Chapter 13 – I am Count Grich

I had no intention of leaving the house until the New Year’s ball, but I couldn’t ignore a summons from the imperial palace. I had to go to the palace for Ophelia’s dress fitting. Since the royal tailor was adjusting both Ophelia’s and my dress, today was also the fitting for mine.

While wearing a dress bestowed by the imperial family is a great honor, just thinking about the design already felt burdensome.

As soon as I arrived at Ophelia’s palace, she came running out to greet me, just like last time. She was wearing a white dress, which must surely be her debut dress.

“Your Highness, you look stunning.”

I started with a compliment. Ophelia twirled happily in front of me, evidently pleased. She was a charming girl.

“But you might stain it, so you should head inside quickly.”

“I thought you weren’t going to nag me today!”

Ophelia burst into clear laughter. Her excitement about the upcoming debut was infectious, making me smile involuntarily.

“Are you that happy about debuting?”

“Yes. I want to meet many good people. I won’t refuse any dance invitations.”

I, too, had eagerly awaited my debut once. Back then, I was excited to finally see my favorite second male lead, Ian Keppel, with my own eyes on debut day. I was filled with thoughts of fangirling, without considering the idea of meeting that man, falling in love, and getting married.

When my father was alive, I could afford to be carefree. I missed my father.

“Lady Keppel, please don’t refuse any gentleman’s dance invitation, no matter how low his status may be. I beg you.”

Generally, to dance with a debutante, one must seek the chaperone’s permission. However, as the emperor’s sister, there was no way I could refuse Ophelia’s request. Moreover, those invited to the New Year’s ball at the imperial palace were only nobles with seats in the House of Lords and their direct descendants. Ophelia, seemingly unaware of this, whispered with flushed cheeks.

“His Majesty said he would allow me to marry anyone I desire.”

“How fortunate for you, Your Highness.”

“Yes. It’s the first time His Majesty has spoken so kindly to me.”

In the original story, the emperor, Cade, had no interest in Ophelia. Perhaps he said such a thing because Ophelia, at eight years old, had renounced her succession rights. By giving up her claim, she lost her value as a pawn in arranged marriages but gained the freedom to marry anyone of any status.

“Well, you’re his only sister.”

Ophelia blushed shyly. I hoped that, even if only for a brief moment, this girl would leave the palace safely and find happiness. Then I remembered how ill Celia had looked when I visited the empress’s palace earlier.

Despite being married to her beloved and becoming the empire’s mistress, she still looked so unhappy. It must be the harsh life in the palace, I thought.

As I pondered these things, I dressed in front of Ophelia and her maids. The royal tailor’s craftsmanship was excellent, and the dress fit me perfectly without needing any adjustments. Although I had thought my short stature would make it unsuitable, it looked better than expected. Ophelia, watching me from the round platform, exclaimed.

“What if Lady Keppel outshines me?”

I smiled softly.

“That won’t happen, Your Highness.”

“But that chest….”

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing….”

Ophelia couldn’t continue, staring intently at my chest. Is it too revealing? This was the first time I wore such a low-cut dress, so I felt a bit embarrassed, but it seemed acceptable since such exposure is common in classic dresses. Ophelia slowly circled around me.

“…Is it really the same dress as mine?”

You designed it…. As Ophelia looked ready to cry, the innocent tailor, wiping his sweat with a handkerchief, spoke up.

“Of course, Your Highness. The design was based on your specifications, only tailored to fit her measurements. Your Highness is still young and hasn’t fully grown yet!”

“Do you think so?”

“Of course, of course. Right, madam?”

I gave the tailor an ambiguous smile.

“Yes, that’s right.”

However, Ophelia’s pout didn’t go away. Eventually, the tailor decided to change the design to comfort her and remake the dress. Ophelia gave up the backless design to shape her figure with undergarments. But she insisted I keep the original design.

“But Your Highness, then it wouldn’t be matching.”

“The front is the same.”

“But the back is different. I want to match with you, Your Highness.”

“No, the dress suits you too well, Lady Keppel. Please wear it as designed, I insist!”

Though the front and back both felt too bare for me, Ophelia’s earnest plea made it impossible to refuse.

Reluctantly, I nodded.

***

After the fitting and various discussions, I had dinner, leaving me completely exhausted. As soon as I returned home, Jane brought me a letter.

“It’s from Count Grich. He hasn’t written for a while, but here’s another one.”

Jane grumbled, looking displeased. Feeling slightly puzzled, I opened the letter. Walter had gracefully stepped back and hadn’t sent any letters for days. Why was he writing again now? I slowly read the letter.

The letter read like an autobiography, detailing his unhappy childhood. Feeling an inexplicable unease, I continued reading. It spoke of the limits he faced despite his efforts, how he was acknowledged by his peers for his skills but never recognized by the public, and how I was the only one who ever listened to him.

I felt uneasy. Walter poured out his frustration, saying it was more painful to see me being oppressed than not being recognized himself. He then mentioned he could no longer stand watching Ian Keppel flaunting Isabella around.

“Tonight, even if I have to sacrifice my life, I will set you free…?”

What was he talking about? I jumped up from my seat and quickly took a carriage to the prime minister’s residence. When I urgently asked for Ian, his aide, Phillip, appeared, looking confused.

“Phillip, where is Ian?”

“Uh, well…”

“It’s alright. I’m not here to question him about being with Miss Isabella. It’s urgent. Please tell me.”

Phillip hesitated but, seeing my tearful eyes, confessed.

“He went to the theater where Miss Isabella is performing.”

“Thank you.”

Without looking back, I headed straight for the theater. I pushed past the startled theater staff and headed to the Keppel family’s private box. One of the staff members, who had followed me, tried to stop me with a worried look.

“Madam, please calm down…”

“Move.”

The door wasn’t locked. I kicked it open.

“Ian!”

In the dark box, Ian’s radiant golden hair gleamed in the light. He slowly turned to look at me. In the darkness, he seemed to be holding something, which turned out to be Walter’s collar. Isabella silently passed by me, taking the theater staff with her. I slowly closed the box door and entered.

“Ian… let him go.”

With an expressionless face, Ian threw Walter to the ground and dusted off his hands. Walter groaned. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, I could see Walter’s face was a mess. Ian seemed completely unscathed. Realizing there was no need to worry about Ian, I finally felt relieved. I immediately approached Walter, helping him lean against the wall.

“Walter, are you okay? Are you conscious?”

Ian let out an incredulous sigh.

“M-Madam… I am so ashamed.”

“Why did you do this?”

“I wanted to set you free…”

“What a foolish thing to do.”

I placed my hand on Walter’s cheek. Ian’s voice, filled with anger, boomed.

“What are you doing?”

Before Ian could approach, I hurriedly recited a scripture.

“May He heal him.”

A warm light spread from my fingertips.

“May He soothe his tears.”

Walter’s face slowly began to heal. I kept my hand on his cheek until his face returned to normal. For some reason, Ian, who had been silent, finally grabbed my wrist and pulled me away from Walter.

“holy power?”

Ian seemed shocked that I could use holy power. I was surprised too. The Duke’s staff had kept my ability a secret even from Ian, their master. With no time to explain, I spoke to Walter, my wrist still held by Ian.

“Never do something so foolish again.”

“Madam, I wanted to be of help to you…”

“You are mistaken, Walter.”

“I…”

“I am Count Grich.”

“What?”

Walter looked up at me with a bewildered expression. Just then, the orchestra’s music swelled as the play reached its climax.

“I’m the one forcing this marriage to continue despite his unwillingness.”

“That can’t be…”

“Why can’t you believe it? Because I’m a woman? Because I seem weak and powerless?”

“But you, Madam, are so kind and beautiful…”

“It’s ironic that someone who laments not being a protagonist due to their appearance would judge others by theirs.”

Walter started trembling like a scared child. I genuinely felt sorry for him, so I decided to speak as gently as possible.

“Let’s keep tonight’s events a secret. Forget that I healed you, our conversation, and everything about me. Then I’ll treat the murder threat you sent me as a memory kept in a drawer. Let’s forget all this ever happened and move on with our lives. Understand?”

Walter, still trembling, nodded his head. I led Ian, who still held my wrist, out of the box seat. As we walked down the corridor, Ian seemed to regain his composure, releasing my wrist and adjusting his sleeve. I struggled to keep up with his pace and spoke.

“Please, forgive him just this once.”

“Forgive whom?”

“Walter.”

Ian suddenly stopped, causing me to almost bump into his back. I barely avoided it and looked up at him resentfully. He was staring at me with suspicion.

“I never doubted that you loved me.”

His unexpected words made me swallow hard in surprise.