Chapter 09
The carriage set off.
Seeing the man seated across from her, her furious anger cooled, and reality rushed in.
Riding in a carriage with a man she barely knew—such impulsive behavior was unlike her.
Then again, that man was just as strange. After all, he’d immediately brought a carriage when a woman he hardly knew asked to go to the imperial palace.
Yet, strangely enough, being with him brought her a sense of calm. Perhaps it was due to his thoughtful actions—he’d even lent her his robe when they left the coffee house. No one had known she was Princess Madelaine.
Olivia fiddled with the black robe covering her knees. Once again, bouquets and cards filled her mind.
Gifts impersonating Leopold. So many flowers and presents they could fill an entire room.
Who dared? With what intention? To impersonate the exalted Crown Prince?
Who dared?
Did they scorn Madelaine—and her?
“Take it.”
“Hm?”
While Olivia blinked, the man held out a purple velvet box.
Olivia took it instinctively and paused for a moment.
“Where did this come from?”
“Well, inside this carriage, of course?”
“What is it?”
“You’ll know once you open it.”
The man evaded her with an enigmatic smile. Olivia opened the box amid their playful banter. Inside was—
“Gloves?”
Olivia murmured. It was a unique and lovely design she’d never seen before.
The tightly woven lace sparkled whenever it caught the light.
Ahem. The man cleared his throat. When Olivia looked up from the gloves, he winked playfully at her.
“Surely, after this, you won’t dismiss what I said last time so lightly? If it’s something truly precious, I have it all—just say the word.”
Was this meant as a gift? As Olivia smiled faintly and reached to put them on, she noticed the nail marks on the back of her hand.
Could he have seen them?
She quickly slipped on the gloves. She’d worried about the size, but her hand slid in perfectly—as if they’d been custom-made.
Lifting her hand to examine the gloves, she saw the man beyond her fingers. The moment their eyes met, Olivia felt an odd sensation and curled her fingers inward.
Though she couldn’t see him, she still felt his unmistakable gaze.
By now, the carriage had turned onto the solitary road leading to the imperial palace. Instead of bustling streets, Olivia saw sturdy walls and armed knights of the Imperial Guard. She spoke in a low voice.
“Please let me off a little before the gate.”
“As you wish.”
The man relayed Olivia’s words through the small window connected to the driver’s seat. The carriage headed toward a spot slightly away from the palace’s main gate and gradually slowed to a stop.
It was neither too close nor too far to walk to the gate.
Without being asked, the man pulled his robe’s hood fully over his head. With his face hidden, he resembled a family retainer knight.
He stepped down from the carriage first, then extended his hand toward Olivia as if to escort her. Feeling awkward about being escorted, Olivia hesitated for a moment, gazing at his large hand before lightly placing hers upon it.
Through the thin lace glove, his hand felt far sturdier, larger, and warmer than she’d expected.
Knights of the Imperial Guard approached. Olivia glanced back at the man.
“…Olivia Madelaine. That’s my name.”
“Olivia. A lovely name.”
He spoke as if the surname attached meant nothing to him—as if he already knew she was a princess.
Encouraged by his attitude, Olivia gathered a bit more courage.
“When I come out, will you tell me your name?”
The man didn’t answer. Olivia added softly,
“…I won’t be a bad card to you.”
After all, Madelaine always repaid kindness thoroughly.
And revenge even more clearly.
“Of course, you’d be a splendid card—but unfortunately, not today.”
She’d expected him to agree readily. Instead, the man who’d been so kind suddenly drew a line. Olivia carefully concealed her fluster.
“I see. Thank you for your help.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to tell you my name. It’s just that I must leave now.”
Hearing the regret in his voice, Olivia finally recalled her own words.
“When I come out, will you tell me your name?”
What confidence had made her assume he’d naturally wait for her?
Embarrassed, her face felt hot, and she tried to pull her hand away.
But the man’s hand, still gently holding hers as if escorting her, didn’t let go. When Olivia turned back, he said with a teasing smile,
“Next time. Next time, I’ll surely tell you my name—along with the most precious gift.”
“…As a princess, there aren’t many gifts I couldn’t obtain myself.”
“Then it must be something so rare and precious everyone would envy you—something like, for example…”
He drew out his words slowly.
“A one-of-a-kind sword in the world, forged from both a legendary blade and jewels.”
“…I’ll look forward to it.”
More than the promised gift, it was the promise of seeing him again that softened Olivia’s sharp mood.
Their hands parted, and Olivia walked toward the palace. A knight who recognized her bowed his head.
“Good day, Your Highness. What brings you here?”
“I’d like to go to the Crown Prince’s palace—may I borrow a carriage for a moment?”
“Your Highness, what brings you here today? His Highness the Crown Prince went to Ruehern Street to meet you.”
The moment Olivia arrived at the Crown Prince’s palace, the head steward greeted her with a flustered expression, standing before the lined-up servants.
Had their paths simply crossed differently, or had Leopold not appeared at the meeting place? Countless worries flickered across the steward’s face.
“I’m on my way back from seeing His Highness. Steward. But more importantly, there’s something I need to verify.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The seasoned steward immediately dismissed those nearby and led Olivia to the reception room.
The door to the Crown Prince’s reception room—where not even a whisper could escape—closed behind them. Olivia sat on the sofa before the tea table and looked straight at the steward.
“You probably know that whenever His Highness missed our Wednesday appointment, he always sent flowers and gifts.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I’m aware.”
“But His Highness himself didn’t know.”
A flash of “Oh no” crossed the steward’s face.
“Were you the one who tried to humiliate me?”
“Your Highness, no! Humiliate? I merely—”
The steward couldn’t continue.
“Were you also the one who sent the card?”
“What card, Your Highness?”
The steward’s voice faltered in apparent confusion. Olivia gave a cold smile.
“So you didn’t even know that a card impersonating His Highness was mixed in with the gifts sent from the Crown Prince’s palace.”
“W-What are you saying!”
The steward’s eyes widened in shock.
Leaving the storm brewing in the reception room behind, a palace maid slipped silently across the courtyard.
She was heading toward the Empress’s quarters.
.
.
.
“So, in other words,”
Olivia counted on her fingers one by one.
“The gifts sent to me from the Crown Prince’s palace were indeed sent—but you can’t reveal who sent them. And you know absolutely nothing about the card.”
“……”
“…Is that all you can say, Steward?”
“…I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“Steward.”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
“You may or may not know this, but I rather like people like you.”
Instead of replying, the steward stared at Olivia, trying to decipher her intent from her unexpected remark.
The steadfast steward who had served Leopold since childhood.
Olivia gave a gentle smile.
“Whether it’s gifts or flowers—what truly matters? Whoever sent them and for whatever reason, as long as they came from the Crown Prince’s palace and comforted my heart, they’ve served their purpose.”
“Your Highness.”
“But the card is different.”
At the mention of the card, the steward’s eyes wavered again. Olivia couldn’t believe that look of genuine ignorance—especially not from someone as loyal as him.
“…I can’t believe it. That someone in this palace would dare send a card impersonating royalty—His Highness the Crown Prince himself—to me.”
“But it happened. You didn’t even know the card had been delivered. That’s precisely why I came here today.”
“……”
“Even so, if you don’t step forward, my ability to uncover the truth is limited. You, better than anyone, know that as a princess—not yet the official Crown Princess—I have no authority to command His Highness’s steward.”
Olivia gave a bitter smile. The steward remained silent.
“But what if I exercised my authority over the stewards of Tiaze Palace? At worst, rumors would spread that the princess acted outrageously. And you know, two months ago, your youngest son entered the palace as an apprentice steward of Tiaze Palace.”
“……!!!”
The steward’s stoic mask shattered instantly.
He should have realized.
The steward clasped his trembling hands tightly together.
A year ago, the princess had been granted actual authority over Tiaze Palace, the Crown Princess’s residence. Compared to past fiancées, who typically received such authority within two years of their engagement, hers was a significantly delayed start.
The Empress had used the princess’s supposed lack of competence as an excuse. But the stewards all knew well that the princess was capable enough to handle even the imperial princess’s duties.
The very first thing the princess did upon gaining authority was appoint apprentice stewards.
When word spread that even inexperienced children could be sent to Tiaze Palace, every steward sent their own kin.
The steward had sent his youngest son—the late-born child who wouldn’t inherit title or property.
All the stewards thought they were merely placing their own people in the future Crown Princess’s court.
None realized it would become a shackle. Just as the stewards had calculated, the princess had done her own reckoning.
Olivia looked calmly at the steward. Beneath her composure, icy reproach poured forth like shards of frost.
“How dare you disgrace Madelaine? Must I remain idle after this?”
“Y-Your Highness!”
The steward hastily bowed his head toward Olivia.
“Mercy, just once, Your Highness. Please, just once!”
So Olivia spoke even more gently.
“Steward, there’s no need to go this far. As I said, I wish to maintain a good relationship with you. Therefore, out of respect for you, I won’t ask who sent the flowers and gifts.”
“Thank you, thank you, Your Highness.”
“Instead, find out who inserted that card.”
“Yes, yes, Your Highness.”
“Of course, this is merely a request I’m making of you.”
Olivia gave a faint smile. The steward hurried out of the reception room. Olivia, who had maintained perfect posture until the door closed, quietly sighed in the now-silent room.
She’d been lucky.
Among the four palace stewards, the Crown Prince’s steward was the one who pitied her the most.
If he hadn’t respected her, things wouldn’t have resolved so easily.
Then, suddenly, she recalled how the steward had turned deathly pale when she mentioned his youngest son, and a strange feeling washed over her.
Was this how all fathers were? Would they go so far to protect their children?
Her own father came to mind. It had already been several days since she’d last seen him—the father who always frowned upon seeing her.
Olivia bit her lip, hoping the steward would quickly bring the culprit.
But the maid the steward brought as the culprit confessed far more easily than Olivia had expected.
“I only did as Countess Cheyze instructed! Please spare me, Your Highness! I was wrong!”
The maid, kneeling and sobbing as she begged for mercy, looked no older than fourteen or fifteen.
Countess Cheyze—the very countess who’d looked down on her in Tiaze Palace. A maid who acted like the Empress’s right hand.
Olivia pressed her throbbing temples.
So the Empress intends to cut off the lizard’s tail.
At that moment, Duke Giovanni Madelaine entered the Empress’s reception room. The Empress greeted him with a warm smile.
Though her face was as beautiful as a rose, the Duke well knew the Empress’s true nature was like a venomous thorn.
“I pay homage to the moon of the Empire. I greet Your Majesty, the Empress.”
At the Duke’s greeting, his aide, Sir Huxley, presented a bouquet before the Empress.
“Oh my, such exquisite flowers! Thank you for coming despite my sudden request, Duke.”
“I heard you wished to speak with me.”
The Duke went straight to the point.
The Empress looked past him with an awkward expression. Though annoyed by her obvious gaze, the Duke turned to look behind him.
Among the Empress’s assembled maids, one woman stood out—her face deathly pale, trembling violently.
Even the Duke, who knew all of the Empress’s people, didn’t recognize her. So this must be the newly arrived Countess Cheyze.
The Empress began speaking as if troubled.
“It’s an embarrassing rumor, but you’ve likely heard it too—about Olivia, that lovely girl, spending her Wednesday afternoons alone.”
Olivia. The moment her name was spoken, the Duke’s lips hardened into a rigid line.
The Empress genuinely delighted in this—the sole vulnerability of this statue-like man who otherwise never showed emotion.
Goodness. Who would have thought that *that* Giovanni Madelaine—the Empire’s most upright man, utterly devoted to his wife—would father a bastard? The Empress recalled the scandal that had shaken the Empire fourteen years ago.
That the pillar of the Imperial faction, the Madelaine family opposing her noble faction, would act so fiercely was one of the Empress’s few joys.
“It truly is regrettable. I should have spoken more firmly with the Crown Prince.”
“If that’s all you wished to say, I shall take my leave.”
“Oh, now how should I put this…”
The Empress continued drawing out her words, gauging the Duke’s thoughts.
“I instructed the Crown Prince’s steward to send gifts to soothe Olivia’s disappointment, but a maid added a personal note of consolation.”
“……”
“I understand her feelings, but if she causes such a fuss over hurt feelings, rumors will surely spread, won’t they? Still, she’d listen if it came from her father. I simply couldn’t bear not seeing Olivia over such a trivial matter.”
Though she circled around the issue, her conclusion was clear:
She wanted him to pressure Olivia into staying quiet.
The Empress’s eyes gleamed slyly.
