Chapter 33
Edin took the pendant I had given him and slowly examined it.
It was small and worn, but his eyes were sharp, assessing its value.
I closed my mouth without realizing it and let him focus.
“This is truly difficult to obtain. Where did you get this?”
Even though no one was listening to our conversation, I found myself glancing around and lowering my voice.
“Lady Rachel. She delivered it to me secretly.”
“…Suspicious, but I see it was given with good intentions. It could serve as the ultimate shield for someone without abilities.”
He handed the pendant back to me.
“Then it would be better if Miss Daphne keeps it. For safety.”
“But this is the only way to open the sealed garden. You know I can’t get another key right away. I’ll be very careful. You keep this, Your Highness.”
It was technically my possession now, but since I had agreed to hand it over, it would belong to Edin for the time being.
I declined his consideration.
I planned to stay cautious, act as if I had completely forgotten about the garden, and endure.
If it were Edin, perhaps he could uncover at least one secret of the Leodid family.
And if that helped solve my parents’ situation, that would be perfect.
If the events tangled between us could be resolved with my help, it would benefit both of us.
Feeling my stamina waning, I had decided to take my vacation early, hoping he wouldn’t refuse.
“Understood. I’ll return it as soon as possible.”
He treated the pendant I gave him like a precious gem and slipped it into the inner pocket of his jacket.
I regretted missing the chance to show him the markings hidden under the fig tree, but this was the best I could do within my limits.
I felt a small sense of pride.
Duun—
The sound of the double bass penetrated the quiet room.
The formal opening of the banquet had concluded.
‘Going back to the banquet hall is out of the question. Maybe I should call Emma and head back to the mansion.’
As expected, I was uncomfortable in a place packed with nobles.
A big reason was that I hadn’t enjoyed social gatherings, preferring sewing labor instead.
Well, that’s why I had longed to give up all my career and spend a year in a countryside townhouse.
“Can I not go back?”
“It’s strange, but… I just don’t fit in with this atmosphere.”
The words slipped out suddenly.
Not something a noble would typically say, so I hurriedly offered an excuse.
“Haha… maybe it’s because I prefer a small tea party with people I know. Ah, Your Highness, have I promised you anything before?”
“What promise are you referring to?”
“If this goes well, I want to make the wedding dress for the lady marrying Your Highness. As a gift. That way, I’ll feel at ease when I take my vacation.”
He would naturally ask what I meant.
I had prepared a long speech about how much I would support and bless the newly forming family, but Edin responded unexpectedly.
“Thank you. I look forward to it.”
“…Yes.”
“I know your skill, Miss Daphne. There will be no bride in the empire who would refuse a wedding dress made by you.”
“Ah, yes. It’s a little embarrassing to hear that, but it’s true.”
“I look forward to the dress Miss Daphne will make with care. I hope the lady who will soon become my bride wears it soon.”
Receiving such high praise, I decided to just enjoy it.
Even amidst my uneasy thoughts, it was hard to suppress a smile at the recognition of my talent and skill.
“I also want to start making it quickly.”
After that, our conversation naturally fell silent.
We stood by the window, listening to the music flowing from the banquet hall for a long time.
Though my emotions were unsettled, rushing forward had never solved anything before.
‘Ah, right.’
I also thought briefly that I shouldn’t ignore the memories I had lost.
‘Still knows nothing.’
Returning to the mansion, Edin headed to his study instead of his bedroom.
He seemed unlikely to sleep easily, with so much on his mind.
‘It seems some memories have returned. No, not all of them. I’ll have to wait.’
Edin sat in a chair, gripping the pendant Daphne had given him.
She was consistent.
Her heart seemed kind, not easily swayed.
He looked at the initials engraved on the back of the pendant and lifted one corner of his mouth.
Rachel Leodid.
He couldn’t understand what motive she had for showing such goodwill toward Daphne.
Setting aside their family’s feud, he disliked Rachel as much as Rowan.
The young lady who might one day sit as empress was far too weak.
Moreover, the Marquis of Leodid lived an unusually long time.
He had clearly used his daughter as leverage and could ruin the empire beyond repair.
Perhaps knowing he couldn’t ignore the influence of the Leodid family, he had offered marriage as an option.
Every reflection made him more resentful of that family.
‘Still, there’s a chance.’
Compared to cunning types like Rowan, Rachel was better.
Her nature didn’t seem malicious by birth.
Still, he couldn’t guess the significance of Rachel’s actions.
Even though he wasn’t particularly cautious, her family surely knew about Daphne and him meeting frequently.
Those siblings would only act if it harmed Daphne.
He couldn’t guess why they revealed the fig tree hiding the seeds of their malice or why they gave her this pendant.
From his inspection, the pendant radiated only good energy.
As expected, no harmful energy could be sensed.
‘The more I know, the more I want to tell Daphne to leave this alone. But she’s stubborn by reputation… I should send her a protective gift soon.’
Edin took out paper and listed tools Daphne might need.
Daggers, protective stones, scrolls, and so on.
He wanted to provide her with all the self-defense items she might need before he could get them himself.
Knock-knock—
A knock came as he carefully selected the items for Daphne.
“May I come in?”
It was Royce.
“Come in.”
Royce entered, unable to hide his tension.
“I have something to tell you.”
“We haven’t had a deep conversation in a while. Always just work matters.”
“Haha, you’ve been very busy. I understand completely.”
“I wanted to thank you. For fulfilling a difficult request.”
“Ah, you mean the matter at the Leodid mansion? I was going to mention it. After investigating with Philip…”
“No, we’ll talk about that later. First, I need to apologize for putting someone who wants to live alone into the spotlight. Mrs. Salvier is a truly cunning woman.”
Edin shook his head as if exasperated.
Royce laughed awkwardly to cover his embarrassment and scratched the back of his head.
“It was a good time. Miss Daphne was also really fun.”
“……”
Hearing Daphne’s name, Edin looked steadily at Royce.
He tilted his head slightly to the right, as if inviting him to continue.
Royce remembered Daphne scolding him to fix his speech style.
She had told him not to give unnecessary explanations.
He hastily switched the topic.
“Seriously, to impose such conditions on Miss Daphne… Mrs. Salvier is truly fearsome.”
“Yes, Mrs. Salvier seemed to favor you.”
“Huh?”
“She said she’d meet your terms if you allowed her three more chances.”
“What?! It was already difficult to meet Miss Daphne!”
“Yes, I understand. But this benefits all of us, so you must endure. Besides, you’ve had your own romances before.”
“It’s only been two months since I was rejected. And also…”
Royce shut his mouth.
He recalled the lighthearted side of Daphne at the social gathering.
She was surprisingly laid-back and fun.
Could there be a social event more enjoyable than the time spent with her as an ally?
Honestly, he hadn’t expected it.
“I’ll make sure you are compensated. Ah, and I’ve had a question for a while.”
Edin closed the paper and walked toward Royce.
The heavy presence of his footsteps made Royce’s heart shrink as he looked on.
‘He couldn’t possibly read my mind.’
What could he be curious about, more than the information from the Leodid mansion?
Standing before the disciplined Royce, Edin finally spoke.
“About Miss Daphne.”
“Yes!”
“I’m curious whether she wore the corsage I gave her the day we met the Duke.”
Royce looked up at Edin, his eyes saying: “Do you really have to ask that now?”
