RAMHM Chapter 47

As Though Feigning Ignorance

"My lady, are you unwell?"

"Hm?"

"You seem to have a fever."

I didn't avoid Yona's hand as it reached toward me without hesitation. Her lukewarm palm warmed against my forehead—hot enough that I must truly have had a fever.

"No, I'm fine."

"Still. Just in case, I'll ask Marge and fetch some medicine!"

Yona hurried from the bedroom, her brow creased with worry. I lay in the still-unfamiliar guest room of the Grand Ducal Estate, stroking the soft blankets with my hand.

'If I kissed Bliea Acacia's lips... I was afraid you'd be sad.'

My feelings toward Bliea Acacia were deeply complicated. The woman who stole my husband. But also the woman who received her due punishment and vanished, surrendering this body to me. I'd declared this body mine now and had been using it quite diligently. But what if I'd been swept up in the moment that day and actually kissed Rhodness?

'I think... I would have been a little sad.'

Both Novian and Rhodness—I couldn't help this petty feeling that Bliea had stolen them both from me. The melancholy trying to settle over me vanished instantly when I recalled the arm and face of Rhodness, who had refused so adamantly to kiss me, and...

'...I was afraid you'd be sad.'

That low voice that had seeped into my ears. Yona returned with fever medicine before I knew it, dissolving it in warm water to make it like tea.

The air in the early winter bedroom was slightly chilly, but I wasn't cold—warmed by the fever tea Yona pressed into my hands and by Rhodness's voice echoing through my head.

Just how many eyes and ears did this Grand Ducal Estate possess? I watched Annie's group diligently polishing windows before me while I crunched on cookies I'd made myself. I'd vaguely suspected Annie might be Doris's person. With backing like the Crown Princess, and if she'd made ridiculous promises to Annie about giving her the Grand Duchess position, it would make sense.

But Duke Castagna? That's unexpected.

Did Doris know about this? Duke Castagna, Doris... perhaps there were even more eyes and ears around me belonging to someone else. The thought raised goosebumps on my skin. I glanced at Marie, who kept circling around me, constantly watching my mood. Throughout my entire stay at the Grand Ducal Estate, Marie had been extremely attentive to me. She'd even begged Yona to let her transfer from this excellent position to the Count's estate, so desperate was she to leave.

At least Marie clearly has no one behind her.

If she'd had even the weakest backing, she wouldn't have clung to temporary me. Just for taking a few slaps that didn't even hurt much when I ordered her to—even Annie's attitude of ignoring Marie ever since spoke to that.

"Marie. Thanks to you, I've had a comfortable stay. I'll send Yona regularly to ask after you. Both Annie and you—I'm quite taken with the Grand Ducal Estate's maids. You work well and you're loyal... Isn't that right, Annie?"

At my words about checking in on her, Marie finally smiled brightly, looking somewhat reassured. Annie, on the other hand, still flinched whenever she saw me, answering in a small voice. It was a pitifulness that would vanish once I left, but it wasn't unpleasant to watch.

"Madam, word has arrived that His Grace has reached the capital."

Gaspar approached—dressed more finely than usual, purposeful in his formality. Today. Today was the day Novian returned. In the meantime I'd found the body, discovered that Rhodness was An, but learned nothing—nothing—related to Novian. Marie seemed firmly secured, at least. As for Annie—I could only wait. Watch. See what revealed itself.

If only I'd had a few more days...

Too anxious and regretful to leave like this, I thumped the sofa's armrest with my fist. I had no right to interrogate him about using the Grand Duchess's seal. If I just brazenly denied it, that would be that—I couldn't even search the Grand Duchess's office.

"I see. You've worked hard too. My luggage has been packed since yesterday, so don't worry about me."

"...You're leaving?"

"Well, the master will return soon—what need is there for a proxy to stand guard?"

I smiled strangely at Gaspar's slightly dissatisfied face.

"You seem to have forgotten. Right now, I'm not His Grace the Grand Duke's retainer, but Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess's retainer."

Gaspar's weakest point. The Crown Prince. And everything related to the Crown Prince. The moment the words "the Crown Princess's retainer" left my mouth, Gaspar raised no further questions. I watched the servants begin moving luggage and hurriedly finished preparations to leave. The reason for avoiding an encounter with Novian here was quite simple.

Listen carefully. After this Ellaconian business is finished, after the funeral is over... I will have you.

Even now, in nightmares, I heard that voice—Novian's voice from that moment. That firm voice saying he would take Bliea once my funeral ended. Nearly two months had passed since my death. He was returning because his Ellaconian business was finished, and about a month remained until the funeral. Novian's office. And the Grand Duchess's office.

If only I could enter those rooms without any restrictions...

If only Novian would push too hard to make me Grand Duchess, to the point of falling out of favor with other nobles... An opportunity might come to pour filth over Novian as he stood at honor's pinnacle.

The great mansion's master had finally returned. All the servants bowed their heads in welcome, but Annie's group especially greeted Novian most enthusiastically. Novian, handing his outer coat to the butler, didn't even glance at the servants.

"I expected you this evening, but you've returned early, Your Grace."

"Prepare my bath. And bring Count Acacia's wife. Why haven't I seen hide nor hair of her?"

Novian, who seemed to have hurried here, quickly answered while handing over even his gloves. When the butler's troubled face remained silent for a moment, he frowned slightly.

"What?"

"Well... she already left this morning."

"What?"

"She said she'd completed her mission and was going to the Imperial Palace to report."

All of Novian's movements stopped abruptly. He couldn't believe either Bliea's actions or the butler's report. Novian dismissed all the servants and headed directly to the annex room where Bliea had stayed.

Seeing the room emptied so cleanly it looked as though no one had stayed there—even the fireplace swept clean—cold fury rose in him. What could Bliea possibly be relying on to act this way, knowing better than anyone what kind of person he was?

'Could it be... Rhodness?'

Why did those gossip magazines he'd glanced at recently suddenly drift through his mind?

Doris watched me sitting there brazenly, working hard to compose her expression. She was smiling, but her brow kept twitching irregularly—clearly displeased that the "husband surveillance" she'd wanted hadn't properly materialized.

But the Crown Prince who supposedly visited constantly had only come that one day, and contrary to Doris's expectations, having somewhat grasped her intentions, the Crown Prince couldn't possibly have done anything special.

Besides, just as she had her purposes, my purposes were important too—so while I had regrets, this was the best outcome.

"To say he could give even his life for the nation—truly words befitting His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince."

"Yes, it was my first time having such a private audience with His Imperial Highness, but he truly deserved to be called Ronteaux's saint!"

When I answered especially brightly, Doris's mouth snapped shut.

"And?"

"...Pardon?"

When I tilted my head as though confused, Doris opened her mouth with a forced smile, looking somewhat frustrated.

"The Grand Duke is competent, so I keep him close. We're similar in age and get along like brothers. I hope my father, Duke Castagna, and the Grand Duke maintain good relations. Not those kinds of words—what about other words or actions?"

"Ah, I followed His Imperial Highness around diligently all day."

Doris's eyes began to sparkle slightly. I clasped my hands together like someone purely delighted to have had a private audience with the Crown Prince.

"He's quite fond of gardens. He even said he dreams of a pastoral life."

"How very... novel."

Doris answered with a face that found it anything but.

"Speaking of which, Your Highness. Have you made progress with Madame Leblais?"

"Ah."

Doris, whose face had been full of regret, smiled with satisfaction the moment Madame Leblais was mentioned.

"Well, not bad. She's been doing good work within the bounds of not disgracing imperial dignity."

"Were you discussing Madame Leblais?"

Nora and Irene, who had been brewing tea at a distance under the pretext of serving the tea I'd gifted, approached our tea table. Nora's face showed she was dying of curiosity about our conversation, though she was obviously trying not to show it.

"I was so curious what you two were discussing..."

"Madam, this tea is so delicious—could you spare some when I leave the palace?"

"......"

Seeing Doris's uncomfortable face as she drank her tea, I immediately cut off Nora's words. An irritated gaze turned my way, but I smiled pleasantly as though oblivious.

"Of course, I was thinking the amount was too much to enjoy alone. Bliea, you too, and Irene—take some when you leave. That's fine, isn't it, Nora?"

"Of, of course, Your Highness."

When Doris smiled broadly and supported me, Nora answered with an instantly sullen face.

"When the envoy arrives from Ellaconnia, you'll greet them wearing Madame Leblais's new dress."

"Probably."

"How about changing your hairstyle a bit too?"

"Mm."

Nora, who had been slowly looking me up and down, quickly recovered her spirits and suggested.

"Black hair dye is all the rage these days—what do you think?"

Doris's eyes widened, then she cast a questioning glance at me. This was the true position of a lady-in-waiting. Leave the menial work to the maids and chatter beside one's mistress. And I vaguely sensed that Nora's words were by no means her opinion alone. Doris's seemingly gentle eyes didn't quite leave me. Gauging my reaction, Doris was dressed from head to toe in an outfit similar to the dress Madame Leblais had designed for me.

"I'd rather not."

Clink! Nora, who hadn't expected such an answer from me, accidentally struck the teaspoon that should have stirred silently against the teacup.

"What?"

"If Your Highness dyes her hair black, I'll look shabby in comparison when we're together, won't I?"

I spoke like a somewhat thoughtless, simple-minded woman. Not only Nora's eyes but Doris's frozen eyes shook violently.

"I don't want to be called 'the homely one beside Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess.' And..."

Even as Doris watched me with a subtle expression, I spoke to her without giving the outfit she'd dressed in to match mine even a glance.

"If Your Highness dyes her hair black, would it be all right if I dye mine a deep chestnut like yours?"

"!"

"Baroness Giusetta, haven't you heard wrong? Everyone is desperate to dye their hair chestnut but keeping quiet about it for fear of being compared to Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess, perhaps?"

I spoke with eyes full of sincerity while trying to look simple-minded.

Crown Princess Doris, blinking as she parsed my words' intent, drew a fan from her bosom, covered her face, and laughed with shaking shoulders. Meanwhile, Nora couldn't even rebuke me before Doris, her face flushing red and purple with wide eyes as she brought the hot tea—not properly cooled—to her lips. Her tongue must have felt ready to peel. But like the seasoned noblewoman she was, she showed no sign of it.

'When someone tries to test you, act as though you're feigning ignorance.'

'Feigning ignorance?'

'Speak as though you lack manners but have no malice.'

'Why?'

'That way, they won't even want to attack you.'

I suddenly recalled a conversation I'd had with Bianca while preparing for my debut. And Doris stopped laughing quietly to herself and revealed her face from behind her fan. Her satisfied, pleased face gleamed strangely—unable to suppress her curiosity about me yet with her chin somehow held high. I might not know the psychology of people in detail, but she clearly felt superior to me.

She imitates me while feeling superior to me.

It was a contradictory behavior I couldn't quite understand, but simultaneously it seemed to tell me exactly what kind of behavior I should adopt in this group—so I felt somewhat reassured.