Chapter 33
“Of course I’m fine with it!”
Grizelle immediately bit at the bait Sylaria dangled before her. With her face flushed, she clasped her hands together and her eyes sparkled.
“But is it really alright for me to stay in the guest palace? Only honored guests are supposed to stay there.”
“You’re my honored guest. Your Highness Euclid, would that be alright?”
“There’s no reason it wouldn’t be.”
Euclid shrugged as he spoke. With his permission granted, Grizelle looked utterly ecstatic, as if she could float away.
“That’s wonderful!”
Of course you’d think so.
Sylaria looked at Grizelle with a cool gaze.
At that moment, she felt Euclid’s eyes on her. His expression was as if he had a lot he wanted to say.
‘What’s with him?’
Did she do something wrong? Sylaria tilted her head. Was he displeased about placing Grizelle in the guest palace?
But this much was well within the authority of a future imperial consort. That couldn’t be the reason.
Euclid even furrowed his brow and let out a faint sigh before saying something completely unexpected.
“Alright, let’s go. Follow the attendant, Miss. They’ll show you to the guest palace.”
“Yes, Your Highness. Thank you!”
Rather than question Sylaria, Euclid chose to send Grizelle away. He followed Grizelle out of the parlor and closed the door behind her.
‘Am I imagining things?’
Sylaria watched Euclid’s broad back as he left, thinking to herself.
Well, it could have just been her imagination. She still didn’t know him well. Maybe she’d misread his expression.
“Ellie, there’s something I really want to talk to you about.”
It wasn’t urgent, so she could confirm it later. For now, she needed to look after Elenia.
“Yes, Sister? What is it?”
“…Come here for a moment.”
Sylaria took Elenia’s hand and led her into the dressing room.
Elenia didn’t know Grizelle’s true nature. To her, Grizelle was still a close childhood friend. Someone with no secrets.
That’s why Sylaria needed to take measures in advance so that Elenia could keep her distance from Grizelle.
“The truth is, Father’s letters have been coming to the imperial palace all this time.”
Sylaria opened a small box she retrieved from the innermost part of the dresser drawer. When she opened the simple wooden box, envelopes of letters appeared inside.
“Father…?”
Elenia’s face clouded at the unexpected news.
It was understandable. Their stepfather, Wilder Rainier, was nothing but trash with nothing to recommend him but a passable face.
Drinking, gambling, violence… He indulged in every sort of vice, making him a noose around the sisters’ necks.
He would steal Elenia’s medicine money to waste on gambling or beat Sylaria without hesitation while inebriated. Such things were commonplace.
Their hellish life ended when Sylaria entered the imperial palace.
The imperial family conducted a background check before admitting her, and as soon as they learned of the stepfather’s existence and character, they issued an order barring him from approaching the palace.
Not only that, but to prevent any unnecessary friction or problems until the prince’s engagement ceremony, they imprisoned him in the underground dungeon.
Thanks to that, Elenia had been able to live peaceful days.
But even from the dungeon, his voice continued to reach Sylaria.
“He keeps asking to be let out of prison. He says if we help him just this once, he’ll never trouble us again.”
Sylaria showed the letter to Elenia as she spoke. Her heart ached as she saw her younger sister’s face darken while reading the rough handwriting.
She only wanted Elenia to hear good things. But this couldn’t be helped. This was groundwork for getting Grizelle away from her.
“What do you think we should do, Ellie?”
“Well, of course…”
With trembling hands, Elenia folded the letter. In a pale voice, she murmured,
“I don’t want to see Father. I’m scared…”
“Me too.”
Sylaria set the box of letters down and took her sister’s hand. Elenia’s hand was icy with fear, so Sylaria gently warmed it as she spoke.
“Ellie, listen carefully. I’m going to marry the First Prince. And I’ll make him the Imperial Crown Prince.”
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