Chapter 60 Episode 10. Eye of Typhoon (1)

The Grenferg Empire.

A country with its roots in the Legwin family, which was revered by the five families who contributed to the founding of the country, including Ingord, Carold, and Jonathan. The Grenferg Empire expanded its territory indefinitely 100 years ago from the era of conquering monarch Merceline II, and it had been at the pinnacle of the continent for a long time until the present generation, Danahan II.

Danahan II had many concubines. It was difficult to count on both hands if all the half-born Imperial family members were gathered, so it was the most complex period in Grenferg history. There were only two children from the Empress, the fraternal twins—Wilhelm Jonathan Legwin and Vivianne Jonathan Legwin.

The long-standing conservative Imperial family did not like the fact that the descendants of the Empress were fraternal twins. However, the fact that they were the only two children of the Empire was unequivocal, so the twins were raised as heirs to the throne, enjoying the rights they deserve. Yes, their treatment was very fair. Until Prince Wilhelm and Princess Vivianne celebrated their tenth birthday.

“That was the starting point. From that point on, the treatment of His Highness Wilhelm and Her Highness Vivianne changed drastically. It was like…”

The man with a bright smile poked his head out and whispered to me.

“Like the relationship between the owner and the dog.”

Ahem. The man coughed. Even though it was just the two of us, he must have been afraid of his light mouth. The man who looked around the empty parlour continued.

“That’s why Her Highness Vivianne is even greater. Did she not personally earn this position after enduring the persecution and neglect of the Imperial family?”

“Your eyes are blinded by love, Count.”

“Love? That’s understandable. Is there anyone who will not fall for Her Highness Vivianne? She’s beautiful but tough, and she’s gentle but also fierce. I’ve never seen a woman as great as her in my life.”

He was such a talkative man that I was afraid he would spit. Apparently, he lost his parents at a young age and took the title, but for such a thing, he was infinitely simpler than reliable.

“That’s why everyone looks up to you, Miss Agrane.”

I raised my head at his gentle voice and made eye contact with him. The Count of Melbourne, was the youngest among the nobles who settled in the Imperial Castle. At best, he seemed two or three years younger than me.

After it was revealed that I was not a gypsy, but of Karold bloodline, there was a change in the attitude of the nobles. It wasn’t much of a change. In the first place, even if it was Karold’s blood, there was no return of the family’s property from the Imperial family, so it was virtually a shell honor to me.

The point was that Vivianne really cared about me. A single woman from an extinct meritorious family who was favored by an Imperial member. I thought I would be a pretty good prey for those who were eager to stand out in front of the princess. Count Belbourne looked at my face with a gentle, no, a whipped creamy look.

“When you said gypsy, I didn’t believe it. Because you were too full of dignity to think of as a wandering woman. So beautiful….”

I was on the verge of yawning. Valeria stood up at the sudden knock and approached the door. Having had a short conversation with the visitor, she soon ran over and whispered in my ear.

“Lady, Mrs. Jonathan….”

But there was a middle-aged woman who came into the room before she could finish talking.

“Here you are, Count Melbourne.”

The feisty voice of the woman who stood before us with her chest puffed out. She was a woman with a white face and black hair tied high.

Mrs. Jonathan.

An elder of the House of Marquis Jonathan family, and the sister of the late Empress from the Imperial family. Mrs. Jonathan was just a visitor and there were no common greetings to me. With a cold stare, she only criticized the Count of Melbourne.

“Didn’t you hear that Marquis Hillmartino will arrive this evening? What are you doing here when you only have 10 minutes left?”

The Count of Belbourne rubbed his hands against his thighs with an embarrassed look.

“Haha, Mrs. Jonathan! You came all the way here looking for me. I’ll hurry up and follow you. Then, Miss Agrane.”

Before passing by, the Count approached me whispering in my ear. I couldn’t see his face, but I could roughly imagine what his eyes would look like.

“I have a very good feeling for you. I hope you will welcome my visit again next time.”

Good feeling. There was no reason to refuse if the feeling could benefit me. I forced a smile on my face, that had no emotion. Seeing my smile, the Count walked out of the room with satisfactory steps. Mrs. Jonathan, who was staring at the back, said to me in a cold voice.

“When your superiors come, you must raise yourself to welcome them, Miss Agrane.”

As expected, she didn’t even turn her head to me. I didn’t even have to think deeply. Immediately I stood up and answered at the harsh advice.

“I didn’t know anything. I made a mistake. I’m sorry, ma’am.”

“Your actions are the actions of Her Highness Vivianne, so whatever you do, you have to think carefully before you move.”

Mrs. Jonathan, who glanced at me with only a blink of an eye, left the room. It was unbelievable that the only thing she was doing here was getting on people’s nerves.

“How old fashioned.”

Sitting back in the chair, I drank the cold tea. I realised once again that compared to the Imperial Palace, the mansion of Ingord was much more peaceful. In this boringly spacious palace, there were not only two people who pretended to die of honor and acted worse than the gutter.

The nobles were generally more jealous and meddlesome than the maids. Their faithfulness to their desires, as if they wanted to have more and more of everything, made them like beasts. Among them, Mrs. Jonathan was a person who knew how to keep dignity and be in moderation. Even if she tried to interfere in personal matters, she was limited to etiquette everywhere[1]. Although she persecuted those of lowly status, it was not a big deal since this was the attitude any nobleman would have had. Perhaps that was why I felt much more comfortable talking to Mrs. Jonathan, the hard-headed one, than dealing with snobs like Count Melbourne. But while being comfortable was comfortable, being suffocated was frustrating.

“I have to go out for a while. If anyone asks for me, then say you don’t know where I went.”

“Yes.”

I left the room after hearing Valeria’s answer. A long hallway with no presence of people greeted me. This landscape did not improve the tightness of the chest. I left the Imperial Palace and crossed the patronage. The luxurious annex located beyond the patronage was a very familiar building to my eyes. A cold wind blew from somewhere. I had set foot in here in my dream. And I met the ‘picture’ that reestablished my world.

『The River Where the Sun Manoeuvres』

Climbing the stairs of the annex, I stood in front of the 『The River Where the Sun Manoeuvres』, which adorned one wall of the hallway. Was it because I came here every other day? Now, even when I closed my eyes, I felt good in front of it.

It had already been more than a month since I left Ingord and became a guest of the Emperor. Nothing had changed. As time went by, it was only questions that were piled up. I had to feel like I was standing alone inside a wall blocked on all sides, and I felt like my breath was suffocating every day. Once again, I thought that the me in the past was really great.

‘How did Agrane feel when she saw this painting?’

At least I didn’t feel any excitement now. There were so many differences between the me in the past and me now. Above all, I couldn’t see the future no matter how hard I tried. No matter what I did, I couldn’t even feel the slightest hint. I even thought that I might never see the future again.

“You can’t take your eyes off it.”

Then, a familiar and gentle voice came. Strangely speaking, Vivianne came to mind. Was it because they were fraternal twins? It was a very different voice, but there was a similar atmosphere. I looked up at the picture and answered quietly.

“I’ve never seen such an abstract painting. I think there’s something eye-catching.”

“A few days ago, you stood there and watched The River Where the Sun Manoeuvres.”

“Did you see me?”

I turned and stared at Wilhelm, the owner of the voice. He too lifted his chin to scan the front of the painting. At first glance, the gaze was calm and warm as if facing an old lover. Then Wilhelm’s gaze turned to me.

His eyes were the same as the atmosphere I faced in Ingord, so I could say out loud what I wanted to say without hesitation.

“Why didn’t you at least say hello? I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen you since I came here.” (Agrane)

When was the last time we met? Had it been a week? Among the words I had said to Valeria, there was not even the slightest lie about Wilhelm. Since arriving at the Imperial palace, Wilhelm had shown no interest in me anymore. His indifference was unexpected, beyond wonder to the extent that I was afraid.

To this man, was I merely an object to be satisfied with after he got his hands on? If I had been able to give such a simple answer, I would not have been so anxious. Wilhelm replied with a nonchalant look.

“I was going to tell you that. From now on, I hope Miss Agrane will come to me once every three days.” (Wilhelm)

I closed my mouth at the words that came as if he had been waiting. This was the cause of fear I felt from Wilhelm. That I didn’t know exactly what he wanted. If I didn’t figure out the goal he wanted, I had no choice but to be dragged on.

“May I ask what you’re thinking?” (Wilhelm)

I shook my head as casually as I could.

“Thinking about anything? It’s just a new feeling to hear that name from Your Highness.” (Agrane)

“It seems that the new feeling is rather on my side. Until a few weeks ago, you would stay in the Imperial Palace as my guest… Why did you suddenly reveal your name?” (Wilhelm)

Red eyes looked closely at my face. How should I act when I am embarrassed? I answered, raising my hand and sweeping it under my ear.

“It’s for a very snobbish reason. I think that way, I will be able to live a little more comfortably.” (Agrane)

There was no response from Wilhelm. However, only his gaze followed my hand falling from below my ear to my waist again.

“It will take some time… You are still Agrane in my eyes.” (Wilhelm)

“Even if I lost my memory, does that mean that I am the same as I was then?” (Agrane)

“It doesn’t matter if it’s different. We’ll go back to the place where we were.” (Wilhelm)