Chapter 198: Chapter 198
The Duchess’s legs trembled from disbelief.
A pair of eyes that did not intend to conceal the disgust and displeasure at her presence had also humiliated her frail pride easily by the obvious absence of respect for her authority by her own child.
She stared aghast at his chilling back, turning away from her, completely uninterested in the teary eyes she portrayed after hearing her only son utter words of honest despise to her.
Nonetheless, as soon as he disappeared into the long hallway, leading to his chambers, the woman flinched in awareness and hastily searched her surroundings with exasperated eyes and made sure that no other eyes had witnessed such disgrace.
Gulp...
’... I need to get out of here...’
Holding her tears back out of the disheartening humiliation, she went upstairs to the Head’s bedroom shared with her Husband.
Troubled by the unexpected experience, she dismissed the servants ready to assist her and closed herself into the empty bedroom as the gasping breathing from her rush became greatly apparent in the stillness of its solitude.
"Huff... Huff... Oh goodness..... Paul..."
The always pleasing son that politely would listen to her and flatter her beauty without problem after being asked... seemed like an illusion after witnessing a gaze filled with the honesty every previous exchange missed.
"My son too... That woman has ultimately corrupted him completely too... Just like my husband... Sniff... Now even Paul goes against me because of her!!!"
Elenaide’s heart ached at the situation she had come to be in and tears of rage flashed through her lids thinking of how the child she had also given birth to was taking away more of the authority she had over the House Elenaide was to lead along her Husband.
"... Orland... Paul... How is it that you cannot see it... Hic! That demonic creature... She’s not pure in the least!!!"
Weakly, the Duchess fell at the feet of her mattress, crying, and holding desperately onto the clean sheets that were to warm her during the cold night devoid of her partner.
...ss...hiss...sss...
"Ah! No. No!... Hic... Husband... Hng..... I miss you, Orland..."
A sensation she had been cursed with during exhausting months eighteen years ago invaded her effortlessly in her forlorn state.
Yearning for her life partner, she desperately trembled helplessly... For it was only by the caress of her thoughtful husband that the distressing sensation would leave her.
However... At these times...
"... Phew..... Orland... Come help me, dear..."
The weak woman hugged herself, missing his touch.
A simple request for a cuddle was all she used to ask back then... feigning calmness as the suffocating sensation of a snake wrapping her pregnant body harassed her cruelly with its cold graze.
Invisible and repulsive... The sensation she felt to this day whenever sorrow came over her and whenever her mind was reminded that the girl had indeed come out from her insides...
’... She ruined me... I knew she would ruin me the moment I conceived her!!’
Elenaide’s hatred grew further in her ignorance. However, as pitiful and unfounded as it was... this would help the distress subside.
— Hmm... Elenaide, my wife... —
’... Husband...’
— This leisure is lovely... Come closer... I am delighted to be sought by you. —
’... Yes... I also was, dear.....’
The touch of her affectionate husband was now a memory she couldn’t remember clearly... Yet now she cuddled in it. On the dim sensation of his warmth she now yearned in her loneliness.
"..."
She smiled at the echo of the words he would dedicate to her in their privacy.
’My husband... sweet man...’
However, the fresh memories of their silent days previous to his departure saddened her again.
"..... Orland....My poor husband... I..."
*******
Clink.
"What an exquisite flavour. I must thank the Princess for letting me taste such a unique leaf."
"... No need, Lady Theressa. As my guests today, I wished for our first toast to be a fresh yet elegant fragrance... Lady Marianne, what are your thoughts on it?"
’... Huh?’
Ah... Right... I haven’t really tasted it yet.
To the call from the Princess, even with how lost I was in my thoughts, I couldn’t ignore her after how nice an invitation this was.
I had been staring blankly at the filled teacup until hearing her ask about my impressions, and so, I lifted my gaze to find an arrogant expression that observed me oddly expectant in what I thought was delight.
I bowed since I hadn’t tried it yet and followed to bring the teacup to my dry lips. A short sip after a brief whiff of its calming scent and then...
"!" — ’Ah, d*mn it... This is great~’
Bringing my fingers to cover my mouth I tilted my head, ecstatic at the fresh taste that ended with a fruity spice before swallowing the hot tea.
"... Hah." — Hearing a low scoff as I drowned myself in the second sip of the fancy tea, I glanced at the Princess who had let it out. — "... Words truly seem foolish when a response as satisfying as the Lady’s is given."
Lifting her own tea, she also drank another sip of it with a light smile invading her expression.
"..." — ’... I know we are lovely... But... Gurl~ why can’t I read you at all??’
Such a mysterious Princess...
This morning, I received a pretty letter, very delicate and elegantly decorated with the characteristic strokes that no one can take out of my mind that are real gold.
’Cause, I sweaaaar I could also smell the scent of unnecessary luxury there... I’ll save the envelope. If things get so wrong I need to escape... Wait. Can I even sell that?..... Maybe stealing some books from the library would be better...
Ok. Back to the matter.
The letter was classy and so polite I felt like I finally received a proper invitation to meet with the Royals ever since I arrived at this Palace. I mean... Not shocking. But not as impactful since it came in the harmless shape of a letter... Which greatly differs from opening the door to find the d*mn Owner of the Palace himself to invite me.
’Sigh... The Emperor is too much... I can’t wrap my mind around him coming personally to get me...
It’s too shocking. Although I do love his flamboyant attitude whenever he greets me...’
— Cute Child~ Good day~ Am I the first one to greet you this morning? If so the Ninth indeed is a blessed protegee of my House’s deity, Haha! —
’Heh. Even though I flinch every time He’s announced, I can’t bring myself to hate how fun an entrance he does~’
"..."
Anyway, she was quite nice making a difference.
Short and concise. I can even say I didn’t feel obligated to accept her invitation in the least since I didn’t have her breathing down my neck waiting for a yes.
"... Sister indeed has a way to express herself..."
"..."
Theressa Is obviously here though. But I’m already getting used to it after so many days of having her follow me.
"... To be honest, Lady Marianne, I have been intending on inviting you for a cup of tea for some days now. However, I have heard about how busy a schedule you have had thanks to my family members."
’Oh, so you know? They really are something else if you ask me.’
"His Majesty gets eager when finding someone to his liking. And it appears to be the case that even my youngest sibling has taken a liking to you... Is it true you have been taking him on your strolls to My Mother’s Garden?"
"Ye–"
The lift of her hand quickly stopped Theressa’s attempt.
"Excuse me, Lady... Theressa? I am aware the Lady’s voice will not be the one to answer. Nonetheless, I desire her response, not yours."
"Ah... Yes, Princess Jasmine."
"Very well. I ought to make things clear... Then, Lady Marianne, as I was saying, may I inquire on these matters? It truly interests me to learn how is it that you have been handling these odd men."
"....." — ’... You know... That’s a great question, Princess...’
I honestly have no idea.
Am I even alive right now? This is one of the best conversations I’ve had besides the few I’ve managed to have with the Duke lately.
Honestly, now that she’s asking this, I can feel how my spirit slowly becomes dust thinking of the rollercoaster I’ve been through during my stay here.
"... My~... So it’s been that draining? These men truly know no restraint."
’Right!? Like, come on! I can eat breakfast on my own once in a while~ Also! I heard that the physicians had told them not to stress me but... Gurl~ Their concern and caution is backfiring!’
Those idiots stress me more when holding back! I hate tension! Any kind! And an awkward one is truly the worst after the one that comes from a battle breaking out between two men who clearly have bad vibes going on.
... The last one thankfully hasn’t happened again since the Male Lead and the Villainess’s Father haven’t met after that day in the corridor... At least not that I know of.
"..."
As my thoughts wandered, I peeked at the Princess.
Staring at me with soft eyes, she seemed to be waiting for an answer I had already given her secretly, and so, I woke up from the daze my whining was leading me into to write an answer she could actually understand... Or even be aware that an answer was being given.
My post-it notes were at their rightful place on my inside pocket in my long-tailed old lavender-coloured skirt, which by the way... I FREAKING LOVE IT.
Because oh. my. god.~ What a f***ing gorgeous combination it makes with the roman beige of my corset~ Ugh! It’s just so nice since the corset is what has all of the outfit’s decoration. The royal prints in that shiny taupe shade~ Ouf! I think this one is my favourite til now. Like, for real, this one merits a chef kiss with million finger hearts.
I have to send a thank you Letter to the funny moody Madame, she deserves a raise for this Master Piece. Its even comfy to wear although I’m also wearing this tight corset!
...
’Anyway, the answer. Stay focused Elizabeth. Your mind is a mess.’
I took them out of the hidden spot and, FINALLY, my first words to the Princess were "told".