Chapter 20: Bliss’s Proposal

The soft echo of Latte’s footsteps filled the corridor. Behind her, a young maid followed, unable to mask her anxiety as she constantly surveyed their surroundings.

“My lady, please reconsider. Her Highness Princess Jasmin…”

Concerned about potential eavesdroppers, the maid paused to glance around before continuing in a hushed voice.

“She doesn’t like unscheduled meetings. What if she becomes furious at this sudden visit?”

The maid trailed behind, shifting nervously from foot to foot, desperate to change Latte’s mind. But Latte remained unmoved by her words.

“I must go.”

“My lady.”

“I have to meet the Princess today. Don’t try to stop me.”

Latte’s small hands gripped her skirt tighter, strengthening her resolve to meet the Princess.

“My lady…”

“You know why I’m doing this.”

When Latte had caught sight of Caelan and Bliss walking together, her first instinct had been to retreat. But Bliss wouldn’t let her be. She had deliberately pretended to stumble, falling into Caelan’s arms while meeting Latte’s gaze.

As if to say, look, this wonderful man is mine.

Just like that.

First at the banquet, and now this—Bliss was making her stomach churn again.

“Lady Latte.”

“Without this, I’ll surely collapse.”

Latte smiled at her concerned maid. The smile was so tinged with sadness and melancholy that the maid found herself unable to protest further.

At the entrance to Princess Jasmin’s palace quarters, Latte encountered a knight.

“I’m here to see Her Highness the Princess.”

“Those without appointments cannot enter.”

“Please just ask Her Highness once. If she refuses to see me, I’ll leave without protest.”

Whether moved by Latte’s desperate plea or her promise not to persist, the knight instructed her to wait while he went inside. He returned shortly after informing the Princess.

“You may enter.”

Latte offered him a light bow, relief evident on her face, before stepping inside. She hadn’t expected to gain admission on her first attempt. Having prepared herself for the possibility of returning the next day, Latte entered the Princess’s room with light steps.

“Your Highness Princess Jasmin Ganesia, I, Latte Hice, greet you.”

The woman reclining on the couch acknowledged Latte’s greeting. Her languid gaze swept over Latte as her loose red hair cascaded around her.

“Well, what’s your reason for requesting an audience?”

She cut straight to the point without offering Latte a seat. Latte glanced at Princess Jasmin, momentarily startled by her casual posture before quickly masking her surprise. Though brief, the reaction didn’t escape the Princess’s notice, her eyes narrowing perceptively.

“I apologize for coming unannounced. However, my situation is truly urgent.”

Once certain that Princess Jasmin was listening, Latte revealed her purpose.

“I came to make a request of Your Highness.”

“How amusing that you would barge in here not to offer something, but to make a request.”

Princess Jasmin shook her head incredulously, her red hair swaying with the movement.

“I heard Your Highness has a potion that can suppress emotions. Perhaps that…”

“You want it?”

Princess Jasmin cut her off sharply. With visible irritation, she vented what seemed to be accumulated frustration.

“Why does everyone covet my possessions so much?”

The rebuke clearly included Latte among those people. At the Princess’s exasperated sigh, Latte lowered her head in shame.

“I let you in because I heard such rumors about your beauty and wanted to see for myself… Your face is quite pretty, but you’re not very interesting.”

That was Princess Jasmin’s sole reason for allowing the audience. Despite the Princess’s caustic words, Latte remained rooted in place. Though she maintained her composure, her trembling fingers betrayed her as they clutched at her skirt.

“I… haven’t been able to sleep lately.”

Latte’s voice emerged faintly, as if it might break at any moment.

“My heart aches so much that I can’t sleep at night. That’s why I need that potion. I’ll pay any amount, so please, won’t you give it to me?”

At Latte’s heartfelt plea, Princess Jasmin fixed her with a blank stare before bursting into laughter.

“How amusing.”

Princess Jasmin curled into herself as she laughed. When her amusement lasted longer than expected, Latte raised bewildered eyes.

“Do I look like I need money? Or did you think those pitiful eyes of yours would sway me?”

Princess Jasmin spoke between fits of laughter. Her red hair spilled forward like a crimson waterfall. As if all color had drained to the Princess’s hair instead, Latte’s bitten lips grew pale. Though she seemed ready to collapse at any moment, Latte somehow remained standing.

“If that’s all you have to say, there’s no reason for you to stay. You may leave.”

“But Your Highness…”

“Leave. And don’t overstep your bounds like this again.”

As if she had never laughed at all, Princess Jasmin dismissed Latte with the same dry voice from before. Having satisfied her curiosity about Latte, she no longer held any interest.

Faced with the Princess’s ruthless dismissal, Latte had no choice but to withdraw in silence. The hope she had harbored upon securing this audience crumbled to pieces.

Watching Latte’s dejected retreat, Princess Jasmin clicked her tongue.

“Her pitiful face is worth a look, but that’s all there is to her.”

After delivering this merciless assessment, Princess Jasmin sank deeper into her couch.

“Your Highness, the Marchioness Adrian has arrived.”

“Let her in.”

At Princess Jasmin’s permission, the heavy door opened and Bliss entered. Princess Jasmin found herself comparing Bliss to Latte, who had just left. She couldn’t help but think that Bliss’s beauty paled in comparison to Latte’s striking appearance.

Though this unintended comparison arose only because of Latte’s recent visit, Princess Jasmin kept her thoughts hidden as she observed Bliss.

Upon seeing the half-reclining Princess, Bliss delivered her greeting with perfect composure.

“I greet Your Highness Princess Jasmin Ganesia. I am Bliss of House Adrian.”

At Bliss’s greeting, the Princess, who had been studying her intently, showed an odd look in her eyes. While even Latte had been flustered earlier, this woman’s composure was unexpected.

“Welcome, Marchioness. Please, sit.”

She gestured to the seat opposite her.

Accepting the Princess’s courtesy without hesitation, Bliss took her seat as the maids hurried to prepare tea.

Silence fell between Bliss and Princess Jasmin as they watched the preparations. Princess Jasmin regarded Bliss curiously, noting how she made no attempt to ingratiate herself.

“What brings you here?”

Princess Jasmin spoke suddenly while watching Bliss drink her tea. Though she had meant to catch Bliss off guard, things didn’t unfold as expected.

Bliss carefully set down her cup and met the Princess’s gaze with unwavering eyes.

“I have a favor to ask of Your Highness.”

At this request, so similar to Latte’s, Princess Jasmin’s eyes narrowed.

“Do you also wish to take something from me?”

Princess Jasmin, who had felt somewhat hopeful because Bliss hadn’t tried to flatter her, made no effort to hide her disappointment. As if weary of such conversations, she examined her nails while speaking.

“Ever since word spread about my collection of unusual items, I’ve had no shortage of visitors.”

As Bliss watched in silence, Princess Jasmin propped her chin and traced the ceiling patterns with her gaze.

“They either offer money, propose bets, or some even have the audacity to demand things outright.”

Having endured this countless times, she had grown weary of it all. The constant approaches tired her, and even praise no longer brought her joy.

“Well, they might genuinely need the items, or perhaps they’re using them as an excuse to get close to me.”

Seeing that even Bliss coveted her possessions, Princess Jasmin sighed. So the wife of House Adrian, who wanted for nothing, was no different from the rest.

After voicing her complaints, Princess Jasmin noticed something peculiar. The Marchioness sat quietly, offering no excuses. Had she stammered in confusion like Latte, the Princess would have dismissed her immediately.

“What will you offer in return?”

Princess Jasmin asked without much hope. Having already mentioned the usual proposals, she planned to dismiss Bliss immediately if she made similar offers.

At the Princess’s question, Bliss paused briefly. Had Caelan come instead, he would have proposed a bet. In the original story, he had indeed wagered and won the dagger, but crucially failed to win the Princess’s heart. So Bliss offered what she had carefully considered.

“I came to listen to Your Highness’s troubles.”

“…What?”

Princess Jasmin’s voice rang with surprise.

***

“When I return, I’ll bring you some medicine to help you sleep.”

Hoping to ease Latte’s disappointment, the maid made expansive gestures as she tried to comfort her.

“Thank you.”

Though she wanted to say she was fine, she knew she needed at least that much consolation. As Latte managed a weak smile and absently turned her head, she suddenly spotted someone and flinched.

“My lady?”

Despite the maid’s call, Latte seemed not to hear, unable to look away. All her attention focused on the man before her.

“Caelan.”

Latte whispered his name.