RTPM 11

Chapter – 11

The nuance in Evangeline’s words—“If the Duke had been there, it would have been difficult for you to come”—made Bellona’s eyes waver. In truth, she had deliberately avoided calling her when the Duke was around, but the way Evangeline spoke as if he were carefully protecting her irritated her.

“Hmph. Even so, it’s just an arranged marriage.”

Naturally, the handsome face of Duke Thèse came to mind, and Bellona felt another surge of frustration. She still couldn’t forget the shock she felt when she first saw him at the conferment of his title.

My god, does a man like that even exist?

Her young, still somewhat childish heart often stayed up at night restless. He was so mature, and she couldn’t even compare him to her own brother, who was the Crown Prince at the time. Everything he said and did seemed as if he had stepped straight out of a myth, shaking the heart of this teenage girl completely.

Even the Duke’s coldness, his refusal to show his emotions, did nothing to deter a girl who had already lost herself in him. It wasn’t that he was cold only to her—he was cold to everyone—and that fact became her consolation.

For Duke Thèse to show his heart to anyone…

Bellona’s chest flared up with fire. She thought it impossible, yet the very presence of Evangeline before her felt all the more irritating.

“I see. Since the Duke values his dignity, he probably didn’t want you to suffer an incident like last time in the streets. It would be bad if it reflected poorly on House Thèse.”

“…Yes.”

“Ah, I spoke too heavily, didn’t I? I apologize.”

Bellona, with an expression that was not in the least apologetic, picked up a colorful macaron. As she heard Evangeline’s voice shrink slightly, a gentle sweetness began to spread in her mouth.

“Actually, I was worried, too. Of all people, the fact that Count Ohara suffered such an accident…”

“…Thank you for your concern.”

“But since the body wasn’t found, we can hold onto hope. Who knows? He might return safely even tomorrow.”

A light smile graced Bellona’s lips. The way Evangeline remained completely unshaken only fueled her further.

“Actually, I was thinking of holding a ball soon to celebrate the anchoring of the navy, but considering your household affairs, I wondered if it would be appropriate. But now that I see you are doing well, I feel reassured. I hope you have no objection to me holding the ball?”

“Of course not, Your Highness.”

“Good. I would love for you to attend, but… that might be asking too much, so take your time to consider it.”

Bellona’s little finger curled gracefully around the teacup handle. Watching her, Evangeline spoke.

“If you called me for the sake of the ball…”

“No, of course not.”

“….”

“The truth is, there was something I really wanted to give you.”

Bellona quickly shook her head at Evangeline, who seemed about to rise. As she rang the bell on the table, the maid appeared immediately, her arms full of heavy parcels.

“Here, please accept this, my lady.”

“…What is this?”

“What do you think it is? My feelings, of course.”

The large pink box, the same shade as the walls of the princess’s palace, looked extravagant. Bellona, not content to leave it at that, opened the box herself with deliberate flourish. Several slightly outdated dresses seemed to spill out.

“I heard things have been quite difficult lately. I thought you might need some help.”

“Your Highness…”

“Don’t refuse. It’s not as if we’ve known each other for just a day or two. In times like this, we help one another. You will still need to attend balls, and since you’re not married yet, the Duke’s household likely doesn’t provide funds, correct?”

For the future lady of House Thèse to receive clothes…

For Evangeline, who had recently reigned over society, there could have been no greater humiliation. Both giver and receiver understood this well. Bellona’s expression softened as if urging her to accept them.

“Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

“….”

“If word got out, it would be a serious mark on House Thèse, so naturally it must remain a secret. Now, please accept my feelings.”

Sliding the box toward her with a gentle push, Bellona glanced at Evangeline’s face. Perhaps if she made a scene here, it would make things easier. She could even burst into tears—it would be perfect. Already, the princess’s green eyes shone with innocent expectation as she awaited her reaction.

“Oh, Lady Ohara, if you misunderstand my intention—”

“I could never.”

“….”

“How could I refuse Your Highness’s heartfelt gesture?”

Evangeline gracefully bent her knees. Bellona’s lips twisted in surprise at the unexpected response, but Evangeline was already holding the box carefully.

“This will certainly be of great help to me.”

“…Hmm, my lady.”

“I will keep this matter secret, honoring Your Highness’s noble intention. Should anyone else hear of it, the maid just now must be dismissed.”

Bellona hesitated at Evangeline’s calm words. But her true farewell was not yet over.

“I will, however, remember and cherish Your Highness’s noble intentions deep within my heart. For a long time, always.”

“….”

Evangeline’s pink eyes, strangely subdued, darkened. Having maintained her courtesy to the very end, she turned lightly and left with the box. Bellona blinked in daze. The clatter of her teacup hitting the floor echoed emptily in front of the maid who had just rushed in.

◇ ◆ ◇

After leaving the palace, Evangeline did not head to the Duke’s residence. She took a commercial carriage and alighted near the Ohara trading company, breathing quietly in a narrow alley known only to insiders. The front of the company was still crowded with onlookers, leaving her no other choice. Soon enough, she caught sight of Philip slipping out discreetly to avoid the reporters.

“L-Lord Soga!”

“Shh, keep your voice down.”

She pressed a finger to her lips and gestured to Philip. Once she confirmed no one followed her, he reluctantly led her into a shabby warehouse.

“My apologies. I know I shouldn’t bring Lord Soga to a place like this…”

“Now is not the time to argue about that.”

“…Still. Sigh.”

Philip’s face had grown gaunt in the time they hadn’t seen each other. Not only him—everything inside the warehouse, once filled with all sorts of goods and jewels, was now empty and desolate. Staring at the broken chests scattered on the floor, she bit her lips tightly.

“…So it’s really come to this.”

“I’m sorry. The debtors just took anything of value they could….”

“To them, that is only natural,” Evangeline said with a bitter smile. Although her father’s entire fortune sank to the bottom of the sea, ending with her ruin, the investors’ fates were different. As the daughter of a trading house owner, she had a duty to take responsibility, even for money she had never seen.

“Have you found anything regarding my father’s funds or ledgers?”

“No. Lord Soga kept such matters strictly under control… Perhaps only Maxine, the accountant, might know, but we cannot confirm his whereabouts or fate.”

“Ha….”

Her lashes trembled as the answer confirmed her fears. Even Maxine, the favorite employee of her father, had suffered the same tragedy. Philip, unsure where to look, finally noticed the box she was holding.

“Um, but… what’s in that box…?”

“Ah, right. Yes.”

Her weak smile grew even more bitter. There would be plenty of time to indulge in grief later. She hadn’t come here just to wallow.

If not now, when else could she come to the trading company? In that sense, she even felt gratitude toward the princess for calling her out today.

“Take it.”

“Isn’t this a dress? It seems a bit out of fashion, though.”

“Still, the jewels sewn into it are usable.”

Evangeline lifted the dress and stripped the sapphires and rubies from around the chest. Her motions were mechanical, emotionless, leaving Philip speechless.

“…L-Lord Soga…”

Having worked at the trading company for decades, his instincts were sharp. For some reason, this dress had probably not come by legitimate means.