WPVMVA Chapter 24🔐

‘…It should be fine, right? It was resolved properly, wasn’t it?’

Judging by the fact that she had agreed to move on, it seemed like the crisis had passed safely. However, the princess’s consistently cold attitude and tone at the end still lingered in her mind.

At that moment, Ashid crossed his arms and let out a chuckle.

“To think she’d be so delighted over a mere hairpin and a few words of praise. My aunt has truly grown old.”

“…Delighted? The princess?”

“You saw and heard it yourself just now. She gladly accepted your gift and said she was going to show it off to the nobles in the banquet hall.”

“Oh, so that’s what she meant?”

Danielle asked, feeling relieved inside.

“My aunt isn’t someone who expresses herself honestly.”

Before Ashid could respond, Adrian interjected. He approached Daniela with a gentle smile.

‘Goodness.’

Daniela, who had completely forgotten Adrian was even there, stared at him blankly.

Watching the two grow closer, Ashid frowned. It irritated him to see them looking at each other as if no one else existed, as if they were the only two people in the room.

Acting on impulse, Ashid reached out and pulled Daniela into his arms, his cold gaze fixed on Adrian.

“What are you doing here instead of following my aunt?”

Daniela’s eyes widened in surprise at Ashid’s unexpected action. Adrian, unable to take another step closer, stopped in place. The warm smile on his face stiffened for a moment before he quickly regained his composure and spoke in a soft tone.

“I wanted to greet my brother and briefly talk about recent matters. And also… I wanted to personally congratulate Daniela—no, the Grand Duchess—on her marriage.”

As he said this, Adrian’s gaze fell on Daniela once more. Meeting her large, strikingly blue eyes, he found himself thinking:

Had her eyes always been this beautiful?

Ashid’s frown deepened. He wanted to break Adrian’s gaze away from Danielle immediately. He didn’t want her looking at him, either.

That meant he needed to get rid of Adrian at once. No—rather than that, it would be faster to take Daniela and leave.

Tightening his arm around her shoulders, Ashid spoke indifferently to Adrian.

“Thank you for congratulating us on our marriage. We’re doing well, thanks to you. As for whatever recent matters you’re referring to, I doubt I can give you any useful answers.”

“……!”

“Is that all? Then, if you’ll excuse us.”

“W-Wait a moment, Your Highness!”

With that, Ashid half-embraced Daniela and pulled her along as they left the audience chamber. Or rather, he all but dragged her away.

Though startled, Daniela didn’t resist and simply let him lead her. There was nothing in particular she needed to say to Adrian, and getting involved with him wouldn’t benefit her in any way.

Before turning away, she gave Adrian a brief nod out of courtesy.

---

Adrian stood frozen, staring at the spot where Daniela and Ashid had just been. At the same time, he replayed the events in his mind.

‘She didn’t seem like the Danielle I knew.’

The Daniela he remembered was thoughtless, self-centered, and cowardly.

She wasn’t the type to skillfully cater to others or mediate conflicts with thoughtful words and actions.

In fact, she had never been one to involve herself in others’ disputes—even if the parties involved were her own family or fiancé.

But just now, she had been different. She was composed and wise.

‘Was she always like that, and I just never noticed? Or did my brother change her?’

Adrian felt a strong curiosity stirring within him. At the same time, an even stronger urge took hold—he wanted to speak with Daniela alone.

Turning to his attendants, he said, “Let’s return to the banquet hall.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Ashid had clearly been displeased at the thought of him speaking with Daniela, but Adrian didn’t mind.

After all, his feelings toward her were nothing but pure curiosity—there were no ulterior motives.

Ashid had nothing to worry about.

And so, Adrian decided to actively look for an opportunity. If he simply waited, a chance was bound to come.

After all, the party was just beginning.

---

The banquet hall was even noisier and more crowded than before. It seemed that more guests had arrived while they were gone.

Still half-holding Danielle, Ashid made his way toward the relatively quiet balcony. Once they reached it, Danielle turned to him and spoke.

“I think you can let go of my shoulder now, Your Highness.”

“…Sorry. Did it hurt?”

Ashid instinctively brushed his hand over her shoulder as he asked.

“N-No, it’s fine.”

More than painful, it was just embarrassing. Quickly shaking her head, Daniela took a step back.

Ashid’s expression hardened slightly.

It had always bothered him—how she flinched away every time he touched her, as if his touch were something forbidden.

But the problem was, he couldn’t exactly tell her not to.

‘Damn it.’

Just as Ashid was silently cursing his frustration, an older gentleman approached. He had short, neatly combed white hair and wore a cream-colored uniform adorned with several medals.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

Ashid’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Daniela lowered her voice and asked, “Who is he?”

“This is Duke Lambert, Grand Duchess. He currently serves as the Minister of Foreign Affairs and assists His Majesty. He is also a distant relative of His Highness,” the man answered with a smile.

Feeling embarrassed, Daniela quickly bowed in greeting. Meanwhile, Ashid asked curtly, “Do you have something to say to me?”

“I need to speak with Your Highness regarding the war reparations received from the Principality of Resinia, on behalf of His Majesty. May I borrow a moment of your time?”

At this, Ashid raised an eyebrow.

He didn’t want to leave Daniela’s side.

If he stepped away, Adrian and his people would no doubt take the opportunity to approach her and start some foolish scheme.

But at the same time, he couldn’t ignore the Emperor’s command.

“Wait here for a moment. I’ll be back soon.”

“Alright.”

“Before I go, I’ll have Mela and the maids come over. Stay put and don’t make a fuss. And don’t even think about doing anything unnecessary.”

“Oh, come on. Your Highness, just go already and stop worrying about useless things.”

Daniela sighed, exasperated.

After Ashid and Duke Lambert left, she sat down on a long sofa nearby.

As she waited for Mela and the maids to arrive, she idly watched the nobles moving through the banquet hall.

Just then, a woman approached her.

It was Emily—the woman who had escorted Princess Elizaveta out of the audience chamber earlier.

Emily gave a haughty nod before speaking.

“Hello, Daniela. It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

Daniela tilted her head slightly.

‘A while? We just saw each other a moment ago.’

Was she someone Daniela had known before she possessed this body?

Guessing that might be the case, Danielle responded casually.

“Yes, hello, Emily. Have you been well?”

Emily let out a short, incredulous laugh before sneering.

“You were just as arrogant when you were the Crown Prince’s fiancée. I see that hasn’t changed even now that you’re the Grand Duchess.”

“…I don’t know what you’re talking about. What exactly am I supposed to have done for you to start picking a fight?”

Frowning, Daniela countered.

She had no intention of provoking Emily first, but she also wasn’t going to just sit back and take it.

Emily, irritated by Daniela’s attitude, scoffed again.

“Ha, you seriously don’t know?”

“Nope, no idea. Care to enlighten me?”

“When a friend greets you, is it really appropriate to just sit there so arrogantly?”