CH 71

When I learned that Grand Duke Estin and I had both been invited to the Imperial Palace, I couldn’t help but touch my throat. I had moved the date of my death forward. I’m beginning to realize how ridiculous my recent behavior has been. ‘I can’t believe I aimed a bow at the first prince.’ I had forgotten how serious it was after the hunting bet because nobody in Conler had brought it up. Even Aiden, who values my education more than my tutor, avoided the topic to a great extent. Thus, I completely forgot!

In retrospect, it wasn’t at all a good thing. Even if he does not eventually succeed as emperor, Cameron is undoubtedly the first heir at present. I can’t believe I aimed a bow at someone like that. I fear that as soon as I enter the Imperial Palace, my neck will fly off. Mary was sent to Nicor, a location reminiscent of Siberia, in the original work. I don’t have any clothing that could withstand the climate there in my closet. There is no way a long, padded jacket exists in this world. Should I bring fur? “Do I need to leave?” When I asked Lucas, who delivered the news, with a teary face, he also responded with a tearful expression.

“Yes.”

I leaned my face against the cushion I was holding as I expressed my frustration at Lucas’ firm response. When I thought about it, I felt wrongly accused once more. Obviously, I messed up. Yes, I am aware of my mistake. But isn’t the heir apparent’s use of a sleazy trick to beat a girl even more disgraceful? I’m a just citizen of a just empire who simply can not stand injustice! Shouldn’t you instead be complimenting me? Don’t you think a just citizen award should be given? But I am aware of how pointless these concepts are. I sigh once more.

“You don’t look so happy.”

Lucas examined my facial expression as he sat on his knees. Lucas sighed softly and placed his hand on my head when I continued to stare at the ground without responding. It’s something I’ve experienced before. Lucas, who was always upbeat and perceptive, quickly understood the situation and appeared concerned. Perhaps I’m to blame. I regretted having this thought. “Are you afraid?” “Just a bit?” “Miss Mary, you understand how I feel?” I finally raised my eyes to Lucas, who sounded overly surprised. I’m trying to think of you as a good person, but here you are making fun of me again. Lucas just shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

“It’s all right.”

“…….”

“Your father is a Grand Duke.”

“…….”

“And you don’t have to worry too much. It’s because the one who called you is the imperial princess.”

“…… the princess?”

Lausanne Arstans was the only daughter of the Emperor. She appeared in the original work as Gilbert’s fiancee and Astina’s strong supporter. Despite the fact that she and Cameron share the same mother, Demimore has her loyalty. ‘How about Mary Conler? Lausanne, as Astina’s strong supporter, was hostile to Mary. That’s because Mary constantly bothered Astina. “You’ve been invited to the princess’ salon.” Right, I was invited to a salon. Mary Conler’s intellectual level was mocked and severely ridiculed by Lausanne… And they dry up all the people who become Mary’s tutor.

Before that happens. I was glad that Logan offered to be my tutor.

But it’s really weird.

I can’t help but find it odd that someone as capable as Logan would be content serving as Rex and I’s tutor. He was only Baron Bruno’s assistant prior to that. His portfolio isn’t growing too badly, is it? So I questioned Logan about his decision to work as a tutor for the Conlers. ‘Blessing from the Underworld….’

According to him, the blessing of the underworld is the reason he wanted to teach Rex and I. The underworld was mentioned in the original, but it wasn’t discussed in such depth so I couldn’t remember it. Perhaps it’s because I didn’t read it properly. If I had known I would be possessed in this way, I would have read every single sentence. The underworld is the underworld, but what’s a blessing? I thought it was a strange combination of words, but I felt like I had heard it before. This absurdity sounds familiar to me. “Yes, the blessing of the demons.”

The Conler family received the blessing of the demons. Logan mentioned that although the two ideas are similar, they are not the same. Oh, this is more complicated than I thought. Logan said that I didn’t need to know the story, but I couldn’t get the thought out of my head. It felt like a puzzle, except there wasn’t a board and the pieces were gathered at random. I lacked the courage to ask Grand Duke Estin, and I assumed that if I asked Lucas, it would naturally reach Grand Duke Estin’s ears. Lucas claimed to be on my side, but he was actually the Grand Duke’s person. They might think that I’ll cause another accident. Without telling the Conler, I believe I ought to learn more about this.

‘I need an informant.’

With regards to knowledge, Logan will help you now.

What I needed now was ‘information’ that didn’t appear in the book.

***

Time passed, and the day of my first visit to the imperial family arrived. I wore a white dress that was accented with a red ribbon, along with a hat adorned with red roses. In addition, I had a red purse in my hand. To fit the reputation of the empire where the sun never sets, there is a rule that one must be decorated in red when visiting the imperial family. “Demimore.” And ‘Red’ was unmistakably reminiscent of Demimore’s eyes. When I thought of Demimore, I clenched my red handbag. This bag contains the gift I need to give him. Is it excessive to refer to it as a gift?

Laminaicho recovery agent would not be a suitable gift for a 10-year-old child. Demimore, in particular, has twice the resilience of regular people, so he might not require this laminaicho. I’ll use this to pay him back for the pricey hairpin I borrowed from him. Just wait and see. You will one day be extremely grateful for getting laminaichos, which are extremely uncommon in the country. “Come on, get on.” I was lost in thought when a hand suddenly popped out of my line of sight. The hand was mature enough but still attractive, and it was large enough to cover my face. I took a moment to examine my hand before placing it on Grand Duke Estin’s palm.

He and I both sat in the same carriage. Lucas and Hestia said they would follow in another carriage. I let them be because being alone with the Grand Duke was no longer as uncomfortable as it used to be. Very good Mary Conler, you’ve grown a lot since yesterday. I sat down and gazed out the window at the passing scene. Despite having seen it numerous times, the scenery was breathtaking. In the carriage, there was nothing but silence. If it had been before, I wouldn’t have been able to get past the awkward silence, but that’s not the case anymore. I discovered that silence can be consoling.

Grand Duke Estin unexpectedly broke the silence. How are you feeling? “I don’t know, um…” I tried to enjoy the brief respite, but my gaze was drawn to the Grand Duke’s unexpected question. Although they said I was going to the Imperial Palace at Princess Lausanne’s invitation, I can’t say there’s nothing to worry about. “Lucas seems to be very concerned,” “Yes…” Estin’s dependable confidant Lucas appeared to have already voiced my worry.

You really shared everything. I gave a low cough out of embarrassment, as if I had been discovered worrying about something. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” “Yes?” “Therefore, don’t worry.” Why did you turn into a hedgehog, Dad? I didn’t do anything wrong, I can’t even say that with my own mouth, but I felt good when he said it with a friendly gaze, so I rubbed my right cheek with my palm.

***

It’s truly amazing! The palace was much larger than I had anticipated. A huge lion, a representation of the Britina Empire, was lying calmly. I entered the main gate and was greeted by a large garden. The palace was very colorful in contrast to the tidy, contemporary garden at Conler Castle. The enormous lake was also very lovely.

If Conler is like the moon, the palace is like the sun.’

The carriage, which had been moving for a while as it entered the gate, quickly came to a stop. If I had walked, it might have taken a day, so I’m glad I took the carriage. I was about to get off without thinking when Grand Duke Estin stopped me and stepped out front. He then took hold of my waist and carried me to the ground. “Welcome to the Imperial palace.”