The Abandoned Princess, Yet She Is Loved - Chapter 66
Mikael answered with a smile. He asked Grace how she liked the imperial palace, and Grace shared her thoughts.
“Are you having a good time?”
“Oh, Your Highness.”
Just then, a stranger interrupted their conversation. Both turned their heads at the same time, and the man looked at Grace with a smile.
“And this lady… isn’t she today’s main character?”
“Yes. This is the Duchess of Winstaine.”
“I’m Grace Winstaine.”
“My name is Vladimir.”
Vladimir had narrow eyes, a straight nose, a slender jawline, and thin lips—his face resembled that of a snake.
“I’ve actually been watching from a distance for a while. You seemed to be getting along quite well with the Crown Princess, is that right?”
“Yes. We’re close friends.”
Grace answered just as she had promised the Crown Princess.
‘There’s something off about this man…’
If he was a prince, then he must be Crown Prince Rubens’ brother. But unlike the crown prince, who had a down-to-earth charm, Vladimir gave off a completely different vibe.
Even though he smiled and acted friendly, there was an unexplainable sense of unease about him.
“Oh really? I had no idea. So you’ve known each other for a while? Then let’s get along well too.”
“Yes, of course, Your Highness.”
“But I must admit, I’ve never seen you before. I know the other young ladies of the Reinheim family quite well. Didn’t you go out with your sisters?”
“I didn’t take part in social events. I was sickly…”
Grace gave the prepared answer.
“Ah, I see. Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes. I’ve become much healthier since moving to Winstaine.”
“That’s good to hear. I’ve heard the air in the north is very clean.”
Grace replied with a smile instead of words.
“I actually have a deep connection with your husband, the Duke of Winstaine.”
Prince Vladimir and Frederick?
Grace had seen firsthand that Frederick was close with Crown Prince Rubens, and had even heard about it from Frederick himself.
But he had never mentioned anything about Prince Vladimir.
“I’ll be sure to greet him next time. I haven’t had the chance since he’s been staying in Winstaine.”
“Yes. I’ll let His Grace know.”
“I’ll tell him myself. Well then, we’ll take our leave now. Let’s go, Mikael.”
Prince Vladimir left with Mikael. As Grace watched them walk away, someone placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Do you know Mikael?”
“Oh, Your Highness.”
The Crown Princess, who had disappeared earlier, had returned.
“We’re not very close, but I met him when we visited the Marquess of Sertil’s territory. He attended the banquet celebrating my marriage with Frederick.”
“Ah.”
The Crown Princess slowly nodded. Her expression looked strangely meaningful.
“He said he was a priest… but he mentioned he comes to the palace quite often.”
“He’s not just an ordinary priest.”
“Pardon?”
“He’s practically Prince Vladimir’s shadow, as you saw.”
Just as the Crown Princess said, Mikael had stayed close to Prince Vladimir’s side the whole time, even when the prince was talking with others.
“You’d be wise to be cautious around him. Don’t get too close.”
“…Yes.”
He didn’t seem particularly suspicious, so why such a warning? Grace was curious, but for now, she simply replied that she understood.
“Grace.”
She heard Frederick’s voice. Both she and the Crown Princess turned toward him. Frederick bowed politely to the Crown Princess.
“Your Highness.”
“Did you enjoy your time, Duke? As expected of today’s star—you were quite popular.”
“I think I’ve mingled enough. At least, I hope so.”
Frederick looked a little tired. Considering how many more people had surrounded him compared to Grace, it was no surprise.
“If it’s not rude, we’d like to excuse ourselves now.”
“But you’re the main guest—leaving already?”
“We’re both feeling a bit tired, my wife and I.”
“Well… if that’s the case, I suppose I can’t stop you. Please get some rest.”
The Crown Princess gave a regretful farewell. Grace took Frederick’s hand, and they left the banquet hall together.
“Did you enjoy it?”
“Yes. But talking to so many people was a bit tiring. Of course, not nearly as much as what you had to deal with…”
“I was overwhelmed too. Let’s spend some time together now, just the two of us.”
“I’d love that, Frederick.”
Grace smiled brightly and walked beside him.
Meanwhile…
“You called for me, sir?”
“Come, sit.”
Mikael sat quietly in the chair his master pointed to. Today, the prince’s expression didn’t look pleasant. In times like this, it was best to keep quiet.
Sigh…
A deep sigh escaped from Vladimir as he sat with arms crossed, staring into space. Mikael silently waited for him to speak.
“I don’t understand what my brother is planning.”
Rubens’ actions were shocking. After the war, he suddenly summoned a reclusive swordmaster to the capital and even appointed him as commander of the royal knights.
“Now the Duke of Winstaine is in the royal guard… This is becoming a real headache. So this is how he intends to keep me in check.”
The Duke of Winstaine was Rubens’ close friend. Their bond was so strong, no one could come between them.
Because their connection wasn’t based on politics or interests, Vladimir had always found the duke to be a bothersome figure.
“I doubt he’ll actively interfere, though.”
“His very existence is the problem. The fact that he supports the crown prince.”
Most nobles didn’t particularly like the Duke of Winstaine, but few were willing to openly oppose him. Having such a man backing Crown Prince Rubens was a problem.
“And his wife is quite the mystery too.”
Before coming to the capital with her husband, she was completely unknown.
A woman who had supposedly stayed home due to poor health—but could someone really be so completely unknown?
“Look into her. She’s supposedly from the Reinheim family, but no one seems to know her. It’s enough to question her identity.”
“Are you suggesting she might not be from the Reinheim family at all?”
“That’s unlikely. There is magic that can change hair and eye color, but it’s impossible to maintain such a disguise constantly.”
“Then… do you think she might be of Reinheim blood, but her birth has some hidden story?”
Vladimir nodded.
“Exactly. That family isn’t completely cut off from others… Someone must know something about her.”
“Understood.”
A few days later, Grace received a visitor.
“Good day, Duchess of Winstaine.”
“I’m Robert Japelin.”
He was a middle-aged man with graying hair. He introduced himself as an Armento, specifically a water wielder.
“I’ve come at Duke Frederick’s request to tell you more about us Armento.”
“Nice to meet you. Please, have a seat.”
Grace offered him a seat on the sofa, and he began his explanation.
“First of all… people like us who control water are called Aquaans. I am the leader of the Aquaans.”
“I see.”
“I’ve heard you’ve received the power of a divine beast. Is that true? Could you tell me in detail how it happened?”
“Well…”
Grace told him everything—from the moment she first met the fox to everything that had happened since, including her dreams.
“It definitely seems that being soaked in the blood of the divine beast had a strong effect. If this were to be revealed across the continent… it would certainly stir up major unrest.”
He looked thoughtful for a moment, a conflicted expression in his eyes, before continuing.
“Let me start by telling you a simple fact.”
He pulled a rolled-up scroll from his coat and spread it out. On it were small drawings representing water, fire, wind, and earth. In the center was a white circle. He pointed to the very center with his index finger.
“The divine beast governs all four elements of nature. This power it holds is called Quantum. It’s the origin and foundation of all the elements.”
“I see…”
“All Armento have Quantum within them. Depending on their natural disposition, they manipulate a specific element.”
Grace nodded, listening intently.
“Could you try lifting your arm for me?”
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