The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 64
Rubens smiled and lifted his teacup.
“There are quite a few things I’d like to discuss.”
“…Understood.”
“For now, let’s talk slowly over time. I’ll have someone show you to your room. You must be tired, so rest well.”
With that, Rubens excused himself and left the room.
“Please follow me.”
A moment later, when Frederick and Grace left the parlor, a stern-looking maid who had been waiting by the door guided them. As they walked, Grace took in the sights of the imperial palace. It felt like it would take a while to get used to everything.
‘It’s so big… and there are so many people.’
“This will be your room.”
The room she led them to was very spacious, filled with elegant, ornate furniture.
“If there’s anything you find inconvenient, don’t hesitate to say so. I’ll take my leave now.”
After the maid bowed and left, Grace looked out the window, now alone with Frederick.
I have to adjust to this new environment and live well here.
“……”
She felt warmth behind her—Frederick had embraced her.
“Do you think… I’ll be able to do well?”
“Of course. You even dance well now.”
Frederick replied without hesitation, even though she hadn’t specified what she meant. Instead of answering, Grace gave him a bright smile. She hadn’t been talking about the ball, but it was amusing nonetheless.
“You seem to be quite close with the Crown Prince.”
Though Frederick had looked slightly displeased and sighed, it was clear they were comfortable with each other. If they weren’t, Frederick would’ve been far more formal.
“He’s easygoing, and we’ve spent a lot of time together.”
“……”
“I suppose it’s because we were at war together when we were young.”
“I wish I had someone like that too.”
Frederick looked at her, puzzled.
“I don’t have any friends.”
“I’m not exactly friends with the Crown Prince.”
“He seems to think you are.”
And Frederick too, perhaps. Though he wasn’t openly affectionate, the subtle sense of familiarity between them was something Grace found herself envying.
“Well, you have me.”
“Are you saying… you’ll be my friend too?”
“Why not? Just tell me whatever’s on your mind. Isn’t that what friends do?”
“You already do that for me, Frederick.”
Hearing his words, Grace understood exactly what he meant.
“I misspoke. Frederick, you’re my best friend.”
She smiled brightly.
Rubens uncorked a bottle of liquor and poured drinks for both himself and Frederick.
“Cheers.”
“Drinking in the middle of the day?”
“I don’t usually, but I’ve been saving this for when you came.”
Rubens gave him a wink. Frederick raised his glass and took a sip.
“How is it?”
“It’s good. Must be a high-quality drink.”
“Of course. It’s top-tier whiskey, aged over 40 years in oak barrels.”
Rubens lifted his own glass and drank.
“But honestly, I kind of preferred the stuff we drank on the battlefield. Remember how we used to share a drink after a big victory?”
“Yes, I remember.”
Frederick nodded. In a place where life and death coexisted, where blood and corpses were everywhere, they had occasionally toasted after surviving brutal battles.
“How’s the room? Comfortable?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I was really glad when you contacted me first. Thanks to that, I had a good excuse to put you in charge of the Royal Knights. If it weren’t for your wife’s situation, you wouldn’t have come to the capital, would you?”
Frederick looked at him silently. Rubens chuckled.
“No denial, huh. I’d have been happier if you said it was because you wanted to be near me.”
Frederick stared at him without replying, but Rubens didn’t look the least bit embarrassed.
“There are things I couldn’t say in a letter.”
His voice dropped a little.
“Haven’t you wondered why I was so insistent about getting you to the capital?”
“Not really. I just figured that’s how you are.”
“So cold. You could at least pretend to think about it.”
Clicking his tongue, Rubens continued.
“The Empire needs you.”
“……”
“You already know His Majesty’s condition is critical. Vladimir is building his own power base. His intentions are impure—driven by selfish ambition. I believe he might turn against the royal family and endanger the Empire’s peace. That’s why I need your help to stop him.”
“Please explain in more detail.”
Frederick’s tone became serious as well.
“You said when you left for your territory that you had no intention of staying in the capital, but if something threatened the fate of the nation, you’d help. So despite everything, I’m asking for your help.”
“……”
“So, you see…”
While Frederick was meeting with the Crown Prince, Grace, who was resting alone in their room, received a visit from an unfamiliar maid.
“Her Highness the Crown Princess requests your presence.”
“The Crown Princess…?”
Grace was confused. Why would the Crown Princess want to see her? Still, she followed the maid to the princess’s quarters.
“Good day. I’m Grace Winstaine.”
“Nice to meet you, Lady Winstaine. Please, have a seat.”
The Crown Princess was a delicate woman with indigo hair swept up in an elegant style. She exuded grace and naturally gestured for Grace to sit. But why had she called for her?
“I wanted to see you before the Winstaine Duke’s welcome banquet. Since you’re the wife of someone His Highness cares deeply for…”
“I see…”
As if sensing her thoughts, the Crown Princess continued. Grace gave a slightly awkward smile.
“I heard you were originally from the House of Reinhardt. Is that correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Have you been to the capital before?”
No, she hadn’t. Grace answered plainly.
“Then this must be your first time seeing your family in a while.”
Ah. Grace’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t contacted her family in the capital at all, but she realized it might appear that way to others.
“You must be happy to be near them again.”
“Haha… I suppose so.”
Grace tried hard not to show her discomfort.
“I’ve met Diana and Sarah a few times.”
“…Yes.”
Hearing her sisters’ names made Grace’s heart tighten, and she lowered her gaze.
“Do you know many people in the capital’s social circles?”
“No, I don’t. I haven’t been active socially…”
“I heard you had some health issues. Are you doing alright now?”
“There are no problems.”
The Crown Princess gave a gentle smile at Grace’s reply.
“I hope we can become close. What do you think?”
“With me?”
“Yes. I’d like to be friends with the Duchess of Winstaine.”
Grace blinked in surprise. The Crown Princess smiled brightly and nodded. Why? Grace couldn’t quite figure it out. But either way, it wasn’t something she could refuse.
“May I call you Grace?”
“Yes… As you wish.”
“I’m Elinie. You can call me Eli, if you like. Actually, I have a small personal favor to ask. Would that be alright?”
“Yes… That’s fine.”
Looking into the Crown Princess’s sparkling eyes, Grace hoped it was something she could agree to.
“It’s nothing difficult. Just a small thing.”
“Yes… I understand.”
The monstrous Duke Winstaine and his wife had arrived in the capital.
The rumors started with the maids working in the palace and quickly spread. Even before the royal banquet was held, it became the talk of the nobility. Many nobles gossiped about the Duke’s sudden return from his long seclusion in the northern territory and speculated about why he was made the commander of the Royal Knights.
Naturally, this news also reached Diana and Sarah, the daughters of the Reinhardt family.
“That girl Grace came to the palace?”
“How’s she going to manage? She’s stupid, stutters, and can’t do anything.”
When they first heard the news, Diana and Sarah mocked Grace.
“She’s going to have a hard time fitting in here.”
“And she came with that monster of a duke. Cold-hearted and hideous—nobles in the capital avoid him.”
They thought it was foolish of her to come to the capital when she could’ve just stayed quietly in the Winstaine estate. Why set herself up for ridicule?
“…What the…?”
But on the day of the banquet, when they saw the so-called “monster duke” in person, they were utterly stunned.
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