“The Grand Duchess Prause’s charity party is indeed on a different level.”
“I don’t think I’ll see another party anywhere else for a while.”
“I’m already curious about what items will be at the charity auction?”
The ladies invited to the party diligently moved their eyes even when they drank the cold Kaunak tea.
It was because they were convinced that decorating the interior in the northern style would soon spread like a trend.
‘A mansion of this size, purchased in the capital for the convenience of the Grand Duchess.’
‘Then how splendid is the Grand Duke of Prause’s mansion in the north?’
Thanks to the series of novels in <Obelir Post>, those who had an interest in the Prause culture came to dream of traveling to the north.
But it wasn’t the decorations that peaked the envy of the guests at the charity party.
“By the way, Grand Duke and Grand Duchess Prouse seem to have a very good time.”
“Are all northern men that sweet?”
“It’s understandable that Grand Duchess Frey became able to show off her abilities to the fullest after she got married. I’m sure I’d have more courage if I had that kind of love and support.”
“Whoops. You two don’t even know that the shadow was reflected in the curtain when you kissed.”
People gathered in twos and threes and recalled Daniel kissing Frey.
Frey, who was kissed by Daniel Prause, the man most women in the capital coveted, looked happier than anyone else in the world.
‘Besides, two transcendental children came out after me.’
‘It seems that the young masters love the Grand Duchess…’
Some of them hardened their faces as they made future political plans in their heads.
Luke looked around and smiled.
‘but. I’m sure the lawmakers don’t know what the charity party is for.’
Unlike the Council of Elders, which exerts a great influence on central politics, this Council was weak.
It was like that from composition. Half of the lower nobility. Half of them are wealthy or popular commoners.
It was an organization that existed according to the imperial law created in the early days of the country, but it did almost nothing in practice.
‘People from powerful families don’t have to go through the academy and council, and become central bureaucrats right away, so people without power gather in the council.’
By the way, the scholarship students selected from the top of the Holt were well-dressed and spoke like this.
[“It would be an honor to serve in council after graduation.”]
[“If the functions of the parliament are activated, the demands of the common people will be more reflected in state affairs.”]
Most of the scholarship students wanted to enter the council and make their voices heard.
Frey’s toast seemed to encourage that dream.
[“Right now, the political world of the Empire needs young blood more than ever. For the empire to be healthy, politics will have to reflect the will of various classes.”]
She smiled softly and raised a glass of champagne.
It was a relaxed smile that made the worries about what to do if it hardened like a wooden doll disappear.
[“So I promise. A charity auction for donations will be held annually going forward. In addition, all proceeds from the charity auction will be used to train talent.”]
Is there anyone who doesn’t know that the words are a statement that she will train her own people more?
‘In the first place, the people who accepted the invitation to the charity auction would have decided to join Her Highness’ side rather than the Crown Prince.’
Of the people in the banquet hall, there was only one attendee whose intentions were unknown.
Luke looked at a woman sipping soft drinks instead of mingling with the others.
[“Luke. I think I saw Crown Princess Garnet.”]
[“What?”]
[“She wore heavy makeup, a wig, and was dressed like a lowly noble, but she definitely had the eyes of the Crown Princess. Check her identity, and if it is correct, take her to the living room.”]
‘No way, did the Crown Princess secretly attend Prouse’s party?’
Luke observed the people, wondering if it was just Frey’s illusion, or if it was a trap set by Tahar’s highly calculated plan.
For a long time, he was careful not to spoil the atmosphere of the party and used all his senses.
“Lady. You should go with me for a while.”
“……!”
He was able to bring an uninvited guest who looked just like Crown Princess Garnet into the living room.
* * *
Frey went to the living room as soon as the charity auction started.
It was fortunate that everyone was focused on the auction thanks to the excellent speech of the host she had hired, so that it was not noticeable even when she was away.
“Your Highness, the Grand Duchess, was right.”
Luke, who was guarding the living room door, said.
‘As expected, I couldn’t have misread that face.’
Frey tried to calm her pounding heart and entered the living room with Luke.
“…..”
In the meantime, Garnet took off her wig and was waiting for Frey.
‘Since I came to the Grand Duke’s residence to seek help, I have to reveal my identity.’
her body trembled. Even if Tahar hadn’t been looking for her. It was crazy to visit Grand Duke Praus’s mansion in person.
[“uhuk! Mom…”]
‘However, no matter how much I thought about it, I had no choice but to seek help from the Grand Duke, who must have healed the transcendent many times, to heal Lydia, who was suffering.’
‘If I send someone else, they will suspect that I have other intentions.’
Garnet cautiously met Frey’s eyes.
“Grand Duchess Prause meets Her Highness, Crown Princess.”
Frey greeted her by mentioning her status as ‘ Crown Princess’ in a slightly unfriendly voice.
Garnet was aware of the meaning behind her sharp voice.
As the Crown Princess. As Tahar’s wife and the empress’s daughter-in-law.
‘Remember what you did to me and my mother, Lady Roselia.’
Frey was saying so with blazing red eyes.
It was difficult for Frey to control her boiling anger.
‘When my mother passed away, Garnet must have been drinking tea with the empress in the white chrysanthemum garden.’
Seeing her trembling, Garnet must have remembered the incident, but the courage that appeared in front of me without an escort was almost unimaginable.
Frey asked, trying hard to suppress the desire to pour tea on her shameless face.
“I don’t think I’ve ever sent an invitation to the Crown Prince’s Palace, so I’m surprised you came here.”
“I came here because I wanted to ask for help. I would really appreciate it if you could spare some of your time for me.”
“I thought you didn’t want to talk to me.”
Garnett made no excuses.
It hadn’t been a day or two since she’d been following the Empress around, badmouthing Frey and spreading ridiculous rumors.
Instead, she lowered her head and spoke in a trembling voice.
“Lydia is very sick.”
“…..”
“She has been suffering from a magical high fever for several days because she used a lot of transcendental abilities.”
“What about the imperial palace doctors?”
“I’ve given Lydia the medicine they prescribed, but maybe it’s because they never treated a transcendental person, so the medicine doesn’t work well.”
“…..”
Frey recalled the book she read over and over again to take care of Damon and Arsene.
It was because there were quite a lot of records about how to care for those who were different from normal humans in Prause, which has been the head of the transcendent family for generations.
‘If it’s a magical high fever…It must be because of overwork.’
Overwork for a child who is only five years old.
Besides, if Lydia’s condition was serious, it made sense to bring the best doctors of the empire.
Letting Lydia, who is of extraordinary importance, sick for a few days—
‘It’s probably because they can’t reveal why their child is sick.’
Frey clenched her fists.
In her eyes, Tahar and Garnet lacked parental qualifications.
Frey wanted to ask what the hell they were doing to her child, but Frey spoke calmly first.
“Luke. Explain the situation to the guard waiting outside the door, and get some medicine from Prause’s doctors.”
“I will.”
The medicine arrived quickly. Instead of handing it to Garnet right away, Frey asked.
“It seems Her Highness the Crown Princess has had a change of heart. I remember that before, you completely left Lydia in the hands of Duke Gelon.”
“That….”
It was true, so Garnet couldn’t refute it.
Guilt towards Lydia and regret that she should have made it right a long time ago seemed to weigh on her shoulders.
Frey knew what she was feeling.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess. Are you regretting it?”
“….”
“You must feel sorry for Lydia. Seeing that you came to your enemy’s house for your child in person.”
“I think it’s too late.”
Frey didn’t deny it.
‘Yes, you are late. How many times had Lydia prayed to God that her mother would care for her and love her?’
She hated Garnet, who always followed the empress and bullied her, but Frey seemed to understand. The reason why Garnet, who pretended not to know her child’s wish, came here.
“Your Highness the Crown Princess must have known better than anyone else that Lydia will continue to fall victim to Gelon’s family as long as Tahar and the Empress are around.”
“…..”
“So why don’t you join me for a moment to save Lydia?”
‘Turning my back on Gelon. Could such a thing be possible? Ah, with the current Frey, it might be possible.’
Garnet swallowed dryly.
Frey whispered to her as she waited for an answer.
“Tell me what the Empress and Gelon did to kill my mother, Lady Roselia.”
“….”
“I’II breaks through the dirty past, so your Highness can sit at the crown prince’s palace with Lydia, who has become healthy.”
* * *
Not to say Garnet is a great mom or didn’t hand over her child too quickly but, again, even if she, from the beginning wanted to help her could, what could she do when it’s clear she has no power? It’s kind of to late to help her once she’s dead. The emperor didn’t even know how to protect or help Roselia the woman he loved and cherished. How would Garnet and Lydia be safe if she tried to defect earlier? Who would even believe her words at the time?
If she felt guilty enough early, when Frey started gathering enough power she would have reached out for help, especially after that undead incident where Lydia initially fainted