“It’s been great.”
The answer came quickly. She just smiled.
Agnes’ situation was the same as it had been three years ago, but she was grateful to simply be here this time.
“I haven’t been lacking anything because the butler has been taking good care of me.
At Agnes’s words, Zoltan’s expression twisted oddly once again. He gave her a skeptical look that said, ‘Niall isn’t that kind of person.’
“Is that so?”
“I like it here. The castle, as well as the people.”
Only ten days have passed since her arrival in Sutmar and three days have passed since the wedding.
With longing eyes, Agnes peered around the garden. She’d heard that Sebastian had killed everyone who remained in the castle as a warning after seizing control of Estar. He’d severed the Duke of Arpad’s limbs and hung them in the north, south, east, and west; the head was hung in front of the castle gate.
She felt both regret and pain at the same time.
This garden must have been covered in blood after all that.
It must have been destroyed beyond repair, with the flowers trampled and the grass was crushed.
Agnes knew her brother’s personality better than anyone else. He’s a man who casually murders even his own person in the same boat.
“Is there a problem?”
“Nothing at all.”
‘I must have been frowning.’
Agnes pushed the corners of her mouth up.
“Anyway, I’m glad you’re doing well.”
Zoltan’s face showed signs of relief. He even had a friendly smile on his lips.
She was a little taken aback by that because he had spent the previous three years snarling at her callous demeanor whenever they had crossed paths.
“I was actually worried before the princess arrived.”
“What do you mean?”
“Sutmar is not a particularly pleasant place to live for people from the capital.”
“Well…”
To be honest, Sutmar felt like some remote countryside to a princess who’d spent her entire life in the center of Nirseg.
There were far too many disadvantages and inconveniences.
Having been restricted from things she took for granted while living in the capital, her current situation felt pitifully low.
“Then…” Zoltan paused before opening his mouth.
“What kind of person do you think my brother is?”
Not understanding the intention behind the question, Agnes inquired,
“Duke Arpad?”
“As for my brother… he’s a little dense and insensitive, but he’s a decent man.”
Agnes laughed at the snide remark.
“I know.”
She nodded in agreement. She understood it better than anyone else. Although, ironically, not when he was alive.
They had been together for more than three years, but she only realized it after Laslo died. That’s the type of person he is.
She didn’t realize until it was too late that he was a great person who would risk his life to protect his wife, with whom he wasn’t even on good terms.
“Oh, the princess already knew?”
Zoltan cleared his throat and turned his head away, seemingly surprised at how easily she affirmed.
“Sir Zoltan.”
“Oh, yes?”
“I’m doing fine. I know you and Duke Arpad are both good people.”
“Well, uhm.”
With a very awkward expression, Zoltan peered up at the sky.
“Instead, I’m thankful that you even welcomed a princess who had been expelled from the palace and had no dowry.”
“Hmm. No. I …”
His face flushed more and more like a puppy receiving praise for the first time.
She decided to change the subject because if she added more compliments, he might not be able to lift his face again.
“I’ve heard that a small banquet will be held tonight; do you know who will be in attendance?”
He coughed and cleared his throat.
“They are all sensible individuals. Sir Beller returned yesterday as well.”
“Sir Beller?”
She recognized the name.
“Yes, the princess may have already met him, given how frequently he stops by the palace.”
“Right, I believe I did.”
She could clearly recall not only his name but also his face, his mannerisms, and the day he had returned as a lifeless corpse.
She recalled seeing Laslo sobbing hysterically over his coffin.
Ney appeared just in time.
Zoltan gulped down the cold water in his shabby cup all at once and rose from his seat.
“Then, I’ll see you at the banquet. Princess.”
“Take care.”
After bidding him goodbye, Agnes sat down.
✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧
“Madam”
Agnes was applying light makeup for the evening banquet when Ney, who had a big smile on her face, came running.
“What is it?
“I’ve received a letter.”
“From who?”
“The Prince!”
There is only one prince from whom she would gladly receive letters.
Agnes took the letter from the silver tray.
Chavolti’s writing style was evident even in the opening phrase.
[When the letter arrives, please notify me that it has arrived. Is your finger stiff or frozen? Could there possibly be no pen or ink?
I’m not sure if you realize how worried our mother is since you left. Send a letter to your mother as soon as you finish reading this letter.
How is the weather in the West? Einte told me that even in the West, the winters are mild, with little snow. However, I’m not sure if you and your temperament would do well in the warm weather.
I hope Duke Arpad is a broadminded person who can understand your mood swings.
Please let me know if this is not the case. I know dozens of ways to expand other people’s understanding.
Please contact me if you have any questions. You must be devastated after being sent to the countryside.
I made the decision to write you a few words because it felt strange not to see the lamps in your palace lit up.
Chavolti Erdosi.]
The phrase “with love” was written in delicate letters and could be read with the aid of a magnifying glass.
Even though she couldn’t see him, Agnes could picture the expression on his face when he wrote this down.
Agnes laughed as she read it.
“Shall I bring some paper?”
Ney’s face lit up even more than when she received a thick, six-page letter from her mother.
Agnes blinked slowly, recalling her older brother.
“Do so.”
In the past, she ignored this letter. She had been overcome at the time by fears she couldn’t explain.
Her one and only wish had been that Sebastian wouldn’t think she was a bother. As a result, she pretended not to notice the letters from Chavolti or her mother, the queen.
She’d assumed it was the only way to live.
“Here you go, Madam.”
Ney was so ecstatic, she returned right away with paper and a pen.
A sense of longing filled her as she grabbed the pen.
She can’t even remember the last time she saw him.
[I’m going to write a letter to my mother. Don’t worry, I’m doing fine.]
When she wrote down the strange words about missing them, the hair on her arms stood up. Finally, she settled on writing a few words in her usual, uninterested tone.
“Send this tomorrow morning, and bring me some clothes for the banquet.”
Several maids hurriedly brought in several dresses and placed them in front of Agnes.
“That color is awful. Take it away.”
Agnes carefully examined the clothing.
“Madam? Isn’t this dress your favorite?”
“I looked childish in it.”
“Who would see you as a child, Madam?”
Agnes was unable to respond to Ney’s teasing remark.
She couldn’t say her husband had done exactly that.
“Bring shoes with higher heels.”
“But you don’t like high heels because they hurt, right?”
Agnes remained silent once more.
With three maids assisting in dressing her, the preparations were quickly completed.
She gave most of the jewelry she had brought to Niall because she had hardly ever needed it. She finished dressing by putting on the pearl necklace and bracelet inherited from the Queen.
“Beautiful.”
Ney smiled and ironed the princess’ creased dress.
Agnes caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Additionally, the makeup was more sophisticated than usual.
She appeared to be a mature lady no matter how you looked at her. Agnes took a satisfied look in the mirror.
It didn’t take long for Laslo to knock on the door.
“Oh.”
He uttered a brief exclamation when he saw Agnes.
Agnes straightened her posture, inwardly hoping for a compliment from him.
“You seem a little taller than you did a few days ago, Princess?”
What?
Agnes was speechless. The nearby maids shared the same situation.
“It must be a growth spurt. You are, after all, developing so quickly.”
Someone was about to say it was because of the shoes, but then quietly closed their mouth.
“…… let’s just go.”
Unaware of his actions, the dim-witted Laslo kept offering absurd consolation. As his words hung in the air, Agnes’ blush deepened.
As they approached the banquet hall’s entrance, which was in the center of the castle, the noise level increased.
There was alcohol, food and the music was already in full swing.
Agnes took a deep breath and steadied her flushed face as she took a position in front of the door.
Glancing down, Laslo said, “You don’t have to be nervous.”
“But I’m nervous,” Agnes admitted openly.
Although it wasn’t her first encounter with the vassals, her heart was racing. However, excitement was not the reason.
“Isn’t there a group of twelve men who despise me there?”
“Who?” He asked back.
He seems to be totally unaware.
She could easily point out the vassals who had looked at her with disdain.
– Of all princesses, why did she have to come? Tsk tsk. A wealthy heiress from a noble family would have been better.
– Is it true that her dowry is only one carriage? Marrying into the Duke’s family with just that? Ridiculous!
– I believed we should stay out of Prince Sebastian’s line of sight. Why on earth would the Master accept a princess like that?
Thank you so much for the chapter!❤️🔥
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