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Chapter 27 – Never Letting Go
“… That’s why Her Majesty and I lost everything.” Kaien looked up at the sky and muttered. He was in a hurry to protect his family and younger sister, so he gave up on human emotions and showed no greed.
Gloria, so preciously protected that her eyes were blinded and her hands were tied, was taken by vicious men and crowned with a splendid crown of thorns. He, who gave up human emotions, and she, who gave up her will.
“I will be greedy now.”
‘I’m afraid it’ll get spoiled. I’m afraid the soft petals will rip because of my greed.’ However, Gloria gave up in the past and was mercilessly trampled by a man named Erun. With such an innocent smile, she learned to hate and was torn by betrayal, but she regained her lost will and became a person who knew how to get up.
“From now on, neither I nor Her Majesty will ever give up, His Majesty.”
[tl/n: He’s talking to the late Emperor, Gloria’s father]
Kaien smiled as he looked at the splendid side Palace glittering like it had been sprinkled with dazzling jewel powder.
“Your Majesty!”
As soon as Gloria entered her chamber, Diana rushed to her with a surprised face. Behind her, Duchess Praud rolled her eyes at the sight, but Gloria said with a small smile.
“If it’s because I have had a fever for a while, don’t pay too much attention. What’s the matter? Shouldn’t you be at the Duchy by now, Diana?”
“How could I be resting peacefully at the Duchy when Your Majesty is all alone?”
Gloria smiled a little at Diana’s concern, expressed in her very upset tone.
‘Kaien must have strictly told you to stay calm at the Duke’s mansion. If it’s his younger sibling, isn’t he as terrible as you think?’ She caressed Diana’s cheek and said soothingly.
“Why didn’t you take a good rest when you went home after a long time?”
“I’m hurt, Your Majesty. Were you happy that I wasn’t here?!!”
“No way.”
Diana pouted like a child, then smiled brightly. She put her arms around Gloria, and the latter did not let go and started walking. Diana opened her mouth as if waiting.
“More than that, Your Majesty, do you know the news that the Lord of Palodan has entered the palace today? That wicked Lord. He used to make excuses to avoid entering the Palace, but this time my elder brother— The Duke was very angry.”
“That person?”
“Yes. He said that if he didn’t come to the palace soon, he would personally visit and bring him here.” Diana had witnessed Kaien calling Lord Palodan’s representative to the Duchy and threatening him aggressively, and she trembled at the memory.
‘It’s really scary to see him working… His face is the most beautiful, but he’s so brutal!’
At Diana’s declaration, Gloria rolled her eyes and was lost in thought.
‘It wasn’t Erun’s call after all? Come to think of it, Lord Palodan was one of those who supported Erun.’ She recalled Erun sent an agent to order a tax reduction. At that time, Erun said, “He will be among those who will become a strong support for Your Majesty in the future. However, tax reduction is a sensitive issue, and for the sake of your future, I will issue the official notice in my name, not in Your Majesty’s name.’ He pretended so well…
‘Damn bastard. Pretending to care about me when you and Lord Palodan were to do business together? Disgusting brat!’ Gloria wanted to kick Erun in the appendage she hated the most, the one he took such pride in. At that time, she had nodded at Erun who seemed to love her very much, but of course that was not the case.
“This time, I will definitely ruin that handsome face.” Gloria’s bleak blue eyes stared straight ahead.
‘What the hell happened with the Marquis?’ Diana thought nervously as she glanced at Gloria. She was the woman who smiled softly at Erun not so long ago. Kaien too, was also a person who had no hostility towards Erun, even if he didn’t smile at him. However, both of them started expressing their hatred toward Erun just a few days apart.
Whether she understood the changes or not, the Duchess of Praud warned Diana to be careful:
“Make sure you do not get entangled with them, Diana.”
Before Gloria returned to the side Palace, Diana hurried upon seeing Duchess Praud grabbing her throbbing head as if she had a headache. Then, as she watched the Duchess’ back returning her way, one of the ladies whispered to Diana.
“The Duke and the Marquis had a great fight in the garden earlier.”
“Yes?”
Diana’s eyes widened at her news, and she was very startled. At the sound of her loud voice, the Lady looked in the Duchess’ direction and said, covering her mouth with a fan.
“It’s a secret, Princess. I went for a walk with the Duchess earlier… I don’t know, why would the Duke and the Marquis fight fiercely? The two of them were standing with grim expressions on their faces, and then suddenly the Duke banged the Marquis at the tree!”
“…!”
Startled by the Lady’s tale, Diana’s face immediately froze. Kaien was well aware of his own strength, so he never acted recklessly.
‘He smacked Erun? Why on earth?’ Diana put her hand on her forehead and squeezed her eyes shut. The Lady, as if feeling sorry for Diana, continued with a small apology.
“I’m sorry. Still, I think you should listen to the Duke. By the way, Princess Ludenberg…”
“Yes?”
Swallowing a sigh at the soft voice, Diana looked at the Lady’s face. The woman spoke in a voice that seemed somehow happy.
“I’ve- I have never seen the Duke reveal such a greedy side.”
There was sincerity in it, and Diana had no choice but to open her eyes wide.
Kaien Ludenberg revealed his greed. Those words came as a great shock to Diana. Needless to say, her older brother was far from greedy and never showed emotions.
‘Did Elder Brother show his feelings to Her Majesty?’ Diana glanced sideways at Gloria, who was giggling while twisting and squeezing something in her hands.
Her Majesty Gloria Blake, as beautiful as a peony flower. One day, she began to show intense emotions, and Kaien Ludenberg began to show his emotions to others besides himself. It would be understandable if she felt a bit disappointed, however, Diana watched Gloria, who was biting her lips with even more gleaming eyes.
“Mmh?” Perched on the luxurious emerald velvet sofa, Gloria became conscious of Diana next to her. Worried about the beautiful Princess who sat with her, she leaned her upper body and smiled awkwardly with her eyes twinkling. Without permission, Diana clasped Gloria’s hands, speaking excitedly to the Emperor’s astonished expression.
“Your Majesty. I’m always on your side! I hope Your Majesty establishes a relationship with someone who loves you and cherishes you very much. Of course, a Royal marriage is important, but it is still the first marriage!”
“O- okay.”
At Diana’s excited vow, Gloria struggled to raise the corner of her mouth and smiled. Her lips were trembling with how hard it was, but Diana had already fallen into a romantic delusion and began to make a fuss, covering her cheeks.
‘It’s not my first marriage.’ Gloria tilted her head at Diana, who was screaming and acting like a girl in love. ‘What kind of expression would you make if I said that Erun and I were once married?’ But Gloria wasn’t stupid enough to say those things. She patted Diana on the shoulder, pondering.
‘Lord Palodan has more funds than I thought. So Erun must have persuaded him to hold hands. But after Kaien’s scolding today, I’m not sure we’ll be able to see those assets.’ It was a small amount compared to the national treasury, but it was quite a large amount to be considered as the wealth of a Margrave.
‘Did you purposely get angry and hand useless things to Erun?’ Gloria smiled contentedly at Kaien looking a few steps ahead. Since he had been ignored by Kaien twice in the morning —even turning his back at him— it was clear that Erun would never be nice to Lord Palodan, whom he will meet today.
“Then how can I comfort the Lord who must have been mistreated by Erun?”
Gloria smiled softly, cupping her cheek.
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It was just as Gloria thought. Erun, not only deprived of his fiancée by Kaien but also the recipient of extra work, was very angry with the Lord. That was the story she heard from the Chamberlain. She laughed loudly when she heard that Lord Palodan vigorously left the Palace after throwing papers in his face and insulting him. Perhaps made anxious by the Emperor’s laughter, Baron Berne asked with a worried look
“Your Majesty, is it alright? Won’t the Marquis get you in trouble? Lord Palodan is one of the Marquis’ —your fiancé— current supporters.”
“That’s why it’s good news for me, Berne.”
Gloria replied with a joyful voice. It was to her advantage that Erun had no support even if it was all an act. And if he runs out of funds because of it, all the more so!!
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