Chapter 25
Even if Elise was to become his wife, Roem couldn’t casually speak about matters involving the Crown Prince.
If he did, Elise herself might end up in danger.
“I know. But…”
There was a quiet helplessness in his voice—one that admitted he could do nothing.
Elise tightened her grip around his hands.
“Then take Adelaide with you to Clayton. Let her debut there and live comfortably, even if it’s just for a while. Please?”
Late autumn was slowly giving way to winter. There wasn’t much time left in the year.
Most of the major social events had already passed, making it nearly impossible for Adelaide to have her debut in the Empire this year.
And by unspoken rule, a woman who failed to debut by the age of twenty would never be allowed into society at all.
But as Elise said, things were different abroad.
“You know how women who fail to debut are treated. Even if, like you said, something happened during her adoption, that only matters here. Imperial law only applies within the Empire.”
At Elise’s reasoning, Roem began to waver.
‘If what the Crown Prince wants is simply for Adelaide to remain quiet and out of sight… then surely he wouldn’t interfere with her life in Clayton.’
Looking at Elise, who was watching him with a serious expression, Roem gave a small nod.
“You’re right, Elise.”
He didn’t know the Crown Prince’s true intentions.
But judging by how much support House Eport had received, it was clear the imperial family was, at the very least, favorable toward them.
Roem considered the worst-case scenario.
Adelaide might never be able to return to the Empire. Even so, when it came to her future, the better choice was obvious.
* * *
That evening, Roem visited Adelaide’s room.
After telling her what he had discussed with Elise in the garden, he carefully watched her reaction.
“…Is that really true? I can go abroad with you? Me?”
Adelaide asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
“The social season there is also winding down, so if you want a proper debut, you’d probably have to wait about six months. It’s possible to rush it and do it this year, but Elise suggested it might be better to spend that time getting acquainted with the nobility in Clayton first. Well… that’s something to think about later. In any case, what matters most is what you want, Adelaide.”
Even after his explanation ended, Adelaide didn’t respond. She just sat there, blank, as if she couldn’t process what she had heard.
After watching her for a moment, Roem hesitated before speaking again.
“If you don’t feel comfortable with it—”
“No! Not at all!”
Adelaide cut him off immediately. Clasping her hands together like she was praying, she looked up at him with shining eyes.
“How did you get Mother’s permission? I haven’t heard anything about this yet.”
“Ah…”
Roem trailed off.
At his vague reaction, the excitement that had just moments ago filled Adelaide’s eyes vanished.
“…So you didn’t get permission. This is just Brother’s idea, isn’t it?”
“…Yes. I haven’t told them yet. But they’ll agree in the end.”
He spoke firmly.
“What matters is you, Adelaide. Elise and I both think you should decide the direction of your own life.”
“But…”
“I’m not asking you to decide right away. We still have time before we leave for Clayton. Think it over carefully. There’s no need to rush.”
At her brother’s gentle words, Adelaide reluctantly nodded.
After Roem left, she remained seated on the sofa, lost in thought.
It was a proposal she had never even dreamed of.
Leaving this place. Starting a new life somewhere else.
Though she had become a member of the Eport family, her life had always felt like standing on one foot—unstable, precarious.
A half-baked noble lady. That was Adelaide.
And it was all she had ever expected to be.
“…Abroad…”
She had heard that her brother would be sent to Clayton as a diplomat, and she had only felt envy.
Never—not even once—had she imagined she might go with him abroad.
Her disappointment over not having her parents’ permission faded quickly.
Even if it was only for six months, it didn’t matter. There, surely, she could live a different life from the one she had in the Empire.
No one would scrutinize her every movement as a low-born count’s daughter. No one would make her shrink in fear of tarnishing Eport’s name.
And if she could successfully debut there, then Madam Shirley would no longer be able to criticize her upbringing.
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