~CHAPTER 14~
The princess had returned to Oak Palace.
Or rather, it was more accurate to say that she had finally begun showing herself there.
Still, compared to the days when no one could tell where she was or when she might appear, it was remarkable progress.
She was seen occasionally talking with Countess Ornin, and according to Cora’s reports, she had begun sleeping and taking her meals in her own quarters every night.
She still never set foot in the library, but even catching a glimpse of her from time to time was enough to make Dianu’s heart leap.
Of course, the princess continued to treat Dianu as if she were invisible.
Even so, there was something Dianu wanted to confirm.
She gathered her thoughts and invited Sir Loisen to take a seat.
Her solemn expression made him look slightly uneasy.
“Sir Loisen.”
“Yes.”
“May I ask you something about Sir Edric Loisen?”
It was a risky question, and she feared she might be overstepping, but Sir Loisen nodded without hesitation.
Dianu quickly pressed on.
“Is it true that His Majesty opposed the relationship between Her Highness and Sir Edric?”
“It’s true.”
“Why?”
The princess had once claimed the Emperor opposed them because she was meant to be used for a political marriage.
Dianu wanted to know how much truth there was to that.
Sir Loisen answered carefully.
“I believe His Majesty thought their relationship was born of Lady Elpenlira’s whim.”
“A whim?”
“Yes. He thought it was the sort of fancy a young girl might take from reading romantic tales — a fleeting infatuation with a knight. Something that would vanish once the dream faded.”
The Emperor had once said he hated *The Princess Oliana and Sir Giles.*
In that light, it made sense.
“But Her Highness truly loved Sir Edric, didn’t she?”
“Yes. That part, I think, His Majesty never realized.”
“Then…”
Dianu hesitated.
She wasn’t sure if it was right to go that far.
But in the end, everything she did was for the Emperor and the princess.
She steadied herself.
“Was it just Her Highness’s misunderstanding that His Majesty deliberately sent Sir Edric on a dangerous mission?”
For the first time, Sir Loisen frowned.
His voice grew firm.
“That is absolutely not true.”
“Edric and I served His Majesty since our youth. He was chosen for that task simply because he was the best suited. His Majesty never sent him into danger on purpose.”
His heated tone startled Dianu.
Perhaps realizing it, he lowered his voice again.
“Her Highness surely doesn’t truly believe that either. But grief without a place to go often looks for someone to blame.”
“…”
“I cherished Edric like my own brother. And even now, I serve His Majesty faithfully. Does that answer your question?”
Dianu nodded.
“Yes. Thank you for telling me something so difficult.”
“His Majesty is a man who understands honor and loyalty. I hope you, Lady Ortensa, never doubt that.”
“Who am I to doubt His Majesty?”
That was what she said, but the truth was, ever since what happened in the Hall of Knights, she had been wondering about the Emperor’s intentions.
He longed for peace with Arasas, and the greatest key to that peace was the marriage between the princess and the Arasas Crown Prince.
It wouldn’t have been strange if he had wanted Sir Edric Loisen out of the way.
If she hadn’t met the Emperor in person, Dianu might have believed that herself.
But hearing it from Sir Loisen — Edric’s own brother — she couldn’t help but believe him.
She felt as though a weight had lifted from her chest.
It had been sitting there like a pebble in her shoe.
At the same time, she felt foolish for needing the reassurance.
“Why did I even want to be told the Emperor is a good man? What does that have to do with me?”
She was just a tutor, and once her duty was done, that would be the end of it.
When things were settled, she could return to her peaceful life at House Erbinjel.
And now that the princess had started behaving somewhat normally, that day seemed closer than ever.
Yet, whenever she imagined leaving the palace, her chest felt strangely empty.
***
Countess Ornin came looking for Dianu a few days later, carrying a letter from the Erbinjel Grand Duchy.
“The Grand Duchess and her husband will attend the Founding Day Ball, but they’ve decided to stay at Oak Palace for a while beforehand.”
Dianu was overjoyed.
She hadn’t seen anyone from the Grand Duchy in a long time, and she realized just how much she’d missed them.
“The Grand Duchess once lived here before she received her title and married. His Majesty thought she’d be most comfortable here.”
Countess Ornin lowered her voice.
“And more importantly, His Grace might be a good influence on the princess.”
Just as she said, that’s exactly how things turned out.
Before the Erbinjel household had even finished arriving, the princess appeared — wearing a pale green gown that suited her golden hair, pinned up neatly.
After seeing her disheveled for so long, Dianu was stunned.
Grand Duchess Ellaris of Erbinjel stepped down from her carriage, escorted by Count Demion Erbinjel, and smiled softly at the princess.
“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”
The princess walked forward and kissed her cheek.
The Grand Duchess embraced her lightly, then released her and turned to where Dianu stood beside Countess Ornin — with little Erin clinging to her side.
Erin’s eyes darted nervously over the strangers until he spotted Dianu.
Then he ran straight to her, burying himself in her skirts.
“Teacher!”
Dianu, both touched and flustered, gently pried him off.
Her voice came out softer than she intended.
“Young Master, you must mind your manners.”
“I missed you, Teacher.”
Dianu couldn’t help smiling.
“I missed you too.”
After greeting Countess Ornin, the Grand Duchess extended a hand to Dianu.
Dianu took it respectfully.
“Palace life seems to suit you, Lady Dianu. You look well.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“And how is our princess doing with her lessons?”
Through the Grand Duchess’s shoulder, Dianu met the princess’s eyes.
The princess frowned faintly, glanced at her, then turned away without a word.
“Should I just tell her the truth as it is?”
Still smiling, Dianu said brightly,
“Of course. Her Highness is an excellent student.”
The Grand Duchess gave a knowing smile that said she didn’t believe a word of it, but Dianu simply kept smiling as if she hadn’t noticed.
Next came Count Demion Erbinjel.
He took Dianu’s hand and bowed to kiss the back of it.
“I’m glad to see you in good health, Lady Ortensa.”
“Thank you, my lord. I’ve been well, thanks to your concern.”
“Will you be attending the Founding Day Ball?”
Dianu gave an awkward smile.
If she wanted to, she could easily get an invitation, but she had neither a partner nor a dress suitable for the event.
“I wouldn’t dare show my face at a royal ball.”
“Is that so? That’s a shame. Please take good care of Erin while we stay here.”
Count Demion Erbinjel had been born the second son of a declining marquisate — noble by name, but with little fortune.
He became a count only by marrying Princess Ellaris, now the Grand Duchess.
Many men might have been wounded in pride by such circumstances, but not him.
He was devoted to his wife and a gentle father — rare qualities among the patriarchal nobility of Catalos.
Dianu often thought that if she ever married, she’d want a marriage like theirs.
Though she knew it was only a dream.
After everyone exchanged greetings, the Grand Duchess turned to the princess.
“You’ll be attending the Founding Day Ball, of course?”
“…”
“If you don’t, His Majesty will have to escort me instead. Then poor Demion will be left without a partner.”
Dianu couldn’t help feeling amused as she watched the Grand Duchess corner the princess with that playful threat.
The princess frowned but finally muttered,
“…I’ll attend.”
The Grand Duchess smiled warmly and gave Dianu a quick, secret wink.
Dianu could have shouted for joy right there.
The princess simply showing herself in public was a miracle — attending an official event was even better.
But before Dianu could celebrate, the princess turned to her with a sharp look.
“Of course, my tutor will be attending as well, won’t she?”
The Grand Duchess blinked and looked at Dianu in surprise.
Dianu went pale and shook her head.
“N-no, I—”
The princess was faster.
She smiled thinly.
“It’s been a while since I attended a formal event. I think I’ll feel safer with my etiquette teacher at my side.”
“…”
“Wouldn’t it be a problem if I forgot my manners and stepped on the Arasas ambassador’s foot?”
Dianu protested desperately.
“Your Highness is of age. You don’t need a tutor to accompany you to the ball. The Grand Duke and the head lady-in-waiting will be with you — you won’t need a chaperone!”
“Oh? So you mean you’ve taught me everything, and now I can do as I please?”
“No, that’s not—”
“Was it improper etiquette to throw wine in an ambassador’s face? I seem to have forgotten.”
The princess glanced at her sideways, her eyes gleaming with mockery.
“It would put me at ease if my etiquette teacher were there to correct me.”
Dianu looked around in panic.
Maybe Countess Ornin or the Grand Duchess would rescue her.
But both women avoided her eyes.
Neither wanted to upset the princess now that she had agreed to attend.
“I’m doomed.”
This wasn’t a battle.
It was a hunt.
And Dianu was the prey, completely surrounded.
