Rosanna, seemingly reminded of the banquet, addressed Hilane as “Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
Her expression was less than pleased, though.
“Help?”
“Yes. If that were the case, I, Rosanna, would have gladly helped….”
Despite Rosanna’s provocations the moment she arrived, Hilane didn’t take the bait and let it slide smoothly.
“There wasn’t anything too difficult.”
“…Is that so? Oh, by the way, this is my nephew. Henri, greet Her Highness.”
Rosanna waved her fan gently and gestured toward Henri.
“I am Henri Daphne.”
Like Rosanna, Henri held his head high, showing no intention of bowing.
The noble ladies nearby gasped in shock at his insolent attitude.
“Forgive him, Your Highness. The Daphne royal family teaches its members not to bow lightly.”
Perhaps noticing the stares from others, Rosanna offered a flimsy excuse.
“…Are you saying that I, the Grand Duchess of Belzette and a Princess of Peztaine, am not in a position to receive a greeting from the crown prince?”
Finding the logic absurd, Hilane let out a light chuckle as she asked.
Rosanna sighed softly and looked down at Henri.
“Henri. Greet Her Highness properly.”
“B-But, Aunt—”
“Henri!”
When Henri refused with a tone of grievance, Rosanna’s voice turned sharp.
Seeing that his aunt was not taking his side, Henri had no choice.
“…I greet Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
Reluctantly, Henri bowed his head to Hilane.
“Your Highness, you must remember that this is not Daphne. You should be well aware of both this fact and the identity of the person standing before you.”
“Yes… I apologize.”
Even with Hilane’s sincere advice, Henri’s face remained filled with dissatisfaction.
‘So arrogant. How was he raised in Daphne to turn out so different from Luan?’
Comparing him to Luan, who was always well-mannered, she saw no reason to waste time on a child.
“You should go join your friends now.”
Without answering, Henri kept his sulky expression and ran off.
More guests continued to arrive, and Hilane chose to set aside unnecessary emotional strain.
“Viscountess Merry, Countess Kiselan. You have arrived.”
Viscountess Merry and Countess Kiselan, who were distantly related, stepped out of the same carriage.
“My apologies for being late, Your Highness. There was a carriage accident on the way, which delayed us.”
Viscountess Merry wiped her forehead, damp with cold sweat.
“A carriage accident…? Was anyone hurt?”
Hilane checked the two women and their children.
“No, we are all fine. Thank you for your concern.”
While answering earnestly, Viscountess Merry glanced to her side.
“I am Camellia of House Kiselan, greeting Your Highness, the Grand Duchess.”
“I am Dio Kiselan.”
Countess Kiselan and her child merely offered perfunctory greetings.
“Countess Riol. I see you arrived earlier.”
At first, Hilane thought Countess Kiselan was reserved, but she immediately showed great respect upon noticing Rosanna.
It was excessive, considering their similar noble ranks.
“Camellia. Have you been well?”
Rosanna responded softly, seemingly pleased.
‘She is willing to alienate me just to curry favor with Countess Riol?’
Rather than being angry, Hilane found herself scoffing.
“Send the children off to the garden, and everyone else, take your seats. We shall begin the reading session.”
Hilane suppressed her frustration and gestured toward the pavilion.
“Each of us will take turns reading a prepared passage of poetry and sharing our thoughts on it.”
“By the way, Your Highness. Where is His Highness, Aachen?”
As Hilane was explaining the session, Rosanna suddenly inquired about Aachen’s whereabouts.
“…The Grand Duke has gone to inspect the territory. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“Oh, he is on an inspection. I was merely curious since I didn’t see him.”
‘So, there was no particular reason.’
Suppressing her discomfort, Hilane resumed the reading session.
***
After showing the children around the garden, Luan sat on a bench to rest.
“…From the ends of the earth, I will call to You when my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
‘That is Her Highness, the Grand Duchess.’
He heard Hilane’s elegant voice reciting a psalm.
[Brother!]
As Luan smiled, Chevelyn ran toward him with a worried expression.
“Chevelyn? What’s wrong?”
[Johan and Henri are fighting.]
“…Fighting?”
Following Chevelyn’s gaze, Luan saw Johan and Henri engaged in a heated argument.
“Give it back!”
“N-No!”
“I just want to play with it for a bit. Why are you making such a fuss?”
“…Henri, the baby bird is injured. Please don’t bother it.”
A small bird, its wing injured, lay weakly in Johan’s palm.
“You dare go against me? Do you know who I am?”
Henri struggled to snatch it away.
To protect the bird, Johan pushed Henri aside.
Henri fell backward, and Luan rushed to help him up.
“Henri, are you okay?”
“Don’t touch me!”
Henri immediately slapped away Luan’s hand despite being helped.
“Johan His! How dare you push me? Do you know I am the crown prince of Daphne? I will tell my aunt and make sure you pay!”
And he glared at Johan, huffing in anger.
Luan stepped between them, trying to mediate.
“Henri. Let’s stop here. You’re the one who lunged at Baron His’s son to torment the baby bird.”
“…A half-blood born from a lowly commoner dares to lecture me?”
Henri sneered, bringing up Luan’s lineage.
“Do you even know who I am?”
“……”
“Ugh, just stop annoying me!”
Since Henri had always belittled him with such remarks at Kimish Academy, Luan could endure it.
‘I don’t want to cause unnecessary trouble at the Grand Duchess’s first reading gathering.’
“…Chevelyn?”
Suddenly, Chevelyn stepped between them, demanding an apology from Henri.
[ Apologize to Luan! ]
Henri’s eyebrows twisted in irritation.
“And who are you? Oh, are you mute?”
Seeing Chevelyn only move his lips without making a sound, Henri snickered.
“Hey.”
Chevelyn teared up at Henri’s mocking words. Luan quickly pulled Chevelyn behind him.
“Watch your mouth.”
Luan glared and lightly tapped Henri’s shoulder.
“You little—!”
“If you ever speak to my sister like that again, I won’t stand idly by.”
Henri flinched for a moment at Luan’s warning, but his pride was wounded.
“Someone like you….”
Ignoring him, Luan turned to Johan.
“Johan, is the baby bird okay?”
“Sniff… I think it passed out.”
Luan gently stroked the baby bird and reassured Johan.
“We should get it treated quickly.”
“Y-Yes….”
Just then, Gaeren was approaching with a tray.
“Gaeren?”
“Young Master, Her Grace has requested that everyone return.”
Gaeren relayed Hilane’s message, and Luan nodded.
“Understood. Oh, a baby bird is injured. Please take Baron His’s son with you and treat it.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Johan, don’t worry too much. I’ll explain to Baroness His. Just go ahead.”
“Thank you, Lord Luan….”
Johan wiped his tears and followed Gaeren.
“Everyone, let’s go now.”
As Luan led the children back, he felt Henri’s glare.
“What are you looking at?!”
Henri snapped, shouting sharply.
“Then stay here alone.”
Luan turned away, but the sound of Henri’s hurried footsteps followed after him.
***
Hillaine tilted her head slightly when she noticed Johan was missing among the approaching children.
“You’re back… Hm? I don’t see Baron His’s son.”
“Johan is treating an injured baby bird.”
Luan answered Hilane’s question, then turned to Baroness His.
“Baroness His, I sent Johan with Gaeren, so there’s no need to worry.”
“T-Thank you, Young Master. You’re very kind.”
“It was only natural.”
Luan humbly responded to Baroness His’s gratitude.
“Luan, well done.”
Hilane praised Luan and seated him beside her along with Chevelyn.
“Sit down. I had them bring pumpkin pie that Viscount Eldin’s wife prepared.”
“I heard Viscount Eldin’s wife baked it herself? I’m looking forward to it.”
“My skills are lacking, Young Master.”
Blushing at the compliment, Viscountess Eldin looked away.
As more people began to look at Luan favorably, Henri’s face twisted with displeasure.
“By the way, I heard the Crown Prince is quite skilled at reciting psalms.”
Sensing Henri’s mood, Countess Kisellan quickly praised him.
“That’s only because His Highness has great devotion. He simply enjoys memorizing a few psalms.”
Rosanna spoke pleasantly, covering her lips with her fan.
“Henri, would you recite one?”
“Sure. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Henri recited a psalm with confidence and added a comment.
“This is my favorite psalm. Someday, I want to rule Daphne with goodness and kindness.”
Rosanna looked at Henri with a proud expression and praised him.
“As Crown Prince, you must always keep that in mind and rule Daphne well.”
“Yes, Aunt.”
“His Highness is truly remarkable. It’s hard to believe he’s the same age as my son.”
“Daphne’s Crown Prince, after all. It’s only natural.”
Countess Kisellan flattered Rosanna with eager praise.
Henri folded his arms and looked at Luan.
“Of course, those unworthy won’t receive anything from Freya.”
***
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