RVMPT Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Behind Harold stood a young boy with freckles under his eyes—Finn.

“Who is that boy? He doesn’t look like a noble.”

“He’s wearing a knight’s uniform with the Baisen emblem. He must be a knight.”

“A knight at that age? That’s impossible!”

To avoid suspicion from the emperor, we needed to make sure that Andrew’s hidden supporters could give me flowers without raising any questions.

But Finn must have heard those comments just as clearly as I did.

Hmm, did I make the wrong request?

Finn had agreed to my plan without hesitation, but now that everyone’s eyes were on him, I worried it might be too much for him.

“It’s an honor to stand by the Duchess of Baisen.” Finn said.

His voice was steady, and his steps were firm. I was impressed.

The nobles fell silent, their curiosity about Finn growing.

This made his next words even clearer.

“As you know, I’m still only an apprentice knight. I don’t have the skill to be chosen as one of the five knights representing Baisen House for the Eclipse Hunting Tournament.”

“……”

“I know I am lacking, but I stood here today because I wanted to repay the Duchess for saving my sister and me during the festival.”

“……”

“I wanted to help you win. But… I could only catch a single rabbit. I wanted to do more…”

Finn lowered his head, his voice trembling.

Oh, wow. He’s really good at acting!

Wow, he’s playing the role well, just like he said he would. He even made the flower in his hands shake with the wind at the right moment.

The timing was perfect.

“I’m sorry… This is all I could do…” he said, his voice breaking.

Wait, what? Is he crying?!

I panicked. This wasn’t part of the plan.

Before I could think, my hand moved on its own.

I gently took the flower from Finn.

“You’ve only been training as a knight for a short time, and yet you’ve already managed to catch a rabbit. That’s impressive,” I said. “I’m grateful for your effort.”

“But I feel like I only made it harder for you to win…”

“I’m already happy just knowing that you tried for me. If you’re worried, then train even harder and become a strong shield and sword to protect Baisen in the future. How about that?”

Finn’s trembling shoulders stilled.

“I’ll make sure to do that, for the Duchess who saved me and my brother.”

Then he looked up with a playful smile.

There were no traces of tears in his eyes.

Wow… It was all an act?!

I was relieved he wasn’t actually crying, but if he were in my past life, he’d be a famous child actor in Korea by now.

I looked around and saw that many people had fallen for his performance.

Some noblewomen were even dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs.

They don’t know, but I do…

I avoided looking at Harold, not wanting to see his smug face.

Now, the setup was perfect.

Andrew’s supporters could now give me flowers without raising suspicion.

And sure enough, Andrew’s faction approached me.

“In honor of the kind-hearted Duchess, we offer these flowers on behalf of this nameless apprentice knight,” they said.

Some unrelated nobles followed their lead.

With the flowers from Baisen’s knights, Andrew’s hidden allies, and even some moved by Finn’s act, the pile of flowers in my hands quickly caught up to Jayna’s.

‘Just a little more…’

From a glance, we had almost the same amount as Jayna.

The nobles supporting the emperor, who had seemed relaxed at first, were now whispering among themselves with serious expressions.

Harold caught my eye and smirked.

It was as if he was saying, “I kept my promise.”

‘Bringing the most flowers wasn’t enough for him, huh? Greedy as ever.’

But I had to admit—he really did make it happen.

As I unknowingly smiled back at him, a loud voice interrupted.

“Isn’t this all staged?! Do any of you really believe that the Duchess is such a kind person?!”

My heart dropped at the thunderous voice.

Harold frowned, turning toward the source.

“What are you all looking at, huh?”

One of the emperor’s nobles was shouting, though he seemed nervous.

It looked like his faction had chosen him to speak after their hushed discussion.

“I was there when my wife helped that boy,” Harold said, running a hand through his hair with a lazy smile.

“Are you saying I’m lying too?”

“…!”

The man flinched, his lips trembling.

“Th-That’s not what I meant! But it’s true that the Duchess committed many sins in the past!”

Whispers spread quickly.

“That’s true, isn’t it?”

“Yes, she did try to harm Lady Ella…”

“Can we really trust that she has changed?”

Their gazes were sharp like arrows, and though I kept my expression calm, the tension in the air was suffocating.

I expected this reaction. 

But still, the weight of their scrutiny was heavy.

“My wife, Diana, has changed.”

…Harold?

He stepped in front of me, blocking their stares.

“No one would know that better than the husband who watches her every day.”

“You’re just blinded by love!”

“I won’t deny that I love her. But that doesn’t mean I can’t see things clearly.”

“That’s ridiculous!”

“But I have a question for you,” Harold said, cutting him off before he could continue.

Then, in a low voice, he added, “But perhaps this isn’t the place for it. Let’s talk in private later.”

“……”

“Why do you look so scared? I didn’t say I was going to kill you, did I?”

I could picture Harold’s sharp smile.

The thought made me want to laugh.

Biting my lip, I looked at his broad back, then warmth spread in my chest.

Then, breaking the silence, an unexpected voice spoke.

“The Duke is right. The Duchess has changed.”

Who was that?

I couldn’t guess, but Harold stepped aside to reveal the speaker.

And when I saw who it was, I was shocked.

“…Baron Handley?”

“May glory be with Duchess Diana Baisen.”

Baron Handley greeted me politely with a warm smile. In his hands, he held flowers, representing the prey he had caught.

“I heard that you helped my wife find her precious ring.”

“…”

“She wanted to repay that kindness, so she asked me to offer these flowers to you.”

Beyond him, his wife was smiling, confirming his words.

“The person who helped my wife is my benefactor as well. Will you allow us the chance to repay this debt?”

“I accept with gratitude.”

When I received the flowers, the baron bowed once more.

“Thank you, Duchess.”

“I should be the one thanking you, Baron Handley. Please pass my gratitude to your wife as well.”

After the baron left, the rest of Prince Andrew’s supporters stepped forward to offer me their flowers.

A warm feeling spread in my chest, like soft feathers settling in my heart.

In truth, the emperor’s faction couldn’t completely block others from acting. The situation I had set up with Finn’s performance was enough to allow Andrew’s supporters to step forward, pretending to be neutral. Some believed what the emperor’s faction said was true, while others believed in my side, and that was enough to support me.

But when the air had been heavy with hostility, Baron Handley and his wife stepped forward to stand by my side.

‘I only helped to find a ring… That’s something anyone would have done.’

It wasn’t just any ring, though. It was a keepsake from her mother. And I wanted to help her, so I did.

‘…But in return, I’ve received something far greater than what I gave.’

Before I knew it, the flowers I had received outnumbered those gathered by the emperor’s faction.

Only one person had yet to give his flowers.

Kaiden. The male lead, whom ‘Diana’ had once loved with all her heart.

‘Of course, he’ll give them to Ella.’

I was certain—until Kaiden stopped in front of me.

‘Huh?’

Just as I felt a wave of confusion, he kneeled before me.

“I offer these flowers to Duchess Diana Baisen.”