"Your Highness, do you really not know about the 'Devil's Gift'?"
I'd come out for a walk at night, feeling restless. When I scolded Adrian for not even bringing a candle, he laughed softly and asked that question.
"Devil's Gift? This is the first I've heard of it."
In response to my answer, Adrian turned his gaze toward the flowers spread throughout the garden. Dark purple flowers swayed whenever the wind blew.
The sight was as beautiful as a night sea with gentle waves undulating across its surface.
"That's the name of those flowers. They're from the demon world—they don't exist in the human world."
"No wonder... I was amazed to see flowers still blooming in the flower beds even in this cold weather."
"That's not the only interesting thing about them."
Adrian held out his hand to me with a smile.
"Would you like to take a walk through the flower fields with me?"
I took Adrian's politely extended hand and slowly stepped forward. By the time we reached the border where the purple flower field began—
"Spread your other hand toward the flowers, Your Highness."
"Toward the flowers?"
At Adrian's sudden request, I stretched out my hand with a puzzled expression. As I walked through the flower field, feeling the soft petals against my palm—
I let out a gasp of admiration at the beautiful sight unfolding before my eyes.
"What... what is this...?"
As I walked through the field, everywhere I touched, the flowers began to emit a mysterious purple light.
Under the night sky, soft light from countless flowers embroidered the darkness. I touched the flowers over and over again, enjoying the mysterious glow that appeared each time, like a child.
Adrian smiled happily while watching me.
"The forests of the demon world are very dark. If you come across this flower when you're lost, you're considered lucky. That's why they're called the Devil's Gift."
"I see... Why didn't anyone tell me until now? Mina and Adrian, you're both terrible for keeping this secret."
Adrian looked at me in silence for a while as I became completely enchanted by the flowers.
"...Because it's such a beautiful flower, in the demon world, people often look at these flowers with their lovers and promise their love."
"So everyone probably assumed Your Highness would naturally know about them."
Adrian's eyes lowered slightly.
"After all, for Your Highness... the Grand Duke is here."
Only then did I realize why Adrian was looking at me with such pity in his eyes. This was where it became apparent that I hadn't received Cedric's love.
I felt embarrassed and looked into the distance.
"It's all right now that I know. Even if we're not lovers..."
After calming myself, I looked at Adrian again and smiled.
"I'm even happier that my loyal butler, Adrian, told me."
At my words, waves of emotion began to ripple in his blue-violet eyes.
"Your Highness, truly... you are..."
I nodded, the corners of my mouth raised. Adrian smiled softly and picked a flower beside him.
"Then, if I may be presumptuous, there's one more thing..."
As he spoke, he gently placed the flower in my hair, tucking it behind my ear. The moment Adrian's hand, running through my hair, lightly brushed the shell of my ear—
"In the demon world, this flower is placed in the ear of one's lover."
"So they can see their beloved's face more clearly."
Adrian stepped back slightly, looked down at my face, and smiled gently.
"The people of the demon world have a secretly romantic side."
I spoke matter-of-factly, feeling somewhat embarrassed. Adrian let out a small laugh.
"Haha, that's right."
I was slowly raising the corners of my mouth in response to his pleasant smile when—
The sound of a window closing could be heard quietly through the silence.
Is someone still awake at this hour?
The sound seemed to come from the Mansion of Light.
I quickly turned my head, but all I could see there was stillness.
The next day, in the dressing room.
As the finishing touches were being completed, the corners of my mouth kept twitching, so I lowered my head and smiled secretly.
I can't believe I'm going to meet Bianca soon...!
Bianca was the Princess of the Twins Grand Duchy and Cedric's younger sister. Of course, I had to win Bianca's favor to survive. But even if that weren't the reason, I would have wanted to impress her, because—
No matter what anyone says, our Bianca is so cute!
She's adorable!
Bianca was my favorite character after Cedric. The way she showed affection by following Lobelia around was truly the pinnacle of loveliness.
The most attractive thing about that child was her white, plump cheeks. When Lobelia touched those blooming cheeks, Bianca would beam as if she had the whole world.
In the original, after Rebecca left, she came back here, and I thought I'd never see her, but...
My facial muscles began to shake uncontrollably from sheer happiness.
"Y-Your Highness..."
The maids' faces turned pale, as if they'd seen ghosts. Because of my harsh features, my expression seemed to have become even more menacing than I'd intended.
I guess my face is a bit intimidating. Bianca might be scared when she sees me, so I should restrain myself.
However, contrary to my resolve, my excitement continued to soar to the heavens.
Bianca in the novel is nine years old.
She's just before the original story begins, so now she'd be... eight years old?!
She was that cute at nine, and now she's even younger!
Would her cheeks be even puffier?
God, I'm really going crazy...
The corners of my mouth began to twitch uncontrollably.
I quickly lowered my head, barely covering my mouth. At that moment, the hem of Mina's trembling skirt came into view.
When I slowly raised my head, Mina was also looking at me with a terrified expression.
"Your Highness... are you displeased about attending Princess Bianca's welcome ceremony?"
Mina raised the corners of her mouth in an awkward smile, her tone unnaturally high.
"O-of course! Even I would feel terrible if my in-laws came back as if they'd been waiting for me to leave the mansion!"
"I-it's not because Your Highness has a bad temper or is mean, yes..."
She seemed to be subtly insulting me while desperately trying to empathize. Mina and all the staff seemed to think I was angry about Bianca's return.
The muscles on my face—twitching uncontrollably from pleasure—seemed to have fueled their misunderstanding.
But of course, everyone would think that way!
In the original, Rebecca had hated Bianca terribly. That meant Bianca was probably afraid of me now. She might not even be able to speak properly, let alone smile cutely...
"That's not it... I don't want that..."
As I cried out, Mina also started tearing up, her lower lip jutting out. Then, a subtle determination appeared in her eyes.
"Your Highness the Grand Duchess, don't worry! I'll go to the Mansion of Light right now!"
"What are you going to do?"
"Princess Bianca is still young, so she might make mistakes!"
Mina pressed her lips together and nodded vigorously, as if she'd made up her mind.
"I'll make sure... the Princess never goes near Your Highness! I won't let her come near you!"
"What...?!"
"This won't do. I'll go to the Mansion of Light staff right now and get down on my knees and beg them...!"
"No! Absolutely not!"
Mina's eyes widened as I jumped up and shouted.
God, Mina... I want to beg her to come near me. Why are you doing this?
I held both of Mina's hands, barely calming my startled heart.
"Mina, listen carefully. I plan to get along well with Princess Bianca from now on."
"...What?"
Mina let out a quiet laugh, her face saying, Did I hear that wrong?
"I'm thinking of trying to repair my relationship with Princess Bianca. So please don't do anything to interfere. Okay?"
"O-oh? Yes..."
Mina still looked uncertain. And it was the same for the maids around her. It seemed like no one trusted me yet, but they'd see.
"I have to go now."
After checking the time, I stood up quickly.
"Mina, go to Adrian right away, and when the thing I asked for is ready, tell him to bring it to the Mansion of Light immediately."
It was almost time for Bianca to arrive. I hurried my steps until I reached the Mansion of Light.
A group of senior servants could be seen lined up in front of the entrance. And Cedric, talking with his aide in front of them.
Come to think of it...
It's been quite a while.
Cedric was still the same as when I'd last seen him. The body lines perfectly matched his suit, the slow, deliberate movements, and even the overwhelming presence that created a subtle tension.
When I saw him like that, I suddenly remembered Cedric's fascinating eyes looking at me from the garden path.
"Are you going to let me go now?"
I stopped without realizing it.
"Rebecca, you're here."
Cedric noticed me and gave a slight nod, as if telling me to stand next to him. As I gradually moved closer to where Cedric stood, the servants standing behind him lowered their heads with fearful expressions.
"Cedric, how are you?"
"...Thanks to you. You seem to be doing well, too."
I naturally approached Cedric's side. Soon, Adrian, who had followed me, placed the gift he'd brought in front of us. It was a huge wreath with flowers arranged in the shape of Princess Bianca's initials, which I'd specially ordered from Adrian the other day.
"I thought the place to welcome Princess Bianca would be too empty. I asked Adrian to make a wreath."
At my words, everyone present looked at the wreath, then at me. It was surprising—not only had I attended Bianca's welcome ceremony, but I'd even prepared a welcome wreath. But strangely enough, Cedric's eyes kept turning toward Adrian.
Even as Adrian walked toward the group of servants, Cedric just continued to stare at him.
Hmm, it seems like Cedric is coveting my talented butler... Should I brag about him now?
I turned my head slightly toward Adrian and spoke again.
"Our Adrian is so skilled. You can trust him and leave things to him—he knows my tastes well."
"...Our Adrian?"
When I turned around at the sudden attractive low sound, I immediately made eye contact with Cedric. Eyes so intense they felt almost sensual. It was the moment when that unique gaze fell even more heavily on my face—
"...?"
"You don't like lilies."
Cedric's lips slowly opened again.
"I'm afraid I know you better than 'your Adrian.'"