CHAPTER 17 – Royal Shadows
“It’s been a while, Duchess.”
“Indeed it has, Count Sachsen.”
Seeing the kind-faced Count Sachsen, with his signature gray mustache, brought a small wave of relief. The tension that had followed her since entering the imperial palace lightened—just a bit.
Though she had agreed to attend, she hadn’t known who else would be present. The uncertainty had been unsettling. Having a familiar face made all the difference.
“Your dress is stunning today. It truly suits you—especially with those beautiful violet eyes. Ha ha.”
The understated navy dress was highlighted with glimmering silver accents, not too bold, just enough to complement the young Duchess’ grace. Count Sachsen had seen her in many dresses before, but this one, he thought, was by far the best. He spoke honestly, though privately, he suspected she had dressed modestly because of her husband’s disappearance.
“Thank you. You wouldn’t believe how persistent the maids were once they heard I’d be attending.”
“Ha! Our household was just as frantic. Everything had to be prepared at a moment’s notice.”
“Seems we were all in the same boat.”
The previous morning, Bella had summoned her maids at an unusually early hour. Still groggy, they gathered in the Duchess’ bedroom, confused.
[I know I gave no notice, but I’ve just been informed—we’re to enter the palace for lunch today. It’s sudden, but I need your help to prepare.]
[Pardon…?]
For a moment, they thought they’d misheard. A royal appearance required advance preparation—at least a day. But same day?
[Today… we’re going to the palace?]
[I only found out last night. There wasn’t time to inform you earlier.]
“Everyone, move!”
At the head maid’s sharp command, the dazed maids suddenly snapped into motion like they’d been released from a spell.
[Bathing, dress, grooming—go to your stations! We only have six hours!]
Bella, knowing how hard this was for them, offered no resistance. She let them handle her as they pleased.
She bathed quickly, and the maids massaged her with rose oil to reduce puffiness. The rest of the time was spent on choosing a dress, doing her makeup, and styling her hair.
She tried on ten dresses before finally settling on one.
With her violet eyes, waist-length wavy dark brown hair, and porcelain skin, Bella carried a gentle, youthful charm—but a subtle sensuality also lingered beneath. It was always difficult to find a dress that balanced those contrasting elements.
In the end, she chose a refined navy silk dress, simple and elegant. Soft white lace wrapped her neck, and a playful ribbon sat just above the bust. Silver detailing peeked between the skirt’s folds, adding a touch of sparkle.
[My lady, shall we serve breakfast now…?]
At the mention of breakfast from the butler, all color drained from the maids’ faces.
No! There’s no time for breakfast too!
They couldn’t say it aloud, so they simply fidgeted anxiously. Bella smiled slightly at their distress and calmly responded.
[Tell them to bring something I can eat in the room. Finger foods only—small, bite-sized.]
The maids exchanged glances and silently cheered.
Yes! We’ve saved some time!
Thanks to their flurry of effort, Bella’s soft brown waves were pinned up, then let down again, restyled again and again, until they finally settled on a loose updo. Rather than pulling it tight, they left soft strands loose around her face to match the dress’s high collar.
Her makeup was minimal, with a gentle eye shadow and bold red lips for contrast.
Just before she boarded the carriage, the maids fussed with jewelry—trying to pin a diamond feather-shaped ornament into her hair. But Bella refused.
“No hair accessories.”
So instead, they pinned a silver brooch on her chest. For earrings, they chose clear diamond drops that matched her eyes, dress, and lipstick.
Bella took one final look and then boarded the carriage, making a mental note:
Next time, I’ll tell the maids as soon as I hear anything from the palace.
“I was quite surprised by the sudden announcement of this royal meeting.”
“Indeed. What matter could be so urgent that they’d send out a notice and summon everyone the very next day?”
So Canon Borche only told me, huh…
Feigning ignorance, Bella offered a pleasant smile.
“I’m just as curious.”
If Canon was right, everyone would be shocked when they heard the topic. Bella had been praying since last night that it wouldn’t involve Itanus—or, if it did, that it wouldn’t be related to the auction she had attended.
Please… let it be something I have nothing to do with.
“Well, if it isn’t the Duchess of Dilan.”
A voice called from behind. Bella’s smile froze for a fraction of a second, but she quickly regained her composure and turned.
She lifted the sides of her dress and curtsied gracefully.
“Glory to the Empire of Croessen. Greetings to Your Highness, the Fourth Prince.”
Count Sachsen followed her lead, but the Fourth Prince ignored him completely. His wide grin was reserved solely for Bella.
“Is this the first time we’ve met since the Duke?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
Discussing the Duke—right to my face?
As always, the prince was brazen and rude.
But Bella kept her expression neutral. That only made the prince’s smirk grow as he inched closer.
“You’ve had a hard time, haven’t you? You look thinner than before…”
His eyes swept over her, slowly and deliberately—from head to toe.
Bella had deliberately chosen a dress that fully covered her neck, fearing she might run into this snake. Yet his eyes slithered over her all the same.
“Thank you for your concern.”
The Duke always said never to show your emotions at the palace.
She forced a serene smile, and the prince continued with a mocking cheer.
“So, what brings you to the palace today? Especially with Count Sachsen?”
His gaze flicked between them with a vulgar curiosity.
Bella remained unreadable, but the count fidgeted awkwardly, pretending not to notice.
How dare he imply such things about a grieving widow and a married nobleman?
Disgusting as ever.
“I was summoned by His Majesty, and so was Count Sachsen.”
“Oh—right! I almost forgot Father called a royal meeting.”
His overacted shock was clearly fake.
Bella shifted her eyes briefly to the poor knights and attendants lined up behind him, pitying them. But the prince cut into her view again.
“Do you know what this meeting is about, Duchess?”
“No, I do not.”
“Thought so!”
Does he actually know?
“I do know. And I’ll tell you, Duchess. Just you.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
I already know, you idiot.
She rejected him flatly, but he ignored her and stepped in close, almost nose to nose.
He leaned in to whisper into her ear.
“You see…”
“…”
“I have no idea either!”
He burst into laughter, straightening up and stepping away. Bella let out a breathless laugh of disbelief.
Utterly pathetic.
If not for his bloodline, he’d be more suited to entertaining drunks in a tavern.
Perhaps he caught the flash of contempt in her eyes, because his grin vanished and he growled in a low voice:
“Your gaze is disrespectful, Duchess.”
How quickly his temper turned—true to his nickname: the Palace Mad Dog.
Bella lowered her head, suppressing a sigh.
“I apologize.”
“Good, good! Since you’re so lovely, I’ll let it slide. But—!”
He was already grinning again and about to make another demand when—
“Gerald.”
A new voice interrupted.
“Well, if it isn’t my ever-busy older brother!”
It was Prince Arlon Croessen.
With reddish-orange hair and deep brown eyes, he was undeniably handsome. Dressed in a crisp white shirt buttoned to the neck and beige trousers, the Second Prince approached with long, confident strides.
At the sight of him, Bella immediately thought of the ring in her jewelry box—the one bearing the seal of Oksana.
“Glory to the Empire. Greetings, Your Highness, Second Prince.”
“Glory to the Empire. It’s been a while, Duchess Dilan. Count Sachsen.”
Arlon answered briefly but politely. Bella had once been unsettled by that ring, but now she welcomed his presence.
“Gerald, what do you think you’re doing?”
“What are you implying, brother? You wound me!”
“Save it. Duchess, Count—head to the council chamber.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
With the highest-ranking person present giving permission, Bella and the Count bowed and turned to leave.
“Duchess! Let’s have tea sometime!”
She didn’t bother acknowledging the prince’s nonsense.
They arrived at the chamber just in time, but she knew the others were already there.
This wasn’t a topic she remembered from before her regression, and it was causing every noble house leader to gather—yet thanks to the Fourth Prince, Bella and the Count had lost any chance of blending in quietly.
Creak—
As the doors opened, dozens of eyes turned to Bella.
She walked toward the empty seat beside the head of the table, her back straight despite the stabbing stares.
She had learned the hard way—showing fear only invited blood.
She was done with being torn apart in silence like a helpless doll.
Fortunately, with everyone staring at her, Count Sachsen slipped in mostly unnoticed.
And as she expected, the attack came as soon as she sat down.
“Late to arrive, just as one would expect from House Dilan.”
It was Duke Defrokan.
Duke Defrokan.
He sat directly opposite her. Slightly younger in appearance than in her past life, but with the same sneering expression she remembered all too well.
First the Mad Dog Prince, now this snake?
She was already exhausted, and the meeting hadn’t even begun.
“It’s been a while, Duke Defrokan. You’re looking well. I only arrived just now because I ran into the Second and Fourth Princes outside the chamber.”
What could she have done? Ignore the princes?
“Then perhaps you should’ve come earlier. Tsk. It’s said the title makes the person—but for someone entrusted with a duke’s seat, you still seem rather new to the role.”
“I doubt that.”
“Well, I suppose this is your first time attending without the Duke. It’s only natural that you’re… lacking.”
A venomous snake, hiding its fangs behind a smile.
His words poked at every possible wound. But Bella, forged in flame, smiled calmly.
She’d heard far worse.
“His Majesty isn’t even here yet. And if you check the clock, I arrived on time. Perhaps time runs faster for you, Duke. That’s unfortunate.”
She lifted her hand and gently pressed her temple, as if truly pitying him. Whispers erupted across the table.
In a court where everything was veiled in polite innuendo, her remark had been surprisingly blunt.
If they understood what I meant, that is.
