Chapter 52

“…To barge in so suddenly, that’s just like the Princess.”

Upon hearing the knight’s report, Johann’s brow furrowed fiercely.

Lia froze at the word ‘Princess’.

‘Princess? If she thought back to before the regression, it seemed too early for her to appear yet….’

She thought it would be at least the year after next, so what was going on?

“Where is the Princess now?”

“…Well, she pressed a servant for your whereabouts,Your Grace, and is on her way here now.”

Because of that, the knight had rushed ahead on horseback to inform Johann before the Princess arrived.

“……This is crazy.”

Johann, hearing this, helped Rafaella, who had been sitting on the pony, down to the ground.

“Rafaella, that’s enough riding for today.”

“…But I want to ride more.”

“I’ll let you ride more next time.”

“…Okay.”

“You, take Rafaella and return to your room at once.”

Having soothed Rafaella, Johann spoke to Lia with a hardened expression.

‘I don’t know exactly what was going on, but it seemed like Rafaella shouldn’t meet the Princess right now.’

She wasn’t mentally prepared to face the Princess yet.

She took Rafaella’s hand, who looked confused, and turned back toward the mansion.

“Mom, you’re too fast.”

She must have unconsciously quickened her pace out of worry about running into the Princess.

“Sorry, Mom’s stomach hurts.”

She lied to Rafaella.

“Really? Does it hurt a lot?”

“It’ll get better if I rest in our room.”

“Then let’s hurry!”

Rafaella believed her words completely and started to walk quickly, almost running.

They took a small path toward the main building of the mansion as a shortcut, and there, they ran into someone completely unexpected.

“…Huh?”

“…….”

“Wow, you really do look alike.”

A tall, handsome man with soft platinum blond hair that sparkled in the sunlight and light amber eyes stood before them.

Dressed in luxurious clothes of white fabric embroidered with gold thread, he looked noble to anyone’s eyes.

“To think you could look so similar. Even if you were lost, you’d be found right away.”

The man smiled and approached them with elegant steps.

“So, are you the Duke’s ex-wife? Former lover? What should I call you?”

“…….”

As the man came closer, Lia hid Rafaella behind her back.

“Anyone would think I was about to eat you.”

“…Excuse me, but may I ask who you are?”

Lia, careful not to make a mistake, lowered her gaze and asked politely.

“Who am I? Wow, I thought there wasn’t a single person in the Empire who didn’t recognize me. So the rumor that the Duke’s daughter’s birth mother was from the countryside must be true.”

“…….”

She still had no idea who he was.

He definitely seemed to be someone of status equal to Johann.

“Maybe I should have appeared in the newspaper more often.”

The man chuckled to himself, as if something was funny.

‘Newspaper? Wait, if the Princess is here and he’s someone famous enough to be in the papers…’

A chill ran down Lia’s spine.

“I am Prince Florian von Valerius of the Empire. Now do you know who I am?”

The man before her was none other than a Prince of the Valerius Empire.

Startled, Lia bowed deeply to Florian, but he gently placed his hand on her shoulder and helped her up.

“It’s a bit much to have a lady bowing on this dirt.”

“Please forgive my rudeness. I did not recognize you, Your Highness the Prince.”

“No need to be so sorry, since you didn’t know.”

Lia brought Rafaella, who she had hidden behind her, forward.

“Rafaella, you must greet His Highness the Prince with proper manners.”

“Yes.”

Rafaella stepped forward, grabbed the hem of her dress with both hands, and curtsied slightly.

“…May the blessing of Goddess Hecate be upon you. …I, Rafaella of Blumhart, greets you, Your Highness the Prince, the noble light of the heavens.”

Fortunately, Rafaella, who had learned how to greet Imperial Family members from her grandmother a few days ago, managed to finish her greeting, albeit haltingly.

Lia let out a sigh of relief.

Since Florian was the Princess’s younger brother, he would surely dislike Rafaella, and there was nothing to gain by drawing his attention.

“May the blessing of Goddess Hecate be upon you as well.”

He returned the greeting with a smile, then turned his gaze to Lia.

“So, this child is the Duke’s daughter, and you’re the Duke’s… what? Is that right?”

“…….”

She didn’t know what to say.

“What’s your name?”

Perhaps interpreting her silence, Florian asked another question.

“…My name is Lia.”

She realized she had only apologized in her surprise earlier and hadn’t introduced herself, so Lia composed her expression and answered.

“Hmm, pretty.”

It was unclear whether he meant her name or something else.

“Judging by the situation, you haven’t run into my sister yet. Are you running away from her?”

She had no idea what would be a wise answer here.

“…We were just taking a walk and returning.”

She could never say yes.

“Hmm, my sister’s eyes went red when she heard the Duke was teaching his daughter to ride.”

So he already knew and was just probing.

Now, she was at a loss for how to explain herself.

Rafaella, sensing Lia’s tension, clung tightly to her hand and just watched.

“…Huh? Grandmother?”

At that moment, a figure approached from behind Florian.

Florian turned halfway around.

“…May the blessing of Goddess Hecate be upon you. I, Isabella of Blumhart, greets you, Your Highness the Prince, the noble light of the heavens.”

Isabella, who had hurried over, greeted him with proper etiquette.

“May the blessing of Goddess Hecate be upon you as well.”

“Your Highness, it’s been a long time.”

“Yes, has it been since the late Duke of Blumhart’s funeral?”

Florian greeted Isabella, who was like a mother to him.

“Yes. I was planning to invite you to the parlor, but I apologize for having you in such a humble place.”

“A humble place? The sunshine is warm, and the birds are singing beautifully. It’s quite charming.”

“I’m glad you liked it. Before Her Highness the Princess returns, I’d like to have a long-overdue chat with you, Your Highness in the parlor, where refreshments are ready.”

“Hmm, you’re insisting so much, I can’t refuse.”

It was an obvious ploy to get him away from Lia and Rafaella, but Florian pretended to give in to Isabella’s repeated invitation.

He felt there was no more reason to stay here, and he had gathered enough information.

“Lia, take Rafaella and return to your room.”

“Yes.”

Isabella led Florian away first.

“Well then, see you again.”

Before leaving, Florian gave Lia a sly smile.

Somehow, it was an ominous parting remark.

Lia swallowed hard and bowed her head to him as he followed Isabella away.

After he disappeared from sight, Lia’s legs gave out and she sank to the ground.

‘It’s such a relief nothing happened….’

Who would have thought the Prince would come to the Ducal Estate together with the Princess…….

“Mom, do your legs hurt?”

“Hm? Oh, it’s fine. I was just a little surprised.”

“Was that man really the Prince of the Empire?”

“Yes. Surprised to meet him so suddenly, right?”

“Yeah, …but he’s really pretty.”

Rafaella whispered quietly into Lia’s ear, as if afraid someone would hear.

Florian had inherited the beautiful looks of the Interim Empress and was famous not only in the Empire but across the continent.

He knew this well, and even before coming of age, he was constantly entangled in romantic rumors with women.

Even during his travels, he left many women in tears.

‘I thought he’d openly show his dislike, but he hadn’t… What was that about…?’

She thought both the Princess and the Prince would treat her and Rafaella as eyesores.

“Mom, you said your stomach hurt. Let’s go quickly!”

“Okay, let’s go.”

At Rafaella’s urging, Lia got up and returned to their room.

* * *

Patrizia, having arrived at the Blumhart Ducal Estate’s plains in the Imperial carriage, got out with the escort of her attendant and strode straight toward Johann.

“May the blessing of Goddess Hecate be upon you. I, Johann of Blumhart, greets you, Your Highness the Princess, the noble light of the heavens.”

“How boldly you greet me.”

She sneered at Johann, whose expression didn’t change at all even upon seeing her.

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t greet you, Your Highness.”

He replied curtly.

The Princess frowned at his attitude, showing not the slightest concern for her displeasure.

“You don’t know? You registered a b*stard as your child without saying a word to me!”

“His Majesty the Emperor granted permission.”

“Your fiancée is me! Not His Majesty the Emperor!”

Patrizia shouted at Johann.