Chapter 4
Will he not come today either?
Olivia swallowed a sigh. The tea had long gone cold. It was already half past three.
Two o’clock on Wednesday afternoon—a cup of tea in the outdoor garden of the Crown Princess’s palace.
Though it had been an official appointment for three years, Leopold showed his face only a handful of times each year.
On days he broke his promise, all he ever did was send an extravagant bouquet or jewels a day or two later. For the past few weeks, he had even started adding cards to the bouquets.
– My apologies, Lady. An unexpected meeting came up.
– I ran into an old friend and our conversation went on too long.
– It’s a shame I couldn’t come—I had a headache.
Olivia shrugged her shoulders. Yet the disappointment didn’t fade. It was always like this—hoping alone, disappointed alone. Hoping again, and again, disappointed.
From a distance, the maids’ gazes stung.
No matter how carefully she composed her expression to seem unaffected, she couldn’t escape their sharp, predator-like stares—especially those of Countess Cheyze, who had become the Empress’s new chess piece just two months ago.
Last time, too, she’d been scolded by the Empress for failing to capture the Crown Prince’s heart. She couldn’t afford to give them any more reason to criticize her.
She had truly wanted to see Leopold today—her fiancé, whose bright, refreshing smile was so utterly charming.
She’d grown annoyed, yet found herself missing him again. After all, no matter how often Leopold made Olivia wait, she knew she could never truly hate him.
Because she’d liked Leopold ever since she first saw him at age nine.
“Become Crown Princess.”
That day had been Leopold’s eleventh birthday. The Duke spoke to young Olivia with a voice as cold and sharp as a blade.
“You’re not so stupid that you can’t even manage that one thing.”
The Duke’s eyes narrowed—eyes that appraised her usefulness just as her mother’s had when inspecting meat at the market. Olivia’s heart sank sharply.
“I can do it well!”
She didn’t fully understand the Duke’s words, yet Olivia answered with firm confidence.
It was the first time. The Duke had spoken to her first.
A hopeful swell rose within her—if she succeeded, perhaps her father would keep speaking to her from now on.
But that hope shattered cruelly the moment she stepped into the grand banquet hall.
“So you’re that Madelaine bastard?”
Her mind went blank. The children’s cruel words kept coming.
“Isn’t it because of her that the Duchess passed away?”
“Exactly! My mother said the same.”
“What’s a non-heir doing here anyway?”
She decided not to remember how that moment passed. After all, that painful scene had been saved by a single sentence from Leopold, beautiful as an angel.
“What a pretty name—Olivia.”
Even now at twenty, Olivia remembered clearly Leopold’s gentle smile at age eleven—the real angel who appeared where no one else would help her.
From that moment, Olivia had loved Leopold. For eleven long years.
So even when made to wait like this, Olivia endured. Because she believed that someday—very soon—if she did her very best, Leopold would look at her again.
The hazy old memory was still beautiful. Olivia gave a faint smile and rose from her seat. The maids approached, and Countess Cheyze at their forefront spoke.
“Are you leaving the palace? Her Imperial Highness the Princess called for you—it’d be best to go quickly.”
A summons from the Princess? What task would she assign this time? Hopefully something simple like flower arrangements, as before.
She recalled how, a few months ago, she’d secretly restored the Princess’s estate after it fell into spring bankruptcy. The Princess had told her to use her private funds first, then went silent—only reappearing casually once Olivia had truly spent her own money to fix everything.
Under the pretense of testing Olivia’s suitability as Crown Princess, the Princess always confidently dumped her own duties onto Olivia.
There was the supposedly depleted White Quartz Mine, and before that, the necklace from a fallen kingdom. She’d even once demanded Olivia bring back a baby dragon known only in myths.
Worry settled heavily in Olivia’s chest—would another impossible order fall upon her?
“…Thank you for letting me know, Madam. I have a brief errand at the Crown Prince’s palace first, but I’ll visit Her Highness right after.”
“The Crown Prince’s palace? Isn’t that a place just anyone can enter, my lady? No matter how much His Highness wishes to see you, you must still maintain your dignity—”
“Madam.”
At Olivia’s low, quiet voice cutting her off, Countess Cheyze startled momentarily, blinking with her mouth agape.
The Countess couldn’t believe it. The person before her was unmistakably Olivia Madelaine—the Madelaine family’s filthy bastard.
Yet the overwhelming presence, those frosty green eyes like shards of ice—unconsciously, the Countess let out a small, choked sound.
In an instant, Olivia’s eyes softened gently.
“Thank you for your concern.”
“A-ah, um, y-yes, my lady.”
Flustered by Olivia’s light bow, the Countess stammered. Olivia turned away with a faint smile.
Only when that elegant back had receded into the distance did the Countess realize Olivia was walking toward the Crown Prince’s palace.
“It’s been a while, Lady. I hope you’ve been well?”
The moment Olivia entered the Crown Prince’s palace, the Head Steward appeared. He looked briefly surprised but quickly greeted her with practiced grace.
He had reason to be surprised—despite Leopold breaking countless promises, Olivia had never once come looking for him.
“Thank you, Head Steward. I’ve come to see His Highness.”
Instead of immediately guiding her to Leopold or announcing her arrival, the Head Steward hesitated briefly.
“Is His Highness away from the palace?”
“…Well.”
The Head Steward faltered. Unpleasant thoughts began bubbling up—when suddenly, a kind and beautiful voice rang out.
“Oh my—Lady Madelaine, isn’t it?”
At the woman’s voice calling her, Olivia turned around.
“…Lady?”
Her strength drained instantly at Leopold’s voice.
Leopold, whom she’d waited for all afternoon, was walking toward her from the palace’s rear garden—accompanied by a beautiful blonde noblewoman.
“…I pay my respects to the Empire’s little sun. Olivia Madelaine, here to see Your Highness.”
Olivia briefly held her breath. She forced the corners of her mouth upward, pretending indifference—though her lips trembled slightly. She deliberately spoke gently.
“…And Lady Etel as well. It’s been a while.”
Lady Maria Etel, youngest and beloved daughter of House Etel.
…And the Crown Prince’s former lover, excluded from Leopold’s engagement due to Duke Etel’s influence among the nobility.
Her vision whitened. Olivia clenched the fabric of her dress tightly.
Leopold looked perfectly fine—so much so that her earlier worry over whether something might have happened to him now seemed foolish.
Leopold furrowed one eyebrow—a habit that always appeared when something displeased him.
“…What brings you here?”
His voice sounded genuinely clueless. In that moment, Olivia remembered how giddy she’d been since yesterday just at the thought of seeing Leopold—and felt a faint pang of sadness.
“…Since Your Highness didn’t come, I worried something might have happened. I didn’t realize you had a guest.”
Though she wasn’t sure if calling Maria Etel a “guest” was quite right.
Olivia struggled to soften her increasingly stiff tone. Even from afar, Leopold and Maria appeared unusually close—displaying an intimacy that seemed deliberate.
He was a man who never offered his closeness to just anyone.
He’d always kept a careful distance from her.
Yet Maria stood so easily beside him. Realizing this, a part of Olivia’s heart plummeted.
“What’s your business here? Without even sending word.”
Olivia bit her lip. It was confirmation—final and cruel.
Meanwhile, the Head Steward hurried to Leopold’s side and whispered something.
Only then did understanding flicker across Leopold’s face. A look of awkwardness passed through his eyes before vanishing instantly.
“Now that you mention it, today’s already Wednesday.”
“Already,” Olivia replied lightly, feigning indifference.
“Yes. Already Wednesday.”
Wednesday was the day Olivia looked forward to most each week. Ever since leaving the palace with a broken promise, she’d awaited next Wednesday.
Whether summoned by the Empress or the Princess, or entering the palace to manage Crown Princess affairs, or suppressing the urge to just see his face once—she always waited for Wednesday.
She’d thought the worst possibility was that Leopold, who rarely appeared even on their appointed day, might dislike her showing up unannounced on another day.
…But forgetting their appointment entirely and looking at her with clear discomfort—that was a depth of cruelty she’d never imagined.
As her thoughts tangled, Leopold walked toward her.
“Lately I’ve been so absentminded I even forgot the day. Olivia—did you wait long?”
“Not very long.”
“Oh dear. My fiancée seems quite upset.”
Leopold said softly, as if regretful, extending his hand with a handsome smile.
“I’d like to make it up with a date. How about next Monday?”
“What a pretty name—Olivia.”
Was it the brilliant sunlight, or his gentle voice? Though clearly angry and hurt, old memories overlapped with the present.
Her wounded heart cried out to refuse—but that kind voice held her heart firmly.
It was a battle she’d already lost.
Olivia Madelaine loved Leopold Franz,
and Leopold Franz knew that very well.
“…I’d be glad to.”
Olivia placed her hand atop Leopold’s. He smiled brightly and kissed the back of her hand.
His sparkling blue eyes met hers. Even his arrogant gaze—confident this would happen—left Olivia helpless.
Her heart ached, but she soothed herself.
It’ll be alright soon. His Highness is making an effort—things will get better soon.
She felt Maria’s piercing stare from afar but chose to ignore it.
That was why Olivia didn’t know.
As Leopold and Maria approached, a tiny, hairline crack had formed in her heart—already strained to its limits each time.
Olivia smiled brightly, turning away from it all.
.
.
.
“I’ll prepare your carriage at once.”
Seeing her off was the Head Steward’s duty. He spoke while avoiding Olivia’s gaze. Olivia gave a faint smile. Why did he act as though he’d done something wrong?
After all, Leopold had already entered the palace with Maria Etel.
“It’s fine. I’ve just been summoned by Her Highness the Princess. The weather’s lovely—let’s take a walk.”
“Isn’t the Verdant Palace rather far, my lady?”
“The Verdant Palace?”
“Yes. Her Highness specifically wished to hold today’s tea party there.”
The Head Steward trailed off as if he’d just realized something. Tea parties were usually held at the Princess’s own palace—without any prior notice, it seemed the Princess had firmly decided to make Olivia suffer today.
“Thank you for telling me. I’ll walk anyway.”
Olivia began to walk.
The palace gardens were beautiful, the sunlight warm. Olivia held her breath quietly, then exhaled.
It was strange. Normally, one deep breath would calm her—but today, the tightness in her chest since morning wouldn’t ease. Before she knew it, her wandering steps had already brought her to the Verdant Palace.
In the distance, noblewomen were enjoying the tea party. Princess Reina, seated at the place of honor, smiled beautifully, seemingly in high spirits.
Noticing Olivia, the Princess’s gaze swept the area. The noblewomen sensed it too—their laughter ceased, and unfriendly stares poured down.
“I pay my respects to Your Highness.”
“…Lady. You arrived sooner than expected. I suppose your meeting with my brother wasn’t very pleasant?”
Her teasing tone cut sharply.
“Not at all. His Highness merely heard of Your Highness’s summons and told me to come quickly.”
Everyone knew it was a fabrication, yet no one dared challenge her. The Princess gave a faint smile and stared pointedly at an empty seat at the table.
A seat placed above even Lady Ribeorn’s—a seating arrangement whose intent was painfully obvious. The Princess blinked innocently, as if knowing nothing.
“It’s time a new face appeared at my tea party. By the way, has the little Lady’s health improved?”
“…My apologies. As you know, my youngest sister is rather frail.”
“Oh dear. How unfortunate.”
The Princess sighed with a face showing no trace of actual sympathy. Olivia studied her carefully.
Lately, the Princess had been mentioning Essela more often.
Given that the Duke kept delaying Essela’s debut into society with various excuses, the Princess surely knew Essela wouldn’t be here.
What was her intention?
“It would be lovely if Lady joined us for this tea party.”
“Oh dear, Your Highness—Lady is standing right before you.”
“Oh!”
The Princess’s eyes widened in feigned surprise. Her sea-like beautiful eyes gleamed with pitch-black malice.
So this was it.
The Princess smiled awkwardly, as if embarrassed.
“I didn’t mean it that way, Lady. The tea’s gone cold, but will you join us?”
“Oh my—unfortunately, it seems difficult for Lady to join us. Today’s theme is springtime, and Lady is…”
Lady Ribeorn quickly scanned Olivia. Other noblewomen chimed in beside her.
“She looks like a swamp—wearing that sticky, dark gray dress.”
“Now that you mention it, Lady must dislike bright colors. I’ve never once seen her wear anything vibrant.”
“Excuse me, Margaret—perhaps bright colors simply don’t suit her.”
Their coordination was so precise it seemed rehearsed. The noblewomen, having spoken at length, now subtly sized Olivia up.
Among these ladies who clearly expected her to be hurt, Olivia swallowed a bitter smile. Compared to the stares at banquets, this was mere dessert. The humiliation of standing alone was something she could easily endure.
“Oh!”
Just then, everyone’s attention shifted. Nobles were pouring out—apparently a meeting had ended. At the front of the approaching group, her father appeared.
Unconsciously, Olivia opened her mouth.
“Ah—”
The moment their eyes met, her father smoothly looked away. Other nobles glanced briefly at Olivia standing alone. No one joined her in that clearly awkward scene.
Once the nobles had passed, the noblewomen smiled sweetly again. Whispers of “I knew it” brushed past Olivia.
“The Duke must be terribly busy, Lady.”
The Princess spoke with a mocking tone. The hope Olivia hadn’t even realized she’d harbored dissolved like foam.
She’d been fine just moments ago—but now felt as if drenched in filth, utterly wretched.
Had something truly settled on her? Olivia exhaled once more.
She tried to brush it off lightly—just a cold-like ailment from constantly suppressing her feelings.
It was an unusually harsh day.
