Episode 29

“By the way, last time…”

“Wait! Everyone, please pay attention for a moment!”

Just as Eunice was about to say something, the princess clapped her hands.

It was incredibly perfect timing.

“It’s about the donation, and it was delivered last week.”

It was about the donation collected and sent last time.

Since it was a gathering of the princess and the nobles, various donations and events were sponsored, and this was a brief explanation of that.

It wasn’t the first time the princess made such an announcement; she always explained the boring topics smoothly and without making them dull.

“We thought it would be better than money, so we purchased grains and clothes and sent them to four places in the capital and fifteen places outside the capital…”

The discussion then moved to when the next donation would be made.

Someone gave their opinion, and they gathered the opinions to decide on the next steps.

Thinking it was a good discussion, they nodded their heads, but then the topic shifted multiple times in an astonishing manner.

And surprisingly, the end of the conversation led to a play.

“Since we’ve made donations, this time we should all go watch the play together.”

They mentioned supporting a theater group, and it seemed like the princess found a good excuse.

“These play tickets are hard to get unless you’re part of our group, so I hope everyone here can confirm. Will you join us, or will you wait for the next opportunity? Of course, it won’t be easy to see a play with such great actors next time.”

Camilla’s tone, as if there was nothing to lose, had a charm that made even those who didn’t want to go feel like going.

One by one, people began to raise their hands quietly.

“What about the lady?”

The princess asked.

Ah, I was the only one who hadn’t raised my hand.

With a subtle smile, I brought the teacup to my lips in response to the question.

“The lady should attend as well. I want to watch the play with her.”

The princess said with a mischievous smile.

“I want to hear the lady’s sincere praise for the handsome actors.”

“Oh dear, even though my words are sincere, my heart is light. I thought I had not held back my praise for handsome men, but it seems it was insufficient.”

As I made this remark with a smile, the princess laughed heartily.

“Of course, it’s never enough. No matter how much you talk about beauty, it’s always insufficient.”

I agreed with what the princess said.

Indeed, it made sense.

“The lady seems too unimpressed. Could it be because you always have someone outstanding by your side?”

The princess teased with a playful smile.

When she mentioned the person by my side, she probably meant Igon.

As soon as Igon was mentioned, I could feel Eunice’s gaze of interest on his profile.

I smiled softly.

It was difficult to respond carelessly.

Some nobles viewed my relationship with Igon with suspicion.

Since we weren’t related by blood, had no apparent flaws, and were both in our prime and unmarried, people whispered behind our backs that we must have already crossed a line.

Of course, no one dared to say anything openly, fearing Igon’s wrath, but whatever I said here could be twisted in unknown ways.

Speaking out would lose more than staying silent.

I had to choose the path of losing less.

“By the way, I’ve been wondering how the Duke is doing.”

Tielle said.

Coincidentally, I had just received a letter from Igon not long ago.

The first letter mentioned his safe arrival, and the second said he was doing well.

The letter that arrived yesterday mentioned that he might return soon, but it had only been a month and a half since Igon left, so there was no way he would be back already.

Even the Count said it would be quite some time before Igon returned.

At least a season would pass before his return.

“Yes, he said he was well, so I believe he is.”

“It must be worrisome to send the Duke away alone to such a distant place.”

Eunice said.

Somehow, her words felt like she was genuinely worried about Igon, which made me feel complicated.

I responded with an awkward smile.

“Lady Duran, you don’t understand. Worrying about a capable brother like yours is entirely pointless.”

Noticing my discomfort with the current topic, the princess graciously intervened.

“My mistake. Talking about siblings even when we’re out and about isn’t very pleasant… I completely understand your feelings, as I too have a remarkable sibling. But that’s that. So, are you coming?”

I nodded.

I couldn’t refuse after such persistent encouragement.

“Of course. It would be an honor to join if you are offering the opportunity.”

I smiled.

I had answered well.

It seemed like the gathering was about to end.

But then the princess continued speaking.

“By the way, everyone is aware that the central cathedral construction has been completed, right? Let’s hold our next meeting not in the palace, but at the central cathedral for a prayer session.”

A cathedral?

Prayer?

It was rare to find anyone in the empire without faith, but I had never associated the princess with religion.

The princess, praying?

“It’s a perfect place to meet sincere gentlemen, isn’t it?”

Ah, was she referring to the rumor that you would meet your destined one when you leave the cathedral after prayer?

Such stories were even in the novels I’d read, claiming it was a recent trend.

Did the princess enjoy romance novels too?

Indeed, the princess lived a life full of joy, quite unfitting for her status.

“Judging by your reaction, it seems Lady Rodore doesn’t like the idea, but don’t think about slipping away. Praying for your brother far away would be nice, wouldn’t it?”

I couldn’t find any words to refute or escape the princess’s suggestion.

Igon.

Thinking of him in Dechido made me feel uneasy.

Would praying to the gods alleviate this discomfort?

Perhaps the answers I sought were there.

If there was a god, wasn’t it they who brought me back here with my memories intact?

Thinking of it this way, I had much to ask the gods.

I nodded to indicate my willingness to attend.

The princess’s face immediately brightened.

“Great! Now everyone will be attending. You all know, right? Wear attire suitable for prayer. Let’s go with gray for the uniform color. It’s solemn and beautiful.”

After discussing the attire a bit more, the gathering ended.

Back at the duke’s residence, I relayed the information about the attire to the tailor, then bathed and prepared for bed.

* * *

Though I had been to the cathedral before, this was my first time visiting since the renovation.

The light filtering through the colorful stained glass was stunning and reverent.

At the end of the cathedral stood a white stone statue, illuminated by a radiant light.

It evoked a sense of awe that could bring even the non-religious to faith.

It was beautiful.

The word alone was insufficient.

I whispered a sigh of admiration.

“I heard they employed far more glass artisans than for any other project. It seems to be true. It’s incredibly beautiful.”

I spoke while gazing up at the ceiling.

“And you are incredibly beautiful too, my lady.”

The princess’s playful comment made me turn to look at her.

Her smile beneath the white veil was thoroughly mischievous.

“And so are you, Your Highness.”

“I’m not joking. Did the tailor from the duke’s residence make that dress?”

“Yes…”

While the other ladies ordered their dresses from external dressmakers, Rodore was fortunate to have an in-house tailor with exceptional skills. I had asked for a modest dress for the prayer session, and the tailor delivered exactly what I needed.

The tailor mentioned that it was more challenging than usual due to the specific requirements.

“The hem shimmers softly.”

I suddenly remembered the tailor’s explanation.

The gray fabric had been finely dusted with ground pearls to give it a subtle shine. The dress was designed to fit snugly at the waist, emphasizing the body’s curves without being ostentatious, and it fell naturally.

What I liked most was the collar, which could be buttoned up to my neck, right under my chin.

“It suits you very well.”

“Thank you.”

“If you’re truly grateful, could I ask for a dress from the Duke’s residence later? Oh, don’t try to deflect with a smile.”

As we chatted, the priest rang the bell.

Although I hadn’t planned to pray exactly when the priest did, I took a seat on a pew and clasped my hands together.

If you are there somewhere.

If you are watching over me from above.

‘Please save me.’

I prayed to be able to escape death.

I couldn’t be reassured just because I had the name Rodore and my family was stable.

Even though Igon was strong and cherished me, and I had become close to the Crown Prince and Princess, I couldn’t hope to avoid my death.

I had witnessed the miserable death of someone far nobler than myself.

Igon’s mother, the Duchess who brought me here.

Officially, it was said she died of an illness, but that wasn’t the truth.

She was murdered, staged as a suicide, and was found hanging in the middle of the Duke’s residence.

As her doll at the time, I was the first to discover her and inform the Duke.

I could never forget crossing that dark, silent room and the cold touch of her toes brushing against my neck.

Since that night, I had been plagued by terrible nightmares, clinging to Igon when he returned.

At first, I held onto his fingertips to fall asleep, and later, I embraced him.

I sought refuge from my fears in his arms.

In all my nightmares, he was my only escape and comfort.

It was ironic that Igon would become the reason for my death.

If there was a god, they should have looked after me.

I couldn’t remember all the details from my past life, including what triggered my death or how old I was when I died, but I was sure it happened early.

If I was to meet an early and painful death in this life as well, then the god was cruel.

I didn’t want to die.

Even though I knew it was predestined, I wanted to avoid it if possible.

I prayed with a heart full of resentment towards the god, harboring irreverent thoughts, when the surroundings became noisy.