The tea in the cup before him was a faint grassy color. The usual tea that always softened my sensitive nerves was now a transparent brown. At those words, Huxley Kyeong lowered her head with an awkward expression.

“I apologize, Your Grace. I tried to get that tea.”

To get it. For years, Huxley Kyeong had always been in charge of my tea. As a novice aide, she had brought out tea that suited my taste from the beginning.

Giovanni, who was gazing at Huxley Kyeong with a somewhat murky expression, soon swallowed his sigh. The memory of the tea I used to drink at the mansion came to mind reflexively.

The teas that Esella occasionally brought to the study, transparent brown ones.

In the stuffy, clogged memory, a strangely blurry image came up. A very long time ago, during the time when this tea first started coming to me, the small appearance of a girl became clearer.

The Duke shook his head as if to shake off the consciousness.

“…Is there still no answer from Bicander?”
“That, I apologize.”

As Huxley Kyeong gave her hesitant reply, it felt like grains of sand filled the inside of the Duke’s mouth. Then, the Duke slowly spoke.

“…Huxley Kyeong.”

“Yes.”

“Go to Bicander.”

Huxley Kyeong widened her eyes. The Duke, who only had one assistant, was sending her to Bicander.

“To Olivia. Deliver the message to return to the mansion in person.”

And this was for the First Lady.

Huxley Kyeong’s heart fluttered a bit at the unheard-of words. She couldn’t fathom how delighted the First Lady, who always looked at this office with hopeful green eyes, would be upon hearing this news.

If the First Lady came, even the slightly skewed things would return to their place.

Even the Duke, who suffered from a cardiovascular disease, and the Duke who had become strangely lonely every time he left.

Even the Second Lady’s face, which left with a tearful expression, a little while ago.

Huxley Kyeong swiftly moved. In the meantime, the Duke sighed gently. Then, he blinked his dry eyes.

Olivia. Bringing that child back to the mansion was solely for my daughter, the tender-hearted Esella.

I decided to forgive that child just a little.

Giovanni closed his eyes again.

If she understands my feelings now, I hope Hazel might forgive me just a bit, desperately wishing.

A chilling darkness entered the closed eyes. In that place, Giovanni longed for Hazel’s voice.

But salvation did not come.

Ethelga’s carriage passed through the main gate of the Princess Palace.

While looking at the rapidly passing scenery outside, Maria Ethel snorted.

“Enter the palace quickly, under the orders of Her Highness the Princess.”

“Oh my, if it isn’t Her Highness the Princess who looks like a saint. We should probably start calling our young lady the Crown Princess from now on.”

A while ago, a messenger from the palace had visited the mansion. The governess cooperated hurriedly with my preparations for going out. But Maria felt irritated inwardly.

Already, almost every day, she was entering the Crown Princess’s palace. She couldn’t even endure a day off and had to be called urgently.

It’s probably because of the summer banquet. She probably contacted me so insistently because she wanted me to attend the tea party today. Since I didn’t attend last time due to fawning on Leopold, it seems she called me right after it ended.

There’s no need for such urgency. I almost go to the Crown Princess’s palace every day anyway, so why couldn’t she wait for a day off?

Certainly, it must be because of the summer festival. Since she didn’t call me right after the last one, I managed to escape from Leopold’s nonsense, but today, I couldn’t avoid it.

No, there was no reason to avoid it. Anyway, I am currently in a position to handle the affairs of the Princess on her behalf, and at the same time, I am now not just a common baroness but also the Crown Prince’s fiancee, the prospective Crown Princess.

The carriage stopped, and the door opened.

Gracefully descending from the carriage, Maria moved her dress and walked briskly.

A modest maid bowed her head quickly upon seeing Maria.

“I will guide you to the reception room. The governess who accompanied you can follow this way.”
“Oh my. What an unexpected favor thanks to the young lady.”

The maid muttered with a surprised voice. She was already pleased enough to follow into the palace.

Yet, Maria had never received such a well-mannered reception.

It was a courteous greeting that could not be enjoyed solely based on the status of a baroness. Maria’s lips traced a gentle curve in the exhilarating moment.

Yes, I was soon to become the Crown Princess. The Princess must have recognized that fact, and her instructing the maids confirmed it.

If I’ve kept this secret so far, it’s time for me to confide in the Princess.

With the help of Queen Mother and Duke Elkin, we plan to hold the engagement ceremony during the summer banquet.

Perhaps Queen Mother has already spoken to the Princess. So, if the maids are being polite like this, it makes sense.

Her pretty nose was slightly lifted.

Maria walked with cheerful steps. She felt none of the ominous atmosphere that had settled in the palace.

“Maria Ethel, greets Her Highness the Princess.”

The reception room of the Princess’s palace.

A resounding voice echoed in the reception room. Maria Ethel, perfectly composed, blinked while still bowing her head.

There were no commands to rise or expressions of gratitude. According to etiquette, a person of lower rank could not lift their head until given permission by their superior.

Even maintaining this position for just thirty seconds continued to be a posture that would cause sweat to bead on the forehead.

Maria often used this method when picking undesirable maids during tea parties. However, she had never experienced it herself. She was Ethel, an maid and the only lover of the Crown Prince. No one could insult her like this.

What situation is this?

Maria Ethel felt bewildered. The Princess should have liked her. Duke Elkin had said that the Queen Mother had spoken well of her, and above all, Leopold had doted on the Princess.

“I’ve treated you well, so now, Maria, you must do well. Understand?”

There must have been some misunderstanding. Maria tried to get up.

But soon, she made a shallow groan. The moment she tried to get up, someone forcefully grabbed and pressed her down.

“Her Highness requests you to maintain courtesy. Maidservant.”

The words mixed with the commanding voice were more irritating than the oppressive tone. Maidservant! I am to be the Crown Princess.

However, in this closed space with the door closed, she was alone, and the Princess was not visible.

Sweat began to bead on her forehead. Perhaps the finely applied makeup had crumbled in the sweat. Her arms and legs, usually kept slim, trembled.

Ethel bit her lips tightly. It was time when the drawn-out time felt distinctly heavy.

“…It’s hard to see such a precious face.”

With a languid voice, someone roughly lifted Maria. Beyond the blurred vision, the Princess, who was smiling brightly, appeared, whether through tears or sweat.