It Turned Out She Wasn't a Favored Concubine - Episode 4

Unlike other attendants, Louie genuinely cared for me and took care of my body with sincerity.

Naturally, I came to rely on her a lot, and Louie became a close maid of Arlene Palace, assisting me by my side.

“A letter from the Marquis arrived last night.”

As a close maid of Arlene Palace, she was in charge of nearly every aspect of my daily life, but one of the most important tasks was maintaining contact with Arne’s family the Edelheit household.

Since she had originally been a maid from the Edelheit family, her appointment was only natural.

The Marquis mentioned here was none other than Arne’s older brother, Giscal von Edelheit.

Despite his reputation as a war hero, I could refer to him casually as Arne’s brother because I had experienced firsthand how he treated her.

Unfortunately, I didn’t remember it clearly. If I had properly seen his face, I might have recalled it while reading the letter, but all I had was a vague impression.

Giscal had visited while I was suffering from a high fever. I couldn’t tell whether it was day or night, but I distinctly remembered him looking down at me. His features were blurry, but the black hair and red eyes so similar to Arne’s were unmistakable. He had been speaking seriously with Louie and another man, but when I groaned in pain, he placed a firm hand on my forehead.

His hand was very cold. If it had been the biting chill of a winter wind, I might have instinctively turned away. But it was more like the coolness you feel when looking out a window in a stuffy, overheated room refreshing and welcome. I accepted his touch gratefully.

Maybe that’s why?

After several sleepless nights, I finally managed to fall asleep in that coolness.

When I asked about it after recovering from the fever, Louie was startled and shifted her gaze. She must have assumed I had misrecognized someone due to the fever.

But I clearly remembered Louie and the other man calling him “Giscal.” And the black hair and red eyes if he wasn’t Arne’s brother, that would’ve been even stranger. Louie nodded awkwardly and said,

“The Marquis was worried about Your Highness and came to visit in secret. He couldn’t publicly leave the battlefield, so he came quietly. Please don’t let anyone know.”

Come to think of it, Arne’s brother Giscal was a commander fighting on the northern front lines. No matter how worried he was about his sister, the top commander couldn’t just leave the battlefield for several days.

What if the enemy attacked while he was gone? I couldn’t easily accept it, but Louie then told me about a mineral called Motus.

She said he used the precious family treasure, Motus, to teleport instantly to the capital and sneak into the palace to see me.

Louie repeatedly emphasized that Giscal’s visit must remain secret, and I gave a vague reply. From that day on, I began researching the mysterious mineral Motus.

I hoped I might use its teleportation ability to return home but the results weren’t promising.

Still, one thing was clear: Giscal deeply cared for his sister Arne.

To use such a rare treasure just to visit her once…

Louie also said the other man with Giscal was a renowned physician he had brought along. Despite the risk of exposure, he brought the doctor for Arne’s sake. And after his visit, my condition visibly improved.

Giscal’s devotion left a strong impression. It gave me a sense of relief.

These siblings must be close. The brother truly cherishes his sister.

After recovering from the fever, I continued exchanging letters with him.

They were typical family letters warm and caring. He worried about his sick sister and wanted to help. I couldn’t ignore such letters.

Based on Louie’s testimony that Arne and Giscal were close enough to speak informally and call each other by name, I resolved to write a reply. Something a concerned family member might write.

I told him not to worry about me, and that I was more concerned about him on the battlefield.

Since I didn’t know much about him, the letter was short. I added some polite remarks about the weather and then hesitated at the end just before signing it as Arne von Edelheit.

That’s when I felt guilty. I had been so relieved by Giscal’s kindness that I forgot his care was meant for Arne, not me. Even though I had no say in this situation, I was still hiding the truth. So in the end, I left the signature blank.

Louie delivered the reply, and for several days afterward, I suffered a worse fever. Was I afraid that Giscal might discover my true identity from the letter?

But nothing happened. Giscal responded with a slightly longer letter, showing no suspicion. And so, I continued exchanging letters with him as Arne. The frequency was a bit high.

This letter was no different. Even though it should take over ten days for a message to travel from the capital to the battlefield, his reply arrived in just three days. Did he have a special courier just for my letters?

The contents were always ordinary. Relief at my recovery, and a line offering help if needed always included.

Was the war hero simply weak when it came to his sister? It didn’t match his reputation, but being her only family gave him a valid reason.

Maybe he spoiled her too much, and that’s why Arne’s personality turned out so twisted.

It was good they were close, but perhaps he never corrected her faults because he cherished her too much.

As I pondered these things while writing a reply, Louie spoke while preparing a washbasin.

“I heard you had tea time with His Majesty in the garden yesterday. I didn’t expect him to visit while I was away.”

“Yes, he invited me out because the weather was nice. We just had a quick cup of tea and came back.”

“Did he say anything unusual?”

I sighed, recalling the indefinite extension of the banquet ban.

“Other than that? Haha, now even more noble ladies will hate me.”

Louie’s hand paused. A few days ago, while walking in the garden, we overheard gossip about me beyond the wall—Louie had been with me then.

“Just ignore them. His Majesty wanted to lift the ban, didn’t he? It was the Emperor who insisted. If I ever meet someone badmouthing you again, I’ll rip out their hair so they can never speak of you again.”

Louie slammed down the bowl and clenched her fists as if the gossipers were right in front of her.

She probably would do it. When we heard the gossip, she nearly climbed over the wall. I was so startled by her fluttering skirt.

I had resolved to be careful with my words around Louie, who cared so deeply for me—but I slipped again. I quickly changed the subject.

“Oh, the weather’s nice today. How about breakfast outside?”

“Great idea! It’ll lift your spirits. I’ll prepare it right away.”

“I’m not that hungry yet, so take your time.”

From experience, the attendants at Arlene Palace were extremely fast.

They had been trained under Arne, who couldn’t tolerate even a moment of delay, so they had no choice but to move quickly.

After seeing maids trembling with pale faces and shaky legs while rushing to fulfill orders, I made sure to always say “take your time.”

Louie understood and carried out my orders without overburdening the other maids.

I wasn’t Arne.

I was pretending to be her, but I had no intention of repeating the cruel deeds written in her diary.

It was mentally exhausting, and I had another reason.

Soon, a splendid breakfast was served, perfectly matching the beautiful garden of Arlene Palace. The warm bread with fresh fruit jam was mouthwatering. Softly cooked bacon and a golden omelet made it heavenly. And finally, nut-filled cookies.

It was the right moment. I spoke the line I had prepared since last night.

“Oh my, this is delicious. Could you call the chef who made breakfast?”

Louie quickly brought the chef. He hurried after her, sweating despite the mild weather.

His face was pale, probably fearing I’d find fault.

Arne had never once praised the staff, including the chefs. She frequently punished them for minor mistakes.

“I enjoyed breakfast very much. I called you to commend you.”

“Pardon?”

The chef looked at me in disbelief. The other staff reacted similarly—covering their mouths or widening their eyes.

“I’ll send a reward through Louie. Please continue making delicious meals.”

“Th-thank you, Your Highness. Thank you.”

The chef bowed repeatedly. It was more relief than gratitude, but I smiled and accepted it. I had another request.

“And these chocolate cookies were especially good. Can you make more?”

“Y-yes, of course. As many as you wish.”

“Then make enough for all the staff at Arlene Palace.”

“Pardon?”

The chef nearly screamed and quickly covered his mouth.

Well, that was expected. The palace owner was acting in unimaginable ways—of course they’d be shocked.

But they’d have to get used to it. I’d be giving generous rewards often.

It was all part of my first goal: image reform!

Yes, the first thing I had to do for the future was erase my bad reputation.

Why would the Emperor work so hard to tarnish Arne’s name? Because the worse her reputation, the easier it would be to cast her out later.

If I were a beloved consort praised by all, it would be harder. People might oppose the Emperor’s decision.

But if I were a notorious consort, everyone would welcome my removal.

I didn’t mind being expelled from the palace as long as I secured enough retirement

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