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T/N: With how Edmund and Elizabeth’s appearance together was hurting Daphne, Edmund’s redemption arc and Elizabeth’s ending should satisfy me, or else…
Chapter 47
“I greet the light that illuminates the Empire.”
“To meet you here, of all places.”
Daphne and Damian, who had bowed, straightened their posture.
“Ah, Duchess. It’s truly been a long time.”
“…Yes.”
Carlito smiled broadly, undeterred by Daphne’s wary expression. Then, without any warning, Carlito stepped directly in front of Daphne. A shadow fell over her in an instant, and before she could react, Carlito leaned closer.
As Daphne’s eyes widened in shock, Damian moved to intercept.
“…What do you think you’re doing?”
“Calm yourself.”
Still smiling, Carlito took a step back.
“There was a leaf on the Duchess’s shoulder.”
To prove his point, Carlito flicked a leaf from his fingers and let it fall.
“…My father is waiting for us. We’ll be going now.”
“Take care.”
Damian grabbed Daphne’s wrist and spun around, leading her away. As they disappeared, a breeze began to stir.
Carlito lifted his head to look at the sky. With no trees around, the sound of the wind was strangely quiet.
* * *
“My Lady, I brought some cold water.”
Anna placed a glass of cold water on the table. Having finished tidying the bedding earlier, Anna’s tasks for the day were complete. Still, she hesitated instead of leaving.
“My Lady…”
Anna took a step closer to Daphne, who was engrossed in a book.
“Thank you again, truly. I didn’t expect to see anyone from home, considering how far it is from the capital… I’m so grateful.”
This wasn’t the first time Anna had expressed her gratitude. Since returning from a chat with an old friend, Anna had been thanking Daphne at every opportunity.
“You’re sure nothing happened while I was away?”
“…Of course not. I was here the whole time.”
Before Anna could catch her delayed response, Daphne rose from her seat.
“You can go now. I’m feeling unusually tired today.”
“Oh, yes! Then please sleep well, my Lady.”
Once Anna had left, Daphne moved.
“Ugh…”
As she brushed against the burn on her arm, a soft groan escaped her lips.
Biting her lip, Daphne poured the cold water Anna had brought over her reddened arm. Once the burning sensation subsided, she quickly wrapped her arm with a cloth.
On the way back with Damian after escaping Carlito, they had encountered Vent, who abruptly returned, leaving Daphne to head for the tent. Luckily, Anna had returned before noticing anything, and, not being particularly observant, she hadn’t questioned Daphne’s decision to change clothes alone.
Daphne gritted her teeth to endure the pain, her lips turning pale as cold sweat beaded on her forehead. As she let out a soft sigh and moved toward the bed, she heard someone approaching. Her shoulders tensed instantly.
Moments later, the tent flap opened, and someone entered swiftly.
“…Edmund?”
At Edmund’s unexpected arrival, Daphne blinked in surprise.
“Don’t join the hunting contest tomorrow.”
His abrupt words left Daphne visibly startled. Only for a moment, though—she quickly sensed why he was telling her not to go.
On the final day of the hunting competition, participants present their catch to a single lady of their choice. It seemed Edmund intended to offer his catch to the Princess, not her.
Is he telling me in advance out of consideration? Should I be grateful?
Daphne clenched her fist.
“I can’t do that.”
“...”
Edmund’s face tightened, anxiety flickering in his expression.
“His Highness the Crown Prince invited me.”
The words Carlito had whispered to her earlier in the day echoed in her mind.
[“Participate in the hunting contest tomorrow. There’s something I’d like to show the Duchess.”]
“His Highness… the Crown Prince?”
“Yes, Damian was there too. If you find my words hard to believe, ask him.”
Daphne held her head high.
“So,” she looked up at Edmund, “Whatever you were planning, I have to be there tomorrow.”
Turning around, Daphne sat on the bed. She watched Edmund standing there in silence.
“Please leave.”
Whether Edmund left or not, she wasn’t sure. She simply lay down and squeezed her eyes shut, determined not to let his presence behind her bother her.
Just as her vision began to blur, she heard the tent flap open again. It was long after she had laid down.
* * *
“The weather’s unpleasant.”
Anna, who had briefly gone outside, shook her wet clothes off.
“Is the hunting contest canceled because of it?”
Daphne grabbed Anna’s arm urgently. Startled by Daphne’s uncharacteristic agitation, Anna quickly shook her head.
“Oh, no. It doesn’t seem that bad. The rain should stop soon.”
“Good… I see.”
Daphne visibly relaxed, releasing her grip on Anna’s arm. Anna set down a travel bag.
“This is the one, right?”
While packing, she had accidentally left Daphne’s clothes bag on the carriage. Daphne nodded as she looked at the bag Anna had fetched from the carriage.
“Yes, that’s right. Could you find me something that covers my arms?”
Although a brief shower had made it chilly, the capital was always warm and sunny, like eternal spring. So long-sleeved clothes were rare, but Daphne couldn’t wear anything revealing with her arm still healing. Most dresses had short sleeves in consideration of the capital’s climate, which limited her options significantly.
“This will do.”
Daphne selected a beige dress with a slight pleat detail, neither overly adorned nor completely plain. It was too modest to be formal, yet the pleats added just enough elegance to make it appropriate.
“My Lady, wouldn’t this dress suit you better?”
Anna held up a different dress from the side. It was also without embellishments, but with green accents.
“It matches your eyes. I think it would look beautiful.”
“No, I’ll go with this one.”
Unable to sway Daphne, Anna relented and began packing away the other dresses, leaving only the beige one.
Meanwhile, Daphne quickly changed. Anna spotted a small wooden box rolling out from the travel bag. The box’s lid had come slightly loose from the tumble, revealing its contents.
“Oh…”
Beautiful.
Anna was captivated by the shimmering gemstone inside. It evoked the sea she had only ever heard about. The blue sea is said to glisten in multicolored light under the sun. Though she’d never seen it, if one could capture that in a gem, it would look like this.
“Anna?”
When Daphne noticed Anna crouched over the box, she called her name. Snapping out of her daze, Anna brought the ornament over to Daphne.
“My Lady! Wouldn’t this hairpiece look perfect on you?”
Daphne’s expression stiffened as she saw what Anna held.
“Isn’t it stunning? I think it would look lovely on you.”
It wasn’t too flashy or too simple—it was just right.
“Where did you find that?”
“Hm? It was in the bag.”
As Daphne froze, Anna stepped forward to place the ornament in her hair.
Thud!
“M-My Lady?”
Anna held her stinging hand, taken aback by Daphne’s reaction. But Daphne’s face had turned ashen, as if she’d seen something she shouldn’t have.
“My Lady, are you ready?”
Just then, Alec’s voice came from outside the tent. Today, Daphne’s partner was none other than Alec.
“…Let’s go.”
Daphne stood abruptly, picked up the ornament from the ground, and left the tent. Anna stared blankly after her as she disappeared.
— — —
The light rain that had been falling suddenly stopped. Just before the hunting contest began, the sun started peeking out from behind the clouds.
“How fortunate.” Vent murmured as he looked up at the brightening sky. “I was worried it would be canceled.”
Adjusting his cravat, Damian turned to Vent.
“Any other updates?”
“None, sir.”
The news Vent had brought yesterday had made Damian uneasy again. It was a note specifying a meeting time. The location was, as always, the entrance to the Black Forest. The time was one hour after the hunting contest began.
The realization that he was finally about to uncover the truth set his nerves on edge.
“Your Excellency, I’ve heard Lady Sovel won’t be attending the hunting contest due to her health.”
Hearing this report from a servant sent in search of his partner, Damian frowned. Daphne, now without a partner, came to mind.
“Ah, Sir Alec has agreed to accompany the Duchess. After all, going without a partner two times in a row would be rather… awkward.”
“...”
“Young Lord?”
Vent turned toward Damian, who had halted and was looking in the opposite direction from the contest grounds.
“Be quiet.”
“…Pardon?”
Vent could only stare as Damian walked off in silence.
The two men finally arrived at the hunting grounds, where the last-day crowd had already gathered. Damian’s gaze landed on the three seats reserved next to the royal family.
Daphne was there. Behind her stood Alec, while Daphne remained seated calmly. Taking a deep breath, Damian moved to sit next to her. Daphne glanced at him.
“…You’re here.”
“Yes.”
That was the end of their conversation. Damian looked straight ahead, and Daphne remained silent.
Soon, everyone took their designated seats as the Emperor and Crown Prince arrived. The Emperor, dressed in hunting attire rather than his usual coat, appeared lean. Everyone rose and bowed to the Emperor.
“We greet the light of the Empire.”
“Be seated.”
The Emperor’s speech concluded, and a light banquet began before the hunting contest. Before long, the murmurs suddenly quieted.
“Goodness.”
“Oh my.”“It seems they coordinated.”The ones who appeared were none other than Edmund and Elizabeth. More precisely, it was Edmund in a deep blue tailcoat, and Elizabeth in a matching blue dress, as if their outfits had been coordinated.