Having met Norden and handed him the pendant, I’ve pondered it countless times before deciding. However, upon confidently entering the social circle, I made up my mind. In a position where no one could touch me lightly, I, too, would live as my complete self.
“If this pendant is indeed the tears of the vanished goddess, then I shall become the descendant that Your Highness has been seeking,” said Retina, gripping the pendant tightly in her hand. If she truly was Ignace’s descendant and if a marriage between the two countries was to take place for trade, she could continue the trade between the two nations. ‘It can be a strength, not a weakness.’ Even without marrying Norden, she could continue the trade between the two countries. She wouldn’t hinder the one she loved.
“Based on my memory, the pendant is indeed the Tear of the Goddess. Since you say it’s an heirloom from Lady Retina’s mother, that seems plausible. However, the confirmation process needs to take place in Raglaras.”
“That’s understandable. I should go through the verification process since the gem I have might be a replica.”
“I’ll contact our homeland first. Considering it’s a memento from Lady Retina’s mother, I’ll be cautious about sending the pendant. Would it be acceptable if I draw a picture and send it?”
Retina nodded, and once again, she handed the pendant to Norden more cautiously. Taking extra care not to lose it, Norden placed it inside his inner pocket. Watching the pendant, which she hadn’t let go of since her mother passed away, entered Norden’s pocket, Retina asked, “Could this be a source of strength for me?”
“If it gets confirmed in our homeland, you might be granted the title of Grand Duchess according to Lady Retina’s wishes. At that time, by the king’s order, the Ignace family was not annihilated. Instead, both the title and territory were preserved exactly as they were a hundred years ago.”
“Grand Duchess… In that case, my presence could contribute to the exchange between the two nations.”
If she receives the Grand Duchess title from the friendly Raglaras Grand Duchy, her position would be different from now. She could stand by her loved one proudly without causing trouble for her family and those around her, even without marrying Norden. Hope appeared—a way to stand by her beloved with dignity.
“It seems Lady Retina has no intention of marrying me.”
“I apologize for mentioning this to you, but yes”.
“If you can’t or don’t want to, I won’t force you.”
Norden accepted Retina’s feelings that were apparent despite her efforts to hide them. Since the beginning of their secret conversations, there was no place in her heart for him. Unlike me, who grew fonder even though I knew, her emotions have been consistently directed towards one person.
“Was the person you liked back then His Highness, the Crown Prince?”
At his question, Retina’s shoulders trembled. Even if she didn’t affirm it, her expression already betrayed her feelings.
“As expected. So that’s why.”
Norden touched his forehead and let out a sigh.
“Shortly after Lady Retina came to my mansion, His Highness came to visit.”
Retina, who had lowered her head, stared at Norden intently. Her gaze questioned what he did when he came.
“He asked when I would leave.”
“Did he only ask that?”
“After he finished his business, he told me to leave quickly.”
Although Norden spoke with a smile, Retina’s expression was the opposite. A prince telling a duchess to leave. It seemed like he had come to find him upon hearing the news about him.
“Even if Lady Retina has someone she holds in her heart, that’s fine with me. If we’re going to have a strategic marriage without feelings, I think it’s better to do it with someone she cares about, even a little. If I express my feelings, I plan to proceed with the national marriage with Lady Retina. However, if she truly does not want to marry me, I have no intention of forcing her.”
Norden expressed his intentions with an open heart, stating that he would willingly accept whatever choice Retina made.
“However, the prince will also choose someone other than you, Lady Retina, as his princess. In that case, you will become a concubine, not the official wife. Would that be acceptable to you?”
His concern was about the current situation in Rudenheim. While it seemed like the prince loved Retina, he was already conducting a selection process for the position of princess. The selection, ongoing even before Norden’s marriage proposal, was reaching its final stages. Rumors were circulating that the chosen one to become the prince’s princess would be announced soon.
If that were to happen, the prince’s unrecognized lover would have to live the rest of her life as his concubine without official acknowledgment.
“But it’s my life. I can’t live it according to other people’s expectations, right? I want to try at least until I achieve what I want.”
However, Retina’s response was different. She didn’t want to live being controlled by others forever. Having comfortably lived in her father’s shadow until now, Retina realized that the world operated under the influence of power and that running away wouldn’t solve anything.
If she wanted to obtain what she desired, she needed the corresponding strength. Retina was determined to acquire that strength.
“I will marry the person I choose.”
Her words, filled with unwavering determination, surprised Norden. Retina, displaying a strong will, spoke about having what she wanted.
* * *
“By the way, I was truly surprised. Lady Retina with silver hair. It may be unfamiliar, but it certainly looks natural.”
After their conversation ended, Norden looked at Retina, who was once again wearing a wig. It wasn’t that he found her appearance with the wig unattractive, but as a northerner, he couldn’t help but feel that the silver hair was more captivating.
“Do you think so? I’ve heard a lot that brown hair doesn’t suit me well.”
“It’s not that it doesn’t suit you, but… the bright hair gives a lively impression. That’s why I felt platinum hair also suited you well.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Planning to return to the mansion soon, Retina secured the wig and tidied up her disheveled hair. Lacking the skill to tie her hair neatly like Lina did, she used her hand to gather her hair and secured it with a hairpin.
“I’ll help you.”
Observing Retina struggling to fix her hair, Norden stood up. Taking over her hand from where she was struggling, he tied her hair. Neatly tying it in a way that no strands stuck out, he inserted the pin to conceal the knot.
“You’re quite skilled at handling hair.”
“Well, I actually have two younger sisters. Taking care of my younger sister, who just came of age, and my nine-year-old sister, I’ve become somewhat adept at hair care. Of course, I can’t do it as skillfully as the maids who can style hair in various ways.”
Norden took his hand off her hair and smiled as he spoke. It was the first time she had heard about his younger sisters. He gently shook her well-fixed hair, even without her holding it.
“I didn’t know you had younger sisters.”
“They are lively sisters. My mother passed away when she gave birth to me, so there’s a bit of an age gap with my sisters.”
“My apologies.”
“No need. Our new queen is a compassionate person, and she treated me well, almost like a mother. It was actually nice to have adorable younger sisters around.”
It had been almost ten months since he last saw her sisters. The yearning was reflected in his subtle smile.
“You must miss your sisters.”
“This is the first time we’ve been apart for so long. I’ve been wanting to see them lately. But the day to return is not far away, so I’ll be able to see them soon.”
Norden looked at Retina, who resembled his sisters, then quickly averted his eyes, realizing it was impolite. He recalled the time he saw her on the terrace during the first royal ball, unable to adapt to the atmosphere. Thoughts of his siblings in Raglaras crossed his mind.
Whether it was because of overhearing the Empress’s unfavorable conversation or witnessing the young Retina confidently answering before the Empress, he found her intriguing. If it were her, he felt she could comfortably adapt to the unfamiliar Rudherium environment.
“I never expected our relationship to go beyond getting along comfortably.”
He regretted not realizing it earlier and approaching her more actively. Norden sighed with a bittersweet expression. However, it was too late for his feelings. While he wished her happiness, he had no intention of pushing for a forced engagement with him.
“They asked if the Ignace family could be a strength for you. As long as Raglaras desires the exchange between the two nations, you’ll be treated equally here. If Raglaras focuses on reclaiming the Tears of the Goddess, we are fully prepared to contribute to the restoration of the Ignace family.”
After tidying Retina’s hair and returning to his seat, Norden spoke. Retina expressed her desire to decide her own marriage, and Norden saw a way to support her – by quickly securing recognition of her status as an Ignace descendant.
However, there was a matter to address first. Norden asked Retina about her willingness to reveal her secret in Rudenheim, as acknowledging her power was a necessary step for her to gain recognition.
“However, to gain that recognition, we need to unveil your secret in Rudenheim. Are you okay with that?”
