Grand Duke’s cold gaze made Rotis duck into his collar like a turtle. Though he had barely managed greetings and introductions earlier, the Duke knew exactly who he was.
“I, Theodore, understand that much,” said the Grand Duke.
He wasn’t a fool. Rotis had thought he’d be slow-minded due to the curse.
“We who will be the protagonists of today’s play, and the founder of the Beatrice Empire, ‘Iclis,’ also used curses. How could one not know curses? The Empire was born of them.”
Wow. His knowledge of history was solid.
Yet he seemed completely unaware of his own curse?
The children decided to be even more cautious with their words and looked at Theodore. Rotis moistened his dry lips nervously.
“And I asked not you, Rotis, but Beatrice. Beatrice!”
As his red eyes turned to her, everyone glared at Rotis. Beatrice looked around the table, amused, and smiled at Theodore.
She liked attention… hmm, good.
“The reason I said I would protect from a curse is…”
“Beatrice!”
As Beatrice began to speak, the Crown Prince’s eyes widened to stop her.
Please, Your Highness, restrain that meddling Beatrice.
The children clasped their hands together, looking at the Crown Prince.
