"There is no way to reclaim the White Crystal Mine. Ownership has already been notarized with a magic seal."
The moment Count Yubler finished speaking, the Princess let out a soft, dangerous laugh.
The atmosphere in the drawing room grew threatening—as though it might explode at any moment.
But the Count did not regret his words. He merely suppressed the anger boiling within him and delivered the truth as calmly as he could manage.
Even though the Princess had known he was on leave due to his wife's illness, she had summoned him as though the matter were truly urgent. That was why he had entered the palace, leaving behind his wife—who had been suffering from childbed fever for several agonizing days.
And for what?
"Find a way to retrieve the White Crystal Mine that was handed over to Princess Madeleine. I expect it done by tomorrow, if possible."
The Princess's carefree voice—as though the answer were obvious—echoed through his memory.
Count Yubler clenched his fists once more.
---
---
"I understand, Your Majesty. As you instructed, I shall wear the white dress from now on."
It was a scene from his engagement party, long ago.
Olivia's face—responding with that wounded expression—flickered before his eyes once more.
Somehow... all my memories of Olivia are like this.
Leopold spoke to Maria, struggling to suppress the growing discomfort within him.
"Let's take a walk."
Maria said with sparkling eyes that she would stop by the garden briefly.
Taking advantage of the moment, Leopold quietly summoned his aide, Count Hodges.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"...Find out how Olivia is doing."
Normally, Leopold wouldn't have spared a single thought for such matters.
What was that expression on Olivia's face?
Leopold clicked his tongue in annoyance.
And Olivia's sorrowful voice retreated once more into the depths of his memory.
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