"Sister, where are you going?"
It was a sunny Monday morning. Ethella, coming down the stairs, spotted me and her eyes sparkled.
I must have looked excited today in my dark green dress. The only time I made a face like this was every Wednesday—when I had my appointment with the Crown Prince.
I answered indifferently:
"I just need to go out for a while."
"That's not 'just' anything, my lady! His Royal Highness asked Miss Olivia out on a separate date—we're on our way there now!"
Instead of me, Sally spoke with immense pride.
"Oh my goodness! It really seems like His Highness the Crown Prince likes my sister very much. I knew it!"
The confidence shining in Ethella's eyes as she ran down the stairs in one go made me laugh a little.
"Sister..."
Suddenly, Ethella made a soft, admiring sound.
"Hmm?"
"Really—your smile is so pretty! I just know His Royal Highness will fall in love with you all over again today!"
"That's right! You look like a fairy when you smile!"
Ethella, who had been quietly looking at me, suddenly sighed.
"Sister."
"Yes?"
"Of course dark colors are pretty on you, but bright colors would look really good too! Let's go get dresses together next time!"
Sally nodded enthusiastically in agreement:
"That's right, my lady! You always choose dark colors, but something bright and colorful would be so pretty on you."
I smiled vaguely and played with the hem of my dress.
A piece of memory with Leopold—one I'd written down in my diary long ago—came to mind.
"The Princess isn't the flashy type."
That was what Leopold had said to me while I wore a white dress on our engagement day—when I was fourteen.
When I'd returned home, I'd put away that white dress as if sealing it away.
I never wore a brightly colored dress again.
"Wait—how about this?"
Ethella suddenly took off a necklace with a pink gem and hung it around my neck before I could refuse.
She pushed me gently toward the front door.
"See? I told you bright colors look good on you! So have a wonderful trip, and be sure to tell me all about your date later! Promise?"
Before heading out, I looked back at Ethella and pursed my lips.
"Thank you for lending it to me. I'll have a nice trip."
Ethella smiled brightly, waving at me until the carriage pulled away.
She turned to Veronica, her dedicated maid:
"It's a secret that I lent the necklace to Sister, okay? Got it?"
If my brothers find out, they'll be cruel to me again.
Ethella grinned, already dreaming big.
Even though I'm still pushed back by my brothers' interference, once I have a successful debutante, I'll always be by Sister's side.
Veronica swallowed a groan as she looked at the brightly smiling young lady.
---
A fact that everyone knows—but at the same time, a fact that only the Young Lady must never know. The truth we must never let her discover.
"Ethella must never know."
The Duke's command—which Veronica had heard on the day she became the Young Lady's dedicated maid—still echoed in her ears.
Even if it weren't an actual order, Veronica didn't want the Young Lady to know.
She's such a precious Young Lady. I could never let her find out what happened to the sister she trusts and loves so much.
---
The meeting place was a coffeehouse on Rahein Street.
Taking my seat, I looked down at the necklace.
The softly sparkling pink jewel was very pretty.
Does something this flashy really suit me?
I shook my head as worry quickly flooded in.
Ethella said it looked good on me, so it will definitely look good in Leopold's eyes too.
It was my first date outside the imperial palace. My lips naturally curved upward as I thought of Leopold.
Leopold said he was looking forward to today too.
I remembered the contents of the card I'd kept looking at last night.
It would be nice if every day could be like this.
My happy thoughts kept spreading—sweet as spun sugar.
I'll spend time with Ethella. Go on dates with Leopold. Then we'll all eat together in harmony, and Father and my brothers will smile at me.
It's so sweet just imagining it—how happy would I be when it becomes reality?
It was then—
The door to the private drawing room burst open.
"You came early, my lady."
Leopold strode through the open door. His gorgeous golden clothes—matching his hair—suited him beautifully.
One side of my chest felt tight.
It's sweeter than I imagined. A day like cotton candy.
I smiled brightly.
At that moment, Leopold's mouth twitched.
"I greet the little sun of the Empire."
---
Leopold thought of last Wednesday—when Olivia had come to visit his palace.
Not only did she take away my lover Maria Ethel's rightful place, but she also stole the time we spent together.
Leopold sat down.
"You know, Your Highness, please spend time with the Princess—at least for today. Don't you need to maintain the relationship with Madeleine?"
His adjutant's nagging throughout the carriage ride had been well-intentioned.
If everything had gone according to plan, I would have at least pretended to comfort Olivia by spending time together.
But any intention to do so has already been cut away.
Leopold grinned.
"You're always so diligent."
"Ah—thank you, Your Highness."
"I was planning to come early today. To wait for you and act like a gentleman. You make me late every time."
There was deep discomfort in the voice that cut her off mid-sentence.
Surprised, I looked at Leopold.
One of his handsome eyebrows quirked up. My heart dropped.
What's wrong? Leopold's face looked perfectly fine when he first came in...
"I-I didn't mean to do that. I just... wanted to see you quickly."
"Ha ha. I was joking. You're too serious, Princess."
Leopold smiled brightly and gestured casually.
A servant standing against the wall approached and set a hot teapot, teacups, and refreshments on the table.
While everything proceeded smoothly, I was the only one who couldn't keep up with the atmosphere.
Really... was it a joke?
I quietly studied Leopold's face. He raised his teacup with an elegant gesture.
"It smells quite good."
Leopold's brow softened. When our eyes met, his blue eyes—like the sea—curved kindly.
"I see you like sweets."
I liked them. Until one day when I was seventeen—when Leopold told me I seemed to have gained weight.
But I ignored that fact and smiled.
Leopold's smile instantly calmed my anxiety.
"Thank you."
That's right. It must have been a real joke. Otherwise, there's no reason for Leopold to do that to me.
Leopold picked up a cream cookie and put it in his mouth. His expression was soft, as if he enjoyed the sugar cream melting crisply.
The only sweet snack Leopold—who didn't like sweets—ate with hot tea was a crunchy sugar cream cookie.
Good thing I told them in advance.
I drank my tea, feeling relaxed. The scent was lovely today.
"Ah, something's missing. Bertin."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Count Hodges quickly came to Leopold's side.
What's missing?
I glanced at the table.
"Fig jam. Bring it quickly."
"...Yes."
Count Hodges's answer came one beat late. A strange expression flashed across the face of such a normally composed man.
Fig jam? Leopold liked fig jam?
"It's hard to believe that something the Princess likes is missing."
Tsk...
The sound of a tongue clicking echoed in my memory.
There's news that the Marquis of Ethel purchased a new orchard. So that his beloved youngest daughter, Maria Ethel, could have plenty of her favorite figs.
So... this means...
I felt like I'd been doused with cold water.
I looked at Leopold. His eyes narrowed. Deep blue eyes—kindly curved at the edges—stared coldly at me.
As if anticipating what kind of reaction I would have.
I couldn't even tell whether the temperature touching my palm wrapped around the teacup was hot or cold.
What is his intention? What kind of reaction does he want from me?
In the past, Leopold wasn't very good at keeping promises—but he was kind.
He sent flowers, gifts, and cards apologizing for broken promises. He'd carved time out of his busy schedule to prepare this day.
More than anything—
"It's a pretty name. Olivia."
From the day I first met Leopold at age nine—on his birthday—he had been the person I loved, who showed me brilliant salvation.
So all I could say was this:
"I... liked figs too."
I spoke dryly, as if talking about someone else entirely.
I took my hand off the teacup. Both hands beneath the table pinched each other painfully.
"Didn't you?"
Leopold tilted his head, pretending surprise.
"I quite enjoy eating them during fig season."
Leopold chuckled—as if he'd known this would happen all along.
My eyes felt hot. My sharp fingernails dug into my own hand, terrified that Leopold's image might blur even slightly.
I'll show an ugly side if I let my guard down for even a moment.
I straightened my back.
"Olivia."
"Yes, Your Highness."
The voice that came from my mouth was hard. Fortunately.
Because crying would be the absolute worst.
"Your face looks pale. Are you unwell?"
The true meaning behind his worried tone was clear.
My fingertips trembled, but I didn't even notice the pain anymore.
"You look tired. I'll leave for today."
So this is what Leopold meant by today.
I blinked rapidly. My thick eyelashes felt as if they were about to sink into dampness.
The servant placed fig jam on the table.
When I saw that jam, I actually started laughing.
"Also..."
"Hmm?"
"Your Highness is so kind."
What a shame that kindness never reaches me.
I smiled faintly.
Leopold frowned. I glanced lightly behind him.
While everyone—including Count Hodges—bowed their heads, the youngest servant who had been observing me lowered his gaze.
"Please don't trouble yourself to set aside time like this anymore. So... you don't need to send flowers today either."
This was my last shred of pride.
I don't want to be comforted by flowers anymore.
"Flowers? Are you saying this because you hope I'll send them to you?"
When Leopold chuckled, I thought once again that something was very wrong.
"What kind of flowers do you want to receive from me that you're speaking so directly, Princess?"
Leopold turned and left. Like the ebb of the tide, everyone followed.
When the door closed, I was the only one left in the drawing room.
In this quiet place, I suppressed my miserable feelings and examined the facts.
The precious gifts that came again and again. The flowers that filled my room no matter how many I dried. The flower language that made me so excited. The cards containing sweet consolation.
None of them were sent by Leopold.
A hollow laugh escaped my lips.
Everything looked so perfect until this morning. Now I feel like I'm stuck in mud. Devastated.
No—I'm so helpless my blood feels cold.
Because the flowers and cards I believed were affectionate... were all lies. Because all the hope I'd built around Leopold was denied. Even Ethella's cheerful encouragement and the necklace she gave me—ignored.
Amid the overwhelming emotions, I regained control of my blurring vision.
Don't cry stupidly, Olivia Madeleine.
I muttered to myself. I had to stay composed.
I need to know who provoked me like this.
I blinked my watery eyes several times. My transparent green eyes shone coldly.
I stood and walked to the drawing room door.
The sound of my heels clicking echoed as I rallied my mind.
Not even half an hour has passed since our appointment time. I told Sally to take my purse and come back later. I told the coachman to return in a few hours. Only my escort knight is hidden nearby.
Renting a carriage from a coffeehouse is notoriously risky. Waiting for a private carriage takes time.
How can I get to the royal palace without anyone knowing?
I was about to open the door and leave when—