"His Royal Highness is arriving."
At the maid's urgent announcement, Baroness Sopron hurried out of the bedroom. The other maids followed, preparing to welcome the Prince.
The sound of approaching horses grew louder outside the window. Maria slowly rose from the bed. She said nothing as a maid came over to adjust her pillows more comfortably. The servant's hesitation gave the impression she was watching Maria carefully.
This was exactly as it should be.
Maria twitched the corner of her lip. This heart-pounding, ecstatic feeling of superiority. Her father's words—that she should be merciless toward those beneath her who did not obey—were showing clear results. She had been foolish to treat them leniently, thinking they were her people.
"The maid outside. Tell her to remain somewhere I cannot see."
"Yes."
The maid lowered her head and departed the bedroom. She no longer addressed Maria as "Young Lady."
Everything was proceeding perfectly. Baroness Sopron, who had been so stiff-necked, had bowed her head to her. The same was true for the maids who had been impolite. And this bedroom—the Crown Prince's private chamber, a forbidden space no one else could enter...
"Even Princess Madeleine was never permitted to enter there."
Maria suddenly recalled the moment when she had requested this room. The maid's voice—clearly embarrassed—echoed in her memory.
"Yes. I shall guide you immediately."
The stern face of Baroness Sopron, who had led her to the bedroom without a word of objection, despite her obvious reluctance.
Now, if only Leopold discovers this situation, my task is complete.
Before she knew it, the sunlight pouring through the window was painting the roof of Tiase Palace in brilliant hues. It was beautiful scenery—like Maria's shining golden hair.
It was then that the bedroom door flew open without a knock.
There was only one person who would enter like that. The lover she adored so much that her heart trembled at his presence.
"Leopold!"
Joy, sorrow, and complaint crossed over Maria's beautiful face in succession. She wanted Leopold to rush to her side and comfort her.
But Maria, who had turned toward Leopold, froze without realizing it.
Leopold's face was unlike anything she had seen before. This was the first time he had looked at her with such a terrifying expression...
As she thought this in a daze, Maria clenched her fists, struck by a sudden sense of déjà vu.
No—once. She had seen it once before. In the drawing room of this palace. The day she had heard uncertain reports about the Grand Duke and Olivia's attendance at the summer banquet.
"If you lack a cause, you must create one."
Unbelievably, Leopold had treated her with such coldness that it had stolen her breath away.
A bluish fear washed over Maria's fragile face—a face that seemed ready to shatter at any moment.
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