SGC 25

CHAPTER 25

Translator: Rae

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Rozella paused midway through the letter, her thoughts drifting elsewhere.

The House of Hayden was the pillar and backbone of the current dynasty. The reigning house, Glister, had come to the throne almost by accident. When the former dynasty, Obren, fractured, the right of succession passed to a collateral line.

Thus, in its early years, the authority of the Glister crown was so frail that it could not escape the interference of the council. Powerful nobles refused to acknowledge the new dynasty and often disparaged them as unworthy of being the true royal house.

It was the House of Hayden that saved the king from becoming little more than a puppet.

Originally a neutral faction inclined toward the nobles, the Duke of Hayden chose to stand with the royal family, and countless nobles who followed his house lent their strength to the crown.

After the power became more evenly distributed, the kingdom gradually regained stability. It was only natural that the royal family would wish to bind itself to Hayden through marriage and secure a firmer alliance.

Yet the relationship between the two houses, which might have continued smoothly, had suddenly twisted awry. The princess likely harbored resentment toward Edmund for that.

And surely she bore no small ill will toward Rozella as well, the woman who had taken her betrothed.

“...” 

Holding her tension close, Rozella continued reading. Contrary to her expectations, the contents were ordinary and courteous.

In an elegant hand, it conveyed sincere congratulations on the marriage and expressed anticipation for a future meeting.

“If you find difficulty in composing a reply, please tell me. I shall offer what small counsel I can.”

Cynthia added this as she set fresh paper and a pen upon the table. Lifting her head, Rozella looked at the impassive face she had grown rather accustomed to.

From what she had seen thus far, Cynthia, the head maid, was a woman who rarely altered her expression and seldom spoke unnecessarily.

At first, that trait had felt difficult to approach, but with time Rozella had come to adapt to Cynthia’s solemn manner.

With Edmund’s permission, Cynthia had been handling various domestic affairs in place of Rozella, who was unfamiliar to such matters.

Edmund must have a good reason to trust someone like her. As Cynthia was the only person Rozella could rely on for now, it seemed best to trust and follow her as well.

“To be honest, I know nothing at all about royal etiquette.”

There had been a course at the academy that covered royal protocol. Yet it was a special subject intended for nobles who would later enter politics, and Rozella had neither considered enrolling nor been given the opportunity.

In any case, one had to clearly admit ignorance for an adviser to offer clear guidance.

Cynthia might think her foolish for such ignorance, but at the very least she did not seem the type to show it outwardly.

“I cannot grasp how a letter to royalty should begin or end. Is there some customary form that is commonly used?”

"There is no particular fixed form." 

As expected, Cynthia replied with unchanging calm.

“However, there is no need to adorn your words with exaggerated praise simply because she is royalty. You are, after all, the Duchess.”

Placing slight emphasis on the word Duchess, Cynthia regarded Rozella like a strict lecturer.

“I recommend you avoid expressions that lower yourself excessively. Do not be servile, yet maintain propriety and blend in a measured humility.”

The memory of her academy lectures surfaced, and Rozella’s eyes grew intent. Watching her listen, Cynthia continued carefully.

“Since Her Highness expresses anticipation for a future meeting, it would be wise to focus your reply on that point.”

“I shall do so.”

At her docile reply, Cynthia nodded and dipped the pen into ink before offering it to Rozella.

“If there is anything excessive or lacking, you may simply write it anew, so please begin at ease. I shall review it beside you.”

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When the duke finally emerged after his audience with the king, Vanessa drew her weary steps across the carpet.

The Duke of Hayden was descending the central staircase alongside Crown Prince Lennox. Clad in a deep blue uniform, striding forward on long legs without hesitation, he seemed to stand somewhere between duke and soldier.

Unable to restrain herself, Vanessa spoke his name.

"Edmund..." 

Her shoulders trembled faintly like frail petals.

The moment she heard that the Duke of Hayden had entered the palace, she had run all the way from her residence. If not now, she would have no chance to speak with him alone.

Soon the duke noticed Vanessa and approached with steps neither hurried nor slow, coming to a halt before her.

The sight of him placing a hand over his firm chest and bowing his head was so magnificent it brought tears to her eyes.

"Your Highness the Princess." 

Vanessa’s blue eyes shimmered faintly, while Crown Prince Lennox, stepping to the duke’s side, wore an awkward expression.

“Nessie, while you are recuperating, you should think only of rest.”

He dissuaded his sister gently, yet Vanessa shook her head without yielding.

“I am quite well. Please allow me to speak with Edmund.”

“The duke must leave the palace shortly. Now is not the time. At your next meeting…”

“Brother, please.”

Lennox, who seemed particularly softhearted before his youngest sister, could not press her further and turned his gaze to the duke. Fortunately, the duke inclined his head without the slightest sign of reluctance.

“It is quite all right. It seems Her Highness has something urgent to say to me.”

Lennox then looked at Vanessa with a slightly relieved expression. He seemed worried that she might embarrass the duke with some impulsive act, yet now he could not do anything about it.

Even if Vanessa failed to master her emotions, the duke would surely soothe her with measured words.

So long as no needless remark provoked her, Vanessa would soon regain composure. She had adored and followed the duke devotedly since childhood.

The duke was a prudent man. He could be trusted. Reassured, Lennox offered them a brief nod and withdrew first.

Only after her brother disappeared did Vanessa step closer to the man before her. Edmund’s calm green eyes met hers steadily.

How is it that even in such a moment you are so beautiful it pains my heart, Vanessa murmured with a sorrowful face.

“I cannot remember how long it has been since we faced one another like this. Can you?”

Edmund, the eldest son of House Hayden, whom she first met at sixteen, had long been the one she held in her heart.

When she first saw him enter the palace beside the late duke, her peer in age, Vanessa had been certain that the long awaited partner of her destiny had appeared.

It was partly because House Hayden was the steadfast pillar that had saved the royal family, yet that was not the only reason she was drawn to him.

A radiant and superior appearance. A noble character that shone distinctly among aristocratic youths slick with vanity and ambition. He was fundamentally different from any other nobleman.

Without exaggeration, he was the very model of a first love that young ladies of society could only admire in secret. And yet, to those of insignificant birth, he was a being of longing and aspiration forever out of reach.

That man had been destined to become Vanessa’s. In other words, Vanessa was the only one who could own him.

That had been certain. Then why had she come to face a result like a nightmare?

“His Majesty informed me that you have not been in good health lately.”

Lost in self pity and at a loss for words, Vanessa was brought back by the sweet voice that reached her.

In the features of the man, touched with measured courtesy, there was no clear emotion of the sort Vanessa hoped to see.

Even so, she asked again, her eyes filled with expectation.

“Were you… so very worried for me?”

Edmund’s eyes, slightly dry and unreadable, were soon accompanied by the gentle curve of his well shaped lips.

At that smile offered in place of an answer, Vanessa fluttered her lashes, feeling like the tragic heroine of a romance.

Ah, so you have been thinking of me all this time.

As though they were lovers torn apart by intrigue despite still loving one another, she continued pitifully, as if tears might fall at any moment.

“Do not worry. I have recovered considerably now. It is merely… a passing pain.”

She whispered softly, arranging her features into the frailest expression she could manage.

“I know it is late, but I sincerely congratulate you on your marriage.”

Having uttered words that carried not the slightest sincerity, a wave of nausea rose in her throat.

The image of the woman who had stood beside him at the cathedral wedding made her chest feel as though it were collapsing.

“Not long ago, I sent a letter of greeting to the Duchess as well. Though I have not received a reply… I quite understand her feelings.”

It had been only a single day since she sent it, so the absence of a response was only natural. Yet such objective truths mattered little to Vanessa.

For in this moment, Vanessa had to be the most wretched and pitiable woman in the world.

***

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