Chapter 41
The sound of Killian and the soldiers leaving the estate gradually faded into the distance.
Adelaide collapsed onto the floor, still wearing nothing but a robe hastily thrown over her undergarments.
Cold seeped up from the ground, but she didn’t have the presence of mind to care.
“Miss…!”
The maids, newly released by the imperial guards, rushed into her room. The moment they saw her, they flinched—instinctively taking a step back.
“M-Miss…”
“I’m sorry, but I want to be alone. Could you leave?”
Her smile was hollow. Her eyes, drained of all life, looked completely empty.
“But…”
“Please. Just go.”
Her voice was firm. The maids had no choice but to withdraw.
Left alone, Adelaide slowly drew her knees to her chest. She buried her face in them and closed her eyes, but sleep never came.
How much time had passed? At some point, the darkness began to lift. She raised her head blankly.
Outside the window, the sun was rising brightly. Then, a knock sounded again.
“…I said go away.”
“My apologies, Miss. But there is something I must tell you…”
It was the butler.
He approached quietly and handed her something. Adelaide took it weakly.
“This arrived for you just now, Miss.”
“…What?”
She let out a hollow laugh. An invitation?
For someone like her—who had been confined to this house all her life—there could hardly be a more absurd word.
The butler seemed to understand exactly how she felt, but he spoke anyway, his voice stiff with suppressed grief.
“It is an invitation from the imperial palace. You are commanded to attend today’s celebration of the Crown Prince’s birthday.”
Adelaide stared at him, speechless.
Then tears began to gather in her green eyes. The misery she had forced down all night surged up all at once.
She raised the invitation as if to tear it apart immediately, but the startled butler stopped her.
“Miss!”
“Let go! You know, don’t you? You know how I’ve lived—what kind of life I’ve had!”
“Please calm yourself, Miss.”
“How—how can he do this to me? Tell me! Butler, explain it to me, how could Killi do this to me?!”
She broke down completely, sobbing as she cried out. It had been nearly ten years since she came to this house. And of all people, Killian knew better than anyone how much she had suffered.
Yet now she learned that everything had been Killi’s doing. Every moment they shared had been a lie.
The problem that had tormented her for years had been resolved by a single invitation. Just one.
“Miss, I understand how you feel. But you must not do this. You know that.”
The butler held her firmly, his voice sounding even more urgent.
“The Countess and Count have not yet returned. Nor has the young master. What do you think that means?”
“Th-then what am I supposed to do? Tell me! What am I supposed to do?!”
Adelaide sobbed helplessly.
The butler’s heart ached just as much as hers, but now was not the time for grief.
“There is still time before the evening ball. First, we should bring ice to reduce the swelling in your eyes.”
“No… I don’t want to…”
She shook her head weakly, her voice barely more than a whisper. The butler pretended not to hear and stood.
“I will prepare a dress to match His Highness’s colors. I will send in the maids, please wait a moment.”
With that, he turned and left.
Behind him, her quiet sobbing continued, but he clenched his teeth and kept walking.
* * *
By evening, a carriage from the imperial palace arrived at the front courtyard of the Eport estate.
Dressed in a crimson gown embroidered with silver thread, Adelaide stepped into the carriage with a blank expression.
“Miss.”
“I know, Butler… and I’m sorry. I couldn’t be stronger.”
For a moment, emotion flickered across his face, but it quickly sank beneath the surface.
“It’s your first appearance in society. Please… do well.”
The word well carried far more meaning than it seemed. Adelaide gave a small nod and entered the carriage.
At the imperial palace, Killian was waiting to receive her.
Dressed in a deep red military uniform that mirrored her own colors, he opened the carriage door and offered his hand.
Adelaide took it without hesitation.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face—but it quickly softened into a gentle smile.
“You look better than I expected. I thought your eyes would be swollen.”
“…When are you going to release my family?”
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