[CHAPTER 89]
Even apples require technology
Dianu Ortensa had never had many chances in her life to learn that particular skill.
She had always made sure not to create situations that required a sincere apology to others.
That was precisely why she had avoided Elpenlira for some time after the incident where she took out her anger on her.
She simply had no idea what words she should use to apologize.
“You can say things like that because you’re a princess, Elpenlira-nim. You could never understand my position.”
Every time she recalled the words she had blurted out in the heat of the moment, Dianu wanted to claw at her own head in shame.
It truly was nonsense.
There could not possibly be anyone who understood better than Elpenlira what it meant to love someone when a difference in status made that love impossible.
Perhaps that was why Elpenlira was so fixated on Dianu’s relationship with Rision.
Something like vicarious satisfaction, maybe.
Whenever that thought crossed her mind, guilt swelled inside her until it felt hard to breathe.
“I can’t keep being distant forever. I have to help with Elpenlira-nim’s engagement preparations too…”
In the end, without deciding on a single proper apology, Dianu set out to find Elpenlira anyway.
Outside, winter had already arrived.
As she slowly walked along the narrow path winding between leafless, bare trees, a chill crept up the back of her neck.
It was a relief that Cora had fussed over her and piled thick clothes on her.
The place where Dianu stopped was the edge of the rear garden, somewhere she had never visited before.
In the small clearing stood a massive old tree, nearly as large as the one that had given the Oak Palace its name, and from its thickest branch hung an old swing.
Sitting on the creaking swing and gazing up at the overcast sky was none other than Elpenlira.
Even from a distance, she looked painfully lonely.
Stopping at the entrance to the clearing, Dianu thought that if someone like Elpenlira Catalos, who possessed status, wealth, beauty, and even the devoted love of her emperor brother, could be unhappy, then love must truly occupy an enormous space in a person’s heart.
“Elpenlira-nim.”
Elpenlira was not startled when she saw Dianu reveal herself.
She gestured for Dianu to come closer and asked casually,
“Do you like swings?”
“I don’t remember very well, but I think I liked them when I was little.”
“This swing isn’t very sturdy, so it can’t hold two people. Edric made it.”
As if being generous, Elpenlira added,
“Thank you…”
Near the swing was a flat rock of a comfortable height.
Dianu carefully perched herself on the rock that would have belonged to Sir Edric Loisen until last year.
All her worries proved meaningless, because once she faced Elpenlira directly, the apology slipped out easily.
“I was insensitive that day. I’m sorry.”
Elpenlira lowered her gaze to the ground.
Judging by the grooves shaped like a lady’s shoes carved into the dirt, she must have been sitting there for quite some time.
“It’s not like you said anything wrong. There’s no way you could know how I feel.”
“…”
“Edric used to tell me that reality isn’t like storybooks. That even if my brother doesn’t approve of us, it can’t be helped. That I shouldn’t hate him…”
Elpenlira’s hand tightened around the swing rope.
“But still, teacher. Even in reality, isn’t it okay for there to be at least one story like that?”
“…”
“It turned out this way for Edric and me, but my brother still has a chance…”
Elpenlira let her head droop weakly.
If she had not been merely her tutor, Dianu would have embraced her tightly.
“…If only we were sisters or friends.”
Using the cold as an excuse, Dianu clasped her hands between her knees.
Otherwise, she felt she might unconsciously reach out and stroke Elpenlira.
“…It’s not like I’m leaving His Majesty behind and going somewhere. Unless His Majesty tells me he dislikes it… I’ll stay by his side.”
She tried to reassure her like that, but Elpenlira’s expression only grew darker.
Dianu thought of several comforting things to say, but none of them felt right.
Before she could decide, Elpenlira kicked off the ground and rose from the swing first.
“Your guest has arrived, teacher.”
Following Elpenlira’s gaze, Dianu flinched in surprise.
At the end of the very path she herself had walked down stood Rision.
Her heart pounded violently.
She could not tell whether it was joy at seeing him after so long, or fear that what had happened before might repeat itself.
Without any greeting, Elpenlira passed by Rision and disappeared.
Rision did not stop his younger sister either.
After standing there for a moment and looking at Dianu, Rision finally began to walk toward her.
The closer he came, the more a nauseating, seasick sensation churned in her stomach.
“Aren’t you cold?”
“Not at all!”
Dianu answered quickly.
She was worried he might offer her his outer garment.
As if to prove her words, Dianu fiddled with the fox fur draped around her neck, and a small smile appeared on Rision’s lips.
“I heard you quarreled with Lira. Have you made up?”
It was obvious that Sir Loisen had tattled.
Sometimes she could not tell whether he was a bodyguard or one of Rision’s informants.
“…We didn’t quarrel. I just made a mistake on my own.”
“If she accepted your apology, then it should be fine. Lira isn’t the type to hold onto finished matters for long.”
For quite some time, Dianu fidgeted with her clasped hands while Rision quietly looked down at her.
At last, with an uncharacteristically hesitant expression, Rision spoke.
“This is sudden, but… I would like to talk briefly about Berik Ortensa.”
At the mention of a name she had never expected to hear from his mouth, Dianu’s eyes widened.
Berik Ortensa, Dianu’s younger brother, should have been attending classes at school right now.
What could have happened for Rision, who had not sought her out since that incident, to come here himself?
Seeing Dianu’s face clouded with worry, Rision hurriedly added,
“Please don’t worry. Nothing has happened to Berik.”
“Then why would Your Majesty suddenly…”
“Let’s go inside first. It seems the conversation will be long.”
Rision extended one hand.
It was a hand she would have taken without hesitation before, but for some reason, she hesitated now.
Rision must have noticed her reluctance, yet he said nothing.
He simply waited patiently with his hand outstretched.
“I’ll escort you to the Oak Palace sitting room.”
Not a private reception room, but a shared sitting room.
It was an invitation that created distance, but Rision only smiled gently.
The two of them returned to the Oak Palace side by side, without holding hands.
* * *
“An actress?!”
Rision hurriedly reached out and grabbed Dianu’s teacup.
If not for his quick reaction, the contents of the cup she had overturned would have spilled entirely toward her.
With regret written on his face, Rision said,
“I’m sorry this isn’t good news.”
“No, how, why…”
She did not even know where to begin questioning it.
The news Rision brought was that absurd.
“It has to be a false rumor!”
Rision shook his head.
“I sent people to confirm it.”
“…”
“It is true that Berik Ortensa has been skipping many classes recently, and that he frequents the theater and often meets an actress affiliated with it. We were unable to confirm the woman’s name.”
If Rision said this much, it had to be accurate information.
After locking eyes with him in a tense standoff, Dianu slowly sank back into her seat.
“We had a ball together with a nearby girls’ school on St. Lusanna’s feast day, and that’s where I met her.”
That was what Berik had said on the day he asked her to help choose a gift for a woman.
“We’re the same age, and our families are similar.”
So it had all been a complete lie.
Unaware of his true intentions, Dianu had even added money and sent him off with an expensive gift.
Her hands trembled with indignation.
Since their mother’s death, Dianu had practically raised her younger brother herself.
He was playful and lacked seriousness, so she had always worried and scolded him, but she believed he would mature with age.
Yet skipping school and fooling around with a woman who stood on stage.
She had never imagined he could be this immature and foolish.
She was in front of Rision.
She could not vent her emotions freely.
Closing her eyes and clenching her teeth, Dianu forced her anger down.
“…I need to go see Berik.”
Rision looked concerned.
“What do you plan to do?”
“I’ll try to reason with him, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll shave his head if I have to and send him back to our hometown.”
Rision seemed like he wanted to stop her, but Dianu jumped to her feet first.
“I’m going out right now.”
