Chapter 81. Noel Euphris

2023.12.20.

“I wish I could send you straight to the palace where Bi will stay, but this disaster struck so suddenly there was no time to prepare. I’ve already instructed them to clear out a guest room in Noel’s detached palace for now, so please bear with the inconvenience temporarily.”

Without even turning back, Empress Marilyn quickly sought understanding.

Along the edge of the wide path leading into the main palace, detached palaces slightly larger and taller than the Pelliese mansion lined up like a townhouse complex.

Noel must refer to the Second Prince, Noel Euphris—but why was he staying in a guest palace within the Empress’s compound instead of his own princely residence? Yuan was curious, but she simply adjusted her voice swiftly and answered without further questions.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Yuan followed the rapidly walking Empress into the reception hall.

Two neatly dressed elderly maids briefly brought in tea and light snacks, then stood quietly at a distance by the entrance as instructed, allowing Yuan at last to steal a glance at Empress Marilyn’s complex, golden eyes.

***

Empress Marilyn clutched her throbbing head and slowly scanned the ex-princess consort before her.

She was first irritated by the woman’s loosely undone black hair, carelessly let down like a commoner’s wife.

Her facial features were harmoniously beautiful, without any harsh angles, yet it was hard to see her as a vibrant young woman.

A withered lily.

Yes, she resembled a lily just before wilting.

At least her lifeless complexion could be masked somewhat with makeup—that was fortunate.

The real problem was the green dress she wore, of unknown origin. The fabric was quite luxurious, but to the discerning Empress, it clearly looked like a poorly altered, ragged remnant.

‘So the financial situation is truly dire if they’ve completely cut off support to the Black Mansion?’

Most important matters concerning the ex-Prince Clade Euphris were directly managed by Emperor Igor.

Of course, Marilyn had heard about the severed support, but she assumed the Marquis Rev family was overseeing things well enough to maintain royal dignity…

‘What on earth is Bollonico thinking?’

The only difference between Emperor Igor and his son was this: while Igor would grab any woman who caught his eye, he only wanted outwardly dazzling, trophy-like beauties by his side.

Precisely because he cared only for superficial appearances and not inner qualities, it had actually been easier for Empress Marilyn to manage such affairs.

But this woman he now wished to keep close was going too far.

‘Not even his cousin’s fiancée—his cousin’s wife?’

And such an utterly unremarkable woman at that.

For Bollonico, who constantly fretted over not being named Crown Prince, this choice of a curious companion was unnecessarily burdensome.

Of course, Emperor Igor couldn’t openly criticize his son about this matter. To do so would be to indirectly condemn his own past conduct.

Empress Marilyn set aside her complicated thoughts for now and resolved to deal with the immediate issue at hand.

“I’ve neglected you greatly during this time, Bi.”

Yuan, quietly observing the Empress’s reception hall for the first time, startled and straightened her back further.

“Pelliese, I’m sorry I didn’t recall immediately. Clade’s former wife also came from your family, and I failed to pay attention. Only now, upon your arrival, did I hear that she was your sister and has since passed away due to poor health. I should have been more attentive. I’m truly sorry.”

Yuan was slightly surprised, noticing a faint trace of guilt on the Empress’s face.

She had heard the Imperial Household kept close surveillance on the Black Mansion, so it was puzzling that the Empress seemed unaware of Clade’s marital connections and even apologized.

Marriages within the royal family were, after all, under the Empress’s jurisdiction.

‘Perhaps the Empress isn’t the one overseeing surveillance of the Black Mansion.’

Empress Marilyn appeared very accustomed to cleaning up Bollonico’s messes. Unlike her earlier assertive demeanor outside, she didn’t ask Yuan in detail how she had come to the palace.

Instead, she provided a reason that Yuan could use to explain her presence to others.

“‘The ex-princess consort, unable to endure the harshness of Locksenhart, has become physically weakened and, at the earnest request of her natal family, the Count Pelliese’s household, has come to the palace for recuperation.’ How does that sound?”

“…It sounds good to me. Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll introduce you to others as volunteering to serve as my lady-in-waiting—a pastime, you might say. I happen to be in the process of selecting new attendants. It wouldn’t look good for you to stay secluded in the Empress’s Palace all the time either. And if you come and go to Bollonico’s palace under the pretense of running errands for me, people will at least pretend to believe it.”

As Empress Marilyn mentioned Bollonico, a faint trace of contempt flickered across her face before vanishing.

Yuan immediately sensed a strange tension.

The Empress seemed both like a merciful mother covering up her son’s scandals, and yet someone utterly repulsed by every one of Bollonico’s actions.

“Bollonico will probably dislike me grilling you, but I’ll ask just one thing.”

Empress Marilyn spoke in a slightly domineering tone, not easing her tension. Her voice was naturally soft and refined, so the forced harshness was noticeable.

“What does Bollonico want from you? Why is he involving you in such a scandal? What use does he have for you?”

The Empress seemed to realize her question was rude, briefly appearing startled. Then she quickly added that she meant no offense—she was simply curious in good faith.

“If you don’t wish to speak of it, I understand—”

“It’s because I am a Pelliese, Your Majesty.”

Yuan answered clearly, meeting the Empress’s steady gaze.

“For generations, our family has devoted our abilities to serving the Imperial Household. His Highness Bollonico is said to have a sensitive disposition and frequent minor illnesses. You know, during the last royal debutante ball, my late husband, the ex-Prince, nearly fell victim to poisoning, correct?”

Yuan paused abruptly, stopping herself from continuing.

The Empress’s golden eyes trembled slightly at the word “poisoning,” and she swallowed hard, forcing a composed expression—though it was clearly strained.

She clearly knew Bollonico had ordered that poisoning. Yuan pretended not to notice and continued.

“The First Prince was also deeply unsettled, fearing he might have suffered the same fate had fortune not favored him that day. He said he needed more trustworthy people close by. As you know, though I am not of the main house, I am a Pelliese and possess some modest medical knowledge. That’s the reason I’ve heard so far. But still… if His Highness went as far as to bring me into the palace, defying the ex-Prince, perhaps he has other intentions.”

“Do all Pelliese, whether male or female, whether head of the house or not, study medicine?”

Marilyn, who had been fidgeting like she was sitting on thorns, quickly asked as soon as Yuan finished speaking.

“Not everyone, but I do. My father, the late former Count Pelliese, wished for every member of our household to possess basic medical knowledge.”

Just as Empress Marilyn was about to ask another rapid question, a stir came from outside.

A messenger reported that people who had come since morning with recommendation letters for the Empress’s new lady-in-waiting selection were now waiting in the audience chamber.

Marilyn faintly frowned, adjusted her attire, and instructed the elderly maid standing by the door to prepare Yuan and escort her to the detached palace.

Yuan rose, following the maid’s guidance.

Empress Marilyn stood as well, drawing close to Yuan and whispering softly. Her demeanor now was strikingly warmer than earlier by the fountain.

“Go and at least greet Noel, then rest. I’ve just sent word to him, so he’ll be expecting you. While staying in the detached palace, spending time with family would be nice.”

Yuan eyed her warily, noticing the Empress’s unusually amiable shift in attitude. Empress Marilyn smiled gently and patted Yuan’s back.

“It would be wonderful if you two could keep each other company.”

***

The private meeting with Empress Marilyn had been exhausting, but not without收获.

First, the surveillance over the Black Mansion—which should have been under the Empress’s purview—appeared to have no connection to her.

Second, the Second Prince, Noel Euphris, was residing not in his own princely palace but in a guest palace under the Empress’s wing, like a visitor.

Both were highly unusual, and Yuan made a mental note to remember them well.

The Empress promised to summon the royal dressmaker soon and gifted Yuan a set of clothing to wear in the meantime.

Yuan’s green dress, altered by the tailor Misha, was easily removed. She asked that it not be discarded, then submitted to the skilled hands of the elderly maids.

The garments felt qualitatively different from anything Yuan had worn before—undoubtedly because they were made within the Imperial Household. In the mirror, Yuan looked entirely unlike the woman she had been in the Black Mansion.

The slightly girlish figure she once had now appeared as a fully recognized lady of refinement.

“Do you like it?”

“Yes.”

Though the deep rose-red hue felt somewhat excessive, Yuan had no say in the matter—this was attire chosen by the Empress’s people.

Her hair was stiffly pinned up, her face perfectly made up just like Empress Marilyn. Perhaps this was simply what a typical noblewoman was supposed to look like.

‘Do what others do. Live like others live.’

Why did every thought in her mind end with Clade Euphris?

Yuan bit the inside of her mouth and opened her eyes wide. Thinking of Clade only made her heart grow weaker.

It made her want to borrow a carriage immediately, rush back to the Black Mansion, cling to him, and beg him to hold her again, to whisper that he must never die again.

Stubbornly clenching her lips, Yuan entered the detached palace located near the main Empress’s Palace.

Passing through a corridor adorned with decorations seemingly reflecting Empress Marilyn’s taste, she saw ahead the reception room door, opened as if welcoming her.

“Glory be to the noble Euphris. It is my honor to meet you, Your Highness, the Second Prince. I am Yuan Pelliese.”

As soon as Yuan stepped into the reception room, she gracefully spread her full dress to both sides, slightly bent her knees in greeting, and then lifted her head.

But the Second Prince, who should have been waiting there, was not seated on the armchair.

“Your Highness?”

He was standing by the large window, hiding his body behind the ornate curtains. Only his dazzling blond hair and purple eyes—identical to Clade’s—peeked out, watching her.

“Second Prince?”

Yuan neatly clasped her hands, walked past the tea table set with steaming tea and snacks, and approached the trembling curtains.

“S-s-s-s-stop!”

A shrill, feminine voice burst out from behind the curtains like thunder.

“I-I-I’ve h-heard of you. C-coming to the p-palace with my b-brother so early in the m-morning!”

“…Your Highness, please come out from behind the curtains first—”

“D-don’t c-come any c-closer!”

The tall man cried out, shrinking further into hiding.

Yuan patiently waited for Noel Euphris, who behaved like a mistreated animal.

Meeting his wary eyes, she unintentionally let out a short sigh and lowered her gaze.

Was it because Noel Euphris’s eyes were so similar to Clade’s?

That in this moment, the image of Clade from the past—guarded, tense, and defensive toward her—flashed before her eyes.

It was unacceptable.

Yuan swallowed the sudden surge of tears rising in her throat.

“T-t-to fall in l-l-love with B-Bollonico h-himself w-while being C-Clade’s w-wife? H-h-have you l-lost your m-mind?”

Noel Euphris, half-revealing himself, clung tightly to the curtain and spoke, almost on the verge of tears.