The corridor of the Crown Prince's palace.
Count Hodges, having received fresh news, hurried toward the Prince's office. Before he could even catch his breath, he knocked on the door and received a brief permission to enter.
A flicker of confusion crossed Count Hodges's face as he opened the door almost simultaneously with the response.
"I greet you, Your Highness."
Leopold did not seem to notice—
"What brings the Young Duke of Madeleine here?"
—but Conrad noticed immediately. He masked Count Hodges's visible embarrassment and gestured toward the documents in his hands.
"I have come on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He mentioned that Your Highness wished to receive a report regarding the invitation to the Heferti delegation."
"You must be quite busy. Thank you for your efforts."
Ritual courtesies were exchanged. Meanwhile, Leopold reviewed the list of envoys and half-heartedly lifted his pen.
"When did you say the delegation would arrive?"
"Your Highness, I have received confirmation that they will arrive the day after tomorrow—the first day of the summer banquet."
"A day late."
It was an indifferent reprimand—one that did not account for the travel time from Heferti to the Empire. But rather than pointing this out, Conrad merely lowered his head in silence.
Leopold regarded that face with casual interest, then tilted his head.
Cool, falling silver hair. A somewhat cold expression.
Conrad's face reminded him of someone—just barely, at first glance.
He could have dismissed it, but an unidentifiable, blurry afterimage lingered in his mind. Jade Madeleine was Conrad's brother, so their resemblance was natural—but Leopold had never met the youngest Princess.
As he gradually narrowed down the possibilities, a name surfaced clearly in his thoughts.
Olivia Madeleine.
As the hazy face sharpened into focus, Leopold's expression slowly hardened.
The Olivia that came immediately to mind was not the one who had always yearned for his affection like a devoted puppy.
"Olivia Madeleine. I shall greet you again soon—as Grand Duchess Vikander."
It was the Olivia who had departed Tiase Palace with her back turned to him.
"I hope you stay well until then."
With his brows furrowed, Leopold shook his head lightly.
It was a mistake to think Olivia resembled the Duke of Madeleine. The Duke was always blunt and cold—whereas Olivia had desired his affection to the point where it had inspired pity.
They could not be more dissimilar.
Leopold closed the payment folder as though putting away his thoughts. His cool, handsome eyes narrowed at Conrad.
"Then, regarding the delegation matter—"
Taking advantage of Conrad's pause as he arranged the documents, Leopold pressed toward the true purpose of this summons. The real reason he had called Conrad here—using the delegation business as a convenient excuse.
"It has been quite some time since the Duke last contacted the Princess. Surely the Young Duke—being her brother—would know something of her news?"
Words laden with intent were directed at Conrad.
But what made Conrad uncomfortable was not Leopold's criticism of his father. It was the name Olivia itself.
"...I apologize, Your Highness."
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