“It was you who caused the skin disease incident with that childish prank. And now…” Ash, with his arms crossed, leaned back in his chair. “Are you trying to drive a wedge between Siani and me again?” His gaze was unmistakably that of an arrogant noble.
“Ha, it’s impossible to communicate with you.”
Luna sighed deeply as she looked at Ash. It seemed he was still lost in his own delusions and misconceptions.
“I’m only interested in what my sister has.”
“…”
“And you’re not one of those things anymore.”
So, she had to be blunt.
“Can’t you see, placing me, or rather another woman, next to you?”
Ash’s eyes narrowed at her words. His expression turned icy, almost like he was a different person.
“We’re both out of my sister’s favor. She’s planning to get rid of us both at once.”
But Luna didn’t care. Whatever Ash said was no more significant than a dog’s barking.
“…Ha, such nonsense.” Eventually, Ash closed his eyes and took a deep breath, seemingly trying to suppress his anger.
“Grand Prince, I have no intention of marrying you. So, please reject this proposal as well.” Luna emphasized firmly again. “That’s why I came here.”
She didn’t have the luxury to engage in a pointless argument with Ash face-to-face. It would be better to run to Siani and beg for forgiveness.
“You.” Ash slowly opened his eyes. “You think you’re something special just because you’re by Siani’s side?” His voice was emotionless and soft.
“The position of grand duchess of Benio is reserved for the most noble woman in our empire, perhaps even more prestigious than the title of empress.”
“…”
“So, from the beginning, that place beside me was Siani’s, and that fact hasn’t changed.”
It seemed he wanted to say that Siani Felicite was the most noble woman in the empire. That ‘such’ a woman should occupy the place beside him.
“But you.”
“…”
Ash’s emerald eyes slowly scanned Luna.
“Even with all the elaborate dresses and accessories, you couldn’t come close to Siani’s level.”
His gaze was almost indifferent, devoid of scorn or contempt.
“What makes you think you can refuse the position of grand duchess? Even in death, that place could never be yours.”
The tension filled the room, making the air almost freeze. Now that their true colors were revealed, there was no reason for either of them to back down.
“Didn’t you understand what I said?” Luna spoke again amidst the tension. “Even if it were the position of empress or crown princess, I wouldn’t care.” Her gesture of tucking her pink hair behind her ear was laced with irritation as if annoyed by having to repeat herself.
“I would rather marry a beggar on the streets than…” Her expression was more serious than ever. “…marry a man my sister has rejected.”
She really meant her words.
* * *
“…”
At that moment, Ash had to ponder Luna Lev’s true intentions. Was it excessive envy and jealousy towards Siani? Or a twisted desire to be acknowledged?
“I will never leave Duchy Felicite. My family and my sister are there, so why would I?” Luna stood up firmly, making her intentions clear. “Wake up. Even if you’re beside her, Siani considers the place beside you worthless enough to throw away for another woman.”
“…”
Ash’s inscrutable gaze followed Luna. Her natural bluntness made it impossible for him to understand.
“Whatever you and I do, sister won’t care.”
Her eyes seemed to pierce through the air with resolve.
“All she cares about are those worthless Norma brats…”
Norma. Her expression twisted for the first time when she mentioned that word.
Yes, Norma, Norma… Ash muttered the name as if chewing on it. Right, everything changed after that b*stard appeared. Finally, his foggy mind seemed to clear up.
It wasn’t because he had been away managing his territories. It wasn’t also because Siani had changed. Everything changed after that kid showed up. The Siani who loved him, who was supposed to love only him, became blind and deaf. All because of that lowborn who beguiles people with his vile blood.
“What’s the name of that Norma that Siani dotes on?”
He would have to find a way to remove that kid from Siani’s side. Then, everything would return to its rightful place.
“Redian.” Luna looked down at Ash with an indifferent gaze and answered.
“…Redian.”
Redian, right. So that was the affectionate nickname she had given him. It was a trivial matter.
Ash chuckled as he stroked his face with one hand. “Just one more question, Luna Lev.”
“…”
“Your true motive, what is it?” Ash lifted his head to look at her. “It seems you had quite the ambition to crawl into the duchy and live there. You reject the position of the grand duchess and chase only what your sister is interested in.”
Luna raised an eyebrow as if not denying it.
“Is your true goal Siani Felicite?”
Did she want to be like Siani or somehow gain her acknowledgment? Various assumptions scattered through Ash’s mind.
“Well, it’s simple.”
Luna spoke without hesitation. “I just want… my sister to be locked away in a room, doing nothing.”
A madness unfit for her clear, sky-blue eyes flitted by.
“Like the day my brother and I first came to the duchy, buried in darkness and live like a dead.”
Her voice, reminiscing about the past, was calm, almost gentle.
“Alone and abandoned in a place where no one knows, where no one is aware.”
“…”
“So that my sister can be like she used to be…”
As he watched her dreamily speak, Ash realized.
“She might give me some attention then.”
Maybe their goals were the same after all.
* * *
“How about it, Princess?”
“Good. The uniform I wore at the last monster hunting competition stood out, and this will be even more noticeable.”
I nodded as I looked at the uniform Bergman had completed. The pure white uniform, reminiscent of the navy, had a neat yet compelling presence.
“Last time, we used a red epaulet symbolizing Felicite on the shoulder, but this time, we’ve engraved the Felicite crest on the chest.”
As Bergman explained, two crossed arrows symbolizing Felicite were drawn on the left chest. Even on a faceless mannequin, it looked impressive; wearing it in person would surely draw applause.
Let’s see if they can still talk about curses with this.
“Susan.”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Hmm…”
I wanted to try this uniform on the Norma right away. But checking the time, Francis would be in the education room, Vallentin in the pharmacy, and Redian had training in the morning and should be resting…
“Bring Inein.”
“Oh, Inein? Yes, I understand.”
Susan left the dressing room with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Why choose Inein first this time? Ah, that’s right, his muscles are… like this!” Bergman gestured to his arm as if showing off muscles.
“No. He’s just the most docile.”
“Oh, oh?”
If I had Vallentin or Redian try it on, I might exhaust myself dealing with them.
“Excuse me, Princess. I know you’re busy, but I have something to say.
Then, Rubel appeared with a knock.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ah, as you may already know, His Grace is soon to depart for his estate.”
“I heard directly from my father. The schedule has been set, right?”
“Yes, but it seems it might be moved up a bit.”
“When?”
As I asked, Rubel hesitated and cleared his throat.
“He plans to leave this evening.”
“What?”
This evening was sudden. As I looked at him questioningly, Rubel added.
“The preparations are already complete, and all important domestic affairs have been handed over to Princess, haven’t they?”
That was true. Even if he decided to leave today, no one could complain. The mansion in the estate was also ready to welcome the duke.
“He seems to want to leave a bit early.”
I recalled the duke, who was staggered by learning the truth about Luna. Besides Luna, the revelation of his incompetence must make him unwilling to stay.
“That’s fine. If father wishes so…” I nodded as if I understood. Though he wouldn’t be able to attend the award ceremony for my kids next week, it didn’t matter much.
“Princess, therefore, he asks you to come down to the office for a moment.” Then, Rubel hesitantly spoke. “He has something to tell you before he departs.”
I had no more to discuss, but… Is he going to harp on about evidence again?
“Yes, I’ll go there soon.”
It seemed that the duke still had something to say to me.
“It was you who caused the skin disease incident with that childish prank. And now…” Ash, with his arms crossed, leaned back in his chair. “Are you trying to drive a wedge between Siani and me again?” His gaze was unmistakably that of an arrogant noble.
“Ha, it’s impossible to communicate with you.”
Luna sighed deeply as she looked at Ash. It seemed he was still lost in his own delusions and misconceptions.
“I’m only interested in what my sister has.”
“…”
“And you’re not one of those things anymore.”
So, she had to be blunt.
“Can’t you see, placing me, or rather another woman, next to you?”
Ash’s eyes narrowed at her words. His expression turned icy, almost like he was a different person.
“We’re both out of my sister’s favor. She’s planning to get rid of us both at once.”
But Luna didn’t care. Whatever Ash said was no more significant than a dog’s barking.
“…Ha, such nonsense.” Eventually, Ash closed his eyes and took a deep breath, seemingly trying to suppress his anger.
“Grand Prince, I have no intention of marrying you. So, please reject this proposal as well.” Luna emphasized firmly again. “That’s why I came here.”
She didn’t have the luxury to engage in a pointless argument with Ash face-to-face. It would be better to run to Siani and beg for forgiveness.
“You.” Ash slowly opened his eyes. “You think you’re something special just because you’re by Siani’s side?” His voice was emotionless and soft.
“The position of grand duchess of Benio is reserved for the most noble woman in our empire, perhaps even more prestigious than the title of empress.”
“…”
“So, from the beginning, that place beside me was Siani’s, and that fact hasn’t changed.”
It seemed he wanted to say that Siani Felicite was the most noble woman in the empire. That ‘such’ a woman should occupy the place beside him.
“But you.”
“…”
Ash’s emerald eyes slowly scanned Luna.
“Even with all the elaborate dresses and accessories, you couldn’t come close to Siani’s level.”
His gaze was almost indifferent, devoid of scorn or contempt.
“What makes you think you can refuse the position of grand duchess? Even in death, that place could never be yours.”
The tension filled the room, making the air almost freeze. Now that their true colors were revealed, there was no reason for either of them to back down.
“Didn’t you understand what I said?” Luna spoke again amidst the tension. “Even if it were the position of empress or crown princess, I wouldn’t care.” Her gesture of tucking her pink hair behind her ear was laced with irritation as if annoyed by having to repeat herself.
“I would rather marry a beggar on the streets than…” Her expression was more serious than ever. “…marry a man my sister has rejected.”
She really meant her words.
* * *
“…”
At that moment, Ash had to ponder Luna Lev’s true intentions. Was it excessive envy and jealousy towards Siani? Or a twisted desire to be acknowledged?
“I will never leave Duchy Felicite. My family and my sister are there, so why would I?” Luna stood up firmly, making her intentions clear. “Wake up. Even if you’re beside her, Siani considers the place beside you worthless enough to throw away for another woman.”
“…”
Ash’s inscrutable gaze followed Luna. Her natural bluntness made it impossible for him to understand.
“Whatever you and I do, sister won’t care.”
Her eyes seemed to pierce through the air with resolve.
“All she cares about are those worthless Norma brats…”
Norma. Her expression twisted for the first time when she mentioned that word.
Yes, Norma, Norma… Ash muttered the name as if chewing on it. Right, everything changed after that b*stard appeared. Finally, his foggy mind seemed to clear up.
It wasn’t because he had been away managing his territories. It wasn’t also because Siani had changed. Everything changed after that kid showed up. The Siani who loved him, who was supposed to love only him, became blind and deaf. All because of that lowborn who beguiles people with his vile blood.
“What’s the name of that Norma that Siani dotes on?”
He would have to find a way to remove that kid from Siani’s side. Then, everything would return to its rightful place.
“Redian.” Luna looked down at Ash with an indifferent gaze and answered.
“…Redian.”
Redian, right. So that was the affectionate nickname she had given him. It was a trivial matter.
Ash chuckled as he stroked his face with one hand. “Just one more question, Luna Lev.”
“…”
“Your true motive, what is it?” Ash lifted his head to look at her. “It seems you had quite the ambition to crawl into the duchy and live there. You reject the position of the grand duchess and chase only what your sister is interested in.”
Luna raised an eyebrow as if not denying it.
“Is your true goal Siani Felicite?”
Did she want to be like Siani or somehow gain her acknowledgment? Various assumptions scattered through Ash’s mind.
“Well, it’s simple.”
Luna spoke without hesitation. “I just want… my sister to be locked away in a room, doing nothing.”
A madness unfit for her clear, sky-blue eyes flitted by.
“Like the day my brother and I first came to the duchy, buried in darkness and live like a dead.”
Her voice, reminiscing about the past, was calm, almost gentle.
“Alone and abandoned in a place where no one knows, where no one is aware.”
“…”
“So that my sister can be like she used to be…”
As he watched her dreamily speak, Ash realized.
“She might give me some attention then.”
Maybe their goals were the same after all.
* * *
“How about it, Princess?”
“Good. The uniform I wore at the last monster hunting competition stood out, and this will be even more noticeable.”
I nodded as I looked at the uniform Bergman had completed. The pure white uniform, reminiscent of the navy, had a neat yet compelling presence.
“Last time, we used a red epaulet symbolizing Felicite on the shoulder, but this time, we’ve engraved the Felicite crest on the chest.”
As Bergman explained, two crossed arrows symbolizing Felicite were drawn on the left chest. Even on a faceless mannequin, it looked impressive; wearing it in person would surely draw applause.
Let’s see if they can still talk about curses with this.
“Susan.”
“Yes, Milady.”
“Hmm…”
I wanted to try this uniform on the Norma right away. But checking the time, Francis would be in the education room, Vallentin in the pharmacy, and Redian had training in the morning and should be resting…
“Bring Inein.”
“Oh, Inein? Yes, I understand.”
Susan left the dressing room with a sparkle in her eyes.
“Why choose Inein first this time? Ah, that’s right, his muscles are… like this!” Bergman gestured to his arm as if showing off muscles.
“No. He’s just the most docile.”
“Oh, oh?”
If I had Vallentin or Redian try it on, I might exhaust myself dealing with them.
“Excuse me, Princess. I know you’re busy, but I have something to say.
Then, Rubel appeared with a knock.
“What’s the matter?”
“Ah, as you may already know, His Grace is soon to depart for his estate.”
“I heard directly from my father. The schedule has been set, right?”
“Yes, but it seems it might be moved up a bit.”
“When?”
As I asked, Rubel hesitated and cleared his throat.
“He plans to leave this evening.”
“What?”
This evening was sudden. As I looked at him questioningly, Rubel added.
“The preparations are already complete, and all important domestic affairs have been handed over to Princess, haven’t they?”
That was true. Even if he decided to leave today, no one could complain. The mansion in the estate was also ready to welcome the duke.
“He seems to want to leave a bit early.”
I recalled the duke, who was staggered by learning the truth about Luna. Besides Luna, the revelation of his incompetence must make him unwilling to stay.
“That’s fine. If father wishes so…” I nodded as if I understood. Though he wouldn’t be able to attend the award ceremony for my kids next week, it didn’t matter much.
“Princess, therefore, he asks you to come down to the office for a moment.” Then, Rubel hesitantly spoke. “He has something to tell you before he departs.”
I had no more to discuss, but… Is he going to harp on about evidence again?
“Yes, I’ll go there soon.”
It seemed that the duke still had something to say to me.
