Here’s the translated chapter while keeping its original form intact:
Daniela’s face flushed with embarrassment and shame upon realizing the meaning of those words. Adrian furrowed his brow and opened his mouth to speak.
“Aunt, that’s a bit too much—”
“Please moderate yourself, Your Highness. This is unpleasant to hear.”
Before Adrian could even finish, Ashid sharply cut in, addressing the princess with a cold tone. He let out a brief, hollow laugh before continuing in a frigid voice.
“To think that this is all you have to say after summoning my wife—I’m disappointed, Your Highness. Had I known, I wouldn’t have come.”
“…Ha, what did you just say? Duke, did you say everything you wanted to say?”
“Insulting not only my mother but now even her? Just because you’re a senior member of the imperial family doesn’t mean you should be allowed to say whatever comes to mind without filter. Isn’t it about time you put an end to that habit?”
At Ashid’s words, the princess let out a short, incredulous laugh as if at a loss for words. Her face, flushed with indignation, turned red and blue with rage. Daniela swallowed dryly in alarm and grabbed Ashid’s arm in a plea to stop.
“Your Highness, I’m fine. Please, let it go.”
“Brother, please calm down. You too, Aunt.”
Adrian, looking troubled, tried to mediate between them. Princess Elizaveta put down her fan, pressing her temple as she muttered to herself.
“…My goodness, that child was right. This is why the right people must be brought in…”
At that moment, Ashid’s rigid expression twisted menacingly.
[This is why the right people must be brought in.]
That phrase—it was what Empress Catherine used to say every chance she got while nitpicking at his mother, Queen Julia, and him.
Starting with those very words, the empress would unleash unspeakable insults upon his mother. Even now, Ashid could vividly recall the trembling fingertips of his mother as she clenched his hand, swallowing her anger and humiliation.
For a moment, the cruel face of Empress Catherine overlapped with Princess Elizaveta’s.
Ashid curled up one corner of his lips in a sneer. The flood of insults rising to his throat begged to be released, and he saw no reason to hold them back. He was just about to unleash them upon the princess when—
“It’s still too early to make such a judgment, Your Highness.”
Daniela, clutching Ashid’s hand tightly, met Princess Elizaveta’s gaze head-on as she spoke.
Ashid, who had been seething with rage, and Adrian, who was caught in bewilderment, both turned to her in surprise.
For a moment, Princess Elizaveta looked at Daniela with a blank expression as if trying to decipher her meaning. Then she scoffed.
“Ha, too early to judge?”
“Determining whether someone is suitable or not should be done over time, after careful observation, don’t you think? Your Highness doesn’t yet know what kind of person I am or how I will conduct myself as the Grand Duchess.”
“…Well, from what I’ve heard, your conduct in the Crown Prince’s palace was quite a spectacle. That’s what I’ve been told, at least.”
Princess Elizaveta’s pointed remark made Daniela’s shoulders flinch.
‘Damn it.’
She wanted to protest that it wasn’t her but the previous Daniela, but of course, that wasn’t an option.
Instead, she put on a shameless yet charming smile and said,
“I was young and foolish back then. But now, it’s different. From the moment I received His Highness’s proposal and accepted our marriage, I resolved to change.”
“…!”
“I decided to become someone worthy of the Grand Duke.”
Daniela looked up at Ashid as she spoke, her gaze warm and affectionate, as if she were truly in love.
Ashid’s eyes wavered noticeably in shock. Daniela sent him a silent message through her gaze—telling him to keep quiet—and then she continued.
“So please, Your Highness, forget the past version of me. I will ensure that you never have a reason to worry, as I will stand firmly by His Highness’s side.”
“…Hmph, as if! Who said I was worried about such an insolent girl?”
Princess Elizaveta snorted and turned her head sharply.
Despite her cold words, the tips of her pale ears blushed red. Seeing how easy she was to read, Daniela chuckled inwardly.
She then quietly approached the princess and held out a small box.
“What is this, Daniela?”
“A modest gift, Your Highness, as a token of my hope that you will look upon me and His Highness favorably.”
The princess looked at the box warily, but after a moment of contemplation, she carefully opened it.
“…Oh my.”
The moment she saw the hairpin inside, Princess Elizaveta let out a gasp of admiration.
Made of emerald, alexandrite, platinum, and hundreds of tiny diamonds, the hairpin was breathtakingly exquisite.
Daniela smiled at the princess, who was inspecting it as if enchanted.
“If Your Highness allows, may I put it on for you?”
“…You?”
Princess Elizaveta eyed Daniela skeptically but eventually gave a small nod.
Daniela carefully pinned the hairpin in place, ensuring the gemstone butterfly detail was positioned at the front.
She then stepped back to admire her work, her face lighting up. As she had expected, it suited the princess perfectly.
She held up a small mirror hidden inside the box, letting the princess see for herself as she sincerely praised,
“You look absolutely stunning, Your Highness.”
“…Hmph. Isn’t it too extravagant for someone of my age?”
“Not at all. Compared to Your Highness’s radiant beauty, this is nothing.”
“…I-Is that so?”
A faint blush spread across Princess Elizaveta’s face.
Seizing the moment, Daniela turned to Ashid.
“Don’t you think so too, Your Highness?”
[Say yes. Right now.]
Her gaze was a clear demand.
[Ha.]
Ashid let out a silent laugh at the absurdity of the situation. So this was why she had been carrying the box around instead of entrusting it to her chamberlain. She had planned this from the start.
Though both impressed and exasperated by the turn of events, he complied, nodding curtly.
“…Yes. It suits you well, Aunt.”
Hearing this, Princess Elizaveta’s face reddened even further.
For a man as blunt and unyielding as Ashid, who had always kept his distance from her, to compliment her sincerely—it made her happier than any flattery from others.
“Do you all think so too?”
With a brightened expression, she turned to her maids, guards, and Adrian, seeking their opinions.
Immediately, Adrian, along with the princess’s attendants—who had been carefully gauging the mood—began showering her with praise.
“Yes, Aunt. Daniela has chosen a perfect gift for you.”
“I-I completely agree! Your Highness, you look magnificent!”
“If the guests in the ballroom see Your Highness now, they might all be left speechless!”
“I think so as well, Your Highness!”
Overwhelmed by the enthusiastic compliments, Princess Elizaveta covered her mouth with her hand, smiling widely. She was undeniably pleased.
After a moment, she seemed to catch herself, realizing how openly she had displayed her delight. Clearing her throat, she regained her usual haughty composure.
“Hmph. You all are quite good at empty flattery. If you think I would be so foolishly pleased, you are mistaken.”
She picked up her discarded fan, eyeing Daniela sharply.
“For now, I will take you at your word and let this go. But if you ever disgrace the imperial family’s honor again, I won’t stop at mere scolding.”
“I will keep that in mind, Your Highness.”
“…Ahem, I should attend to the guests in the ballroom now.”
With that, Princess Elizaveta, accompanied by her maids and guards, left the audience chamber.
Daniela, feeling anxious, watched her retreating figure closely.
