Episode 7. Is it just me?
Everything was as Odette had expected, until she walked into the tea room for the first time.
The stares and gossip she’d grown tired of in recent days.
“There she is, the Fourth Princess. She looks just like the Emperor, as I’ve heard.”
“She’s been causing a bit of a fuss lately, and I hear she’s been going around explaining that the rumors are false.”
“Which one would be right, by the way…….”
“Anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you in a social setting like this.”
While most people would come up and say hello when they entered the social hall, but no one approached Odette first.
At least Duchess Pavel, who was acquainted with Cedric’s maternal grandmother, made eye contact and greeted her, but even that was only for a moment and was not visible to the outside.
The fact that Odette joined hands with Cedric was a secret, and Odette was an illegitimate Princess who was completely out of social circles and had no nobles who were close to her externally.
The good thing is that there is at least one person here who can talk to Odette.
As she walked into the greenhouse, the silver-haired Emperor saw Odette and spoke to her in a friendly manner.
“Ah, the Fourth Princess has arrived. Come here.”
“Greeting King of the Empire.”
“Enough with the greetings. We are family.”
Although they had never met before in their lifetime, the Emperor’s voice was quite affectionate.
He sounded like a father and daughter who were well acquainted.
“You’ve been absent from the tea parties due to ill health, but are you feeling better now?”
“Yes. Thanks to Your Majesty’s care.”
Odette bowed politely, and the Emperor’s gaze swept over her briefly.
Katarina, who was beside him, didn’t miss the opportunity to interject, smiling broadly.
“Your Majesty, Odette has grown up a lot, hasn’t she? I’m not her biological mother, but I’ve raised her and I’m always amazed when I see her.”
“……Yes, she’s grown up a lot, I don’t remember her being young, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s getting married now.”
Married.
Odette’s body stiffened slightly at the word.
“……!”
The Emperor’s words are never spoken lightly.
The fact that he says this in front of everyone means that he has a purpose.
‘As expected…… you’re going to bring up my marriage with the Count’s.’
Katarina seemed to know this and intentionally brought up the story that Odette had grown a lot.
“Is it just a wedding? You’re old enough to have a children, and you’d better find a husband soon or you’ll be accused of being a bad mother, don’t you think so, Fourth Princess?”
“……I’m.”
Odette’s mouth went dry as she listened to Katarina’s rambling.
She had expected this, but she hadn’t expected it to come so quickly.
‘So, I have to throw away the precipitation after all?’
The moment Odette, who clenched her fist without realizing it, snapped her dry lips.
The entrance began to be noisy.
When she turned her head in wonder, there was a face she didn’t want to see the most.
An arrogant face, with a tightly set mouth and a contemplative gaze hidden in the recesses of the eyeholes.
A man who stood a head taller than the rest of us, so that even his slightly downcast gaze seemed more like an asset.
‘……Walter Ertmann.’
Why the hell is he here?
Odette’s heart sank as soon as she recognized Walter.
It was because she was so distracted by Louis’s thoughts, and she didn’t think that Walter might attend the tea party.
‘After all, Duke Ertmann is notorious for not showing himself in society.’
In fact, she didn’t even think she would see him again.
But to be reunited so unexpectedly, and in front of the Emperor?
‘Don’t tell me you’re going to talk about that ridiculous proposal again today……?’
Now she knew that Walter was not on the same side as the Empress, but there were many other reasons for Odette to avoid marrying him.
He was a famous person, and he was very far from the quiet life that Odette wanted. It was because the first and last time she saw him was in the dark.
Or maybe it was because it was my first time seeing Walter from such a distance.
Walter, who was approaching with a black coat, looked much sharper and fiercer than I remembered.
But rather than being rough and crude, his gait was elegant, like well-cut satin.
As did the way he stepped forward and bowed to the Emperor.
“Greetings, Imperial King.”
“Aye, I didn’t expect the Duke to be in attendance, though I’ve been hearing a lot about you lately, and I’m surprised you even bothered to come here.”
“Since I returned to the capital, my grandfather told me to work hard in social activities. Isn’t the spring social season in full swing?”
“Oh, that’s right. Spring season is in full swing.”
The Emperor responded with a chuckle.
The four seasons in the social world have different meanings, and the spring season among them was a marriage market.
So when Walther brought up the spring social season, he was turning the conversation to marriage.
“It seems Sir Arnold wants to see his great-grandson quickly.”
“Because of his age, he is becoming more holy day by day.”
“Fun, fun. Not only the victory report brought by the Duke, but hearing appropriate stories at the time when spring is in full bloom makes my joy boundless.”
Everyone chimed in with the emperor’s words, creating a cheerful atmosphere and light conversation.
Only Odette remained frozen in place.
She tried her best to turn her head away, but the talk of marriage and rumors that passed between them was like a harpoon that could send her over the edge at any moment.
The sound of chatter again pricked Odette’s ears.
“All the main characters of the rumor are here.”
“Maybe we’ll hear something interesting.”
At the prospect of finding out for sure whether the rumors were true or false, Odette lifted her head and looked in Walter’s direction.
And then.
‘……Ah.’
At that moment, their eyes met.
Even as Odette’s body reflexively stiffened in surprise, Walter’s green eyes didn’t move once.
Like someone who had been looking at her all the time, even before she turned her head.
Suddenly, she remembered their conversation at the victory celebration.
– Is there a reason for a marriage? Because I want you.
– From head to toe, Princess. I want you all to myself.
The voice was brash and blatant, like someone who had never known shame.
Even when he spoke, Walter had that look in his eyes.
His brow furrowed slightly, as if he were starving.
‘Surely…….’
As if the words he said were sincere.
Maybe that’s why she was so surprised when their eyes met.
A thud. Her heart sank.
Odette unconsciously opens her lips.
“Honestly, I didn’t believe it, but it seems to be true.”
Odette’s shoulder flinched at the small voice that suddenly approached her ears.
When she turned her head, she saw Lizaina, who was more splendidly dressed than ever.
“Oh, sister?”
“Look at that look on his face. He must really hate you. I’ve never seen Duke Ertmann look like that before.”
She covered her mouth with a fan to hide it from view, but Odette who’s standing right next to her could clearly see the fishy smile on that red lips were making.
When she saw that smile and looked at Walter again, the expression he was making had also subtly changed.
At first glance, the slightly frowning appearance was the same as before, but this time it was clearly visible that the face was clearly displeased.
Odette was a little discouraged at the sight.
‘It was like that from the beginning, why was I mistaken?’
It was only for a moment, but she thought that Walter might be serious about what he said.
There is absolutely no way that could happen.
‘Duke Ertmann is so handsome that it’s mesmerizing to see him frown.’
I thought I was doing my best to understand the topic.
She blushed with embarrassment.
But one good thing is that Lizaina’s mood improved when she saw Walter’s attitude.
“I honestly didn’t believe you when you said you had nothing to do with Duke Ertmann, but now I’ll believe you. I don’t know what it is, but it looks like you’re hated by the Duke? Otherwise, there is no way you would show such blatant disapproval.”
Lizaina smirked, knowing that the reason Walter admitted to the rumors of his affair with Odette was because he didn’t want to make her look bad.
And she whispered in a chilling voice, while she smirked.
“Stay still as possible. If you disturb me again today, I won’t let you go.”
With that warning, Lizaina tapped Odette on the shoulder and walked forward.
Meanwhile, the conversation centered around the Emperor seemed almost finished, and people began to disperse to find their designated spots for the tea party.
Odette snapped back to her senses too late.
‘……Yes, I’d rather do that.’
As Lizaina says, it doesn’t matter whether Walter hates her or not.
At tea parties, people sit at tables divided into groups of threes and fives according to rank, and only imperial family members sit at the main table.
‘I just have to pay less attention about Duke Ertmann.’
Odette sat down at the main table, feeling much more at ease.
But then.
“Ah, Duke Ertmann. Please come and sit down. Cedric hasn’t come, so there’s a seat open, you may take it.”
“If Your Majesty says so, I will not hesitate. It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
Walter bowed lightly as he moved to follow the servant, then took a seat at the round table.
Directly across from Odette, and next to Lizaina.
Lizaina smiled warmly at him and spoke softly to him.
“I mentioned to Duke Ertmann the other day that I’d like to have tea with you again, but I didn’t realize we’d be here together.”
“As your highness said, it’s quite a coincidence.”
Walter answered in a neat tone, and glanced at Odette.
“It is a pleasure to meet you again, Princess.”
As their gazes locked, the same thought raced through Odette’s mind.
That’s right.
‘To me…… It seems like what you’re saying.’
The thought.
Is it just me?
When Odette quickly avoids his gaze in a confused emotion, the servants who just appeared dragging the tray fill the table with fragrant and sweet things.
The level of the food was also great because the tea party where the Emperor served the aristocrats himself was only once in a season.
Each table was filled with exclamations and the clatter of tea followed, but Odette only managed to touch the tea cup.
By that time she had barely raised the half-cooled teacup to her mouth and put it down.
Then she heard the Emperor’s weary voice.
“Seeing all these dear people together reminds me of a rumor I heard recently.”
“That rumor…….”
“When my daughters is about to get married, I heard something about some man. I have no intention of holding back since I think they are at an appropriate age, but I believe that such noise should be avoided as it harms the reputation of the Imperial family.”
The Emperor smirked, but his face was not smiling.
“I think we need to be even more careful because there was ‘the incident’ in our case as well……. Isn’t it?”
At that words, the air around the table got freeze chilling.
