Chapter 26

Not long after returning to the mansion, I realized I had made a big mistake. Since that day, I hadn’t gone to see Julian, and Julian also hadn’t come to see me.

We didn’t dine together, and our bedrooms were separate. Without effort, it became clear that we could stay in the same mansion and never cross paths. The mansion felt desolate and boring, even though I lived distantly from the quiet man.

I tried to visit Julian several times but always stopped at his door. Every time I raised my hand to knock, it would fall limply to my side.

First, I didn’t dare explain my secret, and second, I realized I was more hurt by his mask than I had thought.

Julian had a response to my words. If he had said he would take off his mask, I would have had no choice but to share one of my secrets. But Julian chose to remain silent.

I know it’s not an easy thing to do. Despite that, I felt hurt. The intertwining of resentment and guilt left me stuck.

As those days passed, I became sensitive to a single knock.

Knock, knock. At the sound, I hurriedly stood up. A familiar voice came from beyond the door.

“Your Grace, it’s the butler.”

“Come in.”

It wasn’t the voice I had been waiting for, but the always familiar voice of the butler. I sat down again and tried to appear calm. It was pathetic to be waiting for Julian when I couldn’t even muster the courage to face him if he came.

The butler opened the door and greeted me politely.

“What is it?“

“The first mining of the rare gemstone has been completed. We obtained only a small amount, but the master ordered me to bring it to you first.”

“Julian?”

I could feel my eyes trembling. The butler smiled faintly and handed me a small box. It fits snugly in my palm. I received it from the butler and opened it. Inside was a rare gemstone, shining transparently.

I hurriedly closed the box, feeling like I heard voices again, but the emotion remained.

“Where is His Grace?“

“He is working on his study.”

Holding the decorative box in both hands, I felt lost. I instructed Anna to prepare for departure to the imperial palace.

“What? In such a hurry?“

“We must hurry. I’ll just be upstairs for a moment.”

Anna nodded and moved busily in response to my hurried words.

The journey to the fourth floor felt both short and long. Either way, it made me nervous. The butler’s steps behind me were steady, but my stride kept widening and narrowing.

“Butler, is Julian very angry with me?“

“How could a servant know the master’s feelings?”

The butler answered calmly. It was a lie. No one in this mansion knew Julian’s heart better than the butler. I pursed my lips and muttered that it was unfair.

The butler just smiled gently. He had started laughing more softly than before, and though his emotions were still hard to read, he seemed much softer.

I stood in front of Julian’s study. I had come here several times over the past few days but couldn’t knock. Hesitating, I finally hit.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Come in.”

Its voice sounded indifferent as if expecting the butler. I grasped the doorknob but then let go.

“Julian.”

When I called through the door, there was no response. What could he be doing? Would he be surprised? Confused? Or would he wear an annoyed expression? I decided not to dwell on negative thoughts and found my courage.

“I have something to say.“

“…Come in.“

“I, I don’t want to.”

I said through the crack in the door, sounding like I was whining. Only then did Julian stop urging me to enter. Leaning close to the door, I said what I wanted to say.

“I overreacted in the carriage the other day. I’m sorry.”

When I did not receive a response to my apology, I thought he must be really angry. But Julian gave a completely different answer.

“I’m sorry, too.”

Surprised, I opened the door without realizing it. I wanted to see Julian’s face as he apologized.

Unlike his usual self sitting correctly at the desk, Julian was leaning on the desk with his forehead resting in his hand. When he looked up, our eyes met softly in the air.

“What are you sorry for?”

I really wanted to hear it. Julian turned his head to the right, rubbed his face dry, and looked at me. His expression showed a mix of embarrassment and discomfort. For a moment, I found him endearing. The thought of it overwhelmed me from head to toe.

Unaware of my feelings, Julian continued to speak.

“It seems I always asked you to prepare yourself emotionally. In truth, I was the one who wasn’t prepared.”

I must have been captivated by those words. His low, self-reproaching gaze and the nervous way he couldn’t put down his pen also captivated me. He was a good person.

I strode towards him. Julian seemed defenseless, thinking I would stop within a specific range. I stood in front of him and cupped his left cheek. His clean, smooth cheek felt soft in my hand.

Smooch.

I kissed his mask. The cool touch of the mask pressed against my lips.

That was all. But my face turned red. I quickly withdrew my hand and stepped back.

“I just wanted to let you know that’s how far I’ve prepared myself emotionally today.”

Julian traced his fingers over his mask. Unable to bear watching that, I lowered my head.

“I’m going to the imperial palace. You know why, right?“

“…Alright.”

I quickly withdrew my hand from his face as if I was escaping and stepped back. Then, I hurried towards the door to leave.

“Laila.“

Julian’s voice calling my name startled me, but I turned around swiftly, trying not to show it. Feeling incredibly embarrassed, I decided to act brazenly. Standing tall and lifting my chin, I spoke.

“Why? You don’t have to tell me how ecstatic you were about my kiss.”

At my words, full of bravado, Julian let out a short laugh and then shook his head.

“It’s nothing. Just be careful on your way.”

I was curious about what he wanted to say, but I couldn’t stay there any longer. I quickly left the study. Feeling out of breath from a short distance, the butler rushed to support me.

“It’s okay, I’m fine.”

I brushed off the butler and hurried down the stairs. There was no knowing when the second prince might come with an imperial decree, so I had to head to the imperial palace quickly. As soon as I returned to my room, I called for Anna. Seeing me, Anna gasped and asked,

“Oh, Your Grace! Did you have another fight with the Grand Duke?“

“What?”

At her words, I stood in front of the mirror behind Anna. In the mirror was a woman with a face as red as a beet.

* * *

The Emperor’s audience chamber was filled with rare and precious items, proving the nobility of those who stood within it.

In the center of the audience chamber were three chairs, the most resplendent at the highest level belonging to the Emperor.

The one on the left was for the empress, and the one on the right was for the crown prince. Neither was present now, leaving the Emperor alone, seated arrogantly.

In front of the Emperor stood Cain with an aggrieved expression.

“Father, I may be lacking, but I am still a prince! I am your son! For someone to treat me with such disrespect is akin to an affront to the royal family. Please, punish the Grand Duchess of Zan!”

Cain omitted the part about being hit in the groin, only complaining about being hit.

The Emperor found his son pathetic for running to complain about being struck by a woman, but Cain’s words were not entirely wrong. After all, a prince was a prince.

“What did you do to provoke her?“

“I did nothing….”

Before Cain could say anything more, the Emperor waved his hand dismissively. If he had intended to speak honestly, he wouldn’t have put on such a pitiful act.

“Enough.“

Cain’s eyes narrowed sharply at the curt response, but he quickly bowed his head. Fortunately, the Emperor seemed to have missed it while rubbing his temple.

“That woman certainly intended to disrespect the royal family!“

“The Grand Duchess of Zan is the daughter of the Count of Winsley! Do you think the Count of Winsley would raise his child so poorly?“

“But….”

The Emperor’s trust in the Winsley family was higher than expected. It had to be, as the family had supported the imperial authority for generations.

Now, with the daughter becoming the Grand Duchess, even if Cain’s words were valid, he would have to temper any punishment.

The Emperor looked down at Cain with a troubled expression and sighed deeply.

“I will meet the Grand Duchess of Zan personally. Will that suffice?“

“Really? Then may I bring her in myself?“

“Do you even hear yourself?“

Cain’s face showed confusion. What did the Emperor mean? As Cain stood there, bewildered, the Emperor shouted at him.

“What are you waiting for? Get out! You fool! If you dare tell anyone you were beaten, I will break your legs myself!”

Cain hurriedly fled. Surely, summoning the Grand Duchess would turn out well, as the Emperor would side with a prince.

As Cain left with those foolish thoughts, the Emperor clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Even an idiot like him thinks he can become emperor….”

Once Cain was gone, the door to the audience chamber opened cautiously, and the chamberlain entered with a careful demeanor.

“Your Majesty, the First Princess is waiting outside the audience chamber.“

“Abigail? Let her in immediately.”

The Emperor’s face lit up with joy. Despite Cain and Abigail being siblings, one was incredibly foolish while the other was intelligent and charming. The Emperor cherished his daughter, who was affectionate and obedient towards him.

“Your Majesty, there is something you must see first.”

The chamberlain took a letter from his sleeve and respectfully placed it before the Emperor. Looking mildly annoyed, the Emperor picked up the letter and raised an eyebrow.

“It’s from the Zan estate. Isn’t it the usual greeting? I’m pleased to receive it, but there’s no need to keep Abigail waiting.”

The chamberlain insisted once more. “It wasn’t sent by Grand Duke Zan. It was sent by the Grand Duchess.”

Only then did the Emperor take another look at the letter. It was indeed not in Grand Duke Zan’s handwriting. After examining the letter, the Emperor stood up abruptly, forgetting all decorum. Then he laughed heartily as if delighted.

“Bring the Grand Duchess Zan to the palace immediately! I must meet her!”

Meanwhile, standing outside, Abigail glared at her brother as he emerged from the audience chamber.

“Brother, what did you say to Father? I heard scolding from inside.“

“Nothing important.“

“Surely, you weren’t found out about that woman, were you?”

Lowering her voice as much as she could, Abigail asked. To this, Cain jumped and shook his head vigorously.

“Not at all!”

Cain turned as if to run away. He was weak against his much younger and more thoughtful sister. Knowing a scolding was about to begin, he tried to escape. However, Abigail firmly grabbed his arm.

“Brother!”

Though her voice was low and negligible, it had the same effect as the Emperor’s scolding. Cain winced and hunched his shoulders.

“If you haven’t been found out, get rid of that woman now. One mistress is enough.”

Cain made a genuinely troubled face.

“Abigail, you’re too young to understand. A man needs many women to support him.“

“What nonsense! Brother, think about the grand plan! What about Marquis Amber? Surely….”

Abigail’s “grand plan“ referred to looking as far as the Crown Prince or even the Emperor. Cain usually listened to Abigail’s nagging, but he was unwilling to back down this time. After all, he had just obtained a rare woman; how could he let her go?

“Abigail! These trivial matters will be no obstacles when I achieve my grand plan. Understand? You just try to soothe Father’s mood.”

With that, Cain walked out of the audience chamber entrance confidently. Abigail glared at his back before turning at the chamberlain’s voice calling her.

In that brief moment, her fierce expression disappeared, and she transformed into the image of a loving daughter.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.