CH 62
Hugo’s long legs and agility proved their worth once again.
He dashed to the door in an instant, blocking it with his body. The door, which had been open by about a centimeter, slammed shut with a thud. He then clicked the lock and mouthed the words.
Cover the box!
Marienne quickly closed the lid of the box. She threw the large cloth over it, disguising it as a round table again. Hugo rushed over and did his best to straighten the lopsided fabric.
“Aide Didi…?”
Vileon’s tone had changed.
“Is something wrong?”
“Uh… ah, no! It’s nothing. Could you wait just a moment?”
Marienne looked at Hugo. She had to lower her voice so Vileon wouldn’t hear.
“So, what should we say we were doing with the door locked?”
“How should I know?”
Hugo glanced toward the door.
“I don’t mean to nitpick in this situation, but what you just said sounded a bit… peculiar. You should be careful with your choice of words in front of Sir Byers.”
“What do I do?”
Marienne bit her nails anxiously. Every excuse that came to mind seemed inappropriate. In the end, only two words filled her head: ‘Fire Hugo.’
“…I’ve got it.”
“What is it?”
“Preparing a surprise gift?”
“That doesn’t sound bad. I’ll open the door.”
Hearing only that, Hugo immediately opened the door. Marienne greeted Vileon, standing awkwardly beside her desk. This cramped office was certainly bustling today.
“Sir Byers, what brings you here?”
Marienne asked brightly. Vileon’s gaze traveled past her face and hair to Hugo.
My face and Hugo, I can understand, but why my hair?
Marienne pretended to casually tuck her hair behind her ear as she felt it.
It wasn’t a total mess, just a bit disheveled.
I must have done this to myself while I was panicking.
I hope Vileon doesn’t get any strange ideas and torment himself.
“I have something urgent to discuss with Aide Didi. You may leave.”
“Understood.”
Hugo glanced at Marienne. His eyes conveyed an apology and concern for leaving her alone, as well as an ill-concealed sense of relief.
Must be nice to escape.
Marienne gave him a look that wished him happiness on her behalf. Then again, it was probably better for Hugo not to be in front of Vileon right now.
Still, we have that camaraderie as fellow employees. He could have at least looked back once…
Hugo bowed to them both and left the office. He didn’t forget to kindly close the door on his way out.
Click.
Now, only Marienne and Vileon were left in the small office.
“You said you had something to tell me?”
Vileon glanced at the cloth-covered box. I have to make sure I don’t get flustered and start babbling before he even asks, Marienne told herself.
“The Fourth Princess is looking for you.”
“Me?”
Marienne’s eyes widened.
“Why?”
As she said this, Marienne tried hard not to look at the box in the corner.
It can’t be.
No matter how many informants she had planted, the Imperial Palace was vast. Could news of her fiancé’s affair have already reached Odette’s ears?
Crazy. An affair, she calls it. I’m innocent, you know?
Spit, spit, spit.
Marienne imagined spitting in the direction of Cain’s residence.
Anyway, I should take Hugo’s advice to heart. Be careful with my choice of words. Especially in front of Odette.
“The messenger didn’t say that much.”
“Would it kill them to give a little heads-up…?”
“Don’t worry too much. She summoned us both this time. I’ll help you.”
Vileon gave her a reassuring smile. She wanted to rely completely on her lover, but Marienne had too many things pricking at her conscience.
“Marienne.”
“Yes?”
“You should probably fix your hair.”
◇ ◆ ◇
I want to disappear.
That was Marienne’s first thought upon entering the Fourth Princess’s reception room.
Odette was not alone.
Sitting beside her was her fiancé, Duke Blackwood, the very man who had sent an expensive gift to another woman just a couple of hours ago.
The moment her eyes met with that bastard, who was calmly sipping his tea, Marienne’s mind went blank.
Don’t tell me that bastard confessed everything himself?
I’ll abide by the contract until our goal is achieved. I’ll lend you the power of the Blackwoods. But it’s only a matter of time—I will have Marienne Didi. I’ve already sent her jewels and a dress.
It sounds insane, but with him, it’s possible!
Let’s say that bastard Cain already did it. How would I look in Odette’s eyes? Wouldn’t I seem like a troublemaker who disrupts the discipline of her male supporters?
Marienne studied Odette’s expression. But she couldn’t read any sign on the princess’s ice-sculpture-like face.
“Byers greets the Fourth Princess.”
Vileon greeted her from the side. Marienne quickly followed suit and paid her respects.
Unlike Vileon, who simply placed a hand over his left breast and bowed his head, Marienne had to bend her knees again.
Fortunately, unlike their first meeting, an invisible force didn’t press down on her shoulders today.
I can’t do this often.
It was still difficult, even without the pressure from above. Marienne mourned for her poor knee cartilage.
I either need to avoid audiences as much as possible, or I’ll have to get a title and raise my own status.
My knees. My thighs. They’re going to snap.
“You may be at ease, Byers.”
“Thank you.”
Saved. Marienne sighed in relief internally and started to rise. But a calm remark stopped her.
“Did I say Aide Marienne Didi could rise as well?”
Marienne immediately bent her knees again, bowing her head low for good measure.
“You did not.”
“Your posture is always quite good. You should come to my palace sometime and demonstrate for the young maids.”
“You’re too kind.”
Odette’s lips curved into a smile.
“Still not losing a single word in reply, I see. I was just teasing. You may rise as well.”
If you tease me twice, my legs will break.
Only then did Marienne straighten up. She didn’t even glance toward that bastard Cain, who was calmly watching the whole affair as if he were a mere bystander.
Then Odette spoke.
“Byers, relax your expression. Are you going to hate me already just because I teased your person a little?”
Marienne reflexively looked at Vileon. Since he was standing a step ahead of her, she couldn’t see his expression clearly. But it was certain that his profile was rigid.
“How could I dare to hate Your Highness?”
“Should I bring you a mirror? Do you want to see what your face looks like right now?”
“That’s quite all right. Let’s get to the point.”
Vileon cut her off with a composed tone.
“Why have you summoned us?”
“There will be news from the Crown Prince’s side soon.”
Odette’s gaze shifted to Marienne.
“I wanted to discuss future plans with the person who came up with such an excellent scheme.”
Odette gestured for them to sit. Marienne and Vileon sat opposite her.
Could there be a more uncomfortable four-way meeting in the world?
A maid brought tea for the newcomers. Marienne hurriedly brought the teacup to her lips. At least while she was drinking tea, she wouldn’t have to speak.
Just then, the sugar bowl was slid smoothly in front of Marienne.
Who among the three would do such a thing?
Cain Blackwood, of course.
It could only be him.
Marienne, who had wanted to add a spoonful of sugar right after her first sip, was now unable to touch the sugar bowl because of Cain.
“The milk is here, Aide.”
The man seemed determined to go all out. He was doing this without hesitation while Odette and Vileon were watching intently right beside him.
And using such unfittingly formal language, of all things. It was truly absurd.
“Allow me to thank the Duke for his consideration on her behalf.”
Vileon pulled the sugar bowl toward himself. He opened the lid and scooped up a heaping spoonful of sugar with a dainty teaspoon.
“Marienne.”
Vileon called her name gently. With a look on her face as if her soul had left her body, Marienne held out her teacup. The snow-white sugar fell softly into the red tea.
It dissolved so easily.
Marienne wished she could dissolve just like the sugar and escape.
“A little more?”
Vileon asked. Marienne shook her head vigorously.
“What about milk?”
“I’ll do it.”
Marienne gave a vague smile and reached for the dainty pitcher of milk. She expected to feel smooth porcelain, but what her fingertips touched was, horrifyingly, that bastard Cain’s finger.
Marienne snatched her hand back in shock. Cain then said curtly.
“Your cup.”
He meant for her to hold it out so he could pour the milk. Marienne tried to hedge, saying she’d suddenly changed her mind. Of course, Cain didn’t listen to a word she said.
“Aide, your cup?”
If it were just the three of us, I would have poured this tea over his head.
She decided she couldn’t stall any longer by refusing. Marienne suppressed her anger and held her teacup out to Cain.
“More?”
“That’s enough. Thank you.”
Now I don’t even dare to look at Odette.
What was she to do about this insane battle of nerves between the men? And they were doing it right in front of Odette, making Marienne Didi’s heart shrink in real time.
Everyone, please leave. I want to be alone. If that’s not possible, then at least let me leave by myself!
She was drinking the tea to wet her parched mouth, but honestly, she couldn’t tell where it was going.
“Everyone is so kind.”
It was Odette, who had been silently observing the three of them. She finally spoke.
“It’s fundamentally different from the Crown Prince’s palace, where you can’t find a shred of courtesy.”
Odette sought Marienne’s agreement.
“Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, I believe it’s the kind of unity that will seize final victory.”
Marienne babbled whatever came to mind. She was willing to say anything to get through this situation.
“Your Highness, so what kind of news do you expect from the Crown Prince? Is the public library project now in a completely hopeless state?”
“That’s about right. After today, all the traps will be set.”
Just as she managed to steer the conversation to work, Cain suddenly rose from his seat.
“It seems the conversation will be rather tedious for me, so I shall take my leave. It will be sufficient to inform me of any decisions later. I’ll say it again, but the Duke Blackwood family is in charge of the funding for Your Highness’s plan.”
When he added, “Not the brilliant schemes,” Cain’s blue eyes turned to Vileon.
Cain lightly took Odette’s hand. Looking at her, he kissed the back of her pale hand. Up to that point, it could have been considered a normal farewell to his fiancée.
“Then, farewell.”
Turning his back on Odette, Cain offered Vileon a careless nod in place of a proper greeting.
The problem was what came next.
Without a word, Cain winked at Marienne as he passed by. It was an act so bold it was brazen, utterly absurd.
Because of it, even by the time Cain had left the drawing room, Marienne still hadn’t fully processed what had just happened to her.
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