Chapter 04
As is often the case with nobles, the Duke did not remember Anna Faledon, who had once been his object of desire.
christine tried to understand, thinking that it made sense—her mother’s connection with the Duke was from so long ago. She didn’t expect him to warmly embrace an illegitimate child he hadn’t even known existed.
To avoid getting hurt, christine worked hard to remain indifferent.
“As if I were the only man that woman had been with.”
“….”
Her hand shook as she clutched the hairbrush, remembering that day.
That man.
Her mother had spent her entire life loving him, foolishly yearning for someone like that.
“Deny it all you want. I don’t care,” christine responded, forcing herself to remain calm.
“Our relationship is something others will judge for themselves. You may lose a great deal in this scandal, Your Grace, but as for me… I have nothing to lose.”
Her threat worked.
“Like mother, like daughter. Both of you cling like filthy stains.”
The Duke’s contemptuous gaze was bearable only when christine reminded herself of the medical bills he was covering for her mother. She couldn’t sit back and helplessly watch her mother deteriorate.
Silently, christine braided Anna’s hair again, twisting it into an elegant bun. She finished by pinning a silver butterfly ornament—the Duke’s gift—into place. At that moment, a familiar melody began to play.
It was an aria the Duke loved.
“christine, sing this for me.”
christine called out softly, controlling her emotions.
“Mom.”
“Yes, christine?”
“I played Violet in the performance yesterday.”
The mirror Anna held slipped from her hand and fell onto her lap. She turned to christine.
“Oh, my goodness! christine!”
Anna embraced her daughter with a look of pure delight, her bony frame pressing into christine’s body.
Anna Faledon loved music. Once a promising soprano in the now-destroyed Rosid Opera Company, which had burned down in a mysterious fire, music had been her life.
“My dear daughter. The Duke will finally recognize you now. I’m so proud of you, christine. If only the Duke and I could go see your performance together. That would be—.”
The door suddenly burst open.
Lady Nora entered with a cold expression, freezing the atmosphere of the hospital room. She was a stern middle-aged woman assigned by the Duke as Anna’s caretaker—and watchful guardian.
“I warned you not to mention his name.”
She glared, worried that nurses or doctors might overhear.
“Remember, if you keep spouting nonsense, your mother could end up in a mental institution.”
“I’ll be more careful,” christine replied, biting her lower lip hard.
Lady Nora dismissed her curtly.
“You should leave now.”
christine stood and hugged Anna tightly, gently stroking her back.
“I’ll come again soon, Mom.”
Anna’s lips moved as if she had something to say, but she only smiled tenderly. christine held onto that smile as she left the room. Her steps lingered in the hallway.
It’s okay. Everything will be okay.
christine repeated this mantra, as though convincing herself. Taking a deep breath, she steadied her emotions and walked down the hospital corridor.
Meanwhile, a carriage adorned with the symbol of the Kingdom of Bern—a double-headed eagle—rolled into the bustling cultural district. Passing landmarks like the Royal Art Museum and the Botanical Gardens, the carriage slowed before stopping in front of the Royal Art Museum.
Inside, Arthur, the Crown Prince, opened his eyes. Once he had straightened his attire, his aide opened the carriage door, and he stepped out.
Flashes from cameras exploded as reporters swarmed around him. Arthur paused briefly, pressing his fingers to the corner of his eye before continuing with a serene expression. Guided by his guards, he walked gracefully through the chaos.
“Your Highness! Over here, please!”
“Did you enjoy the performance last night?”
“Just one word, Your Highness!”
As the press fought for his attention, an elbow struck one photographer’s nose, causing blood to drip onto the snow.
Arthur stopped in his tracks, his empty gaze falling on the blood staining the white snow.
“Your Highness?” his aide called softly.
Snapping back to reality, Arthur resumed walking, cutting through the crowd with poised steps. At the top of the grand staircase, a man stood, gazing down at him as if reigning from the world’s highest peak.
Roman Deimos.
The man who clung to the glories of the past and the one behind the assassination of the twin princes 20 years ago.
Arthur’s eyes met Roman’s in a cold, detached stare before they exchanged false smiles.
“Welcome, Your Highness,” Roman said with a polite bow.
Arthur’s gaze flickered to the Duchess standing beside Roman.
christine Faledon.
The image of another woman flashed through Arthur’s mind as Princess Charlotte greeted him with a radiant smile.
“Regular payments have been confirmed, Your Highness. The frequency suggests the Duke is quite fond of Miss Faledon.”
Charlotte seemed blissfully unaware of her husband’s secret interests. Her innocent smile was as pure as ever.
The opening ceremony of the museum’s new exhibit concluded, and the grand hall was filled with nobility and high society figures for the banquet. Among them, Arthur Ernst von Maximilian, the Crown Prince, was the center of attention.
Engaging in conversations with artists, Arthur occasionally sipped brandy, his every move mesmerizing the noblewomen in attendance. His platinum hair, styled immaculately, and his crisp white bow tie highlighted the regal aura of the Maximilian royal family.
“Where is Cecilia Deimos? She usually follows the Crown Prince everywhere,” one noblewoman whispered behind her fan.
“Perhaps their relationship isn’t as serious as people think. After all, he attended the Gono Opera House yesterday instead of her recital.”
“See? Maybe they’re just friendly cousins.”
Another noblewoman scoffed and sneaked glances at Arthur, dreaming of her daughter marrying the Crown Prince. With the royal family planning to finalize Arthur’s marriage within the year, it was an open playing field.
“By the way, did you see ‘Camellia’ at the Gounod Opera House yesterday? I was stunned! Where has such a gem been hiding?”
Hearing this, Arthur’s dull gaze shifted slightly.
“The soprano who played Violet was incredible,” someone else chimed in.
“christine Faledon, wasn’t it?”
Princess Charlotte joined the conversation with interest. Nearby, Roman Deimos’s expression briefly stiffened, a reaction Arthur didn’t miss.
