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Eileen, choking on the tobacco smoke, could barely answer, holding back a cough that made tears well in her eyes.
"Th-thank you..."
Many soldiers and the Grand Duke's knights smoked.
But Eileen had never felt the smell of tobacco from them.
Because they didn't smoke for several hours before meeting Eileen.
She only occasionally happened to see them smoking by chance.
Eileen knew that Cesare also smoked sometimes, but from him she didn't feel even a slight smell.
Everyone tried to exercise caution, for Eileen did not like tobacco.
For the first time in her life, someone had blown smoke right in her face.
Ornella continued to smoke, seeing perfectly well how Eileen was suffering.
Because of the smoke it was hard for her to breathe, and Ornella herself was frightening; Eileen wanted to leave as soon as possible.
She spoke up hastily:
"Then..."
"Ah, wait a minute." She was about to say goodbye and leave, but Ornella tossed up a hand as if commanding her dog.
Eileen and the maid froze in place, forced to wait.
Slowly finishing the cigarette, Ornella threw the butt on the corridor floor and crushed it with her heel to extinguish the glowing end.
The maid silently pulled out a handkerchief and picked up the butt.
Ornella shook off her dress with a loud noise and only then looked at Eileen.
Eileen, who had been choking in the tobacco smoke, was barely breathing.
Ornella smiled at her.
A smile from which, it seemed, flowers bloomed all around.
Despite all she had just experienced, Eileen couldn't help but admit that Ornella's smile was beautiful.
*‘Such a person is called the Lily of Traon.’*
Her nickname—‘The Lily of Traon’—fitted her perfectly.
She sharply brought her face closer to Eileen's.
"And what can one see here?"
When she reached for her bangs, Eileen flinched and stepped back.
"Scared?
My apologies." A slight smirk lingered on Ornella's lips.
Her lovely pink lips uttered sharp words: "Just became curious.
You understand, Eileen, it's hard to grasp.
Why did His Highness choose exactly you?
I know he is kind to you as the daughter of the deceased wet nurse, but surely he didn't decide to marry out of compassion."
"Objectively speaking..." She fell silent and cast an evaluative look over Eileen.
Her neat brows slightly knitted.
Eileen suddenly felt awkward because of her outfit.
The dress given by Cesare was intended for balls, so today she had chosen the cleanest of what she had.
She’d thought she looked modest but quite decent.
However, in comparison with Ornella, she felt as if in rags.
Her dress was sewn from cheap fabric with minimum details; the only decoration was a few ribbons.
Ornella's dress, on the contrary, said at first glance that it cost a fortune.
Abundance of fabric, embroidered lace, lush frills...
From her even came a pleasant fragrance—she had decorated her hair with live flowers.
Their rich aroma easily overpowered even the tobacco smoke.
Eileen remembered the clock box she’d placed on the sofa in the Grand Duke's residence.
A horribly misplaced, pathetic box.
"It must be hard for you, Eileen.
The mixing of classes must be justified at least to some extent.
Have you prepared a dowry?"
"E-eh..." Eileen was speechless.
She hadn't even thought about it.
Unless it was about a sale, a bride, as a rule, had to provide herself with a dowry.
Of course, her marriage was to some extent forced, but still it was a marriage to a Grand Duke.
Simply appearing empty-handed was unthinkable.
Ornella clicked her tongue, looking at the pale Eileen.
"No mother, no suitable young ladies of the nobility nearby either.
Unsurprising that you have no one to explain even such elementary things to you."
Her words were a hundred times true.
There had been no one who would explain to Eileen the realities of marriage.
She only vaguely realized she was getting married, but the thought hadn't even occurred to her that she needed to actively prepare something.
At most she’d thought how to curb her father.
"What a disaster.
Oh, by the way, I see you have no ring either.
Seems things aren't going very well." Ornella made as if she had only just noticed Eileen's empty left hand.
The latter quickly covered it with her right hand.
From shame her cheeks burned.
"Hm, I'm just about to take a new maid." Ornella grabbed the ribbon on Eileen's dress.
In a silk glove she yanked the ribbon, and it instantly untied.
Eileen looked at the ribbon in her hand.
The end was frayed.
Ornella, as if she had touched something dirty, threw the ribbon away and yanked back her hand.
"I will pay generously."
"..." Eileen bit her lip.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw the maid watching uneasily.
Becoming a maid to an empress was honorable.
Any other young lady of the nobility would have been happy and flattered.
But Eileen was to become Grand Duchess Erzet.
For her, this offer was a clear insult.
Truth be told, she was ashamed to the depths of her soul.
The poverty of House Elrod seemed an unbearable disgrace.
She hated this merciless comparison with the beautiful, lily-like Ornella, emphasizing all the flaws of her appearance and outfit.
But ahead of her lay much more of the same.
She had been prepared for this from the moment she decided to become Grand Duchess Erzet.
In reality it turned out harder than she expected, but she could endure.
Eileen wrinkled her nose, holding back tears.
Then she gathered all the courage she could and replied quietly: "Thank you for the concern.
But...
I don't need anything."
"There is nothing shameful in accepting help in a difficult moment, Eileen." But in response to this edification she again pressed her lips together.
*‘What am I to do about a dowry...’*
Even if she sold the brick house and all the medicines from the laboratory, it still wouldn't be enough for a dowry worthy of the House of the Grand Duke.
Besides, entry to the laboratory was still forbidden to her.
Eileen's shoulders slumped hopelessly, but suddenly Ornella's voice became unusually affectionate.
"Lady Elrod.
If you have difficulties, tell me.
I will help as I can.
Now we are one family, right?"
Eileen was taken aback by such an unexpected turn, but soon realized the reason.
Behind her came the clatter of heels.
By the unhurriedness of the steps she realized at once who it was.
"His Highness Grand Duke Erzet!"
Cesare was walking down the corridor.
Even just walking along the rows of columns, he drew eyes—perhaps because of the billowing tails of his coat.
Military uniform suited him best, but the coat also looked excellent on him.
While Eileen watched him spellbound, Ornella walked with quick steps to Cesare.
On her face was an expression of sincere joy.
"Not seen you for three years.
How are you faring?"
"Long time no see, Lady Parbelini." Cesare replied briefly to the greeting, and a slight blush flared on Ornella's cheeks.
She looked charming.
Eileen watched her from the side.
In her shining eyes, agitated voice, embarrassed gestures, a clear sympathy for Cesare was read.
Obviously he had originally been her intended groom.
Eileen even understood her feelings a little.
It was painful to see that the place next to the one she dreamed of marrying was occupied by someone so unsuitable.
If Eileen heard that Cesare was marrying someone like her, she too would be displeased.
Ornella and Cesare looked together like a painting.
Both stunningly beautiful, a perfect pair.
Eileen felt like a blot that had spoiled this perfect image and just looked at them.
Ornella took out a handkerchief and covered her mouth.
She turned her head, coughed slightly, and apologized: "Forgive me.
It seems I dressed too light..." Her thin whisper was interrupted because Cesare unbuttoned the buttons of his coat.
But her eyes, full of expectation, immediately filled with bewilderment.
"Eileen." Taking off the coat, he called her.
He waited while she approached uncertainly, and then draped it over her shoulders.
The spacious coat enveloped her.
In confusion Eileen grabbed the tails of the coat and raised her eyes to him.
Cesare adjusted the slightly displaced cuffs and said: "Wear it.
You're cold."