I Became The Younger Sister Of A Dying Woman - Chapter 69

69. Are you angry?

Letty, who had finished her meeting with Linzel, stepped out of the reception room. And Mini followed behind her.

It was Mini who escorted her instead of Linzel, who couldn’t walk well.

The two walked closely together along the corridors of the palace.

“Mini. Have you been well?”

“Yes, Miss. Thanks to Linzel taking such good care of me, life here has been very comfortable.”

“Yeah. Linzel is like that.”

She seems indifferent to others, but she really cares about those who come within her boundaries.

A person who shows utmost sincerity to those close to her.

“Have there been any significant events recently?”

“Well, lately…”

In a small voice, Mini confessed everything that had happened to Linzel. Including the little things that had happened to her.

Though Linzel hadn’t told her anything about the royal archive, Mini had vaguely recognized it.

That Linzel and Hernan were trying to get into the royal archive of the Imperial Palace.

And it seemed that the reclusive Illiya was needed for that, Minn added.

“I see. You always work hard.”

“Yes, Miss.”

“How is she feeling?”

“She still can’t walk for long as usual. And yesterday, I was very worried because of a sudden chill.”

“That’s serious. If there’s no sign of improvement…”

“But she’ll be fine! The palace is taking good care of her. And with the efforts of Miss Letty as well…”

“Indeed. I hope things turn out as you say.”

Letty responded with a feeble voice. Despite her hopeful answer, there was a strong undercurrent of negativity.

Letty stared at the windows in the corridor as if drawn by something other than a good walk.

Caught in Letty’s sight was the impressive Rose Penelope’s Library in the palace.

’…Will Linzel be able to survive this time?’

Letty gazed at it for quite a while, with a wistful expression.

Feeling stifled by her inability to tell Linzel anything despite knowing everything.

* * *

With Mini, who had escorted Letty in my absence, gone, I found myself alone in the room.

I pondered when Hernan might arrive.

After completing our respective tasks (mine being meeting with Letty and Hernan attending administrative meetings), we had agreed to meet in the reception room.

As for what to do when we meet.

‘Today, I should visit the royal gardens with His Highness Hernan.’

Hernan had agreed to bring flowers as a gift for Illiya.

Sipping on the remaining tea, I lounged on the sofa.

In the lazy afternoon, an inexplicable drowsiness overcame me. I let out a deep yawn.

As I drifted into a light nap, I heard the sound of the door opening.

“Your Highness Hernan?”

Alas, I could not hear his voice.

“It’s not Hernan, it’s Gatt.”

Gatt?

If it was Gatt, then he was Hernan’s aide, a middle-aged man who always eyed me critically whenever we crossed paths.

I remained sprawled on the sofa as I spoke.

“Why did you come alone, not with His Highness Hernan?”

“His Highness Hernan instructed me to inform her Highness that his meeting might run a bit longer.”

Well, the sun hadn’t even set yet, so it didn’t matter if Hernan was late. But here’s the thing.

Gatt’s face today didn’t seem too pleased either. He muttered complaints as if he had a lot on his mind.

“Lord Gatt. Since you’re here, would you like to have a cup of tea with me?”

“Pardon?”

“Come to think of it, I don’t think we’ve ever had a conversation separately.”

“Very well. I was actually hoping to have a word with Your Highness myself.”

Oh-ho. Does that mean he’s going to air his grievances to me directly?

Well, bring it on. I’ll hear him out.

I gestured to Gatt, indicating he should sit across from me.

Eventually, he took a seat opposite me.

“I’ll be blunt and ask you a question, Gatt. Do you have a problem with me?”

The directness of the question surprised him. But he quickly recovered from his surprise and replied calmly.

“If you feel that way, I apologize. I bear no grudge against you.”

“Then?”

“I don’t hold a grudge, but… I have been concerned about His Highness Hernan’s changes due to Her Highness.”

“It seems like you think I’m negatively influencing His Highness Hernan. Am I correct in my assumption?”

“I regret to say that it’s a similar concern.”

Well, it’s probably better to just admit it. I felt unjustly accused.

Even Hernan’s parents and his knights acknowledged that Hernan had positively changed because of me.

But if Hernan’s closest confidant, Gatt, viewed me in a negative light, that was concerning.

It couldn’t go on like this.

I wanted to make a clear appeal to Gatt during our meeting today.

I needed to convey the fact that I was not a harmful influence on Hernan.

I sat up straight, crossed my legs, and lifted my chin.

It was a gesture to assert dominance and correct any misunderstandings.

“What’s the reason?”

Gatt was loyal to Hernan. Even with my changed demeanor, he remained unfazed.

Having long stood by Hernan’s side, exuding a tremulous atmosphere… perhaps he saw me as no more than a nuisance.

“As you may know, His Highness Hernan is a warrior.”

“I know.”

“Warriors must maintain their dignity.”

“I know. And His Highness Hernan hasn’t lost his dignity, has he? Who’s losing dignity here?”

“Well…”

Gatt faltered.

Did I come off too spiteful?

“But because of Her Highness, His Highness Hernan is devoting himself to obtaining mundane clothes rather than focusing on his warrior duties.”

“And?”

“That undermines his dignity.”

So, Hernan, who knew only warfare, showing interest in other fields is unsatisfactory?

“It may be fine for now, but over time, it’s certain to have a negative impact.”

It was a narrow-minded perspective.

With such a narrow-minded man around, no wonder Hernan’s vassals ignored him.

‘And with such narrow vision, it’s no wonder they made Hernan a villain in the original work.’

“Lord Gatt. How’s the Eastern Palace these days?”

“The Eastern Palace? I’m afraid I cannot discern with this question what Your Highness’s have in mind.”

Irritatingly obtuse, isn’t he?

I wanted to point out how obtuse Gatt had been all along.

“I recently renovated the Eastern Palace.”

“Oh?”

“How is it? Clean and pleasant looking, isn’t it?”

The Eastern Palace, now renovated along with other rooms, had become beautiful and charming.

It felt like evolving from an old mansion to a new building.

If Gatt had any eyes, he couldn’t deny it. So, of course, Gatt reluctantly agreed.

“Yes… It has certainly improved from before.”

“Right?”

“I heard Her Highness put in a lot of effort. I’m truly grateful for that.”

“But do you know whose money was used for that renovation?”

Gatt shook his head.

“It was paid by the vassals of His Highness Hernan.”

“……Huh?”

While I hadn’t mentioned it to Hernan, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the wealth accumulated by Hernan’s vassals didn’t sit right with me.

I wondered if they had stolen Hernan’s money.

“I’ve been to the vassals’ mansions, and they couldn’t be more opulent.”

“…….”

“Don’t you think it’s strange that the East Palace is so shabby, and only the vassals have accumulated so much wealth?”

“No way……!”

Gatt seemed to share a similar suspicion to mine. His face suddenly became serious.

“Are you implying embezzlement? That’s impossible!”

Gatt vehemently denied it, but couldn’t erase the unease on his face.

“You should investigate that matter yourself, Lord Gatt. His Highness is very busy.”

Gatt nodded weakly. I warned him further.

“And it’s said that his followers often disobey Hernan’s orders.”

“Hernan’s dignity has indeed been compromised, especially by them. Already.”

“The biggest reason for that is you, as you are his closest confidant.”

“I apologize.”

It seemed like Gatt realized his mistake. Pressing further, I said.

“And you! Do you even have the right to criticize me for just decorating His Highness Hernan?”

“No, Your Grace.”

“You have ten mouths to feed, don’t you?”

“Yes…….”

“You’re frustrated, aren’t you, but you really have no idea what to say, and no matter how much you think about it, you feel like you’re in the wrong?”

“S-Stop it!”

“I won’t stop just yet.”

Gatt let out a soft groan.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness. It was my mistake.”

“And don’t look down on His Highness Hernan for dressing nicely.”

“Just because he’s a warrior doesn’t mean he should only pursue military matters even outside the battlefield.”

“Right.”

“Do better in the future, for both me and His Highness Hernan.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I was short-sighted. Please forgive me.”

He grumbled even though he knew it wouldn’t help.

“But are you just asking for forgiveness with words?”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah. Now that I’ve finished the interior of the palace, I’ve decided I want to rearrange the garden in front of the palace.”

“Gatt, you’ve been receiving favors while serving His Highness Hernan, haven’t you? But in reality, you haven’t served him as well as those favors deserve.”

“Oh, uh, I…”

“…Yes, my mistake.”

“So, you received money without doing the work? What are you going to do about it?”

Gatt couldn’t bear to meet my gaze.

He stammered as he replied.

“I’ll… even if it means using my own savings… I’ll renovate the Eastern Palace’s Garden.”

“Well, you’re quite the loyal servant.”

I applauded, and Gatt continued to stammer.

“Are you sure you’re not just pouting because you’re angry?”

“No……. I’m just getting older, and the slightest chill makes me shiver…….”

“But it’s spring now?”

“…Just tell me if you dislike me.”

I smiled warmly.

“Why would I dislike you? Lord Gatt, you serve His Highness faithfully and even take care of the Eastern Palace’s Garden.”

“Ugh……”

Finally, Gatt hung his head in defeat.