“Episode 15”
“Yes. Actually, I feel perfectly fine. It’s hard to believe the story is true.”
“No one like him has ever existed. So… I was so happy to hear that story. I never thought Ricard couldn’t feel the warmth of people.”
“That’s… too harsh.”
“I won’t ask much of the princess. Just being able to sit together and drink tea or walk side by side would be enough for me to be satisfied.”
For Ricard, this ordinary life was like a miracle. His joyful expression was evidence of that.
“If you demand more, I promise to risk my life to stop it.”
“No… I believe you. The Duchess wouldn’t lie.”
Rocsanne finally smiled faintly. Surely, this stern Duchess was not someone who would lie or be deceitful. If she had, Aris, who had seen all sorts of dangerous people in the palace, would have known.
“In fact, His Grace said something similar.”
“Anyway. Let’s not rush things too much.”
Rocsanne clicked her tongue, but inwardly she understood. Especially since the woman opposite her had been nominated as empress, it was understandable that she was in a hurry.
“You gave me the choice.”
“Well, that’s only natural.”
It was a strange world for Aris. Had she ever made a choice since being born as a princess? Today, whether to drink what kind of tea or go for a walk were the only things she could choose.
“In Leon Kingdom or the Empire, there’s no choice. Marriage isn’t my choice either.”
Aris’s beautiful face looked particularly lonely.
“And the other party… is His Majesty the Emperor.”
“If you’re worried about Ricard, that won’t be a problem. Only the princess’s choice matters.”
It was the same statement again.
“If the princess chooses to be the Duchess, the rest is up to Ricard’s abilities. If he can’t even do that, what’s the point of living together?”
“That… makes sense.”
If she wanted to change her future and destiny, she had to change herself first. The virtuous woman who used to look around and blame herself for everything had to disappear now.
“Well, let’s stop with the dreary talk now.”
Rocsanne cut in. It was her declaration that she wouldn’t intervene.
“I went to the dressing room today, but I heard about the princess and hurried back… I only managed to order a dress. Mrs. Haley is famous even in the Empire, isn’t she?”
“Yes, if she made the dress, she’ll also make the shoes and fans to match.”
“That’s fortunate, but I regret not being able to visit the jewelry store.”
Finally, a slightly more feminine topic emerged.
“There are plenty of jewels in the north, aren’t there?”
“There are many jewels. But, the latest fashion requires sophisticated craftsmanship! That’s what I need.”
“Oh, right!”
Aris only now remembered why she had come here.
“In fact, I thought the Duchess had called, so I brought a small gift.”
When she placed the elegant package on the table, Rocsanne’s eyes sparkled already.
“Can I open it here?”
But the dilemma had only just begun. Aris, carefully taking out the paper and pen so as not to make a sound, was lost in thought for a while.
“It’s not that difficult. This is just negotiation.”
Aris, who had been restraining herself, finally began to move her hand. Since Ricard had already revealed his not-so-secret secret, negotiating shouldn’t be a big deal.
“Ugh, I don’t know.”
Aris was weak when it came to writing letters. Living as a princess meant she had to get permission for everything, even exchanging letters with someone. It was something she gradually gave up on, especially when she lived as the empress. Since it was a principle to burn anything she wrote that remained, she even forgot her own handwriting.
“They’re all the same people, and they could all be happy… Why did I have to live like this?”
The Duchess was also of noble birth. The Duke was the same.
Even without being entangled or restrained by something, their authority remained intact, and even shone brighter. On the other hand, what about Aris, who was both a princess and an empress?
“Enough, I don’t want to think about that anymore.”
Aris shook her head, fiddled with the pen, and then lit it twice in a row. Still, there was no sound, and after a while, there was a gentle knock on the window.
“…You’re really clever.”
– Knock.
Opening the window, Pel flew in, as if greeting, folded one wing, and politely greeted her.
“You’re really amazing.”
– Knock.
It was as if the bird was saying something profound.
“Do you want some milk? There are also bean snacks.”
– Knock!
Aris watched Pel happily drink milk, and finally managed to finish her letter. Pel even extended its foot to help Aris tie up the letter.
“Okay, Pel. I’m counting on you.”
– Knock. Knock!
Into the darkness, the bird flew away like a flash. And like a true owner, it quickly disappeared from sight.
“Are all the birds in the north this big and clever?”
There was still so much she didn’t know. Although the distance wasn’t far, the walls of history seemed too high, making it feel like a completely different world. Rocsanne and Ricard felt the same way.
“So different.”
But she didn’t dislike it. Compared to the world that was restricting Aris now, she much preferred it. Little by little, Aris’s heart was beginning to move.
I like it!