"Of course, even if something unfortunate happens, the Duke's other daughter can always take her place. Isn't this a wonderfully strong bond?"
The Empress spoke melodiously.
Leopold's mate will unconditionally be a daughter of the Imperial faction. The most honorable position—but at the same time, a position where she'll dry out and die, trapped in my coils.
The heartless father who offered up his daughter—while everyone else hid theirs away—was Duke Madeleine.
An icy man who hides his precious youngest daughter and reveals his illegitimate one instead—the girl who turned the Empire upside down.
So the Duke will move as I wish, like a piece on a chessboard.
"I'll go."
Everyone knew the consent had been omitted before the Duke's words.
The Empress laughed and called out to the Duke's retreating back:
"Farewell, Duke! No matter what others say, we're on the same side."
Loud laughter spread from the drawing room behind him.
Duke Giovanni Madeleine gritted his teeth.
Olivia. What on earth is that girl doing that makes the Empress even bring up Ethella's name?
I have to go to the mansion. Before she makes things worse...
As soon as the Duke left, Countess Chase collapsed on the floor.
"Your Majesty, I really didn't—please believe me!"
"I want to believe it wasn't you."
The moment she heard that pitiful voice, Countess Chase lifted her head as if she'd found a glimmer of hope.
"But what can I do?"
"Your Majesty?"
"There are so many people singing your praises—but there's no need for me to embrace you and quarrel with Madeleine over it. Don't you agree?"
"..."
"You must be tired after coming up to the capital for so long. Cool down and return to your estate."
Everything was neatly organized.
The Empress lightly waved her hand at Countess Chase, who was being pushed out.
When the door closed, the Empress smiled like a delighted girl.
"That was entertaining! She threatened the chamberlain—such common vulgarity."
The corners of the Empress's eyes narrowed.
She's only half, but is she still Madeleine? Well, it's only half the story. In the end, she can't truly belong anywhere.
"I'm glad Your Majesty enjoyed it."
The Marchioness of Offem—the closest attendant among the ladies—smiled and applied perfume to the Empress's hands.
As if suddenly remembering, the Marchioness checked the Empress's relaxed expression before speaking:
"By the way, Lady Ethel is quite bold as well. How dare she impersonate His Highness the Crown Prince? This time was rather dangerous. Really—if Your Majesty hadn't shown such favor, that lovely face would have been ruined."
"But Your Majesty is truly amazing. How did you know to send that maid away so perfectly?"
The Empress smiled generously, thinking of Maria Ethel.
The Prince's lover with such a lovely appearance. It's quite a shame she can't be crowned Queen since she belongs to the same Aristocratic faction—but I had no idea she'd come up with something this interesting on her own.
"Lady Maria Ethel requested cards."
The Empress remembered what the maid planted in the Crown Prince's palace had said.
Now that I've covered for her this magnificently once, it's only a matter of time before Maria Ethel gets what she wants.
The Empress hummed a tune and looked down at her fingernails.
Time to redo these. A little longer. And sharper.
---
Through the carriage window, I watched the chamberlain bowing his head.
The carriage started slowly.
Countess Chase had reportedly retired from the palace. In a few days, she would return to her estate.
Just like the way the Empress always operates.
Normally, I would have pretended not to notice this either.
But she touched Madeleine.
I had to tell Father about this. I didn't know if it was truly my responsibility alone.
Father would also be angry if something happened to the Madeleine he loved with his life. Maybe—really, maybe...
Wouldn't he be just a little angry... for me too?
I chuckled bitterly.
Of course, I had ulterior motives for doing this. But I couldn't help feeling excited.
Whatever the reason, it gave me an excuse to talk with Father—even just a little bit.
I looked out the window, surprised at how bright my face appeared in the reflection.
Then I knocked on the carriage window.
"Please stop over there for a moment."
"Miss!"
When the carriage slowed to a complete stop, Sally climbed inside, loudly calling my name.
"How did you find me here? How did you know I was coming?"
"Miss, that's not important right now!"
Sally let out a shaky breath. I sensed something unusual when I saw her extremely nervous face.
"What's wrong?"
"His Excellency is looking for you!"
My heart pounded loudly.
It was the first time I'd heard that Father was looking for me since I came to House Madeleine.
---
In front of the dark oak door, I caught my breath.
Father's drawing room. A place forbidden to me for fourteen years.
I raised my shaking fist and knocked on the door.
"It's Olivia."
The door that had seemed impossible to open... opened.
The Duke stood in front of a large window filled with the glow of sunset. I couldn't see Father's face because the light was so strong behind him.
Unable to tell what expression he was making, I clenched and unclenched my fist nervously.
The drawing room was quiet.
I took a step forward, pressing my hand against my pounding heart.
How much did Father hear? Did he even hear how I responded?
I didn't know where to start. After hesitating for a moment, I parted my lips:
"F-Father—"
"Princess."
My words were cut off mid-sentence by a cold voice.
The Duke looked straight down at me. His face against the glow was as cold as ice.
"I asked for only one thing: to become Crown Princess."
A sharply forged voice and a gaze devoid of any trace of affection stabbed into me.
"You can't even protect that one thing—so you cause such a scandal and arrogantly try to upset the Crown Prince's palace?"
"That's... that's not it."
There must be some misunderstanding.
"I heard the Empress sent you gifts to comfort you—since you're always alone. But you threaten the chamberlain just over some cards? Do you really think you're qualified to be Crown Princess after behaving like this?"
The heavy voice attacked me sharply—but I felt a flicker of relief.
Father is misunderstanding me right now.
"It wasn't just cards. Someone mocked me by impersonating His Royal Highness the Crown Prince—it was an insult to House Madeleine."
"Why was it an insult to Madeleine?"
"Pardon?"
"Didn't you hear? I asked why you were mocked and why Madeleine was insulted."
Those beautiful purple eyes were emotionless—as if looking at a complete stranger.
His cold, cutting words made me gasp, as if they'd stabbed deep into my lungs.
This is the father I haven't seen in such a long, long time.
He frowned when he saw my face every morning. He never called me to his drawing room.
But that was because my efforts hadn't reached Father yet.
Father had brought me here even though I'd been alone. He'd let me stay with the wonderful Duchess for a little while. He'd let me meet my brothers and sisters. He'd let me wear pretty silk dresses and eat delicious food, and...
Oh, that's right. He made me sit beside Leopold—the most precious seat of all.
Father knew I liked Leopold. He'd said it was a rare position I wouldn't have been able to occupy if I weren't Princess Madeleine.
The more I counted, the more reasons there were.
"Me too."
My voice shook for some reason. I clenched my fists.
"I'm Madeleine too."
The words that burst out toward the Duke trembled.
The moment he looked at me impassively, I realized—
"If you want to claim to be Madeleine, then act like Madeleine."
There's still a line between Father and me.
"Behave properly. Don't drag Madeleine into such filthy rumors again."
Cold eyes. Words of hatred toward me—as if everything was my fault.
All of this is the same as when I was a child, when my arm was being held and I couldn't say anything.
Then and now, there was only one thing I could say.
I muttered softly as I squeezed my hands together:
"I didn't do anything."
"You didn't do anything—yet those rumors surround you anyway?"
"...Yes."
"Then what did you do at the Crown Prince's Palace?"
"That was... just—"
It was my effort to protect Madeleine. Even if I'm ignored, Madeleine isn't a place where that should happen. I thought that if I protected Madeleine together with Father, I'd become a little closer to him.
The Duke looked down at me reproachfully.
What I wanted was just one span closer. But we're still ten spans apart.
"...Get out."
The Duke glared at me as if bored.
I turned and looked blankly around the drawing room one last time.
Every time I'd passed that oak door, I'd wondered what was inside.
The portrait hanging above the fireplace was exactly as it had been painted fourteen years ago—before I entered this house.
The Duchess smiling brightly. Father looking affectionate. Conrad and Jade laughing mischievously. Fairy-like Ethella.
As if time passed them by, this place remains exactly the same as it was fourteen years ago. Frozen in place—because they're full of hatred for me.
I consciously took a breath.
I feel like I can't breathe...
---
I don't know how I made it up to my room.
Lying on the bed still in my dress, I looked at the ceiling.
I had a gliding silk canopy full of gorgeous lace—expensive to look at from every angle.
My stomach felt empty.
Did I skip dinner?
After thinking deeply, I shook my head and buried my face in the bed again.
The soft blanket touched my cheeks coldly.
All sound seemed to have disappeared.
I just wanted something very small.
Even if I don't have the kind of affection where someone would risk everything like the chamberlain—just... "You did well." Or "Good job." I expected to hear something like that.
At the very least, I thought my best efforts at hiding my trembling hands were worth something.
I raised my hand and looked at it.
Then I suddenly thought:
I'm glad I kept wearing the gloves I got from that man.
At least Father wouldn't have seen my hands shaking. He must have seen the brilliantly shiny gloves first.
Then I laughed bitterly at myself.
If I think about it, there's no way Father would have noticed my hands shaking anyway.
That thought made me laugh harder. I laughed out loud.
When my loud laughter finally died down, my face distorted ever so slightly—then was completely covered by the collar of my blanket.
My back trembled slightly.
Without a single sound escaping.
---
The victory banquet hall was filled with couples clasping hands as if paired.
Olivia Madeleine stood alone again today.
"What does she think she's doing, standing there alone dressed like someone's partner?"
"Exactly. I'd rather not wear those clothes at all. She's just advertising that the Crown Prince was taken away by Lady Ethel."
It was just as the nobles said.
Leopold, wearing a red uniform, stood beside Maria Ethel in her pink dress. Not beside Olivia in her red dress—meant to match his red uniform as his partner.
I made eye contact with Leopold across the distance.
One corner of his mouth rose in a smirk.
A wonderful smile and a crooked yet charming attitude. Leopold knows me too well. So this game must be easy for him.
Everything—being with Maria Ethel, what happened at the Crown Prince's Palace—all of it.
I looked ahead as if nothing was happening.
If I act like nothing's wrong, then nothing really is wrong. Otherwise, I'll be consumed by shame and humiliation.
I spotted Father and Conrad at a reasonable distance. I was certain they could hear what was being said, but they didn't even pretend to turn toward me.
In such a large banquet hall, I really do feel like a stranger.
My gaze dropped to my hands. Lace gloves caught my eye.
Though I wore jewelry and a dress sent by the imperial palace, I wore gloves given to me by that man.
I lazily lifted my gloved hand.
He was a man I felt strangely at ease with when I was near him.
It was then—
The heavy sound of a horn overwhelmed the banquet hall.
"His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and Her Highness the Crown Princess!"
The servant shouted loudly.
Everyone bowed politely toward the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Princess.
Behind the richly decorated Emperor and Empress, Princess Reina appeared wearing a pure white dress—uncharacteristic of someone who always liked flashy things.
"Hail to the sun and moon of the Empire! We greet Your Majesty the Emperor and the Empress!"
"Ha ha! It's a joyous day, everyone—rise quickly!"
As if to brighten the mood, the Emperor smiled broadly and raised his glass.
Then he looked around the banquet hall and said loudly:
"However—where are today's heroes?"
"Well, that is..."
The chamberlain of the Emperor's palace, standing closest to him, whispered as if embarrassed.
When the Emperor heard those words, he frowned.
"What? They're not here yet?"
Everyone in the banquet hall fell silent.
Even though this is a victory banquet, it's unthinkable to arrive later than the Emperor and Empress.
Just as the Emperor was about to lose his temper—
"His Royal Highness Grand Duke Edwin Lowell Vikander, the Imperial Palace Knights, and the Vikander Knights enter!"
With the servant's voice echoing through the banquet hall, knights in formal livery marched in majestically through the wide-open doors.
I looked at the procession of knights, searching for Jade.
It would be easy to find him with that silver hair—but there are so many people, it's hard to see.
For a moment, everyone watching the procession fell silent.
I turned my head at people's reactions. My eyes widened and blinked rapidly.
Without realizing it, my breath caught.
That man in black livery at the front of the parade of knights...
Tall stature. Hair so black it seemed to reflect even darkness itself. Ruby-colored eyes with a red tint. A beautiful face that made you swallow your admiration involuntarily.
That man is definitely the man I saw on Rahein Street—the one I remembered just moments ago.