Chapter 95
That day, Yulia woke up later than usual.
When she’d briefly stirred earlier, she thought Fernan had been lying beside her. But when she fully awoke, he was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, a maid summoned by him was waiting to assist her.
“Where is His Highness?” Yulia asked softly as the maid helped her dress. The maid, who was tying the laces at the back of her gown, quickly responded.
“I saw him heading down to the lobby earlier.”
“I see.”
A soft light appeared on Yulia’s face as she clasped her hands together.
Last night, she had fallen asleep so comfortably in Fernan’s arms.
She wondered how he had slept—whether he, too, had gotten a peaceful night’s rest.
Once dressed, Yulia left the bedroom immediately. It was already noon, and sunlight streamed through the corridor windows.
Feeling refreshed, she hurried through the hallway.
“Ah, Your Highness the Princess.”
As she was about to descend the stairs, someone called out to her from behind.
Yulia paused and turned around to see Judy, her arms full of letters.
“Good afternoon. Here’s the letter you requested last time!”
“A letter?”
Yulia tilted her head slightly, and Judy pulled a worn envelope from her chest pocket and offered it to her.
“Yes, you asked me to bring you any letters that arrived from Vanosa. One came in last night. I brought it before the other servants could get to it.”
Yulia accepted the letter almost absentmindedly, her face stiffening with sudden tension. She had completely forgotten about the request.
She quickly unfolded the letter and read its contents on the spot.
“This is a letter from Vanosa. Please deliver it to my daughter.
I cannot reveal her name due to circumstances, but she will recognize me once she reads this.
I hope she remembers the time we spent together at the flower shop tucked at the far end of the alley in Vanosa’s small town…”
“……”
The hand holding the letter trembled faintly.
Yulia froze, unable to tear her eyes from the words.
The flower shop at the edge of the alley—that was undoubtedly the one her mother used to run.
“Ah…”
Now, she was sure. This letter was truly from her mother.
Covering her mouth with one hand, Yulia leaned gently against the banister. Judy, alarmed, rushed toward her.
“Your Highness, are you all right?”
Yulia turned to Judy, trying to compose her expression.
“It’s nothing. I just felt a bit dizzy, that’s all…”
Of course, no one could find out that she was the intended recipient of the letter.
If they did, it would reveal that she was an illegitimate child.
“Thank you for bringing it, Judy.”
Yulia handed the letter back to her and forced herself to walk away as if nothing had happened.
But her mind was consumed with thoughts of her mother.
So she’s still living in Vanosa…
Since being taken to the Marquisate around the age of seven, she’d never gone back.
She had assumed her mother had moved elsewhere after sending her away.
Her heart pounded as she bit her lip.
Why was her mother looking for her now? Had she heard rumors that she’d become the Grand Duchess?
Everything was so confusing. The letter only asked her to remember—it didn’t mention anything else.
Is she asking me to come to Vanosa?
As she struggled to calm the chaos in her mind, she reached the bottom of the stairs.
And just as she stepped into the lobby, someone appeared in front of her.
Lifting her lowered gaze, she saw—
“Ah… Father Cedric.”
It was Cedric, the priest staying at the estate.
Temporarily setting aside her swirling thoughts, Yulia addressed him.
“Where are you headed?”
Cedric responded with a complicated expression.
“I just came from seeing His Grace the Duke. I was on my way back to my room.”
Yulia glanced past Cedric, but Fernan was nowhere to be seen—he had already left the lobby.
“I believe His Grace went to the office,” Cedric added, perhaps realizing she was looking for Fernan.
Yulia nodded gratefully. “Thank you. Please have a good rest.”
With that brief exchange, she passed Cedric by.
Though he turned to look back at her, Yulia didn’t notice and continued walking.
She had been headed straight to Fernan, but suddenly came to a stop.
She wasn’t sure she could hide the turmoil on her face in front of him.
He would undoubtedly ask what was wrong—and then…
Yulia let out a quiet sigh. More than anyone else, she couldn’t let Fernan find out about her biological mother.
She didn’t want to deceive him, but if he found out she was illegitimate, he might never look at her the same way again.
Her origins were, after all, a valid reason for annulment.
With a downcast face, Yulia turned away. It seemed wiser to wait a little longer before addressing the letter.
“Do you think the latest letter made it to the Grand Duchy without trouble?”
The Marchioness Elodie asked the maid kneeling before her with a sharp smile, legs elegantly crossed.
“Of course, Madam. I’m sure it arrived safely, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Well done.”
Elodie tossed a small pouch of gold coins. The maid caught it skillfully, grinning ear to ear, before quickly exiting the parlor.
Left alone, the Marchioness smirked with venomous satisfaction.
It was already the third letter sent to the Grand Duchy. By now, Yulia must be deeply shaken.
That naïve, foolish girl would surely think of her mother the moment she read those letters.
Everything is going smoothly.
She planned to send just a few more to unsettle her before eventually luring her to Vanosa.
Once there, she’d be kidnapped and offered to the Emperor.
And with that, Elodie’s mission would be complete.
So audacious. I thought she was dead, but she’s alive and seducing the Duke?
Elodie sneered as she lifted the teacup on the table.
Who would’ve imagined? Everyone believed Yulia had been abandoned and vanished after being cast off by the Duke.
And yet, not only was she alive, but she turned out to be the very woman Fernan had been hiding so dearly.
What an unbelievable twist.
The Marchioness took a sip, savoring the fragrance of the tea.
The developments were thrilling—and more than that, this was her chance for a massive payoff.
If Yulia fell into her hands, the Marquisate would reclaim its lost power.
The very girl who brought their downfall would now become the reason for their rise.
And after that, her son Grayson would serve closely by the Emperor’s side.
Unlike her late husband, Grayson was competent and ambitious. Though still adjusting to the sudden inheritance, he had the potential to outshine his father in the Emperor’s eyes.
Perhaps I should push for a marriage between Grayson and one of the imperial princesses…
Elodie’s lips curled with greedy delight. If she could marry Grayson into the imperial family, their path to power would be solidified.
It would also give Grayson the resolve he needed to lead the family.
“Heh…”
Elodie leaned back against the sofa, humming cheerfully.
Her red-painted nails tapped rhythmically on the armrest.
Preparations for the succession ceremony were well underway at the Marquis estate.
What should have been a somber and joyless event was now poised to become a celebration—thanks to the lifeline thrown down from the heavens.
Elodie’s mood had never been better.
To an onlooker, her elation might have appeared nothing short of madness.
