Chapter 14 – Outing with Prince Kallian

Some handmaids saw Leios carrying Eileen to her bedroom, but since most of those working in Ruby Palace had served since Queen Edna’s days, rumors of that night did not spread.

However, the fact that the Princess’s man was none other than Leios Dreikan, the Duke, shocked Eileen’s maids. Of course, they had considered Leios among the noble candidates with connections to Eileen, but dismissed him due to Eileen’s dazzling appearance.

“…I never dreamed His Grace the Duke could be so intense.”

The Dreikan Dukedom was a family of knights, and the previous Duke was known for being stoic. The current Duke, Leios Dreikan, rarely appeared in society and hardly ever smiled at noble ladies. None of Eileen’s maids had expected him to have such a passionate, persistent side.

“…Is it that obvious?”

“To be honest, yes. Even after several layers of powder, it’s hard to hide. And… and… there’s just so much!”

Hearing Stella’s candid words, Eileen smiled shyly, lips slightly parted.

Even after three days, the many marks that hadn’t faded became a significant obstacle for the maids helping Eileen dress. No matter how much powder they applied, faint pink marks would sometimes show, so they had to be extra careful choosing her dresses.

Especially this morning. They had worked so hard to make sure nothing would show during Adrian and Kallian’s sudden visit. To cover her neck, they curled Eileen’s hair several times with a hot iron, making it look fuller. All that effort was a hard-won achievement within just an hour, so it was no wonder Eileen’s maids were all exhausted now.

“Still, thanks to Stella’s good work, no one noticed this morning. It seemed like nobody realized.”

“Princess……”

The two men who visited Ruby Palace in the morning had breakfast with Eileen and discussed the wedding date. Although they called it a discussion, it was more like a notification. One month later. Eileen, with a serious face, asked if they knew how much a bride had to prepare in such a short time, but Adrian immediately cut her off, saying no one would dare prioritize anything over the Princess’s wedding.

So now, in the afternoon, she was getting ready to go out. She was to visit the dressmaker’s shop with Kallian himself. Normally, Madame Katarina, who handled the royal family’s clothes, would come to Ruby Palace, but this time, it was scheduled at Kallian’s request, as he wanted to look around the capital with Eileen.

Therefore, Eileen had to prepare to go out once again.

“Will this much lace be enough to cover it? Or should I wear something else?”

“To be honest, if you wear something that covers your neck more than this, it’ll look odd. The weather is hot and humid these days.”

“That’s right, and after the last banquet, because of the dresses you wore, the trend is now for more daring heart-shaped necklines and even backless designs. You can’t suddenly wear a suffocating lace dress that goes up to your neck when you’re the one who started this trend.”

“…I don’t know about the latter, but I do understand it would look much too warm.”

Eileen decided she’d just have to cover the marks as best she could. As Stella gently patted powder on her neck, Eileen met Marianne’s eyes in the mirror.

“Marianne?”

Eileen called to her, sensing the curious look, and Marianne carefully rose from the sofa to approach, pressing Eileen’s shoulder gently.

“…Princess. Are you really alright like this?”

“Of course, I’m fine.”

She didn’t know exactly what Marianne meant, but Eileen answered cheerfully on purpose. The marriage was inevitable, and Leios had promised to wait for her. Of course, she felt sorry for Leios, but all she could do was try to repay his feelings.

“…I don’t know what thoughts you have, Princess, but if His Highness the Prince finds out about the Duke, I can’t even imagine what will happen.”

“…Marianne.”

“I always thought I was on your side, Princess, but now I feel a little different. Even after the wedding, do you plan to keep seeing His Grace the Duke?”

At Marianne’s words, all the maids listened closely. When Eileen’s incident first happened, she’d said the man wasn’t her lover, but now, everyone could sense she had the air of a woman in love.

Since Leios’s visit, Eileen had smiled to herself countless times and written secret letters whenever she found the chance. Marianne thought this could cause a big stir.

“…I’ve already given my heart to Leios. He said the same.”

Eileen felt there was no need to lie in this situation. Sharing her true feelings with those who trusted and respected her was important. But the fact that all the maids couldn’t hide their surprised expressions was, if anything, a bit of a problem.

“…Princess.”

“I’ll handle my relationship with Leios. The marriage with His Highness the Prince will proceed without issue.”

At Eileen’s confident tone, Marianne fell silent for a moment. There was no stopping two people already so attached, and it wasn’t the best solution for Eileen. But this royal marriage was important.

“In that case, at least until the wedding, would you consider postponing your meetings with His Grace the Duke?”

“You’re worried Prince Kallian might use this as an excuse, aren’t you?”

Marianne nodded quietly instead of answering. Anyone could tell, just by undressing her, that Eileen had spent a passionate night. And Leios’s marks, as if he had no intention of hiding them, were concentrated around her neck and shoulders—places sure to be exposed by her dresses. Marianne thought Leios must not have been in his right mind, either.

“I hope you don’t take my words too hard. I’m always your maid, Princess, but I also have to honor Queen Edna’s wishes.”

“…Mother’s wishes?”

“She always emphasized your happiness and the peace of the Staerfix royal family. This wedding must go smoothly.”

“……”

“After marriage, it’s normal for couples not to share a room, so after that… there might be a way.”

Marianne trailed off, unable to finish. Even after the royal wedding, Leios’s presence would certainly cause trouble, but for now, this was all she could say. Seeing Marianne and the other maids’ troubled faces, Eileen hid her gloom and smiled faintly.

“I understand what you mean.”

Eileen hadn’t ignored the issue, either. Ever since Leios asked to be her second husband, she knew she couldn’t let him go. But she couldn’t predict how Prince Kallian would take it.

Of course, Kallian, infamous for his affairs, was hardly in a position to demand fidelity from Eileen, but having a consort or second husband was a different matter.

Feeling a headache coming on, Eileen blinked. Today, too, the woman in the mirror was as beautiful as ever. And soon, a knock signaled that it was time for her outing with Kallian.