Rachel guided Cian to the parlor and prepared hot tea.
“Thank you.”
Cian briefly thanked her and took a sip of the tea. Perhaps because it was an awkward conversation, he did not say anything for a while.
Unable to ask what the matter was, she fidgeted until Cian’s gaze settled on a corner of the room.
“It looks like this is something Dolly left behind.”
“Excuse me? Oh.”
On the table in the corner of the room lay a quill that Dolorosa had left behind. A cute bunny doll was attached to the end of the quill.
‘Seeing as he asked me for help, it looks like something bad has happened to the princess and it’s become a big problem. What if thinking about it only makes things worse?’
Rachel quickly stood up from her seat.
“I’m sorry. I should have put it away earlier, but I wasn’t thinking.”
“No need.”
Cian said, holding up his hand to stop Rachel.
“it’s okay. Don’t worry about it. I’m rather glad to see a trace of Dolly.”
For the first time since coming into the parlor, Cian slightly lifted the corners of his lips.
“Please tell me about Dolly. I’m curious about how she spent her time at the Fram estate.”
After thinking for a moment, Rachel spoke.
“The first day she came to play at the estate, she told Graham about the things you like, Your Highness.”
“Things I like?”
Cian’s eyes widened, either surprised or flustered.
She nodded quickly, relieved to see the sadness fade from his expression.
“She said you like sweet things, picture books, small and cute things, rabbits, summer, and the color blue.”
“Ahahaha.”
Listing the things Dolorosa said ‘Cian liked’ made him burst into laughter.
The corners of Rachel’s mouth drew a soft line at his clear laughter.
“I was so surprised because she told me things I wouldn’t have expected you to like.”
“Is that so?”
“Were you influenced by Princess Dolorosa?”
“Yes. I originally liked sweet things and art, but I grew to like the rest because of Dolly. Being around things that reminded me of her.”
“As I thought. That’s just like you, Your Highness.”
“It’s very Dolly-like to describe the book I was reading as a picture book.”
“She’s a lovely person.”
“Thank you. There weren’t many people who loved Dolly without prejudice, I’m very grateful to you, Countess Rachel.”
Prejudice?
Surprised by the unexpected word, Rachel tilted my head in puzzlement.
‘Now that I think about it, the princess said before that there weren’t many people who liked her. Is there something I don’t know about?’
Cian, who now looked more at ease, met her eyes over his tea.
“I mentioned I needed your help. The truth is, I… lied to Dolly.”
The word ‘lie’ reminded her of Graham making a fuss about how his wrist felt like it was broken.
‘If the lie His Highness told to Lady Dolorosa was well-intentioned, could that be the problem? Is that why he disapproved of Graham’s obvious lie earlier?’
After a pause, Cian spoke again.
“The truth is, Dolly is not my daughter, but the emperor’s.”
“…What?”
“I’ve kept it hidden all this time, but for some reason, His Majesty decided to reveal the truth. The news will soon spread in society.”
In a calm voice, Cian explained Dolorosa’s secret.
Rachel was so shocked she could barely breathe.
‘So, this is why people looked at the princess with such prejudice. Because one day, Cian, who wasn’t married, suddenly brought home a child whose origins were unknown and made her a princess.’
She remembered Cian’s warm and gentle smile when talking about Dolorosa.
‘For him to love and raise a child like that, who isn’t even his own daughter, His Highness is truly an amazing person.’
Cian frowned as if in pain.
“Dolly was very shocked. She would never have imagined I lied. She got angry at me and has been locked up in her room ever since. She hasn’t eaten anything since last night.”
“She hasn’t eaten since last night? That’s serious. It’s already past lunch time…”
“She won’t even respond to anything I say. I understand why, but I’m so worried. Since Dolly likes you so much, I thought she might listen if you talked to her.”
“Hmm.”
“…Please. I don’t expect Dolly to forgive me and stay with me. Just, please persuade her to come out of her room and eat something, at least.”
“What are you saying? You two care for and love each other so much, so of course you should be together.”
Cian shook his head.
“I don’t want to force Dolly to do anything she doesn’t want to do.”
It reminded her of Dolorosa, carefully choosing the cake’s design and decoration for her father.
‘There is no way the princess dislikes His Highness. She was so happy while preparing the gift. She’s just shocked and upset and doesn’t know what to do.’
Rachel stood up.
“Your Highness, could you please wait a moment? I’ll write a letter for you to give to the princess.”
“All right.”
* * *
Meanwhile, Theodore was wandering around the street where Jane lived.
Several months have already passed since Atreille’s birthday banquet. The nosy people who’d loitered around hoping for Theodore or Jane to return were no longer there.
Theodore peered at the house where Jane lived from behind a column decorated with pale yellow flowers. He’d been staring at the entrance for days, but there was no sign of anyone coming or going.
‘They said a rich person bought the house, but it looks abandoned. Where did Jane go? I need to demand she return the money she took from me.’
Taking back the money he’d given wasn’t noble behavior, but Theodore, who remembered Jane as a devil rather than a lover, felt no guilt.
‘Once I get my money back, I have to go to the guild. I’m going to inquire about mother and gather information about Rachel. I’ll probably run into that damned man with the mask there, too.’
As he was glaring at the house, a large woman approached him.
“Hey, you! Hey, you, the gentleman-looking guy over there!”
“Huh? Are you calling me?”
Theodore pointed at himself and turned to the woman.
The woman planted her hands on her hips and nodded.
“What on earth are you doing here? People in the neighborhood are complaining about you. If you’re a thief, get the hell out of here, and even if you’re not, get the hell out of here!”
“A thief! How dare you be rude to me!”
“What? Rude?”
As the woman raised a large broom, Theodore quickly changed his tone.
“Well, I was watching to see if something lowly passed by! That house used to be the home of a woman who had an affair with a handsome count!”
” Oh. So you came to see that woman. She doesn’t live here anymore. What were you doing when everyone else was gawking?”
She doesn’t live here anymore. Although he’d expected it, hearing it still made Theodore feel deflated.
The woman clicked her tongue at the downcast Theodore.
“Tsk, tsk. Next time there’s something to see, be quick about it.”
“Do you know where that devil—no, that woman went?”
“She moved.”
“I asked where she moved to.”
“What will you give me if I tell you?”
“Give you? I have nothing to give!”
“Then we have no business. Get lost!”
How could he give her anything when he wasn’t even sure how he was going to buy tomorrow’s food.
He felt like screaming, but held back and went back to the townhouse.
Theodore began to look for anything among Berengella’s belongings that the woman might like.
* * *
When Cian returned to the mansion, the first thing he did was check on Dolorosa.
Nick shook his head.
“She still hasn’t come out. It’s almost dinner time, and I’m worried.”
“…I’ll go see her myself. Make sure no one comes near Dolorosa’s room.”
“All right.”
He silenced his footsteps and headed towards Dolorosa’s room. Outside the door was a tray with cold soup. There was no sign that the plate or spoon had been touched.
Cian knocked on the door.
“Dolly, it’s dad.”
“…”
He pressed his ear to the door and exhaled shortly. He sensed someone sitting just inside, huddled with their knees up and back against the wall.
‘Dolly, why are you sitting there? The floor must be cold.’
Resting his forehead against the door, he closed his eyes.
‘Were you waiting for me? If so… I’m so sorry.’
His throat tight, Cian coughed and began to speak.
“Dolly. Dad was too late, wasn’t he? I should have come sooner. I’m sorry.”
Sensitive enough to work as a guild informant even with his eyes covered, sometimes his keen senses were painful. Especially now, feeling his daughter shaking her head through the door.
He bit his lip and slipped the letter Rachel had given him under the door.
“I visited Countess Fram’s estate for Graham’s swordsmanship training. Countess Rachel asked me to give you this letter. I haven’t seen what it says, so read with confidence.”
After a while, a rustling sound was heard beyond the door, the sound of folded paper being opened. And then, the sound of someone holding back tears.
What on earth was written?
His heart ached, and he clenched his fists, unable to hold back his words.
“I’m sorry, Dolly. I didn’t lie on purpose. At first, you were too young to understand, and later, I didn’t know when to tell you. It may sound like an excuse, but…”
“…”
“At first, I didn’t mean to, but later on… Yes. Maybe, as His Majesty said, I didn’t tell you because I wanted to be your real dad. I’m truly sorry.”
Despite his long apology, Dolorosa didn’t respond.
He was sure she was crying right on the other side of the door. Listening to his words.
Feeling a lump in his throat, his voice became more desperate.
“…Dolly. What can Dad, no, what can I do for you? Anything, if there is anything I can do, please tell me. If you keep fasting like this, it’ll break my heart.”
“…”
“If you want to return to His Majesty, do so. If you don’t want to see me, I’ll leave the mansion. As long as it makes you feel a little better and you eat and stay healthy, dad, I mean, I…”
Anything was fine. Anything at all.
He didn’t want to send his daughter back to Sigar, nor live a life without her.
Living apart from Dolorosa had no meaning to Cian.
However, he could bear being separated from his child and living a childless life if that was what she wanted.
From the moment he disobeyed Sigar’s order to kill the tiny Dolorosa and held her in his arms, Dolorosa had become Cian’s one and only daughter.
Cian knelt down in front of Dolorosa’s door. He closed his eyes and wished as if he were praying.
Cian didn’t believe in the goddess Yenis and had never prayed before, but now he wished so earnestly.
‘Goddess Yenis. Please take care of my daughter Dolorosa.’
After a while, Dolorosa’s door opened as if answering his prayers.
